Harness racing driver Amy Tubbs will be the special guest at Australia Day celebrations in Stawell, while cataract specialist Dr Noel Alpins will visit St Arnaud.

Tubbs represented the state in the 2004 Australasian Young Drivers Championship during the famous Inter Dominion Championships and is one of three female drivers ranked in Victoria's top ten.

In the past five years, the 27 year old has established herself as the rising star of Australia's driving ranks.

She has also ventured into training, receiving her A grade trainers' license in the 2006-07 racing season. Tubbs proved her prowess in her first year as a trainer, with one of her horses representing her in the final of the prestigious Breeders Crown 2yo Trotters final.

Dr Alpins has been specialising in cataract and refractive surgery since founding New Vision Clinics in Melbourne in 1996.

He speaks widely on these topics at national and international meetings and has been a keynote speaker and chair on many occasions.

Dr Alpins pioneered small incision cataract surgery in Victoria and is a current member of the Excimer Laser & Research Group. He is also an associate fellow at the University of Melbourne where he completed his Diploma of Opthalmology in 1977.

In addition to developing new methods for analysing optical defects such astigmatism, Dr Alpins has innovated techniques for the treatment of the condition.

Northern Grampians Shire Mayor Cr Dorothy Patton said Council was looking forward to hosting the Australia Day ambassadors.

"We are fortunate to have two wonderful representatives from the science and sporting fields attending our Australia Day celebrations next year," she said.

"The ambassador program is a fantastic opportunity for our local residents to meet inspirational Australian achievers and hear their stories.

"We hope that on Australia Day our communities will come together and show their patriotism and pride in our nation."