QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS
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Keith Davis receives an Order of Australia Medal today - but much like the rest of his long career in health and local government, he's giving his time to someone else this weekend.
"I'll be celebrating the engagement of my grandson," the Wollongong resident said, when asked how he would spend the Queen's Birthday long weekend.
"I haven't told him about this award, I don't want to overshadow his engagement party."
Mr Davis has been involved in local government for almost 65 years, beginning as a clerk at Riverina Council, then giving time to council and hospital boards in Leeton and the Murrumbidgee, before moving to the Illawarra in the 1960s.
Since then, Mr Davis has served the local area through decades on the Illawarra County Council, the Illawarra Retirement Trust, Wollongong Golf Club and the Wollongong Hospital Board.
He cites as his career standouts appearing before royal commissions and parliamentary committees on health; campaigning for fairer electricity prices; and fighting for local health funding.
"I enjoyed it, and I know I have made a difference in the health system," he said.
"One of my greatest pleasures in being associated with the local health service was when Wollongong Hospital was recognised as one of the best managed in the state."