MEDIA RELEASES

Sarkis Yedelian

Deputy Mayor

Your Independent

Central Ward Councillor

City of Ryde

NSW, Australia

PO Box 631, Gladesville, NSW 2111
Phone Business hours: 02 8004 5053

Phone After Hours: 0 412 048 330 Email:sarkis@yedelian.com

Member of the following Committees
- Development Committee (Deputy Chairperson)
- City of Ryde Bicycle Advisory Committee
- Cities for Climate Protection Committee
- Lane Cove Tunnel. Ryde Consultative Working Party -Community Harmony Reference Group

"A Council for the People"

Sarkis Yedelian - Media Releases

                27 April 2008: RYDE CITY MARKS 93rd ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

               12September 2007: COUNCILLOR SARKIS YEDELIAN ELECTED DEPUTY MAYOR OF RYDE
               29th of April 2007, Ryde City Council joined the Armenian-Australian

14 February 2006:YEDELIAN CALLS FOR SMOKING BAN IN PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS

2 August, 2005: YEDELIAN CALLS FOR AN URGENT IMPLEMENTATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL MEANS ON CONSTITUTION Rd.

13 April 2005 :  RYDE COMMEMORATES 90^th ANNIVERSARY ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

12 April 2005: Ryde City Council unanimously passes Motion marking 90^th Anniversary of Armenian Genocide.

5 April 2005 : ANZAC COVE DESTRUCTION Continues

8 March 2005 : YEDELIAN CALLS FOR HALT ON CONSTRUCTION AT ANZAC COVE

6 April 2004 :   SARKIS YEDELIAN ELECTED TO RYDE CITY COUNCIL

27 April 2008: RYDE CITY MARKS 93rd ANNIVERSARY OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE:

RYDE, NSW, AUSTRALIA - on Sunday 27^th of April 2008, Ryde City joined with Armenian-Australians, in commemorating the 93rd anniversary of the Armenian Genocide of 1915-1922.
The commemoration, was held at Meadowbank War Memorial Park in front of the Armenian Genocide Memorial. The Armenian Genocide wreath laying ceremony was organized by the Ryde City Council in conjunction with the Armenian Community. The ceremony, held since 2005, was organized by Ryde City Council with active participation by the Armenian Genocide Commemorative Committee, Australian National Committee, Deniston East Homentmen Ararat Scouts, Ryde Multicultural Centre and the extended Armenian Community of Ryde.

The Master of Ceremony, Councillor Sarkis Yedelian, Deputy Mayor of the City, first acknowledged and paid respect to many clans of the Eora nation on whose traditional land the memorial has been erected and the ceremony took place. Among the many participants were Clr. Ivan Petch Mayor of Ryde, descendents of Genocide Survivors, His Eminence Arch. Aghan Baliozian Primate of Armenian Apostolic Church of Australia and New Zealand, Rev Khachik Khachikian, Reverend Fathers, Mr. & Mrs. Varoujan and Sylvia Iskenderian Permanent representative of Nagorno Kharapagh Republic, members of Armenian National Committee and Representatives of various community organizations, as well as the Homenetmen Ararat scouts.

On April 12, 2005, through the initiative of Clr. Yedelian, City of Ryde unanimously passed a resolution condemning the Armenian Genocide. Ryde Council made history by becoming first City Council in Australia to adopt the following resolution;

Ryde City Council;

(1)    acknowledges this year (2005) as marking the occasion of the 90th anniversary commemoration of the Genocide of the Armenians perpetrated by the then Ottoman Government between the years 1915-1922;

(2)    joins with the Armenian community of Ryde in honouring the memory of the 1.5 million men, women and children who died in the first genocide of the twentieth century;

(3)    recognises 24 April every year as a day of remembrance of the Armenian genocide;

(4)    condemns the genocide of the Armenians and all other acts of genocide committed as the ultimate act of racial, religious and cultural intolerance;

(5)    calls on the Commonwealth Government to officially condemn:

(i) the genocide of the Armenians

(ii) any attempt to deny such crimes against humanity.



