Parramatta Times - January 2022 by Community Broadcast Network (CBN)

ISSUE 18 | JANUARY 2022

TRUSTED LOCAL NEWS

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ParramattA T I M E S ENTERTAINMENT

TECHNOLOGY

HISTORY

MAMMA Mia! It's coming to Parramatta Riverside: 25

The new local Zombie app that's combating youth anxiety: 8

The iron road to Parramatta and the bushranger threat: 15

CEO Brett Newman, Lord Mayor Donna Davis and deputy Lord Mayor Sameer Pandey.

LABOR WAVE

Record number of women on Council

ABOR councillor Donna Davis was elected unopposed as Lord Mayor of Parramatta. Sameer Pandey, another Labor councillor, was elected unopposed to the position of deputy Lord Mayor. Both councillors had served on the previous council

NG I M COSOON

and were swept back into power on the Labor wave which saw eight out of 15 councillors coming from the party. A total of eight women were elected at the December 4 election- three Labor and the rest Independents. Full story: page 5.

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ISSUE 18 | January 2022

HIGH-TECH HUB FOR HEALTH, MEDICAL RESEARCH

Westmead to be transformed ONSTRUCTION on Western Sydney University’s Westmead Innovation Quarter (IQ) – an extraordinary $350 million investment in world-class health, medical and education research located in the heart of Westmead – is nearing completion and set to deliver health, social and economic benefits for the people of Western Sydney. A partnership between the University and Charter Hall, Westmead IQ will springboard Australia’s brightest minds from healthcare, industry and government to new heights of health and medical breakthrough. Leading edge technologies will create a new research ecosystem that will forge solutions to some of our most pressing health challenges through STEM-related innovation and commercialisation. The multi-million dollar development was showcased at Business Western Sydney’s ‘Westmead conference 2021: 6-month update’ held on December 6. Critically, Westmead IQ will be the new home for the University's internationally-recognised research institutes — the MARCS Institute for Brain, Behaviour and Development, NICM Health Research Institute, the Translational Health Research Institute and Transforming Early Education and Child Health (TeEACH) — who will share the space alongside key tenant, CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency. Together, the University’s research institutes at Westmead will be delivering cutting-edge, translational research that benefits all Australians. Collaborat-

Artist impressions of the development.

ing a much-needed multi-million dollar boost for the NSW economy. Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO, said the completion of the world-class development will further strengthen Westmead’s status as one of our most advanced health and innovation precincts. “We are pleased to realise the NSW Government’s vision for Westmead as a truly global centre where world-leading scientists and researchers can partner with industry and government to deliver unparalleled health and medical outcomes and new commercialisable devices and platforms. Westmead IQ is a major commitment by this University and its partners that will no doubt be a catalyst to drive future investment, workforce and research training, and employment growth for this flagship Precinct,” said Professor Glover.

“Western Sydney University is proudly building on its longstanding education and research presence in Westmead, dating back to the days of the Westmead Teachers’ College. This exciting next chapter in the site’s history is creating a vital 21st century research hub for the Western Sydney region that can positively transform the health and livelihood of all communities for generations to come.” Westmead Innovation Quarter is part of the University’s ‘Western Growth’ strategy – an ambitious program that is reshaping the University’s campus network and co-creating cities and transformative educational infrastructure across Western Sydney, in partnership with industry and government. The development will officially open in March 2022.

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ing with communities and co-locating with industry partners, the Institutes will be leading research into integrative medicine, diagnostics and therapeutics, preventing and managing chronic disease, mental health, neuroscience and artificial intelligence, early intervention, med-tech, brain-optimised human machine systems, simulation, neuromorphic engineering, health communication, and music in health. Situated between the Hospital and Westmead station, Westmead IQ’s first two towers comprise 33,000 square metres of state-of-the-art health, education and research infrastructure and business space, along with 2,000 square metres of retail and lifestyle facilities and public transport links on its doorstep. During the pandemic its construction has generated over 1,000 jobs – provid-

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BATTLING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE

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ISSUE 18 | JANUARY 2022 How to get The Times The Parramatta Times is available throughout the Parramatta LGA at 80 strategic locations. To find a location near you visit our website.

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ISSUE 18 | January 2022

Cumberland’s national award  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM UMBERLAND City Council has won a national Local Government award for outstanding achievement and innovation in the fight against Domestic and Family Violence in Western Sydney. It was one of just eight local councils from across Australia to be given national recognition for its work. Cumberland won for its Domestic and Family Violence Action Plan project, in the Addressing Violence against Women and their Children Award category. The Project The Cumberland Domestic and Family Violence Action Plan is a collaborative program developed in co-design with the community organisations to address the underlying issues that lead to DFV, increase support victims of DFV and change the attitudes that excuse disrespect. Community organisations indicated that there was a need to coordinate providers to have a more substantial impact and address DFV. The reference group decided on three priority areas• Address gaps in the information and referral network for those experiencing DFV, • Enhance the capacity of community groups and services to respond, • Design primary prevention programs that drive the changing of norms, practices and structures that lead to gender-based violence. From these three priority areas, an additional 12 specific activities were identified. The program is due for completion at the end of 2022; however, some actions have already been completed and yielded excellent outcomes, according to a Council spokesperson. One of the actions included the delivery of educational sessions to service providers and community groups regarding the police, the legal system and what happens after a DFV report is made.

“Since the program began, we had 26 requests for group sessions from 19 departments and 16 organisations. With the support of NSW Police, Legal Aid NSW and Women’s Legal Service, we have delivered five sessions and have more planned in 2022.” A series of five educational videos in six community languages have also been developed to support the information given during this training. These sessions have increased the skills and knowledge of local providers to support women and children who are at risk of, or experiencing, family and domestic violence. To address the underlying issues that lead to DFV the reference group also developed the #TakeAStand Campaign. This campaign was designed to raise awareness and create a culture of gender equality. It also includes and education kit to help people understand the drivers of domestic violence. The campaign has been taken up by the NSW Police, by Cumberland Council and by organisations delivering food and essential goods. The campaign was delivered during the 16 Days of Activism 2021.

The Award Category The award recognises local government projects which:

• Address underlying cause of as gender inequality and power imbalances to eliminate violence against women and their children • Support and advocate for women and children experiencing family and domestic violence and sexual harassment • Raise awareness and create cultures and communities of respect, inclusion and gender equality. • Successful projects in this award category benefit communities by: • Preventing violence towards women by driving sustainable change in community awareness, attitudes and behaviors • Supporting women and children who are at risk of, or experiencing, family and domestic violence, sexual violence or sexual harassment • Changing the attitudes and social norms that excuse or condone disrespect, sexual harassment and abuse.

INDEX News ...................................3 Council Elections .............5,6 History ..............................12 Property ............................13 Eat St ................................16

CRMC ...............................17 Fitness ..............................18 Games ..............................19 Geoff Lee ..........................20 Travel ................................21

Experts .............................22 Auto ..................................23 Films .................................24 Trends ...............................30 Sport .................................31

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ISSUE 18 | January 2022

Donna Davis new Lord Mayor with record number of women  DI BARTOK ABOR councillor Donna Davis was elected unopposed as Lord Mayor of Parramatta on December 10. Sameer Pandey, another Labor councillor, was elected unopposed to the position of deputy Lord Mayor. Both councillors had served on the previous council and were swept back into power on the Labor wave which saw eight out of 15 councillors coming from the party. A total of eight women were elected at the December 4 election- three Labor and the rest Independents. No previous Parramatta Council has had so many women, nor has the majority party ruled without any organised opposition. With the Liberal Party not having contested the election, the new council presents a diversity of voices. Eight councillors are newbies, which will present a challenge to Lord Mayor Davis and other experienced councillors who will be guiding them along the way. Cr Davis, in the past a vocal critic of the Liberal State Government and of the Liberal-controlled council, especially in regard to over-development that did not respect heritage, vowed to work in the best interests of the City and community. “I thank you all for giving me the privilege of serving as Lord Mayor and I hope to do justice to the role as it deserves,” Cr Davis said after council CEO Brett Newman adorned her with the lord mayoral chains.

