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WYD08 Ambassadors  

Carla Zampatti

Carla Zampatti AM is a leading Australian fashion designer with over 40 years experience in designer fashion and over 30 Carla Zampatti boutiques across Australia.

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As one of Australia's fashion pioneers, Carla Zampatti has extended her career beyond fashion and is currently Chairman of the SBS Corporation, holds Directorships with the Westfield Group and McDonald's Australia, is a Trustee of the Sydney Theatre Company Foundation Trust, and is a Board Member of the Australian Multicultural Foundation.

Born in Italy, Carla settled with her family in Australia in 1950. In 1965, she produced her first small collection for Zampatti Pty Limited, followed two years later by a national launch which was the start of a label that was to become synonymous with beauty and inspiration which combined Australian creativity with Italian style.

Always an industry leader, Carla was one of the first designers to include swimwear into their collection; was commissioned to give Polaroid a new appeal in 1974 creating their first exclusive designer eyewear collection; and in 1985 was one of the first designers in the world asked to design a car.

Carla has been the recipient of many Australian accolades including the first 'Qantas/Bulletin Business Woman of the Year' and the Fashion Industries 'Lyrebird Award for Lifestyle Design'. She was named 'Fashion Designer of the Year' in 1994 by the Australian Fashion Industry and in 2004 the Italian Government appointed Carla 'Commendatore' (Commander) in the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic. In 2005 she was honoured by Australia Post and named an 'Australian Legend' with her face appearing on a limited edition postage stamp. In the same year she was given the 'Award for Fashion Excellence' at the Australian Fashion Design Awards.

She is a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Carla Zampatti as Ambassador for WYD08

"I think World Youth Day is a wonderful celebration of youth and Christianity. I think it's an important reminder of the value of Christian beliefs. Personally, what keeps me committed is my belief in Christian values.

I first heard about World Youth Day when I was living in Paris in the 1990's and the Paris World Youth Day was held.

Young people are our future, and it is very important that we have a close understanding of their values and needs. I hope that this World Youth Day will give us a greater appreciation and understanding of cultural differences. It's an opportunity to meet, talk and understand each other's differences.

Everyone should get on board for World Youth Day and help host the world's youth - I will be hosting a pilgrim in my home during the event.

An important message to young people is that we need time for reflection in modern life. We need the time to focus on what things are really important in life."

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Jared Crouch

Jared Crouch is an Australian Footballer with the Sydney Swans team. He is known as "Crouchie" to Swans fans and media.

Jared was the Sydney Swans top pick from his Norwood Under-18's representative team for the 1995 AFL National Draft. He made his senior debut in 1998 in round seven against Collingwood and played all further games that season, earning a Rising Star nomination.

He secured a well-deserved Australian Guernsey in the 2003 International Rules Series, and in 2004 played a Club record 156 consecutive games, on his way to a representing Australia for the second time.

Jared overcame two collarbone operations in 2005 to break the AFL record for consecutive games (158) and finished in the top-10 of the best and fairest for the seventh straight season. His consecutive run ended with an amazing 194 games due to a chronic ankle injury, broken collarbone along with hamstring and lower back problems in 2006.

He has been referred to as 'a tough, no-nonsense run-with player who can be dangerous near goals'. He is usually given the task of picking up the opposition's most dangerous small forward.

Jared is 30 years old.

Jared Crouch as Ambassador for WYD08

"I was born into a Catholic family and attended a Christian Brothers School in Adelaide. Now I attend Our Lady or the Rosary parish in Kensington and pray regularly.

I have been lucky enough to carry the World Youth Day Cross when it visited Coogee. It was an amazing experience - the Cross gives great strength and continues to focus your thoughts on your faith.

I think World Youth Day will help young people realise how important faith still is in our society and allow them to see so many people from around the world all living and enjoying their faith. I think it will also make the Church listen and learn from our youth, which can only give it strength and continue to get its message out.

It's an honour to be an Ambassador for such an amazing event and to be able to help out as much as I can. My faith is very important to me. It gives my life meaning and direction. Without it, I am lost. It's the reason I have been able to achieve what I have in my life so I am always happy to give back.

I have to say that as a sports player, I get the opportunity to speak to lots of school kids. I've noticed how the world is changing and its impact on young people. They are losing a little of their focus on their faith as they get distracted by things around them. I would like for them to see that having faith can still play a very important role in our society.

