"Right from when I was a little girl she instilled that passion in me and when we got the opportunity to move back here we just took it."

After moving to the town Ms Harrison helped establish the Gulgong Gold Experience as its volunteer coordinator and has continued to volunteer since the attraction open in 2016, as well as being the Gulgong correspondent for the Mudgee Guardian.

Ms Harrison is also a long standing member of the Gulgong Chamber of Commerce and organiser of Gulgong's 150^th anniversary which was sadly cancelled due to the pandemic.

Ms Harrison admitted she enjoys her various roles and was honoured to receive the award on Monday.

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"I feel quite humbled by the whole thing actually, I do what I do because it needs doing, I don't do it for the accolades.

"Dugald called me and I had to pull off the road it gave me such a shock."

"Gulgong's attractions, including the museum, are run completely by volunteers and that's why I think we do so well," she said.

"Everyone is so passionate about the history of our town and so I'd say get out there and do it!"

She was presented with the award by Member for Dubbo Dugald Saunders and Minister for Women Bonnie Taylor, who was in Dubbo for International Women's Day.

"This time last year I stood in Parliament to recognise Joy's contribution to Gulgong through her work as a founding member of the Gulgong Gold Experience, and her efforts promoting the town as the correspondent for the Mudgee Guardian," Mr Saunders said.

"So it gives me great pride to stand here today."

The NSW Women of the Year awards will be announced on Tuesday and Wednesday, with six nominees across the categories from the region.

Monday marked International Women's Day with this years theme being #ChooseToChallenge.

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