Blacktown City Council - Media Release - “Food Truck Friday” Here To Stay

MEDIA RELEASE

Blacktown’s Village Green will be a Friday night foodies’ mecca after Blacktown City Council decided to make “Food Truck Friday” a permanent fixture.

Blacktown Night Markets will now operate each Friday night event on Blacktown’s Village Green until April, boosted by a Sunday organic produce market and live streaming of the Commonwealth Games.

“Blacktown residents obviously voted with their feet and their stomachs,” said the Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali.

“We have been absolutely blown away by the popularity and last year’s trial was an absolute success, drawing tens of thousands of people last summer.

“It’s a great way to relax at the end of the week and it was wonderful to watch families take advantage of the wide variety of cuisines on offer.

Marayong resident Tin Shein said he and his family were overjoyed the night markets were now a full time event.

“We really liked being able to simply drop into the markets and graze the huge variety of food and entertainment,” Mr Shein said.

“As the word spreads that they are now permanent I reckon more and more families will be there.”

The Friday night food markets will be augmented by an organic produce market on Sundays, Mayor Bali said.

“This is something we will be trialling once a month on a Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm,” he said.

Following the success of live streaming the Olympics in 2016, the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games will be screened live in Blacktown for everyone to see, Mayor Bali said.

The 2018 Commonwealth Games, officially known as the XXI Commonwealth Games and commonly known as “Gold Coast 2018”, will be staged between 4 and 15 April 2018.

“One of my big memories of the Olympics was standing in the square outside Westpoint with hundreds of people, cheering an Aussie Gold,” Mayor Bali said.

Food Truck Friday, the Organic Produce Markets and Commonwealth Games broadcasting is part of a wider council plan to revitalise the Blacktown CBD.

“For some time we have been working on plans to bring Blacktown alive,” he said.

“The huge turnout proves that with the right mix of attractions, Blacktown City Council can be a vibrant, family friendly place.

“The best part of the night markets for me was wandering through the Village Square with my family and watching other families out for the night enjoying the city.

“If it proves that if the right attraction is there, people will come and the city can be a vibrant place for entertainment and family enjoyment,” Mayor Bali said

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Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Blacksmith To Fire Up Festival Forge

MEDIA RELEASE

27 October 2017

The ancient trade of blacksmithing will be on show at the inaugural Quakers Hill Festival on 4 November.

Levi Pendlebury, AKA The Village Blacksmith, will demonstrate his metalwork and blacksmith skills at the festival, organised by Blacktown City Council.

“I won’t be selling anything, it will all be me making stuff by forging hot metal and asking kids questions to see if they’ve understood,” he said.

“It gives them a new perspective that not everything is made at Bunnings.”

Mr Pendlebury said the popularity of television show Game of Thrones had fuelled resurgence in blacksmithing.

However, his passion for the trade was sparked much closer to home, long before the Lannisters and Starks began their deadly game to sit atop the Iron Throne. 

“When I was 14 years old I saw (blacksmith) Gordon Blackwell at Nurragingy Reserve and I was captivated,” he said.

“I went on to do my apprenticeship with him. I’m 31 now and I can’t imagine what I’d be doing now if it wasn’t blacksmithing; I’m so grateful to Gordon.”

Away from Mr Pendlebury’s forge, there will be plenty of activities and attractions on offer to entertain festival goers.  

There will be free rides, a jumping castle, live stage entertainment by local talent, market stalls, face painting and a kids gardening workshop.

Vendors selling Indian, Turkish and Japanese cuisine will satisfy a variety of tastes.

Mayor of Blacktown City Stephen Bali encouraged everyone in the community to come together for the first ever Quakers Hill Festival.

“Quakers Hill is a growing suburb with a thriving community spirit and rich history,” Mayor Bali said.

“Council wants to celebrate and acknowledge this by hosting a festival for all in the community to enjoy. 

“I encourage everyone from across Blacktown City to come along and celebrate the talent, diversity and history that makes Quakers Hill such a vibrant community.”

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - 358 Trees Put The Eyes On Blacktown

MEDIA RELEASE

27 October 2017

Blacktown City Council is planting 358 trees along Carlisle Avenue, in Mt Druitt, as part of a project to “green” the major transport corridors throughout the wider city.

“Blacktown City Council adopted the “Eyes on Blacktown” strategy in 2014, which aims to change the public image of Blacktown City by changing the look of the major transport routes and hubs,” Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali, said.

“We are planning to enliven Blacktown and encourage the use of public spaces within Blacktown City.

