Rooty Hill Group Of Cyclists Are Still Cycling Every Saturday

I met these group of men  riders of all ages , mostly  they come from a cross-section from all over Blacktown Local Government Area, getting fit every Saturday, riding to Campbelltown and back.

Here they are resting after their ride.

They are an inspiration to watch and speak too and a great  role models for our community. I was told by Luis and  Rhiecel from this group they have over 300 members and there are some women that ride with them as well. The Cyclists are called 'Oz Pinoy Roadies'.

Basically, they all have fun and the main idea is for all of them to get fit. Cycling for a couple of hours does that.  Another member of the group said, ' People need  Cycle  ways/ paths in Mount Druitt, so more people can be fit.

I caught up with these men before in 2014 and they are still cycling.Click here for previous post

I do think, they should be invited to the Annual Blacktown City Council Public Transport Forum and they would provide their concerns and suggestions for improvements for cyclists.

Blacktown Is Claiming Australian Record For Singing The New Zealand 'Haka' - Media Alert

MEDIA ALERT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
4 February 2017

Blacktown sets Australian Haka record

Blacktown is claiming the Australian Guinness Book of Records record for the Haka, after just under 2,000 people performed the chant this morning.

“The official count was 1,998 – which we are going to claim as the Australian record,” the Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said.

“If not, it is certainly the record for the Haka performed on Waitangi Day in Blacktown.

“We fell short of the world record of 4,028 which is held by the French, but it was a good warm up for our next attempt.

“The best thing about it was the fact that it showed how multiculturalism is alive and well in Blacktown.

“We have people from 177 nationalities in the Council’s area and a fair cross section were at the Blacktown Showgrounds for the attempt.

“Everyone was an honorary Maori for the day, and there were Indian Maoris, Sudanese Maoris, Chinese Maoris and lots of Australian Maoris.

The record chant, staged by the Maori Wardens NSW branch, in partnership with Blacktown City Council, was staged at Blacktown Showground at 10:30am on Saturday, 4^th February.

“The widely known “Ka Mate” version of the Haka was performed, which has a link to Blacktown through its New Zealand sister city, Porirua, the birthplace of its author, the Maori warrior Te Rauparaha.

The current Haka record of 4,028 was set in France by Frenchy rugby fans in September 2014; toppling the previous record of 3,264 set in New Zealand during 2008.

Blacktown City Council was the reporting agency for the Guinness Book of World Records, which has endorsed the attempt.

The world record attempt was part of a full day of celebrations at the Showground where a range of cultural activities took place, including singing and dancing and a formal observation of Waitangi Day. 

Waitangi Day, named after Waitangi, where the Treaty of Waitangi was first signed, commemorates a significant day in the history of New Zealand.

It is observed as a public holiday each year on 6 February to celebrate the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, New Zealand's founding document, on that date in 1840.

Waitangi Day Festival is at the Blacktown Showground from 10:00am to 4:00pm.

Brief History of the Ka Mate Haka

The Ka Mate Haka was composed by Te Rauparaha, a chief and war leader of the Maori Ngati Toa tribe, in about 1820.

The Ngati Toa’s area includes the modern day city of Porirua, which is one of Blacktown’s sister cities and Te Rauparaha is regarded as one of their most famous citizens.

Te Rauparaha composed the Ka Mate in about 1820 as a celebration of life over death after his lucky escape from pursuing enemies.

The Ka Mate Haka was composed by Te Rauparaha, a chief and war leader of the Maori Ngati Toa tribe, in about 1820.

The Ngati Toa’s area includes the modern day city of Porirua, which is one of Blacktown’s sister cities and Te Rauparaha is regarded as one of their most famous citizens.

Te Rauparaha composed the Ka Mate in about 1820 as a celebration of life over death after his lucky escape from pursuing enemies.

Editor's Notes: It is great news that in Blacktown LGA, we have med guiness book of records history. I wished we  did reach the Guinness book of records amount - maybe next year.  This just made me think that whenever the Haka is played in front of thousands in a stadium, isn't that a record itself?

The Next Generation 'Incinerator' - Have Your Say In Minchinbury - 6th Fedruary 2017

Community members that have concern over a new incinerator that is looking to be built not far from the Minchinbury suburb 

"The proposal will place the incinerator just across the M4 from Minchinbury and Mt Druitt (it will be next to the M4, about 500m west of the ANZAC interchange)," as quoted by a Blacktown City Council Officer.

So this might affect communities Health And Safety issue, with released fumes, the air we breathe and the lifestyle we live. This could be  effectively changing our  healthy lives  by having this 'Incinerator'.

Although, The Next Generation Company has businesses in 'Dial A Dump' and they are proposing to develop Australia’s first Electricity Generation Facility. My question here is in relation to renewable energy, I though we are heading away from electricity, we are heading to wind turbines and solar energy.  Would the owners of  the 'Incinerator' live next door to the incinerator? I doubt it. Are they calling this Incinerator' Dial an Incinerator?

So, although it you may think this incinerator may affect you, the further away you are from the incinerator. This could be wrong, your health could be affected in time and the release of waste gases in to our oxygen air we breathe, may not leave us with much good quality oxygen to breathe. Have we got a NSW Health Report on this proposal, I doubt not. So should you feel, you would like to have 'Your Say', if you are concerned of our community, then I would suggest 100% to attend the meeting on this Monday. Maybe, don't think about it come over.   Check for below details.