Donna Davis and her family.

Cr Davis said she was excited by “what could be achieved for the city in the next three years”. Veteran Labor councillor Pierre Esber congratulated Cr Davis but made more of Cr Pandey’s achievement of being the “first councillor from the sub-continent (India) to be elected as deputy Lord Mayor”. “Your family should be very proud of you,” Cr Esber said. Indeed, Cr Pandey’s family–including his parents who had just

arrived from India, were beaming with pride in the audience.

Work with stakeholders Former deputy Lord Mayor Michelle Garrard congratulated the new Lord Mayor, while reminding Cr Davis that it was vital to “continue to work with stakeholders, giving them certainty” in completion of current important projects such as Parramatta Square.

Cr Garrard, heading the Our Local Community team of four councillors, said OLC would be “pushing Labor” to ensure the interests of the community came first. Cr Lorraine Wearne, the longest serving councillor and one of only two previous female Lord Mayors, said she hoped Labor would “keep the city on track” and work co-operatively with other councillors, given there was no real opposition. Aside from councillors, leading community advocate Suzette Meade, secretary of North Parramatta Residents Action Group, was the first to congratulate the new Lord Mayor. “I look forward to Cr Davis leading this new-look council that will represent the residents of our city and stand up to the State Government, especially making certain our heritage remains in our great City’s future,” Ms Meade said. Cr Davis, with her opposition to the demolition of historic Willow Grove to make way for the Powerhouse Museum, could prove to be a thorn in the side of the Liberal State Government. Cr Davis is proud to have achieved a high enough vote to get her running mate Cameron Mclean elected in Epping Ward, right in Premier Dominic Perrottet’s electorate. Labor pundits regard the party’s success in Parramatta, and in other councils in Sydney, to be an indication of what is to come in the upcoming Federal election and next year’s NSW election.

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ISSUE 18 | January 2022

COMMUNITY FIRST IN WOMEN-LEAD COUNCIL

Lisa Lake new Cumberland Mayor  DI BARTOK ISA Lake, elected Mayor of Cumberland last night, looks forward to “taking the community” with her during her 20-month term leading a burgeoning, ethnically-diverse area. The Labor councillor was elected Mayor on January 12 with Kun Huang, also Labor, elected deputy. “As Labor Mayor, you can expect my priorities to be very practical – to ensure that this Council is outwardly focussed and delivering on the ground to meet the needs of our rapidly expanding population,” Cr Lake said in her speech after elected. “We’re expecting 300,000 people to be living in Cumberland by 2036. We all know what is needed:

• Sportsgrounds that can meet conflicting demand. • Dynamic libraries that are large enough for noisy pre-schoolers and quiet senior students to both have a place, • Pools that have space for both serious training and lessons and also casual fun, parks and playgrounds that cater for various ages and abilities, • Inviting and affordable community centres, halls and meeting rooms of different sizes for community interaction. • Cultural events that celebrate our multiculturalism, • High quality children’s services spread equitably across the LGA. • A diversity of housing including social and affordable housing. • A vibrant arts and cultural sector. • a strong economy with town centres that are inviting and thriving, and supportive of small business and jobs growth. • Protection and replenishment of our natural environment, • The reduction and recycling of our waste, and • Increased employment opportunities, particularly for our young people.

Mayor Lisa Lake pictured with her election running mates.

“

As in Parramatta that elected eight women, it was a first for Cumberland. So, both Parramatta and Cumberland are led by women, with men as deputies.” “Initially in its first term, this Council worked really hard to develop a number of key strategies and plans to achieve this vision. “But unless these priority actions are implemented, we will go nowhere. “And so, as Mayor, I consider it my obligation on behalf of the Cumberland community, to lead a council of substance that will work to deliver on these stated goals.

“There are 14 other elected officials to this council who share this responsibility with me and we are supported by a unified executive team and a hardworking staff that is committed to progress. “In undertaking this work you can expect two things from us: “Firstly, that we will be actively encouraging community participation in our decision-making through open meetings, public forums, advisory committees and workshops. “And secondly, that council’s budget priorities, whilst fiscally responsible, will also recognise and respond to challenges that beset our community.

Public health emergency “We are currently in the midst of a terrible public health emergency which is constantly testing the effectiveness of our responses and straining our resolve. As a council we will continue to work with you, our community, in a focussed and flexible way to eventually overcome this scourge. “Despite our current troubling circumstances, I do feel quite optimistic about the period that lies ahead. So now, let’s just get on with it.”

Eddie Sarkis, from Our Local Community, was the other candidate for mayor and Independent (and former Liberal) Joseph Rahme for deputy but, with Labor’s domination of the new council that was elected on December 4, the outcome was certain. Cr Lake, who has served on Cumberland and the former Holroyd Council, has lived in Wentworthville for more than 30 years. A solicitor, Cr Lake has had a high profile in the community, leading the fight to save Wentworthville Pool and to not privatise childcare services. Kun Huang, who was on the previous council, is from Regents Park Ward. At the December election, Labor scored eight councillors in Cumberland, as well as five women councillors. As in Parramatta that elected eight women, it was a first for Cumberland. So, both Parramatta and Cumberland are led by women, with men as deputies. Labor’s victory was helped, by how much is hard to ascertain, by the Liberal Party not endorsing candidates for Parramatta and Cumberland Councils due to branch in-fighting. The new Cumberland councillors are:

Granville Ward Steve Christou OLC Ola Hamad ALP Joseph Rahme Ind

Greystanes Ward Diane Colman ALP Greg Cumming Ind Eddy Sarkis OLC

Regents Park Kun Huang ALP Sabrin Farooque ALP Helen Hughes OLC

South Granville Glenn Elmore ALP Mohamed Hussein ALP Paul Garrard OLC

Wentworthville Suman Saha ALP Lisa Lake ALP Michael Zaiter Ind

Peter Shergold confirms retirement ROFESSOR Peter Shergold AC has announced his intention to retire from the role of Chancellor of Western Sydney University at the completion of his term on December 31 2022, after 12 years of distinguished service. He has served as Chancellor since 2011, continuing a highly-respected career that has spanned academia and Australian public life for over 30 years, including serving as Secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2003–2008. Having served three consecutive terms, the Chancellor’s outstanding service was acknowledged by the University’s Board of Trustees at its December 8, 2021 meeting. Further, the Board resolved to formally convey its sincere thanks and appreciation. Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO, thanked Professor Shergold for his exemplary leadership of the University’s Board of Trustees, and acknowledged the extraordinary contributions he has made as Chancellor across

Retiring Chancellor, Peter Shergold.

every aspect of University life and the broader University community. “Professor Shergold’s decades of knowledge and wealth of experience have been

indispensable as he has strategically shaped and guided the University through an incredible period of change, growth and development for more than a decade. For this we owe him a debt of gratitude,” said Professor Glover. “He has been one of the strongest and most passionate advocates for this University, our students, and the transformational power of higher education, as well as for the Western Sydney region and its diverse and vibrant communities. “Among his many and varied achievements, is his leadership of the Board to oversee an ambitious program to leverage University assets to build new educational and research infrastructure. This program is co-creating cities across Western Sydney in partnership with industry and government – not only ensuring the University is a catalyst

for the region’s economic advancement and social prosperity but leaving the University in a robust position to respond to future challenges.” Professor Glover said the Chancellor has been a leading voice for social justice and social inclusion; and has nurtured the University’s distinctive identity. He has been passionate about promoting excellence in teaching and learning, research and engagement with the University’s local communities; and instilled a strong culture of philanthropy and social investment amongst the University’s staff and students. In addition to his commitment to the University, Professor Shergold has provided an outstanding national contribution to policy development and higher education in a range of roles. To begin the process of selecting and appointing a new Chancellor, at its December 8, meeting the Board of Trustees also resolved to establish a Chancellor Nomination Committee and approved a Role and Profile Statement.

