12 minute read
News
Vital support for those in need
DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
ANEW centre providing support to women, children and families has opened in Blacktown and will be vital in addressing a massive increase in ‘relationships’ services demand.
Relationships NSW recorded a staggering 5200% increase in demand for its services across Western Sydney.
The centre will deliver counselling, dispute resolution, relationship education, domestic violence and children’s support services for people in need.
Minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence Natalie Ward said.
The centre would ensure the people of Blacktown and Western Sydney had access to the help and support they need, especially in times of crisis.
“The diffi culties presented by the global pandemic over the past few years have been particularly challenging for many people, including women in Western Sydney,” Ms Ward said
“We want to ensure when people reach out for help, the support is there and it’s
Opening of the Rekationshiops NSW Centre.
fantastic that Relationships Australia NSW is helping provide the care and assistance these communities need.
“The NSW Government is pleased to support services that partner with communities to ensure family wellbeing and women’s safety.
“This is a priority for the NSW Government, which is why we have committed a record $687m over four years in the 2021-22 NSW Budget to this important issue.”
RANSW CEO, Elisabeth Shaw said the Blacktown centre would provide critically important support to Western Sydney residents in need.
“With the huge increase in demand we’ve experienced over the past three years, some of our clients in Western Sydney are waiting an average of 118 days for an appointment,” Ms Shaw said.
“The pandemic has created many challenges for Australians and as a result, there has been a signifi cant increase in demand for our services.
“It is excellent to see so many people reaching out for help – but it’s important we have the capacity o provide help when it is needed – and this new Blacktown Centre will allow us to do that.
“Blacktown represents a diverse, young and confi dent Australia, and we are excited to build on our existing presence in the area and contribute to the social wellbeing of the community.
“One of Blacktown’s great strengths is its vibrant multiculturalism, which is why we will deliver a number of services in diff erent languages, including Arabic, Tamil and Fars-Dari,” Ms Shaw added.
RANSW off ers individually tailored support to people of all cultural backgrounds, family structures, age and life stage, gender and sexual orientation.
For more information on RANSW’s services, visit www.relationshipsnsw.org.au
Nora and Max popular baby names
NORA and Maxwell surged up the baby name
popularity charts in 2021 in a rollercoaster year marked by vaccines, variants and lockdowns.
Attorney General Mark Speakman and Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said NSW welcomed 90,059 babies last year up just 14 on 2020. The top 100 names account for 38 and 42 per cent of all names given to girls and boys respectively in 2021, compared with the 2020 fi gures of 37 and 41 per cent, this suggests a slight increase in parents choosing more popular names. However, approximately two-thirds of all names given to babies born in NSW for each of the past fi ve years are a unique name, not shared with anyone else in that year. To fi nd out more, visit https://www.nsw.gov.au/family-and-relationships/ births/popular-baby-names
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ISSUE 14 | MAY 2022
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ISSUE14|MAY2022 TRUSTEDLOCALNEWS WWW.GREATERBLACKTOWNNEWS.COM.AU N N INS INSPIRED Disability hasn't stopped Deb from following her own pathDEB Roach is that rare kind of athlete that takes your heart away when she is in full flight. The thee time world pole champion and Blacktown Woman of the Year nominee was born without her left arm but the disability has never held her back. In fact, she has inspired a generation of athletes, fit or disabled, to do better and to use the sport of pole dancing as a way to enhance their wellbeing and outlook on life. Deb recently hosted an open day in celebration of the 10th anniversary of her International Pole Championship win in the 2012 Disabled Division. Full story page 25.
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OUR TOP DOCTORS
Meet four outstanding doctors who have been superstars of the wards at Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals during the difficult pandemic period. Their achievements were celebrated at a recent awards event.
22
HEAT RATING TOOL
WSROC in collaboration with the Greater Sydney Commission and Resilient Sydney have launched Australia’s first rating tool for heat resilient urban development. Cool Suburbs tool can be used for any development.
26
LIGHTS ON CULTURE
Residents and visitors are set for spectacular nights out, as Western Sydney arts and culture organisations keep their lights on and the entertainment flowing with a late-night events.
27
ADULTS ONLY AT VIRGIN
Virgin Voyages will bring its successful adults only cruise format to Australia in 2023. The new cruise line is aimed at today’s sophisticated passengers who enjoy combining adventure, relaxation and action.
News ..........................................3 Steve Baili ..................................7 Workers Club .............................8 Michelle Rowland ....................13 Property ...................................14 Entertainment ..........................18 Auto .........................................20 Travel .......................................22 Trends ......................................23 Fitness .....................................24 Cover Story .............................25 Mindset ....................................26 Films ........................................27 Directory ..................................28 Sport ........................................31
POWER OF GOOD SLEEP
We always hear that you gotta get your 8 hours of sleep. But in in fact, what we have to get, is the right amount of sleep for us to feel rested, alert and focussed and that varies from person to person.
SECTIONS
FILM: THE NORTHMAN
A haunting, homoerotic Shakespearean tragedy couched in the Viking era, that is as bloody as it is weird, beautiful and engaging. A gorgeous use of sets, both natural and manmade, is only one of the reasons you should see it.
Local entertainment
Watch locally made fi lms. Stay up to date on infrastructure. Watch profi les of regional leaders. www.netwerx.tv www.netwerx.tv
BLACKTOWN ADDED TO MAJOR FUNDING Investment unlocks home boom
DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
BLACKTOWN City Council is one of seven booming Western Sydney Councils where investment in vital infrastructure will be ramped up with a major funding boost
The NSW Government is increasing its investment in infrastructure to support the delivery of more than 30,000 new homes in areas of Western Sydney that are experiencing record growth.
