Mark Warren son of Ray Warren will present Australia Day honours
IN THE FAMILY: Mark Warren with his father Ray Warren. Picture: supplied
After four years on the Riverina circuit as an ambassador for Australia Day, Mark Warren is heading back to Junee.
Mr Warren will present the town’s Australia Day honours, which considers a sizable honour as the son of Junee’s famed NRL commentator Ray Warren.
“I’ve been all over the world with my sport, but to go to Junee on Australia Day, well it actually makes me a bit teary.”
Now residing in Sydney, Mr Warren still considers himself to be tethered to the bush.
“I can still remember sleeping on the porch of my grandparents’ house on Stewart Street. The sound of the long trains humming past, I still find it so relaxing,” he said.
Addressing recent controversy over changing the January 26 date, Mr Warren expressed his concern that the debate detracts from the heart of the celebration.
“Every country has its past. The important thing is to learn from that past, and if we do that then the day should unite us, not divide us as we [build] a future.”