And on 24^th of April 2005 Ryde City erected a memorial in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

Following the resolution in April 2005, the City of Ryde wrote to The Prime Minister of the time, Mr. John Howard asking him to condemn the Armenian Genocide but was unsuccessful.

The Ryde City Council and the Armenian Community have welcomed Prime Minister Kevin Rudd's courageous apology, to the stolen Generation in what is considered a fundamental step toward reconciliation and righting past wrongs.

Mr. Rudd apologised to indigenous Australians, both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, for past laws and policies that had “inflicted profound grief, suffering and loss on [indigenous] fellow Australians. The Mayor of Ryde Clr. Ivan Petch, His Eminence Arch. Baliozian and Clr. Yedelian, called upon the newly elected Federal Government to officially condemn the Armenian Genocide. Clr. Yedelian hoped that the Australian Parliament's apology to the Aboriginal people for past wrongs has set precedence and would encourage, the Government of Turkey to abandon its denialist policy, to recognise the Armenian Genocide and to embrace reconciliation with the Armenian people.

Clr. Yedelian also called upon the Ms. Maxine McKew, Federal Member for Bennelong to act upon her pre election pledge to “unequivocally and publicly support the recognition of the Armenian Genocide if elected to government in the upcoming federal elections”

“I am sure we will have the full support of our local federal Member Ms. Maxine McKew, and with the support of our friends in the Federal Parliament, we will achieve justice and prevent other Genocides and atrocities reoccurring.“ continued Mr Yedelian.

Click on the photo to see it bigger

12 September 2007

YEDELIAN ELECTED DEPUTY MAYOR OF RYDE

Yesterday evening Ryde Councillors voted Clr Sarkis Yedelian as Deputy Mayor and re-elected Ivan Petch as Mayor of the City of Ryde

“I am very humbled and honoured to be appointed the Deputy Mayor of this fine city,” Clr Yedelian said.

“I will continue to work hard to deliver improvements to our local community including implementing Top Ryde’s development, and improving local services.”

“I also intend to work closely with Mayor Ivan Petch and fellow councillors to deliver positive outcomes for Ryde residents,” Clr Yedelian said.

Some of the achievements of Councillor Yedelian since being elected to Council include:

- In conjunction with Ryde RSL dedicating a memorial plaque commemorating the 90th anniversary of Gallipoli.

- Successfully initiating a smoking ban on council owned public venues including parks and playgrounds.

- On March 8, 2005, Ryde Council considered concerns expressed by Independent Councillor Sarkis Yedelian regarding reports that human remains from the Gallipoli Conflict are believed to have been dug up and possibly destroyed by local workers.

- On April 12, 2005, Clr. Yedelian's motion was passed unanimously by Ryde City Council  marking 90th Anniversary of Armenian --Genocide and Council erected a memorial garden in the Meadowbank War Memorial Park. For the first time, an Australian Council officially recognised the Armenian Genocide of 1915, and called on the Commonwealth Government to do the same. Sarkis Yedelian was elected Councillor of Central Ward in the March 2004 at Local Government elections, and is the first Councillor elected in Australia of Armenian heritage. Next Local Government elections will be held in September 2008.



29 AprilL 2007

Sunday 29th of April 2007, Ryde City Council joined the Armenian-Australian Community and honoured the memory of the 1.5 million victims of the Armenian Genocide at Meadowbank Armenian Genocide Memorial at Meadow Crescent, Meadowbank. On behalf of the City of Ryde and its residents Mayor, Clr. Ivan Petch laid a wreath in memory of the victims of the Armenian Genocide.

14 February 2006

YEDELIAN CALLS FOR SMOKING BAN IN PARKS AND PLAYGROUNDS

Ryde City Council will join other Sydney Councils in banning smoking in parks and playgrounds following release of Council’s "No Smoking Policy – Parks and Reserves".

Independent Councillor for Ryde City Council, Mr Sarkis Yedelian introduced a motion to Council last year calling for the ban to improve public health for residents.

Following public exhibition of the proposed policy Council will determine its policy.

“Tobacco use is the single greatest cause of preventable disease,” Clr Yedelian said.

“We all know the dangers of smoking and passive smoking, particularly to children

“Reducing its use is therefore a major and effective strategy for promoting public health.

