Mr Dalgleish met Victorian Governor Linda Dessau and about 140 fellow volunteers from across the state for World Cancer Day on Thursday.

He chairs the Horsham and Districts Relay For Life in March each year.

Mr Dalgleish returned from a G’Day USA in January trip to find a letter from Ms Dessau inviting him to a civic reception in Melbourne.

“It was all a bit of a surprise,” he said.

“I thought I was invited because all the chair managers of various Relay For Life events were being invited, but there are 70 relays in Victoria, and from all of them only seven people were invited.

“You’ve got hundreds and thousands of volunteers – to whittle it down to the 140 invited on the day across a number of different fields was a difficult task.

“I was pretty chuffed to be one of them.”

Mr Dalgleish said the celebration also involved people who volunteered for other Cancer Council fundraisers including Daffodil Day and Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea.

“It was good to catch up with other volunteers, and I also met up with Teresa Marchesini from Horsham,” he said.

“She was invited for her fundraising efforts with her Horsham and Districts Relay For Life team.

“It was a pleasant surprise to see a familiar face.”

Mr Dalgleish said the event included an address from the governor.

“One of the volunteers also spoke on behalf of all of us,” he said.

“The reception was primarily for volunteers. None of the Cancer Council staff were involved as far as I’m aware.

“It was great to have that recognition.”

Cancer researchers and doctors were also part of the celebrations.

Volunteers also had a chance to explore Government House’s grand hall and dining room.

Mr Dalgleish said the day was also an opportunity to talk to other volunteers about their events.

“One team raised $23,000 in its first year,” he said.

“There was another that started with a 10-year-old girl who decided she wanted to do something to get rid of cancer.

“She got some school friends to form a committee and with help from parents they raised $16,000.”

Mr Dalgleish also had a one on one chat with the governor.

“She will be in the Wimmera next month, so I told her to feel free to come along to our relay on March 18 and 19,” he said.

“We are hoping it will tie in with her visit.

“She asked me for my business card and said she will be in touch. We will also send her a formal invitation.”