Australia Day in Yass Valley

Ben Farinazzo – who captured our hearts by overcoming seemingly insurmountable odds on his inspiring journey to victory at the 2018 Invictus Games – has been announced as the Yass Valley Australia Day Ambassador for 2020.

Ben battled post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety as well as a broken back and neck to win two gold medals for Australia in the Open Mens Indoor Rowing Endurance and Sprint events, and achieve a personal best in the Open Mens Heavyweight Powerlifting.

“I am a proud Australian with Italian and Aboriginal heritage and I’m delighted to be making the short trip from my home in Queanbeyan to Yass for Australia Day and I look forward to celebrating with a BBQ breakfast in the park.”

At the age of 16, Ben joined the Australian Army as a Parachute Infantry Officer. He was deployed on active service as part of the International Force in East Timor (INTERET) as an interpreter and community liaison officer for the Australian and Land Forces Commander. He left the military and worked in the area of multinational security, crisis management and emergency evacuations where he was confronted with the Bali bombings, Australian Embassy bombing and Aceh tsunami.

On returning to Australia, Ben turned his focus towards empowering Australia’s young people and held several senior executive roles, including Chief Executive Officer of Outward Bound Australia. Through his work promoting mental health and supporting wounded veterans and their families, he became a founding Director and Ambassador of Soldier On Australia, an Ambassador for Lifeline ACT and ANZAC Bears in Schools.

“Ben’s journey to glory is one of remarkable physical and mental strength,” said Yass Valley Mayor Rowena Abbey. “Only five years ago, Ben was learning to walk again after a horrific mountain bike accident left him with multiple breaks in his spine and neck.

“At the 2018 Invictus Games, he had the crowd cheering on their feet, and then in tears as he embraced his family. We are privileged and honoured to welcome Ben as our Australia Day Ambassador,” Mayor Abbey concluded.

Yass Valley’s official Australia Day event will be held on Sunday, 26 January in Coronation Park, Yass. The Rotary BBQ will start serving breakfast from 7.30am, with formalities commencing at 8am.

Council received over 20 nominations for the 2020 Australia Day Awards, which recognise outstanding community contributions by Yass Valley residents.

“We have some exceptional people being recognised for all the work they do to make Yass Valley the special place it is,” Mayor Abbey said.

The kids’ entertainment will be taken care of, with face painting, a jumping castle and the new Coronation park playground, so Yass Valley families are encouraged to come down to the park on Sunday morning and kick start their Australia Day celebrations.

Australia Day in Yass Valley Where: Coronation Park, Yass  When: Sunday, 26 January 2020 Time: Free BBQ Breakfast available from 7.30am with official proceedings to start at 8.00am.

21 January 2020

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