Ambassadors set to inspire on Australia Day

Premier Campbell Newman today announced that 47 Australia Day Ambassadors are set to join local communities across the state to help celebrate our national day.

 

“The Australia Day Ambassador Program helps bring communities together by sending high achieving and inspirational Queenslanders to local council Australia Day celebrations,” Mr Newman said.

 

“Through this program, Ambassadors are able to share their stories and inspire local communities across the state, from Thursday Island to Mount Isa, Longreach and St George.

 

“Next year marks the tenth year the Ambassador Program has been running in Queensland and it will be our biggest yet.

 

“The 2014 Ambassadors include inspirational sporting stars, business leaders, entrepreneurs and scientists.

 

“I thank the Ambassadors and local councils who are participating in the 2014 program and encourage all Queenslanders to share in the spirit of Australia Day,” Mr Newman said.

 

The Ambassador Program is proudly supported by the Queensland Government in partnership with the Australian Government, through the National Australia Day Council. The Ambassador Program is sponsored nationally by Woolworths.

 

For more information about the program, or to find out more about the 2014 Ambassadors, visit www.australiaday.org.au/qld.

 

[ENDS] 13 December 2013

 

Media Contact: Premier’s office 3719 7000, Minister’s office 3719 7170  

 

 

 

2014 Ambassadors

 

Balonne Shire Council (St George)—Dr Peter Woodruff AM, Chairman of the Medical Board of Queensland

 

Barcaldine Shire Council (Barcaldine and Jericho)—Daphne Pirie AO MBE, sportswoman, administrator and women's advocate

 

Barcaldine Shire Council (Muttaburra and Aramac)—David Conry, Co-Founder of Youngcare and human rights activist 

 

Boulia Shire Council (Boulia)—Alison Alexander, food consultant, Queensland food fellow

 

Burke Shire Council (Burketown)—Dr Barbara Piscitelli AM, children's champion

 

Carpentaria Shire Council (Normanton and Karumba)—Tim Page, photojournalist

 

Charters Towers Regional Council (Charters Towers)—Jenny Woodward, Weather Presenter ABC News

 

Cloncurry Shire Council (Cloncurry)—Marayke Jonkers, Paralympian and Founder of Sporting Dreams

 

Cook Shire Council (Cooktown)—Ross McKinnon AM, Curator-in-Charge, Brisbane Botanic Gardens

 

Etheridge Shire Council (Georgetown)—John Lazarou, PR/ Director for The Coffee Club, charity worker

 

Gold Coast City Council (Surfers Paradise)—Nicole Gibson, mental health campaigner

 

Goondiwindi Regional Council (Goondiwindi)—Professor Max Lu FAA FTSE, Queensland

Great and academic leader

 

Goondiwindi Regional Council (Inglewood)—Peter Howard, veteran food and wine commentator

 

Hinchinbrook Shire Council (Ingham)—Scott Stidston OAM, disability campaigner and advocate

 

Ipswich City Council (Ipswich)—Terry White AO, Chair – Terry White Chemists

 

Isaac Regional Council (Moranbah)—Professor Julie Campbell AO, medical researcher, now cattle producer

 

Lockyer Valley Regional Council (Gatton)—Beverely Mirolo OAM, blood cancer specialist

 

Longreach Regional Council (Longreach)—Charlie Earp OAM, Australia's most recognised golf coach

 

Maranoa Regional Council (Injune)—Emeritus Professor Ken Donald AO, medical educator and Queensland Great

 

Maranoa Regional Council (Mitchell)—Dr Richard Lewandowski, Founder of Operation Smile Australia

 

Maranoa Regional Council (Surat)—Bronwyn Sheehan, Founder and Executive Director, The Pyjama Foundation  

 

Maranoa Regional Council (Wallumbilla and Roma)—Major Jim Campbell DFC, foundation member of the Sunshine Coast Helicopter Rescue Service

 

McKinlay Shire Council (Julia Creek)—Angelo Puglisi, owner of Ballandean Estate Wines

Moreton Bay Regional Council (Redcliffe)—Bruce and Denise Morcombe OAM, Founders of the Daniel Morcombe Foundation

 

Mount Isa City Council (Mount Isa)—Professor Kay Saunders AM, writer, historian and anthropologist

 

North Burnett Regional Council (Monto)—Bill Bristow AM, Founder, Angel Flight Australia

Quilpie Shire Council (Quilpie)—Dr Sally Butler, author of Our Way and Before Time Today

 

Richmond Shire Council (Richmond)—Professor Peter Leggat AM, medical researcher and community volunteer

 

Scenic Rim Regional Council (Beaudesert)—Jerry Coleby-Williams, TV gardener and horticultural specialist

 

Southern Downs Regional Council (Stanthorpe and Warwick)—Dr Colin Dillon AM APM, 2013 Honours recipient for significant service to the Indigenous community of Queensland

Sunshine Coast Regional Council (Kings Beach)—Craig Lowndes OAM, Australia’s most popular and successful champion racer

 

Sunshine Coast Regional Council (Kings Beach)—David Pugh, chef and owner, Restaurant Two

 

Sunshine Coast Regional Council (Palmview)—Dr Sally Goold OAM, registered nurse and Senior Australian of the Year 2006

 

Sunshine Coast Regional Council (Palmwoods)—Jacob McLuskie, defensive driving advocate and Founder, Jason Rich Foundation

 

Toowoomba Regional Council (Clifton)—Professor Brendan Burkett OAM, Paralympic champion and professional engineer

 

Toowoomba Regional Council (Highfields)—Hetty Johnston, Founder and Executive Director of Bravehearts Inc

 

Toowoomba Regional Council (Hodgson Vale)—Ron Rankin AM, Australian volunteer surf lifesaver

 

Toowoomba Regional Council (Oakey)—Sergeant Jim Bellos, People of Australia Ambassador and multicultural champion

 

Toowoomba Regional Council (Pittsworth)—Joshua Lang, Queensland Young Australian of the Year finalist

 

Toowoomba Regional Council (Pittsworth)—Charles Thomas, anti-bullying campaigner and musician

 

Torres Shire Council (Thursday Island)—Kevin Keeffe, Queensland Executive Director, Australian Red Cross

 

Townsville City Council (Townsville)—Sara Carrigan OAM, Olympic gold medal cyclist

 

Western Downs Regional Council (Chinchilla and Tara Region)—Professor David Tudehope AM, paediatric specialist in newborn care

 

Western Downs Regional Council (Dalby and Bell)—Clive Berghofer AM, hardworking, self-made, down to earth and generous philanthropist

 

Western Downs Regional Council (Wandoan and Miles)—Lars Olsen, CEO and Founder of the Forget-Me-Not Children’s Home

 

Winton Shire Council (Winton)—Emeritus Professor Roly Sussex OAM, language enthusiast