Sydney: Tuesday, January 26, 2021
On Australia Day, in a big celebration in the city of Fairfield, many officials gathered inclusive of both Federal and State to honour a number of Australian volunteers in various fields in serving the interests of the Australian community. Among the nominees and winners within the Assyrian community were Mr Hermiz Shahen, who was awarded a medal of "Citizen of the Year" and Mr. David David, who was awarded a Medal of "Volunteer of the Year” on Australia Day 2021. They both were honoured by the Mayor of Fairfield City, Mr. Frank Carbone. On this occasion, Mr. Hermiz Shahen said:
“I am honoured to have received in a special ceremony this morning, the ‘Australia Day 2021 Citizen of the Year’ Medal. I am very proud to be recognized on this wonderful and important day in the history of this nation of Australia.
Our commitment to the golden soil of this land motivated us to work voluntarily to serve our community. We love Australia, the most peaceful country in the world that provided its citizens with sense of fair go, lifestyle, democracy, the freedoms, and equality that every community enjoys without any racial or religious discrimination, particularly our Assyrian people who have suffered for centuries under different rulers in the Middle East. Australia for us is our second homeland, the Land of prosperity and opportunities. On this day we also pay our respects to the indigenous people of Australia, the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who have been here for more than 65,000 years, to those who have lived here for generations, and to those who have come from all corners of the globe to call our country home.
I also would like to congratulate Mr David David for receiving the Australia Day 2021 ‘Volunteer of the Year’ Medal. Mr David has been involved in community work since his arrival to Australia in Mid 1970’s .
I would like to thank the organisers of this wonderful event, Fairfield City Council, under the leadership of Mayor Frank Carbone and Deputy Mayor Paul Azzo. Also, my special thanks to Mrs Carmen Lazar and all those who nominated both of us for this award. Finally, I would like to thank my family for their support for the past 40 years to our commitment to the Assyrian community and nation.”