Maree Caldow.By Bridget Cook
TWO worthy role models have been chosen as the Australia Day Ambassadors 2011 for the Hampton Park and Cranbourne celebrations.
Harness Racing Trainer Maree Caldow will be the ambassador at the Hampton Park event and former SBS Melbourne General Manager Mike Zafiropoulos will attend the Cranbourne event.
The two will give their time on Australia Day in 2011 to play a range of roles in bringing together the community based celebrations, which provide an opportunity for townships to come together and celebrate our national day.
Ms Caldow is the wife of successful freelance reinsman John Caldow.
She has made a sizable impact on the harness racing industry since assuming control of the family’s Melton training establishment in the 1999/2000 season. Ms Caldow has prepared more than 400 winners who have accumulated more than $2.5 million in prize money.
Some of her successes include Group Three Ladyship Cup, Silver Chalice, Graham Goffin Memorial and Victoria Cup Consolation with reigning Australian Mare of the Year, Nolarama, as well as the Group One VicBred Super Series Final with Harry Moreau.
Mr Zafiropoulos’s list of achievements and community involvements is endless.
He has had more than 40 years’ involvement in community affairs in a wide range of fields, covering the arts, sport, health, welfare, local government and philanthropy.
His contribution is broad and includes local, state, national and international activities.
Some of his past services include Member of the Victorian Soccer Federation Appeal Board, elected to the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria, Regional Convener for Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal, Harmony Day Ambassador and Chair of Regional Arts Victoria.
He has also served as a member of a number of advisory committees, such as Australia’s Bicentennial Celebrations, Victoria’s 150th Anniversary, the Immigration Museum of Victoria and the 2006 Commonwealth Games Social Inclusion Committee.
He has been recognised on numerous occasions for his contribution, having received many prestigious awards. Deputy Premier Rob Hulls, who announced the ambassadors last week, said Australia Day Ambassadors represented the broad range of experience of our rich nation and worked to bring an understanding of the importance of coming together as a community.
“They promote ideas surrounding nationhood, inclusion, diversity and excellence and I congratulate this year’s ambassadors and thank them in advance of their hard work and dedication to this important task,” Mr Hulls said.
“Our ambassadors are often inspired by the level of community engagement and genuine pride which is present at local celebrations.”
Australia Day Ambassadors act in an honorary capacity, giving freely of their time to help celebrate Australia Day on January 26, 2011.
