Ask the many Shoalhaven people and groups Mr Hanlon has helped over the years and you will be told this tireless community worker is a lot better and bigger than the Caped Crusader. 

As part of this year’s Shoalhaven Superheroes Festival Mr Hanlon was recently named a finalist in the Service and Beyond community not for profit category, along with the Shoalhaven Youth Concert Band and local volunteer Zac Mihajlovic.

The finalists now get further recognition when they attend the inaugural Shoalhaven Superheroes Festival Volunteer Recognition Reception event at Parliament House in Macquarie Street, Sydney this month.

The well-known Vincentia resident said he was happy to attend the awards event, even though the superhero label does not sit too easily with him.

“I will tell you who are superheros - they are war veterans and people like that,” Mr Hanlon said.

The Honourable John Ajaka MLC, Minister for Volunteering and State Member for Kiama Gareth Ward will also attend the awards event on Tuesday, October 18.

Mr Hanlon a long term Lions Club member and Relay of Life supporter said he just liked to help people.

“I suppose it (volunteering) is just in my blood and I like putting back into the community,’ he said.

“Ask many other volunteers and they will say they don’t do this work for recognition.”

Sometimes he wonders why he takes on so many community causes but then he thinks about sick children, in particular and his volunteering continues.

The Shoalhaven Superheroes volunteer awards, in its second year, aims is to provide a platform to showcase individuals, groups and organisations, who have shown an outstanding commitment to helping the community and those within it.

Go to www.shoalhavensuperheroes.com.au to learn more about the region’s wonderful volunteers and also to read more about this community festival.