Thomas AterPrint Page 
The basketball court commemorates Thomas Ater, a Sudanese immigrant and youth worker.
Thomas Ater, a Sudanese immigrant who lived in Merrylands, died from Malaria while on a trip to Southern Sudan, to celebrate the new country's independence. He was an African youth worker who ran sports, life skills and after-school sessions for young people and also helped families through case work.
The Sudanese teenagers, new to the country and the centre, were told by Thomas to train hard and behave well. They would meet regularly with him to shoot hoops and they learnt lessons both on and off the courts. The plaque was unveiled after a petition by the young people he helped.
Location
| Address: | Memorial Drive, Granville Youth & Community Recreation Centre, Granville, 2142 |
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| State: | NSW |
| Area: | AUS |
| GPS Coordinates: | Lat: -33.835278 Long: 151.013778 Note: GPS Coordinates are approximate. |
Details
| Monument Type: | Structure |
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| Monument Theme: | People |
| Sub-Theme: | Tragedy |
Dedication
| Actual Monument Dedication Date: | Wednesday 30th November, 2011 |
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Plaque :
The Thomas Ater Basketball Court
This plaque was unveiled by
the Right Worshipful, the Lord Mayor of Parramatta
Councillor Lorraine Wearne
30 November 2011
To officially name the basketball court after Thomas John Malou Ater
Dedicated to coach Thomas Ater (01 June 1971 - 15 August 2011) for his devotion and inspiration to young people in Western Sydney
Arthur Phillip Ward Councillors
Cr Julia Finn Cr Chiang Lim Cr Prabir Maitra
Caroline Chisholm Ward Councillors
Cr Paul Barber Cr Andrew Bide Cr Scott Lloyd
Elizabeth Macarthur Ward Councillors
Cr John Chedid Cr Mark Lack Cr Michael McDermott
Woodville Ward Councillors
Cr Glenn Elmore Cr Paul Garrard Cr Antoine (Tony) Issa OAM
Lachlan Macquarie Ward Councillors
Cr Pierre Esber
Cr Lorraine Wearne Lord Mayor
Cr Andrew Wilson Mayor Deputy Lord
