NSW Health - Palliative Care - Surburban Salsa Hour - Open to Community 22/5/2018

We look at volunteers and we see people that want to work for nothing and sometimes we think that is crazy. Yet, there are many many reasons that people want to work for volunteers and I am listing s few reasons:

• Looking  to gain part time, casual or full time employment
• Retired and looking to serve community in a happy spiritual way
• Keep the brain going and  keep healthy
• The passion to serve your community and  help the needy, unhealthy and poor
•  Are receiving benefits from Government but wish to  provide free time to the community and not ask for one cent for service
• Duty to community and your own life needs

Here is an invitation, to the open community, from the Western Sydney Local Health District for a Suburban Salsa Hour. This is support to volunteers of  Palliative Care within Blacktown and Mount Druitt area. Here under is notice of event:

Click here for national volunteer week details

Incinerator Final Knockout -

We Need Your Help!

When: 11am Monday, 14th May 2018
Where: Rooty Hill RSL, 55 Sherbrooke St, Rooty Hill, 2766
 

The Liberal state government insists that the Incinerator project in Western Sydney, go through the proper processes to be cancelled.
That means everyone available (take a day off work if you can) needs to register to make a written or public comment about why this Incinerator must be Cancelled NOW.

This is a public meeting that is costly and a waste of our time. The NSW Planning Department has already rejected the Incinerator, but we still need the Independent Planning Commission (IPC) to make the final NO decision. 

We can’t leave anything to chance.

Everyone needs to come, don't forget to register to speak or make a public comment below by the 8th May 2018

                                   Click here for registration

Westfield Launches - Local Heroes

Tonight, I received an email from Centre Manager of Westfield, Mount Druitt, inviting our community to  nominate local heroes. What a great opportunity to nominate, someone you know is making people feel included within our community. Someone that makes people happy, somone that imspires others to do good. Even someone that does good deeds and doesn't ask for rewards. Here is the email directed to myself, which I am directing to members of our community:


Having been in a valued partnership with Scentre Group, you would know that our customers and retailers - and the communities in which they live - are at the heart of our business. We know that when we activate our centres in ways that are meaningful to our communities, we remain relevant and essential.

To be able to truly give back to the community, we have launched the Westfield Local Hero’s program. Westfield Local Heroes is a community recognition and grants program that allows us to truly connect and enrich our local communities. It is designed to discover and celebrate individuals who promote social wellbeing and harmony in our communities across one or more of three social values: Family, Youth Opportunity and Inclusion.

How can you help?

We need your help to nominate a hero! Attached is an information pack on who is considered a ‘local hero’. Anyone can nominate a Westfield Local Hero and Nominations open from Monday 23 April. Please read this document, visit our website, nominate someone that you believe deserves this win and recognition.

Once nominations close, we will shortlist six finalists to be voted for by their community. We will then award our top three voted finalists a $10,000 grant to support their affiliated organisation’s work, programs or activities.

By using our living centres as the stage to shine a spotlight on local heroes, connect them with the broader community and ultimately support them though financial grants, our Westfield Local Heroes is an important channel through which we can connect and enrich our communities.

I appreciate your assistance with this very worthy project and hope you can help us reward our heroes in the community.

Regards,

Michael Beverly

Centre Manager Westfield Mt Druitt

Customer Experience All nominations will be assessed by selection panels against the following criteria to create a shortlist of 6 finalists per Westfield Centre. Social Wellbeing: Creating connections, and improving the positive functioning and social welfare of a community by:  • Promoting positive engagement and a sense of purpose among individuals and groups • Promoting positive social behaviour  • Creating opportunities for individuals to learn, expand their skills and to thrive  • Helping reduce disadvantage and inequality  • Improving access to important community services and groups  • Creating a positive and enduring legacy for the community Supporting families of all types in our communities, including (but not limited to) new parent programs, senior programs and domestic and family violence prevention.  Social Harmony:

 Building a safe, connected and accepting community by: 

• Creating a sense of belonging, connection, social inclusion and support 

• Reducing social isolation and/or stigma 

• Building positive, collaborative and trusted social networks in the community 

• Raising awareness of and respect for diversity within society (i.e. race, gender, demographic, culture, identity)

Family:

Supporting families of all types in our communities, including (but not limited to) new parent programs, senior programs and domestic and family violence prevention.