“This initiative is about bringing Ryde in line with other Councils in Sydney in being a safe and healthy environment for residents and our children.

“Council has a role in advocating better public health for its residents and to protect the health of the wider community,” Clr Yedelian said.

Numerous councils have voted to protect the health of their children by making playgrounds and sporting fields smoke-free zones, they included:

Launceston;

Liverpool;

Hawkesbury;

Pittwater;

Wingecarribee;

Willoughby;

Manly;

Waverly;

Gosford; and

Wyong Councils.

Many sporting venues around Australia including Central Coast Stadium, Stadium Australia, Telstra Dome, Melbourne Cricket Ground, the Western Australia Cricket Association and ANZ stadium have become smoke-free

NSW Parliament has already enacted legislation regulating smoking in enclosed places (Smoke-free Environment Act 2000).

For further information concerning the Council’s proposed policy can be obtained by contacting Ryde City Council or visiting Council’s Web page at www.ryde.nsw.gov.au.

2 August, 2005

Clr. YEDELIAN CALLS FOR AN URGENT IMPLEMENTATION OF TRAFFIC CONTROL MEANS ON CONSTITUTION ROAD MEADOWBANK

Independent Councillor for Ryde, Mr Sarkis Yedelian today called on RTA and Ryde Council Officers to implement as matter of urgency, traffic control means for Constitution Rd Meadowbank.

“Safety of the local residents should come first, fatal accidents are imminent, it’s a matter of time, as a matter of urgency RTA and Ryde Council should install;

1-     A permanent speed camera at this location.

2-     Installation of fixed traffic calming measures.

3-     Closure of Hamilton Cres. West- left only Entry in & Exit out.

4-     Movement of Const Rd. carriageway line markings.

5-     Limit the weight of vehicles on Constitution Rd.

Development of Meadowbank is important, it should not sacrifice the safety of our residents.”

   13 April 2005

Ryde City Council unanimously passes Motion marking

90^th Anniversary of Armenian Genocide

RYDE COMMEMORATES 90^th ANNIVERSARY ARMENIAN GENOCIDE

For the first time, an Australian Council yesterday officially recognised the Armenian Genocide of 1915, and called on the Commonwealth Government to do the same, Independent Ryde City Councillor, Sarkis Yedelian announced today. In 1915, the first genocide of the twentieth century took place, which led to the annihilation of 1.5 million men, women and children.

"As the first Australian Councillor of Armenian ancestry, and a son of survivor of the Armenian Genocide, I feel honoured to have moved this motion,” Clr Yedelian said.

“The motion ensures that crimes committed in the past are never forgotten, and that we do all we can to prevent similar crimes against humanity.

“It is fitting that Ryde Council has added its name to the growing list of national, state and municipal bodies that have reaffirmed the Armenian genocide worldwide.

Councils in Canada, France, Italy, and the United States have also passed motions on the Armenian genocide

In 1997, the NSW Parliament formally recognised the Armenian genocide and in the following year passed a motion to erect a memorial in the NSW Parliamentary precinct in memory of the victims of the Armenian genocide.

The motion was passed in the presence of the Armenian Australian community, including His Eminence Archbishop Aghan Baliozian, Primate of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The motion was seconded by Clr Ivan Petch. Mayor Perram and Clr Campbell also spoke in favour of the motion.

According to the 2001 Census, 94,478 people live in Ryde City Council located in Sydney’s north-west, and has the largest concentration of Armenian community anywhere in Sydney.

Ryde City Council is located in the Federal electorate of Bennelong, which is represented by the Prime Minister, Mr John Howard.

Yesterday evening Ryde City Council unanimously passed the following motion:

That this Council:

(1)    acknowledges this year as marking the occasion of the 90th anniversary commemoration of the Genocide of the Armenians perpetrated by the then Ottoman Government between the years 1915-1922;

(2)    joins with the Armenian community of Ryde in honouring the memory of the 1.5 million men, women and children who died in the first genocide of the twentieth century;

(3)    recognises 24 April every year as a day of remembrance of the Armenian genocide;

(4)    condemns the genocide of the Armenians and all other acts of genocide committed as the ultimate act of racial, religious and cultural intolerance;

(5)    calls on the Commonwealth Government to officially condemn:

(i)        the genocide of the Armenians

(ii)       any attempt to deny such crimes against humanity.

