Picton resident Ty Oxley received his first Australian Service Medal last week for his work as a diesel mechanic in the Australian Army.

He joined the army in 1992 as an apprentice mechanic in Albury. He was stationed there for 2 years before being posted in several places between Sydney and Darwin.

``I worked on everything from army trucks to tanks, four-wheel-drives and earth moving equipment,'' he said. ``I joined the army to get an apprenticeship but did all the soldier training and learned how to fight. I loved that part, too.''

He trained to go to East Timor but had left the army before he was deployed.

``It was quite an honour to get recognition for my service to the country. I have my grandfather's medal so now I can wear my medal next to his medal when we march on Anzac Day.''

Mr Oxley was one of eight Macarthur residents to receive a medal from Major Stuart Pemberton of the Royal Australian Engineers and Macarthur MP Pat Farmer last week.

Mr Farmer said the medal recognised both volunteer and national service men and women.

``It's an honour to present the medal to those who have protected the very freedoms that other countries are still struggling to achieve,'' he said. ``Today's ceremony was an opportunity to publicly thank the men and women from our local community who have made a commitment and contribution to our nations security.''