The Cosgrove resident and Victoria CWA state vice-president said it was a privilege to be nominated for the award, let alone receive one.
‘‘My initial reaction when I found out was one of shock and excitement, I was very proud and honoured to be given an award like this, and humbled,’’ she said.
‘‘I don’t know who nominated me, I’m a bit behind the eight ball ... there’s thousands of people who do wonderful things out there and I always feel I don’t do anything more than anyone else.’’
Originally joining the CWA in 2006 while living in Woomelang in Victoria, Mrs Wall grew up with her mother an avid member of the Cosgrove South branch.
Watching her involvement and the benefit she gained from the experience, Mrs Wall said she knew she always wanted to join the association.
During the past 13 years she has been involved in various ways before joining the Caniambo branch in 2015 and later becoming the state vice-president.
‘‘I love it and the friendships I have made has been fantastic, it is a great leveller because you meet people from all walks of life and you do a lot of good work for local communities,’’ she said.
‘‘I would encourage any lady, woman or child to get involved with the CWA. It is a wonderful organisation to be with.’’
Outside of the CWA, Mrs Wall has donated countless hours helping those in need across Australia and overseas.
She is the former president of the Woomelang Bush Nursing Centre, a former member of the Woomelang and District Development Association and was a volunteer for Nepal Aussie Action Abroad for two years.
With other achievements including being the recipient of Victoria’s Local Hero of the Year award and the Yarriambiack Shire Citizen of the Year award in 2009, Mrs Wall said her work with the Nepal AAA was a true highlight of her life.
‘‘I had always been keen to go and help elsewhere and see what other people did and how they lived ... we worked in an orphanage and a disability centre along with visiting the leprosy centre and the hospital over there,’’ she said.
‘‘I went back the next year to the same places and in a 12-month period you could not believe how the money and things we had taken with us had made such an impact on their lives ... the people of Nepal appreciate everything you can take, it is a very special place, very dear to my heart.’’
Over the years, Mrs Wall has also found time to be a member of the Dookie Lions Club and a Justice of the Peace along with volunteering a couple of days every two months to sign documents at the Shepparton police station.
She said becoming the CWA vice-president of Victoria was a huge honour and something she never imagined possible.
‘‘When you’re a member you’re one of 5000-plus women and you think I would never be part of the top because I am at the bottom end of the CWA,’’ she said.
‘‘However, it is not the bottom, our pyramid should be turned upside-down, the members are the most important part and we’re just here to co-ordinate and put it all together.’’
While she is still unsure who nominated her for the OAM, Mrs Wall said she was grateful for the recognition and the opportunity to stand up against thousands of other worthy recipients.
‘‘When you do things, you don’t do it thinking you’re going to get something for it, you do it because you love it,’’ she said. ‘‘It is very humbling, I think I don’t do any more than the next vice-president.’’
