He will be awarded an Order of Australia Medal as part of the Australia Day honours for service to the communities of Queanbeyan and Canberra.

In 2000 Mr Walshe joined forces with Cancer Support Group ACT Eden Monaro founder Yvonne Cuschieri.

He joined the inaugural board and contributed 15 years helping to run the charity which offers financial assistance to cancer patients and their families.

His enduring passion to help others in trying times across the community has a lot to do with his upbringing as the eldest of nine siblings, he said.

"We didn't have a lot but mum and dad worked hard to give us all an education and a roof over our heads," he said. "It always made me feel privileged to be able to help."

Wise words from former Actew AGL chairman John Mackay to "make a difference through his work" is advice that has stuck with him.

Working closely with Yvonne Cuschieri, who he calls "the saint", played a big part too.

"If there is one person that has inspired me it is Yvonne," he said. "I call her a saint."

Witnessing the Cuschieri's struggle to find respite support when their son was ill with a brain tumour lead Mr Walshe to his latest project lobbying the NSW government, with help from Canberra Raiders coach Ricky Stuart, to build a carers respite centre in Queanbeyan.

The remarkable stories of the people helped through his charity work are unforgettable.

But so are the wild fashions Mr Walshe has worn in the name of fundraising.

For six years he donned a festive Hawaiian shirt as the organiser of the Cancer Support Group annual fundraising ball, and proudly wore a fuschia suit for the eight years he organised Canberra's Pink Dinner for the National Breast Cancer Foundation.