Australia Day

Join us for our Official Australia Day Morning Tea and Award Ceremony as we celebrate Australia Day award nominees and recipients. Held at the Oberon Library & Community Centre annually, this is a chance for family and friends to gather and celebrate Australia Day with the greater community.

Each year, Oberon hosts a different Australia Day Ambassador. From Olympians and Paralympians, environmentalists and foodies, to humanitarians and local heroes. These high achieving individuals will head to all corners of NSW on 26 January, volunteering their time and energy to contribute to local festivities, with communities encouraged to come together to Reflect, Respect and Celebrate the Australian spirit and our diversity.

2026 Australia Day Ambassador - Graham Ross AM

Graham Ross AM is one of Australia’s most celebrated horticulturists and media personalities, with a career spanning more than 67 years. Starting part-time nursery work at age 11, Graham left school after his Intermediate Certificate to pursue horticulture studies at Ryde TAFE. Over the next decade, he worked across all sectors of the industry - parks and gardens, nurseries, arboriculture and landscaping - before completing a degree at Sydney University and returning to Ryde as a teacher, ultimately becoming Principal of the School of Horticulture.

In 1980, Graham launched a media career that has inspired generations. His Garden Clinic radio show on 2GB remains Australia’s highest-rating and longest-running weekend program after 46 years. On television, Graham created and hosted Garden Australia on ABC before joining Channel 7’s Better Homes and Gardens in 1995. Today, he is the only original cast member, with the show winning 12 Logies during his tenure. He also founded the Garden Clinic Club and publishes Your Garden, Australia’s only independent national gardening magazine.

Graham established Ross Garden Tours in 1980, leading more than 700 tours across Australia and internationally and about to return to Japan for his 52^nd tour. In 2014, he founded the Australian Garden Council, a national charity promoting careers in horticulture and global garden tourism. The Council has funded 22 young Australians to work in England, France and Japan. Japan’s second intern arrives in February to train in Australia.

His contributions have earned global recognition. In 2011, Graham received the Royal Horticultural Society’s Gold Veitch Memorial Medal, presented by Princess Alexandra, and in 2013 became the only Honorary Fellow of London’s Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Guild in the Southern Hemisphere. In 2021, he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia. Professional honours include the Golden Wattle Award, the Horticultural Media Association Hall of Fame and multiple industry accolades.

A lifelong advocate for community and sustainability, Graham has been an Australia Day Ambassador since 2002. For him, being Australian means celebrating our landscapes, lifestyle and mateship while inspiring future generations to connect with nature.

Australia Day Award Categories & Selection Criteria

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR: Selection will be made on the basis of outstanding service to the community, with special emphasis on more recent activities. Service to the community may include volunteer activities, dedicated representation of a group or individual and selfless involvement with the community.

YOUNG CITIZEN OF THE YEAR (up to 25 years): Selection will be made on the basis of outstanding service to the community, with special emphasis on more recent activities. Service to the community may include volunteer activities, dedicated representation of a group or individual and selfless involvement with the community. This award category is for persons up to and including 25 years of age.

SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR: Selection will be made on the basis of excellence in sporting achievements, with special emphasis on more recent activities. The nominated person can be involved in one or more sports and a description of the level of attainment and any special achievements in the chosen sport should be included in the nomination.

YOUNG SPORTSPERSON OF THE YEAR (up to 25 years): Selection will be made on the basis of excellence in sporting achievements, with special emphasis on more recent activities. The nominated person can be involved in one or more sports and a description of the level of attainment and any special achievements in the chosen sport should be included in the nomination. This award category is for persons up to and including 25 years of age.

SPORTS TEAM OF THE YEAR: Selection will be made on the basis of excellence in sporting achievements, with special emphasis on more recent activities. A description of the level of attainment achieved by the team and any special achievements in the chosen sport should be included in the nomination. A list of team members, coach and manager is required to be submitted with the nomination.

COMMUNITY EVENT OF THE YEAR: Selection will be made on the basis of a community event or events held in the last 12 months which enrich the social fabric of the Oberon community having a demonstrated positive effect. A list of committee members or organisers is required to be submitted with the nomination.

VOLUNTEER/ VOLUNTEER GROUP OF THE YEAR: Selections will be made on the basis of commitment to the community through volunteer activities. Volunteering is the cornerstone of our community and this award recognizes those who give their time without personal gain, often over many years.

ENVIRONMENTAL CHAMPION OF THE YEAR: This category recognises individuals or organisations championing environmental initiatives in the local community such as litter reduction, using return and earn scheme to fundraise for a meaningful cause, recycling initiatives, green energy initiatives etc.

2025 Australia Day Ambassador - Angus Olsen

Introducing Oberon's 2025 Australia Day Ambassador - Angus Olsen

Angus Olsen is a childhood cancer illustrator and author and was awarded the NSW Local Hero award in 2024.

The former Disney artist was recognised at the NSW Australian of the Year Awards for his drawings which aim to help sick children understand their treatment.

Angus began drawing when his daughter, Jane, underwent her own cancer journey and he has since created 20+ books in 24 languages, bridging a gap in children's cancer literature. Angus has also made comics comparing lockdown to the challenges children with cancer face.

Angus collaborates with charities for research and offers his illustrations for free on his website and social media. He resides in the Blue Mountains, drawing at his café between serving customers.

We look forward to welcoming Angus and his family for Oberon's Australia Day celebrations!

Australia Day Ambassadors - Australia Day in NSW

The history behind Australia Day

Australia Day is the official national day of Australia. Celebrated annually on 26 January, it marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British Ships at Port Jackson, New South Wales, and raising of the Flag of Great Britain at that site by Governor Arthur Phillip. In contemporary Australia, celebrations reflect the diverse society and landscape of the nation, and are marked by community and family events, reflections on Australian history, official community awards, and citizenship ceremonies welcoming new immigrants into the Australian community.

The meaning and significance of Australia Day have evolved over time. Unofficially, or historically, the date has also been variously named "Anniversary Day", "Invasion Day", "Foundation Day", and "ANA Day".[3] 26 January 1788 marked the proclamation of British sovereignty over the eastern seaboard of Australia (then known as New Holland). Although it was not known as Australia Day until over a century later, records of celebrations on 26 January date back to 1808, with the first official celebration of the formation of New South Wales held in 1818. On New Years Day 1901, the British colonies of Australia formed a Federation, marking the birth of modern Australia. A national day of unity and celebration was looked for. It was not until 1935 that all Australian states and territories had adopted use of the term "Australia Day" to mark the date, and not until 1994 that the date was consistently marked by a public holiday on that day by all states and territories.

In contemporary Australia, the holiday is marked by the presentation of the Australian of the Year Awards on Australia Day Eve, announcement of the Australia Day Honours list and addresses from the Governor-Generaland Prime Minister. It is an official public holiday in every state and territory of Australia, unless it falls on a weekend in which case the following Monday is a public holiday instead. With community festivals, concerts and citizenship ceremonies, the day is celebrated in large and small communities and cities around the nation. Australia Day has become the biggest annual civic event in Australia

Source: OpenCities