Mr Cronin, who has led a range of information and technology companies, will address the public at the Australia Day celebrations on Friday.

The activities will begin at Victoria Park at 7.30am. The Dubbo Macquarie Rotary Club will serve a barbecue breakfast before the official ceremony starts at 8.30am.

As well as the address by Mr Cronin, the day will also include a citizenship ceremony, a mayoral address and the presentation of the Australia Day awards.

Mr Cronin said to him, being an ambassador was a way to say thank you to Australia.

“Given that I have been here for 30 years in Australia, multiculturalism has always been an interest. I came as an economic migrant, but my kids are very Australian,” he said.

“I came from Ireland and I married a girl whose mum came from Scotland and her dad grew up in Dubbo. My father-in-law is going to come along, he lives in Young now, and there’ll be five or six family members coming as well.”

While becoming an ambassador is something he had always considered, Mr Cronin said this was his first year in the role.

“It’s all new so if I make a mistake let me know, but I’m excited to see what happens. I’m hoping to get out and say hello to as many people as possible,” he said.

Mr Cronin said working in IT was a natural progression from his love of technology. However, he said he also wanted to hold a position were he was able to interact with the public and meet people.

“It’s been a good career, it’s been very diverse. I’ve worked in everything from government legislation to laptops for children and NBN,” he said.

As part of the Australia Day celebrations there will be free entry to the Dubbo Regional Aquatic Centre between 11am and 1pm. There will be free entry to the Wellington Pool between 12pm and 2pm.