WHILE World War II may be a slightly faded memory for Kiama's Geoff Honey, there is no doubt the pride he still feels, having represented his country in the Middle East and Papua New Guinea.
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The Honey family came to Australia in the 1800s and settled in Kiama.
Mr Honey, now 93, was just 21 when he enlisted, and recognising his rural background, he was thrust into the Australian Transport Company as a truck driver.
"We had two drivers in a solidly built four-wheel drive and used to be in charge of getting ammunition and supplies to the front line," Mr Honey said.
"We had a couple of close shaves, including once when we were bombed, but apart from a scare, we escaped OK."
After returning from the Middle East, Mr Honey was soon thrust back into action, but this time it was in the air, dropping rations to troops on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea.
"We became what was known as the 'biscuit bombers' and were pretty popular among the troops," he said.
After returning to the family farm, he married his wife, Elaine, and settled down to raise a family, but also quickly got involved with the Kiama community.
He was a church warden at the Kiama Church of England, a councillor on Kiama Municipal Council for 13 years, a foundation member of the Kiama Alpine Club and also became a member of Kiama Rotary Club.
During his 30 years with Rotary, he served a term as club president, was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship and only last week, was presented with an honorary membership of the club after being forced to retire due to ill health last year.
"Geoff always liked being involved in the community and really enjoyed rolling his sleeves up on Rotary projects," Mrs Honey said.