Seven women were added to the Hepburn Shire Council's Women's Honour Roll: Elizabeth Palmer Northcott, Alice Robertson, Pearl Millane (posthumous), Grace Bremner (posthumous), Sarah Whiteley (posthumous), Margaret

Cross (posthumous) and Thelma Annear (posthumous).

The shire's mayor, Heather Mutimer, said the women's dedication to the community, friends and family was inspirational and encouraged others to follow in their footsteps.

"Women of all ages and from a diverse range of backgrounds, interests and cultures contribute to equity and social justice in our diverse region," Cr Mutimer said.

"The roll and today's events celebrate the strength, courage and contribution of women from the region and encourages the stories to be told from these extraordinary women," she said.

Mrs Robertson (nee Martin), originally from Blackburn, taught at numerous primary schools across the region from 1945 and retired when she was 55.

She was also involved in the mothers' club, the Uniting Church, the CWA, the Trentham Hospital and the Royal Victorian Institute for the Blind.

"I always tried to do things. That's why we're here," Mrs Robertson said.

Mrs Robertson married Alec Robertson of Lyonville and raised three daughters.

She remembered living in an old farmhouse without electricity, cooked on a wood-fire stove, sewed all her daughters' clothing and was always first on-hand when anything needed doing.

Mrs Robertson, 80, said she doesn't do a lot these days.

She said she was an ordinary woman but was pleased to be added to the Honour Roll.

Elizabeth Palmer Northcott was also at the celebration to receive her certificate while descendants and friends were there to collect certificates on behalf of the other five.

The event included music, and comedy and a special presentation by Hepburn Shire Youth Advisory committee member Rebecca Crowley delighted the audience.

Each year at the event the names of women to be included on the roll will be announced. Nominations were made in the months prior. Nominations for the 2007 roll will be called for later in the year.

Volunteers to help run the event will also be sought.