All the great Australians who are being honoured this Queen's Birthday weekend are receiving their recognition for helping others, not themselves.
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But Dapto's Pam Bowmaker is not about to take even a moment of individual glory for herself.
"It's a great honour that someone has nominated me ... it's very embarrassing actually," she said. "I don't really want the limelight.
"The medal is for all the volunteers, not just for me."
In an age when many acts of charity come accompanied by a media release drawing attention to the giver, Ms Bowmaker is a throwback to the kind of community service these awards are meant to recognise - service for others.
A military widow herself - her husband served in Vietnam - Ms Bowmaker has dedicated herself to helping veterans of the armed forces in any way she can.
Mostly it has been through the Vietnam Veterans Association, a 37-year association during which she has served as president, welfare officer, secretary and treasurer, and has been a life member since 1995. She also works with Legacy, which helps veterans' families, and the War Widows Guild. They understand, while most don't.
"The wider community has no idea what they're going through. That's where the Association comes in, and Legacy comes in," she said.
"It's about giving them the support they need, help them access services they need, organise counselling, making sure they have the entitlements they deserve.
"We just do whatever we can."
Perhaps you'll treat yourself to a moment of pride, for you, the Mercury asked. Not likely.
"There's a lot of wonderful volunteers with the Vietnam Vets and with Legacy, and we work as a great team," came the reply.
Fair enough. A short while after we spoke, the phone rings. It's Ms Bowmaker.
"Can you please include that we work helping recent or serving veterans of of current conflicts too? We started with Vietnam veterans but we're reaching out and helping others now too."
If there was to be a story, she wanted to make sure it included enough information so if veterans needed assistance, they would know where they could find it.
For those who have served, Pam Bowmaker, OAM, at your service.