29/06/2026
A Lifetime of Service Recognised | Congratulations, Robert Smith OAM
We are incredibly proud to celebrate the extraordinary achievement of Robert Smith, who has been awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM), one of Australia’s highest honours, in recognition of his outstanding service to the community through emergency response and welfare organisations.
Robert’s commitment to helping others spans more than seven decades and reflects a lifetime dedicated to service, leadership, and supporting those around him.
His journey began in 1954, serving in the Australian Army for five years before continuing his passion for supporting and giving back to the community in countless ways.
In 1962, Robert became a Justice of the Peace, dedicating an incredible 65 years to assisting community members with official documentation and witnessing services.
His dedication to strengthening community connections continued in 1975 when he became an Authorised Marriage Celebrant, helping couples celebrate one of life’s most meaningful milestones for over 50 years.
Robert’s exceptional contribution to emergency services was recognised in 1980 with the award of the Queen’s Fire Service and Good Conduct Medal.
Always focused on supporting others, Robert helped establish and served as Chairman of Critical Incident Debrief Services (CIDS) in 1987, creating a safe space for emergency service personnel to process and discuss the impact of difficult call outs. In 1988, he founded a welfare association supporting members of Fire and Rescue NSW and their families, an organisation that has now provided care, advocacy, and support for 38 years.
In 2021, Robert’s humanitarian work was recognised nationally when he was named a finalist in the Fred Hollows Humanitarian of the Year Award, acknowledging decades of selfless service and dedication to improving the lives of others.
Now, in 2026, Robert’s remarkable legacy has been formally recognised with the awarding of the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
This September, Robert and his wife Pam will attend Government House in Sydney, where Robert will be formally presented with his Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in recognition of his outstanding contribution and lifelong commitment to serving the community.
Congratulations Robert. Your dedication, compassion, and unwavering commitment to helping others have made a lasting impact on so many lives. This recognition is incredibly well deserved and a true reflection of a lifetime spent giving back. We wish you and Pam a very special day celebrating this outstanding achievement.