KEEPING IN TOUCH WITH THE COMMUNITY
4 FEBRUARY 2015 6 October 2011
Independent FORTNIGHTLY COMMUNITY NEWS
ASIAN Valentine’s Day champions Sat 14 Feb 2
www.burwoodscene.com.au
NEWS
Page 15
Page 6
Volume 09 No.13
NEWS
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COUNCILS ission joint
6 October 2011
comm study reportPage 3
Bring in the Goat BURWOOD’S Lunar New Year Night Markets will be held on Thursday, February 26 from 5pm to 9pm at Burwood Park, on Burwood Road. To bring in the Year of the Goat (or Sheep), there’s a food fair, performers on stilts, spinning plates, a calligrapher, the God of Wealth, fire dancers and lion dancers plus the Night Markets. The Goat is the eighth sign of the 12-year cycle of animals that appear in the Chinese zodiac. People born in the Year of the Goat are said to be creative, intelligent, dependable and calm. Lunar New Year officially starts on February 19 and with the 2011 Census showing that 2.4 million Australians declaring that they have an Asian ancestral background, Lunar New Year celebrations have become an established part of the national calendar. Chinese Australians make up four per cent of the national population and just over 25 percent of people with Asian ancestry live in the inner west. Burwood Council is accepting stallholders for its Night Markets until February 11. For more local Lunar New Year festivities see pages 8 and 9.
WHILE local communities prepare for Lunar New Year festivities, Burwood Council is set to join in with a new event: Night Markets.
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News
4 February 2015
T
HE likelihood of the Baird NSW Government being kicked out at the March 28 elections is slim, but then again - look at what happened in Queensland last weekend. Of the 93 seats in the NSW Parliament, 69 were won by the Liberal/Nationals Coalition and Labor was left gasping with just 20 seats after their 2011 defeat. There’s been redistribution, seats abolished and reinvented (such as Summer Hill) and other political whirlgigs such as the new last-minute Labor leader in Luke Foley. The red team will win back many seats and the Liberals will be banking on
desk By Belinda Noonan
FIT FOR THE FUTURE Mike Baird’s popularity. Foley is unknown and sometimes the result can hang on recognition. The still expected Liberal win will accelerate the government’s plan to reform local government by the September 2016 council elections. NSW is the last state off the blocks to undertake reform
with council amalgamations and we can bet coals to Newcastle that Labor will come out swinging against any such move. Ironically, local government reform was in Labor’s sights before 2011 but by then the very public disarray in the party made any movement on council
structure even more risky for them – if that was possible. In September last year the state government launched the Fit for the Future blueprint that requires councils to consider their position, seek talks with neighbouring councils and their communities and respond by mid this year. In November five of the six inner west councils began sharing information on how they operate because they wanted reliable data on the effects of any amalgamation, resource sharing and any other modelling that should be considered. It is believed each of the councils kicked in $15,000 for this report undertaken by the independent firm, Morrison Low. The content
of that report, which will be given to the mayors sometime this week, should make interesting reading for those who care. The ‘care’ factor is relevant because many residents don’t care about politics or whether local councils merge or not. If the rubbish is collected on time, the streets cleaned and the roads and footpaths are maintained – that’s what matters. Over-development does however strike a chord with residents, especially in their own backyards – but that horse has bolted in the inner west. Raising community consultation standards, being able to stop the very ugly buildings (like Railway Parade
in Burwood) and demanding that government planning authorities take the views of residents seriously should be a priority. The Queensland election results should be a huge wake-up call. Listen to the people or you will get chucked out. There is more on the Railway Parade development. Burwood Council lost again in its court action against the developer in a ruling that could affect all future NSW developments. Contracted certifiers could potentially overrule council consent. The cost of the litigation to Burwood Council to fight the fight so far is rumoured to be $800,000 and rising.
We welcome your Letter to the Editor, which must be supplied with your name, address and telephone number for verification purposes. The publisher takes no responsibility for views expressed in any Letter to the Editor.
Inside
Flower Power proposal goes to Gateway by Belinda Noonan
REZONING of the Flower Power site at Enfield to potentially allow for three-storey residential unit development is a step closer after the Joint Regional Planning Panel voted 2 to 1 in favour of allowing the proposal to go through the ‘Gateway’ process at its meeting on January 28.
VALENTINE’S DAY HOMEBUSH @ SCHOOL SPORT
Page 6 Page 7 Page 11
Burwood’s Deputy General Manager, Bruce McDonald argued that the application should not be allowed to proceed to a Gateway process because of strong community opposition to the application.
Pages 14 & 15
The Gateway process sends
An independent fortnightly community newspaper. 100% family owned and operated. Published by Scene Newspapers next issue: Wednesday 18 February 2015 deadline: Wednesday 11 February 2015 Advertising: ads@burwoodscene.com.au Phone: 9715 2700 Fax: 9715 2007 Editorial: editor@burwoodscene.com.au Phone: 9715 2700 Fax: 9715 2007 Post: PO Box A187, Enfield South, NSW 2133 Editor: Belinda Noonan Deputy Editor: Mitchell Jordan mitchell@scenenewspapers.com.au Journalists: Sami Jeong saimi@burwoodscene.com.au Paul Brown paul@burwoodscene.com.au Accounts: Aileen Soria aileens@scenenewspapers.com.au Art Director: Kevin Robinson Sales Director: Robin Eggleton Printed by: Rural Press Burwood Scene is a registered trademark. All material appearing in this newspaper is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without the consent of the copyright holder. Delivered across four municipalities: Burwood, Strathfield, Canada Bay and Ashfield.
the application to rezone the Flower Power owned land on Mitchell Street back to the State Government, after which Burwood Council could become the consent authority. However, if Burwood Council again refuse the application, the final determination would rest with the NSW Government. Mayor John Faker said he was disappointed. “The application would have died and fallen over right now if the JRPP panel had voted against the Gateway process.” At a community meeting in Henley Park opposite Flower Power with Labor state candidate Jodi McKay the previous weekend, Faker
expressed serious misgivings about Gateway application process. “I am concerned that there is a lack of community involvement in the process. Gateway applications weren’t set up for areas like this,” he said referring to the Mitchell Street site. One resident who met with a Planning Department staffer told the mayor and Ms McKay “They (NSW Planning) didn’t really want to listen to us.” “ T h e F l o w e r Po w e r application has exposed a flaw in the legislation,” added Labor Shadow Planning spokesperson, Jodi McKay.
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News
4 February 2015
Five councils to receive joint study by Belinda Noonan
INDEPENDENT local government experts, Mor r is on L ow wi l l deliver a report that was commissioned jointly by Burwood, Ashfield, Canada Bay, Leichhardt and Marrickville councils in the coming days on the outcomes of a possible council merger. Morrison Low, a team of engineers, accountants and project managers with experience across the spectrum of local government, were engaged by the five inner west councils last November under a Memorandum Of Understanding (MOU) to provide reliable data across likely social, environmental, financial and governance outcomes in the event of council mergers. The study looked at financial sustainability including costs and impact on rates, infrastructure and service delivery, scale and capacity, effectiveness and efficiencies plus the social impacts on each of the council areas.
Under the MOU signed in November 2014, the five councils each contributed funding to undertake an assessment and modelling on six councils. Strathfield Council did not participate in this analysis. The report and results of the commissioned study will be made to each Mayor.
NSW Treasurer, Andrew Constance has been widely quoted as saying that there “should be five councils at best” in Sydney, then backtracked by saying that was a personal view. There are currently 152 councils in NSW with 37 of those in greater metropolitan Sydney.
