A CREIGHTONS Creek man’s 1964 fire truck was one of the biggest hits at this year’s Australian National Show & Shine Euroa.

Council CEO Tim Tamlin presented James Dunn with the Strathbogie Shire Council award on Sunday in recognition of the WE Austin vehicle, built in Ballarat.

Mr Dunn bought the vehicle in 1989 because he “wanted something to use around the farm”.

“It's fully operational,” he said.

“It's got a five horsepower motor and pump on the back, and it's good for me to use out in the paddocks to cart water.

“It's a 400-gallon taxi if you ask me.

“It's got to earn its keep.”

Despite being 60 years old, it is also still used as a fire truck.

“It's tied up with the Creightons Creek Fire Brigade and they've asked me if I'd make it available for our end of Creightons Creek, which is the northern end of Creightons Creek,” Mr Dunn said.

Show & Shine committee president Donna Carroll nominated the vehicle as her personal highlight of the show.

“He honestly is the loveliest man,” Ms Carroll said of Mr Dunn.

“He's been consulting with us all the way through.

“He was just so proud of this truck, and he has done the most extraordinary job.”