Australia Day Ambassadors
Australia Day Ambassadors are inspirational Australians from a variety of backgrounds invited each year to speak about what it truly means to be Australian at community events across NSW.
Each year Australia Day Ambassadors participate in Australia Day activities around NSW inspiring communities, sharing knowledge and insights from their extraordinary and diverse backgrounds and stories of what it means to be Australian.
From celebrity chefs, elite athletes, astronomers, world renowned academics, environmentalists and authors to charity founders, dancers and local heroes, these high-achieving individuals will head to all corners of NSW on 26 January volunteering their time and energy to support local festivities. They participate in a variety of events to connect with communities and encourage locals to come together on Australia Day to Reflect, Respect and Celebrate the Australian spirit.
The Australia Day Ambassador program is one of the longest running and most successful national Australia Day programs, with the NSW program being the largest in the country sending high achieving Australians to community celebrations statewide every Australia Day.
Roles and responsibilities
The activities of the Ambassadors on Australia Day are as diverse as the communities and events themselves.
For over three decades Australia Day Ambassadors have generously volunteered their time and energy through the Australia Day Ambassador Program to celebrate community spirit, inspire national pride in local communities and share their uplifting stories in celebrating our diverse culture.
Out in the communities they participate in all manner of activities like presenting Australia Day community awards, judging lamington competitions, presiding over thong-throwing challenges, helping cook sausage sizzles and connecting with locals over a cup of tea. Ambassadors may also give an address that shares their story, captures the spirit of being Australian and inspires the community to Reflect, Respect and Celebrate.
2025 Ambassadors
Please note this information was current at the date of publishing but may change due to unforeseen circumstances. Local towns who are hosts to Ambassadors are notified separately of any changes to their assigned Ambassador.
|
LGA |
Ambassador |
Ambassador Credential |
| Albury City Council | Ms Sonia Sadiq Gandhi | Director, Gandhi Creations, Board Member of Multicultural NSW |
| Balranald Shire Council | Dr Benjamin Veness | Churchill Fellow and President of the Australian Medical Students' Association |
| Bathurst Regional Council | Mrs Cheryl Koenig OAM | Author, Motivational Speaker and 2009 NSW Woman of the Year |
| Bega Valley Shire Council | Ms Catriona Rowntree | TV Presenter |
| Blacktown City Council | Professor Veena Sahajwalla FAA FTSE HonFIEAust CPEng | Inventor |
| Bland Shire Council | Mr Warwick Nowland | World Superbike Champion |
| Blayney Shire Council | Ms Viv Kartsounis | Founder Shoes for Planet Earth |
| Bogan Shire Council | Mr Allan Sparkes CV OAM VA FRSN | Former Deputy Commissioner of the Mental Health Commission of NSW / Author / Mental Health & Suicide Prevention Advocate |
| Broken Hill City Council | Mr Mike Goldman | TV Presenter |
| Bourke Shire Council | Mr Khushaal Vyas | Multicultural NSW Youth Medal Winner/ Solicitor and Youth Advocate |
| Brewarrina Shire Council | Mr Isaac Gibbs | Brewarrina Shire Council Local Ambassador |
| Burwood Council | Ms Kumud Merani | Former Producer SBS Radio, Premier's Multicultural Media Award Winner 2013, Freelancer Actor |
| Cabonne Council | Mr Warren Potent OLY JP | Olympian - Shooting, Rio 2016 |
| Camden Council | Mr Christopher Cheng | Author |
