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AUSTRALIAN DAY AWARDS
AND CITIZENSHIP CEREMONY
This year for the first time, our Australia Day Awards and
Citizenship Ceremony was held on board visiting naval
survey vessel HMAS Leeuwin.
A warm evening on the 25 January made for the perfect
backdrop, as the ship’s landing deck was transformed into a
stage for dozens to make their pledge as new citizens, and
for others to claim their awards.
Defence Minister Christopher Pyne, Federal Member for
Port Adelaide the Hon. Mark Butler, State Ministers the Hon.
Stephen Mullighan and Peter Malinauskas were among a host
of politicians and dignitaries who were present for
the occasion.
Proceedings began with a traditional Kaurna Smoking
Ceremony by Jack Buckskin and his group.The purpose of
this was to cleanse out any bad spirits and clear space for
all. Young fresh leaves were used, representative of new life.
Mayor Gary Johanson and CEO MarkWithers welcomed
guests and 35 men, women and children were called upon
to pledge their oath of citizenship to Australia.
The following award recipients are warmly congratulated by
Council for their contributions to the community.
AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS
CEREMONY RECIPIENTS
Citizen of the Year – Yunus Noori
Yunus Noori was nominated for Citizen of the Year
in recognition of his considerable contribution to the
community. He has successfully implemented many
inclusive sporting initiatives, promoting healthy lifestyle and
supporting community cohesion.Yunus has been involved in
mentoring the Afghan community through sport for over
15 year as a sports coach and volunteer mentor.Through
his work with Lutheran Community Care, he has helped
countless newly-arrived families settle and establish their
lives in the Port Adelaide Enfield community.
Young Citizen of the Year – Kyran Dixon
Kyran Dixon was nominated for Young Citizen of the Year in
recognition of his hard work, strength, determination and the
example he sets for other young Indigenous people. Kyran faced
a significant challenge in 2014 when he was diagnosed with an
aggressive form of leukaemia. Rather than allowing this to deter
him from achieving his goals, Kyran became involved in raising funds
for the Leukaemia Foundation and raising awareness by becoming
an ambassador for the annual Charity Round in the SANFL.
Kyran has also excelled in sports and studies, with many notable
achievements in both fields.
Community Event of the Year – Kym and Jarrod Meers
Kym and Jarrod created Izla’s Purple Crusade five years ago to
complete the City to Bay Fun Run and raise over $21,000 for
epilepsy. Since then Izla’s Purple Crusade has continued to host
fundraising events in the Semaphore area raising $80,000 for
Epilepsy SA/NT. This year fundraising included a Purple Day
morning tea, a movie night and the highly successful Carousel Fun
Run which attracted over 600 participants and raised $20,000.All
these events have brought many people from the local community
together and created a sense of
community spirit.
Emerging Event or Group of the Year –
Port Adelaide Shellfish Restoration Project Group
The Port Adelaide Shellfish Restoration Project Group promotes
inclusion of young people through community-based citizen science
opportunities. Local partnerships have been developed with schools
and local businesses on the Lefevre Peninsula to facilitate the
monitoring of trial shellfish restoration sites in the Port River.The
group conducts important local research on oyster colonisation,
contributes to efforts to improve water quality and stabilising our
shoreline from erosion due to the impacts of climate change.
Emerging Event or Group of the Year –
Vaisakhi Mela Indian Festival
Vaisakhi Mela Indian Festival was delivered by the Punjab Aussie
Association of South Australia to showcase Indian culture.The
Indian community, especially the northern Indian community, is the
fastest growing in the City of Port Adelaide Enfield.The April 2016
Festival brought together participants from other cultures through
artistic expression, cultural food and specialty merchandise.The
event promoted inclusion by showcasing the emerging northern
Indian (especially Punjabi) community's culture - a first-time
experience for many community members. Over 6,000 people
attended the event which was held at Klemzig Oval.
'Citizen of the Year' Yunus Noori and 'Young Citizen
of the Year' Kyran Dixon with Mayor Gary Johanson
CITY OF PORT ADELAIDE ENFIELD • AUTUMN 2017 • VOL 22 ISSUE 1