Moyne Shire to welcome 2023 Australia Day Ambassador
Published on 09 January 2023
Moyne Shire Council will welcome Killarney singer-songwriter Shane Howard as its 2023 Australia Day Ambassador.
A true Australian music icon, Shane’s band Goanna rose to fame in 1982 with their legendary song, ‘Solid Rock’ from their successful debut album ‘Spirit of Place’.
Shane has had a long career in the music industry. Goanna’s ‘Spirit of Place’ sold over half a million copies and Shane has continued on to create three more Goanna albums and fourteen solo albums.
In 2016 he was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to the performing arts and Indigenous musicians.
Mayor Cr Karen Foster said Council was honoured to have Shane attend the Australia Day celebrations as the 2023 Ambassador.
“Shane is well known in the community as an environmental advocate and Indigenous rights campaigner,” Cr Foster said.
“Shane has played a pivotal role in being a champion for our community and is a truly inspiring ambassador with a wealth of knowledge. I look forward to having him attend our Australia Day celebrations and hearing his story.”
“It is important to recognise that many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people do not see Australia Day as a day of celebration. We acknowledge this and continue to focus on celebrating Indigenous culture and working with Traditional Owners to build greater understanding and respect and to continue to work towards reconciliation.”
Shane Howard said he was truly honoured to be the Moyne Shire 2023 Australia Day Ambassador but emphasises that it is also a day of mourning and reflection.
“Australia Day is a difficult day for our Indigenous community, but I’m heartened that Moyne Shire have reached out to our First Nations community to continue building real and meaningful relationships that foster unity as we go forward,” Mr. Howard said.
The Moyne Shire Australia Day event will be held in Koroit on Thursday 26 January and will include a citizenship ceremony, Acknowledgement of Country, presentation of the winners of the Citizen of the Year Awards and an official address by Moyne Shire Australia Day Ambassador Shane Howard.
“Taking part in this community celebration gives us a chance to thank and congratulate the various award winners for their contributions to our community,” Cr Foster said.
“It is important that we reflect on how fortunate we are to live in Australia and a Shire as great as Moyne.”