HEYWOOD born, Tony Wright, now special writer and associate editor for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald has been announced as guest speaker at this year’s official Australia Day ceremony in Portland and Heywood.
Starting his career as a cadet reporter in 1970 with the Portland Observer, Mr Wright then moved on to work at numerous magazines and newspapers in regional and metropolitan Australia.
Glenelg Shire Mayor Anita Rank said council was joyed to welcome Tony Wright home to the shire for Portland’s official Australia Day ceremony on January 26.
“Reporting from most of the world’s continents and many conflict zones, Tony has a wealth of knowledge and has experienced firsthand how truly lucky we are to call Australia home,” she said.
“It will be a great opportunity for residents to gain insight to a local’s journey from the shire to a global platform.”
Ms Rank said council also welcomed Victoria’s emergency management commissioner Craig Lapsley as guest speaker for this year’s Australia Day ceremony in Casterton.
“As director of the Victorian Emergency Services Foundation and the Bushfire and Natural Hazards CRC, Mr Lapsley has a great understanding of how to best prepare and take care of our community here in the shire,” she said.
“With renowned guest speakers and the announcement of our Australia Day award recipients, it will be a great day to come together as a community and celebrate the hard work and volunteer hours many residents have given back to the shire.”
The official Australia Day ceremony will be held at Portland’s Memorial Triangle with a free community breakfast at 8am and official proceedings from 9am to 10am, as well as Casterton’s ceremony at Island Park with a free community breakfast at 8am
followed by official proceedings from 9am to 9.55am.
A number of community organised Australia Day ceremonies will be hosted throughout the shire on January 26, including Heywood at the Fitzroy River Bank from 11.30am to 12.30pm, Nelson at Bridge Park from 8am and Merino at the Merino Swimming Pool from 11am.
