AT 14, Albert "Alby" Osbourne's headmaster issued him a DCM - Don't Come in on Monday.
He has come a long way since then. The Brookfield retiree is being made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit, one of New Zealand's highest honours.
A pest control expert and ex-Naval serviceman, Mr Osbourne is being recognised for his services to veterans and biosecurity.
He was quick to share credit for the "huge honour" with his wife of 44 years, Gillian Osbourne, and their three children.
"I have done a few things, sure, but you can't do all that without the support of your wife picking up the slack at home," he said.
A long-serving biosecurity officer at the for the Bay of Plenty Regional Council, Mr Osbourne's achievements included leading significant pest eradication programmes around the North Island.
He was highly commended for his biosecurity and naval expertise following the sinking of MV Rena off Tauranga Harbour in 2011.
During the kiwifruit boom in the late 70s he rescued orchardists struggling to control animal attacks on new plantings. Using his expertise and what little free time he had, he helped them arrest the situation and saved many businesses from ruin.
As an advocate for veterans and elderly people, he has picked up groceries and mowed lawns, written funeral services and founded associations for ex-service personal.
For years he spent almost every weekend chopping firewood and distributing it for free to elderly and disadvantaged people.
Mrs Osbourne said her husband was just one of those people for whom the phone never stopped ringing.
"He always seems to have an ear for anyone who's got a problem. It means a lot to him to be able to help people."