The first comment John Brooks made when we asked him about the Kings Birthday honour he received was to say he could not have achieved anything without the support of his late wife Betty.
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Mrs Brooks passed away in July 2022 and her husband described her as the backbone of the family who was as dedicated to her community as much as he has been.
Mr Brooks has received the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his services to the Scone community.
"I am very humbled to receive the award and it is as much Betty's as mine," he said.
"My motto has always been if you take from the community then you must put it back in.
"And those ideals have guided my work within the veteran community, sporting clubs and my own business."
Mr Brooks who operated an engineering and steel business in Scone, that still bears his name, is extremely proud of the fact that under his guidance he trained 38 apprentices.
"That is one achievement I am very proud of," he said.
And he is also very proud to be the grandfather of ten and those children provide him with great joy.
He arrived in Scone in 1969, a qualified fitter and machinist, having served in the Australian army for two years including time spent on the front-line in the Vietnam War.
"I am one of those blokes that was called up for national service and then found myself serving in Vietnam," he said.
He has been a member of Scone Legacy for decades and has seen its role change during that time with fewer and fewer widows now needing support.
"The surviving widows are a joy to visit and have a chat with and we have one who is over 100 years old so that is a special visit to make," he said.
He is keen to see the RSL tradition continue despite the decline in local veteran numbers.
"Legacy and the RSL have played such an important part in my life and they will continue to do so," he said.
His citation read: For service to the community of Scone.
Community
Chairman, Scone Legacy, since 1998.
Member, Scone Sub-branch, The Returned and Service League of Australia, since 1968.
Westpac Rescue Helicopter fundraising, 10 years.
Mentor for Trades, Scone High School, current.
Philanthropic Support
Scone and District Cricket Club.
Scone Junior Cricket, Rugby.
Rodeo and Camp Drafting.
Horse Festival.
Scone Local Hospital.
Scone RSL Club.
Scone High and Grammar Schools.