Four options considered included councils standing alone, the feasibility of merging six councils, alternative potential mergers that might work and a resource sharing model.
For the inner west, council amalgamation between Bur wood, Strathfield, Ashfield, Canada Bay, Leichhardt and Marrickville has been rumoured but given the history in other states, the outcome in NSW, which is the last state in Australia to undertake reform, could differ.
In September last year, the NSW Government launched its ‘Fit for the Future’ blueprint for the future of local government, with a $1billion state government package deal linked to council reforms. Each NSW council has until June 30, 2015 to outline how they intend to become Fit for the Future. In December, NSW Planning Minister Pru Goward released A Plan for Growing Sydney that ties into local government reform.
In 2008 Queensland more than halved its councils (157 to 73) then de-amalgamated regional council areas Noosa, Douglas, Livingstone and Mareeba in 2013. Victoria sliced its 210 councils to 79 in 1991, and in the same period Tasmania did likewise moving from 46 to 29 councils. John Sidoti, Member for Drummoyne and NSW Parliamentary Secretary
for Local Government, has called for an Assistant Minister. “Local Government ne e ds an Assist ant Minister. One [Minister] should be for the metro area and one for rural. They have different challenges and shouldn’t be treated the same.” “I’m all for amalgamation. Historically, councils are a by-product of state government.”
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news YOUR News
4 February 2015
M AY O R ’ S M E S S A G E
FROM BURWOOD COUNCIL
Australia Day in Burwood
Follow me on Twitter: @johnfaker
The Lions club put on an Aussie BBQ
A
ustralia Day is an important event where we come together as a community to celebrate what unites us as Australians and reinforce the core values we embrace as a society. Last week, we held our Australia Day celebrations at the Library and Community Hub where we welcomed
our newest citizens and presented our Citizens of the Year awards. I would like to congratulate Reverend Dr James Collins for being awarded Citizen of the Year and Miss Samantha Panos for receiving the Sportsperson of the Year award. The awards acknowledge these
outstanding individuals for their vision, leadership, humanity and community spirit. Reverend Collins has devoted his time to creating outreach programs, providing food and clothing for those in need and helping to build an inclusive, tolerant and respectful multicultural community.
Miss Samantha Panos represented Australia at the Asian Aerobic Championships in South Korea last year, where she placed sixth in her first international appearance. Miss Panos also serves as a mentor to junior athletes in the sport.
Mayor Faker listens to resident feedback
Celebrate Lunar New Year in Burwood
C O N TA C T S
C R J O H N FA K E R (Mayor) 9911 9916 mayor@burwood.nsw.gov.au C R TO N Y D O U E I H I
0437 970 499 tony.doueihi@burwood.nsw.gov.au
C R S A L LY D E A N S
C R L E S L E Y F U R N E AU X - CO O K
C R J U S T I N TAU N TO N
0408 227 826 lesley.furneaux-cook@burwood.nsw. gov.au
0488 083 108 justin.taunton@burwood.nsw.gov.au
CR GEORGE MANNAH
0425 691 838 ernest.wong@burwood.nsw.gov.au
0448 133 396 george.mannah@burwood.nsw.gov.au
CR ERNEST WONG
0424 022 627 sally.deans@burwood.nsw.gov.au
Burwood Council, Level 2, 1–17 Elsie Street, Burwood NSW 2134
9911 9911 www.burwood.nsw.gov.au
The inaugural event will be a celebration of the Year of the Sheep with night markets in Burwood Park and a range of exciting performances including traditional fire and lion dancers and Chinese workshops.
MEETINGS
Local Citizens of C the Year Awards
ongratulations to the winners of our Local Citizens of the Year awards Reverend Dr James Collins, Citizen of the Year and Miss Samantha Panos, Sportsperson of the Year.
Celebrate Lunar C New Year at the Burwood night markets
elebrate the start of the Chinese New Year at the Inner West’s largest Lunar New Year night markets on Thursday, 26 February from 5pm in Burwood Park.
The Building & Development Meeting scheduled for 9 February has been cancelled Council Meeting – 23 February at 6pm in Council Chambers
News
4 February 2015
5
Melbourne puppies Parramatta Road frolic to Enfield secrecy fears by Saimi Jeong
WHEN Moira Findlay, 57, said goodbye to puppy Farrow last month after an enthralling year together, she found it very hard. “But I just kept reminding myself that she was not my dog. She was born for something special,” she says. Moira, principal at Iramoo Primary School, raised Farrow in her home as part of the Melbourne-based Seeing Eye Dogs Australia (SEDA) program. “There are people waiting for a Seeing Eye Dog for up to two years, and they live very restricted lives,” Moira says. “A dog opens up a whole new independence for them. It’s just a fantastic thing to do, and taking care of these beautiful puppies is a pleasure in itself. Farrow made everyone at school smile, everyday.” Farrow joined Moira at school each day, and roamed around the general office. “She could see all the parents coming in, little toddlers, deliveries coming in. There would be doors banging, bells ringing - all the noises they have to get used to, she was exposed to.” Although it was tough to let go of Farrow, Moira says it was “nowhere near as difficult” as losing her own dog after 13 years. The day Moira gave Farrow back, it helped that she “didn’t
by Belinda Noonan
Farrow at four months old.
go home to an empty house and an empty lead” – she had new puppy Kira waiting, brought home a few days before Christmas. SEDA is set to branch out to Sydney this year, run from a centre at Mitchell Street, Enfield. Ian Cox, a senior instructor who has helped to set up SEDA in South Korea and Brazil before he settled in Sydney in November, says he looks forward to running the program here. “The thing that stands out the most, for me, is seeing how these beautiful young dogs develop,” he says. “They have opportunities to go in shops, buses, trains, live in beautiful houses, until
they finally get the amazing responsibility of guiding someone. It’s exhilarating to see that process unfold.” As soon as a network of carers is established, puppies will be transferred to Sydney from the SEDA breeding program in Melbourne. “The most rewarding aspect, from what I’ve been told by carers around the world, is how joyful it is for them when the dog actually graduates with a blind person,” Cox says. With all costs covered by SEDA, the puppy caring program requires volunteers to care for a puppy in their home from the age of eight weeks until they are approximately 12 months old.
OVER 6,000 Urban Growth NSW documents, including emails, obtained by Labor last November have revealed that 170 community consultation events were planned for the Parramatta Road Urban Renewal Strategy. Urban Growth’s advertising states that “ The NSW Government is working closely with local councils and communities along the corridor to create new housing choices,” but Burwood Mayor John Faker is concerned about the lack of local input into the planning process. “It’s important that all levels of government work together on this project to get it right,” says Cr Faker. “The State Government had originally planned to add 4,3006,400 new dwellings along Parramatta Road in Burwood, and we’ve now heard various media reports which suggest that they are planning on doubling the density. This is unacceptable.” “Our community has received very little consultation on the project bar a few pamphlets and brochures,” he said. Town hall style meetings were scheduled for Granville on Saturday, January 21 and a second will be held at Ashfield Town Hall this Saturday 7 January, between 10am and 3pm.
