JOHN Coutis will be Inverell Council's Australia Day Ambassador.

He was born with a severe disability that rendered his legs useless. But he refused to die; and became a speaker of repute.

He has spoken to over 250,000 people throughout corporate and community Australia and 100,000 people overseas.

He was a guest speaker at the 1997 World Masters of Business Seminar; where he shared the day with some of the world's foremost international speakers, such as General Norman Schwarzkopf and Steve Covey.

Dr Mark Victor Hansen, author of the series of books titled Chicken Soup for the Soul, said John "reminds us all of our blessings and the infinite possibilities that are before us.”

John will travel to Ashford for his first official Australia Day function, then on to Delungra's celebrations and finally to the Family Fun Day at the Inverell Pioneer Village.

The Citizen, Junior Citizen and Event of the Year will be announced and John will give an address.

© 2004 Inverell Times

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