Our nation's diversity should be celebrated, according to award-winning sound designer and Charles Sturt University (CSU) academic Mr Damain Candusso, who's been named as the 2015 Australia Day ambassador for Wagga Wagga.

A senior lecturer in sound and multimedia in CSU's School of Communication and Creative Industries, Mr Candusso is looking forward to the role.

"Wagga Wagga is known for producing high achieving sports people so coming from a creative industries background I'm honoured to have the opportunity to highlight another aspect of our community," he said.

"For me, Australia Day is about celebrating diverse backgrounds. My Mother's side is Australian, my father's side is Italian and my wife's from a South America background. We are a bilingual household, multiculturalism has helped make Australia what it is today."

Mr Candusso moved to Wagga Wagga for a 'tree change' more than eight years ago and has continued to work as a sound designer for the feature film industry.

"Moving to a regional area has improved my work life balance and with a supportive employer in Charles Sturt University I've been able to stay connected and continue to work at a high level in the industry," he said.

Mr Candusso has worked on The Lego Movie, The Great Gatsby, Happy Feet 2, Sanctum, The Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ha'Hoole, Daybreakers, Australia and 79th Academy Award winner for best feature film, Happy Feet.

He has been nominated for four Motion Picture Sound Editors (MPSE) Golden Reel Awards, including The Lego Movie, and has won many Australian Screen Sound Guild (ASSG) awards.

In 2002 Mr Candusso received a Centenary Medal for contribution to Australian culture for his work in the film industry and in 2010 was recognised for his contribution to the international film sound industry by the City of Los Angeles.

Mr Candusso will address the Australia Day Awards Ceremony on Saturday 24^th of January at the Wagga Wagga Civic Theatre. Read more about Australia Day celebrations in Wagga Wagga here.