12 April 2005

Meadowbank Armenian Genocide Memorial

Ryde City Council unanimously passes Motion marking 90^th Anniversary of Armenian Genocide.
RYDE: This evening Ryde City Council unanimously passed

the following Motion commemorating the Armenian Genocide,

moved by Independent Councillor Mr Sarkis Yedelian:

L. to R. Clr. Sarkis Yedelian, Hon. John Watkins MP, Clr. Terry Perram and His Emin. Arch. Aghan Baliozian

That this Council:

(1)    acknowledges this year as marking the occasion of the 90th anniversary commemoration of the Genocide of the Armenians perpetrated by the then Ottoman Government between the years 1915-1922;

(2)    joins with the Armenian community of Ryde in honouring the memory of the 1.5 million men, women and children who died in the first genocide of the twentieth century;

(3)    recognises 24 April every year as a day of remembrance of the Armenian genocide;

(4)    condemns the genocide of the Armenians and all other acts of genocide committed as the ultimate act of racial, religious and cultural intolerance;

(5)    calls on the Commonwealth Government to officially condemn:

(i)   the genocide of the Armenians

(ii) any attempt to deny such crimes against humanity.

On April 24 of this year, on the eve of the 90^th anniversary of the ANZAC landings, Armenians the world over, including the many thousands of Armenian-Australians living in Ryde, will commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Armenian genocide. In 1915, and in anticipation of the Allied invasion, the Ottoman Empire set in motion a plan to exterminate the entire Christian Armenian population living on their ancestral lands of Eastern Anatolia, part of what is today the Republic of Turkey. This state-sponsored program resulted in the brutal extermination of some 1.5 million Armenian men, women and children.

Clr Yedelian said - ”As the first Australian Councillor of Armenian ancestry, and a son of survivor of the Armenian Genocide, I feel honoured to have moved this Motion. The importance of this Commemorative Motion, however, goes beyond the Armenian-Australian Community, many thousands of who call the City of Ryde home.”

“In stark contrast to post-Nazi Germany which has acknowledged and sought to atone for the crimes of the Nazi regime, successive Turkish governments have refused to come to terms with their own history. The “industry of genocide denial” by successive Turkish States, has set a very dangerous precedent, which has already been relied upon by at least one mass murderer, Hitler, for his genocidal crimes, and which cannot be left without redress” Yedelian added.

As the City of Ryde has one of the largest and growing Armenian-Australian constituencies, it fitting that Ryde Council has added its name to the growing list of multi-national, national, state/provisional and municipal legislative bodies (including the NSW Parliament) that have commemorated and reaffirmed the historical truth of the Armenian Genocide, and which have provided a resounding response to Hitler’s self-justifying question in 1939 before he embarked on his genocidal deeds during World War II – "Who remembers now the destruction of the Armenians?"

As with a similar motion passed unanimously by the NSW Parliament in 1997, Ryde Council Motion also calls on the Federal Parliament to add its voice to this important call.

[end]

April 5, 2005

  ANZAC COVE DESTRUCTION Continues

  On March 8, 2005, Ryde Council considered concerns expressed by Independent Councillor Sarkis Yedelian regarding reports that human remains from the Gallipoli Conflict are believed to have been dug up and possibly destroyed by local workers. Ryde Council believes that every possible action should be taken to ensure that those who gave their lives protecting our Country are given the highest respect and that the Federal Government must ensure that any remains discovered are properly maintained and preserved during the construction works. (See Attached press release).

Accordingly Council resolved that Ryde Council:

1) Join with the Returned Services League (RSL) in urging the Federal Government to immediately ensure the protection of World War I graves at Gallipoli - which are threatened from a road widening project that could have possible impact on human remains at Anzac Cove.

(2) Call on the Federal Government and the Department of Veterans Affairs to ensure any remains discovered are properly maintained and preserved during the construction.

