ACTS of selflessness can often be few and far between, but for Dick Schubert they are nothing new.

The Roma resident was recently nominated for a lifetime contribution to volunteering award.

The awards recognise, celebrate and reward those in the state who epitomise the spirit of volunteering.

Mr Schubert said the first indication he had been nominated was an email he received on Saturday, congratulating him and inviting him to the event.

"I saw the news in my email that day and it was a complete shock. I had absolutely no idea and it really is a great honour. I'm so thankful to those who nominated me,” he said.

"I didn't expect such a nomination. I never expect any rewards for volunteering because if you want those things, you're doing it for the wrong reasons.”

Dick Schubert is best known in Roma as a talented boxing coach, but few could really know how deep the rabbit hole goes when it comes to his volunteer experience.

"I've been volunteering ever since I was young. I volunteered with Youth Justice to help those at probation and parole get their hours done and avoid further penalties,” he said.

"I then spent many years helping elderly who find it hard to get around - I mowed their lawns for years. That's something I've reinforced to my grandchildren, caring for your elderly.

"If someone also needs a security guard on the weekend, I help out. Sometimes I'm paid but most often it's volunteer work, and that's fine because it's all for the community.”

However, it has been MrSchubert's devotion to helping disadvantaged and troubled children that is his most remarkable contribution - a cause instilled through his experiences as a child.

"I never knew my father and when I was very young I was put into an orphanage and spent several years inside there,” he said.

"In those seven years, I was so badly abused that when I eventually went back into the care of my mother, I vowed that I would never see another person go through that again.”

In 30-plus years, MrSchubert and his wife Frances have helped more than 80 disadvantaged children, even at the cost of his own health.

"One such time I've never forgotten was when I went to Goondiwindi 16 years ago for the Australian boxing titles. I ended up having a heart attack and when I left the hospital and was driving out of town I received a phone call,” he said.

"It was a mother I knew asking me to come back to Goondiwindi and collect their two boys as they were in the wrong company and there was one on the juvenile offenders list who was in a bad way.

"I drove back that day and took them home, put them through high school, gave them respected values to follow and today they're both successful, fantastic kids.”

Mr Schubert said despite the fact it was he who received the nomination, he was extremely thankful to his wife for being beside him during the difficult but rewarding days with disadvantaged children.

"My wife, Frances has been simply amazing. She really deserves a medal for what she's done,” he said.

"Especially as she's spent months, as I have, working with children who at first were extremely difficult to deal with and help.”

The award ceremony is in Brisbane on May 12.