So after a lifetime of inspiration, Mrs Feuerherdt was yesterday honoured with a medal for her 70 years’ service to the Walla Red Cross branch.

And incredibly, the 91-year-old shows no signs of stopping.

She made it clear during the ceremony honouring her yesterday that she intended to keep going.

“I’ll continue as long as I can,” she said in a voice full of determination.

“I’m not quite as active now but I attend the meetings and bake cakes where I can.”

Mrs Feuerherdt followed in her mother’s footsteps and joined the Red Cross in 1944.

At that time, the Walla branch has only been operating for five years — it was formed at the start of World War II.

“Our work was mainly to support the servicemen,” she said.

“We sent parcels to the soldiers, knitting warm clothes and sewing pyjamas.”

After the war, their work continued and has since included catering for functions and running fund-raising markets.

One of the branch’s most popular events, the Christmas raffle, which began in 1947 and still runs to this day.

Mrs Feuerherdt was president for nine years in two stints — on for six and one for three years.

Much of the old committee has since changed to new hands and Mrs Feuerherdt thanked today’s leaders for their efforts saying they were doing “a mighty job”.

“You get inspired by the good you do,” she said of how she kept on going.

Five generations of her family were on hand for yesterday’s ceremony, much to her pleasure.

“Even my brother was there — he’s never set foot in a Red Cross meeting in his life,” she chuckled.