Olympic champion to recognise Liverpool’s best on Australia Day

Liverpool City Council today announced Olympic water polo medallist, Debbie Watson OAM OLY will lead this year’s Council Australia Day celebrations which will include an Awards and Citizenship Ceremony at Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre.

One of the nation’s greatest water polo players, Ms Watson’s career spanned 17 years at the elite level after becoming a member of the national team in 1983. She captained Australia to World Cup and World Championship victories and was an integral part of the Australian women’s team which created history by winning gold at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Mayor of Liverpool Ned Mannoun expressed how proud Liverpool was to an Australia Day Ambassador of Ms Watson’s calibre.

“For a community as rich in culture as Liverpool is, Australia Day holds a special place in the hearts of our residents,” Mayor Mannoun said.

“We’re delighted to have Ms Watson as our Australia Day Ambassador. She helped rewrite the history of water polo in Australia and guided our nation’s sporting success at an international level – showing what can be achieved with grit, determination, and passion.

“Her achievements and merits beyond the pool speak volumes too. Ms Watson continues to enrich the sport of water polo through her influence of younger generations in the roles of water polo coach, teacher and motivational speaker.

“This year’s recipients of the Australia Day Awards embody many of the same wonderful qualities Ms Watson has displayed throughout her career.”

Nine awards will be presented to individuals, businesses and groups who have made outstanding contributions to the Liverpool community across health, sport, business, culture and arts, and environmental conservation.

Alongside the awards presentation, Council will help 20 members of  the Liverpool community receive their Australian Citizenship.

“Our celebrations are as much about the 150 distinct cultures that call Liverpool home, as the one culture that unites us all – being Australian,” said Mayor Mannoun. “I’m pleased to have the opportunity to personally welcome these new citizens into our community and congratulate those making Liverpool a better place to live, work and play each and every day.

The formalities of Australia Day will be followed by a free community event at Bigge Park on 26 and 27 January which all are welcome to attend. The event will feature food stalls, live music and an open-air cinema. For more information, visit Council’s Major Events page: https://www.liverpool.nsw.gov.au/community/major-events

If you would like to attend the Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony at Casula Powerhouse, please contact Liverpool City Council’s Civic and Citizenship Coordinator, Alyson Infanti by calling 0409 863 064 or via email [email protected]

About Debbie Watson OAM OLY 

Debbie Watson has had an illustrious career as an Australian water polo player, spanning 17 years at the highest level of the sport. Having first joined the national water polo team in 1983, Ms Watson’s drive, passion and finesse elevated her to the position of captain. In this role, she led Australia to a string of World Cup and World Championship victories.

While Ms Watson decided to retire from international competition in 1995, she continued to campaign for the inclusion of water polo in the Olympic Games. She was successful in this endeavour in 1998 when women’s water polo was added to the Olympic program for the first time.

After a three-year absence, Ms Watson returned to the pool, regained her spot on the Australian women’s water polo team and was instrumental in its victory at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games – becoming part of the first women’s team to win an Olympic water polo gold medal.

One of the greatest water polo players Australia has ever produced, Ms Watson has received various prestigious nominations and awards for her contribution to the sport including an Order of Australia. Now retired, Debbie is currently coaching water polo and teaching Personal Development, Health and Physical Education at NBSC Mackellar Girls Campus and is a successful motivational speaker.