Youth Community:

Creating opportunities for young people (aged 0 – 25) in our communities, including (but not limited to) improving education, antibullying programs, increasing employment opportunities, encouraging positive behaviour and increasing social inclusion.

Inclusion:

Promoting inclusion and celebrating diversity across our communities, including (but not limited to) gender equality, mental health support, disability and access, LGBTI inclusion, increasing equality and cultural celebration.

Street University - Mount Druitt Farewell To Staff - Face Book Page

Great to hear how youth workers feel emotionally, while helping our youth:

Click here for Julie's Farewell

Important Incincerator Update - Face Book

Kerri Bradbury is with Stephen Bali and 90 others.

10 hrs · 

IMPORTANT INCINERATOR UPDATE:
Message to our community at the community meeting April 2017:
"Bremmer: Japan has hundreds of Incinerators. But they are also contributing 40% of the global Dioxin emissions and they have the highest levels of Dioxin in the bodies of their citizens. As the host community, you are going to be living in the incinerator sacrifice zone.”
The state government wants to follow processes and has referred the INCINERATOR proposal to the Independent Planning Commission, despite the Planning Department rejecting it. It will be up to 3 independent people to decide.
A waste of money for sure!

You can help send a strong message by:

1. Coming to the special public meeting on 14 May @ 11am at Rooty Hill RSL (no need to register) We need lots of people!

2. Register to speak at the above meeting (see link to register in comments below) This helps, even if it’s a sentence or two.

3. Or if you can’t make it or are afraid to speak, you can write to the Independent Planning Commission with your objections and concerns about it.

Link to register to speak or details to write will be posted in comments below.⬇️⬇️⬇️

Residents oppose waste-to-energy incinerator in western Sydney

The Erskine Park community hall was packed on April 13 as hundreds of local residents expressed their opposition to The Next Generation’s controversial plan to…

GREENLEFT.ORG.AU

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - May Media Diary, Festival Week Edition & May Media Diary (Library Edition)

Click here for Blacktown City Council - Media Diary - May 2018

Click here for Blacktown City Council - Festivate Week Edition

Blacktown City Council - May Media Diary (Library Edition)

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Riverstone Gears Up For Its Annual Festival

MEDIA RELEASE

24 April 2018

The highly anticipated Riverstone Festival and Street Parade 

have returned and it’s not to be missed.

Blacktown City Council is working with The Combined 

Churches of Riverstone to present the 18^th annual 

Riverstone Festival on Saturday, 12 May.

The street parade starts at 11am from Mills St Reserve and

will showcase local community groups, car clubs, and

marching bands.

There will be entertainment for the entire family including

market stalls, on stage entertainment throughout the day, 

amusement rides and workshops.

Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali MP encourages everyone in

the community to come together for the celebration.

“Festivals are a great platform for community members to 

come together and share a day filled with fun and 

entertainment,” Mayor Bali said.

“It provides a great opportunity to showcase local talent 

and the diversity of the district.

“Come along to Riverstone and discover the historical and 

rustic charm of the town.”

The Riverstone Festival celebrates the community spirit that 

is alive and thriving in our great district.

Riverstone Festival.

Riverstone Motorcycle Club takes part in the street parade.

Local community groups, car clubs and marching bands will also be a part of the parade.

Open Day - Fire And Rescue Mount Druitt Station - 19th May 2018

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - The Ponds Forum

MEDIA RELEASE

20 April 2018

The Ponds forum

The new $400,000 Riverstone Skate Park and the $33 million upgrade to widen Hambledon Road lead the agenda for Blacktown City Council’s latest Have Your Say forum.

Staged on Monday, 30 April at 7pm where residents get a chance to take advantage of the open forum session to raise neighbourhood questions directly with Councillors and Council staff.

“At the community forum in Riverstone last year, residents voiced their concerns about traffic safety, and I am proud to tell residents about the exciting plans we have for this area,” said Mayor Stephen Bali MP.

“Hambledon Road is being upgraded by Blacktown City Council from a two-lane rural road to a four-lane major urban road,” Mayor Bali said.

“This is a high capacity urban road and its reconstruction and widening is essential to improving access within the Alex Avenue Precinct to Schofields Railway Station, Schofields Road and local schools.”

“Once completed the new road will act as a regional road network helping to move people through our roads, cater to future growth, improve traffic conditions and unlock land for housing development.”

Council will also have designs for the Riverstone Skate Park on display.

