Sarkis Yedelian

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Sarkis Yedelian was elected as an Independent Councillor for the City of Ryde on Saturday 27 March 2004.^[1] He migrated to Australia in 1979 from Beirut, Lebanon. His parents were survivors of Armenian Genocide of 1915. He is active in Multicultural Community of Ryde City and Sydney.

In 1994, Sarkis formed "Armenian TV Sydney Inc." and became its President. He produced over 1000 hours of community TV programs for Sydney's Armenian and broader culturally-diverse community.^[2] Sarkis has recorded over 35 hours of video testimonies of survivors of the Armenian Genocide. He has also served in a voluntary capacity as Director and Board Member at Community TV Sydney CH31 (1995-2004) and Programming Council Chairman at Community TV Sydney CH31 (1995-2004). He has voluntarily trained young journalists, video producers and camera operators.

He became the first elected Councillor in Australia of Armenian ancestry and one of first independent Councillors of Ryde born overseas with a culturally diverse background. He actively encouraged other migrants at all levels to participate in the everyday public life of the communities of Greater Ryde and the Lower North Shore.

On 27 October 2007 Armenian Chamber of Commerce of Australia awarded him with “Community service Award".

Sarkis is the first and only Councillor elected in Australia of Armenian ancestry, he speaks five languages.

He was elected as Deputy Mayor on 11th of September 2007