The Riverina branch has been in recess for a number of years, following the deaths of branch stalwarts, Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recipients Brian Favero and Wayne Geale OAM, but is about to experience a new lease of life with the branch reforming.

An association life member and twice awarded the OAM, Mr McCann wants to "get the word out in the community" about the branch's aspirations.

"There are two facets of the association, one is educating the community about the Australian honours system," Mr McCann said.

"The Australia Day and Queen's Birthday honours recipients come under a lot of criticism, so we are encouraging people to put a nomination in for someone they think is doing their bit for the community, rather than complain.

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"The biggest reason people don't nominate is because they're scared of the process, but there's a form readily available from the Governor General's website that can be completed online.

"Also, people might think the person is not worthy of an honour, but every case is taken on their own merits whether it's someone doing a difficult job or a volunteer in the community.

"And there's a social side to the association to allow people who have been awarded an honour to network and understand the different walks of life of people who have been recipients."

Mr McCann said the object of the association was to celebrate and promote outstanding Australian citizenship.

"The Riverina branch has a wide and diverse membership encompassing the entire area of the Riverina and my aim is to bring these people together under the banner of the Order of Australia Association to highlight, through their achievements, the value of the awards and more importantly, what it means to be Australian," he said.

"We've located 188 people who have been awarded an honour in the Riverina and we're on the lookout for anyone who has been awarded an honour, but hasn't joined our association because they might not know about it, so we're trying to spread the word."

A career in the Royal Australian Air Force led to Mr McCann receiving his first OAM.

"I worked in Number Five squadron in the military as an air crewman in a helicopter," Mr McCann said.

"We introduced helicopter tactics for anti-terrorist manoeuvres.

"I was very much surprised when I got my first one when I was in the military aged 26.

"In later life I got involved in community activities and it's a great honour to think people think enough of you to nominate you."

Mr McCann said the association's 8000-plus members throughout Australia aimed to foster love of and pride in Australian citizenship, encourage awareness of Australia's history, traditions and culture and to promote the development and maintenance of a constructive and positive sense of national unity.

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