Mr. Stuart has been actively involved in the city’s tourism industry serving as President of Hunter Valley Wine Country Tourism and a board member since 2006 and as a board member of Hunter Regional Tourism.

He said he was ‘overawed’ to receive the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) and thanked all of the people who contributed to the application, especially his wife Di.

“It’s as much a recognition of the people who have worked with me and supported me, and what we’ve achieved in tourism in wine country over the last few years,” Mr. Stuart said.

Mr. Stuart’s early career saw him Managing Director of Stuart Bros from 1980 to 1994 and a director from 1979 to 1980.

He was National President of the Master Builders Association from 1993 to 1994, President of the NSW Office from 1991 to 1992 and the inaugural president of the Sydney Division for 10 years and Chairman of the Industrial Relations Committee.

Other posts held include as a board member of the Construction Industry Development Authority, board member, Building Employees Superannuation Trust, Chairman of the National Industrial Relations Council where he was a member from the 1980s to 1993 and a director, Comet Training, since 1998.

Other roles in a diverse career include President of Lovedale Chamber of Commerce, 2004 to 2007; Foundation Chair, Men Exploring New Directions (MEND) at Lismore; a member and firefighter with Rothbury Bush Fire Brigade since 2003 and a member of the organising committee for the Rugby Union Golden Oldies Tournament.