Warrumbungle Shire’s Australia Day 2025 Ambassadors Announced

Join Warrumbungle Shire’s Australia Day Ambassadors A/Prof Hy William Chan and Taylor Corry at Australia Day 2025 events on Sunday, 26 January. 

Community members are encouraged join in and to Reflect, Respect, and Celebrate Australia’s national spirit, with a special focus on diversity and community cohesion. 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 2025 Australia Day Ambassadors will share their inspirational stories and optimistic messages, fostering a sense of looking to the future positively and with pride.

“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. “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.”  
 
A/Prof Hy William Chan, born in Hong Kong, HY William Chan 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. William is involved in designing Australia’s most significant social housing, rapid transit, urban regeneration, and sustainability developments. William 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. An outspoken community advocate for Australia, William is tackling society’s pressing issues, from social equality and inclusion to housing affordability and homelessness and was featured with Qantas as the ‘19th most inspiring Australian’ on the 100 Inspiring Australians list celebrating the national airline’s centenary. William is proud to be an Australia Day Ambassador and will be joining Binnaway, Baradine and Coonabarabran communities with their celebrations. 

Taylor Corry, who was born with an intellectual disability, initially made waves at the 2009 National Underage Championships, winning three Gold and two Silver medals, displaying her enormous potential. A school student at the time, Taylor 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. Taylor made her Paralympic debut at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, where she won silver medals in the 200m freestyle S14 and 100m backstroke S14. Taylor 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 Taylor win bronze in the women’s 100m backstroke S14. Taylor also won a bronze medal in the mixed 4x100m freestyle S14 alongside her teammates at the 2019 World Championships. Coach Tom Davis has been a long-time mentor and influential figure throughout Taylor’s career. Taylor uses Tom’s guidance and the achievements of contemporary Australian Swimmers Ian Thorpe, Geoff Huegill & Libby Trickett as motivation and inspiration. Taylor is also proud to be an Australia Day Ambassador in 2024 and will be joining the Mendooran, Dunedoo and Coolah communities for their celebrations.  

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said, “these NSW Australia Day Ambassadors represent the heart and soul of our state and showcase the community spirit that we celebrate in NSW. Our ambassadors are an integral part of the Australia Day in NSW program and will take part in events and activities in communities right around the state. I look forward to seeing this year’s group of accomplished Australians inspire communities and unite us as we come together as a nation to respect and reflect.”

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Australia Day Ambassador 2025 - Taylor

Australia Day Ambassador - Taylor Corry

Australia Day Ambassador 2025 - William

Australia Day Ambassador - A/Prof Hy William Chan 

Last Updated: 14 Jan 2025