NSW Planning Minister Pru Goward says extensive meetings have already been held. “150 meetings with Councils and/or Members of Parliament were held between September 2013 and July 2014. “Since that time, more than 50 additional meetings have been held,” she said. “It is important to note that this current display period is preliminary consultation on the Draft Strategy and, subject to Government approval, a more detailed version will be released for further consultation in mid-2015.” “Early and transparent community engagement and collaboration with Councils and other stakeholders is a critical part of our approach.” “Meanwhile, there are a number of working groups that involve councils including a Mayoral Forum and State Local Partnering Group, and Council staff – including from Burwood Council - have been seconded to the Integrated Project Team to help develop the renewal strategy,” Minister Goward told Burwood Scene. The Strathfield candidate and Shadow Minister for Planning, Jodi McKay, says that Urban Growth NSW had planned an impressive community campaign but that most of the sessions were cancelled. “Urban Growth had planned 170 activities over three months, but almost all of these were
cancelled at the stroke of the Minister’s pen,” Ms McKay said. “The agency had even planned for 40 team members to walk the entire length of Parramatta Road to tell residents and businesses about the Government’s plans to redevelop their community.” “The public release of the development plans and important consultative activities, from community barbecues and shopping centre stalls to school visits and council workshops, were delayed and eventually whittled down to only two public meetings.” Burwood and Strathfield have been earmarked in the Parramatta Road Urban Renewal Strategy as major growth corridors, accommodating over 10 percent of the overall population growth. Over 60,000 units are proposed for the Parramatta Road corridor and adjoining suburbs. “Many residents have no idea of the scale of development planned for Parramatta Road. The limited information distributed to the community doesn’t even mention two public consultation sessions Pru Goward has allowed to go ahead. They’re not even listed on the website,” Ms McKay said. The draft Parramatta Road Urban Renewal Strategy is available for public comment until 12 February 2015 and can be viewed at any inner west council or at www. newparramattard.com.au
6
Valentine’s DAY
Blue Mountains aroma blows into Burwood by Saimi Jeong
Singles find their type on Valentine’s Day by Saimi Jeong
Rebecca Tang’s TT’s Life at 127 Burwood Road.
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WITH her daughter in school and her son soon to follow, Rebecca Tang, 31, decided it was time to embark on a new endeavour. A close friend advised Rebecca on the ins and outs of business, and introduced her to fragrant body oils – geranium, Turkish rose and green tea, among others – from the Blue Mountains-based brand, Ikou. “After I tried the body products, I was in love with them,” Rebecca says, adding that she wanted her new business to be built on something she was passionate about. The calming effect of the natural wax candles and herbal teas, she found, fit perfectly with the aromatic body balms that helped soothe the skin. “My skin used to be very dry and I didn’t know how to look after it,” she says. Tang firmly believes that proper skincare from a young age makes all the difference later on. Although she lives in Yagoona, Tang wanted to open up her shop, TT’s Life, in Burwood where her family first settled after arriving in Australia in 2008. “There are a lot of familiar faces here,” she says. TT’s Life, a refreshing addition to the retailers on Burwood Road just a few doors up from the ‘pink hotel’, stocks Ikou candles, diffusers and body products from the Blue Mountains plus specialist Korean skincare products. One regular customer, an 85-year-old woman, visits Rebecca’s beautifully appointed shop every week since it opened last November. “She loves the facemasks from Korea,” Tang says. “Women never give up on beauty.”
ON VALENTINE’S DAY last year, Ella Collins-White, 23, from Croydon, ditched the idea of having a date and chose, instead, to donate. Ella was on exchange in Edinburgh when she visited the city’s blood donor centre with fellow exchange student and friend from America, Clara. “We’d been talking about giving blood for a while, but because we’d been quite busy, we hadn’t had time,” Ella says. “Clara was quite sad because she’d broken up with her boyfriend. We didn’t have dates, so we thought – why don’t we give blood? Seems like a nice thing to do, giving love to the world.” Afterwards, they sat with 10 other people waiting to donate or resting after, sipping on juice or coffee and munching on heart-shaped chocolates. It felt good, “like I did something productive,” Ella says. She plans to give blood again this year, in Sydney. Australian Red Cross Blood Service spokesperson Kathy Bowlen says people can have a bit of fun in the lead up to Valentine’s Day and also help a good cause by donating blood. “You never know who you might meet at a Blood Donor Centre. We have a constant flow of generous, community-minded
Croydon’s Ella Collins-White at the Edinburgh Blood Donor Centre.
volunteers coming through our doors, so you already know something about the people you might meet,” Bowlen says. While the Blood Service is using a tongue-in-cheek Valentine’s Day promotion to encourage more people to roll up their sleeves, there is a serious reason behind the blood drive. “One in three Australians will need blood in their lifetime, but right now only one in 30 of us donate,” she adds. It is commonly assumed that blood will be there if we need it, but only 3 per cent of the population currently donates.
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Strathfield’s Citizen of the Year, Jane Pistolese.
MS JANE Pistolese and Sahil Bhandula were announced as the recipients of the Citizen and Young Citizen of the Year awards at Strathfield Council’s Australia Day celebrations by Mayor Gulian Vaccari and Australia Day Ambassador, Acting Commissioner Catherine Burn. “Both of these members of the Strathfield community have
Young Citizen of the Year, Sahil Bhandula.
dedicated a great deal of time and energy to helping others and the community,” Cr Vaccari said. Jane Pistolese led the Strathfield Residents Action Group to ensure the community’s voice was heard in the Australian Catholic University expansion case. She put countless hours into research to inform the community and was the face of the campaign.
Young Citizen of the Year Sahil Bhandula, a student at Homebush Boys High School is a keen sportsman including hockey and cricket. He has displayed strong leadership qualities and is a member of the Interact Club which raises funds for Amnesty International. Sahil also helped organise anti-bullying week during which he mentored younger students.
Grant to restore Memorial THE federal government will provide $36,707 in funding to restore the Davey Square World War I Memorial on Rochester Street in Homebush. Craig Laundy MP, was joined by Senator Michael Ronaldson, Minister for Veteran Affairs on January 28 to announce the grant to Strathfield Council for the restoration works,
under the Anzac Centenary Grant program. “This special centenary funding will assist in providing the necessary maintenance to restore the memorial, ensuring that the memory of the servicemen and women who lost their lives fighting for our country in WWI will be kept alive for our future generations,” said Mr Laundy.
Also in attendance was Mayor Gulian Vaccari, Mr Allan Chapple, President of Homebush-Strathfield RSL sub-branch and members of the Reid Anzac Committee. Canada Bay Council will receive $38,600 towards the conservation work on the Concord War Memorial, Concord Public School $3,913 and further grants are expected to be approved in the coming weeks.
Celebrating women in local government NOMINATIONS for the 2015 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government are now open. The awards aim to recognise the contributions and achievements of women, both as elected representatives and as staff, in local government in NSW. These awards are also about showcasing the exciting and diverse careers available to women in local government in an attempt to attract more women to the sector. “Many councils struggle to attract and
retain staff that fulfil vital roles serving the community. By increasing the number of women in council roles, particularly in non-traditional roles, we can help to address this problem,” Minister for Women Pru Goward said. Councils and the community are invited to make nominations by Thursday, February 12. The announcement of winners and presentation will be held at Parliament House on March 3.
New Bushy Boys principal FOLLOWING the retirement of Tim Jurd from Homebush Boys’ High at the end of 2014, the ever-achieving school has welcomed its new principal, John Kennedy. Mr Kennedy brings a wealth of experience in teaching and leadership, having taught in a range of schools,
including country, comprehensive co-educational, girls and selective schools. He has spent the last three years as principal at Kingsgrove North High School and previously worked with the DEC Ultimo Local Schools Local Decisions team for a year.
