So, the first blogspot was an experimental one that Hugh Worrall from Western Sydney Community Forum taught me. I never knew that being a blogger for 10 years, would make me into a dedicated passionate blogger, trying to get the necessary improvement for the community. I know I have touched a lot of people within the Mount Druitt area with all people that know me or I have spoken too. I have always respected each persons issues and conversations unless permitted to publish it.
Although I lead a large community group to to get back the 755 bus service and the Gasmatta service provide in a limited service. I had a had battle at first as there were people out in the community wishing to stop my protest. It was a State Labor Government at the time and there wasn't to be any noise. The then State Members of Mount Druitt and Londonderry told me that they didn't know about the bus services being terminated within the area. Then I had bureaucrats tell me their office would have been informed. WE did lose the Bidwill Sunday Service and was never able to bring that one back
The sad thing about was the services were chopped for anti-social behaviors towards buses, commuters and drivers. Something I could not stop - had no power but the power was in the posts of blogs and in speaking to young people to see if words could spread not to be anti-social. Then I discovered this behavior was all over Sydney.
I remember when I was asked with 3 members of my group to attend to the then NSW Minister for Transport represent our over 3,000 signatures we had received to bring back the buses. I was happy when the local news papers printed the front page of when the buses were being returned and thank God it wasn't about me it was about the people getting buses.
I remember Joan - a prominent member of community and a great local historian - tell me that she thought that I would never get the buses for the people because of the area we live in - she thought it was because of the way I conducted the campaign to bring the buses back. Being the the inaugural Chairperson of Save Our Buses , Mount Druitt & Surrounding Suburbs and also of inaugural President of Mount Druitt Commuters Improvement Group Inc.
I had no political ambition although others thought I did. I remember that one day one man approached me in Whalan and said you must be the local member here - asked him why - he said because of the way of I was dressed.
I also remember putting in hours with the NSW Long Term Transport Master Plan 2030 which I was able to make contact and discussion with the them NSW Transport Minister Hon Gladys Berejiklian. Forget political parties Gladys was such a lovely educated lady then and I find she still is.
I was proud to be involved and represent the people of Mount Druitt in the Blacktown City Council Transport Forums as from 2010 until 2018. I was proud to represent the people of Mount Druitt in a Sydney Alliance Inaugural speech to 300 people. I was also proud to be a member and Secretary of Western Sydney Public Transport Users Group for a short while.
Then came the community improvements in 'Whyilovemountdruitt' blogspot and created existing Face Book Pages with 4 other Admin. Although, it has only just reached just over 350 members it is not as big as other local Face Book Groups but just as important.
With 2,800 posts on 'Whyilovemountdruitt' blogspot, 150 comments and the pleasing results of 248,219 visits since blogspot was created, which nearly passes the 'Mountdruittcommuters' blogspot.
We have fixed cracked roads, hole in the grounds, we even had a free bus shuttle service approved by Blacktown City Council, Traffic light improvements on Luxford Road and entrance to Coles, Westfield Mount Druitt, There have been so many improvements provided it made me happy to be in a wonderful community.
I am also grateful for being a Parish Council Chair at Holy Family, Emerton for 2 years under the wonder Father Greg Isaacs.
I thank Hon Edmond Atalla, Member for Mount Druitt, Hon. Ed Husic, Federal Member of Chifley, Pru Car, Hon. Member for Londonderry, Management of Westfield Mount Druitt, Local business that have supported the website - the General Manager of Blacktown that said the website was creative and great for the community. Stephen Bali, Hon. Member for Blacktown and former Mayor of Blacktown always enjoyed our conversations. Councilors Brad Bunting, Jess Diaz, Carol Israel, Kathie Collins, Mayor Tony Bleasedale and former Councilor Jacqueline Donaldson.
I would also like to Thank Premier Hon. Gladys Berejiklian - with whom I have had previous conversations with on various issues, Hon, Penny Sharpe NSW MLC (whom I had a conversation at Mount Druitt Train Station a few years ago) Mount Druitt Train Station staff for over 29 years and the Blacktown City Council Media Team - allowing media releases to us to be published.
I am proud of my achievements for the community and know if it wasn't for the community, I wouldn't done this. Now I have to hang my boots up on 'whyilovemountdruitt' - which was created to change each persons perspective on our area - knowing there is love within Mount Druitt. The population has changed in the last 30 odd years, the demographics has changes and yes there has been a lot changes provided: Commuter car parks, upgraded parks, proper sealed roads and the list goes on. I know I couldn't touch everyone's life in Mount Druitt but surely you might know someone's life I have touched within the area.
There was a survey I recently conducted at 'whyilovemountdruitt' Face Book Page:
How would you rate 'whyilovemountdruitt' Face Book Page - 1 being lowest and 5 highest?
The results spoke for itself 19 gave a rating of 5, 3 gave a rating of 4, 1 gave a rating of 3 and 1 gave a rating of 2. No one gave a rating of 1 - all these results from 24 group members is a great representation of how people in Mount Druitt reacted to issues and improvements.
Comments from this post are very rewarding and appreciative, as follows:
- Very informative John
- Love the site!
- Very informative and especially love when you post the old time pics of what it looked like back in the days.. Weather updates.. It's all great.. Good community page mate 👍🍻
So, the goods news is I'l be updating posts on my new blogspot, which covers 2 areas based in NSW. I'll up[date posts that are interesting and will be shared, discussed or even commented on. It is simply called My Blog on Anything/ Everything. Feel free to switch blogpost to the below link:
Click here fore details of new blog: My Blog on Anything/ Everything
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