Australia Day is fast approaching with Western Plains Shire Councils preparing to honour worthy local recipients with a range of community awards.

Warrumbungle Shire Council are one of many to also host an Australia Day Ambassador as part of the celebrations - in fact, they are hosting two of them!

“Australia Day is a day to reflect on what it means to be Australian, acknowledge our shared history and recognise our diversity and celebrate all the people who make our country unique”, said Warrumbungle Shire Council Mayor, Councillor Kathryn Rindfleish.

Paralypian swimmer, Taylor Corry will attend Warrumbungle as an Ambassador and share her inspirational story.

Born with an intellectual disability, Ms Corry initially made waves at the 2009 National Underage Championships, winning three Gold and two Silver medals, displaying her enormous potential. She continued to dominate all junior events she competed in and returned home with seven Gold medals from as many events at the 2011 Underage National Championships.

Ms Corry made her Paralympic debut at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, where she won silver medals in the 200m freestyle S14 and 100m backstroke S14.

She won a silver medal in the 200m freestyle S14 at the 2013 International Paralympic Committee Swimming World Championships, and a standout World Championships campaign in 2015 saw Ms Corry win bronze in the women’s 100m backstroke S14.

Ms Corry will be joining the Mendooran, Dunedoo and Coolah communities for their celebrations.

Taylor Corry has excelled in her swimming career, and is bringing her inspirational story to Warrrumbungle.

Warrumbungle Shire's other Australia Day Ambassador is Associate Professor Hy William Chan who was born in Hong Kong, and was just an infant when his family fled to Australia as migrants.

Today, the young Australian architect and sustainability leader is not only building inclusive cities, but also building the capacity of marginalised communities.

Mr Chan is named among "the world’s greatest TEDx speakers" by TED, a “visionary entrepreneur” by Forbes magazine, and a “game changer” by Sydney’s Daily Telegraph.

He is an Executive of Climate Emergency Australia, which represents over 100 local governments accelerating a zero-carbon economy across the country and was featured with Qantas as the "19th most inspiring Australian" on the 100 Inspiring Australians list celebrating the national airline’s centenary.

Mr Chan is proud to be an Australia Day Ambassador and will be joining the Binnaway, Baradine and Coonabarabran communities for their celebrations.

Warrumbungle Australia Day Ambassador, William Chan was named as the "19th most inspiring Australian".

“We are thrilled to have A/Prof Hy William Chan and Taylor Corry join our Australia Day celebrations this year as an opportunity to hear their stories and be inspired by their achievements,” Cr Rindfleish said.

A Council spokesperson said community members are encouraged to join in and to "Reflect, Respect, and Celebrate" Australia’s national spirit.

"This Australia Day will celebrate the strength of the local community and businesses, and highlight the achievements of award nominees for their contributions to the Shire," the spokesperson said.

"The Australia Day 2025 Award ceremonies are a fantastic way to celebrate outstanding community members for their achievements.

There are plenty of activities on throughout the Shire, including all pools in the LGA offering free entry. 

All Shire pool opening hours are from 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 7pm.

Other community festivities are as follows -

• Binnaway: Award Ceremony 7am, Len Guy Park, followed by ‘Ballz n All’ band and yabbie races with prize money at Binnaway Bowling Club

• Mendooran: BBQ breakfast preceding Australia Day Award Ceremony at Mechanics Institute Hall.

• Baradine: Hospital Auxiliary morning tea followed by the Australia Day Award Ceremony at 11am at the Baradine Memorial Hall and a free luncheon for those who book ahead. 

• Dunedoo: Award Ceremony and complimentary BBQ lunch, commencing 12pm, at the Dunedoo Sports Club. An afternoon Pool Party at Dunedoo swimming pool from 3pm with free sausage sizzle and snow cones for kids.  

• Coolah: Cricket skills clinic for kids from 9am – 10.30am at Bowen Oval then from 2.00pm, music and yabbie races, at Coolah Sporting Club and a Thanksgiving Service, 4pm – 4.50pm at The Octagon St Andrews Church.

• Coonabarabran: Barefoot Bowls Competition and prizes from 10am at Coonabarabran Bowling Club, then Where’s Dave? band, slip’n’slide, free BBQ, from 3pm at Coonabarabran Golf Club. The Australia Day Award Ceremony starts at 6pm at Coonabarabran Town Hall.

For more details visit the council's website.