News location:

Canberra Today 17°/20° | Friday, March 29, 2024 | Digital Edition | Crossword & Sudoku

Public servant who ‘changed the face of Canberra’ retires

AFTER almost 40 years in the ACT public service, Nik Manikis, the recipient of a Public Service Medal in 1998 retires today. Nic Manikis

Minister for multicultural affairs Rachel Stephen-Smith says that Manikis’ achievements in multicultural affairs changed the face of Canberra. This is evident in the establishment of the National Multicultural Festival.

Stephen-Smith continues by saying that Manikis has also worked with successive governments to create programs that assist migrants seeking to gain a foothold in employment, for example the Work Experience and Support Program (WESP) and the introduction of the ACT Services Access Card for asylum seekers.

She says: “As a former head of the Office of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Affairs, Manikis supported the establishment of the United Ngunnawal Elders Council and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elected Body.

“He also oversaw the introduction of the ACT Seniors Card and after the 2003 Canberra bushfires he coordinated a program of more than 80 events and activities that saw more than $9.5 million collected in donations to support affected residents.”

Who can be trusted?

In a world of spin and confusion, there’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in Canberra.

If you trust our work online and want to enforce the power of independent voices, I invite you to make a small contribution.

Every dollar of support is invested back into our journalism to help keep citynews.com.au strong and free.

Become a supporter

Thank you,

Ian Meikle, editor

Share this

Leave a Reply

Related Posts

Follow us on Instagram @canberracitynews