ISSUE 18 | January 2022

Rediscover Parramatta’s

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Visit ActivateParramatta.com.au for more information.

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ISSUE 18 | January 2022

Local Zombie app to combat youth anxiety  LAWRENCE MACHADO HILDREN facing anxiety and stress issues especially due to the long Covid-19 lockdowns in NSW can make the most of a locally-developed app, which is being rolled out in primary schools. The Zombie Thoughts app was developed on the innovative Cogniss no-code platform alongside Riverside Theatre’s Zombie Thoughts stage play written around a 9-year-old boy’s experiences with anxiety. The app is expected to help children build resilience during these challenging times. Riverside National Theatre of Parramatta recently launched the Zombie Thoughts app as a teaching resource in NSW primary schools and bundling access to the Cogniss platform, and their ‘Choose Your Own Adventure’ app template, helping students to create and publish their own apps. One of Riverside National Theatre’s young actors, Jay, 14, said the hardest part during the lockdown was handling the isolation, which meant he and his friends kept in touch online. Jay said the Zombie Thoughts app is great because it’s very user-friendly. “I liked the idea of the breathing techniques (in the app) if you felt anxious,” Jay said. “The app is relatively easy to use, and I would definitely recommend it to others.

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“I have a friend who has anxiety issues, and he often moves out of the stressful situation like stepping away, being alone. “He uses breathing techniques and can calm down away from whatever caused his

anxiety. It does takes time to call himself down. “The app is fun to play, and I liked the interactivity, I enjoyed making the app and I liked the stories. I was worried it

would be difficult to create an app, (but the) instructions were easy to follow, and it was enjoyable because it was easy to create.” Continued on page 9

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ISSUE 18 | January 2022

“

Both the Zombie Thoughts play, and app are based on avatars in a video game, and help children understand their feelings and learn various coping techniques.” – Jay. Continued from page 8 Both the Zombie Thoughts play, and app are based on avatars in a video game, and help children understand their feelings and learn various coping techniques.

Anxiety is a real issue Riverside National Theatre of Parramatta executive producer Joanne Kee says this is “a fantastic way for a teacher to address anxiety in a non-threatening way and the use of avatars lets children with anxiety engage without giving themselves away.” “Anxiety is a real issue, I would say every kid if they have not got anxiety themselves, they know someone who has,” Ms Kee said. “This is a really great opportunity because it can strengthen engagement with young people and give them opportunities to learn not just about feelings and anxiety and how to cope with it, but also

they get to learn how to create an app at the same time.” “We knew we wanted to do something like the app, but we could never have done it without Cogniss – we are a theatre company. “The Cogniss platform empow-

ered us to create the app, despite our team having no previous app development or programming experience – and the great thing is now we have a template we can use for other shows.” Cogniss CEO Leon Young started Cogniss out of frustration over how expensive and

time-consuming it was to custom-build apps, especially for education and well-being. “With Cogniss, an app that takes an agency month to build and costs hundreds of thousands of dollars can be built in days or weeks with no big upfront costs and just a low monthly fee,” he said.

WHERE TO GET THE TIMES ParramattA ISSUE 11 | June 2021

Grab a copy of the Parramatta Times at any of these popular distribution outlets

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T I M E S

PARRAMATTA PARK USERS

FEAR BAT BITES W

HILE Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) is urging community members to avoid handling bats after the Australian bat lyssavirus (ABLV) was recently detected among bats in the area, a wildlife expert doesn't want Parramatta Park users to go all batty.

“I don’t want people to think that bats from the camp of 15,000 grey-headed ĝying foxes are going to swoop down on them. Bats may annoy people living near them with noise and smell but they are essential for pollinating native trees and have been there before European settlement.”’ “The simple message is that you can only Still, 11 people have been be infected by bats if referred y you handle them– d to the Public Health Unit at such as picking up injured Westmead Hospital bats or trying to after being scratched or bitten free them m from netting,” said by bats so Sandra Guy far this year. from Sydney dney Wildlife Rescue Service. Story page 3.

THIS EDITION Lord Mayor popular vote: 5 Lighyt Rail structure in place: 7

Relevance a Chamber priority: 10 Facelift for justice pillar: 12 The new trend in travel: 16

ParramattA CONNE CT & GROW YOU AND YOUR BUSINE SS IN PARRA MATTA & WESTE RN SYDNE Y

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CBD PLAN

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ITH hardly any time to spare, Parramatta Council submitted its CBD planning proposal to the State Government before going into caretaker mode ahead of the September 4 local government election. The proposal,

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eight years in the making, sets the building codes and planning strategies for Sydney’s second CBD and the State Government was getting antsy over the time council was taking in submitting the code for ratification. See page 3.

CONNE CT & GROW YOU AND YOUR BUSINE SS IN PARRA MATTA & WESTE RN SYDNE Y

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Parramatta CBD.

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Where the kids are the artists:

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ISSUE 18 | January 2022

CHALLENGE FOSTERS YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS

Innovation born in Parramatta ESTERN Sydney University and DXC Technology have come together to hold the ‘Innovating Human Identity Challenge’ – an opportunity for students to develop solutions to complex problems associated with managing human identity in the digital age. The Innovation Challenge event, is part of the University’s new Venture Makers entrepreneurship training and development program. The hybrid showcase competition was the first event to take place at the University’s new state-of-the-art, multi-million dollar Engineering Innovation Hub building located at Hassall Street, Parramatta. As part of the challenge, 13 interdisciplinary teams including students from the University of Economics in Vietnam responded to the problem statement: ‘How we can design digital identity technologies for justice and manage digital identities for a more secure, fair and equitable world’. The teams worked to develop digital identity solutions in areas such as security, travel, services, social media, ethics and health. From the seven teams that progressed to the finals, team ‘F8’ was announced the winner for their solution the ‘Universal Healthcare Passport’. While teams ‘COVID Free Travel Buddies’ and ‘Jelly Bean Travel’ took out second and third place for their respective solutions, ‘The Passpal’ and ‘TRAVEL-EAZE’. Western Sydney University Vice-Chancellor and President, Professor Barney Glover AO, said the Venture Makers program

The winning team.

allows students to not only understand and seek solutions to some of the key challenges currently impacting the world, but to understand these problems from an entrepreneurial perspective. “Our aim is to drive a new wave of entrepreneurship across Western Sydney that will maximise the growth opportunities,

both in our region and globally, by preparing our graduates to develop their own enterprises and to work as entrepreneurs within other organisations,” said Professor Glover. Keynote speaker Seelan Nayagam, President Asia Pacific, DXC Technology, commended the teams and highlighted

the importance of providing students with valuable real-world experience to develop their entrepreneurial skills. “DXC Technology is proud to be a foundation partner of the Venture Makers program, working with students to solve real-world challenges and developing work readiness skills that will be critical to support the growing Western Sydney region. We congratulate the winning team and all participants for embracing this unique opportunity to innovate human identity in the digital age,” said Mr Nayagam. Founded by Launch Pad – the University’s Business Incubator ¬– Venture Makers has been developed to drive transformational change and build entrepreneurial knowledge and skills with a focus on equipping students for the jobs of the future. Don Wright, Director, Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Western Sydney University, said the students put forward a range of collaborative and innovative solutions to address human identity and digitalisation. “One of the most important aspects of Venture Makers and these challenges is that all activities are co-designed and co-delivered with industry partners, providing an authentic learning experience for students and the opportunity to build their industry networks and connections,” said Mr Wright. For more information on Western Sydney University’s Venture Makers program and the Innovation Challenge, visit www. launchpadlive.com.au

