Le, who has been in charge of the volunteer force at Australian Taekwondo’s world senior selections and the recent cadet selections events, has been recognised for outstanding public service in the area of humanitarian and emergency response.

Introduced in 1989, the PSM is a civil decoration awarded to Australian public servants at all levels.

"We are honoured to have had his expertise and services," a statement from the governing body reads.

Le has contributed to his local community through his volunteer instructing at Canberra-based IMPACT Martial Arts.

"As a great leader and role model for his young daughters, one of which just competed at the Cadet World Championship selections, Thanh always makes time to help and lead those around him," the statement says.

"Already being an exemplary member here at IMPACT, Thanh has also been recognised for his wider contributions.

"We are very proud of the acknowledgement that Thanh has received."

Le has given 20 years of service to humanitarian and emergency response and to international public health causes in the public and private sector.

He has also worked with international organisations and regularly been deployed overseas to disaster areas.

Le served as the Asian Development Bank’s adviser to the Asia Pacific Leaders Malaria Alliance from 2013 to 2014, and head of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade Ebola Taskforce from 2014 to 2015.

"The international humanitarian and emergency response work that Mr Le has overseen over the past decade has undoubtedly saved many lives, and allowed affected communities to recover much faster from disaster than would otherwise have been the case," the statement adds.

Earlier this month, it was announced that Australian Taekwondo have received an extra AUS$200,000 (£119,000/$152,000/€134,000) in Government funding for the next year.

The Australian Sports Commission and Australian Institute of Sports said that the governing body will be given the money to help increase participation in taekwondo across the country.

They have also been given AUS$351,004 (£208,357/$267,184/€235,332) to help fund their high-performance programme.

Since taekwondo was first introduced to the sports programme of the Olympic Games at Sydney 2000, Australia have claimed two medals.

Both came at the Games they hosted 17 years ago.

Lauren Burns won the first when she topped the women’s under 49 kilograms podium, defeating Cuba’s Urbia Melendez in the final.

This was followed up by Daniel Trenton's silver medal in the men’s over 80kg event after he lost to South Korea’s Kim Kyong-hun in the final.