Forbes Shire Council is excited to announce advocate for inclusion and Where There’s a Will Founder and CEO, Ms Ange Clarke, as its 2025 Australia Day Ambassador.
Ms Clarke will take part in Forbes Shire Council’s official Australia Day proceedings at the Citizen of the Year Gala Dinner on Saturday 25 January, and the Community Breakfast at Lions Park on Sunday 26 January, as well as enjoying all that Forbes has to offer during her stay.
Ms Clarke’s son, Will, lives with autism, and during his childhood he often struggled to be included in activities most children would fit into easily.
Determined to break the stigma around people with disabilities and be a champion for inclusion, Ms Clarke has spent the last 28 years creating opportunities and programs for people of all abilities to thrive.
Will is an avid cricket fan, so Ms Clarke created Where There’s a Will in his name – a business that re-purposes donated cricket bats into works of art and symbols for inclusion and kindness. It has been so successful some bats now appear at celebrity’s homes in Hollywood and Australia House in London.
Her work highlights how simple, thoughtful actions can create stronger, more connected communities.
Ms Clarke is no stranger to Forbes, having grown up in nearby Orange. She said it was a privilege to return to Forbes in an official capacity as an Australia Day Ambassador.
“I’m very keen to share my story and passions with the Forbes community and I can’t wait to get involved in the events over the weekend to celebrate Australia Day,” she said.
“It’s an honour to be an Australia Day Ambassador. You get the privilege of meeting inspiring people who have achieved great things in their community and inspired others around them to be better.”
The Gala Dinner will begin at 6pm and will see the Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Senior Citizen of the Year awards presented.
The Australia Day Community Breakfast will run from 8am – 10am, with an official ceremony starting at 9:15am, including the Rotary Citizenship Awards.
Image caption: Ange Clarke, left, with her son Will, second from the right, former Australian cricket captain Steve Waugh, right, and artist Ben Quilty, second from left.