“Planting trees along our streetscapes is part of the process, and we hope the result will be walking spaces that are more pleasant and inviting.

“It is also proven that the planting of trees creates a cooler climate, and there is no doubt that we all value extra shade in summer.”

Tree plantations are also being planned for the Great Western Highway, Prospect, and Sunnyholt Road, Stanhope Gardens.

Other recent works conducted through the “Eyes on Blacktown” initiative include:

·         Tees planted for screening along Hambledon Road, Quakers Hill, Jersey Road, Plumpton and Blacktown Road, Prospect

·         Trees planted along Richmond Road, Woodcroft

·         Additional planting in playground upgrades

·         Additional greening and planting in reserve Masterplans such as those at Whalan Reserve, Whalan and May Cowpe Reserve, Rooty Hill

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Sydney Festival Returns To Blacktown

MEDIA RELEASE

Friday, 27 October 2017

Blacktown City Council, Blacktown Arts and Moogahlin Performing Arts present the world premiere of Broken Glass – a powerful installation and performance work – as part of Sydney Festival 2018.

Broken Glass illuminates the rituals of death and mourning in New South Wales and Victorian First Peoples’ communities and is told from a women’s perspective.

The work will be staged for an intimate audience on Darug country at St Bartholomew’s Church and Cemetery, an historic site in Blacktown.

“Broken Glass is the kind of ground-breaking artistic work we do in Blacktown,” said Councillor Stephen Bali, Mayor of Blacktown City.

“It is a testament to our dynamic, award-winning arts program that Sydney Festival is moving beyond Parramatta for the second year in a row to present a new work that reflects our city, its history and its communities.”

Key artists Lily Shearer, Liza-Mare Syron, Andrea James, Aroha Groves and Katie Leslie will occupy the church and cemetery to create an intimate, enlightening and moving experience. 

Broken Glass will be staged at St Bartholomew’s Church and Cemetery in Prospect from 11 – 21 January 2017.

St Bartholomew’s Church and Cemetery opened in 1841 and was the first church built in the Prospect area. Maria Lock, an important figure in Darug history, and explorer William Lawson are buried at St Bartholomew's Cemetery.

Key information

Date | 11 - 21 January 2018
Time | Thursday – Sunday at 7.30 pm and Saturday – Sunday at 2 pm
Duration | 90 minutes
Location | St Bartholomew's Church & Cemetery, Prospect
Bookings | www.sydneyfestival.org.auPerformance | $30+ booking fee
Installation | Free
Phone | 02 9839 6558

Important transport information

There is no parking available on site at St Bartholomew’s Church and Cemetery. A free shuttle bus will transport patrons from Blacktown Arts Centre to St Bartholomew’s Church. Visit www.blacktownarts.com.au for the timetable.

About Blacktown arts

Blacktown Arts is a recognised leader in the development of contemporary arts in Australia. We support artistic innovation and offer exciting, new experiences for audiences through an award-winning curated program of exhibitions, performances, workshops, residencies and events. We are committed to making dynamic, culturally diverse work that reflects Blacktown, its history and its communities. We place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities at the heart of our program to develop new work drawing on issues of local and global significance. This is how we make art.

About Moogahlin performing arts

Moogahlin Performing Arts is New South Wales’ leading First Peoples performing arts company. We develop, produce, and present new work, are strongly connected to community, and are committed to nurturing a new generation of First Peoples theatre practitioners locally, regionally, and nationally by building platforms for emerging and established theatre makers. Moogahlin was formed in Redfern NSW in November 2007 in honour of the late Kevin Smith’s request, and in memory of the founding members of the Black Theatre. Moogahlin (Muu-gaarl-in) is a Yuin/Bundjalung word meaning to play, to fool about.

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Whalan Reserve Massive Upgrade

MEDIA RELEASE

27 October 2017

Blacktown City Council’s 12th monthly community forum for 2017 at Whalan in November will unveil the full $5 million worth of work carried out at Whalan Reserve.

“Earlier this year Council completed work on the amenities building as part of the massive upgrade to Whalan Reserve,” the Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali.

“This is a wonderful asset for the neighbourhood and a state-of-the-art sporting venue for local sports teams.”

“The upgrade also includes a new playground, natural turf cricket practice nets, car parking and pedestrian paths.

“We provide valuable information to the community at these forums, and it gives our residents the rare opportunity to raise their concerns with us face-to-face in their own neighbourhoods,” Mayor Bali said.

