Children’s author to be Liverpool’s Australia Day Ambassador

Respected children’s author and speaker Susanne Gervay OAM will be the Australia Day Ambassador at Liverpool’s 2019 Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony.

Liverpool Mayor Wendy Waller said she was proud to welcome Ms Gervay to Liverpool as Australia Day Ambassador.

“It is my pleasure to welcome Susanne Gervay OAM to join Council at our 2019 Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony,” Mayor Waller said.

“She is no stranger to Liverpool, having brought smiles to the faces of children and their parents when visiting our libraries in the past.

“We are very proud to have a woman of such high regard join us as Australia Day Ambassador and, to mark this special occasion, a selection of her much-loved children’s books will be displayed at Liverpool City and Carnes Hill Libraries from 21 January.”

Ms Gervay said she was delighted to return to Liverpool as Australia Day Ambassador.

“I am honoured and delighted to be this year’s Australia Day Ambassador for Liverpool,” Ms Gervay said.

“It is such a wonderful opportunity to meet so many inspiring local people, whether they have done something great for the environment, in sport or in another meaningful way, as well as be part of a warm welcome to new Australian citizens.”

“In addition to my official duties on the day, I’ll be presenting our younger award winners with a signed copy of one of my books as a personal thank you for their contribution to the Liverpool community.”

Liverpool City Council’s 2019 Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony will be held at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre on 26 January from 10am to midday. As there is limited capacity, expressions of interest for members of the public to attend the Ceremony can be sent to [email protected].

“With a community rich in cultural diversity, Australia Day is a cherished celebration for thousands of people who have come to call Liverpool home,” Mayor Waller said.

“It is the ultimate privilege to be able to recognise new Australian citizens and the outstanding achievements of people in our community at such a special time of year.”

“Those lucky few to receive citizenship this coming Australia Day will also receive a commemorative gold coin as a gift from Council on behalf of the Department of Home Affairs to mark 70 years since citizenship was introduced into Australian law.”

“I look forward to Susanne Gervay joining Councillors and I to welcome our newest citizens and recognise those in our community who are accomplishing wonderful feats.”

The 2019 Australia Day Awards categories include:

The wider community is invited to Council's free, all-ages Australia Day celebration, which returns to Woodward Park in Liverpool on Saturday 26 January, 5pm – 10pm.

“Liverpool City Council’s 2019 Australia Day celebration is the place to be,” Mayor Waller said.

“Australian superstar DJ duo Mashd N Kutcher will lead a stellar line-up of live entertainment, including wonderful live performances; cuisine, rides and fireworks.”

For more information visit www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/australiaday.

About Susanne Gervay OAM

Sydney-born Susanne Gervay OAM is an international author and speaker who has addressed audiences from New York to Delhi on the power of story to create discussion in diverse areas including disability, multiculturalism, bullying, inclusion and peace.

As a child of parents who went through the Holocaust, books were Susanne’s source of escape and comfort. Books provided her with the courage and drive to inspire, educate and advocate for young people as a writer, mentor and speaker in a career that has spanned two decades.

Her books have been translated into a number of languages, from Turkish to Bahasa, and have earned her a number of awards and endorsements from literary and arts organisations in Australia and beyond. She received the Order of Australia for Children’s Literature in 2011 and is an active Ambassador for the Premiers Reading Challenge in NSW.

Susanne has previously visited Liverpool and Casula libraries to read her books to children.

Further information about Susanne and her work is available on her website www.sgervay.com.