Australia Day Ambassador Program
The Australia Day Ambassador Program is an initiative that sees high achieving and proud Australians attend local Australia Day celebrations in towns and cities across the nation. Australia Day Ambassadors volunteer their time and energy to inspire pride and celebration in hundreds of local communities.
2026 Australia Day Ambassador - Vicki Purnell OAM
Vicki grew up in the Midlands and on the North-West Coast of Tasmania. After graduating from the University of Tasmania she taught maths and science in schools on the West and North-West Coasts before retiring at the end of 2012.
Utilising her sewing skills, Vicki started a project called Bridie’s Blossoms and Blessings at the end of 2013 to ensure that every miscarried and stillborn baby in Tasmania was clothed and farewelled with respect and dignity after her good friend, Anna Connelly, gave birth to a stillborn baby girl called Bridie.
Vicki’s project has grown to support those with dementia, women undergoing treatment for gynaecological cancer and women and children at a local women’s shelter. She is also an advocate for women’s health and as gynaecological cancer survivor she is a presenter in the Survivors Teaching Students program which aims to raise awareness of the symptoms of ovarian and gynaecological cancers amongst the next generation of health professionals.
She was recognised for her volunteer work by being named the 2019 Local Hero for Tasmania and was awarded an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) on Australia Day 2022.
For further information on the Australia Day Ambassador Program, please see the Australia Day Website.
