Jennifer Pittorino
Former Hobsons Bay mayor Angela Altair, who grew up in Sunshine, was among the hundreds of Australians recognised in the Australia Day Honours List.
With an extensive resume serving the community through her journalism and time on Hobsons Bay council, Angela was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM).
Angela was born and raised in the west. Her parents were Maltese immigrants and she spent her adolescence roaming around Sunshine learning to love her community.
From a young age Angela knew what her passions were.
Her father, “a die hard Labor man” taught her to love politics, and journalism, something she fell into as a young woman and loved.
“As a journo I could happily combine my twin passions, the printed word and politics,” she said.
“I would cover local government, little did I know I would later move to the other side of the desk on council.”
Angela was elected to council in 1999 saying her entry into local government was something of a “cliche”.
“It was really a chance to try and do some good in the community. The thing about local government is it’s a friendlier political area, particularly for young working mums,” she said.
With three children in high school at the time, Angela said she could not have spent more than 20 years on council without the support from her family.
“My family were incredibly supportive, they let me pursue it, even though it was tough,” she said.
“My husband had a very busy job, but it was so fulfilling. I never regretted the moments where I had the chance to fulfil some of my dreams.”
Angela was elected mayor for the first time in 2022, then again in 2012 and one last time in 2017 before retiring in 2020.
“This is very much an award for the people of Hobsons Bay who reelected me that many times,” she said when asked about how the OAM made her feel.
“And also my colleagues on the council who obviously had confidence in making me mayor three times.
“I was completely surprised by this. I am very grateful to who nominated me but I am sure that there’s more deserving people, the real quiet achievers in the community who probably will never get recognised.”
In combining her love for writing and the community, Angela along with Catherine Ryan and Robin Grove, founded the Williamstown Literary Festival in 2003.
“This is still going today and of course I am very proud of that,” she said fondly.
In her retirement, Angela has still kept ties with her community, keeping an eye on what’s happening in Hobsons Bay.
“I have remained a community activist. Of course I do a lot of reading, I play bridge and I do some hiking,” she said.
Reflecting on the honour, Angela said she wished that her parents were still alive to share this success with her.
“This award shows what a great country this is,” she said.
“It doesn’t matter where you come from, what colour your skin is, what your race is, everyone has equal opportunity to achieve their best.
“In the 1950s, mum and dad came out on a migrant ship with a couple of crates of our worldly belongings, and I know that we’re very proud of what I have achieved.
“It’s been a wonderful time and I’ve never regretted a minute of it.”
