Hear inspiring Australian stories this Australia Day 2026
This Australia Day, people around Western Australia will have the opportunity to hear inspiring stories of courage and resilience, as Auspire Ambassadors visit towns and cities across the state to help communities to reflect, respect and celebrate.
These inspiring Australians include Alumni from the Australian of the Year Awards and Community Citizen of the Year Awards, as well as influential members of the WA community who uplift, support and advocate for others. Alongside keynote speeches, their visits may incorporate assisting in the local Australia Day event and announcing the 2026 Community Citizen of the Year Awards.
Former Auspire Board Member, Rishelle Hume, returns to the City of Swan by popular demand, while Maisara Muzaffar (pictured above) is staying local, celebrating with the City of Gosnells where she herself received the Young Community Citizen of the Year Award in 2024 for her contribution to providing essentials and education to people in need.
Following appearances in Melville and Subiaco, primary school teacher, Lueth Garang, will be speaking to the people of Toodyay about her experience of coming to Australia as a refugee and finding her way to make a positive difference.
“I’m delighted to have the opportunity to share my Australian story with the people of Toodyay,” says Lueth. “Australia is a nation shaped by diverse individual journeys – many marked by hardship and perseverance – yet all rich with lessons we can learn from. I am humbled to share my own story and hope it inspires others to see the opportunities that being Australian can provide.”
Heading further into the regions, Conrad Liveris prepares to head to Broome, while Naveed Ahmed will be sharing his story in Esperance.
See below the complete list of where our Auspire Australia Day Ambassadors will be visiting. We recommend enquiring with the Local Government Authority as to the details of the visit, as event appearances may be public or by invite only.
Where you can hear from an Inspiring Australian for Australia Day 2026
City of Bayswater – Craig Hollywood (28 January)
Shire of Broome – Conrad Liveris
City of Canning – Pedus Eweama
Shire of Capel – Jawaria Mahmood
City of Cockburn – Jimmy Murphy
Town of Cottesloe – Darryl Davenport
Shire of Donnybrook Balingup – Nilesh Makwana
Shire of Esperance – Naveed Ahmed
City of Gosnells – Maisara Muzaffar
City of Joondalup – Janine Wood
City of Mandurah – Paul Litherland
City of Melville – Steph Jackson
Town of Mosman Park – Ken Gibbons
City of Nedlands – Kendall Whyte OAM (28 January)
Shire of Northam – Nahrel Dallywater
City of Stirling – Rob Geersen
City of Subiaco – Krista Dunstan
City of Swan – Rishelle Hume
Shire of Toodyay – Lueth Garang
Shire of York – Professor Ralph Martins AO