Lorraine Gordon is one of four nominees for the prestigious title for NSW, the winner of which will be announced on Monday, November 4.

At 21 years of age, she was left running a property of 1500 hectares, after three family members died.

"Despite no experience, no infrastructure, and cattle lost in 55,000 hectares of adjacent wilderness, Lorraine built a thriving tourism and agriculture business," her nomination reads.

Among Ms Gordon's long list of achievements, she is credited with developing the largest domestic hydro-electricity scheme in Australia at that time.

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She was named the ABC's 1994 NSW Rural Woman of the Year Award; established the Yaraandoo Environmental Centre; and co-founded the Ebor Beef Co-operative.

Ms Gordon is the director of Southern Cross University's Farming Together Program, which creates collaborations between farm, fishery and forestry sectors; and founded the Regenerative Agriculture Alliance to address climate change through advocacy, education and research.

She earned the title of National Rural Community Leader of the Year Award last year.

She and 15 other NSW residents are spread evenly across four award categories: the state's Local Hero, Young Australian, Senior Australian or Australian of the Year.

It comes during the 60th anniversary of the awards program.

National Australia Day Council chief executive Karlie Brand said the nominees were leaders in their fields and in the community.

"The 60th anniversary of the Australian of the Year Awards is a particularly special time to be nominated," said Ms Brand.

"The 2020 NSW nominees are inspirational people from diverse backgrounds and areas of endeavour.

"They remind us of how rich in humanity we are."