During her time as Centre for Volunteering in NSW chief executive officer, Ms Dalton implemented the NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards and developed the Statement of Principals for the Recognition of Volunteers, working together with the NSW State Government.

"Recognition is one thing we often forget to give, whether in paid work or for volunteers," she said.

"There are so many ways to say thank you, and the awards was one of those."

Ms Dalton had advice for those new to volunteering. "If you try something and don't like it, give it away," she said. "Try it, if it doesn't work, there will be many other things and organisations who desperately need the help."

"To be a good volunteer, you have to wake up each day with a smile on your face - if you don't it's time to rethink, look for something else or have a break," she said.

Ms Dalton has also worked passionately to support volunteers through her experience as a counsellor, mediator and trainer, "to see them treated fairly, with respect and equity".

Highlanders honoured in the 2016 Australia Day Honours List:

Colin Gelling OAM

Terry Oakes-Ash OAM

Michael Ball AO 

Leah Day OAM

Warren Marks OAM

Kathleen Bright OAM

Mitchell Hooke AM

John Wright AM