Mr Mercovich was the modest recipient of a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) on the 2015 Australia Day honours list.

Dunolly born, Mr Mercovich spent the first few years of his life in Goldsborough were his father was a teacher.

At age four, he along with his siblings, which included two brothers and two sisters relocated to Ararat when Mr Mercovich's father took over the now closed Dobie Primary School.

"Ararat to me was a wonderful place," he said.

"Although it was wartime, my friends and I had plenty of freedom and opportunity to develop our talents and interests.

"We explored Flint Hill and other hazardous sites and played sport on the Old Rec.

"I also enjoyed art lessons with Mary Norman-Bail."

Mr Mercovich completed his entire education at the Brigidine Convent, what we now know as Marian College.

In January 1949 he left the bush behind and set his sights on the big smoke in Melbourne where he joined the State public service.

Now retired, Mr Mercovich has been a strong community advocate in the suburb of South Morang.

He has been credited with heaping pressure on the local council with regard to getting things done and railing against developments he has deemed as inappropriate.

Mr Mercovich also has a long history of involvement with local progress associations, volunteers at Villa Maria aged care residence, is the Eucharist Minister at St Damian's Catholic Parish and founded the Friends of South Morang School Scholarship in association with Morang South Primary School.

"Truthfully I am embarrassed by this award," Mr Mercovich said.

"I was surprised when asked whether I would accept the award.

"To be acknowledged for voluntary services, which I enjoy was most unexpected.

"I think that this form of acknowledgement is a fillip to people who don't expect special recognition."

Mr Mercovich maintains he didn't really make any real contribution to the Ararat region, but his family and friends think otherwise.

"I can't think of any special achievements and I'm not being overly modest," he said.

"The basis of the award was service to the community, but this was always in concert with other people."

Daughter, Judith Lane said she along with the rest of his extended family are proud of her humble father.

"He is very humble and even a bit embarrassed by it all, but we all think this is something he has deserved, we're very proud of him," she said.

"His upbringing was in Ararat where being involved and part of a community is a big part of everything.

"He has always felt the need to give back and we think he deserves this form of recognition."