During World Youth Day, I'm really looking forward to the coming together of people from around the world to pray and form new friendships.

I know that this event is for the youth of the world, but I would love to see lots of Australians from all over showing the world how important our faith is to us.

My advice to young people is to stay strong. Join together at World Youth Day and see that there are so many others who pray and have similar values. Make new friends and realise that you are not alone."

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The Delezio Family: Ron, Carolyn, Sophie and Mitchell

Sophie Delezio is known to the Sydney public as "little Sophie". She is an eight year old schoolgirl who gained public attention in 2003 through tragic circumstances, when a car crashed into a preschool where 20 students were sleeping.

Seven children were injured when they were trapped under the burning car, with Sophie sustaining the most significant injuries with third degree burns to over 85% of her body. She was hospitalised for several weeks and lost both of her legs. The family lived at the Children's Hospital at Westmead for over 6 months. Some of the rescuers received bravery awards as a result of the accident.

In 2004, Sophie's parents founded the charity - The Day of Difference Foundation which is dedicated to raising funds to save the lives of children who have suffered serious burns or other life threatening illness, trauma or injury.

In 2006, Sophie again made headlines when she was badly injured in a road accident. Her caretaker was pushing Sophie's wheelchair at a pedestrian crossing when a car hit her, throwing her 50 metres. She suffered a heart attack, broken jaw and shoulder bone, bruising to her head, numerous rib fractures and a tear to her left lung. She returned home in late 2006.

That same year, Ron Delezio was named the Australian Father of the Year. He was also nominated as Australian of the Year.

The Delezio's as Ambassadors for WYD08

"We have felt a strong connection with the Church especially at the time of Sophie's first accident. As the children were both baptised at Mary MacKillop Chapel at North Sydney, prayers to Mary MacKillop were extremely important to Sophie?s survival.

Sophie always went into the surgery theatre with a Prayer Card and a Relic from Mary MacKillop. There were only so many ways we could help Sophie during the days when she was so close to death. We had to rely on the strength and precision of the doctors and nurses to do their best, knowing that they really did not have the answers. I remember our surgeon coming out of theatre with his hands in the air saying "It's a miracle, it's a miracle!"

No one has ever survived third degree burns to over 85% of their body. They tried everything they have heard of and more. I believe Mary MacKillop helped the medical teams do what they had to do.

When the medical side is out of your hands, the only other way we could help Sophie was in prayer and knowing that there was a possibility of Sophie going to God if it did not work out. Our prayers and the prayers of millions of people from over 18 different countries kept Sophie alive. No one can endure the difficulties of dealing with their child's critical injuries without having faith. It would have been too hard without believing in God and Mary MacKillop. We hope that the Blessed Mary MacKillop will someday be canonised a Saint because of what she has done for our Sophie.

Being an Ambassador for World Youth Day is time to give back to the Church for what it has given us. It is our extreme honour to be connected with World Youth Day. We are here to tell the people the importance of not giving up and believing that whatever happens, God is there for us.

World Youth Day will show Australians that the Pope seriously cares about the people in Australia, and wants to be with his family here. I hear people from all religions praising the work of our Pope. Pope Benedict is crossing all boundaries in his messages to the world.

Our children are taught religion at school and at home. There are a number of Children in Mitchell's class that say we came from monkeys and not from God. I say to our children that if we came from monkeys, where did the monkeys come from? It makes a lot of sense to our children that God is real and that we need to live according to the 10 commandments and God's teachings.

I witnessed God's love when we saw the World Youth Day Cross and Icon upon its arrival to Australia. Seeing Sophie and Mitchell touching the Cross made me feel that God's energy was passed on to the children and our whole family. It was a very spiritual feeling.

Volunteering as Ambassadors is a real honour for our family. The people of Australia are very aware of our faith and have often been told how important the Church and Mary MacKillop have been in our lives. We are happy to be seen registering for Wold Youth Day and promoting the Delezio family connection with this event. I also feel that many Australians will be very happy to see this connection and our public show of faith.

To all those young people who are feeling the pressure of a secular society on their faith, I would tell them to believe what's in your heart. We must have faith otherwise there is nothing left to believe in."

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Matthew Hayden

Matthew Hayden is a successful Australian cricketer.

