A lifetime of dedication to Scouts Australia has seen Wagga's Jeff Harrison awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia.
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Mr Harrison joined Scouts at the age of seven and never left, starting out as an assistant cub leader at 18 before serving almost continuously across various positions through his life.
Now an honorary state commissioner, Mr Harrison said his enjoyment as a child was what prompted him to stay with the organisation so long.
"I enjoyed myself so much when I was a youth and I suppose I took on life skills and enjoyed myself, so I thought it was a good time to at least give that opportunity to other youth," he said.
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"It's certainly fun ... I've seen the development of those kids, sometimes you see them from eight and you might see them through to 18 or so.
"Strangely I've had the opportunity to interact with some of my previous Scouts as being a TAFE teacher ... that was quite gratifying."
Mr Harrison said one of his fondest memories with the Scouts was when he got a last minute "tap on the shoulder" to take over as chief purchasing officer at the World Jamboree at Cataract in 1987, an event with about 15,000 in attendance from around the world.
It was in that position he was appointed a Victorian secretary who has since become his wife, June, herself a Member of the Order of Australia for her work with the Scouts.
The couple spent much of their time in Sydney, volunteering for over 10 years with the Cancer Council, nearly five years with the Sydney Children's Festival and spending several months doing aid work in the Pacific Islands.
Three years ago, a car accident and a generous offer on their Sydney home prompted them to make the move to Wagga, where Mr Harrison wasted little time getting involved in the local community as chairperson of the Riverina Scouts and the bulletin editor for the Wagga Sunset Probus.
Mr Harrison said the OAM came as a surprise, and he was "rather chuffed indeed" to be recognised.
It is the third major medal he has received alongside his National Service Medal and Australia Defence Medal for his national service before the Vietnam War.