Sports commentator and passionate advocate for heart health, Mr Andy Paschalidis, is the Byron Shire’s 2020 Australia Day Ambassador.
Mr Paschalidis will join Mayor Simon Richardson and invited guests on 25 January for the announcement of the Byron Shire 2020 Australia Day Award winners and then attend a number of community events on 26 January.
Mr Paschalidis is a sports commentator but it is for his work establishing the not-for-profit organisation, Heartbeat of Football, that he is really kicking goals.
He founded Heartbeat of Football (HoF) in 2016 after more than 10 amateur football players died in Australia in two years from heart-related incidents.
Since then HoF has partnered with Football NSW to create greater awareness of heart disease in the code, advocating for defibrillators to be located at all sporting grounds and conducting free testing, education and awareness sessions for players as well as coaches and spectators.
Council, through its Australia Day Community Small Grants program, is supporting a number of activities on 26 January including:
Event | Organiser | Date | Venue | Time |
Brunswick Heads Breakfast in the Park – 32nd year | Mullumbimby Rotary Club | 26 January 2020 | Housie Tent, Banner Park, Brunswick Heads | 7.00am – 10.00am |
Survival Day | Sisters for Reconciliation | 26 January 2020 | Apex Park, Byron Bay | 11.00am -2.30pm |
Byron Bay Breakfast in the Park | Rotary Club of Byron Bay | 26 January 2020 | Near Surf Club, Byron Bay | 7.30am -11.00am |
Ocean Shores Aussie BBQ and games | Ocean Shores Community Organisation | 26 January 2020 | Ocean Shores Public School | 3pm – 6pm |