Knowing early on that holding the festivities in the usual location of Billabong Park was not an option due to difficulties monitoring the number of attendees, the committee decided to move the event to the open-air pavilion at the Gloucester Showground.

Committee president, Luke Hester will kick off the proceedings at 8am with the much-loved Australia Day breakfast barbecue being served at 8.15am. Entertainment will presented by Gloucester High School students followed by an address by school captains, Hayden Reid and Danielle Channon. After the awards for the Bested Dressed competition are presented, this year's Ambassador, Gloucester's-own Brian Beesley will give a little speech.

Brian's community work has been centred around church, Rotary and community health. He held the position of Congregational Chair of the Gloucester Uniting Church for many years, as been the District Governor of Rotary Club District 9650 and has just completed a three year term on the National Board of Australian Rotary Health. He is currently a community representative at the John Hunter Hospital, is on the board of Lifeline Mid-North Coast and is a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

So what does Australia Day means to Brian?

"We live in a country of opportunity. Comparative to our Pacific neighbours, we are wealthy and healthy. We need to manage our unique position with tact, diplomacy and the courage to share," Brian said. "Being patriotic to a country gives me a feeling of bond with my fellow Australians, a sense of belonging and a shared identity. Australia Day to me is a time to connect our past to our future."

For Brain, celebrating Australia Day is about embracing Australia's diversity.

"Whether we are born and bred with Aussie dirt under our toenails or we have accepted this piece of world as our home, we can for one day be thankful for being Australian," he said. "From our amazing Indigenous heritage through colonisation and now globalisation; we can celebrate our ability to express our freedom of speech, travel relatively freely and predominantly feel safe."

He believes all countries have a little something that makes them unique.

"In Australia, our sense of humour, and our acknowledgement of fair play allow us to cook a snag on the 'barbie' and share a cold one with friends who may enjoy papadam, kebab, kranski and wine."

There has also been an additional nominee for the Local Citizen of the Year:

Pamela Coote - Pamela selflessly volunteers her time to the Gloucester community in many ways including St Josephs Primary School where she gives up her time to help out with the reading program, shared table or the uniform shop. She is adored and valued by the students, staff and families. Pamela delivers Meals on Wheels and volunteers her time transporting local residents within the community to their appointments. She is a very kind and generous person who would do anything to help someone out and is a valuable member of our community.

For more information about the Australia Day celebration, visit www.gloucesteraustraliaday.com/.