Jen Cowley's local community continues to be her "absolute passion" as she pours her energy into making the world a better place.
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The Dubbo woman's commitment to giving back has seen her honoured with a Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the General Division of the Queen's Birthday 2019 Honours List.
The award was conferred for service to the community through a range of organisations from service clubs to support groups, often in leadership roles.
"Nobody ever does these things for accolades," Mrs Cowley said.
"It's very nice to get them, and I'm absolutely astonished and genuinely humbled because there are so many people who do things quietly that make such a big difference..."
Volunteering for the Dubbo Community Kitchen, Meals on Wheels, Clean Up Australia Day, and as a promotional speaker for Mental Health Carers Awareness has been just some of her contribution.
A member of the Rotary Club of Dubbo Macquarie since 2010, she has been president for the past 12 months and served as secretary a year earlier.
...if you think locally and act globally the rewards can be enormous... it's lovely to live in a community where you can see the impact of the things that you do.
- OAM recipient Jen Cowley
Her involvement also extended to the Rotary Australia World Community Service (RAWCS) program, with its education and humanitarian projects in Cambodia and India.
"I think if you think locally and act globally the rewards can be enormous, and I know it's lovely to live in a community where you can see the impact of the things that you do," Mrs Cowley said.
"I've been fortunate to work globally and interstate and all around Australia with some of the things I've done, but this is my home, this is my country, this is where I feel... my legacy if you like, can be.
"So my local community has always been my absolute passion."
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Her work with the National Association for Loss and Grief (NALAG), including becoming a board director in 2016 and vice president since 2018, is a cause close to her heart.
Mrs Cowley said the project she was perhaps most proud of was writing Grandpa's Hat, a book for children aiming to help young people suffering loss and grief, with all proceeds donated to NALAG.
"It came from a very personal place and it's such a nice tribute to two people I loved very much and it has continued to change lives," she said.
Married to husband Steve for 30 years, Mrs Cowley said together they had been lucky enough to "inspire each other and to support each other".
"...the fact we have tried very much to instill those same sorts of values in our children, who both have a highly developed sense of social justice," she said.
"I feel I'm accepting this honour on behalf of the entire family and for those family members whose legacy I continue."
The new OAM recipient, one of 993 this year, said it was important to remember any awards of the sort came about because there had been an identified need somewhere else.
"Somebody has been sad or marginalised or disadvantaged in some way," Mrs Cowley said.
"So that's where the humility comes in.
"All of the things I've done have been in response to an urgent need in terms of humanity, so you can't get ahead of yourself... that keeps my feet well and truly on the ground."
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