For many years he's been involved in numerous organisations like the RSL, was the man behind the annual Shoalhaven Digger Day events, including centenary commemorations to mark the start and the end of World War I.

More recently he's become the chairman of the Keith Payne VC Benefits Group and continues his work for veterans.

But did you know he's also an artist?

One of his works has been highly commended in the Napier Waller Art Prize for veterans and will be put on display at the Australian War Memorial.

"I'm totally blown away," he said that his artwork, entitled Diggers Lament, will be one of 17 artworks chosen by seven judges from more than 140 entries to be displayed.

"I was shocked when my work was among the 31 shortlisted works.

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"To then go on to be among the 17 works highly commended which will be put on display at the war memorial and in the running for the people's choice award is incredible."

The competition is open to both current serving and former defence personnel, with Mr Meehan's work being on display at the memorial from September 24 to November 22.

It will also join the other entries as part of the people's choice competition and on the war memorial's website linked to the art prize (www.awm.gov.au/nwap/) from August 17 to November 22.

"I'm just happy and so proud to have my painting displayed," he said.

"What a honour. It really is unbelievable."

The overall winner of the Napier Waller Art Prize for veterans will win $10,000, while the people's choice winner will receive $5000.

The awards are open to veterans and current serving personnel and are not just restricted to painting - all genres are catered for - filming, photographers, painting, ceramics, anything to do with art.

Mr Meehans restarted painting after a 10-year break a few months ago as COVID-`19 restrictions came into place.

"I just thought I'd get back into it," he said.

"I took up painting probably 10 years ago as a way to deal with my Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).

"Honestly, if it wasn't for COVID I probably wouldn't have started again."

He started painting portraits and has completed a number, including Diggers Lament and a striking image of his great mate Keith Payne VC.

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"It was an opportunity to use my mind and put my brush into work," he said.

"As a child, 10 or 12, I used to sketch a lot. Initially, I wanted to see if I maintained any of those skills.

"People I knew like the late Wanda Melville painted and another mate George Petrou, who has done a brilliant amount of work depicting Australian war heroes and VC recipients also inspired me.

"After meeting George and seeing his brilliant work I was really inspired.

"I originally started painting to see how I'd go and found it came pretty easily and have loved it."

He works from photographs to produce his work.

He said Diggers Lament was probably "a bit dark".

"He (the Digger) has his head in his hands, an expression of how many veterans with PTSD or depression feel. And we see it a lot with the work we do with Keith Payne and the Keith Payne Veterans Group.

"It depicts what PTSD is all about how vets can feel the doom and gloom.

"It expresses a state I was in a while ago and how many vets get into that state.

"While it's important we highlight what veterans go through and understand, we have to work harder as a community to improve the lives and support of our veterans.

"The painting expresses how I was. Now I've come out but many veterans still struggle to come out of that deep hole."

You can vote on the Napier Waller Art Prize people's choice - just go to the Australian War Memorial website link set up for the art prize (www.awm.gov.au/nwap).

Voting closes November 22, with the winner also announced on November 27.

The online exhibition of shortlisted artworks will be on the AWM website from August 17 to November 22.

Napier Waller Art Prize 2020 exhibition of highly commended artworks will be on display at the Australian War Memorial from September 24 to November 22.

The overall winner of the Napier Waller Art Prize 2020 will be announced on September 24.