Australia Day 2020 Ambassador and event

Derwent Valley Council is pleased to announce Rosalie ‘Rosie’ Martin as the 2020 Australia Day Ambassador for the Derwent Valley. Rosalie was 2017 Tasmanian Australian of the Year and is the founder of Tasmanian charity Chatter Matters.

Derwent Valley Mayor, Ben Shaw says “The work that Rosie and her team at Chatter Matters have been doing is greatly needed and their efforts to be commended. It’s a pleasure to welcome her to the Derwent Valley as our Australia Day Ambassador and to talk about her work with our Community.”

Rosalie will be involved with official proceedings on the day, and will be speaking about positive communication being key to healthy and successful lives and the doorway to positive relationships, education, and employment.

Rosalie is a criminologist, an accredited facilitator with the Center for Courage & Renewal, and a clinical speech pathologist with more than 30 years’ experience. In 2013 Rosalie founded Chatter Matters Tasmania, to bring literacy and parent-child attachment programs to Tasmania's Risdon Prison. She was awarded 2017 Tasmanian Australian of the Year for the work she began at the prison. Rosalie is grateful that this recognition has allowed her to promote the value of kind communication in evidence-based service delivery and all interaction. And she is ever-grateful to all family, friends and colleagues. Nothing that is worth doing is ever done alone.

The Australia Day Ambassador program sends high achieving Australians to over 300 community celebrations nationwide every Australia Day. Ambassadors are past recipients of the Australian of the Year Awards, sportspeople, scientists, businesspeople, actors and community workers who provide inspiration and pride to Australia Day events and activities.

The Tasmanian Australia Day network says the Australia Day Ambassador program is an opportunity for all Australians, particularly those in regional areas, to meet and gain inspiration from Australian achievers who come from all walks of life. “These great Australians bring their experiences and stories to local communities, adding to local celebrations. Australia Day Ambassadors are also given insight into the local traditions and attractions through visiting local communities."

Derwent Valley residents are encouraged to attend the Australia Day event on Sunday 26 January at The New Norfolk Esplanade from 10.00am. Activities will include free family activities run in partnership with Derwent Valley Future Youth Action Team and The Salvation Army. Entertainment includes live music, a Lions Club Sausage Sizzle, face painting and jumping castle for the kids and the annual Colour Run and the Tasmanian Roadrunners’ Derwent Valley Fun Run and Walk.

Official proceedings will commence at 12:00 noon, and will include citizenship ceremony and 2020 Australia Day Awards.

More information on the awards can be found at www.australiaday.org.au