| Campbelltown City Council | Mrs Mary-Ruth Mendel CPSP | Speech and Language Pathologist |
| Canterbury Bankstown Council | Ms Renuka Fernando | 2025 NSW Local Hero Finalist | Co-founder, ReLove |
| Canterbury Bankstown Council | Mr Ben Stammer | 2025 NSW Local Hero Finalist | Co-founder, ReLove |
| Carrathool Shire Council | Ms Catherine De Vrye | Author |
| Central Darling Shire Council | Mr Craig Goozee OAM | Ultra Marathoner |
| Cessnock City Council | Mr Nic Newling | Motivational Speaker and Mental Health Advocate |
| City of Parramatta | Mr Bruno Efoti | Founder of Tradies in Sight |
| Coolamon Shire Council | Mr Clyde Campbell AM | Founder, Shake It Up Foundation |
| Cootamundra Gundagai Council - Cootamundra | Mr David Hall OAM | Wheelchair Tennis Player |
| Cootamundra Gundagai Council - Gundagai | Ms Tiffany Thomas Kane OAM | Paralympic Medallist - Swimming |
| Cowra Shire Council | Mr Ben Farinazzo | Veteran, Gold Medallist and Mental Health Advocate |
| Cumberland Council | Mr Christopher Cheng | Author |
| Dubbo Regional Council - Dubbo | Mr Anupam Sharma | Film Director |
| Dubbo Regional Council - Wellington | Mr Ron Delezio | Co-Founder & Co-Director of Day of Difference Foundation |
| Federation Council - Corowa | Mr David Bitton | Chef |
| Forbes | Ms Ange Clarke | Founder of Where there's a Will Ltd, Fred Hollows Humanitarian recipient |
| Georges River Council | Ms Amar Hadid | Professional Skateboarder |
| Gilgandra Shire Council | Dr Clio Cresswell | Mathematician, Writer, Media Personality |
| Glen Innes Severn Council | Mr Peter Herbert | Screenwriter & Producer (Acropolous Now, Skirts) |
| Goulburn Mulwaree Council | Mr John Thistleton | Goulburn Mulwaree Council Local Ambassador |
| Greater Hume Shire Council | Mr James Pittar | Endurance Swimmer |
| Griffith City Council | Ms Michelle Leonard OAM | Founder and Artistic Director of the not-for-profit, Moorambilla Voices |
| Gunnedah Shire Council | Mrs Astrid Alice Hocking | Foster carer advocate and anti-violence campaigner, 2023 NSW Senior Australian of the Year Finalist |
| Gwydir Shire Council - Warialda | Mr Gary Dawson OAM | Keynote Speaker and Golfer |
| Hawkesbury City Council | The StarAbility Dance Performance Group | Formerly 'Special Olympic Dance Performance Group' |
| Hilltops Council - Harden | Mr Peter McLean | Executive Officer of the Australian Organics Recycling Association , former NSW CEO of Keep Australia Beautiful |
| Hilltops Council - Young | Mr Michael Tomalaris | SBS Journalist |
| Hunters Hill Council | Ms Diana Ryall AM | Founder Xplore for Success / 2018 Australian Financial Review 100 Women of Influence |
| Inverell Shire Council | Ms Jane Rutter | Flautist |
| Junee Shire Council | Mrs Liz Deep-Jones | TV Presenter, Journalist & Author, Producer of the We Bleed the same Anti-Racisim Exhibition |
| Kempsey Shire Council | Mr Mark Morrison OAM | Kempsey Shire Council Local Ambassador |
| Ku-ring-gai Council | Ms Bobby Redman BA MA | Finalist 2020 NSW Senior Australian of the Year Dementia advocate |
| Kyogle Council - Kyogle | Mr John Lee OAM, PHF, BSocSci | Founder - You Have a Friend charity |
| Lachlan Shire Council | Ms Donna Burton OAM | Astronomer / Science Communicator & Presenter |
| Lane Cove Municipal Council | Mr Nicholas Gleeson | Adventurer / Motivational Speaker / Paralympian - Athletics |
| Leeton Shire Council | Ms Robina Beard OAM | Entertainer/ Dancer /Actor |
| Lismore City Council | Mr Geoffrey Coombes OAM | Founder STRYDE4 | Co-Founder Tour de Cure |
| Liverpool City Council | Miss Lottie Dalziel | 2023 NSW Young Australian of the Year / Founder of Banish |
