For his major milestone birthdays, long-serving Warrumbungle Shire councillor, Baradine farmer and local identity Denis Todd has created a tradition of using his private celebration to give back to the community he loves. 

This year, for his 80th birthday, he raised $18,360 for a number of local groups, with the money being handed over recently at a gathering in Baradine Library. 

"That's the third one of them. It went quite well," said Mr Todd with quiet understatement.

For his 60th birthday, Dennis raised $14,000 for the Flying Doctor and for his 70th $8,000 for the memorial hall. 

"This time, we're giving some more to the hall to put in a new hot water system in the kitchen," his partner Evelyn Hampton said. 

The money was donated by the over 100 guests at his birthday party on 8 June, with others unable to attend still contributing to his birthday chest. 

"Some of them made quite substantial donations. We are exceptionally grateful to the very generous people." said Ms Hampton.

Baradine Aged Care, the Hospital Auxiliary, and the Memorial Hall Committee each received $6,000.

Ms Hampton believes all these local groups play a vital role in the community. 

"If it weren't for aged, we wouldn't have a doctor," she said, as the aged care facility in Baradine owns the doctor's surgery. . 

"The doctor gets a free house. They pay for the maintenance, insurance, upkeep of the surgery, and new equipment."

Ms Hampton said the Hospital Auxiliary ensures the patient's welfare by providing them access to entertainment equipment. She hopes that the money fundraised during her partner's birthday will go towards buying smart TVs for acute care. 

"It takes a lot of cake stalls to raise $6,000," she said.

The remaining $360 went towards a four-burner barbeque for the new nurses' quarters in hopes of attracting and retaining staff. 

"Summer is coming up and it would be nice to have a communal garden for the nurses," Ms Hampton said. 

She hopes the money will attract and retain more nursing staff. 

"We're really reliant on agency staff. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't be able to operate."