It is a labour of love that began more than 30 years ago, but as Marion Jarratt receives an OAM for service to the community through her roles with the Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum, she feels her work is only just beginning.
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"I never ever considered an OAM in connection with working for the Arboretum, it was just something I loved to do," she said.
There were many families involved with the arboretum from its early days and Mrs Jarratt's parents, the Harris family were two such volunteers.
It was when Mrs Jarratt returned to the family property in the 1980s that she was sucked into work at the arboretum.
"I really got to love it," she said. "As you get to know a little, you want to know more. It feeds on itself and you just can't stop."
"It has opened up a whole new world for me; the world of Australian plants which I knew nothing about. "
Administrator of the Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum, Helen O'Brien was said the award was well deserved for someone who lived and breathed the arboretum, adding a great depth and influence to the garden.
"She has been very generous with her time," she said.
Mrs Jarratt is currently vice chairman of the Friends of the Arboretum and was honorary secretary to the trust for 20 years. She was a volunteer of the Burrendong Botanic Garden and Arboretum since 1983, a committee member from 1994-1999 and 1983-1990.
She has been secretary of the Burrendong Arboretum Trust since 2000, as well as vice-chairman of the Friends of Burrendong Arboretum since 2012, chairman between 1996-2011, committee member between 1990-1995 and newsletter editor since 2000.
