South Burnett Australia Day Ambassador announced…
South Burnett Regional Council is pleased to announce that Emeritus Professor Ken Donald AO will join the South Burnett community to help celebrate Australia Day!
Australia Day is not only a time to celebrate all things Australian, but provides an opportunity to recognise our community members who excel in their chosen field, or that go the extra mile to help others!
“Australia Day is also an occasion to showcase what’s great about the South Burnett and to remember how fortunate we are to live together here in Australia. I know that the South Burnett communities will put on a memorable day and having Ken here makes it all the more special,” Chief Executive Officer Mark Pitt said.
Ken Donald has had a long career in medicine and medical education. As an academic he has published extensively in peer reviewed journals and text books. He has held numerous senior positions including Head of the School of Medicine at The University of Queensland, Director of Pathology Royal Brisbane Hospital, Deputy Director-General of Queensland Health, General Manager John Hunter Hospital, and Director of Medical Services Royal Darwin Hospital.
He has served on many committees including President of the Australian Cancer Society and Chair of a major committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council. Ken was the inaugural chair of the Repatriation Medical Authority which restructured decision making in the war veterans’ compensation system and was made an honorary life member of the RSL for this work.
Ken’s loyalty and commitment to the health of Queenslanders is unrivalled. He was honoured as a Queensland Great in 2012 and awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia for contributions to medicine, education and veterans’ health.
Ken currently works as a professor at the School of Medicine Griffith University. He represented Australia in rugby as a Wallaby from 1957 to 1959 before retiring aged 24 to pursue medical studies, and managed the Wallabies from 1978 to 1980.
Ken is proud to be an Australia Day Ambassador and looks forward to joining the Australia Day celebrations in the South Burnett.
Australia Day Ambassadors generously volunteer their time and share their Australian story at hundreds of community events on Australia Day. Ambassadors continue to inspire communities where they become a guest of honour and participate in activities as diverse as the communities themselves.
Mr Pitt said, “I invite the South Burnett community to get involved this Australia Day… come along to your local event and celebrate what makes the South Burnett great.”
Emeritus Professor Ken Donald AO will be attending the following events:
- Australia Day Award Presentation
When: Saturday 25 January, 2020 at 6:00pm
Where: Kingaroy Town Hall
- Kingaroy Australia Day Celebrations / Citizenship Ceremony
When: Sunday 26 January, 2020 from 7:00am
Where: Kingaroy Show Grounds
For further information regarding Australia Day in the South Burnett see our Australia Day event page, contact Council’s Executive Services team on 4189 9100 or email Council.
Image: Australia Day Ambassador emeritus professor Ken Donald
