LAUNCESTON'S Mayor Choosing Ceremony on Thursday stands unique in the history of the town — it was the first time in living memory that the annual event had taken place outside the confines of the Town Hall complex.

The £1-million re-furbishment project in the Town Hall resulted in a move to the Eagle House Hotel, Launceston, where town councillors and their guests gathered.

The Mayor-elect, Cllr Paul O'Brien, was formally nominated as Mayor for the coming year — his second consecutive term in the role of the town's leading citizen.

He said: "This is the first occasion in living memory this ceremony has not been held in the Town Hall. Because of the major refurbishment, we have become refugees in our own town.

"Unfortunately, the effect has been the drastic curtailment of the numbers able to attend. Normality will be restored next year."

The election of the Mayor was proposed by Cllr Rob Tremain and seconded by Cllr Brian Hogan.

The Town Crier, Cllr Rob Tremain, was elected as Deputy Mayor for a second successive term. He was proposed by Cllr Mary Williams and seconded by Cllr Colin Warne.

Three rare Launceston personalities were honoured during the ceremony.

Cllr Olver Harris was appointed an Honoured Burgess of Launceston — only the seventh person to have this bestowed upon him in its 30-year history.

The Mayor said the rarity of the award reflected "the very high standard this town demands of those it selects."

In another departure from normal proceedings, two long-serving citizens of Launceston each received one of the newly-instituted Awards of Appreciation.

The first of these went to Miss Mary Butler, a member of the Salvation Army since the age of 13, who still works in a Launceston shop despite being past retirement age, and visits patients in Launceston Hospital and residents of nursing and retirement homes in the town.

In responding, Miss Butler — dressed in her Salvation Army uniform — said no one was more shocked than her to receive the letter saying she was to receive the award.

"There are more people in this town who have done a lot more than what I have or will do.

"I do it because I love people and, above all, I love the Lord."

The second such award when to Mr Jake Jackson, the curator of the Lawrence House Museum, and a former deputy head at Launceston College.

Mr Jackson thanked the members of the public who put his name forward and the town councillors. He first came to Launceston in 1965 and had never regretted taking the teaching job.

He concluded by saying that the award was for at least 50 other people who looked after the public at the museum.

The Rev Tony Cox was appointed as the Mayor's Chaplain; the Mace Bearers appointed were Mr Fred Collins and Mr Andrew Dunning, and the Mayor's Cadet, Laura Stern, was made standard bearer as well as being awarded a certificate for her staunch efforts in supporting the Mayor.

A reception followed the Mayor Choosing Ceremony.

See this week's 'Post' for a full report and pictures.