So proud, the Network Ten news and sports presenter will return to his home town to be the master of ceremonies at the Moruya Outstanding Business Awards this Saturday night.

Newsrooms and sports arenas may have turned Mr Woods into a household name, but there's still plenty of Moruya charm left in the country boy.

When asked how a former carpet-layer could become a successful journalist, Mr Woods replied: "Buggered if I know".

"I was going to take over the family business, but I preferred journalism and the writing side of things. I just thought that would be a bit more exciting," Mr Woods said.

"I thought I could always do carpet-laying anywhere I went. So that didn't bother me too much if the career in journalism didn't succeed."

Mr Woods had concluded all this by fourth form at Moruya High School.

"Then I copped a hammering for two years from Dad for being an idiot and wanting to do something so stupid when I had a business there waiting for me if I wanted it. Luckily, things worked out pretty well," he said.

Mr Woods' dad is now proud of his son's persistence.

"He was my biggest critic there for a while, and he probably still is my biggest critic, but he's also my biggest fan."

Mr Woods said his parents could turn their hands to any work.

"They had a number of businesses over the years. They originally ran a cafe, Dad built a number of houses around the area so he was a builder, as well as a mechanic at one stage."

Then came the carpet business.

"We also sold blinds and curtains and home fittings. My Dad went out and laid the carpet while my Mum worked in the shop. She also did curtain-making.

"I, as a young bloke, used to help Dad load the carpet and it wasn't long before I could pretty much lay carpet myself," Mr Woods said.

By 15 years of age, he was a skilled carpet-layer.

Of his childhood memories, the bus rides to Moruya Public School are vivid.

"It used to have a big hole in the floor of it. It wasn't caused by rust, but I remember seeing the road rushing by. It was about as big as a dinner plate," he said.

Mr Woods has found life as a television presenter rewarding but hard work.

"I was, until this year, working very long hours, a 60-to-70-hour week, but that has changed a bit," he said. "I'm working far fewer hours but I'm actually getting up at three o'clock in the morning, going to work by four to do the early news which starts at six and runs for one hour." And there is yet more work to do.

Mr Woods still hosts weekend motorsport show RPM, and is preparing to host the upcoming Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast Indy. Next year, he will host the Rugby World Cup.

Returning to the business awards venue, the Moruya RSL hall, will conjure some strong memories.

"It's going to be really weird going back into that building," he said. "It's 100 metres from Mum and Dad's place. I used to go down there and do a lot of public speaking and play basketball and go to school balls and stuff like that."

Mr Woods believed the awards were an excellent initiative for Moruya.

"To see that Moruya is actually showing a bit of nous and having an awards night like this...I think good on them for doing it."