A DETERMINED advocate in supporting women's rights and health throughout the region and beyond has been announced as a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) recipient.

Susie Reid, who lives in Albury, was the executive officer for of Wangaratta's Women's Health Goulburn North East (WHGNE) from 2005 to 2019 and was recognised for her outstanding work with gender equality and disaster, which is now practiced nationally and recognised across the world.

"Everybody says it's humbling (the OAM), but it is humbling, because you're recognised for doing something and the fact that people have put in a lot of time for putting you up, they've thought about you and done something about it," Ms Reid said.

"There were a lot of wonderful recipients and that's why I am humbled about the recognition.

"To get an award for everything that I've put my energy towards improving the situation for women is just fantastic."

One of her standout advocacy works towards change was her support for women in times of disaster, stemming from the Black Saturday bushfires in 2009.

"I was driving to work post–bushfires and I remembered that reports were saying violence had increased for women following Hurricane Katrina and how women were at such a disadvantage," she remembered.

"I went to work and I told the team 'let's look into this' because we were the epicentre of so much for the district."

The organisation WHGNE looked after a fifth of the state and Ms Reid said there wasn't an area in the region that hasn't been affected by a disaster at some stage whether its bushfires, floods or economic disasters that older women have found themselves in with no super and are the largest group of homeless people.

"You can honestly say that all of our awareness started at Goulburn North East because there was no great research in Australia for men or women and it has now gone Australia–wide – it is truly amazing," Ms Reid said.

Wind the clock back and Ms Reid explained that the approach to family violence incidents used to be handled differently.

"When a woman was spoken to by police she was told to 'be more understanding' because her partner had been through a fire," she explained.

"What we know is that both had been through a fire and every partner didn't choose violence post–event.

"In the planning women weren't included, nor were the children.

"Then the masculinity came in and they would have a loose plan in an emergency and then they'd say they'll stay and fight the fire while the women and children try and leave when it's all too late.

"Women are disadvantaged in numerous ways and so are the men because they went back to work and they were supposed to 'suck it up' because 'men are strong' and 'men don't cry'."

Ms Reid said it was important to work with men to improve women's lot and also to improve men's lot.

While the State Government this week reported that it had signed off on the 227 recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence, Ms Reid said what still needs a lot of work is the societal attitude towards gender equality.

Some 30 years ago Ms Reid did a project at Albury Community Health called 'Let's Lift the Lid' that was about improving services for women.

But she said what was still very evident back in those days was the community, police and other organisations were saying 'why doesn't she leave' the violent situation.

"People know now why women didn't leave because there is still one woman or more dying every week from family violence," she said.

"This is why women need the support and financial services because they don't have money, they don't have a whole lot of things due to violence as this has been taken away."

Ms Reid said society is working towards change now by saying 'why doesn't the violence stop', instead of blaming the survivor.

She said family violence occurs across all socio–economic groups and it has a lot to do with the attitude of young men, respect and consent.

"If you look at the stats around women's equity and safety, we have a long way to go," she said.

A list of Ms Reid's credentials in support of her OAM nomination noted that she went on to be the co–chair of Gender and Disaster Australia (GAD) Taskforce from 2014–2016.

She was also the former convenor of Women's Health Association of Victoria (now Gender Equity Victoria), and former treasurer of Australian Women's Health Network.