Mrs Irwin has recently delved into the history behind a group of Highland ladies and the important role they played in Moss Vale's contributions to the Australian war effort during both world wars.

Her thorough research on the group has revealed many of the amazing activities undertaken by the 60 single girls, 30 of who are still alive today.

During the First World War, the Blue Gum Girls were formed by Ethel Pierson whose brother was killed at Gallipoli.

The Girls were located at the Moss Vale railway station, a resting point for soldiers on troop trains heading south.

They started out by making parcels for servicemen overseas but soon begun working with the Red Cross to provide hot meals and hot tea to all the troops.

The meal usually consisted of sausages and gravy or stew with bread and butter.

The girls also posted letters for and wrote to the troops.

Dances and balls were organised and supper provided for farewells for those heading off to war or to welcome troops back home.

The Blue Gum Girls also had a choir that performed at these events.

The Girls and the Red Cross were the main source of fundraising locally for the war effort and were fifth highest in the state for raising funds.

As well as the dances, street stalls were organised and manned by the girls to raise money.

The hard working Blue Gum Girls were also trained in home nursing and first aid.

Some of the women also assisted in the nursing of soldiers recovering from injuries at the Old Mill building, part of the historic Throsby Park Estate in Moss Vale.

When required to practice bandaging by the local doctor, they did so at the home of one of the girl's mothers.

When the husband came home and found his wife bandaged from head to foot he passed out and the girls had their first patient.

"At a Rotary function in honour of the Blue Gum Girls in 2003 I asked members of the group whether there had been any official recognition of their activities," said Dympna. "The answer was sadly, no."