On 17 March 2005, Council wrote to The Honourable John Howard, MP Member for Bennelong, Prime Minister of Australia with its concern.

Further proof is coming out that ANZAC Cove is in danger of destruction. Irreversible damage can be made if urgent action is not taken by our Federal Government.

On 2^nd April 2005, a letter and pphotos sent to Federal MPs by a former Australian Army officer show the destruction caused by the Government’s road works at Anzac Cove (photos attached).

Mr. Jeff Cleverly, who served in the Australian Army for a decade, says “the work has been excessive and largely inappropriate”.

"In fact, the extent of this work runs counter to the original report commissioned by the Turkish Government in 1997, which recommended that it was essential to keep the integrity of the ANZAC area."

“The 20 meter widening of the road inside ANZAC Cove seems more than the once-a-year heavy demand requires and it has not addressed the real problem, which is the erosion on the beach side of the road.”

The Australian Government requested the destructive road works while it was pursuing National Heritage Listing for Anzac Cove.

The photos show “spoil from the road works being dumped into Anzac Cove, removing large portions of the beach”. The photos also confirm previous reports that Anzac Cove now looks like an open cut mine.

Mr. Cleverly is not alone in his condemnation of the road works. Many other leading experts on Gallipoli share his concern.

Mr Cleverly has also raised concerns about another road from Lone Pine to Chunuk Bair (letter to MPs and map attached).

All calls to Federal Government seem being ignored.

Tuesday 5 April 2005    For further information/comment:

March 8, 2005

YEDELIAN CALLS FOR HALT ON CONSTRUCTION AT ANZAC COVE

Independent Councillor for Ryde, Mr Sarkis Yedelian today urged the Federal Government to put a halt to the widening of a road at Anzac Cove which threatens possible human remains.

Clr Yedelian made the call as a matter of urgency at tonight’s Council meeting, following discussions with local Ryde RSL Members.

The issue surrounds a 20 metre-wide road, which has already covered part of the beach at Gallipoli.

There are reports that human remains from the Gallipoli conflict are believed to have been dug up and possibly destroyed by local workers.

“This is a matter of grave concern, for all Australians,” Clr Yedelian said.

“This year is also a special year with the 90^th anniversary of the landing of Gallipoli.

“We must do all we can to ensure those who gave their lives protecting our country are given the highest respect,” Clr Yedelian said.

Mr Yedelian said the Federal Government must ensure any remains discovered are properly maintained and preserved during the construction.

Each year more than 10,000 Australians travel there for the ANZAC dawn service.

6^th of April 2004

SARKIS YEDELIAN ELECTED TO RYDE CITY COUNCIL

Newly elected Councillor for Central Ward, Ryde City Council, Mr Sarkis Yedelian today thanked the people of Ryde for electing him to serve on Ryde City Council.

First and only Councillor elected in Australia of Armenian ancestry.

"I am deeply humbled and grateful to the people of Ryde for their support and trust," Clr Yedelian said. "It is an immense honour for me to be given the opportunity to serve the people of Ryde. "I convey my sincere thanks to all those people who supported me during the local government campaign.

Clr Yedelian was elected on a platform on delivering a fresh approach to dealing with Council issues, and bringing accountability to Ryde City
Council.

Clr Yedelian will be calling on Ryde City Council to consider local resident concerns first and foremost before any decision is taken on the Top Ryde Urban Village Plan.

Clr Yedelian will also seek to introduce Council-Business partnerships.
A model to seek cooperation with the North Ryde corporate IT business sector to improve local childcare and sporting facilities.

"Ryde city is a great place to live, and I'll be doing everything I can to ensure it remains so," Clr Yedelian said.

Clr Yedelian has lived in the Ryde area for over 20 years, and operates a camera and video production business in Gladesville.

Clr Yedelian is a founding and current board member of Community TV Sydney Ltd., CH31. He is also the president of Armenian TV Sydney Incorporated. Established in 1994, it is the first and remains the only Armenian TV broadcast service in Australia run entirely by volunteers and producing 3 hours of broadcasting each week.

Clr Yedelian is the first Councillor elected in Australia of Armenian
ancestry.

Clr Yedelian is married with two children