“Every job I’ve been involved in, it’s not just me. It’s the communities,” he said.

“The butcher, the baker, the candlestick maker, and then the volunteer units, and then the professional units –  well I’ve worked with all of those and I know that everyone makes a difference.”

Mr Featherstone will talk about his experiences and deep love for his nation at Inverell and Delungra’s Australia Day ceremonies today. The communities will celebrate from 7.30am at Victoria Park and from 11am at Delungra’s ANZAC park.

“I find it a very humbling experience,” Mr Featherstone said of being an ambassador. He has been talking to Australia Day crowds for 10 years, and said he often requests to visit country areas.

“I try to pass on the word of what’s important in life, and it’s about people. When you come down to everything, that’s what it’s about,” he said.

“With all the jobs and tragedies I’ve been involved in, that really brings it to a head.”

Now a semi-retired keynote speaker, has worked with the NSW Ambulance during many crises, including the Granville rail crash, Beaconsfield mine disaster, Thredbo disaster and Bali bombing. 

He said that tragedies always bring out the Australian spirit, and he remembers crowds of people coming out of the woodwork to lend a hand. 

“When something like a natural disaster happens, it’s just amazing to see the goodness of people come out and share their skills and their time and their efforts to make someone’s life a bit better,” he said. 

Passionate about human values, Mr Featherstone said he believes that families who pass on values like respect help create leaders. 

“I think country areas allow you to do that, because you do suffer hardship and I believe adversity builds character. If you cotton wool your kids too much, they never realise tomorrow’s another day,” he said.