To receive an honour for it was a shock.

Now a member of the Order of Australia, Mrs Hughes said she was humbled.

“I’m sure there’s so many people wandering around doing as much or more than me,” she said. “My parents were both volunteers so it’s only natural to me that you do what you can.”

Mrs Hughes’ association with the Girl Guides Association of Australia spans more than 55 years.

From leader, region training and international adviser to elected member of the state council and executive team, she has held countless roles throughout the years.

Her experience with the group is something she reflects on with great fondness.

“Watching girls evolve into confident young women equipped for so many leadership and team roles is just remarkable,” she said.

When Mrs Hughes moved to the Southern Highlands almost ten years ago, she knew volunteering would make up a good amount of her time here.

An integral committee member of the Bundanoon Highland Gathering and the Southern Highlands Endurance Ride since 2009, Mrs Hughes has taken to the Highlands community with passion.

“We took on the clan stalls at Brigadoon, and did that for several years before helping to transition a new team in. For the past two years we’ve helped them to take over the portfolio, because it’s a big commitment,” she said.

A busy member of the community, Mrs Hughes more recently enjoyed roles of member, international officer and secretary of the Exeter branch of the Country Women’s Association (CWA).