Mr Candusso, senior lecturer in Charles Sturt University's School of Communication and Creative Industries at Wagga, will speak at the city's Australia Day official ceremony on January 26.

His work includes being sound editor of several Hollywood movies, including most lately The Lego Movie and The Great Gatsby.

He also worked on the Academy-award-winning movie Happy Feet.

He has won many awards, including several Australian Screen Sound Guild awards for The Great Gatsby. 

Mr Candusso is one of more than 20 ambassadors who will star on Australia Day in the Riverina.

Others include Olympic decathlete Peter Hadfield OAM at Balranald, travel show host Catriona Rowntree at Deniliquin and former chairman of the NSW Community Relations Commission Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian OBE at Hay.

Mr Candusso said he felt it was a huge honour to be Wagga's Australia Day ambassador.

"It came completely out of the blue," he said.

Married and the father of two young boys, Mr Candusso moved to Wagga with his wife about eight years ago.

Without revealing exactly what he planned to speak about, Mr Candusso hinted his speech might contain why he came to Wagga and what the city has done for his life, including work-life balance.

He said living in Wagga did not disconnect him Sydney, from where he came, and from working at the highest levels in his profession.

BALRANALD SHIRE: Peter Hadfield OAM

BLAND SHIRE: Bruce Venables

BOOROWA SHIRE: Gretel Killeen

CARRATHOOL SHIRE: Don Hazelwood AO OBE

COOLAMON SHIRE: Debbie Watson OAM

COOTAMUNDRA SHIRE: Rick Timperi

DENILIQUIN COUNCIL: Catriona Rowntree

GREATER HUME COUNCIL: Ronni Kahn

GRIFFITH CITY: Lyndey Milan OAM

GUNDAGAI SHIRE: Jacinta Tynan

HARDEN SHIRE: Jeff Sayle OAM

HAY SHIRE: Dr Stepan Kerkyasharian OBE HON DLITT

JUNEE SHIRE: Matthew Levy

LEETON SHIRE: Anupam Sharma

LOCKHART SHIRE: Joanne Carter

MURRUMBIDGEE SHIRE: Gary Dawson OAM

NARRANDERA SHIRE: Paul Featherstone BM ASM

TEMORA SHIRE: Joe Snell

TUMBARUMBA SHIRE: To be confirmed

TUMUT SHIRE: Catherine De Vyre

URANA SHIRE: Greg Donovan

WAGGA CITY: Damian Candusso

YOUNG SHIRE: Valerie Parv