Ambassadors

Russell Crowe in Gladiator, Rizzo in Grease, Emilio Estevez in Mighty Ducks - every great cause needs a great leader.

And Thong Day is no different – sure, our ambassadors won’t be required to wear kilts but they will be required to wear thongs, a pretty small ask really when you consider what old Rusty went through.

Our thong-bassadors have come out from hiding – and have prepared their feet for their glorious thong debut. They're done with their ped-egg (ew) so we can let them loose.

Our Ambassadors won't just be footing about, some of them will be rocking (or thonging) up to some of our most creative host events. Of course, not all of the Ambassadors are able to do this due to personal commitments, but we can tell you that most of them are keen as (toe) mustard to surprise you at your Thong-a-thon!

 

	Bernard Fanning Bernard Fanning is Youngcare's longest serving Ambassador. Bernard is an esteemed Australian musician and has curated all of the Youngcare Benefit Concerts. Bernard's dedication and commitment to Youngcare and the cause we fight for has been amazing and unprecedented.
	Gyton Grantley Gyton Grantley has worked extensively in Theatre, TV, Film and voice-overs and is best known for his AFI award-winning portrayal of Carl Williams in the highly acclaimed Underbelly series. He leads a stellar cast in Beneath Hill 60, and appeared in the AFI nominated feature Balibo. Gyton lives in Bondi and loves surfing and has a knack for beat boxing.
	Wil Anderson Wil is a stand up comedian, touring Australia and the world at every opportunity. He hosts the high rating ABC TV series, The Gruen Transfer - a role that saw him nominated for a Gold Logie, and spawned an election spin off, The Gruen Nation. Wil has a new show Wilful Misconduct earning rave reviews and winning the Bulmer's People’s Choice Award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
	Amy Meredith A journey is a fitting way to describe the last few years of life for Amy Meredith. From shaping their sound in a rehearsal room in Sydney’s Sutherland Shire to industry showcases in Hollywood – all before the melodic synth-rock act even had half a dozen songs to their name – their rapid rise has been paralleled by a sharp learning curve.
	Lizzy Lovett An all rounder in the Australian entertainment industry, Lizzy Lovette is one of Australia’s most loved MC’s, a standout television and radio host, entertainment reporter and media commentator. Lizzy currently hosts The Music Jungle and has interviewed some big names in the music and entertainment industry, like Pink, Chris Brown, and the Black Eyed Peas.
	Ben O’Donogue For chef and television presenter Ben O’Donoghue, cooking is a passion and an instinct. Ben started his career working in a number of top class Australian restaurants in Perth before moving to London, where he joined his mate Jamie Oliver at the exclusive Monte's Club as Executive Chef. A new book for Ben is to be launched in November this year called At Home.
	Melissa Downes Well-respected journalist Melissa Downes is Channel Nine Queensland’s Nine News weekday presenter. Downes has also hosted and reported for the top rating local afternoon programs Extra, Saturday Extra, Gold Coast Weekend, Saturday Afternoon.
	Berrick Barnes Berrick was first selected for the Wallabies squad in 2007, making his debut off the bench against Japan and scoring two tries. With 24 hours notice, he was called into the starting line-up against Wales where he set up a try and kicked a drop goal in an impressive performance, Berrick made his Reds debut in Super 14 in the first match of 2006.
	Emily Jade O’Keefe Emily Jade is a Jill of all trades – a radio announcer on Sea Fm Tasmania, C- Fm Toowoomba, Hot Tomato on the Gold Coast, No. 1 in afternoons for Nova 106.9 Brisbane for 4 years and now on 104.5 MMM in The Cage.She is also social commentator for Mornings with Kerri-Anne and Brisbane's hottest personal blogger for the Couriermail.com.au as Emily Everywhere.
	James Horwill Captain of the Queensland Reds (since 2008) and Wallaby Lock, James Horwill is one of the most respected players in world rugby, and all at the tender age of 23. James’ inclusion in the Wallaby squad for the 2006 Spring Tour resulted in him debuting for his nation against Fiji in Perth in 2007.
	Jaynie Seal Jaynie Seal is a weather presenter for Nine News who has more than 10 years in radio and television as well as live performances to her credit. Jaynie has worked as a voiceover artist and singer for numerous Sydney radio stations. Jaynie has trained extensively as a singer and dancer, appeared in TV ads choreographed corporate shows and danced with Kylie Minogue and Thelma Houston.
	Biggzy Carla ‘Biggzy’ Bignasca has been in radio since 2002 where she was a volunteer announcer at Sydney’s 2RPH, Radio for the Print Handicap radio station. Since then she has worked for some of Australia’s leading radio networks as an announcer and producer, and as co-hosts the Hot30 Countdown, has chatted with a multitude of stars including Robert Downey Jnr, Pink, Rihanna and Good Charlotte.
	Heidi Valkenburg Heidi Valkenburg is co-host of the Nine Network’s successful kids show Kids WB. Heidi, has a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Theatre Studies at Melbourne’s Latrobe University, previously appeared in Neighbours. Heidi also enjoys writing, dancing, painting and singing. She’s also an enthusiastic sports lover, enjoying netball, soccer, surfing and baseball.
	Leigh Buchanan Flamboyant fashion designer, Leigh Buchanan, is whipping up a frock for Youngcare, harnessing all his creative brilliance to design something spectacular out of thongs! The runner up on Project Runway Season One, Leigh won countless fans with his daring and theatrical creations. Renowned for his bridal and evening designs, Leigh is an in-demand couture designer and colourful identity around Brisbane.