Mr Austin is a record-breaking world champion swimmer from Wellington.

He lost his left arm just above the elbow at two weeks old, when complications following his birth forced doctors to amputate.

Mr Austin began swimming at the age of four and went on to take up competitive swimming at 19, just six months before the 2000 Paralympic Games where he won a silver medal.

He was the first Paralympian to get a scholarship to the Australian Institute of Sport and won several gold medals at the Athens Paralympic Games and the 2002 Commonwealth Games in Manchester.

Speaking at the official Australia Day ceremony in Mountford Park, Mr Austin said he was honoured to take part in Leeton's celebrations.

"This is my first visit to the Riverina and it has been the amazing landscape that has struck me the most," he said.

"As Australians we maintain the philosophy of a fair go for all and it is through Australia Day we recognise this.

"As a Paralympian I do a lot of public speaking, but being an Australia Day Ambassador is very important to be me because I am able to get out and see the heartbeat of Australia."

Mr Austin was a Young Australian of the Year finalist in 2003 and in 2004 was recognised with a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to Australian sport and advocating on behalf of people with a disability.

Mr Austin said equal opportunity was an important issue for people with a disability.

"People with a disability especially want equal employment opportunities and don't want to be on welfare," he said.

"Having a job gives a sense of achievement and self-worth.

"We are all agents of our own destiny."

While in Leeton Mr Austin was also given a brief tour of the area.