Governor-General David Hurley made the journey to Cobargo on Friday, December 17, to officially present Ms Blacka with the prestigious award.

It was announced on Australia Day 2021 that Ms Blacka would receive the award, but since COVID had prevented travelling, it was not until now that she received the medal in person.

Mr Hurley was accompanied by his wife Linda Hurley in Cobargo where they began the day's proceedings with a walking tour along the main street of town.

Their Excellencies had not physically visited Cobargo since October 2020, but had kept close ties to the community during the pandemic via Zoom.

The Hurleys were joined by president of the Cobargo Bushfire Relief Centre Danielle Murphey, president of the Cobargo Community Bushfire Recovery Fund Zena Armstrong, chairperson of the Cobargo Quaama Business Recovery Group Shona Taranto, and Sandra Taylor of the Cobargo Creators.

Ms Taranto accompanied Mr Hurley to the eastern side of the main street that has been proposed by Rebuild Cobargo to be developed into the new Post Office building and Market Hall.

She explained each of the elements of the project which would update important facilities and rebuild vital retail spaces that were lost to the 2019/20 fires.

The group continued up the eastern side of the main street where they observed the township and spoke briefly with members of the community.

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They also visited the Cobargo community garden where Ms Hurley conversed with the town's representatives in the gardens about the various ornamental and edible plants.

Following the tour of the town, Mr and Ms Hurley made their way to the Cobargo Bushfire Relief Centre for light refreshments.

There they met with a number of other townsfolk including RSL representatives, educators from schools and preschools in the district, and other volunteers involved with the main street rebuild.

During the refreshments Mr and Ms Hurley were presented with flowers from local woman Shelly Robertson with her children Huxley and Hazel.

Kim Cooke of the Yuin Nation welcomed the guests to country before official secretary for the Governor-General Paul Singer began the Investiture Ceremony for May Blacka.

Mr Singer acknowledged her important contribution to raising vital funds for BlazeAid, cancer research, construction of the local swimming pool, and for the Rural Fire Services.

She also ran the canteen for the town's rugby league and rugby union football clubs for many years, and continues to visit the elderly and sick in Cobargo.

On Australia Day 2016 she was named Cobargo's Community Citizen of the Year, and in 2018 was included in the NSW Department of Primary Industries Hidden Treasures Honour Roll.

"I say when I present medals to people such as May, who have just done so much for the community, to me it just reflects an enormous heart of the community, a real love for community that just reaches out in so many ways, thank you May for what you've done for Cobargo," Mr Hurley said.

"Thank you but there are hundreds better in Cobargo than me," interjected Ms Blacka.

Mr Hurley continued, "when I present medals and it's all very formal, 99 per cent of them will say to me, 'I was just doing what anyone else would do, why has it got to be me'.

"And I say humility is a very lovely characteristic in a person, but we are honouring you, for what you have done."

After the official proceedings Ms Hurley invited those in attendance to sing the chorus of You Are My Sunshine three times. Shortly after she and Mr Hurley left Cobargo to attend to matters in Mogo.