The seven councils in the latest round of major funding are Blacktown, The Hills, Hawkesbury, Penrith, Liverpool, Camden and Campbelltown.
Premier Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes Anthony Roberts announced 24 council-led projects had been selected for funding through the second round of the NSW Government’s Accelerated Infrastructure Fund (AIF).
“We are supporting growing communities with a $139m investment to speed up the delivery of important local infrastructure plans, including upgrades to roads and drainage systems, expanding public spaces and creating new sports facilities,’ Mr Perrottet said.
Infrastructure projects will be fast trcaked.
“This is about State Government working with local government to unlock land, build critical infrastructure and ultimately deliver thousands of homes across Western Sydney.”
Nominations open for export awards
NOMIONATION are now open for the
2022 Premier’s NSW Export Awards recognising outstanding success and resilience of exporters across NSW. Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade Stuart Ayres said NSW exporters have played a fundamental role in supporting the NSW economy over the past 12 months. Winners of the national award categories will automatically progress as national finalists to the Australian Export Awards. Nominations will close June 10, 2022. For more information or to nominate your business please visit the 2022 Premier’s NSW Export Awards website. Strong economic management
“Our strong economic management means we can invest more in communities and build what matters. This is how we're securing a brighter future for NSW families.”
The proposals selected – worth more than half a billion dollars in total – are being delivered by the seven councils, following the expansion of the AIF to include the high-growth councils.
Mr Roberts said combined, the projects would create up to 2200 construction jobs as well as unlocking 570ha of employment land dedicated to creating more jobs closer to home.
“We know people want to live in these areas and that’s why we’re focused on getting homes built, with the right infrastructure in place from the get-go.
“In supporting councils to deliver these projects, we’re also giving industry greater certainty for investment into Western Sydney. It’s a win-win,” Mr Roberts said.
He said construction was well underway on the 14 projects from the fi rst round of the AIF, with some projects nearing completion including the Balmoral Road Reserve in Bella Vista and the upgrade of Railway Terrace in Schofi elds.
“It’s wonderful to see these projects progress and I look forward to that momentum continuing as we work to meet the growing demand for new homes in the west.”
For further details and the complete list of projects visit the AIF webpage.
BLACKTOWN’S FINEST CELEBRATED Awards for our top doctors
DALLAS SHERRINGHAM
MEET four outstanding doctors who have been “Superstars” of the wards at Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals during the difficult pandemic period.
Their achievements were celebrated at 2021 Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals Doctors of the Year event recently.
“Leadership, collaboration, superstars, kindness, compassionate and sensitivity” were some of the words used to describe the starring doctors.
BMDH General Manager Ned Katrib paid tribute to the nominees and winners for their “dedication and commitment to serving their patients and communities throughout the COVID-19 pandemic”.
“We have so many talented, selfl ess, passionate clinical staff and I commend all of you who go above and beyond and strive for excellence each day.”
With 250 votes received in the peer nominated categories of intern, resident, registrar and consultant of the year, the four winners were:
Consultant of the Year: Dr Maria (Lissa) Buenaventura, Anaesthetics head of department and Medical Staff Council Treasurer.
Dr Lissa said she believes the future of anaesthetics lay in the broader health community, not just the operating theatre.
Dr Praba Sekhar. Dr Maria (Lissa) Buenaventura. Dr Mithila Zaheen. Dr Rachel Dilawari.
“I’m so proud of the anaesthetics team; especially winning two of the categories – consultant and registrar of the year,” Dr Lissa said
“Our team works collaboratively with other medical, nursing and allied health cohorts to deliver better health outcomes such as shorter lengths of stay, less complications and improving the patient journey. It’s also a privilege to help mentor our junior doctors and have a whole senior clinical cohort available to support them.”
Intern of the Year:Dr Praba Sekhar, Emergency Department (ED) Junior Medical Officer (JMO)
Dr Praba is described by her peers as “someone who is always polite and courteous and a joy to work with”.
“Being so new into training, I found it diffi cult at times to gauge whether I was a ’good intern’, so to receive this award from my colleagues is a great honor and for which I am grateful,” she said.
Resident of the Year: Dr Mithila Zaheen, Resident
Dr Mithila said it was an honor to receive this award and stand alongside so many incredible doctors. In 2021, Dr Mithila was a fi nalist for Blacktown Woman of the Year.
“I’m so proud of my colleagues for their hard work with the success of the JMO safety and quality committee which commenced last year,” Dr Mithila said.
“It has been a privilege to have the opportunity to advocate for my colleagues and it means the world to have everyone’s support.”
Dr Rachel is described by her peers as “extremely dedicated, hard-working, kind, and supportive of her colleagues”.
“Working in a supportive environment allows for continued growth and more importantly, the ability to stay kind to one another,” Dr Rachel said
“I look forward to what 2022 brings at Blacktown Hospital.”
Medical Services Director Dr Alison Loughran-Fowlds paid tribute to the staff for their well-deserved recognition through their hard work, determination and commitment to BMDH.
“Last year was demanding on all of us and I’d like to acknowledge our staff who worked tirelessly to treat patients and families in challenging circumstances,” Dr Alison said.
“Everyone put in extra eff ort and went above and beyond to make sure that excellence in care continued throughout the pandemic.”
Source: The Pulse, Western Sydney health
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