| Liverpool Plains Shire Council | Mr Steve Widders | Motivational Speaker |
| Lockhart Shire Council | Mr Victor Kovalenko OAM | Australian Sailing Coach |
| Lithgow City Council | Mrs Astrid Alice Hocking | Foster carer advocate and anti-violence campaigner, 2023 NSW Senior Australian of the Year Finalist |
| Mid-Western Regional Council | Ms Joanne Taranto | Director and Co-founder of Good for the Hood. Sustainability Engagement Consultant and Speaker. |
| Moree Plains Shire | Ms Linda Sparrow | 2024 Australia's Local Hero Finalist / Bangalow Koalas |
| Mosman City Council | Mrs Samantha Hollier-James | Co-Founder, Tour de Cure |
| Murray River Council | Ms Gwenda Darling | 2025 NSW Senior AOTY Finalist | Dementia and Aged Care Activist |
| Murrumbidgee Council | Mrs Lana Masterson | Nominee 2021 NSW Local Hero |
| Nambucca Valley Council | Mr Corey Payne | NSW Young Australian of the Year 2013 & Former NRL Player |
| Narrabri Shire Council | Ms Christine Mastello | NSW 2022 Local Hero Nominee, Founder of Southlakes Inc and the Community Hair Project, 2023 NSW Local Hero |
| Narrandera Shire Council | Ms Emma Rossi | Media Executive and Former TV Presenter |
| Narromine Shire Council - Narromine and Trangie | Mr Gerry Tatrai | Ultra-Marathon Cyclist |
| Oberon Council | Mr Angus Olsen | 2024 NSW Local Hero | Illustrator, I Draw Childhood Cancer |
| Orange City Council | Mr John Stanley | Radio Presenter - 2UE |
| Parkes Shire Council | Mr Tasman Cassim | Head of Partnerships at Black Dog Institute, Founder of the Superhero Walk |
| Port Stephens Council | Ms Ruth Wilson | Port Stephens Local Ambassador |
| Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council | Ms Kristy Tai (Giteau) | Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council Local Ambassador |
| Randwick City Council | Ms Jo Brigden-Jones | Olympian - Sprint Kayaker / Motivational Speaker |
| Shellharbour City Council | Ms Ange Clarke | Founder of Where there's a Will ltd, Fred Hollows Humanitarian recipient |
| Shoalhaven City Council | Mr Andy Paschalidis | Sports Presenter & Soccer Commentator |
| Snowy Monaro Regional Council - Bombala, Jindabyne & Cooma | Mr Ethan Butson | Scientist and Inventor |
| Snowy Valleys Council - Tumut | Mr Bob Turner | Sports & Business Executive |
| Strathfield Municipal Council | Ms Kumud Merani | Former Producer SBS Radio, Premier's Multicultural Media Award Winner 2013, Freelancer Actor |
| Tamworth Regional Council Manilla and Barraba | Mr Patrick Warmoll | Gunnedah Shire Council Local Ambassador |
| The Hills Shire Council | Dr Cindy Pan | Media Doctor, Author, Columnist & Radio Presenter |
| Upper Hunter Shire Council - Merriwa | Mr Doug Hawkins | 2020 NSW Local Hero Nominee |
| Upper Lachlan Shire Council | Ms Isabella (Bella) Bain | Nominee 2021 Young Australian of the Year, Co-Founder of Ambient and Co and World Champion Athlete |
| Uralla Shire Council | Ms Susanne Gervay OAM | Childrens Author |
| Walcha Council | Mr Terrence O'Connell OAM | 2016 NSW Senior Australian of the Year Finalist |
| Warren Shire Council | Ms Alexandra Moore | Dual Commonwealth Games Medalist |
| Warrumbungle Shire Council - Coolah | Ms Taylor Corry | Paralympian - swimming |
| Warrumbungle Shire Council - Coonabarabran | A/Prof HY William Chan | 2020 NSW Young Australian of the Year Finalist, Architect and UNICEF Young Ambassador |
| Wentworth Shire Council | Mr Sam Bramham OAM | Australian Paralympic Swimmer |
| Willoughby City Council | Ms Anneke Van Den Broek | Businesswoman and entrepreneur / Winner 2020 NSW Business Woman of the Year Award |
| Wollondilly Shire Council | Ms Promilla Gupta OAM | Premier's 2018 Multicultural Regional Community Medal Winner |
