Tasmania’s Junior National Doctor of the year and a 30-year volunteer ambulance officer have taken out the Mayor’s Awards at this year’s West Tamar Council Australia Day Awards ceremony, held last night in Riverside.
Dr Jessica Horton and Lorraine Gardiner shared the top gong at the ceremony, which celebrates West Tamar residents who go above and beyond for their community.
More than 230 people packed the Tailrace Centre on Monday night, with the ceremony doubling as a Citizenship Ceremony.
Thirty conferees celebrated becoming Australian citizens, with Mayor Christina Holmdahl welcoming those taking the oath of citizenship.
The conferees came from Nepal, Brazil, India, Colombia, Sri Lanka, the US, the UK, New Zealand, Ireland, Germany and Canada.
The West Tamar Citizen of the Year Award was also shared between two worthy recipients – Robert Mantach and Lorraine Gardiner.
The Young Citizen of the Year award was announced as Isabelle Wynwood, the Community Group of the Year was won by the Beaconsfield House Garden Volunteers and the Community Event of the Year was won by the Sidmouth Hall Art Show.
Six people were nominated in the Citizen of the Year award – Cynthia Masters, Christine Fulcher, Anna Schofield, Robert Mantach, Lisa Horton and Lorraine Gardiner.
Mayor Christina Holmdahl said the awards recognise individuals and community groups who have made a significant contribution during the current year or have provided an outstanding service over a number of years to their local communities.
Outstanding contributions and community service includes areas such as education, health, fund-raising, charitable and voluntary services, business, sport, arts, the environment, or any other area that contributes to the advancement and well-being of the region.
“Our award winners represent hard work and selflessness, often over a number of years, and reflect true Australian values,” Mayor Holmdahl said.
“On behalf of the West Tamar Council and our community, I thank them most sincerely for their contributions.”
Mayor Holmdahl also congratulated the 30 conferees, who can now – officially – call Australia home.
“Every citizenship ceremony is important in my opinion, but to become an Australian citizen at an Australia Day ceremony is an incredibly proud moment for each and every conferee,” Mayor Holmdahl said.
“Citizenship is a life-long commitment to Australia’s shared values, including respect for the freedom and dignity of the individual, the rule of law and democracy, and equality of opportunity for all people,” Mayor Holmdahl said.
“Each year we are privileged to welcome new Australians to our growing community and look forward to sharing in their culture, and paying tribute to the diversity of experiences which we all bring”.