Thousands in Northland have woken up to his voice every week day for nearly three decades and broadcaster John Welsford Markby reckons he's still got enough fire in his belly to last "a few more years".
The 58-year-old breakfast co-host at More FM in Whangarei is among those who will receive the Queen's Service Medal (QSM) for services to the community and as a broadcaster.
"It's [the award] is a huge surprise. Maybe it's a thank you for many many years of hard work," he said.
His broadcasting career has indeed spanned "many, many" years after he started in radio in his home-town Dunedin in November 1979 after the Mt Erebus plane crash.
Before joining radio, he taught for three years in different South Island towns.