Top honour for veteran

Romsey-Lancefield RSL Sub-branch member John McCosker, award recipient Tom Murphy and Romsey-Lancefield RSL Sub-branch president Reinhard Goschiniak. (Supplied)

Daniel Cook

Romsey veteran Tom Murphy has been honoured with RSL Victoria’s highest award – the Meritorious Service Medal.

The award recognises Mr Murphy’s decades-long membership with the RSL and his commitment to helping other.

Mr Murphy said he was thrilled to receive the award after 57 years assisting veterans and their families.

Mr Murphy enlisted in the Australian Army in 1958 and served for six years, joining the Flemington and Kensington Sub-branch of the RSL shortly before his discharge.

During his time with the sub-branch, Mr Murphy served as welfare officer and president.

He joined the Romsey-Lancefield RSL Sub-branch after moving to Romsey in 2014.

In 2017, Mr Murphy was awarded life membership of the RSL.

Romsey-Lancefield RSL Sub-branch president Reinhard Goschiniak said Mr Murphy continues to support the sub-branch in its activities and the selling of Anzac tokens and poppies on Remembrance Day.

RSL Victoria vice president Des Callaghan, McEwen MP Rob Mitchell and Macedon MP Mary-Anne Thomas were on hand to present Mr Murphy with the Meritorious Service Medal at a ceremony Romsey Mechanics Institute earlier this month.