"It was a bit of a surprise really, I didn't know anything about it. I got an email saying I was a finalist but didn't read it properly and thought 'who can I nominate'," she said.
Mrs Brierley said she was not sure what made her a local hero, except that she gets things done.
"I don't know, I just get stuck in," she said.
"It's really cool but I have been trying not to think about it. I'm a behind the scenes person, I am really happy to be running around."
Mrs Brierley is busy preparing for Plunket's Annual Appeal, and works with a team of volunteers to come up with dynamic ways of fundraising for Plunket's community projects.
Local retailer Elliot Pollard was nominated by Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick for his dedication to Keep Rotorua Beautiful, of which he had been a part of for 12 years, and spent a year as chairman of the national entity Keep New Zealand Beautiful.
He was surprised about his nomination.
"It was a big surprise to me, I had no idea," he said.
He enjoyed his time with Keep Rotorua Beautiful and was looking forward to the awards ceremony, he said.
"It will be great to have three of us at the awards ceremony, waving the flag for Rotorua," he said.
Coastguard Rotorua Lakes was nominated anonymously and is being recognised for its commitment to ensuring water and boat safety in Rotorua.
Eric and Roz Merriman and Maera Maki-Anderson from Murupara will be awarded at the ceremony, and Hannah Irakau Pehi, Vic and Glenys Lusty and Rene Otto from Whakatane will also be recognised.
