TIFFANY Kane says Australia Day is the perfect opportunity to get together and welcome new citizens into the country.
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The 19-year-old has been announced as the 2021 Australia Day ambassador for Port Macquarie.
Miss Kane has been an ambassador on two other occasions with her last appearance on Australia Day coming in Armidale in 2018.
"I've done it a few times and I enjoy it every time," she said.
"Australia Day is a time to all get together and celebrate what we're all about especially after the year we've had.
"2020 was a tough year and we can all celebrate what we've gone through and the tough times."
She is an accomplished paralympic swimmer who made her career debut at the age of 13 after being born with Hypochondraplasia - a developmental disorder which resulted in her short stature.
"When I was younger I had some self-confidence issues and didn't want to spread about but now I've grown up and I'm just like everyone else," she said.
"I may look different, but there's nothing wrong with me and I'm living my own life. I see myself as the same person as everyone else."
The 2016 Rio Paralympic Games gold medallist is hopeful of making the Australian the team for Tokyo where she will aim to defend her title in the 100-metre breaststroke.
"Representing my country is a great privilege because I get to show the world what I do and the hard work I do," she said.
"Having the green and gold on inspires me because I'm doing it for my country."
In Rio she won a trio of bronze medals which led to her nomination for rookie of the year at the 2016 Australian Paralympic awards.
After tasting so much success, the goal was on replicating the dose.
"I don't want to finish now because it's such an experience and I think I need to keep going and enjoy every moment because it's not something you get every day," she said.
"My greatest achievement would have to be the gold in Rio."
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