 McAloney retired to his home in Sandringham , Victoria , where he indulged his passions in gardening and golf . In 1971 , owing to the decline in status and significance of the Albert Medal , the British Government announced that living recipients of the decoration would be invited to exchange their medals for the George Cross , and henceforth formally become recipients of the latter award . All six living Australian Albert Medal recipients at the time opted to accept the offer , McAloney and four others travelling to London to receive their awards . The five men , Jack Chalmers , Stanley Gibbs , Robert Kavanaugh , Dick Richards and McAloney , were presented with their George Crosses at an investiture ceremony in Buckingham Palace by Queen Elizabeth II on 12 July 1972 . 