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ISSUE 18 | January 2022

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ISSUE 18 | January 2022

William Webster

THE IRON ROAD TO PARRAMATTA

Bushranger worry on first railway  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM t is amazing today to think that the engineers and firemen on the early rail service between Parramatta and Sydney were worried about bushrangers attacking the train. After the train crew left Ashfield, they were confronted with thick bush which was ideal for the local Ned Kelly’s to hide in wait for an ambush. Luckily, there were no reports of holdups in those pioneering railway days and the rail service became the Colonial Government’s conduit to opening up the farmlands around Parramatta Eventually the railway would reach Blacktown and Penrith, followed by the massive job of finding a route over the Blue Mountains. The Sydney Railway Company, a private company established to serve the interests of the port of Sydney, announced proposals to build a railway line to Bathurst in 1848. The company was taken over by the NSW Government in 1854, and in 1855 the first railway in the state was opened between Sydney and the present-day Granville. This railway was extended from Granville to the current Parramatta station and Blacktown in 1860 and Penrith in 1863. Electrification of the railway reached Parramatta in 1928 and Penrith in 1955. The Main Suburban line between Redfern and Granville was the first railway line to be constructed in the state. The Sydney Railway Company was incorporated in 1849 with the aim of building a railway from Sydney to Parramatta. Capital was raised, shares were sold, and a route was surveyed. The first sod was turned by on May 20, 1850. That’s when the infamous rail gauge problems began because the original Irish project engineer specified 5 feet 3 inches or 1600 mm but this was repealed when a Scot took over and demanded it be 4 feet 8.5 inches or 1435mm. The Company encountered many troubles: engineers came and went, the real estate required became expensive and difficult to acquire and money, supplies and manpower ran short because many staff took off to the goldfields. The government eventually took over. The line eventually opened to Parramatta Junction near Granville Station, with stations at Newtown, Ashfield, Burwood and Homebush. One of the original engineers William Webster was a natural storyteller from England which was a far cry from the wilds of Western Sydney: “There were not more than half a dozen carriages. The Third-Class carriage had a roof but they were entirely opened at the sides and the seats hadn't any backs. The Second Class were the ordinary closed carriages of the day. They had no cushions or

“

At Petersham there wasn't a house – excepting three small cottages on the Parramatta Rd. The train did the journey to Parramatta in 40 minutes.” – William Webster.

Statue of bushranger, Ned Kelly.

padded backs or anything of that kind–Just bare boards. But the First-Class carriages were well upholstered. I saw some of those on the Great Northern Line in England,” said William. “In those days we did not run right into Parramatta town. The first Parramatta station was a little way beyond Granville at Dog Trap Creek.

Father of enginemen in NSW “I hadn't any experience when I took the job. My experience was entirely local. I am a native of Kent, England, and came out to Victoria in 1852, where I spent two years on the diggings at Bendigo. I didn't make my fortune there, however. “When I came to Sydney, I had onepound weight of gold, the result of two years' work.

“I was the first colonially-trained driver but Sixsmith may be considered the father of enginemen in NSW. He and Twiss had previous railway experience in England. “The first Redfern Station was only a temporary building with a single line in it. I don't think you would have seen more than five or six silk hats on it in those days. “The line to Parramatta was through the bush. There wasn't much settlement. When you came through the Eveleigh Tunnel you found scrub on the left-hand side. “‘At Petersham there wasn't a house – excepting three small cottages on the Parramatta Rd. The train did the journey to Parramatta in 40 minutes. “Only a single line to Parramatta had been completed when the railway was opened; the second line was laid afterwards.

“Down the Lane Cove Creek there were a few houses. But after you left Ashfield there was nothing but bush until you reached the Horse and Jockey Hotel at Homebush. Beyond that again it was only bush until you reached Granville. “They had a land sale at Granville and tried to persuade people to build a town and move from Parramatta, but they would not come. Buses used to take the passengers from the station into Parramatta. “In the bush ranging days, drivers often contemplated the possibility of their trains being stuck up or wrecked. We used to frequently carry the railway takings and gold escort.” William Sixsmith drove the first train to Parramatta and in 1905 he recalled the event: “I took the first train out of Redfern, Governor Denison was on board, and we drove to Parramatta and back. We started the train in the morning. It was a holiday for the rest of the people,” he said. “I suppose nearly all the people of NSW were there, but it wasn't very much of a holiday for me. I had been working pretty well all day and night for a week previously to get the ballasting finished. “We had four engines at first. The first engine, known as Number One. “At that time the country between here and Parramatta was nearly all bush. There was a stray public house here and there on the roadside. Parramatta was a nice little town at that time.” Mr Sixsmith recalled that the reaction of many of the locals to a steam engine roaring to life was highly amusing and he reckoned some were ‘still running for days afterward’. Sources: ‘The Iron Road: Australian Railway Folklore & Song’, Warren Fahey. Wikipedia. NSW Railways

PROPERTY SHOWCASE PARRAMATTA

ISSUE 18 | January 2022

Got something to share? Send your property tips to info@parramattatimes.com.au

NEW KEYS TO WELLBEING

Getting to know your neighbour  OUTLOOK | DALLAS SHERRINGHAM NE of the few positive aspects of the fundamental shift in the population during Covid-19 has been the switch back to a more localised way of living for the community. We have returned to a way of life enjoyed by generations past, where we know our neighbors’ names, our children play together in the streets and local businesses have an important role in the community. Research by sociologists has found that wellbeing is positively influenced by community belonging and togetherness during disaster. They expect relationships to be strengthened due to community identification and feelings of unity in response to the pandemic. Working from home is now an entrenched way of life, giving more of us the opportunity to spend quality time in our communities, getting to know our fellow locals better. Researchers expect many workplaces to adopt a hybrid model allowing staff to work from the office and from home once we have a pathway forward to living with COVID-192. Global consulting firm Deloitte has announced a new workplace model prioritising outcome, not hours. They have told their 10,000 staff that they can choose when and where they work, as long as tasks are completed. Westpac and Telstra are considering selling off floor space no longer needed in their Sydney city offices because many staff will be working from home on a permanent basis. This change in the way we work is expanding the horizon for Australian city residents. As social demographer Bernard Salt said: “The city centre is no longer the pivot around which urban life revolves”. COVID-19 is inspiring a shift to middle and outer ring suburban living as more people search for greater open space, more connected communities and housing affordability. The desire to live close to the city to reduce the work commute is no longer relevant, so lifestyle has moved up as the No. 1 priority.

Mr Salt describes these relocators as ‘VESPAs’ or Virus Escapees Seeking Provincial Australia. These inner-city residents are buying larger, more affordable homes with backyards away from the CBD, while others are leaving the big cities for a regional sea change or treechange and a closer connection to nature. Both trends have a common denominator – a lifestyle shift away from the urban hustle and bustle to local village living and a slower pace of life.

Larger more affordable homes Social connections form part of an area’s appeal. One in two Australians say they feel lonelier due to COVID-19 and the isolation created by restrictions is making life difficult. Research shows people feel more connected to their neighborhoods when they are living away from the urban density of capital cities. An ABCnsurvey of 60,000 Australians found 55% of inner metropolitan residents

know many of their neighbors, compared to about 70% in rural and regional areas. People are increasingly shopping locally, driven by a strong desire to support local business owners and producers, even if it means spending more than they would at large retailers. Going forward, this trend is likely to remain, with a survey of more than 1650 shoppers and businesses finding 73% of Australians want to see brands demonstrate they are connected to local communities. The growing focus on staying local is highlighting the benefits of the 20-minute neighborhood standard of urban planning. This ideal scenario gives residents access to shops, services, schools, public transport and employment within a 20-minute walk. Residents of such neighborhoods not only enjoy convenience but also better health because they are walking more often and spending more time outdoors. “Residents of these neighborhoods often have a strong sense of community

and connection to place,” Professor Linda Corkery of the University of NSW said. “People are out and about on the street socialising, supporting local businesses, being involved with local schools, enjoying local parks.” Finding joy in green spaces is a popular pastime these days. With gyms shut and local sporting activities postponed, people are turning to parks, bike trails and walking paths to exercise their bodies and minds. This is pushing usage of natural spaces up, with a dramatic increase of 112% in Melbourne, 36% in Sydney and 17% in Brisbane during the first few months of the pandemic in 2020. What’s more, green spaces have a positive influence on housing prices. This is particularly the case in higher density areas, where proximity to parks and reserves is more important. CoreLogic Research Director Tim Lawless described a “statistically significant positive relationship between unit prices and proximity to green areas”.

