Three Central Australians have been recognised for their contributions to the Alice Springs community at an Australia Day ceremony that welcomed 48 new citizens.
Key points:
- The new citizens hail from around the globe, including the Philippines, Italy and India
- The Centralian Citizenship Awards recipients were applauded for their work in the Alice Springs community
- More than 200 people attended the Australia Day event
Neil Ross was the recipient of the Centralian Citizen of the Year award for his commitment to the continual development of the region through his work and volunteering efforts.
Born and raised in the Northern Territory, Mr Ross ran his family-owned company Ross Engineering from 1983 until its recent sale and has served on boards and committees including the NT Chamber of Commerce, Charles Darwin University and the town's economic development committee.
He has also been a member of the Alice Springs Rotary Club since 1995.
Mr Ross said he had always been "somebody who put back into the community".
"I think the community has looked after me for many years while I had the business, through all that time, so this is giving back, it's paying it back," he said.
"Of course, if you didn't enjoy what you're doing, you wouldn't do it.
"We've had a great time along the way."
Now retired, Mr Ross said he was looking forward to becoming a grey nomad and travelling more, as well as volunteering in the community.
From refugee camp to the UN
Apajok Biar, 28, was named Young Centralian of the Year in recognition of her advocacy for gender equality and female empowerment, as well advancing refugee youth participation in the community.
She was born in a refugee camp in Kenya and arrived in Australia with her family as a toddler.
Ms Biar said her formative years were influential in her work in the community today.
The young mother went on to co-found two organisations – South Sudan Voices of Salvation and Angaac Women's Association Australia – as well as serving on the board of the Women's Museum of Australia, Central Australia Women's Legal Service and the Multicultural Community of Services of Central Australia.
"What I strive to do now is to remind everyone that your past does not determine your future," Ms Biar said.
"You can thrive and be an amazing citizen to any community that you're in and we all have the capacity to make meaningful changes in the communities that we're a part of.
"We strive to be a part of it and welcome others as well."
'You can achieve anything'
At the age of 22, Ms Biar flew to Geneva to attend the United Nations High Commission for Refugees to discuss youth issues.
"What I see for the Alice Springs community is … doing more training towards youth and letting them know that you have a bigger future," she said.
"It's not just tunnel vision, it's not just what you currently see around you — you can achieve anything that you want to achieve.
"I never knew that I would ever be going to the United Nations in Geneva and speaking.
"Having been born in a refugee camp, that was not something that I foresaw."
Roger Thompson received the Centralian Senior Citizen of the Year award for his volunteer work helping new residents improve their English language skills at the town's public library, but was unable to attend the ceremony.
The iconic Bangtail Muster was named the Centralian Event of the Year.
The muster brings the community together with an annual parade through town, showing off creative floats made by community groups, schools and businesses.