Emerald resident, Chris May has been honoured with the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for his outstanding commitment to the veteran and emergency services communities. The 35-year-old’s service spans decades, from his time with the Australian Regular Army to his significant volunteer work with the CFA, the SES, and his efforts to support and advocate for veterans.
For Mr May, the recognition is not just about his own work, but about the community that has supported him throughout his journey.
“This isn’t just about me,” he said.
“It’s a recognition of everyone who has supported me, my wife, my family, my colleagues, and all those who have helped make the causes I believe in possible.”
Service has always been a constant in Mr May’s life. After spending much of his adult life in the Australian Defence Force, either as a full-time soldier or a part-time reservist, he turned his attention to his local community in Emerald when he and his wife started their family.
“I’ve spent most of my adult life serving others, either in the military or in various volunteer roles. When we moved to Emerald, it became clear to me that my focus was going to be on giving back to the community,” Mr May said.
“It’s about Australians supporting each other, giving everyone a fair go.”
His time in the army wasn’t without its challenges. In 2011, Mr May was wounded in a bomb blast in Afghanistan, returning home at just 21 years old as a wounded veteran.
This experience triggered a sense of disconnect for him between the term “veteran” and his own age.
“When I returned home, I was struggling with the identity of being a veteran. I’d go into schools and ask kids to picture what a veteran looked like. They always imagined an older man, with medals and a suit,” he said.
“When I walked in with my beret and my medals, they were shocked. At 21, I couldn’t understand how I could be called a veteran.”
This experience, along with his brother, led to the creation of Young Veterans in 2013.
“The idea was to help others who, like me, struggled with the concept of being labelled a veteran at such a young age,” Mr May said.
The initiative was aimed at providing younger veterans with a space to connect, offering activities tailored to their age group, such as fishing trips and outdoor adventures like paddle boarding and bike riding. What began as a small local project has now grown into a nationwide movement that continues to make a real difference.
While Mr May has since stepped back from his role with Young Veterans, the initiative remains a significant part of his life.
“It’s incredible to see how much it has grown. It’s still helping people in ways I couldn’t have imagined back then,” he said.
“And knowing that it’s still running, and that people are still benefiting from it, is very rewarding.”
Outside of Young Veterans, Mr May has been involved in countless other causes.
From his role as a volunteer firefighter and emergency rescue operator to his advocacy for mental health and homelessness among veterans, Mr May’s commitment to the community has been unwavering.
One of his most significant efforts came during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Despite the many challenges of the pandemic, Mr May was determined to support the mental health of his colleagues in the emergency services.
“I saw how the pandemic was affecting people’s mental health, especially in the emergency services. It was tough for everyone, but especially for those of us who were still working on the frontlines,” Mr May said.
“I thought to myself, ‘If I can do something to help, I will.’”
This led him to take part in a virtual firefighter stair climb to raise funds for Lifeline. What started as a simple challenge turned into an extraordinary feat of endurance, with Mr May climbing the equivalent of Mount Everest on a stair machine over 17 hours, raising $25,000 in the process.
“It was gruelling, but it was worth it,” Mr May said.
“Mental health is something close to my heart, and if I can help even just one person, it’s all worth it.”
When Mr May found out he had been awarded the OAM, it was a moment of personal reflection.
“I didn’t expect it. I’ve received a few awards over the years, but this one feels different. It’s the culmination of everything I’ve done, and it’s incredibly humbling,” he said.
“It’s not just my achievement. It’s a recognition of all the people who’ve supported me along the way. This is for my family, my colleagues, the communities I’ve served and for everyone who’s been part of this journey.”
While the OAM is the pinnacle of recognition, Mr May’s journey is far from over.
“This award is a reminder that I’m not doing this alone. It’s about the team effort, the people who stand by me, and the support of the community at large,” he said.
“And for me, it’s about continuing to serve. That’s what keeps me going.”