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FUNDING

EDUCATION

FILM REVIEWS

Chamber’s plan for arts sector: 4

Dune – 5 Stars. The greatest movie of the decade: 26

Thank you to all our readers and advertisers for your support during 2022 and we look forward to returning with some exciting new projects in 2022.

RETAIL BOUNCES BACK -WEST WINNERS Фf^ ÌÓ æ â î î±Ë æ ® þ Ì î® îÓó©® æî ÓÌ EÓÿ â î ±Å âæ ® þ â þ Å î® æÓÅóî±ÓÌæ Ì â Óâ ¨Óâ w æî âÌ ^ą Ì ąФæ У â± Âæ Ì ËÓâî âФ æóßßÓâî Ë æóâ æ Ì ¨Óâ î® ±Ì óæîâą ÓóÌ â î ±Å ±Ì óæîâąϻ óî î®±æ æ îÓâ ® æ ßâÓó Â î®±æ ą â Ì ąÓÌ Ϻ ®±æîÓâą Ó¨ ÓóÌ ±Ì© Â ¨âÓË î® ® â æî Ó¨ î±Ë æϺ FULL STORY PAGE 5

WSABE 2021 celebrates hope, resilience de si in ARRAMATTA Chamber of Commerce found-

ed the Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence in 1990, affectionately known as WSABE. On Wednesday, November 24,

World class health care

Westmead Hospital’s new clinical tower oepns: 2

2021, about 700 guests gathered at ATC, Rosehill Gardens to celebrate business excellence in the region. After what has been the most challenging period of our working lives, guests flowed,

New suburb named BradÀeld

Govy ofÀcially names high tech city at Aerotropolis: 6

BEST GIFT SINCE THE OPERA HOUSE

MERRY CHRISTMAS

World ranking for WSU Business School: 8

immaculately dressed in theme ‘Back in Black’ with a touch of gold celebrating hope and resilience. The resilience of the business community in Western Sydney is second to none. More page 17.

Family business in COVID

How many leveraged patience capital during COVID: 12

How hope really works

Feature on the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal: 15

POWERHOUSE Parramatta CEO Lisa Havilah is more interested in the flood of excitement over the controversial $920M project than any flood-waters that may lap at its riverside approach. After the recent devastating rains that saw Parramatta River break its banks between the ferry wharf and the site of the museum, Ms Havilah is adamant that the building and its exhibits will not be affected.

ITS beginning to look a lot like Christmas in the City of Parramatta with an assortment of fun Yuletide activities for people of all ages to enjoy. See page 12.

FULL STORY PAGE 10

INSIDE TALE OF TWO POOLS

A 160 YEARS THIS EDITION

Minister pushing for more women on Parramatta Council: 3

FTER a few hot summers for swimmers who loved Parramatta and w ÌîÿÓâî®þ±ÅÅ ßÓÓÅæ Ì æóđ â during their closures, relief is on the AUTO: SsangYong's mid-life update: 30 way. Just a day apart, the refurbished BUSINESS: Retailers reveal solutions: 34 Wentworthville pool opened and TRENDS: Is love passing you by?: 36 î® Ĝâæî æÓ ÿ æ îóâÌ ÓÌ î® spectacular Parramatta Aquatic Centre. Both communities have N its 160 years as a local government area, Parramatta certainly has grown up - all been without a pool since 2017, the the way to the sky. Four days after a ceremony commemorating the declaration of Parramatta as a municipality, Sydney’s burgeoning second city welcomed Premier Parramatta Memorial Pool demolished Dominic Perrottet to the “topping out” ceremony of the 55 storey high 8 to make way225 formetre Bankwest Stadium Parramatta Square, which, with adjoining 4 and Square, will house 9500 and6 Parramatta the previous Holroyd Council NSW Government workers. More page 8. wanting to close the tired Wenty pool SALOVS: How hope really happens: 19

OF GROWTH

rather than refurbish it. After a bit of æ óĖ îÿ Ì W ââ Ë îî ÓóÌ ±Å and the NSW Government on who would pay for its replacement, an agreement was reached on funding for the state-of-the-art aquatic centre. And in Wentworthville, a concerted community campaign and the Cumberland Council, saved the beloved pool with an upgrade. While Parramatta residents wait two years for their pool, they are welcome to dive to Wenty.

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MERRY CHRISTMAS Thank you to all our readers and advertisers for your support during 2021 and we look forward to returning with some exciting new initiatives in 2022.

WIN See page 4 for a chance to win a $150 dining voucher from Blacktown Workers Club.

Young people turning their lives around at BYSA.

Youth Needs Our Support VITAL youth service in Blacktown is set to close after missing out on important State Government funding. The Blacktown Youth Support Association’s Youth HQ program helps young people at risk - those who have

been in trouble with the law or those who may be headed that way. But the service was told at the end of last year by the Department of Communities and Justice that they had missed out on funding, in favour of more “targeted” youth

programs. A letter from the Minister for Families and Communities Gareth Ward suggested that the BYSA seeks funding from other government departments such as education and sport. FULL STORY 10

HIGHWAY UPGRADE T WELCOME to the Blacktown NEWS ELCOME to Blacktown's NEW LOCAL media voice, The Blacktown News (BN). The Blacktown News is the much-anticipated

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As one of the state’s fastest growing cities, Blacktown has undergone a signiĜcant transformation. It's population is set to rise from 400,000 to 540,000

HEnewspaper troublesome Prospect a ođ $280M year on the 3.6km stretchbyof highway, after the contract was new and digital media Highway brand that is set for residents 2036. News ers maximum impact fornext targeted advertising covers Blacktown LGAthat withwill localimprove news written by experiThe Blacktown News is the and digital media opportunities and reach to Blacktown's diverse upgrade safety and travel times in Greater awarded topopulaFulton Hogan. Federal Minister forprint Communications, enced journalists. resource that connects residents and visitors to the city’s tion. Blacktown WesternONLY Sydney. The blackspot has been of championingUrban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher the The Blacktown Newsand is Blacktown's printed diverse community, its progress, businesssaid opportunities With a mission community and newspapergiven and is the independently owned and managed lifestyle. business issues, the BN is a proud project media partner of the green light thanks to a joint funding commitment would deliver and improvements to travel times and safety for locally by a management team that has been working in We value your feedback. Go to www.greaterblackGreater Blacktown Chamber of Commerce, the Blacktown from the for Australian and NSWs governments. Work willBusiness start early drivers, More 6. story. Blacktown almost 20 years. townnews.com.au topage share your Local Awards and Blacktown FC. cyclists and pedestrians.

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ISSUE 18 | January 2022

Eat StreeT

Located in the heart of Eat St, Kouzina Greco Greek restaurant has been family run & owned by Alana & Peter Laliotitis since 2000. The success of this restaurant has come from their unique way of combining excellent fresh & locally sourced produce with warm Greek hospitality. The menu has always been traditional with a modern twist. The lamb Kleftiko is the signature dish among other amazing delicacies.

ISSUE 18 | January 2022

Alana & Peter run the dining room and make you feel like part of the family, alongside them is their talented chef and are constantly striving for perfection. Located in the heart of Parramatta, close to public transport, theatres & shops Kouzina Greco has something for everyone. Catering for group bookings with set menus available, family gatherings, work functions, dinner with friends or

just a romantic dinner for two. With gluten free & vegetarian options as well. Kouzina Greco has become an icon for the past 20 years and we look forward to a long future.

