Keep Connected Summer 2022

CONNECTED

Leading the way in preventing disability abuse P3

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas P4

Mahalia Barnes

Community grants kicking goals P8 Teaching the ABCs of swimming P11

Dear Resident

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Canterbury-Bankstown!

If the sparkling decorations in our City and the sound of carols playing in the shopping centres haven’t already got you excited for this holiday season, then this edition of Keep Connected sure will!

You’ll hear from a very special family who are lighting up their home in the name of a good cause. You’ll also read about our exciting Christmas events, with plenty of food, fun and festivities for the whole community.

And there’s so much to look forward to as we roll into the New Year, with plenty of events and some fantastic new projects coming to our City.

We have achieved so much as a community this year, and I truly cannot wait to see what the New Year has in store.

I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year. To hear more from me,

For Analise

Words most parents take for granted, but what if you are the parent of a child who is intellectually disabled?

How do you child-proof your child against the world?

As well as being the Mayor of the City of Canterbury Bankstown, I am also the father of young girl, Analise, who has Angelman Syndrome, a rare and genetic disorder.

Along with my very supportive wife, Sally, and boys Elias and Lucas, you could just imagine what living in our household is like!

At times it gets very hectic, as we both have demanding work commitments, and if you speak to Sally, she will probably say I am like most men who need to spend more time at home. The truth be known, she is probably right!

But despite our workloads and the daily pressures we face, there is one thing that we cherish as parents and gives us daily strength, and that is the time and care we are able to dedicate to our beautiful, Analise.

Caring for my daughter Analise, and watching her over the years, has opened up my eyes to just how vulnerable children with intellectual disabilities are to being abused. Like Analise, many children are non-verbal, and working out their needs and communicating with them can be quite challenging, and at times impossible.

No parent can child-proof the world. A parent’s job is to world-proof the child.

As a parent, it is extremely difficult to ever imagine she will be unsafe, or be put in a situation which is unsafe. However, the stark reality and the latest alarming statistics paint a different picture.

The NSW Department of Education has reportedly recorded around 1,300 complaints of abuse and misconduct by school staff since 2018.

We must and can do better when it comes to tackling the root cause of the issue. Supporting science and investing more into research and finding a cure for not only Angelman Syndrome but also for the nearly 7,000 rare genetic disorders which account for a high proportion of hospital admissions, chronic diseases and deaths in infancy and childhood.

Investment into our learning institutions and developing home grown expertise we can use both here and abroad. But while the emphasis is on the safety of our children and finding a cure, we must never forget the human, emotional and financial burden on families who support and care for their children.

For those of you reading this article, it is a reminder that children with intellectual disabilities are often forgotten and we must do all we can for our future generations.

I know that I will never be able to walk my daughter down the aisle, but my hope is that one day in the future, other parents of children diagnosed with Angelman Syndrome will.

Did you know?

City of Canterbury Bankstown was the first organisation in NSW to convene a Disability Abuse Prevention Collaborative to protect adults with disability from abuse, neglect and exploitation. The Collaborative was showcased at the recent Disability Royal Commission as an example of practical initiatives happening at grassroots level, with strong partnerships with local organisations Find out more at cb.city/PreventDisabilityAbuse

Lighting up for a good cause

The Tarran family has been lighting up their Padstow Heights home every Christmas since they first moved in, to spread the Christmas cheer and help their street sparkle.

It takes Tony Tarran the entire month of November to set up the impressive display, which includes a six-metre-tall inflatable Santa and draws thousands of visitors a night.

But it’s not only the smiles on the kids’ faces that keeps the family making their display bigger and brighter each year; they began using it to raise money for charity after Leigh Tarran was diagnosed with stage three brain cancer in 2019.

“After 18 months of treatment, we decided to turn an awful situation into a positive one and try to prevent others from having to go through what our family has,” Leigh says.

Tony and I have been able to contribute a bit over $100,000 through the lights and fundraising walks to the ‘Cure Brain Cancer’ foundation already, and we aren’t ready to stop just yet!

“Visitors and passers-by can donate to the fundraising page via a QR code outside the display, and our Facebook page called ‘Cure Brain Cancer –Christmas Light Fundraiser.”

