2018 Peace Festival was awarded Community Event of the Year by City of Launceston Mayor, Albert van Zetten. Thanks to all Trustees and the dozens of community groups and individuals who support the Festival. The Trust, under the stewardship of Trustees (Right to left) Tamara Foster, Donna Bain (Chair), Mark Baker, Josephine Archer, Janine Healey (Trust Treasurer). This image also includes Festival co-ordinator Sonja Hindrum and Launceston Mayor, Albert van Zetten. (Image by The Examiner Newspaper)

ANUARY 26 2019 - 3:06PM

Launceston celebrates new citizens, dedicate residents

Launceston's Australia Day Awards Ceremony 2019

Pictures: Phillip Biggs

Becoming an Australian citizen was indescribable for Adnan Satariyan.

On Saturday, he was one of 72 new citizens the City of Launceston council officially welcomed at its Australia Day Awards and Citizenship Ceremony.

“I’ve got a Peruvian background, but now I’ll say I’m Peruvian and Australian,” he said. “Today is not only my day, It’s the day of thousands of Australians becoming Australian citizens.”

The new citizens now calling Australia home had come from 17 different countries. More than 400 people packed the Albert Hall to welcome the new citizens and congratulate the winners of the council’s Australia Day Awards.

Denise Delphin was awarded the council’s Citizen of the Year. Ms Delphin has been working at the Northern Suburbs Community Centre for more than 30 years. The city’s Australia Day Committee chairman Councillor Rob Soward said she was a very deserving winner.

“It is often said that hard work spotlights the character of people, some people turn up their sleeves, some people turn up their noses and some just don’t turn up at all. She certainly is in the turn their sleeves up category,” he said. “This amazing woman has been instrumental in transforming what was once a small centre, to a community centre.”

The Tamar Peace Festival received the Community Event of the Year Award.

“The very successful event saw the community embrace the terms of respect. More than 350 volunteers were assisted by 181 staff who coordinated the event and it was enjoyed by over 6000 people and had 36 different host organisations involved,” Cr Soward said.

Festival committee member Josephine Archer paid respect to the festival’s founder during the acceptance speech.

“Mrs Jean Hearn passed away about 18 months ago. In her early 90s, she wanted to establish an activity to promote good will and respect in our community … and we are continuing on that theme,” she said.

Business entrepreneur Adam Mostogl was the city’s Australia Day Ambassador.

“There is something special about being the Australia Day Ambassador for the city and region you call home,” he said.

https://www.examiner.com.au/story/5871211/generosity-rewarded-at-city-of-launcestons-australia-day-awards-ceremony-residents-welcomed/?cs=12#slide=1