Mark Donaldson VC has been awarded Australia’s highest military honour, been received by the Queen and was named Young Australian of the Year in 2010.

But he admitted it was an unexpected surprise to be invited back to Dorrigo High School to unveil a permanent tribute in his honour.

“I spent more time in the deputy principal’s office and principal’s office probably for, uh… let’s call it extra-curricular activities and disruption, than I did for the right reasons,” Mr Donaldson said.

That is not to say he does not appreciate his time there, and the support he received from his teachers.

“I think it’s testament to a small high school and a small country town like Dorrigo, you can actually go out and do amazing things.”

Current Dorrigo High School principal Tamara Cameron said any school would be proud to claim a former student of Mr Donaldson’s calibre.

“We’re happy to claim Mark as one of our own, Victoria Cross or no Victoria Cross,” Mrs Cameron said.

“We value every student as individuals, and having met him it’s clear he’s just a genuine and humble person who’s proud of where he comes from, and I find that inspiring.”

Mark Donaldson VC received the Victoria Cross for his actions during a targeted and sustained Taliban ambush in Afghanistan’s Oruzgan Province on 2 September 2008.

During the attack, he repeatedly drew enemy fire away from wounded US and Afghan soldiers and rescued an injured Afghan interpreter.

He was the first Australian soldier to receive the honour since the Vietnam War, and the Dorrigo community takes immense pride in “their” VC recipient.

When Dick Braithwaite began teaching casually at Dorrigo High in 2023, he was determined to take on the job of ensuring the school had an official tribute honouring its homegrown hero.

A former National Serviceman, he worked with the Australian Defence Force to ensure the photo and presentation board were present and correct, with the Dorrigo RSL sub-branch kindly covering the cost.

“They’re going to be hung in the front foyer so when you enter the school with your fellow students, community members or your parents, they are the first things you’ll see when you come in the door,” Mr Braithwaite said during the unveiling.