Don Young receives OAM

The former chairman of the Ettalong Beach War Memorial Club, Mr Don Young of Woy Woy, has been awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his service to veterans and their families.

Mr Young has been a member of the Returned and Services League of Australia since 1956 and has been a member and chairman to a number of committees including Extreme Disablement Adjustment Veterans Association, and Men's Health Peer Education, as well as being chairman of the Ettalong Club from 2009 to 2013.

According to Mr Young, all of his efforts have been his way of paying his debt to the service men and women of Australia.

"It is a privilege and honour to receive this award, and to know that my small efforts have been appreciated by the veteran community," Mr Young said.

Mr Young said he had spent the last 27 years assisting veterans and their families here on the Coast and hoped the work that he and wife Helen had done had benefitted them.

"I have lived 27 years in Woy Woy and the majority of the work I do is amongst the veterans on the Coast and their wives and families.

"In my opinion, the Central Coast is the best place to live, within the best country in the world.

"This award is greatly appreciated and gives me encouragement to continue to help our veteran community as much as I can," Mr Young said.

Media release, 18 Jan 2016

Debbie Bowden, Office of the official secretary to the Governor-General

Interview, 21 Jan 2016

Donald Young, Woy Woy

Reporter: Dilon Luke