The Girl with Grit statue was unveiled on Saturday in front of 200 guests.

Griffith War Memorial Museum committee member Pat Cox said the appropriate amount of time was taken to erect the bust to ensure it took pride of place.

“The statue was brought back to Griffith in February and we had been looking at the landscaping, the right stone and the right design (for the bust),” Mrs Cox said.

“There’s no point for having a striking and impressive bust unless you have a place just as impressive to put it.

“What we have outside is a reminder that we have a really great exhibition inside.”

The war memorial already has an exhibition that showcases the AWLA.

It includes a list of AWLA members, service records, diaries, uniforms, banners and plenty of photos.

Amongst the attendees on the day were several members of the AWLA.

“These women came to Griffith and worked on farms and assisted farmers at a time when men were overseas,” Mrs Cox said.

“They were important to Griffith at the time, they were part of social scene, part of the community and a lot stayed here.

“We had 10 there the other day (at the unveiling), some in their 90s.

“One hadn't seen members in 50 years who was thrilled to be there.”

The bust has received a massive amount of community support and local sculptor Noel Hicks created the masterpiece.

“12 months ago we started the plans for a statue and Noel Hicks donated his time and skills,” Mrs Cox said.

“There’s been lots of support form Rotary who have supported Noel and done some of the ground work with the cementing and labour.

“Council provided funds from community grants programs.

“There was some individual donations which have been of significance and the Ex-serviceman’s Club provided funds for bronzing of the bust.”

Theo Bollen, Noel Hicks, Christine Scott and Bianca Whitehead all spoke at the unveiling.

Also, Grant and Tracey Luhrs performed The Land Army Song.

Donations are still welcome to be made to the Griffith War Memorial Museum.

The exhibition is open to the public on Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings.

The plaque on the statue sums up perfectly the sentiment held towards these truly inspirational women.

“This monument is a tribute to those women who served in the Australian Women's Land Army (AWLA) during the second world war,” the plaque read.

“The community of Griffith and surrounding districts, where a number of AWLA members eventually settled, thank all who served in the AWLA for their contribution to our nation in a time of special need. 

“These women were truly ‘girls of grit’.”