Citizen of the Year 2011

The City of Devonport Lions Club has awarded Faye Gardam OAM the honour of being our chosen Citizen of the Year for 2011.

Faye‘s early years were spent with her family in a small farm cottage at Lower Wilmot before relocating to a small cottage at Don which she shared with her Mother and Father, three siblings, her Grandparents and an uncle. Faye attended Devonport High School, and went on to work as a law clerk with Tas. Button.
She became an active youth leader in the Presbyterian Church which took her to a mission in the Musgrave Ranges of South Australia, a life changing experience for her. At the mission she developed a real love for the Pitjantjatjara tribe. This is a relationship which lasted for 50 years, and in 2008 Faye was invited back to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Ernabella Arts Centre, and again to visit at Easter last year, to attend the rededication of their reconditioned church.

In 1971, Faye entered the commercial world when she opened Devonport’s first interior decorating business, whose clientele included famous citizens like Dame Enid Lyons, the Prime Minister's wife at the time.

Her historic interest led her to write her first book; “Sawdust, Sails and Sweat” a history of the Don. She wrote this as she recovered from surgery. Other books followed: “Shifting Sands” the history of the Mersey River, “Annie Cocker” about the colonial Artist and Historian. Faye has also co- authored, edited and assisted with many other publications on the Devonport and surrounding areas. For many years she has compiled Local History note for various newspapers and feature publications on the local area.

Faye is recognised in Devonport as the ‘go to’ person for anyone seeking information on the past activities of the area or wishing to confirm historical facts. Even the Tasmanian Governor recognises her knowledge by having his aide confirm with her details on the area before he has made official visits.

The Devonport City Council has benefited for many years from her research and the information that she has been able to supply to the planner and consultants on the history of properties and their significance to the City and area. Faye has served on a number of local committees which have included:- Australia’s Bi-Centenary Celebrations, Centenary of Devonport Celebrations and Devonport City Status Celebrations.

While Faye has received many awards for her work for the Devonport community, the highlight must be in 1998, when the community nominated her and she was awarded the Order of Australia Medal, an award that Faye is justly proud of and is humbled to have received.

Faye joined the Devonport Historical Society in 1979, which amalgamated with the Maritime Museum to form the Devonport Maritime Museum and Historical Society Inc. In addition  to these duties, Faye has worked as a volunteer for the Maritime Museum for the last 27 years.

The members of our Club firmly believe that Faye Gardam OAM is a most worthy recipient of Lions Club City of Devonport Citizen of the Year for 2011.

Congratulations and well done Faye.