Mr Imbardelli was Horsham’s ambassador last year.

Nhill, Dimboola, Jeparit and Rainbow will each host events on Australia Day.

A flag raising ceremony will take place in each town, along with addresses from the Mayor and Australia Day Ambassador. Awards for Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, and Community Event of the year will also be presented on the day.

Meet Aris Imbardelli – 

Why did you become an Australia Day Ambassador?

I was very honoured to be nominated and accepted as an Australia Day Ambassador.

I wanted to share my story and confirm what being Australian means to me, my view of the challenge we all face of not taking all we have for granted by resting on our inheritance of the efforts of those that came before us.

The opportunity to learn about and from my many diverse fellow Australians from varied walks of life was a significant attraction.

What does Australia Day mean to you?

Australia Day to me is the special day in our busy lives that we stop and acknowledge what we has been given to us by those that came before us and more importantly when we should assess if we are really living our national values and then take action to ensure we exhibit the these values in every way both individually and collectively as a nation.

We must not only maintain but also evolve what we hold so dear as Australians by our actions as well as our words to leave a better Australia for those that will follow us.

It is a day to acknowledge our national responsibility as individuals and not solely to bask in our inherited good fortune.

How would your friends describe you?

My friends are very patient with me. They would say I am a very people orientated person who enjoys bringing people together for mutual enjoyment and benefit.

I am seen as an extrovert who enjoys being involved with diverse activities and cultures.

What are your proudest achievements?

My proudest moments have been seeing young people close to me achieve their dreams and playing a small part in their journey.

Professionally, my long career at the RACV Club  and seeing the fruits of the strategy implemented by the team of which I was a part of as General Manager of the Club creating the magnificent club of today and of the future.

What are your key Australia Day messages?

Enjoy the Australia Day celebrations with Family, friends and fellow citizens but most importantly go beyond this, thinking about what we each must realise and act on in a tangible manner to keep Australia and a truly lucky country. 

The Australia Day Ambassador program is made possible thanks to sponsorship from Woolworths, who have sponsored the program since 2001.

The formal Australia Day program begins with a breakfast BBQ in Rainbow, from 7.30am, followed by another breakfast BBQ in Jeparit from 9.00am, a morning tea from 10.30am in Dimboola, and finally a lunchtime BBQ from 12.00 in Nhill.

Hindmarsh Shire Council would like to extend its thanks to the Lions Club of Rainbow, Jeparit Town Committee, Dimboola CWA, Dimboola Town Committee and the Nhill Lions Club for hosting the Australia Day Event in their respective towns on 26 January.

Council appreciates the ongoing efforts of these community groups to celebrate our history, identity and future opportunities as Australians – and looks forward to celebrating with you all over the Australia Day weekend.