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Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council (CGRC) will be hosting two Australia Day Ambassadors who will inspire people when they appear at Council’s Breakfast in the Parks, Australia Day events on Sunday 26 January 2025.

The Ambassador for Cootamundra is David Hall OAM. David a wheelchair tennis player and former professional athlete, he has been consistently ranked No. 1 in the world for Singles competition. His nineteen Super Series (equivalent to the able-bodied Grand Slam) Singles Titles are the most recorded by any player on the international tour.

During his illustrious career David has recorded many historical achievements including his victory at the 1995 US Open where he became the first non-American to win the US Open. He went on to dominate the event with a total of eight titles whilst winning over 80 events over the course of his 15-year career. David retired from the tour at the end of the 2005 season. For ten years he was employed by Tennis Australia as the ‘Optus National Wheelchair Tennis Advisor’ and served as an Ambassador for the Royal Rehab Centre Sydney. In 2010 David was inducted into the ‘Sport Australia Hall of Fame’ and in 2015 the Australian Tennis and International Tennis Hall of Fames’. Currently, he appears regularly on the speaking circuit and his autobiography ‘Superbeast’ will be released in early 2024. David was awarded an Order of Australia medal in 2000 and is recognised as the International Male Wheelchair Athlete of the Year in 2000.

The Ambassador for Gundagai is Ms. Tiffany Thomas Kane OAM. A Paralympic Medalist for Swimming, Tiffany started learning to swim at age 3. Her career highlights include the IPC Swimming World Championships 2015 at age 13 with a gold medal and world record in the 100m Breaststroke SB6, silver medal in the 50 Butterfly S6, bronze medal in the 50 Freestyle S6, bronze in the 100m Freestyle S6. Tiffany competed in the Rio Paralympic Games and won a gold medal and Paralympic record in the 100m Breaststroke SB6, bronze medal in the 50m Butterfly S6, bronze medal in the 50m Freestyle S6, bronze medal in the 200m Individual medley SM6. Tiffany’s favourite pass time is riding and showjumping with her pony Minnie, she is a member of both Avondale Pony Club and Northside Riding Club. Tiffany has a rigorous training regime and is already looking forward to this year’s IPC World Swimming Championships.
Both Ambassadors will be attending and assisting with the presentation of Australia Day awards. Cootamundra’s celebration will commence at 8am in the beautiful surroundings in Albert Park, whilst in Gundagai the celebrations will commence at 9am in Carberry Park. Free entertainment, local Lions Clubs will be catering for a delicious breakfast, with presentation of awards to follow.
CGRC mayor Councillor Abb McAlister said he was looking forward to catching up with the ambassadors and residents.
“Australia Day is about Reflect, Respect, Celebrate, we are all part of the story, and for us it is the day to acknowledge those in our communities who give and achieve so much. We are proud of these people whether they are winners of an award or who have been nominated for an award, we can applaud them. I hope everyone will make an effort to come along to either Carberry Park in Gundagai or Albert Park in Cootamundra, enjoy the atmosphere, catch up with family and friends and put their hands together for inspiring Australians,” Councillor McAlister said.
It will be a weekend of celebrations with Parties at Cootamundra and Gundagai on Saturday 25 January, Breakfast in the Parks on Sunday 26 January followed by the traditional Pool Parties at each of the town’s pools. With free entry, sausage sizzles and games. All are invited to cool off and enjoy the facilities at the pools.
Picture and caption:
Tiffany Thomas OAM and David Hall OAM will be the Australia Day Ambassadors.

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Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
www.cgrc.nsw.gov.au For further media information contact:
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council on
1300 459 689