The search is on for 20 outstanding women to be added to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women in 2015, which recognises and celebrates the great achievements of inspirational women in the community. 

Laanecoorie resident Merna Curnow was a 2014 inductee and is encouraging people to put their thinking caps on and get nominating.

"I was the only rural recipient or inductee," she said.

"I felt a bit as though there's a whole lot of people out there who do amazing stuff who would be worthy of this honour.

"But the trick to it is to be nominated and that happened for me.

"Unless you get nominated then you don't get considered.

"So if people know of someone they think is a worthy person to nominate them I would encourage them to nominate."

Mrs Curnow farms with her husband Geoff, producing grain and prime lambs on their family farm at Laanecoorie.

Mrs Curnow's work and achievements have established her as a role model, leader, advocate and a recognised change agent in the farm, grains and natural resources industries.

But she remains humble about her achievements.

"The work that I do is very different to the other 99 per cent of inductees (for 2014)," she said.

"Five of them had doctorates in their chosen field so they were highly recognised for their work ... there were a number of inductees who had worked extensively in humanitarian roles."

Women’s Affairs Minister Heidi Victoria said 538 women had been inducted into the Honour Roll since the award began in 2001.

“This year’s inductees will join a long and prestigious roll of women across a wide range of fields such as science, engineering, arts and community services," she said.

“Those on the Honour Roll have contributed to real and lasting changes and reforms that have benefited the community and they have inspired future generations of young women to make a difference.”

Nominations for the Honour Roll  close on September 5 and can be  made online at www.dhs.vic.gov.au/womenshonourroll