The 57-year-old, from Woonona, says lending a hand requires little effort and he has an extensive community service list to prove it.

"It doesn't matter how physically strong you are, it doesn't matter how intelligent you are; all it requires is a desire to help other people," Mr May said.

"Whatever [time] you can spare is good for the community; the smallest thing can have a ripple effect and make changes you're not prepared for."

Mr May was caught off guard himself when he discovered he would receive an Order of Australia Medal for his service to youth and the community.

Among his achievements is Scouts involvement since the early 1980s and 25 years spent with the Woonona-Bulli Junior Rugby League club, where he is a life member and patron.

Having recently retired from teaching students with behavioural difficulties, Mr May will now turn his attention to the welfare of returned services personnel.

"We have some young men and women who have returned from Afghanistan and Iraq who are severely affected by PTSD and they need our help," he said. "They really are suffering very, very badly and we've got some of the older diggers now.

"They like to come in, or we go and see them, and just have a chat."

Mr May, who is the deputy chairman of the Woonona Bulli RSL board of directors and a member of the RSL sub-branch, said the honour was "unexpected".

"I'm sort of nervous about it in a way, it's a lot to live up to," he said.

"I'm not overly proud of what I've done because I don't think it's all that great.

"I don't think much of it, it's just an ordinary thing to do."