Orange might claim her now, but Canowindra is no stranger to Dorothy Balcomb, an Order of Australia recipient on Monday.
Although now retired to the regional centre, the former school teacher has touched many with her passion for teaching, education, history and research - just some of the projects she has been involved with include heritage display signage in Gaskill St and the Soldiers Flat monument near Windowrie.
Mrs Balcomb was the first president of the Canowindra and District Historical Society when it was formed in 1967, a founding member of the Australian Federation of University Women's Central West branch in 1965 and was involved with the NSW Girl Guides between 1948 and 1987.
She began teaching in 1948, married in 1955 and took time off before returning to the profession in 1967.
She tried retiring at the age of 57, but was soon lured back for almost another two decades. She and husband Harold have three children and now have four grandchildren.
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