Mr Gelston, of West Launceston, died in May last year, after a life befitting one of the country's highest honours.

His Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) has been awarded for service to amateur radio.

In particular, his work in the vital field of emergency radio transmission has been noted.

He worked with voluntary maintenance service, Tamar Sea Rescue Services Incorporated, which was established in 1989 as the Royal Volunteer Coastal Patrol and Royal Volunteer Coast Guard.

It has been involved in 27 search and rescue efforts on the water since then.

Mr Gelston also established a UHF-CB repeater - similar to a two-way radio - on Flinders Island, and volunteered to maintain it, and was also an assistant in amateur radio communications experiments.

He was a life member of the Wireless Institute of Australia, and a life member of the Northern Tasmania Amateur Radio Club.

When his obituary was posted last year, tributes from friends came pouring in.

"Joe was one of the most kind and considerate people who you would ever meet," Brian Morgan, of Maleny, said.

"He was renowned for his generosity.

"He was known throughout Australia for his experimentation and technical assistance to amateur radio operators, many of whom he helped without ever meeting them.

"A loving husband, father and grandfather."

"Joe was such a kind and caring man and will be missed by all who knew and loved him," Janine Carlson, of Launceston, said.

Liz and Lewis Legato, of Launceston, said that "Joe was an amazing individual and he will be sadly missed".

The Medal of the Order of Australia is awarded as part of Australia's chivalry code, established in 1975 by Queen Elizabeth II.