OUR KITCHEN IS OPEN Tuesday - Friday Lunch 12-3 PM. Dinner 5.30-10 PM Saturday Dinner 5.30-10PM

For bookings and more visit: www.kouzinagreco.com.au WHAT'S COOKING?

Parramatta’s new-look Eat Street is open! Major light rail construction is now complete.

EAT ST IS ON THE MENU DINE IN AND SUPPORT OUR FAMOUS PARRAMATTA DINING PRECINCT

Explore #EatStreetUncovered – Transport for NSW’s new fun and vibrant urban playground. Tag us @ParramattaLightRail

PARRAMATTA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

CommenT

ISSUE 18 | January 2022

with COMMUNITY MIGRANT RESOURCE CENTRE

CHALLENGES OF OUR TIMES

CMRC celebrates 25 years

CEO Melissa Monteiro.

 THEVAN KRISHNA 021 has been another challenging year for Australia and most countries around the world. As glimmers of hope emerge, after over 100 days of lockdowns in New South Wales, and with double vaccinations climbing, optimism is returning to many sectors of our economy. We are hopeful that the worst of COVID-19 will be behind us by the start of 2022. This year was destined to be a special birthday year for CMRC with lots of functions planned to celebrate our 25 years with our various communities in New South Wales. We are planning to have a special function with our Board, CEO, Management team and staff to acknowledge their dedication and contribution over the years. As the current Chair of the CMRC I invite all stake holders, partners and community members to join in our celebrations. Under the leadership of our CEO Melissa Monteiro, the Community Migrant Resource Centre continues to grow and flourish in the “not for profit” sector.

Our achievements and contributions have often been acknowledged by Federal, State and Local Government. Furthermore, the levels of diversity, in terms of services offered to the community, have grown over the years. Our management team and staff speak over 45 different languages and I, on behalf of the Board, salute every one of them for their sterling contribution both to CMRC and the community at large.

Afghanistan who are requiring all of the assistance we can offer, as they assimilate into their new home and environment in New South Wales. We completed an audit on our entire Board and Leadership to determine if we are structured correctly and have the right fit and governance capability to optimize our performance. The results placed us well within the upper levels of the benchmarks.

Governance, Performance Evaluation and Upskilling

Strategic Plan 2021-2024

Our Board continues to focus on good governance, strategy formulation and direction. In view of the COVID-19 effects on our 3-year strategy plan, the Board approved a total review and we have just completed and implemented a new 3-year plan. In addition, the latest audit report gave us another clean bill of financial health in the 2020/2021 year, and we thank the finance team for their excellent work. We are also expecting a resurgence in migration from 2022 and have been working closely with Social Services International on the recent groups of refugees from

As stated, our Board has formulated a new 3-year Strategic Plan. We also included our management team to review the final document, to ensure they we comfortable with our key strategic objectives and their contribution to the plan is also noted.

Stakeholders I am pleased to note that we continue to receive tremendous support and funding from Local, State and Federal Governments during this very difficult period. Despite the dramatic reduction in migration to Australia our funds, in terms of revenue have grown. We will also look at opportunities to continue our expansion CMRC’s fee-

for-service model further, to complement our revenue streams.

Outlook We are hoping to return to normality in 2022, but with some restrictions, as I don’t expect COVID-19 will be completely eradicated. With an outstanding CEO and a committed Management team, I am confident that CMRC will grow significantly over the next three years and cement itself as a major contributor to the various communities we serve in New South Wales. However, COVID-19 has left a path of destruction and fear within communities that have lost loved ones globally. We cannot measure the levels of anxiety and related problems suffered by many, but rest assured we have a dedicated and qualified team to help them. On behalf of the CMRC Board, CEO and team I wish you and your families a safe New Year. Please join us as we celebrate 25 years of extraordinary service to Western Sydney communities. Thevan Krishna is CMRC Chairperson. Visit: www. cmrc.com.au

Community Migrant Resource Centre (CMRC) is a not-for-profit, charitable organisation established in 1996. CMRC is a leader in the provision of specialised support services to newly arrived migrants, refugees and humanitarian entrants. CMRC works within a community capacity building framework to encourage individuals and multicultural communities to identify and address their own issues. It works in collaborative partnerships with a great number of agencies to provide services which have both an immediate and long term benefit for the community. CMRC employs over 60 full time, part-time and casual multi-lingual staff. Paramatta office Level 4, 1 Horwood Place Parramatta, NSW 2150 Ph: (02) 9687 9901 Monday – Friday: 9AM – 5PM

The Hills office

Community Hub Castle Towers Level 3, 6-14 Castle Street, Castle Hill, NSW 2154 Northern Region office

Shop 3030 Top Ryde City CNR Devlin And Blaxland Rd RYDE NSW 2112

FitnesS

ISSUE 18 | January 2022

How mum Bec lost 20KG for 12 months, so it was amazing when I finally did and realised I had lost 20kg.

 ADAM SIMPSON

What dietary changes have you made?

F you have read some of my other articles you would know that I am very big on making small changes that you can stick to long term. Rebecca is a perfect example of this, she started by just committing to some regular exercise and has gradually changed her nutritional habits along the way without feeling like she has been strictly dieting. After a year of being super consistent the results she has achieved are nothing short of amazing! Rebecca North, 44, Schofields, Occupation Compliance Manager and Mother.

I have gradually made small changes over the past year. I have started taking breakfast and lunch to work instead of buying something out. I use an air fryer and a Tupperware micro pro grill to save time on cooking when I am in a rush. I also subscribe to Hello Fresh, to take away the thinking when it comes to dinners and meal prepping. This means I am always having home cooked meals and am eating far less takeaway. In addition, I have stopped watching TV after dinner and try to stay busy before going to bed. By doing this I have reduced my latenight snacking and eating out of boredom.

What do you love about Repetitions Group Training and when did you start? I started in August 2020 doing a 12 Week Personal Training Challenge as at the time I needed the extra accountability. After I completed the 12-week personal training program I got straight into group classes. I really love that there is always somebody there to encourage you, and help you with your exercise technique. You don’t get that when you are training alone! don’t get the when you are alone. I also love the encouragement from other members and not just the trainers. My very first group session, I was helped out by another member and it really made me feel welcome.

What results have you achieved and what are your goals for the future? I have dropped 3 dress sizes, I have toned up my entire body and have lost 20kg! I have another 5kg to lose.

How many days a week do you train? How many days were you doing before? I used to not train at all, then when I first started I was doing 3 sessions a week. Now I train 6 days a week and also like to do an active every day. I have also changed my son’s habits and have got him doing martial arts a couple nights a week.

What pushes you to keep training?

How do you feel now? When I first started, even just walking up the stairs at home was difficult. I was not motivated in general life or to exercise. I didn’t cope with stress very well and life just felt harder. Now I can cope with stress much more easily, I have double the motivation, I feel like I have got my spark back and my overall work performance is much better.

Why do you think you have gotten results and others haven’t? I feel like the first 12 weeks of Personal Training I did really kept me accountable and helped me build the exercising habit. I also had the mindset going in that this wasn’t going to happen overnight. I made a conscious effort to not worry about the scales and I just focused on my fitness and body shape. I actually didn’t weigh myself

I just love feeling great and thrive with the increased energy that I now have. I won’t be going back to what I was before.

