Australia Day Ambassador announced for 2025

Meet Viv Kartsounis: Blayney Shire Council’s 2025 Australia Day Ambassador

Viv Kartsounis is a passionate changemaker and the founder of Shoes for Planet Earth, a charity that has transformed over 100,000 lives by providing sports shoes to people in need. From the homeless and disaster victims to orphans and vulnerable communities, Viv’s work spans across Australia and 24 other countries, spreading hope, dignity, and empowerment one pair of shoes at a time.

Born in South Africa, Viv’s love for running began at an early age and carried her through a successful competitive career. After moving to Malaysia and later to Sydney, she inspired others to embrace running by founding running groups for adults and children. In 2004, she began ultra-running and proudly represented Australia in international competitions, deepening her love for her adopted home.

In 2009, a visit to South Africa for the Comrades Marathon sparked a life-changing vision. Taking her back to the front row of poverty, Viv realised the profound impact a simple pair of shoes could have. From that moment, Shoes for Planet Earth was born, with a vision to get shoes onto bare feet across the planet and promote exercise, recycling, and dignity for all.

Shoes for Planet Earth took the first steps slowly, but then it started to run and has since changed over 100,000 lives through the gift of a pair of shoes. Shoes have been given to people without homes, sporting communities, natural disaster victims, orphans, church groups and people in need across 24 countries and Australia.

More information about Shoes for Planet Earth can be found at shoesforplanetearth.com.

Australia Day Award Ceremony & BBQ

Council invites the community to join us on Australia Day, Sunday 26 January 2025 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 2025 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.

Shoe Collection - Sunday 26 January 2025

In honour of our Australia Day Ambassador, Blayney Shire Council and Blayney Rotary will be hosting a shoe collection alongside our Australia Day BBQ!

Shoes for Plant Earth is a charity that changes the lives of people in need through your gift of a pair of shoes.

Drop off your sporting shoes (clean and good condition, no holes and good soles, tied together) at the Australia Day Free BBQ at Heritage Park on Sunday 26 January from 8am.