Barry Collier is best known for his political career as a former state MP for Miranda and in his present role as a Sutherland Shire councillor.
However, his Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), awarded in the Australia Day honours, also recognises his service to the law and education.
Mr Collier, of Kareela, started as a teacher and progressed to become a curriculum consultant to the NSW Department of School Education in Legal Studies, Economics, Business Studies and Commerce.
He was a member and chairman of the Higher School Certificate (HSC) economics examination committee, a senior examiner and authored five economics textbooks for HSC students.
Positions he held included director of the Economics and Commercial Teachers Association and inaugural president of the Legal Education Teachers Association.
Mr Collier became interested in the law through his involvement in legal studies, and studied to become a lawyer.
He worked as a solicitor from 1990-97 before going to the Bar.
He worked for both the Director of Public Prosecutions and for legal aid at Sutherland Court and, during the period before he entered Parliament, was engaged in criminal trials.
Mr Collier was preselected by the Labor Party to run for the seat of Miranda at the 1999 state election, and triumphed against overwhelming odds.
He retired in 2011 but made a comeback through a by-election in 2013 and served a further two years.
While he was disappointed not to have become a state government minister, he was a parliamentary secretary in four portfolios, chaired the Legislation Review Committee and served on other committees.
He returned to public life through election to Sutherland Shire Council last year.
Mr Collier said being awarded an OAM was “an extraordinary honour”.
“I am completely humbled to be recognised in this way for my three careers, and I am so grateful for the support of my family.
“It is their honour as much as mine.
“I know it’s a cliche, but I am really taken aback by it.”
Mr Collier said he was adjusting to his role on the council.
"It's a very different political landscape to State Parliament, but I still get a great deal of satisfaction out of working for the shire community and trying to make a difference locally,” he said.
“It helps having had the previous experience of being a state MP."
