Ms Robina Beard OAM will be coming to Wingecarribee as our Australia Day Ambassador on 26 January, 2024. For over 20 years, Robina was a familiar face to households Australia-wide, playing the part of Madge the Manicurist in a television commercial for Palmolive Dishwashing Liquid. Her memoir, ‘My Life: You’re Soaking in it’ takes its title from her now famous line in this commercial which quickly caught on in popular culture.
Robina’s 65 year commitment to Australian arts was recognised in 2011 with an OAM for her ‘Services to the Theatre, particularly in dance’.
Her love of dance from the age of 7 ultimately earned Robina an Australian Dance Award for Lifetime Achievement. Ausdance National President Susan Street credited her with being one of our country’s most recognizable dance and performing artists.
A former NSW Seniors Festival Ambassador, Robina continues to pour herself into tap-dancing and exercise classes for seniors.
“In the true community spirit of Australia Day in Berrima Village, we are thrilled to host an Australia Day Ambassador who holds a special place in the memories of a generation of Australians and has continued to invest her creative talents in giving-back to Australian culture and community,” says Wingecarribee Shire Council General Manager, Lisa Miscamble.
Come along to the Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony in Marketplace Park, Berrima Village on January 26 at 9:30am and hear from our Australia Day Ambassador Robina Beard OAM as we welcome 32 new community members from the Philippines, South Africa, Germany, the United Kingdom, United States, India, New Zealand, Thailand, Kenya and Isle of Man, to Wingecarribee Shire.
Robina will also congratulate our 2024 Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year as part of this celebratory occasion.
“Community members have nominated a number of remarkable individuals they want to see recognized for the unique contribution they’ve made to their township or village,” Lisa said. “All are so deserving of our community’s appreciation. It’s not going to be an easy decision for those assessing the nominations this year to make in determining who should be our Shire’s Citizen of the Year and Young Citizen of the Year for 2024.”
Immediately following the presentation of these Awards and the Citizenship Ceremony, there will be an Australia Day street parade, market stalls, local food and wine, amusements and loads of family fun to be enjoyed.
Plan your visit https://www.wsc.nsw.gov.au/events-directory/Australia-Day-2024
