News: Tennant's best citizens celebrated

Residents of Tennant Creek honoured in the town's own Australia Day Awards.

Posted: Thursday, 28 January 2016

Local residents received their Australia Day awards and certificates of achievement at a ceremony and breakfast at Battery Hill.
Dance teacher Kirsty Eberl won Citizen of the Year with Ayden Renfrey-Carroll and Natasha May winning Young Citizens of the Year and Community Event of the Year was presented to the Christmas Tree event.
Kirsty's Citizen of the Year title is a token of appreciation for the way she has helped develop the skills, talents and self-esteem of so many young dancers as well as her positive role modelling.
Receiving her award, Kirsty thanked the people of Tennant Creek for their support and used the opportunity to outline her work program for the TC Dance Crew in 2016.
Natasha received her award for her dynamic involvement in the community and Ayden has demonstrated talents not only as a sportsman but as a leader, too.
The Christmas Tree is an annual event that has been running for 82 years, developing into a major event on the town's calendar. A committee of volunteers raises funds for the Christmas Tree throughout the year.
This year the awards were presented by Australia Day NT Ambassador Corey Payne.
Best known as an NRL footballer with the Canterbury Bulldogs, Corey was named NSW Young Australian of the Year in 2013 for establishing the Future Direction Network, a not-for-profit organisation that provides scholarships, mentoring and career advice to young people who might not otherwise make it to university. Corey spoke about the foundation to locals, encouraging youth to use university education as a tool to deal with their disadvantage and to create the pathway for brighter futures.