'Canberra Gold' Recognises Canberra's Pioneer Citizens
20 December 2004
'CANBERRA GOLD' RECONISES CANBERRA'S PIONEER CITIZENS
Close to 1000 Canberrans including a woman born in Weetangera in 1909, have been nominated for a new award recognising Canberra's pioneering residents, Chief Minister Jon Stanhope announced today.
The 'Canberra Gold' awards are an initiative under the Canberra Social Plan, recognising residents of the ACT who have lived in the nation's capital for 50 years or more.
"There has been a tremendous response from the community regarding these new awards. I am looking forward to personally presenting the awards to a representative group as part of our Canberra Day celebrations next March," he said.
"Fifty years ago the ACT's population was just 30,300 and as many as 10,000 of these people still enjoy the beauty and other special qualities of our national capital. These awards recognise the commitment and energy that the nominees have put into building the city we know today.
"Canberra is a multicultural haven, built by people from around the nation and the world. Nominees of the Canberra Gold awards have helped establish our city, raised their families here and fostered our rich culture."
Heather Shakespeare aged 95, is one such resident. Born in Weetangera in 1909, Heather is one of Canberra's true pioneers. During her time in Canberra, Heather has been a member of the Canberra branch of the Presbyterian Church (which later became the Uniting Church of Australia), the Soroptimists International Canberra, the Country Women's Association and the Canberra scout movement.
Greek immigrant Helen Notaras arrived in Canberra having married the late Harry Notaras, Canberra's first Greek resident and business proprietor. Helen and Harry established Canberra's first Australian/Greek family, with all of their five children, twelve grandchildren and six great-grandchildren born in Canberra. Helen, a resident of Canberra for 71 years, has been nominated for her commitment to the early development of Canberra.
"These, and all Canberrans who have been nominated for the Canberra Gold awards, are the founders of our great city. I would like to congratulate those who have been nominated and thank them for their continued commitment to Canberra," Mr Stanhope said.
The Canberra Gold awards will celebrated as part of the Canberra Day festivities on Saturday 12 March 2005.
Media Contact: Penny Farnsworth 6205 0434(w) 0417 481 407(m) penny.farnsworth@act.gov.au
Christina Myers 6205 9777(w) 0438 289 714(m) Christina.myers@act.gov.au
Jon Stanhope MLA
CHIEF MINISTER
ATTORNEY GENERAL MINISTER FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
MINISTER FOR ARTS, HERITAGE & INDIGENOUS AFFAIRS
MEMBER FOR GINNINDERRA