Mr Jaeschke said he was also proud to receive the Sir William McKell medal in 1997 for soil conservation and land management.

“One of the greatest projects we did was at Magpie Creek where we got 23 farmers working together to build 83 dams, enlarged 23 dams and contoured 1069 hectares in the Rochester area and North Bungaree,” he said.

The project attracted the attention of media personalities Don Burke and Ian Doyle as well as Governor General of Australia Bill Haydon and politicians.

Although the Jaeschkes now live in Adelaide, Mr Jaeschke continues to spend time in the Mid North travelling to his farm. He remains the chairman of the Blyth-Brinkworth Revegetation Committee, but has also taken on committee roles with conservation groups in Adelaide.

Mr Jaeschke attended the Australia Day breakfast at Snowtown yesterday - returning to his “home ground”.

John Smyth - Nan Berrett

Retired Riverton district farmer John Smyth is a man who can keep a secret.

After being advised he had been named in the Australia Day Honours List, to receive a Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division, Mr Smyth didn’t divulge the news to anyone and waited to see his family’s reaction yesterday.

Mr Smyth was recognised for his service to conservation and the environment through the use of sustainable farming practices in combination with flora and fauna conservation, as well as his work in developing the philanthropic company Bushland Conservation.

Mr Smyth’s interest in conservation began when he was a child, as his father was very interested in native vegetation and set aside an area on the farm, in the hilly country, which became one of the early heritage areas.

In collaboration with good mate and renowned artist Robert “Alf” Hannaford, Mr Smyth set up a limited company, Bushland Conservation, which became a pioneer in private conservation initiatives.

“Rob was living on Kangaroo Island and a big block of scrub came up for sale, and we purchased it and set up a little company, which became Bushland Conservation,’ Mr Smyth said.

The “little company”, through its shareholders, has purchased more land in Kangaroo Island and in the Tothill Ranges north east of Marrabel, placing more than 2000 hectares of high quality remnant vegetation under heritage agreements. In 1998 the company won a National Landcare Award for its work.

Mr Smyth has also been involved with many conservation organisations, including being a founding member of membership the SA Native Vegetation Advisory Committee and a co-founder of the Mid North Flora and Fauna Group. He said he was a little embarrassed when he found out about the award but was pleased to accept it for his environmental work. “I have watched the Australia Day Awards over the years and noticed that there are lots and lots of awards for sportspeople and businesspeople, and I did think it was great to see the environment get into the spotlight.”

John Hector - Chelsea Ashmeade

by chelsea ashmeade

Vietnam Veteran and passionate community volunteer John Hector, of Jamestown, has been rewarded with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

“I don’t know who (nominated me) or how I got the award, I’ve got no idea how I got the award,” Mr Hector said.

Mr Hector received his award for service to veterans and their families through the Returned and Services League of Australia and to the community.

He started volunteering the age of 14 when he became a cadet for the local CFS.

After returning from Vietnam, a car accident left Mr Hector unable to work, giving him a significant amount of time to put in the hard yards for the community.

Mr Hector was Vietnam Veteran to become an RSL sub-branch president in South Australia.

In this role Mr Hector continued his dedication to remembering those who had been lost and preserving history, by assisting in writing and applying for grants.

These grants led to an air conditioning and kitchen upgrade in the RSL and Combined Services rooms, restoration of the World War I Cannon in Memorial Park, restoration of Honour Rolls in the RSL rooms and Boer War Honour Roll for the Jamestown Memorial Hall.

“I was in the position to do jobs that no one else could do, so I helped the community,” he said.

Some of Mr Hectors’ greatest achievements include receiving the Northern Areas Council Jamestown Citizen of the Year in 2002, the Meritorious Medal in 2001 and he was awarded life membership of the RSL in 1994.

The Returned Services League awards the Meritorious Medal to three recipients in each state each year.

Mr Hector was awarded this medal for his contribution to his local community and RSL.

“There was a lot of shock and disbelief when I was notified of the award, I was totally flabbergasted.

“It all goes back to the fact I had the time. I have been volunteering since I was 14 when I was a cadet at the local fire brigade,” Mr Hector said.