But 37 years on, the 56-year-old born and bred Tasmanian has worked his way up the social ladder to become Purity's general manager, Tasmanian Football League commissioner and charity champion.

Despite his successes, no one could have been more surprised than Mr Kent himself when he was awarded the prestigious Australia Medal for his services to Tasmanian retailing, sport and charities as part of the Queen's Birthday Honours yesterday.

Mr Kent was one of two Tasmanians to win the Australia Medal, which is the third highest award presented for the Queen's Birthday Honours.

``I was very, very surprised to say the least,'' he said yesterday.

Mr Kent has held a number of positions on Tasmanian charity and community organisations, including the Variety Club of Tasmania, Australian Rosny Choir, Calvary Hospital, Tasmanian Commonwealth and Olympic Games fundraising committee, the Hobart Aquatic Centre and the Tasmanian Racing Club.

Mr Kent, the father of seven children, said that despite his 16-hour days, he got a lot of satisfaction out of all of his responsibilities.

``I've found that when you're working in a retailing environment, obviously it's a people business and you're meeting people all the time, you get more involved with people in your community, like helping charities and sporting organisations,'' he said.

``My job is my hobby, my hobby is my job. I've been very, very fortunate to get into a position and into a job that I thoroughly enjoy.''

Mr Kent vows he will never leave Tasmania, and is concerned about the high number of young Tasmanians leaving the State.

``It's a great place to bring up kids here as families, but we're facing that hurdle of when they get to the age of work, there's nothing for them,'' he said.

All the Queen's Birthday honours lists are in The Examiner today.