AWARDS RECEIPIENTS 2004
BY ALFA ORDER
1.-
Mr.
KAMRAN AHMADI
The Arts
Mr.
Kamran Ahmadi was born in Kabul in a family of artists and developed an
early love for drawing and painting at a very young age.
He graduated with honors from Kabul University, faculty of fine
Arts where later he taught as a highly respected teacher. Later he
graduated from the Academy of Repin in St. Petersburg, Russia.
Mr.
Ahmadi arrived in Canada in 1996, after living in Montreal for two years,
he moved to Toronto. He is an active member of the Visual Arts of Ontario.
He displayed his work in Montreal, Toronto and other cities, he took part
also in exhibitions for the support of the Afghan Association of Ontario.
2.-
Mss MARIA
BANDIERA
Community
Mss.
Maria Grifone Bandiera was born in Italy and emigrated to Canada at the
age of 13. She is holding a diploma in business and accounting. Employed
by the Ontario Government , Ontario Provincial Police and then the Supreme
Court of Ontario.
She
married to Roberto and they have two children Robert and Raffaella. She is
a court registrar for the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. She is a very
active member of the Italian-Canadian community and dedicated many hours
of her life to help the victims of floods and earthquakes in Italy.
She
is also involved in the Canadian Italian Business and Professional
Association Ladies Auxiliary, an organization dedicated to raise money for
various charitable organizations.
She
is always willing to help people in need. Recently she underwent a very
serious heart surgery.
3.-
Mr. ROBERTO BANDIERA
Community
Mr.
Robert Bandiera, a native of Italy immigrated to Canada in 1966 . He has
been involved in the production of Radio programs, he published articles
in various community papers and founded the organization “ skilled and
Professional Executive Society”, an organization promoting hundreds of
young professionals from Italy and sponsored by the Government of Canada.
He has served in the Board of Directors of a number of organizations of
the Canadian-Italian community.
4.-
Mss RUE
HAYER BAINS
Editor-In-Chief
“Indo-Canadian Times”
Ms
Rue Hayer Bains is the Editor-In-chief of the “Indo-Canadian Times” a
newspaper with a great respect and reputation.
Her
father Tara Singh Hayer was the editor and the publisher of the Punjabi
Weekly. In 1988 Tara Singh Hayer was shot at close range with 385 magnum,
this was the price he paid for having the courage to stand up to militant
groups who were controlling Sikh temples and bullying congregations.
Hayer
managed to survive but the attack left him paralyzed from the hip down.
After a year of therapy he was back at the editor’s desk. Mentallly
stronger than before, he endured continues physical pain for the remaining
10 years of his life, as doctors could not remove all the bullet particles
from his body due to the fact that they had shattered to bits on impact.
His writing encouraged people to stand up and fight. This led slowly to
fundamentalists losing control of one Sikh temple after another.
As
the fundamentalists had abundant funds, every possible avenue was utilized
to stop Tara Singh Hayer and the Indi-Canadian Times.
In
1986 a bomb made of dynamite sticks was left in front of the office.
Two
years later, in 1988 Tara Singh Hayer was shot. Until today his daughter
Rue, continues to receive phone threats.
The
paper during all these years is struggling to survive as Rue continues his
dream for a peaceful community.
5.-
Mr. KENRICK
BOBB
President
“Ambassador
Magazine”
Kenrick
Bobb, is the president and CEO of Ambassador magazine. He is involved in
all aspects of the industry that brings the magazine to the forefront. A
native of Trinidad and Tobago Mr. Bobb is a photojournalist with a
distinct career.
Mr.
Bobb, is a member of various professional organizations and works very
hard for the promotion of the industry.
6.- Ms.
KHADIJA DARID
Editor-In-Chief
“Arab
Women Magazine”
Ms
Khadija Darid, is a native of Marocco. She immigrated to Canada and
settled in the Province of Quebec. Having a diploma in literature from the
University of Lyon, Ms Khadija has been teaching in Quebec from 1986 to
1987 and then she worked on various positions in Montreal.
Later
she decided to use her writing to help her “sisters”,
Arab women become installed in Quebec.
