Thirty years on, she has penned four books and joined numerous groups aimed at protecting heritage, all of which has culminated in an Order of Australia Medal (OAM).

The prestigious award was unexpected, with Mrs Steele saying she's "in total shock".

"I'm very grateful for it, I'm honoured by it, but I feel I need to do more," she said.

"I just can't believe it."

For those who know Mrs Steele's contributions, the award is hardly a surprise.

A significant part of her community work comes through her involvement in the Bathurst branch of the National Trust, which she joined in 1989 and continues to be a member of.

She has also been a member of the Bathurst Anglican Historical Society, Bathurst District Historical Society, Bathurst Town Square Group, the Bathurst Division of Legacy, and the Bathurst War Memorial Carillon group.

Thanks to Mrs Steele, pieces of Bathurst history that may otherwise have been lost have been recorded in her four publications.

She authored Ten First Settlers of Bathurst chosen by Governor Lachlan Macquarie, and three separate volumes of 100 Heritage Homes of Bathurst and District.

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Her love for heritage arose in 1989 after moving to Bathurst and going on a bus trip around the region with owners of bed and breakfasts.

"That was the first time it hit me and I thought. 'My gosh, Bathurst is so full of history and beautiful buildings', and then from then on I just for some reason became involved with it," she said.

Aside from heritage, Mrs Steele, along with husband Richard, was involved in the Central West Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme.

"We were the coordinators for the Central West and I used to go to All Saints [College] every week to help the kids do their awards, and we had a property where they came out and did their camps, so we've had dozens and dozens of kids that have gone through their expeditions at our place," she said.

After receiving an OAM, all Mrs Steele wants to know is just who it was that nominated her, because she would like to thank them.

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