Community Worker Gets Royal Applause

Illawarra Mercury

Monday June 8, 1998

By JODI ALLEN

Her Majesty has been good to Ted Smith.

Back in 1970 Mr Smith was awarded the Queen's Police Medal for his exemplary service in the NSW Police Force.

Yesterday the Cambewarra entertainer was again on the receiving end of a regal citation, this time in the Queen's Birthday honours list.

Mr Smith was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his service to the Shoalhaven community, as both a fund-raiser and entertainer with the Shoalhaven Singers.

Although describing himself as a staunch monarchist, Mr Smith said he had been in two minds about accepting the honour.

``I did a lot of soul searching about whether I should accept this award," he said.

``Something like this really makes you go back over your life and wonder if you are really worthy of such an acknowledgement.

``I just believe that anything I ever accomplished has been achieved with the help of others."

Mr Smith, 74, has enjoyed a lifelong love affair with music and performing, making his public debut in a school production at the age of five.

``When I was 19 I won a national radio competition called Australia's Amateur Hour with the highest number of votes in the long history of the program," he recalled.

``Then while I was doing my RAAF training I represented the Armed Services on another show called Australia's Youth Parade."

Mr Smith's rising stardom was halted by WWII, where he saw active service in Papua New Guinea.

After the war he started his 27-year career in the NSW police, often performing as a soloist with the Police Military Band.

He retired from the force in 1972 and two years later he and his wife Rosalie moved to the Shoalhaven district.

Mr Smith quickly became active in community affairs, serving variously as president of the Vincentia Progress Association and a member of the RSL movement, the Masons and the Shoalhaven City Council traffic committee.

He also was able - finally - to pursue a career as a professional entertainer.

In the past 24 years his musical talents have frequently contributed to various civic and charitable events, leading to his nomination for the OAM.

``I humbly accept this award personally, but I know I have to share it with all the wonderful people who have touched my life in one way or another," he said.

``Without them, my wife Rosalie and my family not much would have been accomplished."