Mrs Brown learned she was being considered for an OAM in September 2022 during a phone call with an official from the Victorian Government.
Originally she thought it was a scam call but she nonetheless answered it and shortly afterwards received a formal letter saying she was being considered for the award.
“They had a list of your achievements and involvements,” Mrs Brown said.
Those achievements and involvements included membership in numerous town social groups, including Ladies Probus Club of Numurkah, Kaarimba Hospital Auxiliary, Mercy Place Shepparton Aged Care Home, Kaarimba Friendly Gardeners, Numurkah Pioneers Memorial Lodge, Numurkah Croquet Club and Numurkah Mother’s Club.
Mrs Brown said she started at the Mother’s Club when her children started school and it snowballed from there.
Asked how she managed to juggle all the clubs, Mrs Brown put it down partially to living on a farm.
“Because you’re on a farm you don’t have a typical nine-to-five job, which allows for more flexibility,” she said.
On January 5 Mrs Brown got the final confirmation she would be receiving the OAM, but was sworn to secrecy.
“I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone,” she said.
“Not even members of my family could know. I was informed only the press may know about it. It’s really hard.”
The whole experience has been marked by a feeling of surprise.
“It’s an honour,” Mrs Brown said.
“I am very humbled by it. I wasn’t expecting it. And I don’t even know who nominated me.”
Despite the recognition, Mrs Brown remains humble and is keen to emphasise that the award would not have been possible without support from the community.
“You don’t achieve all these things alone,” she said.
“When you are part of a club or village you do your bit and you have people behind you.
“I have always had a lot of co-operation with people.”
Despite her age, Mrs Brown still has a love for community involvement.
“Sometimes I wish I was younger and could do more,” she said.
Asked if she ever thought all her work would lead to an OAM, Mrs Brown said the thought never crossed her mind
“God no, not me,” she said.
Mrs Brown’s enforced silence ends on Australia Day but she has no formal plans yet regarding personal celebrations.
In April or May she will be travelling to Government House in Melbourne to receive her medal in a formal ceremony.
“I am excited, but going to Melbourne is a bit daunting — but I have daughter and granddaughter in Melbourne who can take me down,” she said.
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