He currently holds the record for the highest scores made by an Australian batsman in both the Test (380) and One Day International (181 not out) arenas.

He has won a sleuth of awards including the highly coveted Allan Border Medal in 2002, which recognises the most outstanding Australian cricketer of the past season as voted by his peers, the media and umpires. He has also won the Test Player of the Year in 2002, Wisden Cricketer of the Year in 2003, ICC One-Day Player of the Year in 2007 and One-Day International Player of the Year in 2008.

He made his debut for the Australian Team in 1994 scoring against South Africa in Johannesburg. He wasn't selected for the next Test series against a star-studded Australian team.

During this time, he persisted with domestic cricket, becoming one of the legendary cricketers for the Queensland first-class team.

His persistence and determination resulted in his selection for the 2000/1 tour of India. By the end of 2001, he had broken the record for the most Test runs in a calendar year. He was onto a good thing, especially with his partnership with Justin Langer.

His strength continued into the One-Day arena, and for the 2003 world Cup, he was ranked among the top three batsmen in both forms of the game.

He impressed with his World Cup effort when he averaged 73.22 in scoring 659 runs. This was the most of the tournament, all with a fractured toe and a broken bone in his other foot which he later revealed.

Hayden experienced a slump during 2004-05 and was initially replaced as one-day opener by Michael Clarke. However, he was once again able to resurrect his career. Hayden was typically a patient player, but battled forward to achieve three hundreds in successive matches. This made him the third player next to Bradman and Barrington to score four in a row twice, and passed 1000 runs in a calendar year for the fifth time. After reaching three figures on five occasions during 2005-06 and adding 153 at the MCG a year later, he stands behind only Bradman, Ponting and Waugh on Australia's list of century-makers.

Matthew Hayden as Ambassador for WYD08

"I think it's very challenging to live as a Christian, or any sort of religion, in terms of modern day society. I think it's very difficult as a young adult, and I think I really struggled with that over a long period of time.

It's also difficult as a father of three, and it's difficult as an Australian cricketer. But I guess it's in that struggle that I find the most benefit from it, and I guess Christ all those years ago was saying exactly the same thing.

Whilst I struggle with faith and how its presented, I also understand that it's a just a great part of my life, which in all sorts of scenarios gives me great guidance, a sense of strength and hope in places you come across. Somewhere like India is a good example. You can be staying in a five-star hotel and then walk two streets away and there's a little child dead in the street, or a mother with absolutely nothing but the baby she is holding in her hands. In Australia we can't even begin to imagine that, so I guess my faith is a great balancer in my life as well.

When batting, I make this sign of cross on my palm. I actually love doing that because when I make the cross across the middle I have a little saying that says "Whatever happens today, it's for you". That's part of what I do. I love that part of the day, aye!

The sign of the cross is a very powerful symbol. To me, making that sign is a moment as euphoric as making a test hundred. It's just a general mark to say, in a really good time in my life, which I'm celebrating now, I remember You. There are lots of other times in my life where it's not so positive. But, in the same mark of respect I'll always start a prayer, or a conversation with God. It's not that I ever hear too much back, but in that gentle way, staring that conversation, that communication and opening up my life to Him.

There area few things which probably people don't know. Obviously the sign of the cross is a very outward expression that's associated with me, but I think what people don't understand is just how significant a relationship I have with my faith. Even other little things, apart from the genuflection, is the way I mark the crease. I always mark the crease in a cross. I start with the centre mark and then I go down the line to mark centre or whatever stump which forms the cross. And that started through my relationship with Justin Langer.

I think World Youth Day is about that great energy and spirit. As an elder statesman of the Australian cricket team, you always get an influx of spirit from the young players. They bring it because it's uninhibited, there's little scars, there's just pure emotion and I feel really privileged to be a part of that.

I understand that the Catholic faith is a very hard faith to follow, but I guess the Beatitudes is something which I find very comforting because it's an attitude of hope, it looks the positives, and I think that's something I've found great strength in.

I find a lot of courage and hope in younger people. They come to it with clearer vision. They come to it with a different direction and a different perspective. But all in all, I think it's a wonderful energy, and I think the Catholic faith can do well to harness that energy for the future.

