Donna Rousham named Darwin Citizen of the Year

Darwin Citizen of the Year’s has been named at a special ceremony in the city on Sunday. SEE WHO WON.

Darwin citizenship ceremony 2025 Pradeep Pathak

A woman who pioneered inclusive swimming in the Top End to now have more than 100 students attending her classes is Darwin’s Citizen of the Year

Donna Rousham was honoured for her role in the field of inclusive swimming after she formed the Starfish Swim Group in 2005, providing specialised swimming instruction for special needs children.

The mother of Australian Paralympic swimmer Tahnee Afuhaamango, Donna’s contribution provides an invaluable service for the parents of children with disability.

“I learnt from my own daughter swimming many years ago what’s needed and what works,” Donna said.

Donna Rousham and her daughter Tahnee Afuhaamango

“We went through a process of elimination going five-on-one, three-on-one until we realised that telling factor to get it right was to do one-on-one. It’s a relationship built for two people which happens a lot quicker than in a group setting.”

Classes are held six afternoons a week at Haileybury and Henbury schools and the one-time Order of Australia recipient has fostered a secure, caring environment for students.

The raising of the Australian flag as part of Sunday’s citizenship ceremony took her back to international competitions that Tahnee had taken part in, and the enormous pride she felt representing her country.

“When she’d win a race we watched the Australian flag be raised and the national anthem played, whether it was Barcelona or Ireland,” she said.

“And that was really special that this little kid who swims in the Territory and we’re over in another country and here’s the Australian flag.

Darwin citizenship ceremony 2025 Hussain Karim Al, wife Faireen and three-month old Amyra.

“What it felt then is what it still feels like today. It was her time then and it’s our time now and we are really proud Australians.”

Young Citizen of the Year was awarded to Peter Susanto, who has used his exceptional academic abilities to forge a career in medicine from a very young age.

Darwin citizenship ceremony 2025 Pradeep Pathak

Community Activity of the Year was awarded to the Darwin Lions Beer Can Regatta.

Meanwhile, 56 new Australian citizens from 20 countries have made City of Darwin their home after a swearing in ceremony at Doubletree on Hilton Sunday morning.

Pakistan-born Hussain Karim Ali was accompanied by his wife Faireen and three-month-old baby Amyra as Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis swore in the new citizens.

“She beat me to citizenship by three months,” he said of his daughter.

“I’m obviously very pleased to have citizenship and to be living in Darwin. This is a safe, muliticultural country with a lot of security and opportunities.”

After 10 years in Australia and six in the Territory, Pradeep Pathak was also delighted to have earnt citizenship.

He was accompanied by loved-ones Aarohi, Aaron and Nirmala.

Originally published as Donna Rousham named Darwin Citizen of the Year