Cattlemen receive honours

Lang Coppin and Lew Smit were among the hundreds of Australians who were awarded a Medal (OAM) in the General Division for their achievements.

Koojan Hills stud principal Lew Smit was recognised for his service to the livestock industry and to the community of Kojonup.

Mr Smit said he was delighted and overwhelmed with his award.

"When you just do the things you do and you keep doing them for 40 years and then someone comes along and thanks you for it and says you have done a good job, well that is pretty special," he said.

"These honours are not given lightly and I am honoured to have been nominated and to have been successful."

Mr Smit has been involved in the cattle industry for almost a lifetime.

He founded the Koojan Hills stud in 1960 and has lived in Kojonup for more than 40 years.

In his time Mr Smit has worn many hats.

He was the president, vice-president and treasurer of the Angus Society of Australia and the Murray Grey Beef Cattle Society and is also a life member of the two institutions.

He sat on the consultative committee for Breedplan Development and has judged a number of cattle breeds at royal shows around Australia.

But Mr Smit said his most rewarding achievement was being involved in the annual cattle school held at the Harvey Agricultural College.

"I get a great deal of pleasure out of the educational side of things," he said.

Mr Smit was also commended for his involvement in the Kojonup community.

He has been heavily involved in the local Rotary Club and in 2009 donated the proceeds of a bull at his annual sale, raising $9250 for the Rotary Victoria Bushfires Appeal.

WA pastoralist Lang Coppin was also recognised for his service to the community of the East Pilbara.

Mr Coppin is the current deputy president of the East Pilbara Shire.

He is on the Local Recovery Committee, Bushfire Advisory Committee, East Pilbara Land Conservation Committee and the Recognised Biosecurity Group.

Mr Coppin is heavily involved in supporting and fundraising for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) and the Port Hedland School of the Air.

He was the founding member of the Isolated Children's Parents' Association (ICPA), Pilbara branch, and together with his family runs Yarrie station.

Mr Coppin said it was an honour to even be considered for such an award but it wasn't something he ever really considered.

"I was pretty suprised when I found out because you don't do the things you do for recognition," he said.

"You do them because they need doing.

"I have tried to do what is best for my area. If you aren't involved then someone else will do the decision making for you."

Mr Coppin said one of the greatest acheivements of his time was being part of building the road network that linked the west coast, through Marble Bar to Alice Springs.

Mr Coppin said it was wonderful to be recongised but he wouldn't have got far without the backing of his family.

"It has been a joint effort between me and my wife Ann so I think she deserves a lot of the credit as well," he said.

"If a bloke doesn't have the backing of a good woman he won't get far."