AT 100 years of age, Ernie Walker has been awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the general division.
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Mr Walker has been recognised for his service to veterans through the Rats of Tobruk Association of NSW.
He was vice-president of the NSW branch of the Rats of Tobruk Association from 2010-2015.
A member of the 2/1st Pioneer Battalion, he served in Tobruk in 1941 and in New Guinea Kokoda 1942-43 and in 1945.
He served during the Siege of Tobruk which resulted in Hitler's first defeat on land.
Mr Walker enlisted in the Australian Army on May 4, 1940 at Paddington.
His total service in WWII was 1478 days of which 932 days were served outside Australia.
He said he was surprised when he found out he was to be awarded an OAM.
"My reaction was why me?" he said.
"But there must be something that stands out over [my] lifetime to be brought to their attention.
"Somebody's looking after me."
Mr Walker said as vice-president of the Rats of Tobruk Association he helped look after his "mates because some of them were doing it a bit tough".
He has also had a lifelong love of horses.
Mr Walker was a committee member of the NSW Agricultural Show Societies from 1960-1982.
When he became a resident of Penrose in the 1980s, he and his wife Bev established a stud and training stables complex where they bred Australian Stock Horses.
They also trained and instructed in the Olympic disciplines of dressage, cross country and showjumping.
At the age of 80 Mr Walker took part in the inaugural Multiple Sclerosis Ride.