Humbled: Julia Burton Taylor awarded Medal of the Order of Australia

The tireless education advocate made the Queen's Birthday honour list for her service to youth in rural and remote areas and to the not-for-profit sector.

Julia has always been passionate about empowering people through education.

When she was younger, she had to drop out of her own tertiary studies as times grew tough on the land.

Undeterred, many years later and with a young family of her own, she went back and completed a degree in horticulture.

"With education you can do anything," Julia said.

"It doesn't matter what age you start but if you do it when you're a certain age, it makes it easier."

The Burton Taylors moved to Boorowa to raise their family in 1990.

Julia said with the downturn in the wool industry and the banks closing their doors, there was an air of despondency in the town.

"We saw a need in a small country town. If you live in Sydney or a large metropolitan area it doesn't matter which suburb you live in, you've got access to further education. Country towns don't have that," she said.

"There were young people leaving school and not knowing how or where to take the next step, because of distance or other disadvantages."

Three years later, they began the Boorowa Education Foundation.

In its first year, the Boorowa Education Foundation raised about $5000 and was able to provide modest community scholarships to help five students start their careers or continue their studies.

"The one advantage that young Australians living in rural and remote areas do have over their metropolitan counterparts is they come from caring communities that are ready to lend a hand to support each other," she said.

"We saw how successful in little ways the Boorowa Education Foundation was in helping people get underway in their studies and careers."

The idea proved to be infectious, with similar foundations shooting up in Yass, Cowra and Harden.

Inspired by their success, they established the umbrella organisation the Country Education Foundation in 1998.

In 2003, the foundation received tax-deductible status.

"It was something that just worked and you could see the results," she said.

"This year, the Country Education Foundation has helped 463 people in some way. That's just this year."

Julia sits on the board of directors for the Country Education Foundation and is a committee member of the Boorowa Education Foundation.

This year, they've helped 14 people from Boorowa further their education, either through university or a trade.

"Every now and again in Boorowa, you used to get one or two people going to university; now there are so many," she said.

"They don't always [come back to Boorowa] but they've always got a connection. The community is always there behind them."

From Kangaroo Island to Gulargambone, the Country Education Foundation is there to help struggling students achieve their career aspirations in 45 communities around Australia.

Julia said from every community, every year, she meets people who inspire and humble her.

"There are very special applicants every year that have battled all sorts of difficult situations to get there. From every community there are people that make you think 'I'm so glad I'm doing this'," she said

"Often you'll hear them speaking at a function and it's gobsmacking, it brings tears to your eyes."

They've had a lot of help over the years - from both corporate sponsors and volunteers - but Julia said the need is growing.

"We've always got more people we need to help than we have money so we're always on the hunt for donations," she said.

If you'd like to support the Country Education Foundation, visit their website: www.cef.org.au.