My message to young Catholic Australians is that - and my Mum always says this to me - "oh son, you know, there are many rooms in the house of God". I think that's a particularly comforting thing to understand, that there's a lot of ways to skin a cat, so to speak.

I think your conscience is a very powerful thing, no matter what faith. It?s a good guidance to you and a good way to search your instincts.

Being a Catholic means to be a leader, because you have to challenge the way your peer group will want to steer you in a certain direction. You have to challenge the way that you want to be a witness to Christ. That means going to Mass on the weekend becomes a priority rather than going to a disco, and that takes a lot of organisation!

It takes a lot of courage and it also takes a lot of persistence because you won't always go to Mass and get something unbelievable out of it. It's like scoring a hundred. I actually find it a lot more rewarding in life to do the hard work in the nets and to do the hard work behind the scenes. These simple disciplines in life give me great purpose. So when I make a hundred in the middle it's kind of like that was just because of all this other stuff. So my advice is really to follow your instincts and understand that there are lots of different ways to carry your faith out. And then it's really just having the courage to follow that through."

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Amelia Farrugia

Amelia Farrugia is regarded as one of the brightest stars of opera in Australia, and is now making her mark on the international stage.

Amelia's debut solo recording, Joie de vivre! was released by Universal Music Australia in December 2005 and released in the UK October 2006. Recorded in the UK with the BBC Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Alexander Briger, Joie de vivre! was nominated for a Classical Aria Award in 2006.

This year, Amelia will sing in the final mass for Pope Benedict XVI, World Youth Day 2008. She will perform Musetta, La Boheme and Oscar, A Masked Ball for Opera Australia.

Most recently, Amelia Farrugia made her debut in the role of Rosina, Barber of Seville, under the baton of Maestro Richard Bonynge and performed in Opera in the Vineyards with Teddy Tahu Rhodes.

The first Australian solo artist to record on the prestigious Decca label since Dame Joan Sutherland in 1959, Amelia was featured on national television?s ABC news, The Today Show, Good Morning Australia, Carols in the Domain and on radio as ABC Classic FM's CD of the week and 2MBS FM's CD of the month. Amelia was selected by The Sydney Morning Herald as one of the People to Watch in 2006 and featured in The Sydney Magazine, The Weekend Australian Magazine and a host of other publications.

Amelia Farrugia was named an Australia Day Ambassador in 2005 and was invited to perform the Australian National Anthem at Government House. Amelia was honoured as the very first Ambassador for the Sydney Cultural Council Performing Arts Challenge in 2003.

Amelia is 29 years old.

Amelia as Ambassador for WYD08

"I was raised Catholic and attended Catholic schools. As a teenager, I also attended the Anglican Church, the Assemblies of God Church, Pentecostal Church and the Uniting Church to try to understand more about different religions.

Now I go to Mass with my family and pray regularly. My faith is a very important part of my life. My love of God, my family and a great respect for life keeps me dedicated to my faith.

I heard about World Youth Day and Pope Benedict XVI coming out to Sydney when our city was announced as the venue. This was as exciting as hearing that Sydney won the right to host the Olympics!

World Youth Day is an event in which people from every nation can come together and celebrate their love of God. We are honoured to have Pope Benedict XVI in our country to lead the celebration.

I think it's totally essentially to engage young people, and World Youth Day will be able to do that. World Youth Day will bring Australians a huge sense of pride in our country, a feeling of hope, unity, peace and joy.

I really hope WYD08 inspires young people to think about their faith and commit their lives to God.

I would love to see more young people attending Mass. I would love to see more young people turning to God. I would love to see all nations coming together in peace and harmony."

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Mark Bresciano

Mark Bresciano is an Australian football midfielder, who currently plays for Palermo in the Italian Serie A .

He has represented Australia at all youth levels, including appearances at the 1999 FIFA World Youth Championship and 2000 Olympic Games, and is a regular member of the Socceroos . He played in all of Australia's games at the 2006 FIFA World Cup . Much of his senior club football has been played in Italy , initially with Empoli before moving to Parma, and later Palermo.

Bresciano is one of Australia's most talented footballers and has a renowned eye for goal. He usually plays his football on the left side of midfield but can also play as a forward and in the central or right midfield role. Bresciano is a versatile player who often assists in both attack and defence and is also a set-piece specialist..

