But the staff around her, and the many residents, thought she was someone special – a feeling shared the Governor-General’s office, who have named Mrs Watt, 81, one of 2017’s Order of Australia Medal recipients.

When she found out she was receiving the gong, Mrs Watt said it was a “great thrill”.

“It was very good of some people here [at the village] who saw fit to nominate me for this award and I thank them very much indeed for their kindness,” she said.

Mrs Watt started work at the Masonic Village, in Edgeworth, when her uncle donated 45 acres of land that the village is on today.

Since 1986, Mrs Watt has been the Secretary and Treasurer of the Hawkins Masonic Village Support Group and a tireless volunteer within the village.  In 2010, as part of a government funded scheme, she established an IT Kiosk, for the village’s elderly residents to improve their technology skills.  She said the kiosk was established to “teach the people around here newfangled computer skills … I’ve had to learn a lot myself”.

Mrs Watt was particularly proud of the genealogical library, which she established in 2000, that gives residents the chance to chart their own family history.

“Back in 2000, the federal government gave away big money grants to commemorate Federation and we applied to get money for a genealogy library because what better way to celebrate Australia than to research the people that live here?” she said.  “So I got the job of setting up the genealogy library; that’s been very well used.”  She likened the library to the television show Who Do You Think You Are?, saying the same type of research happens at the library.  

OAM recipients are “those who have made outstanding contributions that benefit their communities,” the Governor-General’s website says.

But Mrs Watt never set out for any accolades, calling the village a “wonderful place to live and work”.  

“I am surrounded here by scores of lovely friends and we all lead a good, safe, happy, enjoyable life,” she said.

She will receive the award at Government House in Sydney later in the year.