You might even be lucky enough to catch the local ice cream van that often stops out the front!

Our annual Christmas lights competition is back and open until Tuesday 13 December. Submit a picture of your sparkling set-up for your chance to win a $500 gift card! T&Cs

Leigh Tarran and her daughter.

A CBCity Christmas Carol with

Mahalia Barnes

It’s time to sing your heart out and spread some “Joy to the World” at Carols in the Park!

This year, Mahalia Barnes will be the star of the show, helping us celebrate Christmas in her own special way.

Born into Australian rock royalty, influenced by her father Jimmy Barnes, Mahalia began singing at a very young age and is one of our most talented live acts!

“I’m thrilled to be singing in Canterbury-Bankstown. It’s a wonderful community event, great for families and a perfect way to get into the Christmas and holiday spirit!” Mahalia says.

Mahalia says Christmas is a special time to think about all she is grateful for.

“I’m grateful for so much. For my family and friends, for the opportunity to perform regularly, for delicious food, and this beautiful country.”

Get ready for a magical evening of singing, food, fun and festivities. Bring your picnic blanket, family and friends to Wiley Park on Sunday 4 December

This is a FREE event for all ages. See you at the Wiley Park Amphitheatre from 6pm!

There

New Year period. From fantastic

Bankstown Lunar New Year

Saturday 14 January Saigon Place, Bankstown

Get ready to celebrate the Chinese Year of the Rabbit and Vietnamese Year of the Cat with us this Lunar New Year. You’ll see a stunning array of acrobats, fire breathers, traditional dance and much more.

Australia Day pool parties

Thursday 26 January

Leisure and Aquatic Centres in our City

Slip and slide your way into summer at one of our Australia Day pool parties. Get ready for some fun rides, a sausage sizzle, a live DJ, plus more!

Campsie Lunar Noodle Markets

Saturday 4 February

Anzac Mall, Campsie

There's lots more exciting events coming up. Follow us on social media or scan the QR code.

I hope everyone can have a wonderful Christmas with loved ones, a safe and happy holiday period.

Roll into Roberts Park Skate Park

Olympic qualifying skateboarder Amar Hadid still remembers the first time she climbed the skate ramp at Roberts Park and vividly recalls peering over the edge, terrified of taking the plunge.

But she overcame her nerves and, nine years on, the 23-year-old Greenacre local competes in skateboarding championships across the globe. She’s truly an inspiration to young women wanting to pursue their dreams.

Amar recently joined us to officially open our new and improved Roberts Park Skate Park, which includes repaired and freshly painted ramps, the installation of brand new skateable grind rails and a new basketball hoop.

“In a world where technology is as prominent as ever, being able to go outside and be physical, while making new friends around these beautiful trees at this skate park is super important.”

The skatepark is also suitable for rollerblading and BMX riding.

Have Your Say on proposed road safety upgrades

We’re planning a number of road safety upgrades across our City and we want to hear your thoughts!

Tip Click ‘follow’ to receive updates when new projects are up for consultation.

In October and November, we completed community consultations on 20 road safety projects, and there’s more to come. The projects target locations where there have been accidents in the past, or where accidents could happen.

To see any current and upcoming road safety proposals near you, visit cb.city/HaveYourSay-RoadSafety

I’m really excited for the community to have this space to get involved in skate culture.

It's time to play!

We’ve been busy upgrading the fabulous playgrounds across our City - just in time for the summer school holidays!

Some of the recently upgraded playgrounds include:

• R.M. Campbell Reserve, Bankstown

• Peace Park, Ashbury

• Lucinda Reserve, Georges Hall

• Padstow Park, Padstow

We’ve also upgraded Punchbowl’s Arthur Park, which includes a full-sized basketball court, a full-sized table tennis table, brand new play equipment for all ages and abilities and a refreshed green area for the whole community to enjoy.

Green thumbs reunite at Riverwood Community Garden

Punchbowl Park, Punchbowl, has been decked out with a large playing tower, a swing set and brand-new gym equipment.

Ashbury’s Peace Park now features a new basketball and bocce court, a large play tower and new barbeque facilities, perfect for a family get-together!

