Turner was a high-profile figure in Australian basketball through his involvement with the Sydney Kings, coaching the team in the late 1980s and early 1990s, and returning to the club in 2010 as chief executive.

He is now involved with baseball and is chairman of the Sydney Blue Sox.

His visit will be a homecoming of sorts.

Turner immigrated to Australia from the US in 1976 to take up the position of player/coach with Shoalhaven in the New South Wales Basketball League. From there, Turner played in the inaugural National Basketball League for the Newcastle Falcons before taking up the role of head coach at three different sides.

While primarily renowned for his coaching, Turner has also built a career in both sports marketing and administration.

During his career, Turner has also developed sponsorship programs for the Australian Olympic Committee, Commonwealth Games and Swimming Australia.

Turner is now developing his not-for-profit company BBall 4 All, created to develop healthy work-ready youth.

Shoalhaven Mayor Joanna Gash said she was looking forward to hearing Turner elaborate on his experiences in Australian sport as part of his ambassador's address.

"I am certainly very pleased to be able to welcome Bob Turner to the Shoalhaven as part of our local Australia Day celebrations," Cr Gash said. "After an amazing career that has taken him around the world, it is fantastic to see that it was the Shoalhaven that first lured him to Australia.

"With a host of activities planned throughout the morning, I would certainly encourage local residents to come down and take advantage of the free entertainment on offer at the Nowra Showground."

This year, Shoalhaven council will be joining the South Nowra Rotary in hosting the area's annual Australia Day celebrations on Sunday, January 26 at the Nowra Showground.

Celebrations will continue throughout the morning with the announcement of the Australia Day Award winners, citizenship ceremony and the Australia Day address.

With a traditional Australian breakfast barbecue running from 8am, other activities on offer include market stalls, mower racing, jumping castles, face painting and balloon animals.

The event will also feature live stage entertainment.