Connie Johnson has received one of country’s greatest honours in hospice where she’s in the final stages of breast and liver cancer.

Connie was awarded the Medal of The Order of Australia after Governor-General Sir Peter Cosgrove made a surprise appearance at her bedside on Thursday.

Her brother and actor Samuel Johnson shared the news on their Facebook page, Love Your Sister, saying Sir Peter “popped in” for her service to breast cancer research.

“The Governor General ‘popped in’ on Connie today. Can you see that shiny thing on her chest? It’s a Medal of The Order of Australia, awarded for her services to our community and humanity!” Samuel wrote.

“Her eyes danced like when we were kids. She looked so alive.

“Afterwards, she looked at me sideways, coz she can’t move her head too well, and she kept saying, in her weak and raspy voice … ‘Can you believe it? Can you believe it? Look what we did. We did something!'”

And according to Sam it came “just in time” for Connie.

“This was just in time. I wanted to tell you first before you hear about it through the media – her time is nigh. Let’s prepare, villagers. It’ll be very soon,” he said.

“Our thanks to our new mate Pete Cosgrove, for making us all laugh in amongst all the pomp. And kudos to our new Lady Cottonsocks, for being exactly who she is.

“This is an awful time, we won’t bullshit, but please believe that she feels SO cushioned by your love and has been finding so many rainbows.”

Connie, 40, has continued to share her battle against terminal cancer on social media, stating she cannot walk and has lost her bodily functions.

During the ceremony at Calvary Clare Holland House, Sir Peter described Connie as “a determined, inspirational figure and a great Australian”.

Secretary to the Governor-General, Mark Fraser, read out the official citation explaining Connie was awarded the medal for her service to people with breast cancer.

“Mrs Johnson is a person who is simply inspirational. Her creation and leadership of the Love Your Sister Village has done much to encourage other Australian women to undergo regular screening and has also raised vital funds to support cancer research.”

— with ABC