Vietnam veteran and Ingleburn RSL Club sub-branch member Theo Dechaufepie “stoked” to receive Australia Day award
St Andrews Vietnam veteran Theodorus Dechaufepie has described feeling stoked and honoured to receive a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to fellow veterans and their family.
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ST ANDREWS Vietnam veteran Theodorus Dechaufepie has described feeling stoked and honoured to receive a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his service to fellow veterans and their family.
The Ingleburn RSL Club sub-branch member, 66, has been recognised as part of the Australia Day honours list today.
“I still can’t believe it and I have to keep pinching myself,’’ Mr Dechaufepie said.
The grandfather of four, who served 20 years in the Australian Army and 18 months in the Army reserve, said he was motivated to look after other veterans because he wanted to give something back to the community.
“Everyone has given me a lot of support and I thought it was time for me to do the same for others,’’ he said.
His long list of impressive achievements includes his dedication to the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps Association.
Mr Dechaufepie has been its co-patron since 2017 after serving as the national president for four years between 2012-16, its national deputy president from 2008-12 and a founding member since 2004.
He is also secretary of the association’s NSW branch and previously served as its president from 2008-16.
A member of the Ingleburn RSL Club sub-branch since 1984, Mr Dechaufepie is also a committee member of the Macarthur Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia and a life member of the 5 Field Ambulance Royal Australian Army Medical Corps Association.
On Facebook, the Ingleburn RSL Club sub-branch said it was very proud of Mr Dechaufepie.
Mr Dechaufepie said he followed in the footsteps of his father Frank, who was previously a prisoner of war on the Thai-Burma Railway, when he decided to sign up for military service.
Mr Dechaufepie was also a volunteer educator with the Federal Department of Veterans Affairs in men’s peer health between 2005-14.