Known affectionately as Jim, Rev Walter has received the accolade in large part for his almost five decades of service to the Australian Baptist Ministry.

Humble at all times Rev Walter has paid tribute to his father, who he has always held in the highest regard.

"I would love to have shared this award with my father who did much more for his country than I am ever likely to do," he said.

"He went off to join the army in the dark days of World War Two, two weeks before I was born, in 1942."

Rev Walter's father had to apply for special leave to come home to see his newborn son.

Rev Walter spent four years at Ararat High School, then a year at the School of Mines in Ballarat, before returning home to join the family business.

"After some years, in response to what I believe was the call of God, I changed direction, worked through a couple of degrees, and became a Minister of the Baptist Church," he said.

"I have survived in that role for 46 years, and now serve at the St Albans Church part-time, whilst also being a part-time resident of Willaura and a small-time farmer."

In his early years Rev Walter was involved in activities including boy scouts and volunteered for the Willaura Fire Brigade.

He said the main reason for the Australia Day honour stems from his efforts to help with the re-settlement of refugees from 1978 onwards.

"It began one Saturday when I was introduced to a young Vietnamese man with a family of six children who had been given a house in Reservoir, but with nothing other than bare boards," he said.

"We scouted around and found beds, furniture, and so many of the basics we take for granted.

"This process was repeated for multiple new refugee families, as well as help in deciphering documents, English language learning, and orientation to Aussie culture."

Most recently Rev Walter was instrumental in setting up a Baptist Camp at Flowerdale, burnt out during the Black Saturday bushfires of 2009.

He is also the founding chairman of the Belgrave Heights Men's Convention.

"For the past 16 years nearly 1,000 men have gathered each May to hear from great Bible teachers how we can be better husbands, fathers, and citizens," Rev Walter said.

His highest praise and proudest attainment is reserved for the love of his life.

"My greatest achievement was marrying a girl named Jessie who has shared my life and ministry for nearly fifty years," he said.

"Everything I have done is underpinned and motivated by my Christian faith, put biblically, 'Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God'.

Rev Walter said he was 'surprised, honoured and a little embarrassed' by all the publicity he has received after the awarding of the accolade.

"It is pleasing to be recognised for some of the things I have done," he said.

"While I am a little uncomfortable with all the publicity, I am happy to be a part of anything that reflects well on my home town.

"The difficulty is that there are so many others who could and should be recognised. For example, the fire-fighters who fought the recent Moyston fire, and so many other unsung heroes."

Rev Walter maintains an active interest in events across the region and still spends a lot of time at Willaura, as well as a cattle property he has at Moyston.