Sydney Swans Leo Barry runs with the ball as Melbourne's Travis Johnstone looks on during the Sydney Swans v Melbourne Demons AFL round four match in Sydney, Sunday, April 23, 2006.
Photo by
Warren Clarke/AAP
Australia Day in Edward River is gearing up to be a big one, with homegrown AFL superstar Leo Barry secured as the 2022 ambassador.
Mr Barry — the son of Leo snr and Judy Barry of Deniliquin — played 237 games for the Swans from 1995 to 2009, and is most well known for ‘that mark’ in the Swans’ successful 2005 AFL premiership game.
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He now lives in Melbourne where he is a senior investment manager with Fairview, and last year demonstrated his continuing commitment to the Sydney Swans by joining its board.
The dual All-Australian defender is a former Deniliquin Rams junior and a member of the Swans’ hall of fame .
Barry will give the Australia Day address at the ceremony in Deniliquin on January 26.
Held in the Waring Gardens, the event will begin with the traditional community breakfast from 7.30am and include entertainment from Sing Australia and the Edward River Big Band.
Australia Day awards Citizen of the Year, Senior Sports Award, Junior Sports Award, Arts & Culture Award, Community Event or Initiative of the Year, and the Environmental Citizen of the Year (the Bill Hermiston Memorial Award) will be awarded as part of the morning.
Edward River Council general manager Phil Stone said the awards are a great way to recognise community members who have contributed significantly to our region.
‘‘Edward River is a great community, with many standout leaders in sport, the environment, arts and events — it would be great for us to recognise those leaders,’’ he said.
