MARGARET Smith AO has been a long-term advocate for rural women.
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The Highlands resident joined the Country Women's Association (CWA) 47 years ago and went on to forge a strong legacy.
Highlights included three-year stints as CWA president at a NSW and national level.
Margaret said she enjoyed the opportunity to lead.
"I travelled around Australia as president," she said.
"I had lots of opportunities to speak on behalf of rural women."
Margaret's talent didn't go unnoticed.
In 1999, Margaret was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO), the second highest Order of Australia honour.
Margaret was recognised for her advocacy on behalf of rural women through the CWA at a state and national level.
"It was an amazing honour, quite unexpected," she said.
Outside of her work with CWA, Margaret has lived an interesting life.
She undertook her general training in midwifery in her younger days before moving to England for work.
She returned to Australia to take up a job at St Vincent Hospital and Mater in Sydney.
Soon after, she ditched the city life and her family moved out west to Young.
Margaret and her husband Frank settled down and had four children.
Margaret spent 32 years living on a farm, where she said she was a "jack of all trades".
She later forged a relationship with the John Anderson and Myer Family Foundation, which supports for rural and regional renewal.
Margaret was the foundation's director for 14 years, a role she enjoyed.
"The foundation highlighted the generosity of Australians to help individuals and bush communities," she said.
Margaret moved to Bowral four-and-a-half years ago to be closer to three of her children, who live in Sydney.
However, she continues to give her all to the community.
Margaret joined the Bowral branch of CWA after transferring from Wallendbeen.
She later made friends through her Order of Australia honour.
Margaret became part of the Southern Highlands Regional Group of the NSW Branch of the Order of Australia Association.
She has been the group's chairwoman for more than 12 months.
Margaret said people who had Order of Australia or British Imperial honours could join the group.
"We are not members as such, but we have once-a-year functions," she said.
Margaret said the group was on the lookout for newcomers to the Southern Highlands.
"We welcome new awardees from the Queen's Birthday Honours List and Australia Day Honours List," she said.
Margaret said she enjoyed living in the Highlands.
"I have made a whole network of friends through CWA and the Order of Australia."
