My Diary

Tuesday 1 July 2008

On the 1st of July I went to Birkenhead Point Shopping Centre to launch the 2008 Sustainability Awards for the City of Canada Bay. Here I met with the 2007 Environment Business Award recipient, the Operations Manager of the Shopping Centre, Steve Noack. Nominations are now open for the Sustainability Awards and I encourage you to visit www.focus4it.com.au/sustainabilityawards/ and nominate someone who you feel is deserving of an award in our community.  

Saturday 28 June 2008

Saturday night also saw the Mighty Fine Evening Charity Dinner to raise money for the Spastic Centre. The event has been running annually for 5 years now and this year, the funds raised have been dedicated to providing equipment and essential services for children with cerebral palsy. The Mighty Fine Evening is generally attended by parents, families, friends and supporters of children with disabilities and there is a great sense of community spirit at the event. This year's event was also attended and supported by Boxing Great Jeff Fenech and here I am pictured with Jeff and Spastic Centre volunteer and City of Canada Bay employee Jim Ntais. We would like to congratulate Jim, the Spastic Centre and the organisers of Mighty Fine Evening for a great event and for all their hard work with local families and are really happy to support such a valuable cause. 

On Saturday night I attended the Five Dock Rotary Changeover Dinner at Castel D'oro where the new Board of Directors and President were inducted. We thank the 2007-2008 Board for their valuable contribution and wish the new 2008-2009 Board all the best in their endeavours. 

On Saturday I visited Drummoyne Oval for the Drummoyne "Vintage Reds" Veterans and Vice Presidents Day. I am pictured here with Club President Colin Fleming and the Drummoyne Veterans Team. The Vintage Reds played against the Mosman Allstars Veteran Team for the AFTOM Hema Trophy which the proud Vintage Reds won in a thrilling 10-0 victory! Well done to the Dirty Reds!

Wednesday 25 June 2008

This time of year brings around a period of change for all of the Rotary Clubs of our area as a new board of Directors are voted in. On Wednesday night I attended the Drummoyne Rotary Changeover Dinner at Drummoyne Rowing Club where the new President and Board were inducted. We wish them all the best for the coming year and thank them for their valuable contribution to our community.

Monday 23 June 2008

Here I am pictured with Hoda Sleiman, the Pharmacist and Manager of Birkenhead Point Discount Pharmacy to launch GO Local- an online business directory to assist our local community in accessing and utilizing local business. In partnership with truelocal, residents can easily access up to date information on a wide variety of local businesses and services. We encourage you to shop locally and help support our local businesses. For more information or to access GO local, please see the front page of council's website at www.canadabay.nsw.gov.au

Saturday 21 June 2008

On the evening of 21 June I attended the 50th Anniversary Dinner for the Concord Soccer Club at La Mirage. I would like to send a big congratulations to the Club for reaching this impressive milestone and look forward to another 50 years of contribution to sport in our community. On the night I presented the Club with a plaque to commemorate their 50 years anniversary and here I am pictured with current President Angela Lukas, Angela D'Amore MP and first Club President Lerryn Mutton.

We also took this opportunity to have the Ron Tonkin plaque restored and presented to Mr Tonkins son John Tonkin. This plaque was removed from the clubroom at Edwards Park some time ago and we are thrilled to be able to return it to the family and the Club to eventually be replaced on the Edwards Park building. Mr Ron Tonkin was a great contributor to the Concord Soccer Club over many years and was President of the Club from 1976 until 1981. 

Wednesday 18 June 2008

On the evening of 18 June I was privileged enough to open the new NinetyRhodes Restaurant. This will be a great addition to the Rhodes area and will provide a lovely al fresco dining and social experience. The new restaurant is located at 90 Rider Boulevarde, on the corner of Mary Street, at Rhodes and I wish owners Peter & Antonios Karavolas and Head Chef James Konstantinidis all the best with their new venture.

On 18 June we conducted a private citizenship ceremony with Lin Wu who originally moved from China. We would like to congratulate Lin Wu on becoming an Australian Citizen.

Monday 16 June 2008

I attend the Annual General Meeting of the Communities for Communities Charity on 16 June. Communities for Communities is a fantastic local charity that does brilliant work within our community. They have many initiatives ready to be implemented this year and we will kick it all off on 1st August with the Charity Gala Ball which we are all looking forward to and will raise much needed funds for local projects and people in need.

On 16 June 2008, I attended the Barnwell Park Golf Course where Council launched its adopted Pesticide Notification Plan to keep residents informed about pesticides used in public outdoor places within the City. Council is committed to keeping residents informed, applying best practice in handling and using pesticides and keeping our staff (like Justin and Fernando who I am pictured with here) fully trained and qualified so keep our community safe.  For further information, please see Council's homepage at www.canadabay.nsw.gov.au

Sunday 15 June 2008

Here I am pictured with Dr Stevens from Westmead Hospital Oncology Department who were the beneficiaries of the Concord Senior Citizens Club Fundraiser. The Club ran a lovely lunch held at the Senior Citizens Centre at Wellbank Street and a Charity Auction to raise much needed funds for Westmead Oncology.

Friday 6 June 2008

On Friday I visited Whitfords of Five Dock Electrical Discounts to present the winner of the FuturesPlan20 Forum with their brand new Plasma TV. Thank you to everyone who has participated so far in FuturesPlan20 and we look forward to further feedback and suggestions from the community in the coming months. A big Congratulations to Cabarita resident Terence Keenan and thank you also to Andrew Whitford for his assistance!

Wednesday 4 June 2008

On Wednesday I visited our new library and children's centre at Concord to meet with Artist Rodney Monk who painted the amazing mural which is displayed at the new centre.

Tuesday 3 June 2008

On Tuesday Council presented Erik Royds with a congratulatory plaque and he and his family joined us for dinner afterwards. Erik has been the Professional Golfer at Barnwell Park Golf Course for 44 years and has decided to retire. Erik has been instrumental in implementing programmes of golf for the elderly and people with disabilities at Barnwell Park and we thank him for all his hard work and hope he enjoys his retirement.

Monday 2 June 2008

In May and June, Council conducted Food Handling Seminars to educate local businesses and families on the best practice in handling food. On Monday 2 June I attended to open the seminar and am pictured here with two of Council's hard working Environmental Health Officers, Belinda and Josh who ran the seminars.

Friday 30 May 2008

On Friday evening I attended the Farewell Dinner Dance of the ED5 Performance School at The Waterfront Hotel at Homebush Bay. We farewelled the group who will be taking part in competition in Bologna, Italy in June 2008 with 45 students from the Canada Bay area taking part. Good luck to all the participants and thank you to Elena, Mario and the ED5 team for putting together a great evening!

Wednesday 28 May 2008

On Wednesday I attended the Charter Dinner for the Provisional Rotary Club of Breakfast Point and hosted by the Rotary Club of Strathfield. Here I am pictured with President Brian Lawrenson. We wish the foundation members of the new Breakfast Point Club many successful and enjoyable years in Rotary.

Tuesday 27 May 2008

On Tuesday, in partnership with innovative charity Communities for Communities, City of Canada Bay Council hosted a business breakfast at Concord Golf Club. This breakfast in particular focused on leadership in social change and we are very proud to be able to work closely with Communities for Communities and thank you to Nick Farr-Jones who was our special guest and speaker on the day.

Tuesday 27 May 2008

On 27 May 2008 I attended Abbotsford Public School to present them with a cheque of $2000 to assist in the purchase of equipment including curtains for the Henry Lawson Community Hall. I believe this is an important contribution to our local community to increase local infrastructure and maximise the benefits to the community.