Veterans rights advocate awarded OAM for efforts

Well-known RSL identity will soon be awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his service to veterans and their families.

Kevin Hurman has been named on the Queens Birthday Honours List and will receive an OAM for service to veterans and their families. One of his most well known stints was as president of the Kawana Waters RSL Sub Branch for 20 years, once from 1999 to 2004 and again from 2007 to 2018, and vice-president for the period from 2005 to 2006. Photo Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily.

"THIS is not something you achieve all by yourself," Kevin Hurman said when asked what it meant to be named on the 2020 Queen's Birthday Honours List and receive an Order of Australia Medal.

Mr Hurman is well known in the Sunshine Coast community.

He had a successful career serving in the Royal Australian Air Force as an Airman for 25 years, which continued into the Retired Service League post-retirement.

He was a member of the Maroochydore RSL when he first moved to the Sunshine Coast from Mt Isa in 1989 before discovering the smaller Kawana Waters RSL he said was "one of the best kept secrets in history".

"I joined Maroochydore RSL at first because I didn't know that the Kawana Waters RSL existed, even though it was only 100m down the road," Mr Human laughed.

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He transferred in the early '90s and became treasurer of Kawana Waters RSL sub branch in 1995, working his way through many positions including senior vice-president, vice-president and two separate stints at presidency for almost 20 years combined - when he finally felt comfortable enough to leave presidency in Mr Garry Penney's capable hands last year.

During this time Mr Hurman also held positions in the Sunshine Coast and Regional District RSL group including vice-president in 1999, state councillor representative since 2004 and deputy president in 2006.

Kevin Hurman has been named on the Queens Birthday Honours List and will receive an OAM for service to veterans and their families. One of his most well known stints was as president of the Kawana Waters RSL Sub Branch for 20 years, once from 1999 to 2004 and again from 2007 to 2018, and vice-president for the period from 2005 to 2006. Photo Patrick Woods / Sunshine Coast Daily.

Mr Hurman was also a Legatee for Sunshine Coast Legacy from 1992 to 2009.

He was honoured with a number of service medals during his career and his post service career is just as impressive.

When asked why he thought it was his mission to be involved with the community and advocate for veterans and their families he said: "I was just doing what I thought an RSL member should do".

The Warana man has dedicated himself to a lifetime of outstanding service and has been recognised for it.

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Now with another award to his name in the form of an OAM.

"While I was very surprised to get something like this, it's not something you achieve all by yourself," Mr Hurman said.

"Particularly from an RSL view, it depends a lot on the quality of the people in the club, the board, and the people who aren't slow putting up their hand.

"If you haven't got the right sub branch with the right attitude, or the right people, the success will take a long time.

"It did not even remotely occur to me that something like this was on the horizon."

A Vietnam veteran, Mr Hurman has many stories to tell.

Being given the nickname Woody at age 15 when he first joined the RAAF after the American clarinetist Woody Herman was one of them.

But the story of being awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for his service to veterans and the families will be one he cherishes forever.

ACCOLADES:

Kawana Waters Sub-Branch, Returned and Services League of Australia (RSL)

•President, 2007-2018 and 1999 - 2004.

•Vice-President, 2005 - 2006

•Senior Vice-President, 1999.

•Treasurer, 1995.

Sunshine Coast and Regional District RSL

•Deputy President, 2006.

•State Councillor representative, since 2004.

•Vice-President, 1999.

Rotary

•Member, Mount Isa South Rotary Club, 16 years and President, 1987-1988.

•Director, Mount Isa Rotary Rodeo Committee, 1986-1989.

Other

•Legatee, Sunshine Coast Legacy, 1992-2009.

•Airman, Royal Australian Air Force, 1952-1976; Vietnam Veteran.

•Life Member, Seaspray Surf Life Saving Club, 1972; Member, 1953-2009.

Awards and recognition include:

•National Medal, 2001.

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