Council
12 January, 2026
Mental health, veteran advocates named as Yass Valley’s Australia Day ambassadors
Local mental health and veteran advocates Ben Maguire AM and Marina Maguire OAM have been named as Yass Valley Council’s Australia Day ambassadors for 2026.
Local mental health and veteran advocates Ben Maguire AM and Marina Maguire OAM have been named as Yass Valley Council’s Australia Day ambassadors for 2026.
The Maguires will speak at the Australia Day ceremony at Coronation Park in Yass on the morning of January 26.
The event, commencing at 7.30am, will also include a citizenship ceremony and the presentation of Australia Day awards.
This year’s awards will include Citizen of the Year, Senior Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Sportsperson of the Year, Community Group of the Year, Volunteer of the Year and Event of the Year.
A complimentary barbecue breakfast for attendees will be provided by Yass Rotary with morning tea to be provided by the CWA.
The Maguires are well known for their contribution to veterans, first responders and the wider community through their not-for-profit organisation, Remount.
Remount, founded in 2016, supports people living with service-related trauma including PTSD, anxiety and depression.
The Maguires use structured horsemanship, cattle mustering and leatherwork to help participants reconnect with themselves, nature and community.
They are also passionate advocates on the national stage for mental health and suicide prevention in the veteran and rural communities.
The Maguires were inspired to establish Remount after meeting a retired US Marine at a camp draft in Longreach, Queensland who introduced them to equine therapy.
Since then, they have supported more than 450 participants with programs designed to help re-build courage, confidence and self-worth.
“We remind people there’s a community who appreciate their service,” Mr Maguire said.
“It can break a cycle of someone’s lack of self-worth and really remind them of how good life can be,” he said.
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