A photograph of Drouin identity Jack Butler after being awarded the Anzac of the Year award in 1995.
Jack grew up in Longwarry after his parents immigrated from England to Australia. Life was very hard and he left school at 14-years-old.
With the outbreak of World War II, Jack enlisted and saw service in the Middle East, New Guinea and Dutch New Guinea in the Artillery.
Post World War II was a difficult time for returned servicemen to find work. Jack joined his brother-in-law in supplying timber to the Longwarry sawmill before working for the Drouin Butter Factory.
He followed this by gaining work with the Buln Buln Shire road crew, a job he worked for 22 years. He progressed to become the shire's road foreman.
In 1982, a councillor for the Drouin Riding died and Jack was asked to nominate for the Buln Buln Shire Council.
He was elected shire president in 1983 and then successfully served as councillor for two more terms of office.
Jack was the Drouin RSL president for 23 years, organising the Anzac march, speaking at various schools and events, and giving generously through Legacy to help war widows and families.
He never glorified war but believed if it was forgotten that there was a real possibility it might be allowed to happen again.
Jack was awarded Anzac of the Year in 1995 by the Governor of Victoria Richard McGarvie.
The Anzac of the Year awards are made annually "to recognise the efforts and achievements of Australians who have given service to their fellow Australians and to the community in a positive, selfless and compassionate manner".
Information courtesy of Stories of Drouin and photograph courtesy of The Gazette.
To hear more of the story of Jack Butler, visit storiesofdrouin.com.au
Stories of Drouin is a cooperative oral history project between The Committee for Drouin, Drouin History Group and 3BBR FM to preserve local stories.