Former long-serving Maitland MP Milton Morris will take on the role of the city’s ambassador for the annual celebrations in Maitland Park on January 26, at the invitation of Mayor Peter Blackmore.

But whether the job may come with the title of “Your Excellency” fills him with unease.

He turned down the title more than 20 years ago when, at the conclusion of his career as Maitland MP, he was offered the job as the administrator of Norfolk Island.

“I expressed great gratitude for the offer, but I said ... for as long I lived I could never repay the city of Maitland for what it gave to me and I wanted to continue to serve the city of Maitland,” Mr Morris said.

And so in a blending of passion for his city and his country, Mr Morris said he was delighted to be Maitland’s Australia Day ambassador.

“It’s something I would never seek, because it’s a great honour and as a freeman of the city, a double honour,” he said on Thursday.