For his service to veterans, Brian Warren has been rewarded with the Medal of the Order of Australia.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Mr Warren has had many achievements already, including receiving an Australian Service Medal with Clasp FESR, a Defence Force Service Medal with first Clasp an Australian Defence Medal and a Return from Active Service Badge.
While being a Queen's honour recipient is up there with the best feat in his life, the Naval Association of Australia representative said it was all about helping others.
"I'm extremely proud and thankful for the recognition," Mr Warren said.
"It means someone has been kind enough to have a look at my work and recommend me for the award.
"There are people out there I've worked for who have agreed to support that nomination.
"I want to note that nothing beats having the ability to help other people.
"I get tremendous self satisfaction from it."
His wife Geraldine Warren was very proud of his efforts.
"He's worked jolly hard over the last 20 years," Ms Warren said.
"I thought I would need to make appointments just to talk to him."
Among his many roles, Mr Warren had been with the Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) and the Ex-Service Organisations Consultative Group since 2014 and was a founding member of the Capability Framework Management Group and the Advocacy and Training Development Program from 2016 to 2018.
He was also a member of the NSW Training and Information Program (TIP) Consultative Group since 2013 and had worked in many places like the Australian Maritime College, Family Court of Australia and TAFE Tasmania.
Before he took on those roles, he was in the navy for 20 years from 1962.
"I've always wanted to join the navy as it was something I really wanted to do," he said.
"I was in the electrical engineering branch and started off as an apprentice.
"I spent half my time at shore establishments and the rest of the time at sea."
While Mr Warren was grateful for the recognition, he also wanted to note other organisations that gave service to veterans.
"There are a number of others who look after veterans including Legacy, the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Group and the Goulburn Soldiers Club."
Mr Warren is one of two recipients of awards in the Order of Australia's general division from Goulburn.
Did you know the Goulburn Post is now offering breaking news alerts and a weekly email newsletter? Keep up-to-date with all the local news: sign up below.