At Moss Vale Public School yesterday, former principal Dennis Mudd was shown just how much his contribution to teaching had affected the lives of many.

As he moved about the assembled crowd, parents came up to him and spoke of their children who were now parents themselves and their grandchildren who were attending the primary school.

The school held a morning tea in celebration of Mr Mudd’s, Order of Australia Medal (OAM).

As he would have done countless times in his 19 years as principal of the school, he addressed the children.

A teacher for more than 40 years, he was a non-teaching principal for 30 of those years.

Working in the Central West of NSW he held positions at Cobar and Dubbo before coming to the Highlands and retiring here after 19 years at the helm of the school.

In a thoughtful gesture, Mr Mudd was awarded the inaugural platinum award from current principal Laurie Connery to show how much he was appreciated.

Mr Mudd said the OAM was a big secret for two years. There was a committee of people from Moss Vale and the other towns in which he had lived who had nominated him for the award.

The day he found out about the award, Mr Mudd was working in his hothouse.

An avid gardener, he was tending to his tomatoes when his wife Ruth came home with the official looking envelope.

Mr Mudd said he was a bit overwhelmed when he opened the envelope and discovered he was getting the award.

“I loved teaching, it was a really special and privileged position to be in,” he said.

“You are in touch with the future, to see the future in these wonderful happy smiling faces.

“They all have bright futures in front of them.

“This community also has great affection for the students, teachers and parents and great support for its lovely school.”