Not only did they celebrate 30 years of marriage, but together they were each honoured with a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).

Marilyn Diana Iverson, better known as Lyn, and her husband Peter Charles Iverson were awarded for service to children with cancer and to their families.

The pair has volunteered with Camp Quality for 30 years and been family camp leaders for 30 years.

They first got involved with Camp Quality when founder Vera Entwistle came to give a presentation at an Apex Club meeting in Taree.

Peter was president of the club and after seeing a video of the first camp became interested in how he could help.

Soon Lyn and Peter would attend the first annual general meeting of Camp Quality in Sydney.

Although Peter wanted to help he wasn't sure if attending the camps was right for him and reluctantly went on his first camp.

Vera had a saying: "If you see a need, then you're elected."

"I remember thinking I'm not going to last - this will be too challenging," said Peter.

But Peter lasted and loved it.

Using humour he was quickly able to be just "one of the gang".

"I was in charge of two identical twins, who kept swapping badges," chuckled Peter.

"One of the twins had a glass eye and I'd just come back from washing his eye, when another boy was arguing about who was his best friend at camp

"I piped up and said 'well tell me of another kid who can keep an eye out for you like he can'!"

For Lyn there was no hesitation to attend a camp.

Their role together as family camp leaders began 25 years ago.

This is where they take the whole family away for a weekend with the support of Camp Quality companions.

"Over the years we have had many wonderful volunteers like John Stevenson who, with his archery club members, sets up archery for the families, which they enjoy immensely.

"It's their time to get away from the hospital environment and routine, a chance to relax and share fun activities with similar families," Lyn explained.

"It is an opportunity also for families facing a recent diagnosis of cancer to meet with others whose children are very well and in remission.

"It gives them hope to see a light at the end of the tunnel."

Peter and Lyn have decades of stories of courage, resilience and friendship from their time at Camp Quality.

Like the boy who got stuck halfway up a water slide and made the second half after cheers of encouragement from the other kids.

Or the girl who was teased by an outsider of the camp, only to be defended and saved by a dance with the "spunkiest" boy there.

"They all become family and support each other like that," said Peter.

Peter says the children and family's resilience is truly remarkable.

"If you could bottle up their resilience, you could solve the problems of the world," he said.

Lyn and Peter had their own brush with a sick child when their 12-year-old son Adam fell direly ill.

"The doctor basically said give him your credit card and let him go for his life - that's how bad it was," said Peter, who at the time had volunteered with Camp Quality for 10 years.

Peter was away with work at the time of the diagnosis and Lyn and Peter spent two weeks in an oncology ward with no answers.

Eventually the diagnosis was osteomyelitis, and Adam recovered.

"We thought we knew all about what this experience was like but we knew nothing," said Lyn.

"In those two weeks our life was turned upside down.

"That was just two weeks. People can spend up to two years or more living in hospitals."

"Life changes for these people," added Peter.

"The wife goes away with the sick child, dad's at home with the siblings, and he's doing things he has never done before and it's hard."

Peter and Lyn's three younger children Dean, Adam and Alysse would attend Camp Quality camps too. The three older children, Jane, Tracy and Jason, had left home at this stage.

They were each brought up knowing the importance of volunteering and accepting everyone no matter their circumstances.

Peter and Lyn's dedication to volunteering has also extended to other groups and organisations.

Both Lyn and Peter were overnight community support workers at Ronald McDonald House Westmead for about 10 years.

Lyn began as a volunteer and later became an employee for Manning Valley Neighbourhood Service's Women's Domestic Violence Court Assistance Scheme.

Peter has sat on the board for Taree Christian College and the Heritage Christian College at Port Macquarie, Lyn has also been committee member at Taree Christian College and still returns to school each year to run the Mother's Day and Father's Day stalls.

In 2004, they were co-recipients of the Greater Taree City Council Citizen of the Year.

"Last year we organised a community Christmas lunch at the Baptist Centre, Kolodong for anyone who was on their own. Peter drove the school bus and picked up all those needing transport.

"We had many helpers on Christmas Day decorating, setting up and serving all our wonderful guests. A lot of the food and drinks were donated by the terrific businesses in our town. We are truly blessed to live in such a supportive community," said Lyn.

Peter and Lyn were greatly humbled by their OAM nomination.

"It's not just us that do these things - there are so many dedicated volunteers," said Lyn.

Lyn said the work and fundraising of the Camp Quality Manning Valley Support Group is outstanding.

"Without our volunteers all this, all the camps, just wouldn't be possible," said Lyn.

Both Peter and Lyn believe volunteering and helping others is a part of every person's life purpose.

"You're not put on this planet to look after yourself," said Peter.

"Our responsibility is to look after each other."

laura.polson@fairfaxmedia.com.au