Ally Costanzo, Auslan sign language facilitator, has been named one of the NSW Department of Primary Industries Hidden Treasures - an accolade bestowed upon a collective of the state's most exceptional rural and regional women.

"It's pretty special and I am very proud," Ally said. "I rang up and asked my dad if it was okay to have won two big honours in the same year."

There is no doubt Ally has earned every bit of the praise she has received for her extraordinary work to bridge the communication gap between the hearing and the hearing impaired.

Ally works at People Builders, a service offered by the Apostolic Church to members of the Hastings community in need. Some require personal advice, others just drop in for social interaction, but for Ally, providing a community service that makes life a little bit better for someone else is immensely rewarding.

Her passion for sign language and educating communities in the art began 25 years ago when she saw for the first time a hearing impaired person using their hands to communicate.

"I was fascinated. When I saw that person signing I wanted to learn how to do it," she said.

"I have been a sign language interpreter for 25 years now. I really love being able to support the deaf in our community.

"We can all go to a cafe and order our half strength skinny latte, but for a deaf person it is very difficult for them to communicate what they want if no-one can understand them. It can be very isolating and frustrating."

Ally ran a forum three years ago inviting local businesses and their employees to learn the art of sign language. The 10 week Auslan training sessions are tailored to each business so employees can use the right language with their customers.

The training is facilitated by Ally but delivered by two hearing impaired residents. They teach new signers the technique while Ally interprets.

Among those who have participated in the Auslan course are employees from Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, the library, Glasshouse and Holiday Coast Credit Union. Up to 90 people have graduated from the introductory training making them eligible to move on to more advanced sign language techniques.

"We have had some great feedback from the Glasshouse. Deaf people can now go in there and identify the staff with Auslan badges and know they understand sign language and can communicate with them," Ally said.

"It has been a great success.

"I get great satisfaction knowing that we are able to assist deaf people in their everyday life and they can access everything as equally as those who can hear."

Ally is now seeking funding for the delivery of a second Business Using Fingertips workshop in a bid to get more businesses on board with the benefits of Auslan trained staff.

"I have just taught mayor Peter Besseling how to sign Advance Australia Fair. That is impressive," Ally said.

Ally is also completing a degree in social work at Charles Sturt University, coordinates a group of volunteers for the local Ironman event and collects food good for disadvantaged individuals and families across the Hastings.