Broadcaster is the Centralian of the Year

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p2307-Gerry-Lyons-G-manBy ERWIN CHLANDA
 
CAAMA Radio manager Gerry Lyons (pictured), better known as the G-Man, has been chosen as the Centralian Citizen of the Year.
 
Well-known also for his acting as master of ceremonies for many local events, the G-Man has been in public broadcasting for about a quarter of a century, including 12 years in Alice Springs.
 
He says in an online CV: “I hail from Aotearoa of Ngati wehiwehi decent. My home town is called Levin.
 
“What I love about this job is those I work with and those I meet … Hei konei ra, ma te wa ka kite ano. Never goodbye but until next time.”
 
This award is sponsored by Apex.
 
Mayor Damien Ryan says: “G-man is tirelessly committed to the Alice Springs community. He voluntarily assists local community activities and displays an abundance of enthusiasm MCing for numerous cultural events.
 
“G-man has a big voice and a big heart. He is a major asset to our community with his inspiring personality. His can-do attitude of wanting to help makes him an invaluable and memorable citizen in our community.”
 
p2307-Caleb-MaruYoung Centralian Citizen of the Year, sponsored by Lions, is Caleb Maru (at left).
 
Says Mayor Ryan: “In his role with the Youth Action Group, Caleb has contributed to the successful running of a vast array of youth events.
 
“Caleb also helped create the Aware Project, designed as a social media platform to encourage young people to share their stories about issues affecting them.
 
“Caleb works hard at everything he puts his mind to, often volunteering his services to causes he is passionate about.”
 
p2307-Ben-Crawford-1The Volunteer of the Year is Ben Crawford (at right).
 
Says Mayor Ryan: “Ben has been a valued member of the Apex Club for 20 years.
 
“He is a leader who is normally first on the job and the last one to leave. He has served in numerous positions and is currently Vice President.
 
“Ben mentors other members in their positions on the board and plays an integral role in the operation of Apex events.  Ben is well-respected within the community who volunteers his time to support local organisations and families in need.”
 
The Red Centre NAp2307-new-citizensTS has been chosen as the Community Event of the Year.
 
Says Mayor Ryan: “The inaugural Red Centre NATS held in September 2015 was an outstanding success with huge crowds flocking to see the numerous events.
 
“The street parade in particular had an amazing number of people lining the streets to watch the cars drive by.  Many people came from interstate to compete and an estimated $12million was injected into the local economy.”
 
A council spokesman says the selection of the winners was made by a local Australia Day panel.
 
p2307-Indian-family-1Meanwhile, 54 people (some of them pictured above left) received their Australian citizenship at the civic center this morning, including Mrs Parmjit K Sandhu and her two boys, Piara S Sandhu and Prem S Sandhu.
 
Mr Parmjit S Sandhu says he’ll wait for next time to become an Aussie. The family is from the Punjab, India, and the couple are both disability workers.
 
Meanwhile, the 2016 Australia Day honours went to the following Territorians:-
 
(The following is from a media release by Chief Minister Adam Giles.)
 
OFFICER (AO) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
 
Mr John Gavan BREEN
For distinguished service to the Indigenous community through the preservation of languages, to the development of  orthographies, and to education. Mr Breen has been an Independent Linguist at the Institute for Aboriginal Development since 1981.
 
MEMBER (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
Dr John Eric MOODY
For significant service to clinical dentistry, particularly in remote Indigenous communities. Dr Moody pioneered dental treatment in Arnhem Land in the late 1940s.
 
MEMBER (AM) IN THE GENERAL DIVISION OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA
 
Mr Januario John RIVAS
For significant service to the Philippine community of the Northern Territory. Mr Rivas has been Honorary Consul General for the Philippines in the Northern Territory, since 2010, and arranged a ceremony to honour Filipino Merchant Mariners in 2014.
 
Dr Brian Thomas SPAIN
For significant service to medicine in the discipline of anaesthesia, as a clinician, to healthcare standards, and to professional medical bodies. Dr Spain has been the Director of Anaesthesia at RDH since 2001 and is also the Director of Hyperbaric Medicine and Co-Director of Surgery and Critical Care. He  provided critical triage and medical care to patients following the Bali Bombings, 2005 and 2002, and was involved in the establishment of the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre in 2004.
 
Mr John VRODOS
For significant service to the Greek community of the Northern Territory through a range of executive roles with sporting and cultural organisations. Mr Vrodos was the President of the Greek Orthodox Community of Northern Territory between 1995 and 2000. He was also founder and player of the Hellenic Athletic Club.
 
