Tongue, a former Farrer student, was recognised for his youth intervention and rehabilitation programs with the Bimberi Youth Justice Centre, the Alexander Maconochie Centre and disengaged youth in Canberra's schools at Monday night’s ceremony.

He has also partnered Barnardos to teach young people how to have respectful relationships and regularly serves breakfast to Canberra's homeless at the Early Morning Centre.

"I stand here not because I've done everything right but [because] I've learnt from my mistakes," an emotional Tongue said. 

"I don't think I did anything extra, I just used my story like everyone else in this room. You get to a point where you choose to do something with your story. I went [to Bimberi] with a bag of footballs and started a conversation and it grew from there.

"I was fortunate, I've played rugby league my whole life, so to be able to come and share my journey and not all the great things that have happened, more so the tough times, it was an amazing way to connect with people and get the message across and it just sparked something up inside me and it's grown there now. 

"Just having that conversation and using movement and sport has just been amazing.

“I don't know why I'm here, I don't know why this occupation chose me, but it all started with helping someone out next door."