"It's a very nice honour and certainly for me, it recognises the work I have been able to do for women in policing and in police more generally for years," Ms Nixon said.

The full Central Victoria honours list can be found here.

"For me it's a recognition of policing and especially women in police, the role in which I have had for education and universities.

"This is a nice thing to see that you are recognised in the community."

Ms Nixon was the first woman in Australia to be appointed a police commissioner, taking on the role in Victoria in 2001 and holding it for eight years.

She said a significant highlight has been seeing how far the women have come in the force over her career.

"The highlight for me really was to watch how far women have come although there are still some issues that need to be addressed, the numbers have changed and more women are in senior positions and just the recognition that women can make great police officers," she said.

"I have had the privilege of managing Victoria Police and I have had other involvements in different organisations and my role in universities also stands out."

For Ms Nixon, it has been important to keep pushing ahead despite what the circumstances may be.

"It doesn't matter where you start and it's where life leads you and it has led me to an amazing place and amazing life," she said.

"Back in the 70s when I started in the police force, there were 130 women and 8000 men in the NSW police so it was very different and we have come a long way.

"It wasn't a job many women had so for me I thought it would make a really interesting career.

"So I worked on issues around sexual assault, family violence and child abuse and what's really driven me over time is the way policing could help the community.

"It's a privilege to see the great role police can play in our communities and everyday that goes entirely unnoticed."

Most recently, Ms Nixon has completed the role of chairwoman of the national organisation Good Shepherd Microfinance, which she started in 2012 and has been on the former advisory board for the Alannah and Madeline Foundation.

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Ms Nixon's current roles are chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and was previously the chair Monash College in Melbourne and a councillor and deputy chancellor at Monash University.

She also leads conversations on women's leadership after co-writing the Women Leading book with Professor Amanda Sinclair.

After moving to Castlemaine seven years ago, Ms Nixon now finds herself on the board of the Castlemaine State Festival and involved in the local art scene.

She enjoys arts and particularly mosaics and has recently been part of a local exhibition.

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