Three locals have received awards in this years Queens Birthday Honour list, they are Daniel O'Brien from Federal, Dr Austin Curtain from Tregeagle and Lyn Larsen from Tuntable Creek.

Dr Austin Curtin received a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) award for significant service to medicine, and health outcomes in regional communities.

Many people from Lismore and the Northern Rivers will know the name Dr Austin Curtin in some form. Dr Curtain has more than likely touched your life in some way directly or indirectly through your connections with family and friends.

"When I received the email from the Governor General's office, it was a surprise to tell you the truth", Dr Curtin told the Lismore App, "the reason for receiving the award aligns itself with my fundamental beliefs for being a doctor".

Dr Curtin arrived in Lismore as a qualified doctor in 1985 from Sydney.

"I wanted to be an old fashioned general surgeon, one that is not tied down to one specific area of surgery. I loved to work in a community of normal people, it is part of my passion".

Soon after moving into the region Dr Curtin wanted to develop a rural medical clinic for Lismore. "Universities were forcing students into rural areas to complete their education so I joined a group of people to lobby government so we could improve the infrastructure to turn our hospitals into training hospitals", he said.

"We really wanted to improve the outcomes for people in regional areas so what is available in the country is similar to what they have in the city".

Dr Curtin was also Lismore Citizen of the Year in 2015.