A driving force in establishing a new war memorial recording the names of all Sutherland Shire residents who enlisted in WWI has been recognised in the Australia Day honours.
Barry Grant, president of the Woronora River RSL Sub-branch, was awarded an OAM for service to veterans and their families.
"It's very humbling and something I have never worked towards," he said.
Mr Grant is a former Army reservist, who served as a medic in a Commando unit.
He was president of the Australia Commando Association, NSW branch, for seven years and was made a life member in 2018.
Mr Grant has been a member of the Woronora River RSL Sub-branch since 1995, and served as its welfare officer while also being president.
The Sub-branch of about 40 members supports the local community, including four nursing homes, and organises the Anzac Day and Armistice Day ceremonies.
The Anzac day ceremony attracts more than 1000 people each year.
Last year, a committee formed by shire sub-branches, succeeded in having a new war memorial erected in Peace Park, Sutherland.
It was completed in time for the Armistice Day commemoration.
Mr Grant said at the time there were several memorials in the shire to WWl participants.
"Some had wrong names and some names over the years have been omitted," he said.
"We were determined to have a comprehensive, correct list, and local electoral rolls and historians were consulted to ensure accuracy."
Shire historians Marilyn Handley and Sue Hewitt were enlisted to undertake the research.
