Never one to seek or readily accept the limelight, Mrs Walton maintains she does not deserve the honour any more than anyone else. 

“I’m lost for words,” she said. 

Mrs Walton has been a staunch supporter of Portland’s organisations, charities and aged care organisations over the last half century. 

She has been actively involved in a host of organisations and pursuits, from the speedway to the show society, to the Red Cross, aged care and church committees.  

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Born in Wellington, Mrs Walton’s family moved to Wallerawang when she was a young girl, where she lived and worked until her marriage. 

Travelling around NSW with her husband’s work in the postal service, Mrs Walton found herself back in the district in 1972, settling in Portland. 

She has been a long-time volunteer and supporter of the Portland Hospital Auxiliary, of which she is currently president, and a life member. 

She is also a life member of the Portland and District Motor Sports Club and you can still find her out at the Cullen Bullen Speedway, volunteering her efforts for the organisation. 

Mrs Walton has volunteered for Tabulam Residential Aged Facility, the Portland branch of the Australian Red Cross and as treasurer and church warden of St Stephen’s Anglican Church. 

She has been the voice of the bingo for 30 years, carrying out the calling at Portland RSL Club. 

She is a committee member of Friends of St John’s Church as well as being dedicated to supporting cancer charities following her granddaughter’s battle with the illness. 

Mrs Walton has accepted the award in her usual modest style and was honoured at Portland’s Australia Day awards ceremony with a gift. 

As then State Member Gerard Martin so aptly put it when Mrs Walton received her award in 2011, “People like Edna don't seek recognition but there is always someone who will dob them in”.