Australia Day honours for Local Citizen of Year, Community Pride
SHINING a spotlight on the outstanding dedication of people and organisations within Cumberland, the 2020 Local Citizen of the Year and Community Pride Awards were announced on Australia Day.
Recognised for his “enthusiasm” in service to the community, which wasn’t limited to boundaries or borders, Remgarajan Chidambaranathan was named Local Citizen of the Year.
The Local Senior Citizen of the Year award went to Bruce Banton who has worked within the Cumberland community for more than 50 years and “continues to provide guidance and support for families”.
Cumberland’s Young Citizen of the Year is Ibrahim Taha, for his tireless efforts in representing youth through various initiatives that enhance their leadership skills, including as the YMCA NSW Youth Parliament Member for Auburn.
A band of dedicated environmental warriors, the Auburn Hospital Recyclers, won the Group Community Pride Award honouring their ongoing efforts to find new ways to recycle items and reduce waste within the hospital as part of their Recycling for the Future Project.
The Individual Community Pride Award went to Kanan Shah, who has had more than 600 students pass through her dance studio, providing a practical example of diversity in culture and a celebration of multiculturalism.
Mayor Steve Christou congratulated all the award nominees and winners, along with all those who had chosen to became citizens on Australia Day.
He said Australia was home to the world’s oldest continuous culture, as well people who’d come from over 180 countries.
“Australia Day gives all citizens the opportunity to reflect on what it means to be Australian and the rights and values we all share,” he said.
“This rich, cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths. It is central to our national identity.”
