Samuel Todhunter has lived through the Korean war, the Vietnam war and spent his whole life working in the aviation industry.

Last week, he received an Order of Australia Medal for his service to aviation – and at the age of 89, aviation is something he’s still passionate about.

Bill Kiernan and Nathan Parker with Sam Todhunter. Read more: Nathan's Wings Award sets his aviation career flying even higher

Samuel still works in Lismore as a flight instructor at the Northern Rivers Aero Club (NRAC). He’s one of three flight instructors at NRAC – along with Bill Kiernan and Nathan Parker.

While he retired years ago, Samuel has never wanted to stop flying and kept busy instructing people in how to fly planes and get their recreational or commercial pilot’s licences.

He wants to encourage more people to pursue their dreams and passion for flying.

Inspired to fly as a child by the wide open skies of Western Australia and the courage of Korean war pilots, Sam followed his heart and passion into flying.

It’s a life that has taken him all over the world, working in nearly every possible role the aviation industry has to offer – including setting up his own aviation company.

He’s flown a lot of different planes and said he’s never felt scared of flying.

Samuel tells his life story to the Lismore App in this week’s Sunday Profile. So, to find out more, follow his story this Sunday, May 23.