Council secured a $400,000 grant from the Australian Federal Government through the member for Greenway Michelle Rowland MP to deliver a new skate park in Riverstone.

“We want to hear from you. Your feedback is important so that we can deliver a facility Council, the community and the users will be proud of,” Mayor Bali said.

Mayor Bali encouraged residents to attend The Ponds community forum and take the opportunity to engage with Councillors and Council staff first-hand.

Mayor Bali will also provide an update on the Energy from Waste (EfW) facility proposed for Eastern Creek which has just been rejected by the Department of Planning and Environment.

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

“Be involved, be informed and be heard.”

Forum details: The Ponds forum starts at 7pm on Monday, 30 April 7pm, The Ponds Community Hub, 45 Riverbank Drive, The Ponds.

Email: Forums@blacktown.nsw.gov.au

Construction has started on Hambledon Road. Junior Director Christopher Carey, Project Engineer Thet Swe, Councillor Chris Quilkey, Mayor of Blacktown City Stephen Bali MP, Senior Contract Engineer Stephen Painter, Councillor Moninder Singh, Senior Supervisor Bart Martinovic.

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Ruth Nicholson Blacktown’s 2018 Senior Citizen Of The Year

MEDIA RELEASE

18 April 2018

Long-time community worker and Doonside resident Ruth Nicholson is Blacktown City’s 2018 Senior Citizen of the Year.

A member of Doonside Senior Citizens’ club since 2002, Ms 

Nicholson has devoted her life to helping others.

Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali MP said the award

 recognises her years of tireless work for the community.

“Ms Nicholson has dedicated her time to help those around

her, whether it is to help with general cleaning, shopping,

cooking, caring for sick family members or just being there

for a chat,” Mayor Bali said.

“Ms Nicholson is known for being there when needed, 

whether it is for family or friends.

“She is highly regarded in the club and in the community as a

wonderful person:  not many could live without her.”

Mrs Nicholson received the honour at Blacktown City 

Council’s annual Seniors’ Week Concert, held at Rooty Hill

RSL on Sunday 15 April.

The concert capped off a week of activities across Blacktown

City to celebrate seniors as part of the 2018 NSW Seniors 

Festival from 4-15 April.

“I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Council to 

thank all senior citizens for their contribution to the Blacktown

City community,” said Mayor Bali.

“Blacktown City’s seniors volunteer at community festivals,

organise charity events, help out at local schools and run

non-profit groups such as Lions and Rotary clubs.

“They spend countless hours caring for their families,

particularly their grandchildren, as well as complete

strangers, not asking for anything in return.

“The Blacktown Seniors Festival is a small way of saying

thank you for making Blacktown a better place to be.”

Ruth Nicholson Blacktown City Senior Citizen of the Year 

2018 and Deputy Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM.

Blacktown City Council - Media Release - Streets Alive Colours Blacktown

MEDIA RELEASE

 18 April 2018

Streets Alive and Parade Day will bring a vibrant array of 

colour to Blacktown CBD and local community groups are

 encouraged to join in.

Community organisations, sporting groups, religious 

organisations, local businesses, schools and educational 

institutions are invited to take part in the annual parade 

through Blacktown CBD.

“It’s your chance to help demonstrate our City’s rich and 

diverse multicultural community,” Blacktown City Mayor 

Stephen Bali MP said.

“Book your place and the opportunity to win $500 for Best 

Community Entry, Best Education Entry, Best Business Entry,

 Best Band Entry and the coveted award:  Best Dressed.

Mayor Bali said Streets Alive and Parade Day is a valuable

opportunity for the community to get together and meet new

people.

“Streets Alive and Parade Day is a celebration of community 

spirit,” Mayor Bali said.

“There will vibrant floats and displays as well as activities 

including ice skating on the Village Green, The Smurfs will

 put on a much loved show for the little ones, a wildlife 

display and a BMX and freestyle Moto-X show.”

In addition to all the activities and shows on offer during

 Streets Alive, there will be an array of food trucks, dessert 

vendors and amusement rides.

Streets Alive begins on Saturday, 26 May at 9am in 

Blacktown CBD. The Parade will start in the Warrick Lane 

Car Park, Blacktown, at 11am. It takes approximately 45

 minutes to complete the parade route.

Applications for the parade will close Friday, 27 April. For 

more information visit blacktown.nsw.gov.au/festival

Local community groups take part in the parade.

Thousands gather for the Streets Alive and Parade Day.