To
help Arab women to be
integrated culturally: that’s the goal of her women’s magazine that
speaks to readers in their mother tongue. The other half of the magazine
is in French and has as its mission to make the Arabic community better
known, to the women of this province.
7.-
Mr. GEORGE DIAMANTOPOULOS
Journalism
Born
in Athens Greece, George is the son of Greek immigrants from Odessa,
Russia.
He
attended the University of Athens, and obtained his MBA from New York
University.
He
wrote more than 600 economic and political articles in various community
newspapers and is distinguished as a writer for his in-depth analysis and
observations.
8.-
Mr. JOHN FANARAS
Science/community
A
native from the Aegean island of Lesvos, Greece, Mr. John Fanaras,
graduated from the University of New Hampshire (U.S.A) in
Microbiology. He immigrated to Canada in 1969 where he created the
Nucro-Technics, ACanadian Pharmaceutical Contract Organization.
He
is an active member in the Community and has served on the board of
Directors at Centennial College, Canadian Association of Community
Colleges, Scarborough Chamber of Commerce, West Park Hospital Foundation,
Hellenic Home for the Aged and Hellenic Heritage Foundation.
9.-
Dr. PARVIZ GHADIRIAN
Science-U
of Manitoba
Dr.
Parviz Ghadirian, a native from Iran is the director of the Epidemiology
Research Unit, University of Manitoba.
He
has served as, and is active consultant to, IARC of the WHO in Lyon,
France. He is Senior Research Associate of the European Institute of
Oncology and served as a part-time Senior Research Epidemiologist at
Health Canada, presently he is an Affiliated Scientist of the McLauglin
Centre for Population Health Risk assessment of the University of
Montreal.
He
published more than 260 articles, reports and books along with 210
scientific presentations. He dedicated a large portion of his life
promoting people’s health and wellbeing of the community in general and
particularly the Iranian community.
10.-
Mr. BASILIO GIORDANO
Editor-In-Chief
“Il
Citadino Canadese”
Mr.
Basilio Giordano, is the Editor-In-Chief of “Il Citadino Canadese” one
of the oldest ethnic newspaper in Quebec with a circulation of more than
38.000 copies, and 25.00 subscribers of Italian origin.
Mr.
Giordano, over the years has succeeded to promote the paper in a real
institution for the Italian speaking Canadians.
11.-
Mr. AJITH JINADASA
The
Arts
Ajith
Jinadasa became a movie superstar at the tender age of 13.
Internationally-famous Sinhala film director Lester James Peiris picked
Jinadasa to play the lead role in Madol Duwa.
After
leaving school, Jinadasa, decided to make acting his profession and by the
time he left Sri Lanka for Canada in the late 90s, he had acted in about
50 televivision serials, 40 films and 20 stage plays.
Jinadasa,
who is presently living in Toronto devotes his free time to promote Sri
Lankan culture in Canada.
Your
Honour, Mr. Ajith Jinadasa.
12.-
Mr. JACK KYRIAZAKOS
Business/Community
A
native of Greece, Mr. Kyriazakos immigrated to Canada and he has been
active in the field of business. He established the Canadian-Brazilian
Coffee, a very innovative and successful company with distribution in
Canada, the USA , Europe, and lately in China. He has been involved with
and has supported many community projects and is highly respected within
his own community and the business community of Toronto.
13.-
Ms. NALY LIMA
Social
Services
Ms.
Naly Lima, a Brazilian
native, immigrated to Canada in
1993 with her husband.
In
1994 she was introduced to Portuguese Community.
This
way she became involved into social services of the Portuguese and
Brazilian communities in her effort to help those in need.
The
last few years she volunteered as a Board member for PIN Canada.
Currently
she is working for PIN as a Project Coordinator, working for ST.
Christopher as a Special project Worker and working for St. Stephen’s as
a Health Promoter for the Portuguese speaking community.
She
is also involved in facilitating workshops on Breast Cancer, Women’s
Health, AIDS/HIV Prevention.
14.-
Mr. JAI OJAH MAHARAJH
Director/Producer
Radio
Mr.
Jai Ajah, is the host of the Caribbean Connection, a very successful daily
program on CHIN Radio Toronto FM and AM.
This
show has evolved into a community oriented show on a commercial radio
station, addressing the socio-political, cultural and economic issues that
affects our communities in Canada and in the Caribbean.
