Seekers star Judith Durham had been an international name for decades before she truly understood just what she could achieve with her fame.

When her late husband was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 1992 she became the national patron of the foundation and realised the spotlight she could put on issues.

After 20 years of community work, Ms Durham has been named the 2015 Victorian of the Year.

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“It means the world to me. It means that I have a reason to exist, that I can do whatever good I can in the world,” Ms Durham told AAP.

Still involved with the Motor Neurone Disease Association of Australia, The Seekers star supports injured nurses, driveway safety, the Small Miracles Foundation and the Australian Children’s Choir.

“I try to stay well informed, see how I can give opportunities for causes that need to have a voice,” she said.

“It’s just opened my eyes to so much.”

Ms Durham said she looked for causes that used music because she believes it opens up emotions.

“It enriched my life hugely, and I really want to encourage people to have a piano and sing in the home, whatever they can do to have that musical outlet, because that’s what’s made me a happy person,” she said.

“A lot of us are too embarrassed to sing out and be part of something.

“Football teams do, they’ll join in at the tops of their voices, they know what it’s all about.”

Ms Durham and the other Seekers were jointly named Australians of the Year in 1967 and in 2014 they were awarded Officer of the Order of Australia.

Victoria Day council chairman Norman Kennedy thanked all of the award winners for their contributions to the community.

VICTORIAN AWARD WINNERS

Victorian of the Year: Judith Durham

Young Victorian of the Year: Luba Josevski

Corporate Citizen: Cabrini Health

Community Organisation: Scope

Victoria Day Award for the Arts: Australian Tapestry Workshop.

Source: Victoria Day Council