Australia Day on the Northern Beaches will be boosted with the addition of legendary singer Kamahl as Australia Day Ambassador.

Kamahl is a world-wide entertainment phenomenon who has sold more than 10 million albums in a star-studded career spanning more than 45 years.

A philanthropist as well as an entertainer, Kamahl was made a member of the Order of Australia in 1994, was Australian Father of the Year in 1998 and was awarded the Australian Centenary Medal by the Queen in 2004.

Nearly half a century on, Kamahl is still entertaining and inspiring people.

"That you can reach out to people, and be accepted in return, is the highest reward possible in performance and life," he says.

Kamahl will speak at the Northern Beaches Council official Australia Day events at Newport and Dee Why.

Olympic silver medallist in sailing Lisa Darmanin -  a Northern Beaches local – is the other Australia Day Ambassador and she will speak at the Manly event from 2pm.