Service to the Port Macquarie community has earned Laurie Barber an Australia Day honour.
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The Rotarian, former Port News editor, author and basketball enthusiast was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the Australia Day Honours List for service to the Port Macquarie community.
Mr Barber said he was surprised and humbled to be recognised for what he enjoyed doing.
He thanked his supportive family and those who thought he was worthy of being nominated.
The Australia Day Honours List recognises 837 outstanding and inspirational Australians.
Mr Barber believes Port Macquarie is a special place.
He enjoys the friendships which flow through community involvement.
Mr Barber's achievements include being named Port Macquarie-Hastings Senior Citizen of the Year in 2014 and Paul Harris Fellow recognition.
His commitment to the community has included five years as a Meals on Wheels volunteer until 2019, Timbertown Heritage Theme Park former chairman, life member of Jaycees, patron of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Fellowship of Writers and patron of Port Writers.
Rotary has been part of Mr Barber's life since he joined the community service organisation in 1971 while in Inverell.
He was a member of the Rotary Club of Inverell East for 11 years before joining the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie in 1982.
The past president of the Rotary Club of Port Macquarie and past district governor of Rotary District 9650 served on the board of Australian Rotary Health from 2013 to 2016.
Australian Rotary Health is one of the largest independent funding sources of mental health research in the country.
Tanna, an island in Vanuatu, beckoned in 2008 when Mr Barber spent time there with Rotary painting and repairing schools.
Mr Barber devoted almost five decades to journalism and worked at various newspapers including the Port News for 23 years.
He has written a newspaper column, called My Word, since 1995 to encourage a greater appreciation of our language.
Mr Barber is a former deputy president of the Country Press Association NSW.
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Lisa Tisdell
I'm a Port Macquarie News journalist, keen traveller, angler and cricket fan.
I'm a Port Macquarie News journalist, keen traveller, angler and cricket fan.
