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Macquarie University Parkrun
I am beyond excited to announce that we have brought Parkrun to Ryde!
If you and your family are keen to get a bit more active, or you want an opportunity to casually meet some of your neighbours, then this free family-friendly event is for you! Don’t be fooled by its name. Walkers, dogs and those pushing prams are all welcome too!
Parkrun is one of the fastest growing running events in Australia, and I am delighted that after a lot of work alongside Ryde Council, Macquarie University and the volunteer organisers, we can finally host this weekly event locally in Ryde.
All you have to do is sign up using the QR code to obtain a scannable barcode that will be used to record your run/ walk time.
Our community in Ryde has beautiful open spaces and this is one of the best ways to put it to use! Parkrun is all about inclusiveness and wellbeing, and is suitable for all fitness types.
If you aren’t a walker or runner, but still want to get involved, then there are also important volunteering opportunities. Please email macquarieuniversity@parkrun.com to express an interest and get involved.
I hope to see you there!
Every
We’ve changed the law for renters!
Ryde has one of the highest renting populations in Sydney, but broken rent laws have hurt tenants and landlords alike. Last year I hosted Ryde’s first ever Rental Forum, and have been working since as part of a small group of cross-Party MPs for reform.
In October, the Parliament passed new laws which will:
1. Abolish no-grounds eviction
Tenants can no longer be evicted without reason, giving more certainty to both renters and landlords about ending a lease.
2. Make it easier to own pets
Renters can now own pets more easily, with changes preventing
unreasonable restrictions or lack of response to applications.
3. Limit rent increases to once in 12 months
Offers renters more predictability for their budgets and early line of sight when rents have to increase.
4. No More Fees for App Payments Fees to pay rent through payment apps have been scrapped! Renters can now choose convenient and fee-free methods to pay.
5. No Charges for Background Checks
Tenants can no longer be asked to cop the bill for their own background
Raising the Social Media Age
Thank you to everyone who took the time to participate in my policy survey about whether we should increase the age for social media.
These insights and experiences have made a real difference, with the Government recently announcing plans to formalise a policy on raising the age for social media.
This is definitely a positive step. However I am conscious that simply raising the age cannot be the end of the discussion. We also need to work with social media companies to ensure their content is age appropriate, and on educating users so they can enjoy a more positive experience online.
For those interested, my office has compiled a brief report based on the most
Melrose Park Schools Update!
The long-anticipated redevelopment of Melrose Park Public School and the construction of the new Melrose Park High School has finally been announced.
The primary school upgrade will increase capacity from 170 to 700 students, and include: modern classrooms, large public preschool, library, covered outdoor learning area, hall with canteen and
detailed responses from the survey. Please scan the QR to read these insights.
In summary, the report identifies the links to mental health issues, cyber-bullying, anxiety, depression, self-harm and even suicide in young people in Ryde and across Australia. It also highlights the strong level of parental concern in our local community about the known and unintended consequences of increased social media access among young people.
Currently, the government’s proposed policy provides for a blanket ban on under
out-of-hours-care, outdoor learning spaces/play space and new and upgraded administrative/site services.
The new high school, located next to Melrose Park PS, will include: new modern classrooms, new library, outdoor learning spaces/play space, landscaping and open playspace, and three support classrooms. Both projects are well underway and are due to be completed for Term 1, 2027.
This project is crucial for our growing community in Ryde. Ever since I’ve been elected to NSW Parliament, I have been advocating for new/upgraded schools in Melrose Park. For years, we have seen enormous development along Victoria and Wharf Road, without adequate schools,
checks, saving you money in the application process.
These reforms will help us achieve a fairer, more modern rental landscape for the increasing number of tenants who choose to make Ryde their home.
If you have any questions or concerns about these changes or your rights as a renter, I encourage you to reach out.
Scan QR Code to view the Survey Report
16s. I believe more work needs to be done to ensure children are better informed. Without investing in education, we run the risk of simply delaying the negative consequences.
I have already asked the Premier about this in the NSW Parliament, and will continue to advocate for a comprehensive policy that achieves more than a cheap political soundbite.
If you’d like to share additional insights or didn’t get a chance to participate previously, please get in touch!
transport and open spaces to sustain the growth.
