Australia Day Ambassador announced for 2024

Our 2024 Australia Day Ambassador this year is Ron Delezio. 

Co-Founder & Co-Director of Day of Difference Foundation, Ron Delezio came to be publicly known after his daughter Sophie was involved in two catastrophic accidents in December 2003 and subsequently in May 2005. 

Ron and his wife Carolyn lived at the Children’s Hospitals for over 6 months while his daughter endured the amputation of; both legs, fingers, right ear, and a skin graft to more than 85% of her body. It was 4.5 months before they could be told Sophie would live. 

Making decisions such as whether to keep Sophie's life support switched on and being an integral part in working with the medical teams (often for 24 hours a day), resulted in Ron experiencing depression. Ron understands the importance of a community that cares, and which supports one another. 

After leaving hospital, Ron and Carolyn founded The Day of Difference Foundation that raised over $14 million that paid for urgently needed medical equipment and support for other families facing similar conditions in hospitals around Australia. Ron has been recognised when named the 2006 Australian Father of the Year, NSW Citizen of the Year, the Sir Roden Cutler Award, and twice nominated for Australian of the Year. 

Ron has held the role of 2008 World Youth Day Ambassador and is currently the Ambassador for the Sydney Swans AFL team, Australia Day Ambassador, the Patron of Balmain Disability Rowing Club charity and an RUOK Ambassador.

Ron believes in a community that supports one another.

Council invites the community to join us on Australia Day, Friday 26 January 2024 for a free BBQ Breakfast and Awards Ceremony, commencing at 8.00am at Heritage Park, Blayney. Please note the wet weather venue in the Blayney Shire Community Centre.

Come along for a traditional Aussie breakfast cooked by Blayney Rotary; meet our 2024 Australia Day Ambassador and see the announcement of the Blayney Shire Australia Day Awards.

These Awards recognise outstanding achievement and excellence in the local community and highlights the importance of service to the Australia nation. Being nominated for an Australia Day Award is a great honour and is therefore a wonderful opportunity to pay tribute to someone who makes you proud to be an Australian.