Mark as Ambassador for WYD08

"I am honoured to be an Ambassador for such an event. My faith has played a vital role in my life and the success that I have had thus far. It gives me a sense of strength and guidance.

I really feel the need to give back to the Church for what it has given me. I gain much inspiration from the Church and believe there is definitely a greater power which is where I derive a lot of comfort from.

I was born and baptised into a Catholic family, attended Catholic schools and I regularly communicate with God by praying on a daily basis. I also attend Mass when I am able to.

I first heard about World Youth Day in 2005 when it was announced that Sydney was the next host city. I am looking forward to the event and have some friends that will be attending.

I believe World Youth Day will inspire young people to think about their faith and commitment to God and practice it on a more regular basis.

What I hope, is that World Youth Day will inspire young people to strengthen their faith, understand the need for peace and realise that we all need to get along in this world. I hope that people develop a better understanding of each others differences and accept people for who they are.

I hope that young people see that faith plays a huge role in every way, even in today's secular society. So you can see why I'm really looking forward to this event, so I can form new friendships and share people's experiences through God.

An important message to young people is that we need time for reflection in life. Whether it be once a day, once a week, or once a month. We need the time to focus on what things are really important in life. And no matter what kind of situation you find yourself in, God is always with you?"

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Stephen Moore

Stephen Moore is an Australian rugby union player, with his most notable mention as hooker for the Wallabies.

Stephen made his Super 12 debut for the Queensland Reds against the Bulls in 2003. In 2004 he represented Australia in both the U21s and the A squad. Moore made his Australia Test debut as a substitute against Samoa in 2005 and was included in the squad for the Spring Tour. He also played against Italy and France, and featured in every Queensland Red Super 12 game that year.

In 2006, Stephen travelled to Europe for the Autumn Internationals series where he played against Italy (win); in the Australia 'A' squad that defeated Ireland 'A'; and against Scotland in Edinburgh where he scored his first international try.

In 2007 he was included in the Australian squad for the Tri Nations Series.

Stephen has completed a Science Degree at the University of Queensland with a view to study post-graduate medicine.

Stephen is 25 years old.

Stephen as Ambassador for WYD08

"I was brought up in an Irish Catholic household and have always attended Mass from a young age. I was even an altar boy in Mt Morgan, a small mining town in central Queensland!

I derive much inspiration from the Church and believe there is a greater power which is where I derive strength and comfort from.

I think there are two important things for young people to remember - the benefits of being involved with the Church and that the messages conveyed by the Christian faith are constants in an ever- changing society.

World Youth Day will give Australians a chance to learn how the Christian message is followed globally, and I think Australia is very privileged to have the chance to host such an important international event.

But I think the real beauty of World Youth Day is that it is free of discrimination and anyone from any country or culture is encouraged to be involved.

I'm particularly interested in the volunteering program. I have been involved in volunteer work for a number of years, as anything that can change the life of someone less fortunate than me or simply put a smile on their face makes me really happy.

I can't wait for World Youth Day, as I am really looking forward to everyone coming together and embracing the simple and common teachings of the Christian/Catholic faith."

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Jimmy Little: Dr James Little - AO

Jimmy Little is an Indigenous Australian musician who has been recognised with an Order of Australia Medal and was named a National Living Treasure in 2004.

He began his recording career in 1956 quickly reaching the Australian Top Ten charts followed with a string of EP?s, singles and albums including the chart topping 'Royal Telephone' in 1963. More than 75,000 copies were sold, achieving gold record status, and it became one of his signature tunes.

Jimmy has traversed many musical genres moving from pop and country through to reggae.

In the 1980's he became known as a role model for indigenous youth, and is still heavily involved with indigenous education through his work with The Fred Hollows Foundation.

In 1999 he received the adult contemporary ARIA award for his album 'Messenger', and was inducted into the ARIA Music Hall of Fame.

He has received almost every major Australian music industry award during his career, including membership to the Tamworth Country music Roll of Renown, plus honorary doctorates from QUT, Sydney University and The Australian Catholic University.

Jimmy was the recipient of the National Aboriginal Day of Observance Committee's 'Aboriginal of the Year' award in 1989, was named NSW Senior Australian of the Year in 2002 and received the Australia Council's Red Ochre Award for a lifetime of artistic excellence in 2004.

