LONG-TIME Leeton resident Marjory McCormack was the toast of the town at a civic reception last week.

Held at the Leeton Shire Council chambers last Wednesday, the evening honoured Mrs McCormack, who was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the annual Australia Day awards earlier this year.

Mrs McCormack was notified late last year she would be one of 683 Australian residents to be awarded an OAM in the general division.

The official announcement was made on Australia Day, with Mrs McCormack formally recognised for "service to the community of Leeton".

Council staff, councillors, friends and family attended the reception to recognise the contribution Mrs McCormack has made.

Mayor Paul Maytom said he was lucky enough to know Mrs McCormack well.

"I have found her to be a kind and caring person and to get this award is a great achievement," Cr Maytom said.

"It has been a long period of time she has spent serving the community. To have Marjory acknowledged for the efforts she has put in over many years is a great thing."

Representatives from a number of the organisations she has been involved with echoed that sentiment, including Inner Wheel, the bridge club and Catholic club and Probus, as well a former student of the revered teacher.

While she has been involved in many organisations, events and even written a book about her love of Leeton, Mrs McCormack lists her greatest achievement as her five children - Gillian, Margaret, Rosalind, Philippa and Jock - and 14 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Mrs McCormack said many people remembered he as their teacher, even if she never taught them and reiterated her love of Leeton.

"I would do anything for Leeton so I'm going along with this on behalf of Leeton," she said of the civic reception.

"I know our town of Leeton will never be surpassed."