He
has interviewed political leaders of all levels of the Canadian
Governments. He was the first host of South Asian News Week, which aired
on CFMT/now Omni television.
15.- Ms.
LINA MELO
Community
Ms.
Lina Melo, is a native of Brazil.
She
graduated from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in 1985 and
received a post graduation degree in Brazilian Civil and Labor Law in
1987.
She
immigrated to Canada in 1991. In 1992 she started to volunteer as a law
clerk for a private law firm in Canada for two years. In 1994 she
established a partnership at a legal services clinic.
For
years now Ms. Lina Melo is helping members of the Brazilian and Portuguese
speaking community of Canada.
Her
professionalism, honesty and valuable work have been crucial to her
community in Canada.
16.-
Mr. MARCIO MENDES
The
Arts
Mr.
Marcio Mendes, was born in the northern Brazilian city of Macapa. He began
training capoeira in Belem seventeen years ago. Since then, he has
successfully brought capoeira to many countries.
Today
he lives in Canada, a country he also considers home and has traveled
extensively throughout the provinces, bringing Brazilian culture to many
people. Capoeira is an art form and a dance developed by slaves over 300
years ago during the colonization era.
Marcio
Mendes was promoted to the ranks of professor by his respected master
Mestre bezerra, a man recognized by the international Capoeira
Confederation.
17.-
Ms. PARVANEH MISSAGHI
Community
Ms.
Parvaneh Missaghi, a native from Iran, is a veteran teacher, administrator
and promoter of the Persian Culture, literature and education in Canada.
During the last 20 years, Ms. Mishaghi has been instrumental in
establishing and managing one of the largest and most successful Persian
Educational programs in the York District School Board. She was the
liaison person between the school board, parents, and the community. She
is managing this program that effects 350 Canadian students of Persian
origin, each year.
A
graduate of Persian literature and Art from the National University of
Iran, Ms Missagghi, has also
a degree in Library Science from Seneca College of Torornto.
She
dedicated her life pushing the
limits of education methods and systems, she has been able to create
excitement and desire for Persian literature in the heart of Canadian
students of Persian cultural background.
18.-
Mr. SOMASIRI MYNASINGHE
Journalism
Mr.
Somasiri commenced his career in journalism in 1981, after graduating
from the University of Kelaniya, Sri Lanka. He joined the Daily
Observer as a copy editor and later worked in the Sunday Observer and
Daily News.
After
earning his MA in International Relations from the Colombo University in
1988, he joined the Gulf News. He migrated to Canada in 1997.
Today
he lives in Toronto and works as graphic designer, free lance journalist
and writer.
19.-
Mr. SHAHBAZ NAKHAI
Journalism
Mr.
Nakai is a journalist of
Iranian origin. A fitter for the rights of the people of Iran for an open
and just society he published over 300 articles in Iranian community
newspapers, in Montreal, Toronto and Vancouver, defending the rights of
the people of Iran to democracy and self determination.
20.-
Mr. ANDERS NEUMUELLER
Editor
“The Swedish Press”
Mr.
Anders Neumueller is the editor of the Swedish Press in Vancouver, which
is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year.
Founded
in 1929 Swedish Press has always retained a portion in Swedish, that
readers can now receive as an English “SweMail” translation by email.
He volunteered in many Swedish language broadcasts in Vancouver and is the driving force behind many community events, including the Sweden Day festivities that was the fundraising base for what has now become the impressive 3 acre Scandinavian Center.
21.-
Mr. THANH QUY NGUYEN
Editor
“The
Vietnam Time Magazine”
Immigrated
to Canada in 1984 from his native land of Vietnam. He started the
“Edmonton today”, a Vietnamese language magazine for seniors. Later he
began publishing the “Vietnam Time Magazine” which quickly became the
most trusted and longest serving periodical for the local Vietnamese
Canadian community.
He
is a very active member of the community and he is serving in various
boards of the city of Edmonton.
Mr.
Nguyen was educated at the National Institute of Public Administration,
Saigon, Vietnam, and the University of Southern California, USA, the
University of Dalat, Vietnam and Grant MacEwan
Community College in Edmonton, Canada.
