For half a century Hamilton's George Habel supported local veterans and their families because "that's just what you do".
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The 97-year-old has been named in the 2021 Australia Day honours list, with an Order of Australia Medal coming his way.
The medal will acknowledge the outstanding contribution he has made to the care of veterans and their families.
Born and bred in Hamilton, Mr Habel joined the Navy as a teenager and served for about four years.
He joined Hamilton RSL in 1950, where he became a welfare officer for the club, a title he held for 50 years.
He helped many local veterans and their families who needed help with financial support, their health and general wellbeing.
"A lot of veterans came back from World War II with all sorts of problems, physical disabilities and nervous problems from being at the front - there were a multitude of things," he said.
"I provided support for them and their families. It was all voluntary work, I liked doing it and it's just what you do."
Mr Habel received a Southern Grampians Shire community recognition award in 2004 and a federal award for volunteers in 2016.
He became a life member of RSL Australia in 2013 and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for service to veterans and their families in 2019.
Mr Habel said he was humbled to be recognised in this year's Australia Day awards.
"I am very happy and honoured," he said.
Also named in this year's honours list was Hamilton's Leighton Wraith, who received an Australian Fire Service Medal for his 40 years of service as a member of the CFA.
Mr Wraith's persistence and leadership over the last five years saw the establishment of Victoria's only CFA-operated airbase, based at Hamilton.
The Hamilton CFA-EMV Air Base and its facilities has over 40 volunteers and is recognised as the primary aerial fire support facility across western Victoria.
Mr Wraith was vital to the recruitment, training and management of the large volunteer base.
Cobden's Mark Roberts also received the prestigious Australian Fire Service Medal.
Mr Roberts was a CFA strike team leader and level two incident controller during the St Patrick's Day fires near Terang and Cobden in 2018.
After the successful outcome and management of the fire, Mr Roberts also helped the community through its recovery phase.
He also willingly engages with young brigade members, assisting in their development as confident, team oriented, members of the CFA who add value to their community.
Mr Roberts has provided dedicated commitment to the Country Fire Authority, and to the safety of the community of Victoria, throughout his long career.
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