Mrs Morris received the Australia Day honours for her service to the community. 

She said she was amazed to receive the medal. 

“To tell you the truth I am very humbled and honoured,” she said. 

“I love Horsham and I love Australia and I love to make it a better place.”

Mrs Morris has dedicated her life to a range of community groups.

She is a life member and vice-president of the Horsham Arts Council, she is involved in the Wesley Performing Arts and Cultural Centre and the founder of the Richard Morris Foundation.

Mrs Morris is a Horsham Lions Club past president, she was zone chairwoman from 2010 to 2012 and membership chairwoman from 2013 to 2014.

She is also involved in the Horsham Tidy Towns committee, the Horsham Special School and Horsham Carols by Candlelight committee.

She has trained debutante students since 1992 and was involved in the city’s Big Night Out event in 2000.

However, Mrs Morris said she did not want to slow down. 

“I enjoy everything I do,” she said. 

“I have a philosophy – if there is something wrong you should do something about it. 

“All you need to do is surround yourself with enthusiastic people and things will always get done.” 

Mrs Morris said she had spent every Australia Day in Horsham for the past 30 years. 

“I will be cooking the breakfast barbecue with the Horsham Lions Club with my Australia top on,” she said.

Mrs Morris said she was now part of an impressive list of Wimmera OAM recipients. 

“Two that I know are Lyle Wheaton and David Eldringham,” she said. 

“I am very honoured to be named alongside them. 

“They are very good mentors to me, especially David.” 

Mrs Morris said to help the community, people didn’t necessarily have to do something out of this world.

“If you see a piece of paper in the street all you have to do is pick it up,” she said.

“If you see someone in the street, smile at them.

“You don’t have to build a skyscraper.” 

Mrs Morris said she had now developed a new passion for protecting old buildings.