His dedication to the Cessnock District Rescue Squad and the NSW Police Force’s Volunteer in Policing Program have earned him the Order of Australia Medal on this year’s Australia Day honours list.

“I never expected any acknowledgement like this,” he said.

“I just do what I do because I like to help the community.”

A lifelong Cessnock resident, Mr Ingall joined the volunteer rescue squad in 1991 at the encouragement of a work colleague.

He went onto become president of the squad and served for 12 years as an active member, receiving life membership.

Working side-by-side with the police at many rescue squad callouts, Mr Ingall was inspired to become part of the Volunteer in Policing program in 1996.

He is still a volunteer with the program, in which community members assist police by performing functions that are not core police duties – such as administrative tasks, archiving, safety audits and maintaining key holder registries.

Mr Ingall is also a Justice of the Peace, and has worked at Rover Coaches for 15 years.

He says there are lots of community-minded people in Cessnock, and that’s why he loves living there.

“The Cessnock community is close-knit and always prepared to help others in times of need, and for the better of the community,” he said.

Mr Ingall said his values were passed down from his parents: “If everyone can contribute, it makes the world a better place,” he said.