QUEEN'S BIRTHDAY HONOURS
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Ron Critcher will be feeling a little bashful this morning.
"Truth be told, it's a bit embarrassing," the Woonona resident said of his Order of Australia Medal, recognising his 50 years of involvement with Scouts Australia.
"You don't think about those sorts of things. You do things because you like it."
Mr Critcher joined the scouts aged 13 and hadn't looked back. He took on leadership roles, and helped scouts to "be prepared".
Serving as Northern Illawarra district commissioner from 1975 to 1990, he then became regional commissioner for adult training and development until 2004.
He was awarded the scouts' highest honour in 2001 - the Silver Kangaroo - for eminent achievement and meritorious service.
He has been an honorary training commissioner since 1980, and is still chairman at Mount Keira Scout Camp and an assistant scout leader at Bulli.
He lists interviewing adventurer scouts for the Queen's Scout Award and helping to establish new crews at Helensburgh, Bulli, Russell Vale and Austinmer as his proudest memories.
He said he had "great opportunities to work with a group of great adults who are looking to help kids".