He has a reputation in the urban media for being feisty and outspoken but to his bush "family" Vaughan Johnson is a kind-hearted man of principle, and many will applaud the news that he has received a Medal of the Order of Australia in today's Australia Day honours list.

The Australian thoroughbred racing industry is in shock following the tragic news of the death on Tuesday night of one of its favourite sons, multi-generational thoroughbred breeder, Basil Nolan Jnr.

Service to the community is what Blackall's Reverend Beth O'Neill has today received an Order of Australia Medal for and that's just what she was doing this morning when Australia Day celebrations were in full swing.