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Chinese New Year
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4 February 2015
Stamps celebrate Chinese Australia: a history Year of the Goat A LUNAR New Year stamp series features the Chinese character for the goat, released by Australia Post last month to celebrate the Year of the Goat. The Goat is the eighth sign in the Chinese Zodiac and symbolises independence. The Year of the Goat begins on 19 February 2015. The Chinese character will be shown in the $2.10 stamp and its picture shown in the 70c stamp. Hong Kong-born designer, D an i Po on , h a s b e e n commissioned to illustrate 12 stamp issues in the Lunar New Year series, representing each of the 12 signs of the Chinese Zodiac. Poon has used paper cut motifs, a popular form of Chinese art, to represent the goat. The stamps are overprinted with turquoise foil. As part of the stamp issue, a pack of three minisheets embellished with a turquoise foil, one of which is printed on silk, will be available. “The Goat is the most feminine sign of all of the
CO-FOUNDER of the Chinese Heritage Association of Australia, Daphne Lowe Kelley, will speak about the history of Chinese settlement in Australia this Saturday, February 7. Kelley’s community service, spanning more than 30 years, was recognised in 2011 when she received a NSW Premier’s Chinese Community Service Award - the Jack Wong Sue Award for Voluntary Service Beyond the Chinese Community.
Chinese animals. Usually they are very good-natured, genuine, timid and bashful. The design celebrates the feminine aspect of the goat through the chosen story in the minisheet and the use of pastel colours,” Poon said. The text printed on the minisheet in Chinese and English tells the story of the Tu tribal wedding tradition. When the marriage takes place, the groom gives a female goat to
Burwood Scene Online
www.burwoodscene.com.au
his parents-in-law as a symbolic replacement of the calmness and tenderness of their daughter. A pure gold Year of the Goat minisheet, presented in a glass and timber stand, is predicted to interest collectors, along with a limited edition Lion Dance postal and numismatic cover featuring a $1 Perth Mint coloured coin. Famous Australians born in the Year of the Goat include for mer Pr ime Minister Paul Keating, actress Nicole Kidman and singer Tina Arena. According to Chinese astrology, they are likely to be reserved, quiet and deeply affectionate.
The talk, arranged by the City of Canada Bay Heritage Society, will cover the turbulent days on the goldfields, the discriminatory anti-Chinese legislation enacted by the colonies and the Immigration Restriction Act 1901, and the post WWI policies and the era of diplomatic relations between the Australian and Chinese Governments. Kelley, a retired teacher and businesswoman, has been involved in a number of professional and community
organisations over the years, including serving as the president of the Chinese Heritage Association of Australia from 2003 to 2012. Her talk on Chinese Australian history and heritage will be held at the City of Canada Bay Museum, 1 Bent Street, Concord on Saturday at 2pm. Light refreshments and a chance to chat with Kelley will follow the talk. Admission is free and donations are welcome.
It’s all about the food
SOME of Australia’s best Asian restaurants, such as the Eight Modern Chinese Restaurant & Zilver will be serving up delicious set-price menus that will have mouths watering and leave plenty of change as Lunar Feasts returns from Friday 13 February to Sunday 1 March. Now in its third year and part of the City of Sydney’s 2015 Chinese New Year Festival, Lunar Feasts offers diners the opportunity to enjoy special banquets, set meals, and tasting platters at Sydney’s award-winning Asian restaurants.
CHINESE NEW YEAR
4 February 2015
Twilight Parade
THE CITY of Sydney’s Chinese New Year Twilight Parade, on Sunday 22 February, will feature more than 3,000 national and international performers, building projections and 35 floats. The parade will celebrate the sheep’s characteristics and depict its life from children’s nursery rhymes to the backbone of Australia’s farming success. A giant five-metre tall merino, shepherds, shearers, Bo Peeps and knitting grannies as well as floats from Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese and Thai communities will make this year’s parade one of the biggest and most impressive. “Always the most popular item on the Chinese New Year festival calendar, we expect huge crowds to line the city streets to welcome
Over 3,000 performers will be a part of the twilight Parade down George Street in the city.
9
in the New Year,” “Lord Mayor Clover Moore said. Starting at Town Hall, performers and floats will weave their way down George Street and through Chinatown before finishing at Cockle Bay with a spectacular fireworks display to scare off the previous year’s bad luck and mark the beginning of the Year of the Sheep. The Twilight Parade is a free event, however limited VIP seating is available. Tickets are available through www. sydneychinesenewyear. com. Due to light rail works on George Street and developments in Darling Harbour, this will be the last year the Twilight Parade will run in its current format, with plans for alternative routes from 2016 already under way.
Lions at Paddys
THE largest lion in the Southern Hemisphere will be at Sydney’s Paddy’s Markets starting at Haymarket on New Year’s Day, Thursday 19 February at 4pm and at Flemington on Friday 20 January at 11am to launch the Year of the Goat, signally starting a huge range of events across Market locations. Specially produced and imported from China, the lion will be brought to life by 50 participants, from Paddy’s who will also provide demonstrations of the Acrobatic Lion Dance. “Dotting the Eye”, an important feature to signify the New Year, refers to the Chinese tradition of painting in the eye of the Chinese lion before the start of the lion dance to awaken the animal’s spirit.
Hoi Gong is a traditional ceremony to awaken a new lion, or from a more traditional viewpoint, bring down the spirit of the lion from the heaven and give it life. This ceremony signifies the existence or birth of a new lion into the world and also means that Sydney Markets have been blessed. Chinese New Year Events at Paddy’s Flemington… Fri 20 Feb 11am Lion Dance 12noon- 3pm, God of Wealth Sat 21 Feb 9am Lion Dance 12noon- 3pm, God of Wealth Sun 22 Feb 10am Lion Dance 12noon – 3pm, God of Wealth
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10
NEWS
4 February 2015
Just sayin’…
By Mitchell Jordan
Mitchell@scenenewspapers.com.au
Kokoda Track Memorial advocate recognised
The last goodbye SITTING in palliative care, I struggled to think of anything to say to my terminally ill sister. In books and movies, the final words anyone speaks are always “I love you”, but the frightening finality of saying this seemed all too much. Knowing someone who is dying has given me considerable time to think about life. Two points I’ve returned to repeatedly are whether it is better to have the chance to say farewell to someone and know an unwinnable battle that takes away every inch of what makes them so special stretches ahead, or if letting them slip silently, painlessly, to the other side without even the whisper of warning is in fact more humane. Few things can be as confronting as visiting the death row that is palliative care, hearing – or overhearing – the pleas from those who just want an end to their pain, and yet euthanasia, which is legal in Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands, remains unspoken of and unavailable for fear of angering the moral police and religious fanatics. Similarly, the much-needed debate
regarding whether or not to legalise cannabis for medicinal purposes has come about as late as climate change and will likely end with a comparable lack of action and results. One of my sister’s final wishes is that she will die at home surrounded by the familiarity of her own walls, and in close proximity to the animals that have defined much of her life. In a country that insists on prolonging the suffering of those who are ill, this is a request that cannot be guaranteed to happen and must be met only with silence, for no answer is surely better than lying. Several people told me how important it was to say anything I wanted during this time, and one friend and I both agreed that, no matter what the circumstance, no one ever says enough to anyone. Despite being a writer, I don’t think it will be words that I remember when my sister is gone, but rather the warmth of my head resting by her neck, the plasticity of her pallid flesh, and the feeling of being together.
