Vivian received an award for 25 years of service at the South Australian Cricket Association's Community Cricket Awards in Adelaide on Monday. In addition, Vivian also won the Ambassador of the Year award, an honour that took him completely by surprise.

"That was totally unexpected, I didn't even read the hand-out to see that I was nominated," Vivian said.

"They put it up on the screen and there were five or six nominations and I was one of them.

"I thought, 'Gee, that's nice to be nominated', but I thought someone else might have deserved it more than me… apparently not. That really floored me a bit." 

Vivian has been involved in the inter-cricket and representative cricket pathways in the region since the late 1990s, and has coached Kaniva's under-16s team for the past eight years.

He is able to impart his experience as a former Country Australia player, having played against the likes of India and the West Indies in his heyday.

Now, Vivian's focus is watching youngsters grow and develop a love and appreciation of the game.

"I love being around the kids and seeing them improve - seeing them make their first 50 or take their first wicket," Vivian said.

"When you see kids come up as eight-year-olds through the ranks and into the senior grades, you can sort of pat yourself on the back a bit and see that you've done something right."

By his own admission, Vivian is not one to relish the spotlight, and is happiest working behind the scenes without any fanfare.

But after 25 years promoting and working tirelessly for cricket in the region, Vivian said the recognition from the South Australian Cricket Association was "pretty special." 

"It's a bit humbling, I didn't expect anything like it," he said.

"You just do it because you love it... but it's good to get some recognition for the years you put into helping the kids out and chipping in where you can. I guess it makes you feel wanted."