Ms Beckwith (30) is a Paraylmpian and a disability rights advocate.

She represented Australia on 13 occasions in competitive swimming with the pinnacle of her swimming career being represented Australia at the Sydney 2000 Paralympic Games.

She competed in everything from the 50m freestyle to the 200m freestyle, individually and as a team member of the both the 4 x 50m medley and 4 x 50m freestyle relays.

It was in the 4 x 50m freestyle relay that Ms Beckwith won a bronze medal.

Having retired from competitive swimming, she now works for the peak disability right and advocacy agency, People with Disability Australia Incorporated, as an advocate.

Ms Beckwith has also recently been appointed to the NSW Disability Council which has advisory functions to the NSW Minister of Disability Services.

She has travelled extensively internationally but proudly calls Sydney home.

Ms Beckworth will present the keynote address at the shire’s official Australia Day celebrations in Littleton Gardens on Australia Day.

Other activities on the day will include breakfast in the park, a naturalisation ceremony for new citizens and the presentation of awards to the Bega Valley Shire Citizen and Junior Citizen of the Year and the Bega Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Bega Community Citizen and Junior Citizen of the Year.

Later in the morning Ms Beckworth will travel to Cobargo for celebrations there.

District Commissioner of Scouts, Margaret Bateman, will be the Australia Day Ambassador at the Merimbula celebrations.

The Australia Day Ambassador Program, sponsored by Woolworths, sends high achieving Australians to community Australia Day celebrations all over NSW.

The program began in 1990 with nine Ambassadors and has steadily grown over the years.

In 2007, nearly 200 ambassadors took part in celebrations across the state from Auburn and Albury to to Wyong, Yass and Young.

They come from a wide range of fields and include sports heroes, celebrities, writers, artists, business people, environmentalists, scientists, and community workers.

The one thing they have in common is their love for Australia Day and their generosity in giving up their time.