As your local MP, I will continue to ensure our community voice is heard and to fight for the new schools also promised for Macquarie Park that the Labor Government is yet to deliver.
Cost of living tip Rent Check
Governments everywhere are failing to tackle the cost of living, including here in NSW.
Premier Chris Minns’ last Budget resulted in the largest debt in our State’s history of $96 billion, which is why you may have noticed a number of cost of living measures have been cut or ended, including:
1. Back to School vouchers for children’s shoes, books and stationary
2. First lap vouchers for children’s swimming lessons
3. Active Kids vouchers for sporting registration
4. Creative Kids vouchers for extracurricular learning and activities
5. Increased cost of opal fares and proposals to increase tolls
The government also abolished many first home buyer initiatives, with many more people now pushed into the rental market.
To try and help, there is a new initiative called Rent Check, which allows you to easily compare your rent with others in your area.
Housing is the largest expense for most households, and I hope that this simple tool might help ensure you aren’t paying too much for rent during this cost of living crisis.
Parliament Watch
Since my election, I have been busy representing you in Parliament: 377 Speeches, 63 Notices of Motion, 252 Questions on Notice and 167 Parliamentary clips on YouTube. You can find more details on these contributions by scanning the relevant QR codes below:
167 Parliamentary clips
Out in the Community
Christmas Message
As the festive season begins, I want to extend my warmest wishes to each and every one of you. May this Christmas bring moments of joy, love, and reflection, shared with family, friends, and all who make life meaningful.
In our multicultural community, the spirit of unity truly shines. Let’s cherish this time to connect and embrace the unity that makes Ryde so special. Looking ahead, I am excited for the opportunities 2025 holds for our community — a year where we can continue to grow, prosper and support one another.
Serving you, as your representative in NSW Parliament is truly an honour, and I remain dedicated to working alongside you to create a brighter future for Ryde.
Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a New Year filled with hope, health and happiness.
Granny Smith Festival
The Granny Smith Festival recently celebrated its 39th year, and it was nothing short of amazing! The event brought together old favourites and exciting new activities, from thrilling amusement rides and food trucks to live performances and a kids’ zone. The grand finale, complete with a spectacular fireworks
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Competition Results! 2024 Ryde X-mas Card
Huge congratulations to Eadie from Ryde Public School in Year 6 for winning this year’s Christmas Card Competition – which you can see on the right!
Also please join me in congratulating our remarkable finalists, one from each year, K–6. I’d like to sincerely thank each and every one of you for the incredible work you put in to make these designs.
All of these wonderful designs will now be included on my official Christmas cards for the year.
Finally, to everyone that participated in the competition, thank you for taking the time and effort to participate in this year’s competition. I am truly grateful and overwhelmed by the talent we have here in Ryde!
show, was the perfect way to end a truly unforgettable day. What makes this festival so special is its incredible community spirit—over 200 stallholders, 500 performing artists, and nearly 1,000 local participants made the grand street parade something to remember. It’s a beautiful reminder of how the spirit of the community, just like the legacy of Granny Smith herself, continues to grow and thrive.
Maria Ann Smith, who later became known as ‘Granny Smith,’ was born in 1799 in rural England. She and her family immigrated to New South Wales in 1838, where she and her husband Thomas worked as
orchardists. It was on their farm that Maria discovered the apple variety that would later bear her name – the Granny Smith apple. Although it wasn’t commercially recognised in her lifetime, the apple became beloved by local growers and has since become one of the most iconic varieties in the world. It’s a perfect symbol of resilience, community, and the lasting legacy that continues to flourish today, just like the festival that celebrates her memory.
Connect with me online
如果需要，可以安排口譯服務。 每個星期四，我們還有會講普通 話的工作人員為選民提供服務。
St Michaels PS, Y6: Ruby West Ryde PS, Y4: Priyanshi North Ryde PS, Y5: Keira St Kevins Primary, Y3: Olivia
Smalls Rd PS, K: Dali
Eastwood Heights PS, Y1: Diana Ngarala PS, Y2: Iris Melrose Park PS, Y3: Alex
Ryde PS, Y6: Eadie