Beryl Neilsen and Betty Denning both awarded an OAM

Mrs Neilsen, who has properties in the Moranbah district, established the John and Beryl Neilsen Winchester Foundation in 2011, after her husband died.

She said both she and her husband had always wanted to assist country children and their families with their educational expenses, and it took her some time to get the foundation started after his death.

The Winchester Foundation has been a sponsor and supporter of the Isolated Children's and Parents' Association's annual conference since 2014.

It also has strong connections to the Whitsunday Anglican School, and works each year to assist hundreds of students from the country to attend the Whitsunday Voices Youth Literature Festival.

The funding means students from small schools such as Clermont, Valkyrie, Mackenzie River, Nebo and Clarke Creek can attend.

Mrs Neilson said she gets huge enjoyment working with rural children and there is such a lot of talent in the bush.

She said to receive an OAM is a wonderful honour and she has accepted it with pride.

"It was really hard not to share the news with close friends before it was announced," she said.

Also receiving an Order of Australia medal was Pittsworth community stalwart Betty Denning.

Mrs Denning has been patron of the Pittsworth Show Society since 2015, and a life member since 1986.

Her long list of other community work includes being a volunteer at Beauaraba Living Auxiliary, since 1989, and member of Ladies Auxiliary, Pittsworth Hospital from 1978 until the mid-2010s.

She is also a former volunteer at the Pittsworth Ambulance, and member of Pittsworth Sub-Branch Ladies Auxiliary, Returned and Services League of Australia.