Drummoyne Local Woman of the Year, Alice Kang with NSW Minister Pru Goward, Concord Hospital General Manager Dr Tim Sinclair and MP John Sidoti.
CONCORD Hospital’s Alice Kang is well known throughout the Canada Bay area for her tireless work in the health sector and also her involvement in the construction and opening of the nearby Kokoda Memorial Track Walkway just a stone’s throw away. Mrs Kang was formally recognised as the Drummoyne 2015 Local Woman of the Year two weeks ago by the Minister for Women, Pru Goward and Member for Drummoyne, John Sidoti. Each local award winner will be invited to join their Member of Parliament at the 2015 NSW Women of the Year award ceremony to be held at Parliament House on March 4 to coincide with International Women’s Day, which is on March 8. Mrs Kang, who started out as a nurse in 1974, has worked on the health corporate side for the past 20 years in marketing, raising over
Mitchell Jordan is Deputy Editor at Burwood Scene.
$1.2million for Concord Hospital and led the now iconic Opera at Rivendell for the past 12 years. “I am honoured to receive this award and equally see it as an acknowledgement for all of the 1500 women who work at Concord Hospital,” Mrs Kang said. “Opera at Rivendell has been a long term success, is a great communication tool for the hospital and also brings arts to the community.” Mrs Kang also highlighted the importance of the Anzac Centenary for the hospital and the Memorial Track Walkway. NSW Minister Pru Goward praised Mrs Kang saying, “She’s a role model for other women. Her achievement in raising so many funds is impressive.” Drummoyne MP John Sidoti, who has supported Mrs Kang’s many functions, said it was “a privilege to be able to acknowledge the great work in our community of women like Mrs Kang.”
Music that makes a difference by Mitchell Jordan
Award winning violinist and pianist Manjia Luo.
MANJIA LUO is a firm believer in the power of music to change people’s lives. The 69-year-old pianist and violinist has been playing since she was a child. The loss of a family member had a devastating impact on
Home and Community Podiatry Service, auspiced by Burwood Council, is for residents of the Ashfield, Burwood, Canada Bay, Canterbury, Leichhardt, Marrickville and Strathfield Local Government Areas. We aim to provide a comprehensive, responsive and flexible podiatry service for the Home and Community Care target group which includes the frail aged, people with disabilities, and their carers. If you think you, a friend or family member may be eligible please call the Podiatry Service on 99 11 99 39 to talk to someone about the service.
“I want people to feel the nicer things inside themselves,” she said. “Music makes me feel so good each time I have a challenge, it can help you conquer loneliness, failure or rejection.” Manjia’s next concert is at St Pauls Church, Burwood on 21 February, from 7pm to 9pm. To book a ticket call 0423 163 391.
Top honour for the voice of volunteers by Mitchell Jordan
Putting your feet first
Manjia’s life, prompting her to leave China and move to Sydney in 1993. Since then, she has performed numerous concerts and has enjoyed the feeling of satisfaction at seeing audiences transfixed by her compositions. Her talent and dedication to music also led her to first prize in the Instrumental ASA Awards in 2014.
FOR YEARS Anna Dimo has been responsible for helping countless Sudanese women and their children at the St Bakhita Centre in Homebush West. Her efforts were rewarded last month when she was named as the 2015 Local Woman of the Year for Strathfield. “I felt very happy to get the award. I thank God for that,” Anna said. Member for Strathfield, Charles Casuscelli, has described Anna as “nothing short of inspirational”, and few people could deny that. Forced to leave war-torn Sudan, she moved to Egypt where she remained for 10 years, working as a volunteer and helping women. When the chance to move to Australia arose, Anna took not only her five children, but also another three that she had adopted as her own.
Anna has never forgotten the disorientating experience of arriving in Sydney airport and being unable to fill in the landing card. “I’d never studied English before. My education as a primary school teacher was all done in Arabic,” she said. Eventually given a form in Arabic and an interpreter to help her, Anna soon realised how important English would be for her and the children. She wasted no time in integrating herself into the community, working as a teacher’s aide in Auburn for six years before joining the St Bakhita Centre in 2009. “I love working with our community and help them through volunteering,” she said. Studying English has enabled Anna to undertake a diploma in community service, with her ultimate dream being to attend university. Anna has no regrets about leaving behind Sudan. Returning for the first
time in 25 years, Anna was delighted to learn that construction of a new school for girls had commenced. “I miss Sudan because my relatives are there, but here I feel Australia is my home,” Anna said. “My children got a good education and I have been studying English and helping women here.”
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@ SCHOOL A plan for the future SCHOOL HOLIDAYS HOMEROOM Circles are part of the future beginning this term as Bethlehem College at Ashfield moves to a different model of pastoral and academic care. “In keeping with the charisma of the Sisters of Charity, the College has always extended outstanding pastoral care to our students and their families,” said Principal Paula Bounds. “The new structure has been developed in response to contemporary research from Edith Cowan University into ‘Next Practice’ for pastoral care and student wellbeing in schools and the changing needs of young women today.” The Homeroom Circles aim to ‘nurture the ongoing
development of the whole person by collaboratively supporting academic, emotional, physical, social and spiritual wellbeing’. The ‘Take 5’ approach will see students placed in smaller groups than more traditional homeroom or roll groups with a teacher-mentor who will meet with the group for 20 minutes each day, four days a week. “We are very excited about this new approach to the care of our students. “Homeroom circles are a more intimate community of learners where staff and students alike develop and nurture relationships centred around holistic wellbeing,” said Mrs Bounds.
The College also celebrated its Class of 2014 HSC results including one student who achieved 6th in NSW for Studies of Religion one unit. Four percent of students achieved a Band 6 in English Standard and 100 percent of students achieved the top two bands in Drama. The top ATAR was 98.3. “It is the entire College community that comes together to not only prepare students for the rigours of formal examinations, but to nurture and develop them into confident and independent young women of faith who can go out into the world and make a difference,” Mrs Bounds commented.
SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
Back To Schoo l
Bethlehem College HSC students – Back: Cassandra Hermosa and Shristina Joshi. Front: Rona Martina Adato, Joanne Bui, Melissa Diab and Natalie Cavagnino.
New lingo for students and their parents Schools set for upgrades WITH more than 780,000 new and returning public school students sitting down at their desks last week, the Department of Education Deputy Secretary, Greg Prior, has highlighted a useful website for parents. “We are pleased to again offer important back-to-school advice for parents via the Department of Education and Communities website,” Mr Prior said. “Starting
Back To Schoo l
school can sometimes be a bit daunting, especially for those attending primary or high school for the first time.” A visit to www.schoolatoz. nsw.edu.au can help with s tu d e nt s’ an d p are nt s’ back-to-school needs with useful information such as hints on homework, including planner templates and study tips, uniform questions and
answers, 2015 public school term dates, educational games and videos with advice from teachers on everything from preparing to start high school, to dealing with bullying or depression. “Our school jargon buster will also help parents sort out their CAPAs from their KLAs, and explain why BEC and TAS are not girls’ names,” Mr Prior said.
PARRAMATTA ROAD URBAN RENEWAL STRATEGY BE PART OF the future of the Parramatta Road corridor
Urban renewal will transform the Parramatta Road corridor and bring new life to communities living and working in the area. The NSW Government is working closely with local councils and communities along the corridor to create new housing choices, generate jobs and improve public and active transport connections, creating better links within and between neighbourhoods.
