AUSTRALIA DAY AMBASSADOR 2024 MS JOANNE TARANTO Jo trained as an Occupational Therapist, graduating from the University of Queensland with Honours in 2004, and has worked internationally in mental health, community development and rehabilitation settings.
Ms Joanne Taranto is Director and Co-founder of Good for the Hood, Sustainability Engagement Consultant and Speaker. Jo Taranto is a Sydneybased community advocate and sustainability educator. Jo grew up in Tenterfield NSW and was the fifth generation to have lived on her family farm. As a child Jo lived through the extreme drought of the 1990s and saw the devastation and toll it took on her family and community.
Completing a Diploma in Health, Safety and Environment in 2009, Jo moved into corporate health and safety, working for more than 10 years with clients like Victoria Police and as the National Safety Manager for a private aged-care provider. After witnessing the increasing climate extremes of this decade and becoming a mother, in 2018 Jo co-founded social enterprise consultancy Good for the Hood, with a mission to create more connected and sustainable communities all over Australia.
Through her efforts, she has been nominated for Citizen of the Year in her own community of Ryde and won several awards including Volunteer Group of the Year for her local campaigns. Jo has worked with more than 200 local government areas and has appeared on national television and media outlets sharing her passion for good citizenship and sustainability. She is currently working as the co-host of a new Channel 10 television series called Planet Shapers. Jo passionately believes in the role grassroots solutions play in strengthening the social and ecological connection of communities. She advocates that everyone has a role to play in making their community or organisation a positive force for good.
AUSTRALIA DAY PROGRAM 2024 ALL DAY
Community Activities
Markets and Food Stalls Children’s Amusements and Games Vintage Car Show
8.00am
Community Breakfast Barbecue
Bacon and egg rolls and a drink. Free for the first 600 people Orange Canobolas Lions Club Catering Van, Rotary Club of Orange
8:30am
Music performances
Brass Band Performance Orange Male Voice Choir Performance Canobolas Highland Pipe Band
9:20am
Official Ceremony
Flag Raising Ceremony conducted
9.25am
Welcome to Australia Day 2024
Master of Ceremonies – Mr Tom Campbell
9.35am
Welcome to Country
Acknowledgement of Country – Deputy Mayor Gerald Power
9.40am
MC Introduction of VIP’s
Federal Member | Andrew Gee State Member | Phil Donato Mayor | Jason Hamling Committee Chair | Matthew Chisholm
10.00am
Citizenship Ceremony
Australian Citizenship Ceremony Australian Citizenship Affirmation Ceremony Australian National Anthem
10.45am
Dance performance
East Orange Physical Culture Perfomance
10.55am
Happy Birthday Cook Park
Cake cutting with new citizens
11.00am
Presentation of the Orange Australia Day Awards
Community Event of the Year Community Group of the Year Environmental Citizen of the Year Business Philanthropy Local Legend Young Citizen of the Year Citizen of the Year
11.30am 11.45am – 1.00pm
Australia Day Ambassador Address
Ambassador: Ms Joanne Taranto
Party in the Park
Echoes of Africa musical performance