Catherine Adams, better known as Ann, is a recipient a Medal of the Order of Australia for work with the Country Women's Association. 

“We’re more than tea and scones,” she said.

“When we started campaigning for early lockout laws in Wagga, we were told we were mad. Somebody has to be brave enough to do it.” 

Ms Adams said she started volunteering from a young age and never thought twice about it.

“I have been a member of the CWA for 53 years,” she said. 

“In the late 90s or early 2000s, they were going to close the Forrest Centre.

“So, I got a public meeting to save the centre and we did and it was probably one of the best achievements.” 

Ms Adams and her husband owned a cherry orchid for many years and employed refugees and migrants to give them a chance to start a new life. 

“They were always hard workers,” she said.

“At first we didn’t know how to communicate because of the language barrier, but we got on and now we are still friends with a lot of them.

“They moved on and got other jobs and bought houses and started new lives.” 

Ms Adams said she teared up when she found out about the OAM. 

“All the women I have worked with deserve it just as much as I do,” she said. 

“You don’t do it for the reward, you do it because you love what you do.” 

Ms Adams said she didn’t know who nominated her, but she felt truly honoured to be thought of so highly by her friends. 

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