Her love for her family is unquestionable; so is her passion and belief in the youth of Laverton.

Ms Ould, a respected member of the Laverton community, has been involved with numerous local groups.

In the Australia Day honours yesterday, the 68-year-old was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to Laverton.

"I still can't believe it," Ms Ould said of the award.

"People like me don't get these sort of awards.

"About two months before Christmas I got a letter with a government stamp on it and [I] thought, what the heck is this?

"When I opened it, I saw I'd been nominated [for the award] and it was to be kept confidential. I just put it in the drawer and forgot about it."

About two weeks before Christmas, Ms Ould received another letter from the Government.

"I thought, this will be the letter saying sorry but you missed out, but when I opened it and saw that I'd won I couldn't stop crying.

"I cried for about two days. I couldn't believe it. I'm just an ordinary person who loves Laverton, loves the kids in Laverton and loves working for the community."

A modest Ms Ould said she did not believe she had any special qualities that set her apart from others.

"I don't know who nominated me, but I do thank them for thinking I'm worthy of it."

Ms Ould is

involved with Laverton Scout Group, is a member of the Laverton urban renewal project, is past president of the Laverton North Primary School, president-secretary of the Laverton Garden Club, a member of the Youth Foundation committee, and president of the Highland National Dancers Association.

In 1985, she was also awarded a Medal of Merit from Scouts Australia.

How does a wife, mother, grandmother and champion for the betterment of Laverton and its people manage such a demanding schedule?

"I don't find any of my commitments time-consuming. I love doing the work I do, I love Laverton," Ms Ould said.

"If I felt like it was a chore I wouldn't do it."

Of the many committees and groups Ms Ould works with, she said her favourite work was that done with children.

"The kids of Laverton are great. I do have a difference of opinion about that with older people who think kids are to blame for anything that goes wrong, but I don't believe that. Kids will treat you the way you treat them."