WHEN Lydia Charlamow first came to Australia from Russia, she arrived with little more than the clothes on her back.

Almost 60 years on and things have certainly changed.

Inspired by her own experiences as a refugee, Mrs Charlamow has made it a personal mission to help new arrivals adjust to life in their adopted country.

The Ardeer resident was yesterday honoured for her service to the Russian community when she received a Medal of the Order of Australia as part of the Queen’s Birthday awards.

Despite her tireless volunteering efforts, which have seen Ms Charlamow represent numerous Russian cultural groups and schools, the community crusader said she was shocked to win the award.

“I’m overwhelmed,” she said. “Obviously I’m proud and honoured to have been recognised, but I don’t think I deserve it. There are so many more worthy people out there.”

Ms Charlamow said she felt driven to give something back to the community, which had given her so much.

“I feel a great affinity for the people of Australia,” she said. “They very kindly admitted us as refugees after World War II. I always wanted to give something back to the country that adopted us.”

A tearful Ms Charlamow paid tribute to her mother, who passed away six years ago. “I wish I could have shared this moment with her. She was a great woman and was a big inspiration in my life. She would have been so proud.”

Although juggling her volunteering duties with full-time work was always going to be a struggle, Ms Charlamow relied on her husband Victor, for support.