Mrs Savage was presented with her award at a gala event held in the Sydney Town Hall, and tributes to the woman who has helped raise millions of dollars to build Western Care Lodge in Orange in her role as Cancer Care Western NSW region co-ordinator and funding chairperson have been flowing in.

Orange mayor John Davis said the city was privileged to have a woman in the community of Mrs Savage’s calibre.

“She’s exceptional, and we are so fortunate to have her as part of our community making an enormous contribution to the lives of many people across the whole of the central west,” he said.

Fundraising colleague Dr Stuart Porges said he was delighted with Mrs Savage’s recognition.

“We are very proud to have her as part of our committee spreading the word about the importance of cancer services and Western Care Lodge,” Dr Porges said.

Mrs Savage’s husband Ron said his wife had a “heart of gold” and worked long hours every week to raise funds for cancer services and, before that, the Mid-West Heart Fund.

“Jan has an absolute passion for making life better for other people with a real affinity for people with cancer,” Mr Savage said.

Forbes resident and cancer services advocate Yvonne Shaw said Mrs Savage was an inspiration to women Australia-wide.

“It was a hard task to get where we are now but she travelled so many kilometres throughout the central west on the quest,” she said.

Although Mrs Savage was recognised last night for helping raise the $4.5 million to build Western Care Lodge, cardiologists Dr David Amos and Dr Ruth Arnold said Mrs Savage’s dedication to the Mid-West Heart Fund project more than 10 years ago was inspirational, allowing thousands of rural patients to be treated in Orange as an alternative to travelling to Sydney.

“She was fantastic in helping lay the groundwork with the catheter laboratory, allowing us to become a major cardio referral centre,” Dr Amos said.

Orange businesswoman Ellie Brown was also a finalist in last night’s awards.