MAINTENANCE projects worth $365,000 have got under way at Homebush Public, Strathfield South Public, Burwood Public and Strathfield South High schools. The projects to be undertaken included roof replacement work to Block E at a cost of $154,002 and gutter replacement at a cost of $5,500 to Homebush Public School.
Strathfield South Public School had internal painting undertaken to Block A at a cost of $69,731.20 while repairs to Strathfield South High School’s external movement area cost $67,256. Si m i l ar re p ai rs we re undertaken at Burwood Public School at a cost of $69,104.
Drop into the Public Display Office Come and view the draft strategy and speak with members of the project team at Suite 6, Level 1, 22 George Street, North Strathfield (near ‘The Bakehouse Quarter’). Monday – Wednesday, Friday: 9am – 5 pm Thursday: 9am – 7 pm Saturday: 9am –1pm Copies of the draft strategy are also on display at the Council libraries and offices in these Council areas – Parramatta, Auburn, Holroyd, Canada Bay, Strathfield, Burwood, Ashfield, Leichhardt, Marrickville and City of Sydney. Attend a Community Information Session Granville Town Hall
10 Carlton Street, Granville Saturday 31 January 2015
Ashfield Town Hall
260 Liverpool Road, Ashfield Saturday 7 February 2015
Drop in at any time between 10am and 3pm. URB0017 BS
The Draft Parramatta Road Urban Renewal Strategy is now on display until Thursday 12 February 2015. There are a number of ways you can find out more, share your ideas and provide your feedback.
“I recommend the website to all parents, especially if they want advice on sending their children to school for the first time.” Assistance is also available to parents and caregivers via the Back-to-School Hotline (1300 738 338), which operates between 8:30am and 4:30pm weekdays until Friday, 13 February.
To find out more about the Draft Parramatta Road Urban Renewal Strategy visit www.newparramattard.com.au
Contact the project team T 1300 730 627 E info@newparramattard.com.au
12
NEws
4 February 2015
Cemetery commissions historical films
An early sketch of Rookwood Cemetery.
RENOWNED writer and historian, Warren Fahey, has produced a series of historical films delving into Rookwood Cemetery’s rich history as it approaches its 150-year anniversary. The films, commissioned by Rookwood General Cemeteries Reserve Trust (RGCRT), include four short films profiling notable
The funeral of legendary Chinese merchant Mei Quong Tart.
Australians buried within the 700-acre necropolis. Fahey enlisted the help of long-time collaborator and video designer, Mic Gruchy, to produce the series. Fahey and Gruchy’s last work was for the Biennale of Sydney in 2012. Their video installation, Damned Souls & Turning Wheels, explored the history of
Cockatoo Island, and was seen by over 140,000 people. Throughout last year, Fahey immersed himself in the stories behind the cemetery, searching old document files, newspapers, libraries, oral histories and the archives of the State Library of NSW, State Records, National Film & Sound Archive and the Australian Society of Genealogists.
“The story of Rookwood, the largest Victorian era cemetery in the world, is full of surprises. Over a million burials, from the notable to the notorious, provides a real slice of Sydney’s history and the makings of what is a unique and adventurous arts project,” Fahey said. Famous figures buried in the cemetery, profiled in the short films, include publisher John
Fairfax, retail moguls David Jones and Anthony Hordern, popular 20th century comedian Roy Rene (also known as Mo), and legendary Chinese merchant Mei Quong Tart. Further biographical films are set to be produced throughout the year, in lead up to the 150th anniversary celebration in 2016. Fiona Heslop, CEO of RGCRT, said the films are
“a truly captivating way to demystify the dark or morbid misconceptions surrounding Rookwood and cemeteries generally.” “It is a place rich in history that reveals much not only of our past, but our continuing evolution as a multicultural society,” she said.
Complaints Fair Work New app to access legal hotline for laws under info but report finds VET students review more funding needed VOCATIONAL Education and Training (VET) students now have a complaints hotline to bring rogue training providers to the attention of regulators. The joint initiative between state and territory governments will assist apprentices and students to lodge complaints and serve employers who are concerned about any aspect of the training system. “Our Government is taking firm action to crack down on unscrupulous and misleading behaviour by some training providers and brokers, and this one-stop-shop hotline will help stop the exploitation of students,” said Federal Member for Reid Craig Laundy. “While I have no doubt that the vast majority of training providers are doing a great job, and the right thing by their students, I have received numerous expressions of concern about training providers who are not providing the services they promise. “This is especially the case with students with English as their second language and who may not have the same level of understanding as a native speaker when reviewing information or a contract,” Laundy said. The National Training Hotline is 13 38 73 and available Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm or via email skilling@education.gov.au
THE federal government’s Productivity Commission Review of the Fair Work Laws is now underway and Member for Reid, Craig Laundy has called for people in the local area to make submissions. This independent review will assess the operation of the Fair Work framework and consider options for improvement before making recommendations to Government. “It is important that the Productivity Commission gets a full understanding of how the laws work in practice, both good and bad, including practical examples from local employees, employers and community groups,” Mr Laundy said. “Submissions can be made on any aspect of the system and an online comments option is available, which can be used to quickly and simply submit views of the system. “This is an important area of legislation, and I encourage anyone in Reid who want to take part in the process to make a submission to the Review and share your insights.” “Anyone in our local community with feedback, positive or negative, on how the workplace relations system is working should make a submission to ensure a wide ranging and robust report.” The review is due to report by the end of 2015 and will make recommendations to the Government. Submissions to the review can be made online at www.pc.gov.au or by post to the Productivity Commission, Locked Bag 2, Collins St East Melbourne Vic 8003.
by Saimi Jeong
LEGAL AID NSW has launched an Android version of its app that allows users to navigate its website more easily on a smartphone, aiming to help people to quickly find legal information. The Android app, already available for iPhones and iPads, comes a month after a report by the Productivity Commission, which found that state and territory governments need to provide an additional $200 million a year for Legal Aid Commissions to meet their stated service priorities. The Access to Justice Arrangements report revealed that legal assistance funding for civil matters had not kept pace with increasing costs and demand. The report identified gaps in service delivery affecting family law, domestic violence, and the care and protection of children. Other gaps were found in civil law areas, including employment and tenancy law. As a result, those who want to take private legal action to defend their rights but lack the resources and do not meet the means tests used by Legal Aid Commissions to determine eligibility are at a disadvantage. Alice Mantel, a solicitor and Greens candidate for Drummoyne, said people who seek legal aid
tend to come from diverse economic and cultural backgrounds, and are less likely to benefit from a smartphone app. “A lot of people who use legal aid are on low incomes and they don’t have the latest smartphone,” she said. “Funding would be better spent on developing better, more flexible criteria for deciding who is eligible for legal aid, and on improving services.” Ms Mantel said that legal information is “difficult to access and absorb,” and that searching for and viewing information on a smartphone would likely prove challenging. The Legal Aid NSW app will enable people to search for which of the state’s 194 free legal advice centres is closest to them, watch videos about the law, book into a law workshop or webinar and access official factsheets and resources. A section of the app is dedicated to searching for lawyers and community workers who undertake legal aid work, as well as for accessing Legal Aid NSW policies. Legal Aid NSW CEO Bill Grant said the app will help Legal Aid NSW to increase its reach and provide access to legal services and resources to people throughout NSW. “Everyone should have equal access to information about the law,” Mr Grant said. “This app is a good way of making sure that happens.”
