A crowd of more than 300 people was joined by Australia Day Ambassador Andrew Heslop and Federation Council celebrate Australia Day.
Andrew Heslop delivered an inspirational address, speaking about his experiences and views on the importance of community and advocacy.
Mr Heslop is an award winning keynote speaker and community leader with a global reputation as a social entrepreneur for founding Australia’s annual celebration of community, Neighbour Day. Neighbour Day actively builds social capital, promotes social cohesion, integration and positive relationships between neighbours of all ages and from all cultural backgrounds, all year round.
Today Andrew is an ABC broadcaster best known for founding Neighbour Day in 2003 after Elsie Brown, an elderly woman who lived alone, died at home yet wasn’t discovered for more than two years. Andrew has spoken at the United Nations about his initiative and been honoured for advocating stronger connections between residents of all ages, with awards including NSW Volunteer of the Year and the Westpac Prize.
Mr Heslop said it was a privilege to join the Federation community as their Australia Day Ambassador and described Australia as “a truly diverse and evolving country”.
“Our understanding of what it means to be Australian and our place in the contemporary world continues to be defined by 60,000 years of continuing culture - that of First Nations people – our Indigenous Australians,” he said.
“Every year is an amazing window into how people of all ages connect, reflect and acknowledge that collective experience.”
In his welcome address, Federation Council Mayor Pat Bourke said each year Australia Day provides us with a day to reflect on what it means to be Australian, to celebrate contemporary Australia and to acknowledge our history.
“On Australia Day we celebrate all the things we love about Australia; land, sense of fair go, lifestyle, democracy, the freedoms we enjoy, and particularly our people.”
“Today we celebrate our people, the people of Federation Council who go above and beyond in their respective areas to ensure our communities thrive and grow. Our nominees are very special people, whose donation of time and effort warrants this type of special celebration. The commitment to our communities shown by our nominees is truly heart-warming, and these people along with many others throughout the Federation Council region make me so proud to be mayor of this great region,” he said.
