The Yerrinbool resident has been awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his service to youth through scouting.

He has been involved with the Scouts for 64 years, and was introduced to the program by his father.

“He was keen for my brother and I to join, as he felt it was the best organisation for young people,” Mr Nickl said.

“I joined in 1952, and I think it’s a terrific movement, what young people can achieve through it is unbeliveable.”

Mr Nickl has been involved with many facets of the Scouts – he has been the Greater Western Sydney regional commissioner (international) since 2003, a Lone Scout Fellowship member since 2009, State International Fellowship Team Committee member since 2011, Scout Heritage Fellowship member since 2014, was a life councillor in 2015 and is currently a member of the Asia-Pacific Association for Top Achieving Scouts.

He received the Queen’s Scout Award in 1960, and has continued to gain recognition ever since.

He said he had had some amazing opportunities to travel with the Scouts, and felt the organisation helped young people to learn skills for life.

“I was a group leader in the 70s, and there were four children from the same family in my group – they all became doctors,” Mr Nickl said.

“I attribute that to the opportunities they had in the Scouts to learn how to focus on their future.”

Mr Nickl admires Lord Robert Baden-Powell. who inspired the Scout Movement and was the founder of The Boy Scouts Association and the Girl Guides.

“On my bucket list growing up, I had that I wanted to see where Lord Baden-Powell’s ideals came from,” he said.

“I’ve seen where he trained and fought, and the last item on my list is to see where he’s buried in Nyeri, Kenya.”

Mr Nickl said he was honoured to receive the OAM, and encouraged everyone to join their local Scout Hall.

“There’s the comraderie, activities and so many opportunities here and overseas with the Scouts, it would be silly not to join,” he said.