What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to someone looking to start? I would say to not expect everything to happen straight away and just set small goals. Adam Simpson is lead trainer and founder at Repetitions Group fitness and Personal Training. Visit: www.repetitionspt.com.au

ISSUE 18 | January 2022

Crosswords/Games Solutions page 30

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Japanese hostesses 5. Location of the mile-long Galle Face Green 9. Windy latitudes, ... Forties 10. African fenced village 11. NW Israeli port 12. World's highest peak, Mount ... 13. Pop music's address, Tin Pan ... 15. Antarctica's McMurdo ... 17. Le Havre river 20. Port Moresby is there (1,1,1) 21. Michigan university town, ... Arbor 23. Greece's Mount Athos residents 27. Joan of Arc's trial city 30. Western Australian capital 32. Rome, the ... City 33. Paris' ... de la Concorde 34. Ruhr valley metropolis 35. New Zealand city in Otago region 36. Famous Rio beach district 37. Fashionable London area DOWN 1. Nepalese Hindu natives 2. Hebrew country 3. London's medical region, ... Street 4. Thai 5. From Santiago 6. Aurora borealis, northern ... 7. LA beach resort 8. Florida's Disney World city 14. US bird emblem, Bald ... 16. Chicago's airport (1'4) 17. Personification of the US, Uncle ... 18. Historic Bodmin Moor building, Jamaica ... 19. Western German town & river 22. Major Lebanese city 24. Pacific region 25. Great Britain & Northern Ireland, United ... 26. Ontario port, ... Bay 28. East African land 29. Thames monument, Cleopatra's ... 30. NE New Zealand area, Bay of ... 31. Moscow is there

CommenT

with Geoff Lee MP

ISSUE 18 | January 2022

FREE tourism training on offer S state and national borders reopen, the NSW Government is helping the tourism sector address critical skills shortages with thousands of free training places on offer ahead of a bumper holiday season. Minister for Skills and Tertiary Education Geoff Lee today announced more than 2,700 fee-free training places initially available across 35 short courses at TAFE NSW and other registered training providers with scope to increase with demand. This includes training in specialist outdoor recreation and accommodation and customer services for businesses large and small. Mr Lee said the training is available now to attract more workers to tourism

GEOFF LEE Del ivering for 11 , 3

Geoff LEE MP

Member for Parramatta 02 9891 4722

parramatta@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Ground Floor, 96 George Street, Parramatta NSW 2150 Authorised by Geoff Lee MP, Ground Floor, 96 George Street, Parramatta NSW 2150. Funded using parliamentary entitlements.

businesses at a vital time in the sector’s recovery, as well as open the door to a new career for thousands of people. “People from around the country are lining up to book holidays all over our great state and the NSW Government wants to help support those businesses attract enthusiastic and skilled staff,” Mr Lee said. “Industry estimates around 600,000 staff across the country left the sector during the pandemic, which is why training opportunities like these free courses are so valuable, filling labour gaps and giving jobseekers the opportunity of a bright future in tourism.” Minister for Jobs, Investment Tourism and Western Sydney and Minister for Trade and Industry Stuart Ayres said access to skilled workers is one of the greatest challenges facing tourism and hospitality businesses in NSW right now. “Our tourism operators, event owners and local tourism organisations are the backbone of this industry and they need more skilled staff to rebuild. Offering feefree training means we can support both businesses and workers, which will help grow NSW’s visitor economy,” Mr Ayres said. A recent Tourism and Transport Forum Australia survey of more than 500 businesses reveals a third of tourism businesses who took had to let staff go during COVID-19, compared to less than ten percent in other sectors.

Crying out for staff Tourism Accommodation Australia CEO Michael Johnson said the tourism, hospitality and accommodation sector was crying out for more skilled staff. "This initiative is a great way to give school leavers and employees displaced over the last 18 months the skills they need to join our great industry,” Mr Johnson said. Tourism & Transport Forum (TTF) Chief Executive Margy Osmond said the free training would help to provide valuable entry opportunities for people keen to join the vibrant NSW tourism sector. “Tourism & Transport Forum Australia is fully behind the NSW Government’s efforts to rebuild skills capacity and address gaps across the state’s tourism labour market,” Ms Osmond said. “As the NSW visitor economy recovers, the tourism industry that can take its employees all around the state from the coast to the far west, as well as much further afield and it can also reward them with pathways to senior leadership roles over time.” Free courses available under the program include: • Outdoor Leadership (Basic Water Rescues, Snorkel, Lead Snorkeling, Paddle and Lead Stand Up Board on Inland Flatwater.) • Tourism Product Design and Promotion. • Hospitality (Interact with Customers, Safe Work Practices and Visitor Information, Housekeeping, Responsible Service of Alcohol, Social/Cultural Sensitivity). • Outdoor Recreation (Vertical Rescues, Abseil, Establish Ropes and Lead Single Pitch Abseiling on Natural Surfaces). • Bicycle Servicing. • Swimming and Water Safety Teacher. • Infection control. Today’s announcement complements the nearly 250,000 free training places being funded under the joint State and Federal JobTrainer program, and adds to the NSW Government investment in free training recently announced for the Retail and Hospitality sectors. Visit: www.skills.education.nsw.gov.au/jobtrainer

TraveL

ISSUE 18 | January 2022

TRENDS REVEALED BY EXPEDIA

Travelers going the GOAT in 2022  TRAVEL EDITOR | DALLS SHERINGHAM RAVELERS will have the GOAT mindset in 2022 according to industry leaders Expedia. No, they won’t be chasing shaggy critters around foreign hills, you see GOAT stands for their next holiday being their Greatest of All Trips as they make up for lost time When Expedia released its 2022 Travel Trends Report it revealed new traveller priorities that are shaking up the status quo. As travel demand continues to grow, Expedia’s research shows that close to three quarters of Australians are planning to go big on their next trip with a new “no regrets” style of travel, dubbed as the “GOAT” or Greatest of All Trips mindset. And we are trendsetters because globally, Australia is one of the top three countries to feel this way, just behind Korea and Singapore, indicating how strong the desire is to make up for lost time. Appreciating that each trip is a privilege, travelers are in pursuit of fulfilling journeys, without holding back. Among the top GOAT characteristics uncovered by the Expedia report, which polled 12,000 travelers across 12 countries, travelers are planning to be more present and live in the moment, splurge on experiences and seek out excitement. Expedia Australia Travel Expert Lisa Perkovic said Australians had spent almost

two years holding back, dreaming about and anticipating their next holiday. “Now is the time to get make plans for what is set to be a huge year for travel. Coming out of such a long period of constraints and limitations, travel in 2022 will be about wringing every bit of richness and meaning out of our experiences. “Despite some still feeling cautious towards travel, a new wave of excitement is bubbling as travelers chase travel greatness to get their GOAT.” Expedia’s trends report showcases how Australians are embracing new habits as travel confidence grows:.

Scrapping the Schedule The pandemic made it difficult to travel or do anything on a whim, with 46% of Australians admitting to being less spontaneous since the onset of COVID-19. While travel advisories and guidelines will persist for the foreseeable future, Australian travelers nonetheless are planning to embrace the impromptu and let loose on their future trips, with 35% seeking to be more spontaneous and live in the moment. Expedia’s research also found Australian travelers are preferring to go-with-the flow and forgo an itinerary. They embrace the freedom to do whatever they want, whenever they want. Expedia’s tip for achieving your GOAT: With more flexible options and rates available than ever before, there’s no better time to explore last-minute trips and unknown adventures that might just help travelers find their GOAT.

The Splurge-cation After cancelled trips, postponed celebrations and foregoing simple luxuries, people will have a new lease on life in 2022. Travelers are ready to make up for lost time and put themselves first to get the GOAT they deserve. During the next year, almost half of Australians are willing to treat themselves and spend more on their next trip, prioritising their enjoyment over budget. From luxury hotels at 17%, to dining at hatted restaurants 17% or going all out on the ultimate shopping spree 21%, there will be no expenses spared as travelers look to invest in making their trips one of their greatest yet. Expedia’s tip for achieving your GOAT: If you’re looking to treat yourself, why not opt for a luxe city getaway? According to Expedia data from the last two years, the best time to travel to a city is in February, where you can save almost 40%, compared to travelling in December, which is on average the most expensive month for city travel.

