From Sydney's underworld to his daughter's cancer ward - Craig Goozee announced as Central Darling Shire's Australia Day Ambassador

Ultramarathoner and former NSW policeman Craig Goozee will visit Central Darling Shire as the 2025 Australia Day Ambassador.

Craig Goozee could best be described as an all round good bloke and family man.

Born and bred on Sydney’s Northern Beaches, Craig and wife Lisa built their own home at Avalon where they have since raised their five children, Jessica, Tim, Kylie, Claire and Blake.

After finishing school, Craig joined the New South Wales Police Force where he spent 22 years in service, leading a number of major task force investigations into murders, armed robberies, the supply and manufacturing of drugs and a four year investigation into corruption within the New South Wales Police Service.

In 1997, Craig was part of an elite group of nine NSW Police officers - his work was secret to his family and also fellow Police. His role was to gather intelligence on Crime Syndicate and Drug Lord networks - and the corrupt Police who protected them. 

Craig’s unusual work hours and long absences from home, created its own challenges for Lisa and the family.

While working on Gymea, one of the biggest operations of Craig’s career, came the biggest blow of the Goozee’s lives. Their eldest daughter Jessica, at just eight years old, was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer – Ewing Sarcoma. 

With months ahead of aggressive treatment, the Goozee family had to grow accustomed to a different lifestyle.

From here on, days of surveillance of Sydney’s most heinous criminals, were followed by visits to the hospital to be with Jessica. Craig would arrive to relieve Lisa to return to their younger children, while he camped on a cot in the cancer ward. 

It was chaotic. All the while, Jessica’s effervescent sense of mischief and tenacious drive to overcome was keeping the whole Goozee family positive.

Meanwhile, Craig was fighting two simultaneous battles. One to uncover the web of Police corruption and to arrest the criminals they protect, the other, to do everything to save his daughters life. 

Jessica lost her battle with cancer on 24 June 1999 but during her treatment Craig embarked on a major fundraising initiative called A2B4C to raise money and awareness for childhood cancer research.

Image: A2B4C

In 2000, Craig was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for services to childhood cancer and has been named as an Australia Day Ambassador to deliver keynote speeches on Australia Day every January since. 

Now retired from the police force, Craig spends his days as a personal trainer and motivational speaker, as well as keeping up an intensive training schedule to prepare for his third and final A2B4C event.

A2B4C stands for Australia Square to Bennelong Point for Cancer (the long way round!)

Craig's first journey commenced on May 29, 2009, when he embarked on a 12,500km marathon the entire way around Australia.

Using a combination of running, cycling and ocean paddling, Craig will made his way around the continent through some of Australia’s most beautiful yet harshest terrain.

Sharks, crocodiles, severe weather conditions and physical exhaustion were just a few of the challenges that Craig faced each day

Minister for Jobs and Tourism John Graham said: “These NSW Australia Day Ambassadors represent the heart and soul of our state and showcase the community spirit that we celebrate in NSW.

“Our ambassadors are an integral part of the Australia Day in NSW program and will take part in events and activities in communities right around the state.

“I look forward to seeing this year’s group of accomplished Australians inspire communities and unite us as we come together as a nation to respect and reflect.” Hosted by NSW local councils, the Australia Day Ambassadors will share personal stories of what being Australian means to them.