News
4 February 2015
Spotlight on Superannuation
2RDJFM’s Kaleidoscope lady passes away
briefly
JUSTICES MEETINGS RESUME The Ashfield/Burwood branch of the New South Wales Justices Association will resume their monthly meeting at 7.15pm on Wednesday 18 February at Club Burwood RSL, 96 Shaftesbury Road, Burwood. During the meeting a training session will be conducted. Meetings are held every third Wednesday of the month through from February to November at the Venue and time above. All justices of the Peace are welcome and encouraged to attend. EASY ENGLISH CLASSES St John’s Anglican Church at 93 Newton Rd, West Strathfield, is conducting English Conversation Classes on Tuesday evenings during school terms from 7.30pm until 9.00pm. The classes are free and are a combination of structured and unstructured conversation including a light supper afterwards. Classes commence on Tuesday, 10 February. For further information call Shirley on 9763 1932 or Jenny on 9746 8777.
WESTPAC Bank have joined forces with Strathfield Chamber of Commerce to host a free seminar on superannuation this month. M r Mar iu s We nt z e l , responsible for Westpac’s Self-managed Super Fund offer will deliver the presentation and demystify the “ins and outs” of superannuation. Topics included in the presentation include the role of superannuation, how much you need to retire, looking at the tax treatment of investments inside and outside the superannuation system, the benefits of salary sacrificing using the ‘transition
Inset: Phyllis Stephenson (nee Lammey) Main pic: As a young figure skater
LOVE YOUR LIBRARY
COMPUTER CLASSES FOR SENIORS Burwood Seniors Computer Club starts its new term on Monday, February 2. Classes are held at Woodstock Community Centre on Church Street, Burwood, on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, run by volunteers. Please contact Michael on 9715 3172 or Alice on 9797 9169 to enroll. FROG AND TADPOLE GROUP ARE BACK FOR 2015 The next meeting of the Frog and Tadpole Study Group of NSW (FATS) will be on Friday 6 February at THE FRIENDLY PLACE TO SHOP the Education Centre, Bicentennial Park in Sydney Olympic Park from 7pm. The main speaker is Dr Arthur White talking about ‘Life as a Wallum Sedge Frog’. There are also lost frogs available to FATS financial members needing forever homes. Contact Monica Wangmann on 0418 992 766 or see www.fats.org.au VIEW CLUB MEETING Five Dock Evening VIEW Club will hold its first Dinner Meeting of the year on Wednesday, February 11 at 7.00pm at Club Five Dock on Great North Road. Ladies are invited to come along enjoy a good meal, great company, guest speakers, mid-week lunches and weekend outings. For details, call Margaret on 9798 3339.
FOR 22 YEARS, 2RDJFM listeners have heard George Stephenson and his wife Phyllis (known on air as Felicity) on their Sunday ‘Kaleidoscope’ program, which was rebroadcast to over 60 stations around Australia. Sadly Philly passed away on January 4 and the inner west and beyond will miss this loyal, excitable – always active woman who was a life-long supporter of the Children’s AND MedicalDINE Research Foundation, an Australian Champion figure skater, journalist and committed Royalist who met most of the British Royal family several times. Phyllis Audrey Lammey was born 5 December, 1926 and grew up in Drummoyne then Lucas Road , Burwood. The youngest child of Pop and Hilda, she was extremely close to her parents and proud of her father’s service in the Light Horse during WWI. She began work in the 1940s in what was then known as the ‘News and Information Bureau’ (a Government owned news service) in the Commonwealth
ELECTRICAL
Move over St Valentine because 14 February is also Library Lovers’ Day and Burwood Library will be celebrating all things romantic. Library Lovers’ Day is a chance for everyone to reconnect with the library and share the library love. It’s a time to appreciate the important role public libraries play in the community. Describe to us, in 150 words or less, your perfect Valentine’s Day and be in the running to win a fabulous gourmet hamper. Competition closes 14 February 2015. Email entries to library@burwood.nsw.gov.au or hand in at the information desk. *Winner will be contacted on 18 February 2015
Centre in Chifley Square, where she stayed her entire working life, through the aftermath of WWII, Cold War and political upheavals such as the Whitlam era. Phyllis knew everyone and everyone knew her. She was a great match-maker and was always setting up dates for friends, but her best date of all was the one she organised to meet her future husband. George was a well-known Macquarie network broadcaster with the maestro of radio, Terry Dear. She fell in love with George’s voice and orchestrated an introduction. They were married at St Stephen’s in the city in 1954 and celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary last year. The loving couple received WELL SAID personal congratulations from Belinda, very well said May freedom of the press the Queen, Governor General – picked up The Burwood and the right to express THE FRIENDLY PLACE TO SHOP AND DINE and Prime Minister. Scene at the Library diverse opinion continue George said of his wife at her yesterday. to thrive in a time when it funeral service, “A lady of many seems under great pressure I always enjoy reading it talents who loved everybody and throughout our world. and your ‘Editor’s Desk’ this everybody loved her because of issue (Jan 21st) is yet another Keep it up. the way she attacked life. She was Fran my life and my love and my good thought-provoking one on a particularly important topic. friend.”
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to retirement strateg y’ and retirement planning opportunities available to small and medium sized businesses. “The seminar is an excellent opportunity to learn about some of the intricacies of Australia’s Superannuation system from a subject matter expert, and to network with other local business owners,” said Mr Ranin Mendis, Strathfield Branch Manager. The seminar takes place at 6pm on Wed 11 February at George Street Community Centre, Burwood. To RSVP, email scoc@trichroma.com.au
OFF THE SHELF
AUTHORS AT ASHFIELD Susannah Fullerton illustrated lecture: Literary New York Wednesday February 11 at 1.00pm, Level 6 Council Chambers Jo Henwood illustrated lecture: Chinese New Year, the Year of the Sheep Monday February 16 at 1.00pm, Level 6 Council Chambers
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14
NEws
4 February 2015
Big steps for Leyton by Mitchell Jordan
IT’S A CASE of like mother like son for inner west performers, Leyton and Donna Homes. Leyton is no stranger to both the stage and small screen, having first starred in a commercial at the age
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www.iwta.com.au
Open Day
of four. Last month, he was chosen to perform with The Australian Ballet Company at the Sydney Opera House, in their production of The Nutcracker. “I’ve grown up with performing arts, mainly through my mum,” Leyton said. “I love all dancing, and I like to sing too. I am auditioning for Matilda this month, so maybe I will get to do musical theatre next. That would be really exciting.” The 12-year-old, who has just started high school, has no intention of resting on his laurels and maintains a strict schedule, practising three days a week “This year I will do even more,” he added. Leyton’s development as a dancer is certainly in good hands. His mother, Donna, who started Donna Jean’s Danceforce in 1985 at Belfield and Enfield is moving back to her roots, and opening another branch in Ashfield Baptist Church Hall in Holden Street, Ashfield. “Children just love to dance, and we are there to nurture this natural joy,” said Donna. “I get so much happiness out of seeing children having fun in their classes, and am looking forward to teaching a whole new generation of kids in the inner west.” Donna Jean caters for all dance styles from Ballet to Hip Hop, plus singing and acrobatics. Toddlers to adults are welcome. Check out their Open Day on Saturday 7 February from 10am at Ashfield Baptist Church Hall, Holden St Ashfield, next to Ashfield Mall.
Leyton Homes, a dance star in the making.
