Devonport City Council honoured its Australia Day Award winners and welcomed a record 43 new citizens at a ceremony held at the paranaple convention centre today.
Devonport Mayor Annette Rockliff presented the following awards: Citizen of the Year Award: Dr Catherine Broun, Young Citizen of the Year: Emma Evison, and Community Event of the Year: Devonport Poultry Club 67th Annual Show.
Cr Rockliff said it was an honour to recognise the community contribution of the award winners, who selflessly give back to the City of Devonport.
"A big congratulations to this year's awards winners and to our new citizens. Devonport is lucky having people like you supporting our city and choosing this patch of the North West Coast to call home," Mayor Rockliff said.
"Devonport is a great place to live, work, invest and learn, it's something Council repeatedly states, and we are seeing more and more people choosing our City as their home."
Cr Rockliff said the new citizens come from the United Kingdom, New Zealand, Ukraine, Philippines, Thailand, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, Canada, Sweden, Denmark, Vietnam, Nepal, India, England and Germany.
"We can understand why these residents are wanting to make our country their official home, we are lucky to live in one of the best spots in the world," Cr Rockliff said.
"We know Australia Day holds a different meaning for everyone and it's important we all respect that, treat one another with kindness and be grateful for this beautiful place we get to call home."
This year's Australia Day ambassador is Dr Christina Henri, who is a conceptual artist and the 2014 Tasmanian Senior Australian of the Year.
Bios for award winners:
Citizen of the Year Award: Dr Catherine Broun: Is a highly regarded local doctor dedicated to the Devonport community, providing health and wellbeing services for nearly 50 years.
Young Citizen of the Year: Emma Evison: Emma raised over $10,000 for Warrawee Women's Shelter by hosting a high tea. She also fundraised $2,000 for her family's Relay for Life Team.
Community Event of the Year: Devonport Poultry Club 67th Annual Show: The Devonport Poultry Club and the show are an integral part of the Devonport community. Junior participants are mentored and encouraged, with members frequently assisting in 'setting up' individuals and primary schools with information and support.
