Eastern Creek Tavern

Feeling of giving is GOOD

EASTERN Creek Tavern is known as a place to come together for those who live and work in Blacktown area and Scarlett feels fortunate to be a part of Eastern Creek for seven years as the Venue Manager.

 SCARLETT DANCSA

I’M sure most would know that the feeling of giving and knowing that your contribution has made even the smallest of differences, is invaluable but often it’s hard to find a cause and time to make a difference.

I am sure a lot of our customers who come here feel the same way.

In September of 2020 we brought our Publinc Communities program to the Eastern Creek community, our membership platform which gives our members access to awesome perks and an opportunity to earn points during their visits, which they can pledge to local causes that mean the most to them. We’ll then turn those points into real cash donations.

The team and I set out to fi nd our fi rst charity for our customers to support but with Eastern Creek being an industrial area, we did fi nd it diffi cult to fi nd a local group to support at fi rst.

We broadened our search to surrounding areas and came across Kids West. Their stories were so inspiring that I felt this non-profi t organisation was a perfect fi t for Eastern Creek Tavern.

When I spoke to Kids Wests founder Trevor Oldfi eld it was very clear that the team at Kids West has an endless desire to help, educate and support those in need. With such a great cause it was a no brainer having Kids West join our program.

Kids West was founded out of a need to provide funding and support to Western Sydney hospitals. They do an amazing job in the Western Sydney area by raising much needed funds for medical equipment, research, and the development of childhood accident awareness and prevention programs.

What makes us so proud to have the opportunity to support Kids West is that even though they already do so much work in the Blacktown community, their eff orts stretch even further.

During challenging times, they have delivered fruit boxes to our frontline workers to show gratitude for their eff orts and travelled to communities impacted by drought and fl oods to deliver presents and joy to kids when it is needed most.

Left to Right – Anne Richmond, Jody Berwick, Scarlett Dancsa, Trevor Oldfield, Olivia Janovics and Darren Gibson. Scarlett Dancsa and Trevor Oldfield.

Eastern Creek Tavern’s customers have really got behind Kids West’s work. It’s a cause that resonates with them as many are parents themselves.

This is the part that touches us the most: being able to join with our customers to support a cause our community connects with and make real change together.

We welcome you to Eastern Creek Tavern and if you want to support a wonderful charity like Kids West or know a group in need of support, we look forward to meeting you.”

Scarlett Dancsa is Licensee at Eastern Creek Tavern. Visit: www.easterncreektavern.com.au

Have your say at pop-up forums

RESIDENTS have a chance to talk to the Mayor and local councillors with the return of Blacktown City Council’s community pop up forums in April. Council had to cancel some forums and move others online due to COVID-19 lockdowns and restrictions in 2021. Mayor Tony Bleasdale said he was delighted to see face-to-face forums returning to each ward across Blacktown City. Council’s 2022 forum program will also feature themed forums, including a women’s forum, youth forum, budget forum and local business forum. Residents are encouraged to regularly check Council’s website for event details.

Community Pop Up Forum Dates • Ward 2: Saturday 2 April, 11am-1pm. Quakers Court Shopping Centre. • Ward 5: Saturday 9 April, 11am-1pm. Plumpton

Marketplace. • Ward 4: Saturday 30 April, 11am-1pm. Location

TBA. • Ward 1: Saturday 14 May, 12pm-3pm. Riverstone

Festival • Ward 3: Saturday 18 June, 11am-1pm. Location TBA.

Better Foundation raises money for Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals to provide lifesaving additional services and equipment for the people of Blacktown City. Better Foundation is pleased to announce our media collaboration partnership with Blacktown News to provide monthly updates on Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals.

The Community thanks all hospital staff for their dedicated service during the COVID pandemic. Thank you!

AUSTRALIA POST PROJECT STARTS 1700 new jobs and $55M boost

WORK has started on Australia Post’s major new warehouse at Kemps Creek, creating 1700 new construction jobs and injecting more than $55M into Greater Blacktown region.

The State Government have released artist’s impressions of the stunning new complex. It is one of several major projects being built within easy reach of Greater Blacktown.

Minister for Planning and Homes Anthony Roberts said Australia Post had approval to process more than 400,000 parcels per day at the new warehouse.

“Australia Post will be the latest company to move into Goodman and Brickworks’ Oakdale West Industrial Estate in Kemps Creek, joining companies such as Amazon and Coles,” Mr Roberts said.

Another two warehouses

“It’ll start processing 200,000 parcels a day when it opens in early 2023, with the ability to scale up to more than 400,000 a day with further automation.

“Another two warehouses were also approved in the same application to be built in the Estate, which could create an extra 800 construction jobs and 150 operational jobs and a further $20min investment to the community down the track.”

Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said construction on the new warehouse kicked off in January and would be completed early 2023.

“As people have turned more and more to online shopping, it’s imperative that our postal system keeps up with the surging demand,” Ms Davies said.

“This is a prime location in Kemps Creek and we anticipate the new warehouse to service millions of people in Western Sydney and beyond. The planning system has played a major role in driving investment and keeping people in jobs.

“This was one of seven state signifi cant warehouse developments to be approved across Sydney last year, including Woolworths in Auburn and Marsden Parks’ Sydney Business Park.”

Together these approvals have paved the way for $693M in investment and created the opportunity for more than 5500 new construction and operation jobs.

