Christina Holmdahl

Awarded for service to arts and media; community, advocacy and inclusion; literature; government, public services and politics; volunteering

Born: 8 February 1946

Entered on roll: 2023

"A role model for women and community leaders"

Christina Holmdahl was born to Polish parents in a refugee camp in Germany and immigrated with them to Australia in 1949. The family lived in camps in Victoria and Tasmania before settling in North Hobart.

Christina started her career in television, film, and journalism at TVT6 in Hobart before working for the Tasmanian Government Film Unit, where she produced content on issues impacting Tasmania.

Christina then joined CTC-7’s special projects division in Canberra, producing extended reports and documentaries and was the station’s Production Manager for 6 years. Her assignments took her to North America, Europe, and Asia. She later moved to Adelaide and worked in a senior public affairs role with the Australian Railways Commission.

When Christina retired to Clarence Point in Tasmania an issue that concerned her greatly was the state of the West Tamar Highway, a road she travelled daily. She joined the Northern Ratepayers Association which successfully lobbied the State Government to fix the Supply River section of the highway.

In 2009, Christina was elected to the West Tamar Council, serving as Deputy Mayor and in 2014, as Mayor. Christina was also President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania and Australian Local Government Association’s Vice President.

Christina is an active volunteer in the arts, small business, and local community. She was the inaugural vice chair of the Festival of Golden Words Writers Festival (now Tamar Valley Writers Festival), and an active member of West Tamar Rotary Club, West Tamar Arts Group, West Tamar Chamber of Commerce, Tamar Valley Film Society, Tamar Valley U3A, Kelso Fire Brigade, Beaconsfield Rural Fire Service and Australian Independent Retirees Northern Tasmania Branch.

In her spare time Christina enjoys travel, gardening, reading and opera.