Southern Grampians Shire Council is pleased to announce that Emily Burke will be the Australia Day Ambassador attending the official 2018 Southern Grampians Shire Australia Day Celebrations held at the Hamilton Botanic Gardens on 26 January.
Silver-toned operatic soprano Emily Burke, who is described as vivacious and commanding on the stage, originally hails from Hobart and went on to study in Melbourne and Italy.
In 2006 she made her operatic debut singing the role of Gilda in Rigoletto for Opera Australia. Debuts with Victorian Opera and Opera Queensland closely followed and also internationally in Tokyo as Anna in Nabucco. Operatic roles include Madam Butterfly, Mimi in La Boheme, Rosalinde in Die Fledermaus, Pitti-Sing in The Mikado, Frasquita in Carmen, Clorinda in Cinderella and The Widow in The Merry Widow.
Emily has recently started writing her own one-woman show as well as shows for children's television based on famous Operas. She was also one of the winners in the highly successful ABC television series Operatunity OZ.
Emily is proud to be an Australia Day Ambassador and will give an official address at this year’s official Southern Grampians Shire Australia Day celebrations.
Southern Grampians Shire Council Mayor Cr Mary-Ann Brown said “We are thrilled that the very talented Emily Burke will be the Shire’s ambassador for Australia Day. I am sure that the Community will be inspired listening as Emily speaks about her life on the stage and her love for our country.”
The Australia Day Ambassador program sends high achieving Australians to over 300 community celebrations nationwide every Australia Day. Ambassadors are sportspeople, scientists, businesspeople, actors and community workers who provide added inspiration and pride to Australia Day events and activities. The Australia Day Ambassador Program is coordinated by Australia Day Councils and Committees in each state and territory.
Hamilton’s Australia Day celebrations will take place at the Botanic Gardens from 10:30am and will include flag-raising, musical performances by local artists, citizenship ceremony, presentation of the Australia Day awards and a free BBQ. For further information regarding other celebrations taking place within the Shire to celebrate Australia Day.