Piper Kerrie French, along with a large crowd, turned out to surprise local personality Tommy Jeffs on his birthday.

Along with the music, Tommy was also greeted by local preschool children who came down to see him on his special day.

Janeen Wright, who made a speech on the day, highlighted the work done by Gail Davis, who planned the surprise.

"The person to thank for all of this is Gail," she said.

"Gail has organised with Tommy that the Craft Shop ladies would come over and sing happy birthday.

"She didn't tell him about everybody in Gaskill Street, all the friends, the children, the piper, so I think we owe a tremendous big thank you to Gail."

Janeen said the occasion provided an opportunity to thank Tommy for his years of service to the Canowindra community.

"We know so much about his community work, his OAM award, which is fantastic," she said.

"But a lot of people don't know the unsung things that Tommy does."

Janeen said Tommy goes above and beyond for the town's community groups.

"I know he's done things like providing meals and morning teas for people when COVID started," she said.

"Even looking after the CWA ladies on a most dreadful cold day, [he] ducked down to the Craft Shop, bought sausages rolls, came back, heated them up, took them up and made tea.

"A lot of people don't know those sorts of things so I think Tommy's support, a lot of it goes unnoticed but it's there.

"The support he gives to Gail for his dancing groups, restoring this beautiful building and providing a place for people to come to visit Canowindra and appreciate it."

Janeen also read out a verse in a card which she believes "summed up Tom very well".

"The life of a person is measured not with years but with the footprint that he leaves in other people's lives, thoughts and hearts."

In response, Tommy said he was overwhelmed by the gesture.

"I love being part of the town and being part of this community and it's a wonderful town and I'm just proud to be a member of it," he said.

"I'll keep giving as long as I can keep giving."