Devonport City Council honoured its Australia Day Award winners and welcomed a record 22 new citizens at a ceremony held today at the paranaple convention centre. Over 180 people were in attendance to witness the ceremony.
Devonport Mayor Alison Jarman has presented four prestigious Australia Day Awards to outstanding community leaders.
The 2026 award recipients were:
Citizen of the Year - Peter Viney
Young Citizen of the Year - Maybelle Ralph
Community Event of the Year - Devonport Parkrun
Co-founder of the International Café, Esther Campion, was also recognised for her significant contribution to the community, receiving the Spirit of the City Award for creating a welcoming space where migrants can connect, share experiences and celebrate cultural diversity. This is only the sixth time the Spirit of the City Award has been presented by Council.
Cr Jarman said the Australia Day Awards provide an important opportunity to acknowledge the positive impact nominees have within the Devonport community through their selfless contributions.
"Congratulations to this year's award recipients and a warm welcome to our new citizens. Devonport is fortunate to have individuals like you supporting our city, and we are privileged that our newest citizens have chosen Devonport as the place to now
call home," Mayor Jarman said.
"With Devonport continuing to thrive, more people are choosing to make our city their home. It truly is a great place to live, work, invest and learn, and the growing number of people settling here is testament to that."
"We can understand why people are choosing to make Australia their official home. We are incredibly fortunate to live in one of the best places in the world," she said.
Mayor Jarman further noted that, "While Australia Day is experienced in different ways across our community, it also offers a chance to reflect on our shared good fortune and to show respect, kindness and gratitude."
Bios for Award winners:
Citizen of the Year Award: Peter Viney
Peter Viney has devoted over 30 years to volunteering across Devonport, supporting sports clubs, schools, community arts programs, and more - all in addition to working full-time. From singing with Take Note choir, to coaching basketball and volleyball to leadership roles at Devonport Golf Club and volunteering at the Devonport Surf Life Saving Club, Pete steps up wherever he's needed. He's a quiet achiever who has consistently gone above and beyond to support his community, even while undergoing intensive cancer treatment. Pete's commitment and reliability make him a true role model and the heart of Devonport's community.
Young Citizen of the Year: Maybelle Ralph
Maybelle has been raising funds for charities since she was a toddler and continues to inspire through her love of reading and giving back. Her "Maybelle's Mission" Read-a-thons have raised thousands of dollars for local and national charities, while she encourages other children to enjoy reading. Through markets, book adoption drives, and creative initiatives, Maybelle shows that even young people can make a big difference to the Devonport community.
Community Event of the Year: Devonport Parkrun
Devonport parkrun is a free, weekly 5km event at Mersey Bluff that brings the community together every Saturday morning. Open to all ages and abilities, participants walk, jog, run, or volunteer, creating a welcoming, active, and inclusive environment. Over 10 years, Devonport parkrun has hosted 519 events, with more than 93,000 finishes and 712 volunteers, fostering health, connection, and fun for the whole community.
Spirit of the City Award: Esther Campion
Esther co-founded International Café Devonport in 2018 and has spent over seven years creating a welcoming space for migrants to connect, share, and celebrate cultural diversity. Through her dedication, she has supported hundreds of people with employment, social connection, and mental wellbeing, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Esther's work strengthens community cohesion and inclusion in Devonport, making her a deserving recipient of the Spirit of the City Award.
