By Lexi Cottee
It can be hard to believe when someone as affable and eloquent as Samet Istar says he was crippled by shyness in his teens.
“I was so shy I couldn’t even speak,” the 29-year-old says, reflecting on his school days. But when the Dallas resident started an international business degree at La Trobe University, he decided to step outside his comfort zone.
With just 15 contact hours at university, he threw himself into extra curricular pursuits. He was one of the founding members of the Australian Turkish University Students Association and began organising dances and theatre productions, volunteering on community radio and promoting inter- cultural understanding.
“On campus, we wanted people to meet each other, build friendships and network to help them find their first job,” he said.
When the previous Hume council elections were held three years ago, he ran for office. Although unsuccessful, he has flagged a rerun at next year’s elections.
At an Australia Day ceremony hosted by the council last Monday, Mr Istar was named Hume’s 2015 citizen of the year, a gong he hopes might put him in good stead if he does run for a spot on council in 2016. He said the award was unexpected because he had been actively involved in the community for “only” 11 years.
The young citizen of the year award went to Craigieburn’s Angela Atonio. Her citation recognises her commitment to the Craigieburn Church Youth Group and the council youth services’ ‘young leaders’ program.
Highlands Movie Night was named the 2014 community event of the year.
The March movie night attracted more than 500 local residents, raising money for non-profit and community organisations.
