2009 Canberran of the Year Award Winner Becomes Heart of the Nation
Sunday March 15, 2009
Bishop Pat Power, who won the 2009 Canberran of the Year Award, is a testament to the character of Canberrans.
Bishop Power, 67, referenced the ACT number plate that describes Canberra as "Heart of the Nation".
"I promise to do all I can during the coming year to promote Canberra as the heart of the nation, a city which cares for its environment and all its people, especially the most vulnerable in our midst," he told The Canberra Times.
He promises his title won't silence him from speaking out about controversial issues.
"I think there may be times when I'm a bit critical of the Government and if you've got good relations they can withstand that. I won't be withdrawing from any of that," he told The Canberra Times.
The Auxiliary Catholic Bishop of Canberra and Goulburn since 1986, Bishop Power is known for his efforts in Aboriginal reconciliation, prisoner rights, refugee welfare and with Palestinian and East Timorese people.
ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope who presented him the award said that, "He's lived and breathed his vocation, not just in his words, but in his actions, even when it might have been easier or safer to stay away or to stay silent."
"Some of the greatest lessons of my life in Canberra have come from the battlers in our community," he said.
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