Released 18/03/2021
In recognition of their sustained commitment and exceptional work to protect our community during the global pandemic, all the Canberrans who have enacted the Territory’s public health response to the COVID-19 pandemic have been jointly named as the 2021 Canberra Citizen of the Year.
Just over one year on from the public health emergency, this honour recognises the contribution of hundreds of Canberrans who carried out the ACT’s public health response.
Throughout 2020, these Canberrans have undertaken our COVID-19 testing, tracing and quarantine. They have cared for patients, established and run multiple testing sites to conducted over 100,000 COVID-19 test; managed 15,000 exemptions requests, supported COVID-19 compliance and kept our community well informed throughout the pandemic. This work is continuing with the roll out of our vaccination program.
It’s thanks to their hard work that the ACT is in a strong position to keep our economy running and our community healthy. From teams of people on the frontline to the people working in the background, the Canberra Citizen of the Year Award could not go to more deserving citizens.
Congratulations to these amazing citizens on this achievement, and we thank them for your continued contribution in keeping our community safe and informed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Canberra Citizen of the Year Award recognises people or groups that have made a significant contribution to our community. Previous Canberra Citizens of the Year have included ACT Emergency Services Agency and ACT Parks and Conservation (2020) the University of Canberra Capitals and their supporters (2019), disability advocate Sue Salthouse (2015), and the Canberra Community after the January Bushfires (2003).
- Statement ends -
Andrew Barr, MLA | Media Releases