Following a successful kidney transplant in February 2004, Jimmy now travels Australia attending community events, health seminars and music festivals. He is the patron of The Indigenous Doctors Association of Australia, an ambassador for The Fred Hollows Foundation and Kidney Health Australia. Jimmy is also an ambassador for literacy and numeracy with the Federal Department of Education Science and Training, reinforcing positive messages to schoolchildren across Australia.

In 2006, he began the Jimmy Little Foundation to help provide a healthier future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities particularly across regional and remote Australia. www.jlf.org.au

Jimmy Little as Ambassador for WYD08

"I was christened in a Church of Christ in Cummeragunja, Victoria and married in a Church of England.

All through life I have been accepted by all religions as a person of faith who doesn't take sides. My hit song 'Royal Telephone' has provided many invitations from all denominations to meet them and share a common faith.

I believe World Youth Day will highlight the fact that Australia is one of the last frontiers in the global village. We can lead the way like a beacon to another level of fellowship and faith that is more durable and acceptable. This event is about nurturing the youth of the world to find a new level of compassion, pride and wellbeing.

World Youth Day will bring a new awakening to the young people of the world. It will help them think for themselves and not be brainwashed by false promises from the wrongdoers.

I am committed to my faith, as I want to rejoin my family at the end of this life. I believe in the promise and have faith of this happening. This faith keeps me on track to be the best person I can be in this life. I want my family that is with me now to follow me from this life.

I have had the privilege of performing for the last Pope, John Paul II when he visited Alice Springs in 1986. It really was a great event. Pope John Paul II gave an address to the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders in Blatherskite Park which meant a lot.

We need to be structured and disciplined to keep up a standard that all people can keep to. Each generation must be an example to the next and so family values are passed on through time.

I would say to the many young people out there to move away from the influential company you hold who have the bad habits.

Find peace and tranquillity in pursuing private, personal, productive habits.

Don't be poisoned by the ill-doers of the world trying poison each new generation. Things like greed, drugs, sex, crime and injustice are all trying to recruit the young into a growing army of ill-doers.

The human race still has a greater number of good-natured people against the number of wrongdoers. We should not let them take us down the wrong path, the path of self destruction."

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Dr John Herron

Dr John Herron was appointed Chairman of the Australian National Council on Drugs in 2006 following his return from his appointments as Ambassador to Ireland on 2002 and Ambassador to the Holy See on 2003. He was appointed Chairman of the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital Research Foundation in 2007.

He was a Senator in the Parliament of Australia representing the State of Queensland for 12 years from 1990 to 2002. In the latter period he was Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs for five years.

Prior to entering Parliament he was a general surgeon for 30 years and during this time he occupied the positions of President of the Australian Medical Association, Chairman of the Australasian College of Surgeons and Chairman of the Australian Association of Surgeons of his State.

Outside his surgical and political careers he was an officer in the Royal Australian Army Medical Corps and a Squadron Leader in the Royal Australian Air Force.

He has been awarded the Bancroft Medal of the A.M.A. Queensland, the Justin Fleming Medal of the Australian Association of Surgeons, a Citation by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, the Humanitarian Overseas Medal for his service as a Care Australia medical officer during the Rwandan crisis and the Australian Service Medal.

He is a Knight Commander of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem and a Papal Knight of St. Gregory.

He and his wife Jan have six daughters, three sons and 18 grandchildren.

John Herron as Ambassador for WYD08

"I first head about World Youth Day when it was held in Cologne, Germany in 2005. I am delighted to be involved with this event, as I would like to help World Youth Day be the success that it deserves to be.

I think it will bring a greater understanding to Australians of the universality of the Church, and will give young people of the world deeper knowledge about our heritage.

I hope that there will be an increased involvement of youth in the Church and recognition, by media in particular, that religious faith is an important feature in the lives of many Australians.

It is hard for young people to publicly declare their faith, but you need to remember that it's not hard to be a good Catholic. People respect you for upholding your standards.

I've been fortunate enough to meet both Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. One of main highlights was on 5 January 2006 when my wife Jan and I had a 30 minute private audience with Pope Benedict XVI. He is a great leader and an inspirational figure. Australians will be very impressed with him when he arrives.

World Youth Day is a great way for the church to engage young people. It is vital, as these people are the future of our Church, and the hope for all vocations."

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