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The Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia has given its highest honour, the Oswald Watt Gold Medal, to RAAF Fighter Combat Instructor Squadron Leader Paul ‘Simmo’ Simmons.

The award is regarded as the highest honour in Australian civil aviation, and recognises the most notable contribution to Australian aviation.
The presentation of the award was made at the Annual Air Force Proficiency and Leadership Awards, at RAAF Base Amberley on May 31. The presentation was made by Marj Davis, president of the Royal Federation of Aero Clubs of Australia, and Chief of Air Force Air Marshal Geoff Brown.

“Paul’s enthusiasm and passion for aviation is evident by his contribution to the Air Force, his compassion and caring in assisting young people at risk discover discipline through flying, and his involvement in general aviation, flying the Sabre at Temora, makes him a very worthy recipient,” the RFACA said in a statement.

Previous winners of the Oswald Watt Gold Medal include Sir Charles Kingsford-Smith, Sir Reginald Ansett and Dr Andrew Thomas.

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