Mr Higgs was recognised for his service to people with disabilities through his involvement in Mai-Wel Group.

Mr Higgs’s daughter Ruth has an intellectual disability and Mr Higgs said when she was a student in the 1960s, the mainstream schools could not fully cater for her.

A group of local parents were in similar situations, so they formed Mai-Wel school to give their children an alternate learning path.

Mr Higgs became a member in 1968, and was later appointed vice-president in 1972.

He became president in 1974, a position he held for 10 years.

Mr Higgs’s wife Betty said that back then, government support for disability organisations was very limited, so the organisation had to hold a lot of fundraisers to support their operations.

Over the years Mai-Wel expanded and received more support, with the workshop opening on Mr and Mrs Higgs’ wedding day on May 27, 1972.

After his reign as president, Mr Higgs became an executive member from 1985-1993 and honorary secretary from 1993.

Looking back, Mr Higgs said he had no idea the organisation would form such a large part of his life, but that he was glad to be involved in something that helped so many people.

“I’m proud, I felt that that was my gift in life, to be able to help handicapped people,” he said.

“I think it’s been a wonderful thing for parents.

“I was very grateful to have the facility available for our children.”

The OAM came as a big surprise to Mr Higgs, who was also recognised for more than 50 years service as a Justice of the Peace and almost as long as a member of East Maitland Bowling Club.

Mr Higgs said he was actually asked several times to go on the board at the bowling club, but declined.

“I was committed to Mai-Wel,” he said.

While Mr Higgs has now retired from the organisation, his daughter is still heavily involved in Mai-Wel.