A very humble Tony Hutchisson VK5ZAI received an award from AMSAT North America for the voluntary work he has done for the Amateur Radio on the International Space Station (ARISS) program.

In accepting the award, Tony VK5ZAI said it was a very nice honour which made him feel humble.

"I look at it as a combined effort for all those that have helped over the last 20 years because I couldn't have done it alone," he said.

In praise of ARISS, Tony VK5ZAI said, "They're a great group to work with and he has made many friends through it and amateur radio."

He is the Australian ARISS Coordinator and a Telebridge Earth Station involved in many contacts between the ISS and schools.

The Channel 7 Today Tonight show interviewed Tony VK5ZAI in early 2012, when he gave some great insights as to how Amateur Radio can provide support for NASA, as well as raise public awareness through the ARISS schools program.