Canterbury Park has also been refreshed with a play tower, slide, swing set and see-saw.

Make sure you pop in and visit soon! To find a park or sporting field near you, visit cb.city/Parks

Stay up to date as we continue to build a better City at cb.city/Projects

The garden helps people connect to the community.

The much-loved community garden in Riverwood has received some TLC from the “green thumbs” at the community centre.

Council staff have been working with the Riverwood Community Centre and Community gardeners to renew the gardens. Council, Community Centre staff and gardeners removed weeds and rubbish to revive the garden.

Community Development Officer Losena Fuko says the garden is a wonderful place for gardeners of all ages and experience levels to share in the benefits of growing fresh, local and organic produce.

“The garden helps people in the housing estate with isolation issues and also helps them connect to the community and brings them out of their shell!” Losena says.

The garden is located in the Salt Pan Creek Wetland, behind the Washington Park development.

Canterbury Park

Community grants helping to kick goals

Mark Kearns was only 8-years-old when he first started playing for North Bankstown Soccer Club. Now, 57 years later, he’s still on board with more passion than ever, having been on the committee for 25 years.

North Bankstown Soccer Club, an organisation whose mission is to ensure that everyone achieves their personal best, applied to be part of our Community Grants and Events Sponsorship Program this year.

The program provides financial support to assist local community based organisations to develop and implement initiatives that enhance community well-being.

The club was thrilled to receive a grant this year to fund a Football NSW program, 'Football4all'. It’s a unique program that provides inclusive playing opportunities in a safe and secure environment for people with disability. The club’s program will be focusing on kids from the ages of 4-14.

“Receiving this grant means that we are able to get the program up and running. It will help the participants to improve their self-esteem and gain a sense of value and purpose – all the same things I get from being involved, but not everyone currently has the opportunity,” Mark says.

This year, Council’s Community Grants and Events Sponsorship Program was able to fund 112 successful applications, which received full or partial funding totaling $487,301.

We love being able to support our community and can’t wait to see all the programs from this year’s Community Grants and Events Sponsorship Program come to life.

To learn more about the grants, visit cb.city/CommunityGrants2022

Want to learn more about community engagement sessions in your area? Visit cb.city/HaveYourSay

Mark Kearns and Catherine Kearns

We are a very community-based, family-friendly club and we want soccer to be for the whole community.

If you were Mayor for a day…

Many things cross the desk of Mayor Khal Asfour. But few stand out like the letters he received from the children who attended our first Children’s Summit in October.

“It wasn’t just the drawings and colour that made them stand out, it was the high level of thought and creativity in the ideas,” Mayor Asfour says.

Almost 100 year five and six school students from across Canterbury-Bankstown took part in the Summit, a forum that offered them the chance to tell us what they love about our City and what they think could be improved. At the Summit they wrote letters directly to the Mayor, telling him what they would do if they were Mayor for a day.

“I was glad to see how many of the writers love living in the area, like I do,” Mayor Asfour says.

“On the other hand, many showed great concern for others – the homeless, families affected by suicide, people struggling financially – these are huge issues, and they want to engage with them.

“For themselves, they asked for more parks and more activities. They want greater safety at night and better lighting – these are suggestions we will actively work on.

“Finally, one thoughtful writer just asked me how I was doing!” he said, with a smile.

“Reading these letters made me so excited about our youth. Our City must be a place they can be proud of and that offers what they need – not just for them, but for future generations.”

If you know a child aged 11-12 in Canterbury-Bankstown who would like their thoughts to be heard, they can let us know online at cb.city/ChildrensSummit

Summer fun for kids!

Are you getting that summer school holiday feeling? Keep your kids entertained with our FREE and low-cost activities!

Kids can get active with sports days, surfing lessons and roller skating, or just hang out with their mates at Belmore Youth Resource Centre. They can join our libraries’ Summer Reading Club or go to two great library shows: ‘Patti the Pig: It’s Not All Rubbish’ and the Jeral Puppets’ version of ‘Treasure Island’.