MEDAL (OAM) OF THE ORDER OF AUSTRALIA IN THE GENERAL DIVISION
 
Mr Thomas Walter FAWCETT
For service to the livestock transport industry. Mr Fawcett has been Managing Director of Fawcett Cattle Company, since 1963 and a long-serving member of the Coomalie Community Government Council, the Adelaide River Show Society and the Adelaide River Race Club.
 
Mrs Sandra Ruth JOHNSON
For service to the mining industry in the Northern Territory. Mrs Johnson has been a Director of Capricorn Mapping and Mining Title Services since 2000 and a Committee Member and Life Member of the Extractive Industry Association.  Mrs Johnson was also involved in the establishment of Indigenous Land Use Agreements.
 
Sister Teresa Anne WARD
For service to Indigenous communities in the Northern Territory, particularly as a linguist and educator. Sister Ward’s service to the community includes Teacher Linguist, Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Thamarrurr College, Wadeye, since 2009. Teacher / Teacher Linguist, Wadeye, (Port Keats), Northern Territory, 1978-1983.  Sister Ward established the Literature Production Centre and developed materials in the Murrinhpatha language, in conjunction with the Indigenous community, for the bilingual program.
 
PUBLIC SERVICE MEDAL (PSM)
 
Mr James (Jim) ROGERS
For outstanding public service to the community of the Northern Territory, particularly as the coordinator of the Regional Recovery Response for Tropical Cyclones Lam and Nathan. Mr Rogers is responsible for leading the whole of government recovery coordination for two tropical cyclones that hit across the East Arnhem Region of the Northern Territory in February 2015. With more than 500 remote community residents affected by severe Tropical Cyclone Lam, he instigated the setting up of a Local Recovery Committee in Galiwin’ku, Milingimbi and Ramingining.
 
Ms Anne Su-Phin TAN
For outstanding public service to the community of the Northern Territory, particularly in the areas of financial policy development and reform, major infrastructure projects and investment. Ms Tan has worked in the Northern Territory Government for more than 25 years. She has held a number of executive service roles in Treasury and Finance, the Power Water Corporation, and the Department of the Chief Minister. She has superior knowledge and experience in intergovernmental policy and relations, and in the area of Major Projects, Infrastructure and Investment.
 
AUSTRALIAN POLICE MEDAL (APM)
 
Commissioner Reece Philip KERSHAW
Commissioner Kershaw joined the Northern Territory (NT) Police Force in February 2011. Prior to being appointed to the NTPF as an Assistant Commissioner in 2011, he commenced his career in 1988 with the Australian Federal Police (AFP). He was promoted to the position of Commissioner on 14 April 2015, where he continues the development and future proofing of the NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services (NTPFES). He has a wide range of experience in law enforcement at a national and international level.
 
Assistant Commissioner Jamie Andrew CHALKER
Assistant Commissioner Chalker joined the Northern Territory (NT) Police Force (NTPF) in January 1994 and was appointed Assistant Commissioner Regional Operations Service in 2012, and since that time has demonstrated strong adaptive leadership which has delivered significant operational results through innovative strategies focussed on the needs of the local community. He epitomises the values of the NT Police, Fire and Emergency Services (NTPFES) at all times demonstrating honesty and integrity, and has built relationships of trust with the community which has directly contributed to enhancements in the perception of, and satisfaction with, policing in the Northern Territory.
 
AUSTRALIAN FIRE SERVICE MEDAL (AFSM)
 
Mr lan Ross LOCKLEY 
Mr Lockley has been a full-time employee with the Northern Territory Fire and Rescue Service (NTFRS) since 6 March 1978, and currently holds the substantive rank of District Officer and is also currently acting as Deputy Chief Fire Officer. Recently he held the position of Officer in-Charge (OIC) for the Community Fire Safety Command, the Training and Development Command, and has performed the role of Staff Officer to the Chief Fire Officer of the NTFRS. Mr Lockley is a passionate career fire officer that is not only results driven, but is also a leader who takes an active role in effecting change for the betterment of the organisation, its people and the communities it serves.
 
EMERGENCY SERVICE MEDAL (ESM)
 
Ms Sharon Louise KEARNEY
Ms Kearney joined Northern Territory Emergency Service (NTES) on 26 March 2009 and has held the Unit Officer position at the Darwin Volunteer Unit since January 2013. She has selflessly committed her time to leading and managing the Darwin Volunteer Unit. Her leadership qualities have demonstrated her keen interest in the welfare of volunteers, and recognition of the critical role they perform in the operation of all NTES Units.
 
 

2 COMMENTS

  1. Thoroughly well-deserved, Gerry. You bring a special spirit and energy to all of your many and varied roles. Enjoy the year ahead as our ambassador!

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