For service to the Snowy Monaro region, Paddy Kerrigan has this year received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Mr Kerrigan moved to the area in 1953 to work on the Snowy Scheme. In his research before coming, Mr Kerrigan said he came to the conclusion that Australia was the best country in the world, something he now knows to be true.

Working as a carpenter on Tumut One and Tumut Two power stations, Mr Kerrigan was also a migrant worker representative.

Mr Kerrigan said when he first began, there were only seven workers who could speak English. His experience with building plans meant he was able to help explain the plans to the non-English speaking workers.

Mr Kerrigan installed a memorial stone in commemoration of the Irishmen and women who died during construction of the scheme at the Catholic church in 1999. He engraved it himself with a Celtic Cross.

Once his work with the Snowy Scheme was complete, Mr Kerrigan saw an opportunity for tourism at Old Adaminaby and Lake Eucumbene. Mr Kerrigan bought a two-storey brick home and moved it so that it would not be flooded under the lake.

He and his wife Jan raised their six children there, all while operating several businesses which created the foundation of the tourism industry in the town.

Coach-loads of visitors would travel to Old Adaminaby and Mr Kerrigan would take them out for launch cruises to see the scheme, and then accommodate them in one of their two motels.

They also operated a teahouse for visitors, boat hire for trout fishermen, built an underwater observatory for Lake Eucumbene and operated the Old Adaminaby Caravan Park.

Mr Kerrigan also helped with repairs to local community buildings and Kosciuszko huts, and conducted many search and rescues on Lake Eucumbene.

He has always been passionate about contributing to the community and loved the genuinely nice people within it.

Mr Kerrigan is 95 years-old and two years ago he and Mrs Kerrigan downsized to a house in Cooma.