And that's despite Australia's significant population growth and a thriving economy relying on the mail system.

A big reason for this successful mail-sorting and delivery system is due to the work of Moonee Ponds resident Jim Marshall.

In 1995, Mr Marshall was selected by Australia Post to head a team that would implement major changes to how the service managed the incredible volume of mail it handled.

By 2000, the system was in place and for the next 10 years, Mr Marshall continued to oversee and manage the revolutionary system.

For his tireless work, Mr Marshall has been awarded an Australia Day Public Service Medal.

The system he helped develop, FuturePost, is regarded as the most significant change to Australia's mail handling network since the introduction of postcodes in 1967.

One of the more recognisable changes FuturePost brought about was the barcode now prominent on many envelopes.

It represents a postal address and made electronic mail sorting much more efficient.

Mr Marshall said he was surprised and honoured to be recognised with the award, which he heard about via the system he introduced.

"Getting the letter in the mail certainly gave me a bit of a kick," he said.

"It's terrific that [FuturePost] has been ongoing over a long period of time and has been recognised.

"Getting your mail delivered is something that people just assume will be there every day.

''It doesn't just happen - it takes a lot of work and it's terrific that it has been recognised.

"There's been a lot of people involved, not just me, and the thing that makes me proud is I've been dealing with something that has been much more than a business.

''It's a real community asset.

"Australia Post has been turned into one of the leading postal services in the world in the way it's operated."