Eye on Wellington | Town to host its own Australia Day ambassador

Australia Day is a fantastic opportunity for us to come together and recognise everything that makes our country such a great place to live.

There really is nowhere else like it in the world.

Starting at 9am, Wellington's celebrations will be packed with awards, entertainment and a community barbecue.

After festivities in the park are over, I hope people will consider moving to the Wellington Aquatic Leisure Centre for the $2 entry and activities.

This year there is some extra good news for the town.

For the first time since Wellington Council merged with Dubbo, Wellington will have its own Australia Day ambassador and I think he is a very special one.

Paul Featherstone has been instrumental in emergency management for events such as the 1997 Thredbo Disaster, the Bali Bombing, the Waterfall Rail Disaster in 2003, and the Beaconsfield Mine Rescue and he will talk about those experiences in his Australia Day address.

Paul has almost 50 years of experience in the NSW Ambulance Service, and has spent the last 35 years perfecting skills in the recovery and care of people in life-threatening situations.

This experience has made him a specialist in situations where lives are often at stake, therefore requiring a quick assessment and response to prevent further injury.

Paul has been the recipient of the Ambulance Service's highest award for bravery, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Australian Bravery Medal, the Humane Society's Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals, Prince Phillip Helicopter Rescue Award and the Ambulance Service Medal as part of the Queen's Birthday Honour List.

He is incredibly accomplished and that is why it will be so exciting to have him join the festivities on Sunday. I can't wait to hear his address.

The inclusion of Mr Featherstone is just one of the reasons to look forward to this year's event.

We will also recognise some of the great work being done within our community through the Australia Day Awards.

Deserving recipients for the Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Sportsperson of the Year and Junior Sportsperson of the Year will be presented with awards.

These awards promote and recognise outstanding examples of achievement throughout the year or over a number of years within our community and the list of previous winners of all categories includes some truly outstanding residents.

In addition, we will also have the first Citizenship Ceremony for Wellington since the amalgamation with one resident making the move to become an Australian citizen.

As I said in last week's column, this is an exciting development and I really hope there will be plenty more.

That's not all though, there will be a free barbecue breakfast, live entertainment and children's activities and of course, the $2 entry to the new Wellington Aquatic Leisure Centre.

I will see you there on Sunday.