He will receive an Order of Australia Medal, announced as part of Australia Day celebrations, for services to local government and to the community of Orange.

The Orange solicitor has a long list of achievements to his name, including sitting as an Orange City councillor from 1980 to 2008 and mayor from 1981 to 1983 and 1996 to 2002, and as the president of many clubs - the Friends of the Orange Botanic Gardens from 2013 to 2014, the inaugural president of the Calare Public School P and C Association from 1967 to 1977, Orange Amateur Swimming Club in the 1970s, Orange Apex Club in 1964 and the Orange Cherry Blossom Festival 1961 to 1962.

He was also the chairman of the Orange Festival of Arts from 1976 to 1981, the Kinross Wolaroi School Council in 1980 and 1981 and the inaugural chairman of the Orange Horse Riding Association in 1978, and is a patron of the Orange City Rugby Union Club.

Mr Niven said he was surprised to be chosen to receive the medal.

“It was a bit of a surprise, especially as most of those things happened years ago,” he said. “It’s an acknowledgement of service, and I’m sure my family are pretty pleased.”

The former mayor was born and grew up in Orange, and said the only time he spent living somewhere else was when he went to University of Sydney to study law.

He continues his work three days a week at his law firm Baldock, Stacy and Niven, helping elderly clients with wills, estate planning and guardianship matters, and often makes house visits to those who are housebound or in hospital.

He is also a life member of the Law Society of NSW and the Central Western Law Society.

Mr Niven said community service had been a large part of his life for many years, and it was a rewarding way to spend time.

“It is more or less a hobby,” he said. “You don’t do it for an award. 

“You have friends in the community by getting involved in various things.”

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