For more information on the proposal visit: https://www.planningportal.nsw. gov.au/majorprojects/project/40341

Major projects in the region.

Artist impressions of the project.

WHERE TO GET THE NEWS ISSUE 12 | MARCH 2022 TRUSTED LOCAL NEWS WWW.GREATERBLACKTOWNNEWS.COM.AUB N

Grab a copy of the Blacktown News at any of these popular distribution outlets

PROPERTY RTY UPDATE E

Inside the bank of mum and dad: 16

GAME TIME

B Blacktown FC is ready to go: 31

PET

POWER

MICHELLE ROWLAND

How Afghan women typify our diversity: 18

GRANT Hews has a great reason to be inseparable from his best mate and savior, Echo the Maltese Terrier. You see, Echo saved Grant’s life when he fell into a diabetic coma and when Grant was admitted to Blacktown hospital, the pair were lost without each

other. And we all know the healing power of an animal, a power that should never be underestimated. The heartwarming story begins in late December when Grant was diagnosed with COVID-19 and other underlying health issues at the hospital. More: page 6. Grant owes his life to mate Echo

Keep up to date with the latest news in and around Blacktown!

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THIS EDITION

Blacktown doctor Jana Pittman competes in SAS TV.

SAS JANA

BLACKTOWN Hospital’s famous Olympian Dr Jana Pittman has swapped her stethoscope for a grueling survival challenge in the latest series of ‘SAS’ TV on the Seven Network. Jana’s roller coaster ride of triumph, defeat, failure and success throughout her life makes her ideal for the rigorous format of the show. The 38-year-old dual Olympian is one of the 18 celebrities who will be subjected to extreme physical and psychological testing on the upcoming military-style show. More page 5. WESTPOINT backs domestic violence fight: 3 Mayor calls for local vaxx clinic: 6

Sub-branch answers calls for support: 10

Why Blacktown is tops for property investment: 14

Blacktown City blacktown.nsw.gov.au

Blacktown Snapshot

395,000

population

18.81 billion

regional economy

4.6%

average economic growth

24,990

registered businesses

143,259

local jobs 1

12

NewS Our multicultural and senior stars

BLACKTOWN Council has celebrated some of its most extraordinary residents at a bumper program of award ceremonies, featuring the 2022 Blacktown City Multicultural Awards and Senior Citizen of the Year Award.

Council hosted its second ever Multicultural Awards in March, to celebrate leadership, achievement and excellence in Blacktown City’s multicultural communities.

The Awards, launched in 2021, acknowledge the contributions made by local people, businesses and services from multicultural backgrounds across four categories, including: Volunteer of the Year, Inspirational Person of the Year, Unfunded Organisation of the Year and Funded Organisation of the Year.

Mayor Tony Bleasdale made the award presentations to recipients at a cultural celebration at Glenwood Community Hub which featured performances from Nepalese, Polish, African and Pasifi ka groups. Volunteer of the Year was Dr Quesim Chelat, a retired scientist and avid researcher in the Quran and science for the last fi ve decades. He has been instrumental in inspiring and mentoring people from multicultural backgrounds in various community projects. Inspirational Person of the Year was Khatol Ahmadzay, who has worked as a Generalist Case Worker for SydWest Multicultural Services in Blacktown since 2008. In the 14 years of professional journey, she has assisted more than one thousand refugees and new arrivals in their settlement in Blacktown City.

Unfunded Organisation of the Year

was Afghan Women on the Move. Founded by activist Maryam Zahid, Afghan Women on the Move is a safe platform for female survivors of war and trauma, to gather and participate in arts and cultural programs, outside of religious and political infl uences.

Funded Organisation of the Year was Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency (MECA). The Mount Druitt Ethnic Communities Agency is dedicated to informing, linking and empowering people from culturally diverse backgrounds.

Two community stalwarts with an unwavering dedication to civic duty have been jointly awarded the Blacktown City Senior Citizen of the Year for 2022.

Cecil Miller and Kerri Meyer-Gleaves were recognised at Blacktown City’s annual Seniors Concert and Luncheon, marked during the Seniors Festival.

Rooty Hill Parkrun volunteer Cecil was acknowledged for his tireless commitment to the event each week as a marshal.

At 90 years of age, Cecil has been a volunteer with Rooty Hill Parkrun for three years, bringing “smiles for miles” to all the runners and sharing lollipops with the children.

Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM (third from right) and Cr Carol Israel (second from right) with Afghan Women on the Move founder Maryam Zahid (centre) and team.

Message from the Mayor

 TONY BLEASDALE

CAN I take this op-

portunity to say a big thank you to our local SES and RFS volunteers, community groups, Police, ADF and Fire and Rescue crews, as well as our own Council crews, for their magnificent efforts in the recent floods and the following clean-ups. Without your unselfish efforts the cost to our communities would have been far higher. WestInvest Program THE State Government last year announced the WestInvest program, where Councils across Western and South-Western Sydney would be eligible for up to $400 million in funding to improve local communities. Blacktown City Council is currently drawing up its list of priority projects, and a further $1.6B is available to non-government organisations and groups. The funds are for projects that improve your community such as parks and reserves, schools, community infrastructure, arts and culture programs, and even local traffi c programs. Details of how to apply for the funding can be found at: https://www.nsw.gov. au/grants-and-funding/westinvest

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