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Community-minded officer named Auburn Citizen of the Year

30 January 2015
Community-minded officer named Auburn Citizen of the Year

Australia Day Ambassador Dr Cindy Pan, Auburn Corps Officer Captain Nesan Kistan and Mayor of Auburn City Councillor Ronney Quiek at the Australia Day celebrations at Sydney Olympic Park. (Photo courtesy of Auburn City Council)


“I have never been motivated by what people say or do. My aim has always been to seek the approval of God - not man. It is God alone that brings us favour and influence and He deserves all praise glory and honour,” says Salvation Army Officer Captain Nesan Kistan on being named Auburn Citizen of the Year.

When the Auburn Corps Officer attended an Australia Day awards ceremony at Sydney Olympic Park, he thought he was there to represent his corps for a nomination they had received for Community Event of the Year.

However, he was unaware of his own nomination.

“It was a surprise when my name was called up as a nominee for Local Citizen of the Year. There were a number of very good candidates who I thought were very deserving. I was surprised that I was included in that group,” said Captain Nesan.

For the past 10 years, Captain Nesan has been working closely with the Auburn community, he, along with his wife Captain Cheryl, have been serving as the corps officers/pastors of the Auburn Corps in Sydney’s west.

Some of his many roles within the community included NSW Police Chaplain, involvement with citizenship ceremonies, sitting on several boards within the Auburn City Council and working with leaders from the various ethnic groups and community leaders; like the Afghani, Somali, African and Asian communities.

“I always understood that the role of a Christian leader with any community is to fall in love with their community. If you’re doing your job right you should love the people not just within the walls of your church, but within the bounds of your community,” he said.

The Auburn Corps did receive the Community Event of the Year award for the ‘Walk For Hope’, a suicide awareness event held in September last year. Australia Day Ambassador Dr Cindy Pan and Mayor of Auburn City Councillor Ronney Quiek presented both awards on the day to Captain Nesan.

At the start of the year the Kistans received farewell orders, taking up a new appointment at Sydney’s Ryde Corps. But Captain Nesan said his prayer is the same no matter where he may be serving.

“My prayer has always been community transformation. I pray 'God transform this community into a place which knows His grace, His love and His mercy',” he said.

“It is evidence of the fact that the award speaks that the church – The Salvation Army – has had a significant place in bringing transformation to the community of Auburn. The community recognises that, in a way, Jesus reigns.”

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