Reverend Tony Lang, of Wangi Wangi, received the Order of Australia (OA) for his work as a chaplain.

Reverend Lang was an army chaplain from 1976 to 1992.

He then became a police chaplain in Queensland and NSW.

He told the Newcastle Herald on Monday that he was "slightly stunned" to be receiving the accolade.

"It's a great honour; I'm a very fortunate, very blessed person," he said.

In 1990, Mr Lang travelled to Gallipoli where he conducted the dawn service of the 75th anniversary of the Anzacs.

He travelled with 58 veterans aged from 93 to 103.

He said the dawn service remains the highlight of his career.

Other local recipients of the OA were.-

■ Darren McManus-Smith, of Morisset, for his service to war veterans and their families;

■ Bill Chapman, of Dora Creek, for his work as the founding chairman of the union-owned United Collieries, who helped establish a Mine Workers Trust;

■ Dr Alan Beard, of Valentine, for his volunteering with organisations, including Rotary, in Lake Macquarie since 1978; and

■ Margaret Sulman, of Marmong Point, for her volunteer work at Calvary Mater Hospital since 1992.