Graham Hudson OAM has been recognised for over 50 years of teaching

Beginning his teaching career in 1969, Mr Hudson has had a vast career spanning over 53 years and was recognised at the Department of Education's inaugural Service Recognition Dinner on Thursday, November 16.

Mr Hudson's brother, Leo Hudson has also been recognised for over 50 years of service in teaching at Toronto High School.

Growing up in Gresford, Mr Hudson's passion for teaching began with some simple advice from his mother.

"My mother really got me interested in teaching," he said.

"She grew up during the depression days and I remember her telling me as a child, particularly after I started to show some expertise at school, that I ought to become a teacher because during the Depression days public servants got paid where a lot of people didn't."

Mr Hudson began teaching at the age of 19 and taught briefly before registering for National Service and being drafted into the army in 1970 and 1971 where he would go to Singapore and Malaysia as part of a peacekeeping operation.

Following his stint in the army Mr Hudson returned to Australia and picked up teaching almost immediately. "I think my two years being in the army was a great benefit to my teaching career because you lived in fairly close contact with a group of guys who came from all walks of life in all states in Australia. I think it had a huge impact on my teaching career," he said.

However, after beginning his career Mr Hudson would soon change his outlook on teaching as a job. He began to see it as an opportunity to influence his students' lives in a positive way and help them.

"Many of my students have approached me later in life and thanked me for doing what I did, giving them guidance and instruction. At Dungog in particular there were some wonderful students and I made some wonderful friends," he said.

Throughout his time as a mathematics teacher, Mr Hudson has seen Australia's attitudes towards teachers change, in particular how teachers communicate with students, fellow teachers and the wider community.

"I think a lot of that has to do with how you approach people and I'm not bragging but I think I've always been able to communicate well with my fellow colleagues, particularly the students and the parents," Mr Hudson said. "Wherever I go I always run into people who I've taught and they always come up to me and they want to tell me what they've done, they want to reflect fondly on their memories of their time at school."

However the biggest thing Mr Hudson has learnt in his time as a teacher is patience and to maintain a positive outlook on life.

In 2018 Mr Hudson was also awarded an Order of Australia Medal for his service to the Hunter Valley community.