22.-
Mss TANIA NUTTALL
Publisher
“Brazil News”
Mss
Tania Nuttall, is a native of Brazil. The youngest child of a very large
family. She immigrated to Canada with a dream to have a change to success.
She graduated from the Toronto School of Business in Tourism with honors.
Later
in 1996 she involved in the publication of a small community newspaper in
Toronto’s Brazilian community.
Today
this publication turned one of the very successful and most respected
publications in Portuguese language in Canada.
23.-
Mr. AMANULLAH OLOMI
Community
Mr. Olomi is a member of the Afghan Association of Ontario since 1983
Since
this period of time he continuously involved with the organization in
management and leadership capacities.
Over
the years he had an opportunity to work with the Afghan immigrants and
refugees and help them meet the challenges of their first days in Canada.
He
served in various committees in the community.
24.-Mss
SYBILLE FORSTER RENTMEISTER
Editor-In-Chief
“Echo
Germanica”
Sybille
Forster-Rentmeister arrived in Canada in 1968 together with her husband.
For many years she dedicated her time and energy as an all around artist.
She performed and acted on stage, for film and television, she was co-host
of a German Program in City TV in 1972, and also modeled in all
categories.
She
is a co-founder of the German Canadian Congress.
She
served the community in various capacities and functions. She has invited
and delivered a lecture on “ Art and War” at Upper Canada College and
she is the Editor-In-Chief of the “Echo Germanica” one of the best
publications of the Canadian-German community of Toronto.
25.-
Dr. ANTONY J. RODOLAKIS
Community
Dr.
Antony Rodolakis, a native of Crete Greece is a member of the large
Greek-Canadian community of Montreal where he lives and works as a
distinguished physician.
Dr.
Rodolakis, behind his professional achievements as a distinguished
physician he is dedicating time and energy voluntarily to help advance the
community as a hole.
He
is the president of the Pan-Cretans Association of Canada as well as
President of the Canadian Solidarity Committee for Cyprus.
26.-Ms
SVETLANA ROUFANOVA
Community
Svetlana,
is a speaker of the Russian Speaking Congress of Canada and president of
the Russian Library and information Centre in Toronto.
She
arrive in Canada the year 2000 from Russia and in 2002 she established the
Russian Library.
This
non profit organization is providing access to the universal collection of
Russian-Language books, magazines, newspapers and other materials for the
public.
The
Russian-speaking Congress of Canada is history in the making. It is the
first time when major community stakeholders united to speak in a single
voice and Svetlana Roufanova is one of the major players for this event.
27.- Mr. SHAHRAM SAREMI
Publisher/Editor
“The
Iranian Golden Pages”
Shahram
Saremi is a native of Iran. He attended the North Staffordshire
University, in England and received his degree in Computer Science. He
emigrated to Canada with his wife Susan and their two children in 1980.
He
is involved in business here in Canada and at the same time he is
dedicating time in community projects as a volunteer.
He
publishes the “Zarvaragh” the Iranian Golden Pages of Canada, a very
successful publication.
28.-Mr.
SEVARATNAM SELVAVIJAYA
Business/Community
Mr.
S. Selva Selvavijaya, is a well known Sri Lankan business entrepreneur
here in Canada. He has been in the travel trade business for the past 21
years.
His
contributions to his community are immense as he is always ready to help
those in need and he has made his contribution to the community without
much publicity.
He
was educated at Hindu College, Colombo Sri Lanka. Years after the school
he immigrated to Canada. He is today one of the most senior travel
consultants in the Sri Lankan community of Toronto, with a wealth of
experience.
29.-
Mr. HERMAN SILOCHAN
Editor
“The
Caribbean Camera”
One
of the most innovative and progressed minds of the Ethnic press of Canada
is Mr. Herman Silochan, who dedicated his life pressing for justice,
brotherhood, and equality for all the members of the ethnic communities of
Canada.
His
activities are reaching far beyond the press. He is involved with the
organization of Caribbana and other community projects. He believes in the
principal that the ethnic press primarily should communicate Canadian only
news to readership.
We
appreciate Mr. Silochan’s views.
30.-
Dr. KENG CHIT SO, PhD
Journalism/literature
Dr.
