QUEANBEYAN acting export Mike Smith is set to return to his beloved hometown on Monday, January to help headline local Australia Day celebrations.
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The actor, who has been appeared in All Saints, City Homicide and Winners and Losers actor, said he is looking forward to returning to Queanbeyan for the special occasion and especially enjoying the sense of community often lacking in the bigger cities.
"I'm excited to come back, I've missed celebrating Australia Day in Queanbeyan for many years," he said.
"That's something I'll talk about in my address. I'll name a couple of my different Australia Day experiences. I've celebrated it on the other side of the world but nothing beats being at home for it.
"It's always like a breath of fresh air coming back to Queanbeyan."
The 42-year-old has fond memories of celebrating Australia Day with his family and recalls epic cricket matches in the backyard.
"I remember dad mowing the grass and creating a cricket pitch, we'd have the barbecue going, mum would be making a salad. The kids from around the neighbourhood would jump the fence and come around to play cricket," he said.
"I remember other years we would pack a picnic and go down to the Molonglo River just outside of Queanbeyan and of course, many times we would go down to celebrate at Town Park."
After witnessing an Australian citizenship ceremony last year, Mr Smith said he is particularly looking forward to watching another one at the Queanbeyan celebrations.
"It was a real eye-opener to see all these lovely people from Polynesian countries, India, Asia and Africa, people of all races and religions with massive smiles on their faces. They had waited so long and worked so hard for their Australian Citizenship, these people haven't taken it for granted. It was an honour to see that firsthand."
Mr Smith, who currently resides in Melbourne, said Australia Day was a good opportunity to get together with the family, community and reflect on modern Australia and what it is to be Australian.
"It was a big surprise to be asked [to be the Queanbeyan Australia Day ambassador] but it's something that is an honour and that I cherish," he said.
"I'm humbled by it, it's not something I take lightly."
This Monday, January 26, head down to Town Park to enjoy the festivities from 4.30pm. Fireworks from 9pm.
Celebrations will move to the Bicentennial Hall at 253 Crawford St if inclement weather affects the event. Fireworks will be cancelled if weather is inclement.