SHOCKED and humbled, but appreciative.
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That's how June Evans describes her reaction to receiving an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the Queen's Birthday Honours List for her service to Oberon.
Mrs Evans said she had no indication that she'd ever receive such recognition for her extensive volunteer work.
"I've known about it since October, but I had to keep it quiet," she said.
Mrs Evans has volunteered her time to many community organisations over many years - starting with cricket scoring even before she was married and continuing with St Vincent de Paul, the Catholic Church, Oberon Hospital Auxiliary and, more recently, the Oberon Public School canteen.
She also runs a weight loss support group called Slimliners every Thursday morning whose members pay a small weekly fee which Mrs Evans organises to be donated to charity.
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Locals see Mrs Evans collecting litter from the roadsides while she walks each morning. She said she had been collecting roadside rubbish for many years.
"Every little bit helps. I even picked up a $50 note one day," she said.
The OAM adds to many forms of recognition for Mrs Evans over the years.
She was awarded Oberon's Australia Day Citizen of the Year in 2004, was named Volunteer of the Year at the Oberon Business Awards in 2010, and received a a Paul Harris fellowship award from the Oberon Rotary Club in September 2013 to recognise her contribution to the community.
And the list goes on: Member for Bathurst Paul Toole was in Oberon last year to announce that Mrs Evans and Janet Clayton had received 2018 NSW Seniors Local Achievement Awards.
Mrs Evans has achieved much in her life while raising her five children, Lorraine, Ross, Trevor, Denise and Stanley, and has never sought recognition.
"I'd much prefer to be invisible and although I appreciate the honour, I am quite embarrassed to be the focus of attention," she said.
"I feel humble and I wish to thank the unknown person who nominated me. I know there are many more local people who need recognition as well."
