FORMER Euroa Secondary College teacher Peter Duras became a member of the Order of Australia (AM) on Australia Day for “significant service to sports physiotherapy, and to the community”.

Mr Duras only lived in Euroa and worked at the high school for one year in 1964, but he said “even just in that year, I developed a strong loyalty towards Euroa”.

He said he still has a strong friendship and connection with local lawyer Michael Tehan, who received an OAM on Australia Day.

Shepparton’s Wendy Humphries (nee Hearps), a former Euroa resident, fondly remembers Mr Duras as her Form One (Year Seven) maths teacher.

“He was just a fantastic maths teacher… and a lovely bloke,” she recalled.

“He’s very approachable and he's achieved a lot in his life, especially with the Australian Commonwealth and the Olympic teams.”

Mr Duras was a volunteer physiotherapist for the Australian Commonwealth Games Team over six different years and a volunteer physiotherapist at the Sydney Olympic Games in 2000.

He was also a volunteer physiotherapist for World Athletic Championships Australian Team four times and a physiotherapist for the Footscray and Essendon Football Clubs.

“I've had a very lucky life in sports,” he said.

His other achievements as a physiotherapist are extensive, along with his work as volunteer for organisations including Melbourne’s Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and the National Sports Museum.

Like his friend Mr Tehan, he is also a dedicated Rotarian, having been a member of Rotary clubs since 1973.

“It's a great thrill, it's very exciting,” he said of receiving an AM.

“You don't do it without having a lot of support around you, including my wife Sue.”

He said Euroa still has a place in his heart.

“We never go up the Hume without calling in at Euroa… I have got a very soft spot for Euroa and always will,” he said.