2023 Australia Day Ambassador announced

Published on 24 January 2023

Former Ambulance Victoria Chief Executive Officer and now university lecturer Greg Sassella is Corangamite Shire’s 2023 Australia Day ambassador.

Corangamite Shire Mayor Ruth Gstrein said Professor Sassella would be most welcome at Council’s official Australia Day ceremony at the Noorat Recreation Reserve on Thursday 26 January.

“Professor Sassella was a paramedic for many years including as an intensive care flight paramedic,” Cr Gstrein said.

“He went on to lead the Metropolitan Ambulance Service through its amalgamation into Ambulance Victoria and was head of the organisation until he retired in 2014.

“Professor Sassella became known for development of measures that significantly improved survival rates and quality of life outcomes for cardiac arrest, severe trauma, stroke and paediatric patients.”

Professor Sassella was chairman of the Council of Ambulance Authorities, Australia and New Zealand and served on the federal Australian Health Protection Committee for several years in the early 2000s. His more recent community work has been with the Pancare Foundation.

In 2016 Monash University appointed him as an Honorary Professorial Fellow and he lectures the online master’s degree in management and leadership in health.

Corangamite Shire’s Australia Day formalities will begin at 10 am and will be followed by a free barbecue lunch and entertainment by the Lakes and Craters Band.

Professor Sassella make a keynote address ahead of presentation of the 2023 Australia Day Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year awards.