Keith Payne isn’t just the last of his kind ‒ this grizzled 93-year-old veteran is the only one of his kind.

He didn’t fight in just one war; he fought in two – Korea and Vietnam.

In between he was also deployed to Malaya soon after the bloody guerilla war known as the Malayan Emergency, then served as a training officer in Papua New Guinea before being sent to Vietnam.

He finally retired from the Australian Army in 1975, after 24 years of service, but then saw further action as a captain with the Sultan of Oman’s army against communist forces in the Dhofar war that year and in 1976.

It’s a story that started as a recruit at Puckapunyal in 1951 and he returned there recently with the launch of the Payne of Valour exhibition, which commemorates Mr Payne’s all-but-unbelievable life.

It’s a commemoration shared by Echuca College Year 12 student Jane Fish and St Augustine’s Kyabram Year 12 Xavier Powles, who last year walked with other students from around Victoria in the footsteps of heroes along the historic Kokoda Trail.

Invited to the launch by organisers who had heard of their involvement with the Colin Sinclair Kokoda Scholarship, the students were given the opportunity for some time with the military legend.

These days Mr Payne might be severely restricted in his movement, using a wheelchair for the event, but his mind – and wit – are still pretty damn sharp.

Engaging with each of the students at length, organisers eventually had to politely intervene so other people could have the chance of a brief chat.

The students were impressed with his sense of humour and his awareness of what each student was telling him.

“He was very happy to have a chat with us and didn’t seem to want to stop,” Jane said.

Although, as a Queenslander, some of the Victorian town names were a bit new for him.

There were six there from last year’s trek and the students said Mr Payne was trying to talk to them all at once.

Mr Payne was presented with a copy of the book the students produced after their walk last year and he seemed very pleased to have it and so taken with the fact they had all made the walk.

The launch was hosted by long-time journalist and TV host Ray Martin, and Brigadier Matt Campbell spoke on behalf of Australian Chief of Army Lieutenant General Simon Stuart, who was unable to attend.

State Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh, whose office runs the Colin Sinclair Kokoda Scholarship, said the only person anyone really wanted to meet and talk to was Mr Payne.

“When we take our Year 11 students to walk the Kokoda, each one is given a soldier from their town or region who fought and died there in World War II,” he said.

“And when we reach the site where that soldier did die, the students give a presentation to the other trekkers about his life.

“Then, when we reach Bomana War Cemetery in Port Moresby, they visit the grave of their soldier and they talk to him about what they have done, what they have learnt and what they hope it will help them do with the rest of their lives.

“Believe me, the Kokoda is still a very tough gig, and what these young women and men learnt on that walk enabled them to really make a connection with Keith, and to also appreciate what someone like him has done on behalf of his country.”

Which is a lot. Mr Payne’s decorations range from his Victoria Cross to a Silver Star and Distinguished Service Cross from the US.

They make for an incredible collection, which stretches across his chest and out past his shoulder.

“I’m sorry, but they just don’t make people like this anymore,” Mr Walsh said.

“I’m just so pleased our Colin Sinclair scholars got this chance to meet this incredible man and hear some of his thoughts – not many people get that chance.”

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Thursday, 17th February 2028

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