Keng Chit So, is a writer, columnist, commentator and also media program
host for literally all press and electronic Chinese media in Canada from
1992 to present.
He
is Vice president of Canada-Hong Kong Link and owner of the Chez Moi Book
House.
He
is associate professor, department of Chinese History and Literature,
Zhuhai College in Hong Kong.
Founder
of Hong Kong Democratic Alliance in 1992.
Dr.
So, as a distinguished writer and journalist, helps Chinese Canadians
originating from different regions to reconcile their differences and to
focus on Canadian shared values of democracy, human rights and freedoms.
31.-
Dr. BUSHA TAA, Ph.D
Community
Dr.
Busha J. Taa, a native from Ethiopia, obtained his PhD from the University
of Toronto specializing in sociology of education. He has a diversified
background in political science, sociology, philosophy and education.
Lecturer and researcher in universities such as Brock, U of T, and the
University of Western Ontario, he teaches political science, sociology and
law and social justice.
He
is the President of the Canadian-Ethiopian Community of Toronto which he
reconstructed and revitalized.
32.-
Mr. JOHN TSATSOS
Community
Mr.
John Tsatsos a native of Greece, immigrated to Canada in 1969. He entered
into restaurant business at the time and later following his instinct he
moved to car garage and body shop. He attended and graduated from George
Brown College in auto mechanics.
At
the age of 24 he created his first business in Etobicoke and later a
second location in Georgetown, Ontario.
A
firm believer of the need for a strong community, for years he has been
sponsoring local school sport-teams , police association activities, the
Hospital for Sick Kids and also various charitable causes in Canada’s
Greek Orthodox Church and the Community.
He
is the driving force and president for more than ten years for the
creation of Mississauga’s Greek Orthodox Community of Prophet Elias.
33.-
Mr. PETER XENIAS
Business/Community
A native of Greece, Peter, immigrated to Canada and commenced
working in the Structural Steel Industry as a Draftsman.
By
1979 he created his own Structural Steel fabrication and Erection Company,
(Skyhawk Steel Construction LTD), After 25 years in business, Skyhawk has
grown to be one of Ontario’s leading Steel Fabrication Company,
successfully completing a magnitude of projects from North West
Territories to Bermuda and New York.
Peter,
served as Chairman of the Ontario Region of the Canadian Institute of
Steel Construction, to many other organizations and was very successful
fundraising organizer for the West Park Hospital.
He
presently serves as Vice President of the Hellenic Heritage Foundation (HHF),
which has created a Chair for the Hellenic Studies at the York University,
with a contribution of 1.500.000 dollars.
He
also sits on the Board of Directors for the Hellenic Home for the Aged and
he is the co-Chair of the
Capital Campaign of 3.5 million dollars.
34.-
Ms. SUE ZINDROS
Business/Community
Ms
Zindros, a native from the island of Rhodes, Greece, immigrated to Canada
with her parents at the age of six. She attended local schools in Toronto
and later the University of Toronto, majoring in Phychology.
Ms.
Zindros is the owner of one of the most famous and successful restaurants
of Toronto with a staff of twenty five.
Over
the years she proved that she given back greatly to her community through
volunteerism.
She
has been involved as a volunteer with the Greek Town on the Danforth
Business improvement and under this capacity she started the famous
“Taste of the Danforth” event which raised to date 700.000 dollars for
the Toronto East General Hospital.
Greek
Town is a piece of the multicultural mosaic that makes Toronto the great
city we know.
SPESIAL
AWARD LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT
35.-
Mr. STURE WERMEE
Former
Editor-In-Chief
“The Swedish Press”
Mr.
Sture Wermee, a native of Sweden, is one of the pioneers in the
development of the industry of the Ethnic Press of Canada.
He
worked under conditions unthinkable in order to create and sustain the
Swedish Press of Vancouver, as editor-In-chief for many years.
Today
he retired from the active journalism the Swedish Press continue to be a
vital voice of his community.
Your
Honour, Mr. Wermee is unable to be here today and accepting the Award on
his behalf is Mr. Anders.
36.-Hon.
JAMES K. BARTLEMAN
Lieutenant
Governor of Ontario
HONORARY
CHAIR
Of the
NEPMCC
