Rolf Harris presented with Officer of the Order of Australia medal

Australian broadcaster and artist Rolf Harris is awarded he Officer of the Order of Australia by the High Commissioner, John Dauth, at Australia House. Picture: John Stillwell Source: Getty Images

HE has received almost every award there is but as he was presented with another gong today, Rolf Harris said just still being seen as a larrikin in his homeland Australia was all the recognition he needed.

Harris, 82, was today appointed Officer of the Order of Australia , from the Queen's Birthday Honours list , for services to performing and visual arts and to charities and to international relations through promotion of the Aussie culture.

The entertainer said he was humbled by his award, more so than any other because it showed Australia appreciated him.

Harris, who has lived in the UK for more than five decades, said it was a marvelous thankyou from Australia who had not forgotten him.

"It is a lovely feeling," he said. "I am so very much an Australian living in this country and I had a marvelous childhood in Australia and a marvelous setup for my life."

He said being an Australia meant he always felt he could speak "even-Stevens" to anybody in the world and it was that attitude that helped him survive overseas for as long as he has.

Rolf Harris

Australian broadcaster and artist Rolf Harris holds the Officer of the Order of Australia. Picture: John Stillwell Source: Getty Images

In 2006 Harris received a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in addition to previous honours including being appointed an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 1968, an OBE in 1977 and became a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) in 1989. This, all in addition to honourary doctorates and other industry awards.

Harris, accompanied by his wife Alwen and other members of the family at his receiving of his gong at the Australian High Commission in London, said he will continue to act as a roving ambassador for Australia for as long as he lived.

"The main thing I think I've brought is a sense of larrikinism and the fact you've got permission to muck about and do silly things as well as do serious things," he said.

"You just now you don't need to be formal and pompous all the time, you can muck around a bit and people welcome that, you've broken the tension melted the ice as it were and have a laugh."

Harris is to return to the stage next year for a one night only performance of song and painting at London's Royal Festival Hall.