“We are back in Ward Five and it’s the ideal opportunity for locals to meet up with me, my fellow Ward Councillors and expert Council staff,” he said.

The Whalan forum starts at 7pm on Wednesday, 8 November at Whalan Community Centre, 48 Torres Crescent, Whalan.  

Residents and ratepayers also have the opportunity to hear about major upgrades to local parks and reserves and Council’s community safety programs in the area.

Mayor Bali will also provide more information about a special safety forum Council is hosting in Woodcroft on Saturday, 18 November.

“It is encouraging to see more and more residents taking advantage of Council’s forums and coming to meet with their local Councillors,” Mayor Bali said.

“Be involved, be informed and be heard,” Mayor Bali said.

“Come and have your say about the future of our city.  We want residents to come to this forum and engage with their Council,” Mayor Bali said.

Forum details:  Wednesday, 8 November, 7pm at Whalan Community Centre, 48 Torres Crescent, Whalan.

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Blacktown Secures $200,000 For Indigenous Language Project

MEDIA RELEASE

27 October 2017

Blacktown Arts Centre will develop an innovative Indigenous language project thanks to $200,000 in funding from the Federal Department of Communications and the Arts.

The Wingaru Byalla-Bada project is an Aboriginal-initiated and creatively driven project that will protect and restore the highly endangered Dharug Buruberougal language by teaching it in an interactive, virtual environment.

A team of Aboriginal artists from Western Sydney – including Richard Green, Leanne Tobin, Troy Russell and Jacinta Tobin – have been assembled to develop cultural, language and creative content.

The team is supported by celebrated Australian virtual reality artists, Adam Nash and David Haines, who will build the immersive space of Wingaru Byalla-Bada within a game engine.

Language learners navigate the space through different platforms including mobile phone and online.

“Teaching and learning local Aboriginal languages is an important part of understanding our history and community,” said the Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali.

“While Blacktown City is home to one of the largest urban Aboriginal populations in Australia, the number speaking an indigenous language is relatively low.

“The Wingaru Byalla-Bada project will play an essential role in the survival of our local Indigenous language.

“We thank the Federal Government for recognising the importance of this project for our community, and beyond.”

The project will culminate in an exhibition at Blacktown Arts Centre in 2019.

A steering committee of Darug community members will provide cultural guidance, and local Aboriginal communities are invited to see and provide feedback on the project throughout its development.

If you are interested in the Wingaru Byalla-Bada project, subscribe to Blacktown Arts Centre mailing list at www.blacktownarts.com.au or call 9839 6558.

About Blacktown Arts Centre

Blacktown Arts Centre is a recognised leader in the development of contemporary arts in Australia. We support artistic innovation and offer exciting, new experiences for audiences through an award-winning curated program of exhibitions, performances, workshops, residencies and events. We are committed to making dynamic, culturally diverse work that reflects Blacktown, its history and its communities. We place Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and communities at the heart of our program to develop new work drawing on issues of local and global significance. This is how we make art.

Connect with Blacktown Arts Centre

Website blacktownarts.com.au

Email artscentre@blacktown.nsw.gov.au

Address 78 Flushcombe Rd Blacktown NSW 2148

Phone 02 9839 6558

Opening hours

Monday Closed

Tuesday 10am – 5pm

Wednesday 10am – 5pm

Thursday 10am – 5pm

Friday 10am – 5pm

Saturday 10am – 5pm

Sunday Closed

 

Have You Ever Saved A Life By Talking.... Apparantly I Have ( read on)....

I started the new website 'A  Natural Sense if Well Being', to provide awareness of 'Well Being and promotion of similar words in hospitals and medical terminologies to 'crate a sense of positiveness.   The payment for this voluntary website was to save at least one life.

Speaking to a nice neighbour the other day, apparently I have save her life by riding the dreadful thoughts of thinking of suicide. "Unbelievable' to me, the power of words from one. Yet, I have to be truthful, to do this you have to have a strong positive outlook on life, Which I  always do, no matter what the issues are.

We all have the power to do the same, be s strength for ones that are weak in heart and need that strength. without criticising.
Click here to read on

I would like  to encourage feedback from all of you as whether you have experienced the same situation or did you realise we call can do this. I'm not someone special, I'm just an ordinary human being, community person focussed and  seeking well being of our community as well.

Whalan Reserve Sign Should Have A Well Being Park Sign Added To It

This morning I took a twenty minute stroll  at Whalan Reserve, Mount Druitt and found it to be rather relaxing and pleasant besides the summer flies , attacking myself and sighting  a bit of rubbish left in the bush.