Walk for your heart health
Sat 7 February | 9.30am to 12 noon | Ashfield Baptist Church Hall, 1 Holden St, Ashfield (next to Ashfield Mall) Fun, friendly family studio 2 years to Adults Toddlers Fairy Ballet, Tiny Groovers, Tiny Tappers Classical Ballet (Cecchetti / R.A.D.) Jazz/Funk/Hip Hop Contemporary, Modern Showgroup, Singing & more! Guest teachers from So You Think You Can Dance
9832 3688
www.donnajeans.com.au
Est 30 years. Principal: Donna Jean Holmes Qualified teaching staff with Working with Children Check
The Burwood Heart Foundation Walkers at Henley Park.
THE Burwood Walkers have sprung back into step this year around Henley Park at Enfield every Friday morning and they are encouraging anyone who would like to join in to come along. “We’ve been walking for a couple of weeks now and it’s really nice to catch up with our walking friends again after the Christmas and New Year break,” said coordinator Sue Whitechurch. The free Heart Foundation Walking program encourages Australians to keep fit. They are offering new walkers the chance to win a Kobo eReader and Heart Foundation Walking photo calendar,
canterbury
Burwood Walkers dates (weather permitting) February: Fridays 6, 13, 20 and 27 March: Fridays 6, 13, 20 and 27 April: Fridays 10, 17 and 24 (no walking on 3 April, Good Friday) May: Fridays 1, 8, 15, 22 and 29 June: Fridays 5, 12, 19 and 26 July: Fridays 3, 10, 17, 24 and 31. For more information email burwoodhfw@yahoo.com. au or phone Sue on 9747 1953 If you can’t make Friday morning walks see www.heartfoundation.org. au/active-living/walking or call 1300 362 787 for other groups walking near you.
SKATE SCHOOL 8 week semester
Olympic ice Rink
includes 8 free extra sessions saturday 11am - 12.30pm monday 4.15pm - 5.45pm
Skate with the best
PUBLIC SKATING
VALENTINE’S DAY SPECIAL Saturday night Feb 14 - $16pp Mon-Thurs 10:15am – 12:15am, 1pm – 3pm Friday 10:15am – 12:15am, 1pm – 3pm 8pm – 10:30pm (Disco) Saturday 2:30pm – 4:30pm, 8:15pm – 10:45pm Sunday 1:15pm – 3:15pm PhilliPs ave, tasker Park, canterbury
if they join a group and complete eight walks by 31 March, 2015. The Burwood Walkers Heart Foundation group walk on Friday mornings at Henley Park, Enfield – 8.30am to 9.30am (weather permitting). Meet near the amenities block in Portland Street for a brisk walk around the park - or you can walk at your own pace for as long, or short, as you want to. Look out for the walkers in red and white. “We’d welcome anyone who wants to get more active in 2015 to join us and I’d hope they’d soon be looking forwarding to our weekly walks as much as we do.”
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only
$150 www.canterburyicerink.com.au
15
4 February 2015
Ange Postecoglou silences his critics by Paul Brown
BACK in May 2009 the critics, including Channel 9’s Eddie Maguire, referred to Australia hosting the 2015 AFC Asian Cup as a possible ‘lemon’ suggesting that Football Federation Australia and it’s organising committee were incompetent and not able to stage the biggest football tournament in Asia. As the Socceroos and South Korea came out onto the field to warm-up for the final on Saturday night, I paused to think back on the last 22 days and what a positive experience it has been for fans all across Asia. Of course it hasn’t all been clear sailing, what with the complaints about the state of the pitches and the referee Ben William’s controversial sending off, but overall I believe the 2015 AFC Asian Cup Organising Committee have been successful. There were the reports that Foxtel was not broadcasting poor refereeing decisions and of inflated crowd numbers for some matches, but after the debacle of the 2022 World Cup bid it was time that the FFA and the organising Committee got one right and this they did. The event has had record viewers and attendances,
Australia: 2015 AFC Asian Champions
plenty of goals, a national side playing exciting football and most importantly winning and winning well. It’s almost hard to believe that prior to the tournament the Socceroos had won one match in twelve and lost to Qatar and Japan. The Socceroos were at the mercy of a disillusioned public. Po ste c o g l ou has ha d
his critics, but a stubborn determination kept him focused on the path bringing back confidence to the team, the fans and the sporting public, showcasing a style of football never before seen by Socceroos supporters. Saturday night was a testament to the hard work and commitment that he and
the players have pursued and it showed, outlasting South Korea by winning 2-1 in extra time after a goal by Troisi in the 105th minute. The 76,385 strong crowd were treated to an exciting match with three goals and a see-sawing intensity from both sides. In the first half it seemed
only a matter of time before the Koreans scored, but after a brilliant pass from Sainsbury to Luongo and the resulting turn and shot, belief developed. When Son Heung Min scored on the final whistle it seemed that the Socceroos had let the Cup slip from their hands and would run out of legs in extra time, but to their credit, they
showed enormous character to turn the tables and after some great work by Juric, on the right and the resulting square pass, goalkeeper Parry and resulting shot by Troisi, the crowd were jubilant. The Socceroos were crowned AFC champions of Asia and Postecoglou had silenced his critics.
R U O Y R E V O C S I D
PASSION
Abbotsford Junior Football Club ajfc.net.au e: registrar@ajfc.net.au
Ashfield Pirates FC piratesfc.com.au e: info@piratesfc.com.au
Australian National Sports Club ansc.org.au e: register@ansc.org.au
Balmain & District FC balmainfootball.com.au e: registrar@balmainfootball.com.au
Belmore Eagles Football Club belmorefc.com e: info@belmorefc.com
Concord Junior Soccer Club concordsoccer.org.au e: secretarycjsc@gmail.com
Cooks River Titans FC cooksrivertitans.com.au e: info@cooksrivertitans.com.au
Earlwood Wanderers FC ewfc.com.au e: registrar@ewfc.com.au
Enfield Rovers Soccer Club enfieldfc.com.au e: treasurer@enfieldfc.com.au
Football Club Five Dock fcfivedock.com.au e: info@fcfivedock.com.au
Marrickville Football Club marrickvillefc.org.au e: info@marrickvillefc.org.au
Roselands Raptors FC roselandsfc.com.au
Lakemba Sports & Recreation Club
Leichhardt Saints Football Club leichhardtsaints.com e: yusri.gusmardy@optusnet.com.au e: admin@leichhardtsaints.com
Burwood Football Club Canterbury Junior Football Club burwoodfc.com.au cjfc.asn.au e: inquiries@burwoodfc.com.au e: canterbury@footballcanterbury.com.au
e: enquiries@hurlstoneparkwanderers.com.au
Inter Lions Soccer Club interlions.com.au e: admin@interlions.com.au
e: roselands@footballcanterbury.com.au
Russell Lea Women’s SC rlwsc.com.au e: rlwsclub@gmail.com
Strathfield Football Club strathfieldfc.com.au e: admin@strathfieldfc.com.au
Stanmore Hawks Soccer Club stanmorehawksfc.com.au e: secretary.shfc@gmail.com
Leichhardt Tigers Junior Soccer Club apiatigers.com e: admin@apiatigers.com
Canterbury District Soccer Referees Association cdsra.org.au e: secretary@cdsra.org.au
Hurlstone Park Wanderers FC hurlstoneparkwanderers.com.au
Canterbury & District Soccer Football Association Inc. www.footballcanterbury.com.au
REGISTER NOW AT
Fraser Park fraserparkfc.com.au e: association@fraserparkfc.com.au
PLAYFOOTBALLNSW.COM.AU
16
BURWOOD SCENE
4 February 2015