Damien Ryan is the Mayor of Alice Springs.
One of four boys, Damien was born in Alice Springs in 1955 and has lived his entire life there with the exception of his high school years which he completed in Adelaide.
His parents both came from South Australia and his father took a position in the Mines Department in Tennant Creek.
After high school, Damien started a photography business and was involved in that business for 37 years. In 2000 Damien was recognised as the photographic dealer of the year across Australia.
Seeing the transition from film to digital, Damien got involved in running road houses where he met his wife, Joanne. They have three girls.
In 2008, Damien successfully ran for Mayor. He’s been Mayor ever since. In this role he has conferred citizenship to over 2,500 residents and even met Barack Obama.
Damien feels he’s had a fortunate life and has, in his words, ‘lived the life of Riley’.
He talks about his life and the issues affecting Alice Springs on this episode of Territory Story.