 For me it is hard to fathom that some of us Australians do not care of our very own local bush and toss and throw rubbish into the bush and think it is 'Fun'. This is where we requiring signs on how much fines the dumping of rubbish is and then have Council inspectors do a regular check and fine the people who wreck our community. This area could be made into a great tourist spot if we have  a botanical gardens in  Mount Druitt and there would be an abundance of beautiful scented flowers and beautifully looking flowers.

Maybe Blacktown City Council can look at improvements in this area of littering rubbish and seek improvements of. We have a exercise track which can place people who use it to a better and healthier sense of natural well being. Although they need to place a 'Well Being' Park sign up as well

Click here for details on IUCN World Park Congress on well being parks 

Blacktown CIty Council - Media Release - Council’s Century Of Agreements Is A Winner For The Community

MEDIA RELEASE

26 October 2017

Blacktown City Council has emerged as a leading NSW Council for voluntary planning agreements (VPA), bringing more large-scale community development projects to residents and ratepayers.

Council reached the centenary figure of VPAs in May this year, and has now exceeded 107 agreements in total.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali said: “Some of the community projects enabled with the existence of voluntary planning agreements include The Ponds Community Hub, The Lake Neighbourhood Centre, Bungarribee Community Resource Hub and Stonecutters Ridge Neighbourhood Centre.

“These are all great examples of what can be achieved when Council and a developer work together to deliver valuable projects to the community, Mayor Bali said.

“It is heart-warming to see young communities benefit from these facilities right from the start. They form the nexus of a community and help people form lifelong friendships and bonds in neighbourhoods,” he said.

Voluntary planning agreements are usually partnerships with single developers who own large landholdings and work with Council to identify and provide the infrastructure required for their large developments.

This is different to an arrangement where there are multiple developers in an area and Section 94 contributions are collected. In these cases Council collects the contributions from multiple developers and constructs the infrastructure.

“There is no central record of executed VPAs, but I am confident there is no other Council in NSW completing the volume of VPAs that we at Blacktown Council are doing,” Mayor Bali said.

“This also goes to show the number of reputable companies that want to work with Blacktown Council to deliver housing to people, as well as great community facilities.”

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Contest Shines Light Of Diversity

MEDIA RELEASE 25 October 2017 The Singh family from Blacktown has been announced the winner of Australia’s first Diwali Festival of Lights Competition. The competition was organised by Blacktown City Council in association with Indian Link Media Group to celebrate the annual Diwali Festival, held across the world on 19 October this year.  Ajinesh Singh said his family has been decorating their home for Diwali for the past 11 years, but it was wonderful to be publicly and officially recognised by Council. “Council should be proud and I think it is a great idea that they have done this because we are a very multicultural community” he said. “The Indian community is growing and it’s good to see another culture being celebrated and recognised.” Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said Blacktown is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Australia, being home to 28,000 people of Indian descent. “It is only fitting that we should host Australia’s first Diwali light up your homes competition, fusing an Australian and Indian tradition into a mutual celebration of light and life,” he said. “Seeing we are the only Diwali Festival of Lights Competition in Australia, we can truly call the winner the inaugural national champion – yet another first for Blacktown’s thriving and vibrant Indian community. “I thank everyone who took part and look forward to a bigger and brighter event next year." Competition judge Councillor Moninder Singh said he was impressed with the quality of entrants. “It’s not just the lights that were impressive, but the team work and the meaningful traditions behind the light displays,” Cr Singh said. “This festival is sacred to the Indian community – it’s as big as Christmas – so for Council to hold a competition to recognise the Diwali Festival means a great deal.” The ancient Hindu festival of Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, with observers around the world lighting lamps and candles in and around homes and temples. Blacktown City Diwali Festival of Lights Competition winners: Name Address Rating Ajinesh Singh 8 Farmingdale Dr, Blacktown 1st Place and Overall City Winner Vishal Sadhu 72 Steeltrap Dr, Bungarribee 2nd Place Salina Saluja 21 Brune St, Doonside 3rd Place Sunaina Upadhyay 106 Mosaic Ave, The Ponds 4th Place Jitendra Singh 101 James Cook Dr, Kings Langley 5th Place Ajinesh Singh with his wife Shynia and daughter Tanya are the winners of the inaugural Blacktown Festival of Lights Competition. Tanya Singh with her parents Ajinesh and Shynia at the front of their award winning home.