Many know Judith Law for her work advocating for topics such as the Australian Flag, daylight savings, and Australia Day.

What some might not know is how she came to feel passionate for these topics.

For Mrs Law, becoming an activist was not always on the cards, and in fact, it came about one day when listening to her trusty radio.

It was 1994 and it had just been announced that the Australian citizenship pledge would be changing from what was originally an oath pledging allegiance to the crown and God.

“I can’t say that I live alone, but my constant companion these days is the radio day and night,” Mrs Law said.

“In December 1994, on the late news, the report was that Australian citizens will no longer swear the oath of allegiance to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, and I thought to myself, oh, this doesn’t seem right, I haven’t heard much about this at all,

“The next day, I did something totally out of my comfort zone … I rang the Northern Daily Leader and from there people started to contact me,” she said.

Mrs Law was able to connect with likeminded individuals.

They worked together, creating meetings and reaching out to those in positions of power to try and understand the changes, and challenge the decision.

“We contacted the politicians who made the decision … I felt that we should have been more informed, our council was on our side, so I held a public meeting which was quite successful,” Mrs Law said.

Mrs Law is proud of Gunnedah and its community; she believes that Australia Day should be the chance for all to come together.

“Let Gunnedah set the precedent for understanding each other,” Mrs Law said.

“I know everyone would like a public holiday and in some ways it wouldn’t worry me, but I don’t think that is the answer,” she said.

The lyrics of the song “I am Australian” by The Seekers speaks to Mrs Law.

She believes that the song shows a true understanding of what Australia and its people are.

“We are one, we are many, from all the lands we come … [the song] sums it up, there’s nothing I could say any better than that.”