Discover all our great activities at cb.city/SchoolHolidays

Active Seniors shoot for the stars

Our Active Seniors Walking Basketball team are doing just that; they played into overtime and made it to the world stage at the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup.

The team, comprising of 14 players, put on an impressive show with their 30-minute long display match in the ‘fan zone’ and attracted a crowd of enthusiastic basketball fans.

Ross Graham, 86, who represented Australia on the basketball court at the 1960 Rome Olympic qualifiers, said he’s incredibly proud of how far the team has come.

“Only three players had played basketball before… the others had never played, so I’ve been teaching them a bit about basketball,” Ross says.

But what has stood out for Ross, are the tight knit friendships he’s made through coaching the team.

The Active Seniors Walking Basketball team meet once a week during the school term at Bankstown Basketball Stadium.

Walking Basketball

Our beloved bus trips and sensational seniors’ concerts will be back this year, along with some exciting new activities for everyone to try.

The program will be available online from January, or you can pick up a booklet at our Customer Service Centres, Library and Knowledge Centres and Leisure and Aquatic Centres.

For more information contact Council’s Active Ageing Officer on 9707 9000

Anyone over the age of 55 is welcome, no matter their level of skill or experience.

For more information and to register, call Council’s Active Ageing Officer on 9707 9000.

It’s never too late to shoot for the stars!

It’s a bit of fun and after our games we go back to the Bankstown Trotting Club for coffee and a

After completing the course, Cooper secured a casual position at our pools. The flexible hours help Cooper work part time as the manager of a sports club, while doing 20 hours a week at the pool. And it’s something he sees himself doing well into the future.

Teaching the ABCs of swimming

In a country where water is all around us, swimming lessons are a part of most kids’ childhood.

Cooper Simmons knew how important it is for kids (and adults) to learn to swim, so when he was flicking through The Torch and saw that CBCity was running a swim instructor course, he decided to give it a go.

“I’ve always been passionate about swimming. I think kids should learn to swim until they’re about twelve, or have made it into squad, so I could see myself teaching them,” Cooper says.

“I put in a lot of dedication and work behind the scenes to make my lessons better.”

We’re looking for more swim instructors!

This flexible job pays well over the minimum wage and is ideal to combine with other work and life commitments. And, at the moment, we’re offering FREE courses in partnership with Royal Life Saving, plus paid training hours.

More courses will be coming up in the New Year, stay up date and follow us on Facebook at:

@CBLeisureandAquatics

A 'hole' lot of fun

Have you visited Sefton Golf Course?

Set in a beautiful leafy location, the Sefton Golf Course is a hidden gem in our City. Come and tune up your short game with 9 or 18 holes!

We're open everyday this summer, except Christmas Day. Find out more and take a virtual tour of our 18 holes at cb.city/Golf

All aboard for the beach!

Are you ready for surf and sand?

Jump on our FREE bus to the beach on Friday 13 and Friday 20 January to enjoy a day out at Cronulla. Hang out on the beach for the day or browse the shops and cafes in Cronulla mall!

Buses will set off via four different routes across Canterbury-Bankstown – visit cb.city/BusToBeach to find out more.

It’s going really well. I’m excited to get the shifts and to get the best for my kids!

Clr Chris Cahill (ALP)

Christopher.Cahill@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0407 948 684

ClrBarbaraCoorey (IND)

Barbara.Coorey@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0409 754 747

Clr Rachelle Harika (ALP)

Rachelle.Harika@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0418 859 353

Clr Jessie Nguyen (LIB)

Jessie.Nguyen@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0412 634 656

Clr Linda Downey (ALP)

Linda.Downey@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0408 243 886

Clr Khodr (Karl) Saleh OAM (ALP) K.Saleh@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0408 221 559

Clr George Zakhia (LIB)

George.Zakhia@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0433 336 886

Clr Charlie Ishac (LIB) Charlie.Ishac@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0498 141 149

Clr Clare Raffan (ALP) Deputy Mayor Clare.Raffan@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0499 790 033

Clr David Walsh (ALP) David.Walsh@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0408 740 120

Clr Bhadra Waiba (ALP) Bhadra.Waiba@ cbcity.nsw.gov.au 0408 021 321