Onepu's Douglas Bull was awarded the Queen's Service Medal in this year's New Year's Honours list for his services to dairy farming and the wider community.
Mr Bull says he has been involved with the other side of the process before, working to get others nominated and recognised.
He knows it takes many people and a lot of hard work to get a nomination through.
"I've just followed my nose, and inclinations to do things I enjoy, and want to work on. Clearly people have decided that work deserved recognition. I'm awed, and proud, that they think so."
He has been heavily involved with various farming industry groups, most notably serving as Bay of Plenty Federated Farmers provincial dairy chairman from 1977 to 1978, and as the director of the Dairy Companies Association of New Zealand. Although Mr Bull is proud of his work in farming, it's his community work that he finds the most satisfying.
