Queen’s Birthday honours were something that happened to other people.

However the Council of the Order of Australia thought otherwise, and Mr Clark will receive a Medal of the Order of Australia in the General Division for his service to the Ballarat community.

“It was unbelievable. I couldn’t believe what I was reading,” Mr Clark says.

“I’ve got no idea who nominated me. It came out of the blue.

“I’ve admired people who have received the honour in the past.

“It was nothing I aspired to.

“You don’t get involved in community activities for rewards.

“It is the last thing you think about.”

Mr Clark was assistant commissioner for the City of Ballarat between 1994 and 1996, and a co-founder of the Committee for Ballarat.

He was chairman of the Ballarat Economic Development Board, life governor of Ballarat Health Services, board member of the Sovereign Hill Museums Association, chairman of the Mining Committee, board member of Ballarat Lifeline and the Ballarat YMCA, a Ballarat Historical Park Association life member and co-founder of the Ballarat Tourism Board.

Mr Clark has also made a contribution through his long involvement with Rotary (since 1975), being honoured as a Paul Harris Fellow, an award named after the founder of Rotary International, and past president of the Rotary Club of Ballarat.

Notification of the OAM came out a few weeks ago and Mr Clark admits it has been difficult keeping it under his hat, telling no one except his wife Beverly.

“Of course they are very strict in terms of confidentiality when you are told,” he explains.

“As soon as I am allowed I will start telling people about it.

“My daughter Fiona works night shift so it will be a pleasure telling her when she finishes, and then I will tell my son Geoffrey.

“Or maybe I should tell him to read the paper.”