With the trademark laugh in her voice, retired ABC radio announcer Alex Sloan tries mightily to deflect any praise as a result of being named the 2017 Canberra Citizen of the Year.
"There are so many other deserving people," she said, plaintively.
It's typical Alex: warm, self-deprecating, wanting to draw attention to the strengths of others.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr will announce on Friday Sloan is the 2017 Citizen of the Year, with an official ceremony to be held at 10.30am at the Canberra Museum and Gallery.
"Alex has been recognised for her service to the community of the ACT, through her commitment to telling the stories of Canberrans and giving them a voice during her 22 years with ABC Radio Canberra," Mr Barr said.
"She is also acknowledged for her selfless support of a range of community organisations and charitable events."
Whether it was on Afternoons walking up a hill with a Canberra identity to reveal another side of them in Capital Constitutional, doing the gardening program with Mark Carmody on Saturday mornings or talking to a local politician, Sloan always brought warmth to the airwaves.
She was fondly farewelled from ABC Radio Canberra last year as she retired after 22 years with the national broadcaster in the national capital and after a career of 27 years with Aunty.
"You know I love Canberra to death and I was so loved-up by my audience at the end of last year. It was stunning. It was like going to your own funeral," she said, with a laugh.
"So to have this, it's very lovely."
Sloan moved to Canberra in 1995 from Radio National in Sydney to do the drive program for then 666 ABC Canberra.
She has been devoted to Canberra ever since, meeting her husband Rob Thorman here and having their daughter Zoe, now 17.
"I love the ease in which you can become part of the community," she said.
"It's all so accessible to you. Whether having great conversations at your local shops to wandering the town, going to the local park, all that sort of stuff makes it a magical place.
Mr Barr said Sloan was part of the fabric of the Canberra community.
"Alex presented various programs on ABC Radio Canberra, including Drive, Saturday Breakfast, Sunday Brunch, Mornings, and Afternoons.
"Over that time she supported artists, musicians and writers by exposing their work and was also well known for her warm and engaging interview style," Mr Barr said.
"Outside of her role as a broadcaster Alex has also been a long-time supporter of a range of charities, including Hands Across Canberra and Project Independence.
"She is also engaged with the community through her roles on the ACT Place Names Committee, the ACT Architect's Board, the Churchill Fellowship Selection Committee and The Australia Institute's Writer In Residence program."
One of Sloan's first official duties as Citizen of the Year will be to join Mr Barr on Wednesday, March 15 to participate in the Chief Minister's Canberra Gold Awards. These awards acknowledge Canberrans who have lived here for 50 years or more and the wonderful contribution they have made to shaping our community.
The Canberra Citizen of the Year Award has recognised many citizens over more than 40 years including people in community service, the arts, the media, science, health, religion, business, sport and many other areas of Canberra life.