This year, the Kurri Kurri resident has recognised as a recipient of an Honorary Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for services to veterans and their families.

For those who aren't aware, an honorary Order of Australia may be given to people who are not Australian citizens but who have given extraordinary service to Australia.

Mr Blackmore said he was "quite pleased" to be receiving such an incredible honour for his service.

"I'm very pleased. I've been with the RSL for nearly 20 years. A friend of mine asked if I wanted to join the RSL so I went along and I quite liked it," he said.

Mr Blackmore joined the sub-branch in 2002 and has held a number of roles including president, vice-president, welfare and pensions officer as well as Returning Officer.

The 85-year-old still remains an active member of Legacy and Kurri Kurri RSL Sub-Branch and has no plans of slowing down.

Mr Blackmore, who originally hails from Cornwall and moved to Australia in 1952, was conscripted for National Service in 1955 until 1960.

He said he was looking forward to sharing the news with his four children, eight grandchildren and eight great grandchildren.

Mr Blackmore joins 844 other people recognised in the 2021 Australia Day Honours List.

"On behalf of all Australians, I congratulate everyone recognised in the Australia Day Honours list," the Governor-General David Hurley said.

"Recipients have not put their hand up to be recognised. Most would consider the achievements that they are being recognised for to be 'ordinary' or just what they do.

"Therein is the great strength of our system - recipients in the Order of Australia have been nominated by their peers, considered by an independent process and, today, recognised by the nation.

"The sum of these contributions speaks to our nation's greatest strength - its people."

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