For almost her entire life, the 78-year-old Port Macquarie woman has selflessly devoted her time to those in need.

But like many of those putting others before themselves, the humble heart has found the national recognition difficult to accept.

“I really feel it doesn’t belong to me,” a very modest Sister Marjorie said. “It belongs to all of us – all the volunteers and the wonderful people who have helped me along the way.”

When she was just 18 years old Marjorie would made the decision to dedicate her life to the Lord and enter the St Joseph’s covent in Newcastle in 1954.

Tens of thousands of empty stomachs have been filled because of her determination to provide a warm meal for locals in need.

Those with intellectual and mental difficulties have found solace in her company and care while an unimaginable number of young minds have been inspired through her teachings in Australia and abroad.

A highlight of her journey was a three year stint teaching indigenous students at a public school near Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea in the 1980s.

“I absolutely loved New Guinea, the children were so anxious to learn,” Sister Marjorie said. “Most of them went on to University and those that could not make it went to college.”

Despite the dangers of living in a country rife with conflict and civil unrest, true to her selfless spirit Marjorie would cart strangers in her car as she went to Port Moresby for supplies.

Not stopping, she said, would be against her nature.

“They told me not to do it,” she said, laughing. “But I couldn’t help myself – I knew buses were few and far between.”

When the situation escalated Marjorie moved back to Australia, where she focused her efforts on those with disabilities.

Close to the turn of the new millennium, she began the Ecumenical Care Service (ECS) which has ever since, run the much-valued Port Macquarie Soup Kitchen.

Over the years she has become a companion and mentor for those diagnosed with mental illness and intellectual ability, even housing and caring for many of them through the Hunter Carers for the Intellectually Disabled in Newcastle.

“We used to take them for picnics and take them to the pictures and after some time they’d go back to their families,” Sister Marjorie said.

The Soup Kitchen started once someone asked her to help the homeless people in Port Macquarie. Today, this service feeds up to 200 people every week.

Sister Marjorie’s life of generosity, seems to come down to simply wanting to help.

“I hate to see anyone wanting anything,” she said. “I’m very grateful that I have been able to help people where I can.”