WITH a list of achievements longer than his arm, Narrandera residents will be in for a treat with their Australia Day ambassador.
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Doctor Stepan Kerkyasharian will visit the town to be part of their celebrations this year at Marie Bashir Park.
Known for his involvement with the Ethnic Affairs Commission, Anti-Discrimination Board and Community Relations Commission, Dr Kerkyasharian has many a story to tell.
Narrandera Shire Council mayor Neville Kschenka was looking forward to hearing them.
”I know Narrandera shire will put on a memorable day and having Stepan here just makes it all the more special,” he said.
Dr Kerkyasharian was born in Cyprus and moved to England as a young teenager before migrating to Australia in 1967.
He was a volunteer co-ordinator of and broadcaster in the Armenian Radio Program on Radio 2EA from 1976 to 1979.
He then became Station Manager of 2EA and from 1980 to 1989, head of radio for the Special Broadcasting Service where he was a major catalyst in the establishment of a professional national multilingual radio service.
In 1989 he was appointed as chairman and chief executive officer of the Ethnic Affairs Commission where he oversaw the introduction of major new initiatives in multicultural policy.
From 2003 he concurrently held the positions of president and CEO of the Anti-Discrimination Board (ADB) and chairman and CEO of the Community Relations Commission (CRC).
In 2013 he retired from the CRC but continues in his ADB roles.
His credentials also include being a member of the NSW Board of Studies.
Dr Kerkyasharian has also been awarded many awards during his time.
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Australia Day ambassadors volunteer their time and energy to inspire pride and celebrate in hundreds of communities where they become a guest of honour and participate in activities as diverse as the communities themselves.
“With so much happening here, I hope to see many people and their families coming to join in,” councillor Kschenka said.
“Together we can show the rest of Australia just how much Narrandera shire knows how to celebrate Australia Day.
