For Stuart Dye, awarded an Order of Australia Medal, knows only too well what can go wrong.

During his decades with Albury and Border Rescue Squad, Mr Dye saw many terrible incidents up close.

"Every drowning is tragic, of course, but some stay with you," he said. "As a diver, I just helped bring closure to families who had lost loved ones - it is heartbreaking."

Little wonder the Howlong resident, when interviewed about his OAM, wanted to use the platform as a chance to encourage and educate, trying to prevent other families going through such grief.

Plenty of life lessons can been gleaned from the experiences and philosophies of our honours recipients.

IN OTHER NEWS:

Who could disagree with Beechworth resident Iris Mannik's belief that community involvement is the best starting point to solving problems?

Anyone can complain - and many of us do, often - but unless we take an active interest and work towards a solution, significant municipal issues can remain unresolved.

And there are mutual benefits to becoming involved as well.

"The sense of community in the Border region is amazing, if you want to get to know people in the community, volunteer!" Mrs Mannik said.

Steve Bowen, one of the Border's most recognisable figures even before he became Albury's deputy mayor, understands the two-way nature of positive actions.

"I call it the boomerang theory - what you throw out is what comes back," he said.

"You don't throw out to get back, you throw out because it feels good to do so and then, in return, often things come back."

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Yarrawonga's Catherine Marriott echos this belief when she talks of her passion for being around happy people.

"Because happy people are productive people - and they make the world that we live in a much more vibrant and enjoyable place," she explained.

Such a goal rings true for each one of today's honours recipients, along with many other unsung community heroes.

We congratulate and thank them all.

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