Ms White received the recognition for her work with the Queanbeyan and District Preschool Association, and by her service to the community through the Bereaved Parents support group.

She said while she dreaded the public speaking part of the award, she felt very privileged to be receiving it.

"It's an award for doing something I love and something I'm passionate about," Ms White said.

For more than 30 years Ms White has been involved with the preschool association, and for the majority of that time she has been at the helm of Harris Park Preschool.

"I feel like I've been rewarded over the years from the love and appreciation from the families I've been associated with," she said.

"During my journey I've met some inspirational people who have shared my vision and supported me in this.

"The Queanbeyan community has been awesome with its support for me personally and pro-fessionally. "Queanbeyan is a wonderful place to bring up children," she said.

This year signals the end of an era for Ms White, with her retirement from Harris Park Preschool.

She hoped to focus more on her work with bereaved parents, helping them through her own personal experience. It was 20 years ago when Ms White's daughter, Trish, then 15, was killed by a car when crossing the main street.

"If I wasn't working [at Harris Park Preschool] I probably would have curled up in a heap and died," Ms White said.

At the award ceremony on Australia Day, Ms White said she felt honoured to receive such recognition.

"It is sort of lovely I suppose because you're just doing your job, but... it wasn't just a job to me."