Michael Neyland awarded Australian Fire Service Medal for 47 years with NSW Rural Fire Service

Mr Neyland, who first joined the NSW RFS at the Adelong Rural Fire Brigade in 1973, has received an Australian Fire Service Medal under this year's Queen's Birthday Honours.

After 47 years of service with the RFS, Mr Neyland said being a part of a fire brigade was in his blood.

"I grew up being involved in the fire brigade, my father was the captain at Adelong for 20 odd years and I used to go up with him when I was only young, so it became a part of me," he said.

"But it's become a family effort for me now too with my wife and children all a part of the brigade."

Serving at all ranks of Deputy Captain, Senior Deputy Captain and Captain, Mr Neyland went on to become Vice President at the Mt Horeb Brigade in 2003 as well as his ongoing captaincy at Adelong.

From 2003 to 2015, he advanced into the role of Deputy Group Captain before officially being elected Group Captain in 2015.

Mr Neyland has worn many other hats over the years from treasurer and training officer to helping out the incident management teams and being an RFSA delegate for the area.

"I don't do it all to get an award though, I do it for the community, we work as a team," he said.

The keen community man has also put in many hours of mentoring young people and recruiting other members to support local brigades.

"I suppose I'll have to start slowing down soon, I'm 63, but not for a few years I hope," he said.