Lismore City Council today announced that Geoffrey Coombes OAM is the 2025 Australia Day Ambassador. 

Geoffrey co-founded Tour de Cure, a pioneering Australian charity that has raised over $140 million to fund cancer research, support and prevention programs. 

The 2025 Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony will be held at the Whitebrook Theatre, Southern Cross University on Sunday, 26 January, starting at 9am. 

Mayor Steve Krieg expressed his enthusiasm for having a passionate changemaker as ambassador. 

"We are honoured to have Geoffrey Coombes as our Australia Day Ambassador, someone dedicated to fighting cancer through Tour de Cure,” he said. 

“He is truly inspiring, and we look forward to hearing his story and insights on Australia Day." 

The event will open with a Welcome to Country, followed by the presentation of the Australia Day Awards and a Citizenship Ceremony. 

Mayor Krieg also highlighted his excitement for the ceremony and awards. 

"It is a great privilege to honour the remarkable individuals in our community through the Australia Day Awards and to welcome our newest citizens to the Lismore family,” he said. 

“We will proudly welcome 16 new citizens from 12 countries in the Citizenship Ceremony.”

This year, the Australia Day Awards will recognise achievements across seven categories: 

•   Citizen of the Year

•   Volunteer of the Year

•   Services in Community (Individual)

•   Services in Community (Group)

•   Sportsperson of the Year (Junior)

•   Sports Team/Organisation

•   Arts and Culture

Australia Day is a time to Reflect, Respect and Celebrate all Australians' diverse stories and contributions. 

The public is invited to join in showing appreciation for the outstanding volunteers and community members who make Lismore a better place and in welcoming our newest citizens.