"I'm in a house of strong independent women [made up of] three daughters and their mum. Even all our pets are female," Mr Eyles said.

"The winners are all very worthy, they've campaigned for causes that are valued in the community [and] they've impacted a lot of people with their work."

Advocate for migrant women Rosemary Kariuki won the Local Hero award while Nauiyu elder Dr Miriam-Rose Ungunmerr Baumann was nominated beside Wagga's Aunty Isabel Reid for the Senior Australian of the Year.

But it is the work of Young Australian of the Year Isobel Marshall and 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame that has garnered the most attention.

At just 22 and 26 years old respectively, Ms Marshall and Ms Tame have turned the nation's attention to issues that are rarely spoken of so candidly in Australia.

As one half of the Taboo company, Ms Marshall has campaigned to eradicate 'period poverty', ensuring every woman has access to menstrual products.

While, as a survivor of childhood sexual assault, Ms Tame has helped to overturn antiquated laws that seek to silence victims

"I think it shows a big maturing of our nation, the fact that we can have these conversations," Wagga resident Michelle Jones said.

"It's very telling that these young women won these awards among equally great men who have done some great things with COVID and the bushfires."

Cathy Sullivan watched Monday night's ceremony while visiting her 86-year-old mother in Wagga.

She was shocked to hear Ms Marshall describe how many young girls around the world are forced to take days off school because they cannot access menstrual products.

"It actually doesn't surprise me, I think a lot of women do know there is a problem. There are a lot of charities and businesses that are helping, but it's sad that women often still can't afford what they need," Ms Sullivan said.

With three daughters of his own, Mr Eyles said he would be devastated if anyone missed out on education for such an avoidable reason.

"I'd be highly disappointed if my girls couldn't get to school because of that, there are some major holes in the system if that happens," he said.

As a school teacher in Wagga, Georgia Johns said she found it confronting to think that women could be living in period poverty still today.

"We do give out products [at school] but it's more to teach [the students], and not because they can't access things," Ms Johns said.

Last year, schools in Victoria made menstrual products freely available to students in need.

Ms Johns and husband Timothy agreed more states and territories should look to emulate the action so that it is not incumbent on women in need to ask for charity.

"It's sad that it's only charities that are doing this [in Wagga], it should be the government that is making it available.

Maybe there are places where you can go to get what you need, but you need to know where to find them," Mr Johns said.