His "Talking Straight" Shepparton-based men's group has seen more than 200 blokes gain strength and awareness through meeting regularly to talk about their emotions.
Now, Mr Wright's selfless dedication to making other people's lives better has now been recognised with a Rotary Paul Harris Fellowship Award, rarely given to anyone outside the international community service organisation.
Rotary Club of Shepparton South president Belinda Liggins said the club was left dumbstruck when Mr Wright talked to members about his men's group work at a club meeting earlier this year.
“We were just blown away by his talk. It was so powerful, we wanted to acknowledge the amazing work he has done for so long,” Ms Liggins said.
“Our motto is ‘service above self’ and that is exactly what Dale keeps on doing,” she said.
Mr Wright said when he was contacted by the club to come back and give a talk about photography earlier this month he had no idea what was in store.
“I said to them I can't fit it in. But they persuaded me. When I'd finished my talk, they told me to wait and then all of a sudden a big speech was made and they presented me with this award. It felt like my eulogy - I just felt so humble,” he said.
In his speech, club president-elect Gary Neilsen praised Dale's commitment to improving the lives of other men.
“He gives of his time freely and no cost to the participants, it's simply to help men struggling through difficult times,” Mr Neilsen said.
The Talking Straight group consists of up to 12 members who start meeting in April each year.
Mr Wright arranges events such as the "Hunters and Gatherers" dinner which they prepare themselves and which is aimed at making men realise what the women in their lives do for them.
Mr Wright said last year was a particularly difficult time for the group.
“The whole COVID thing did my head in,” he said.
“I was getting text messages from men saying ‘I'm having a really bad day'. I told them to just come in to the studio for a talk. It was all under COVID rules,” he said.
Mr Neilsen also recognised Mr Wright's wider community work at St Brendan's Catholic Church where he has written music and played the organ for 40 years, and has produced the Stations of the Cross ceremony every Easter.
Mr Wright's previous charity work with service clubs, his Victorian Police and Blue Ribbon Community Service award, his Shepparton Citizen of the Year award and Shepparton Chamber of Commerce Hall of Fame award was also recognised.
Mr Wright said he was humbled and surprised by the Paul Harris Fellowship Award.
“I don't do these things for recognition. But it was an emotional moment, I know the power of this award,” he said.
He said he plans to display the framed certificate at his Wyndham St photography studio "with pride".
