Joseph Buhagiar is a familiar face in town. You can see him offer his services for free as an accredited ATO helper at the library.
An active member of the community, Mr Buhagiar has been offering his tax help services for free at libraries for 26 years.
This year, he received an OAM (a Medal of the Order of Australia) for his good works.
"It is a great feeling and makes me happy," he said.
"I like to help people. My father has passed away now, but I hope he knows I have received this honour because it is through his attributes that I have been able to do what I did.
"I am looking forward to being a part of the ceremony, which will be held at Parliament House."
Before moving to Yass in 2015, Mr Buhagiar had lived for 15 years in Bowral.
"When I lived in Bowral, I spent years as a member of the East Bowral Community hall and did lots of voluntary work there and also offered free tax help," he said. "I moved to Yass to be closer to my son. People in Yass are fantastic and we are very happy that we are living here."
As a teenager, he became a refugee when his family was forced to leave Egypt for UK in 1956-57 after the expulsion of foreigners by then president Nasser.
They travelled to Peterborough and lived with his aunt until they could afford their own place. It was also in Peterborough that he met his wife. They have been married for 59 years and have four children.
READ MORE: On the hunt for koalas, past and present
Mr Buhagiar has been an active member of the community and is a volunteer at Cooma Cottage in the National Trust (NSW).
He was also the regional president of the Southern Highlands, St Vincent de Paul Society, New South Wales, late 2000s-early 2010s; and has been a Justice of the Peace since 1998; and was president of Kingswood Centenary Committee, 1991-1992.
Mr Buhagiar has been offering his free tax help services for over two decades at Yass, Bowral, and Kingswood.