 Click here for Document 1

Click here for Document 2

Click here for Document 3


Click here for previous post on Next Generation ' Incinerator'


Click here for details of The Next Generation

Blacktown City Council ' Media Release' - Australia Day Event 2017

It is Mayor Stephen Bali,  providing a summary of the  'Australia Day Fireworks Display', Rooty Hill 26th January 2017. Which was a great night to enjoy, from what I saw. We all don't know the  amount of planning that Council provides into to: there are resources for traffic, first aid,  lighting, electrical, amusements, police/security preparation of stages, inviting others to participate and showcase their community groups etc.

Click for Media Release

Click here for previous post

'Whyilovemountdruitt' Blogspot Reaches New Goals - A Record On Visits "100,000"

It is incredible to learn that 'whyilovemountdruitt' blogspot has been  nearly up and running for nearly 3 years and in doing so has  reached one of its major goals of 100,00 visits to website. While that may not seem that much, when you start a local website, you are running on zero budget and personal promotion of  the website by handing out  to community members in and around Mount Druitt,  not afraid to speak openly to the community and you are not after just personal fame, it is as a volunteer a slow and hard progress.
It is not all about me, it is all about our community. I've had a reasonable education, reached high school level and that gives me that slight edge to be another advocate for Mount Druitt: talking, communicating and providing support to the entire support and gain support from Local Councillors to State Members to Federal Members.

The over 100,00 is not credited to myself it goes out to each and everyone reader of this blogspot, which is making it  so important in their lives to read. Also also goes to our Face Book Members  and other local community Face Book groups that read and share the Face Book posts and/or links to our Blog spot. Credit also goes to  buskers like Ruben, Joel and the Blacktown City Brass Band, local everyday community people that I speak too who are looking for community improvements. Credit also goes to our local press, who have  contacted myself to produced local stories for our community. Credit goes to our local, State and Federal politicians who listen, read, respond and their office staff, as well. I take off my cap to everyone with such great happiness.

My aim for us this year is to reach 180,000 visits  by the end of year making it another record for our blogspot. This can be done with the support of the  local and wider community.

With publish posts of 1, 466 and 86 comments received,  This supports the survival of 'whyilovemountdruitt'. I have people tell me on each day:  'great job' and 'well done'.  This is a reflection from everyone that spoken, and/or written to myself and the ones that the ones are so proud of our community.

I  hope that with everyone's help 'whyilovemountdruitt' places  happy faces and smiles on many, many people within our area  as we hit more records during the year.

Blacktown City Copuncil 'Media Release' - Incinerator Forum - 6th February 2017

Blacktown City Council is organising an Incinerator Forum at Minchinbury on 6th February 2017.
Click here for BCC Media Release

Blacktown City Council 'Media Release' - Street Trees - Cooler Streets and Energy Bills

How does that sound?  Incredible?

A Street project by residents in Glenwood have proven economical for the residents, as well as having cooler Streets and a better environment. Click here for BCC Media Release

Ru Ben In Mount Druitt More Songs 'The Lords Prayer'

Here is Ru Ben In  Dawson Mall, Mount Druitt with a lovely song for you to hear: The Lords Prayer , his version. Listen to it and see if you really like it. Let him know , by placing comments on this blogspot.

Opal Senior/Pensioner Cards Costing More When Cards Are Lost /Missing - Lethbridge Park Community Member

Today, Jim a community member from Lethbridge Park I was speaking to, told of many pensioners that have issues with the Senior/Pensioner Opal Cards.

The issue is that too many pensioners that lose or are missing the Opal Cards, cannot get replacement Senior/Pensioner Opal Cards from authorised retailers. So when they catch local buses, the bus drivers charge full fare for the journey, until they receive the replacement Senior/Pensioner Opal Cards.

It is as easy as obtaining replaced Standard Adult Opal Cards, where replacement Opal Cards, can be issued at any authorised retailers. Otherwise, the system would be wrought with people obtaining Senior/Pensioner cards over the counters. This can take 3-7 days for the new replacement card to be received by mail. So, pensioners are in the mean time forced to pay full fare, when they are entitled to their discounted fares.

Jim suggested that the Senior/Pensioner Opal Cards, be issued at all Australian Post Offices an then the Pensioners can present their ID to confirm their identity, for releasing the replacement card. That would be a great way to ensure that pensioners/seniors are not waiting for days on end and will be paying the appropriate fare.

Even better, I thought with today's advanced technology, once a Senior/Pensioner Opal Card is reported lost/missing, then a soft copy could be emailed to the senior/pensioner customer, so that they can print it off as a 'hard copy' and it would have some sort of barcode or expiry date of 1 week. This will then  allow access to  use local buses and trains, until replacement Senior/Pensioner Card is received.

Jim thought my suggestion was brilliant. Although, I thought his idea was better. Jim advised he would visit his NSW State Member of Parliament tomorrow, to see what can be done.

Something needs to be done about this. We hope all stake holders, understand the issue here for Seniors/ Pensioners and look at a resolution to this issue. If you know  someone that has had the same issue let us know.



A form of ID (Identification) w

Blacktown City Council- 'Media Release' - A Near Drowning At Seven Hills - All Backyard Pools Must Be Approved For Council Permission

Although tenants erect backyard swimming pools, it is imperative that tenants of rental  properties seek permission from both landlord and  Blacktown City Council, so that all safety measure are complied  with, inclusive of parental supervision or proper adult supervision.

This  is  for all backyard pools and is  important that it is adhered too, especially when  there was a near-drowning of a 3 year  old recently at Seven Hills.  If  erected backyard pools are not approved, then you always have your local Council pool to attend too.

This is for all community members in and around Mount D ruitt with  Blacktown Local government area.

Click here for Media Release from Mayor, Stephen Bali