Premier Ted Baillieu has announced the Australia Day Ambassadors for 2012 at a reception held in their honour.

A diverse group of over 140 men and women will represent Victoria at local Australia Day celebrations across the State on January 26th, 2012.

Chair of the Australia Day Committee (Victoria), Bruce Hartnett, said, “Each year we bring together a truly dedicated group of Ambassadors who give their time to play a special role in localised Australia Day celebrations across the State.

“We continue to gain significant support for the initiative from the regions. Local townships welcome the contribution by our Ambassadors and see their involvement as a way of bringing significance to their program of events. The Ambassadors are asked to do everything from present an award, give a speech or help with citizenship ceremonies. Every year they do these things with much enthusiasm and good grace,’ he said.

The Ambassadors are chosen from a range of fields, such as the arts, sport, entertainment, community and business arenas.  Their contribution to community, through this important role, encourages people to focus on the spirit of our National Day and what it means to be an Australian.

The program has been running since 1996 in Victoria and supports over 100 communities across the State.  The Ambassador program became truly national, running in all States and Territories, in 2008.

A full list of Australia Day Ambassadors, their fields and their Australia Day destination is available here.  Those Ambassadors without a destination beside their name have not yet been placed.

The Australia Day Ambassador program is proudly supported by Woolworths.

For further information about Australia Day 2012 please visit our website at www.australiaday.vic.gov.au, or telephone (03) 9651 6215.

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All media enquiries to Libby Fordham on +61 411 473 938 or libby at libbyfordham dot come dot au