One of the events I've been most looking forward to as Mayor is our Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony that Kempsey Shire Council holds every year on Australia Day.
As a member of the Australia Day committee, I have the pleasure of reading all the nominations as they come in, and it is both thrilling and heartwarming to hear about members of the community who dedicate their lives to making Kempsey Shire an amazing place to live.
From local heroes who quite literally save lives, to volunteers who act as the glue who stick our communities together, to young people who are already making a difference in their schools, families and community, we have a lot to be proud of and celebrate.
The newly created Reconciliation Award, to be presented for the first time at the 2025 Australia Day Awards, has been included to celebrate individuals and groups who have made outstanding contributions to fostering trust, respect, and meaningful relationships locally. The nominations we have received for this award have been truly inspiring.
I see the Reconciliation Award as a natural extension of our community's growing commitment to a shared future, with significant milestones which have touched us all, including the 100-year anniversary of the Kinchela Boys Home, supported by Tace Steven's current exhibition at the Nulla Nulla Gallery, We Were Just Little Boys.
This year, we are delighted to announce Mark Morrison as the 2025 Australia Day Ambassador. Mark has dedicated his life to uplifting others, particularly the youth of the Macleay Valley. A former principal of Macleay Vocational College, Mark has enriched our community through education, cultural collaboration, and coaching in elite-level Rugby League, among many other contributions. His unwavering commitment to inclusion, learning, and empowerment has left an indelible mark on our region.
I'd certainly encourage you all to take a look at all the outstanding award nominees and their contributions on Council's website at: ksc.pub/nominees2025. Of course, everyone is welcome to attend the Australia Day event too. It will be held at the Slim Dusty Centre on Sunday 26 January. Start the morning at 9am with breakfast, with official proceedings beginning at 10am – and if you can't attend in person, watch live on the Kempsey Shire Council Facebook Page.
Looking forward to seeing some of you there!