Immerse to Discover Going big doesn’t just mean taking a bucket-list trip. In the coming year, travelers are going after their GOAT by going beyond the norm, with more willing to step outside their comfort zone and immerse themselves in a destination, culture and experiences completely different to their own . After many months of confinement, travelers are craving experiences different to their own where they can develop

a deeper sense of knowledge for the local community. From embracing food they’ve never eaten before, seeking more rural, offthe-beaten track experiences to visiting a destination they never would have considered pre-pandemic Australians have a new curiosity to learn and experience the world. Expedia’s tip for achieving your GOAT: Slow travel is one of the best ways to immerse yourself in a destination. Be sure to allow plenty of time in each destination, so you can visit not just well-known tourist attractions, but also lesser-known local recommendations, to develop a deeper sense of knowledge. Giving yourself enough time to explore the area and connect with locals can make all the difference.

Sensation Seeking In 2022, travelers aren’t just craving new tastes and places, they want to feel something. For Australians, a sense of gratification, like they’ve made the most of the trip and excitement and exhilaration is what they’re craving most. When it comes to their next trip, having an unforgettable night out, sleeping under the stars and having a holiday fling are just some of the things travellers are willing to do, to ensure they have the best trip of their life. Interestingly, 12% of Australians want to skinny dip – the highest of any country and tied with France – with one in ten willing to try daring or high adrenaline activities and feel a sense of danger or riskiness on their next trip.

ExpertS

ISSUE 18 | January 2022

Consider best, worst positions  NEGOTIATION | STEVEN BROWN HE purpose of entering into a negotiation is for you to inter-act with other party. Your lawyer or if there is a conciliator can assist you to move through three stages by focusing on: 1. Opening up channels of communication; 2. Using the channels of communication to develop bridges of understanding between the parties of each other’s perceptions of the dispute and their respective strengths and weaknesses; 3. Structuring a negotiated resolution of the dispute. The first two stages–communication and understanding–overlap to a greater or lesser extent. Both are directed towards enabling the parties to discuss their dispute, to exchange views and thus more fully to understand their own and, very importantly, the other party’s points of view. A party is free at any time to end a negotiation THREE KEY simply by announcing QUESTIONS they are withdrawing. This does not involve Ask yourself these three any adverse consequence ing regarding the questions before entering such as having to pay matters in dispute. costs or being prejudiced If the negotinegotiations: by anything that may ation fails neither • What could I get? have been said, or even party’s rights are • What should I get? tentatively agreed, during not affected in any the discussions. way. • What muﬆ I get? If the negotiation sucIn most cases ceeds the parties ordinarithe parties reach ly sign a legally binding document setting a negotiated settlement. In the small out the terms of settlement of the dispute. number of negotiations that fail are some Oral settlement agreements should not in which, even though no settlement has be used as they can themselves give rise to been reached, the discussions clarify and disputes. narrow the issues in dispute. Rarely, the parties prefer not to enter Ultimately it is for the parties to decide into a legally binding settlement agreewhat settlement they can accept rather ment, but to re-build their relationship than pursuing whatever other courses that having achieved a satisfactory understand- may be open to them.

Each party has to ask itself whether the available negotiated outcome, although disappointingly worse than it had hoped for, is nevertheless an outcome it can live with, rather than pursuing other courses open to it. The often mentioned ‘win win’ ordinarily comes not from the terms of the settlement but rather from the fact that the settlement enables both parties to put the dispute behind them. You will see that I do not mention anything about mutuality or happiness; rather what is more often achieved is a settlement that both parties will live with rather than are happy about. Negotiation is about you and the other person expressing your views in an orga-

nized manner to attempt to achieve an agreed outcome. Negotiation should be planned and thought through. You need to consider what is your best position, what is your worst position so that you can compare and put offers on the table bearing in mind three things: • What could I get? • What should I get? • What must I get? In entering any negotiation determining the could, should and must of your position is essential. Without knowing what these things are you are not able to compare offers on the table. Steven Brown is Chairman of Etienne Lawyers. Visit www.etiennelaw.com

Importance of being Finance Fit  FINANCE | JOSEPH ESSEY SW a Virtual CFO, one question I often hear from SME’s is why they need a finance manager or a CFO when they already have an accountant? The answer to this lies in understanding the value to businesses of being what I like to call finance fit all year round. Much like the human body, a growing business needs regular and deliberate care and attention to remain healthy and for a business to maintain performance at an elite level it needs more than the traditional annual check-up to keep itself fit and able to reap the benefits of this.

What is Finance Fit? A business that is Finance Fit typically has an ordered system for managing its accounts, is receiving up to date and in depth understanding of its financial performance and has the management of its finances directed towards executing its broader strategy and achieving its goals. While a business that is Finance Fit often is performing well in terms of traditional key indicators such as sale growth, profitability, and free cash flows these are not necessarily determinative of a Finance Fit organisation. The real keys to being Finance Fit is that your financial position supports your strategy and that you have a deep understanding of the risks

and trends in your business and a plan for managing these.

Why is this important? Businesses that are not on top of their numbers or managing their financial position in line with their goals are most likely leaving a lot of value on the table. A Finance Fit business is in a much better position to identify and take advantage of opportunities that are available to them as they have a clearer understanding of the things they need to be looking for and are getting the quality information they need to identify these early. For example, a difference between identifying and reacting to upwards trends in input costs of just 3 months can result in thousands if not tens of thousands in sacrificed profits, depending on the size of your business. Also, as any experienced business owner can attest to, prevention is far better and less costly than the cure. You would much rather be compliant before the fact and invest upfront in being adequately prepared then be scrambling to get your finances in order at the last minute and risk paying what can be a significant penalty.

How do you become Finance Fit? The first step to being financially fit is to establish the goals for your business and to have a clear strategy for achieving these. This allows you to set benchmarks or indicators of what good performance looks

like and to manage, forecast and track your financial position accordingly. It is important to remember that not every business is the same in this respect as your industry and the stage of your life cycle can influence what good performance looks like. Once you have set the benchmark, disciplined management of your accounts and regular financial reporting will help you to stay informed of trends and opportunities within your business and to act accordingly. Famed business management guru Peter Drucker is famous for saying ‘what gets measured gets managed’ and the best businesses utilise insightful financial reporting to remain agile and tactile in all business operations.

The final ingredient that I see in most financially fit businesses is that they have a smarter system of managing their accounts and operations. The first step to this is having a flexible accounting system that is tailored to the needs of your organisation and saves you time and money in unnecessary manual processing. The other important step is to avoid doing everything yourself which obviously limits your capacity to grow or improve your business. While you should never outsource your core capabilities, it does not make sense to sacrifice your time on admin and accounts work when you can pay someone to do this at a fraction of the value you can create with the time that this will free up. As we embark on a new year and reflect on our experience of the turbulent year that has past, what is evident is that those businesses with a clear understanding of what success looks like and a robust reporting system that allows them to respond quickly have outperformed their competitors and will remain best positioned to perform at an elite level all year round. Joseph Essey is the founder and operator of Your Business Finance Manager, an Outsourced Finance and Accounts solution for growing small businesses and has over 15 years’ experience helping small to medium sized businesses to manage their financial position and achieve sustainable growth. Visit: www.ybfmanager.com

ISSUE 18 | January 2022

AutO

with JOHN MELLOR

$98B investment in BEV technology, 30 new models by 2030: Akio Toyoda

 MATT BROGAN OYOTA global president Akio Toyoda has introduced no fewer than 16 new battery-electric vehicles at Toyota's Megaweb showcase in Tokyo this week, while simultaneously reiterating that the Aichi-based company planned to transform Lexus into an electric-only brand by 2035. Toyoda-san says the models are part of an ¥8 trillion (A$98 billion) investment in electrified vehicles and technologies that will elevate the company’s global BEV sales target to 3.5 million vehicles annually by 2030; Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) plans to roll out as many as 30 carbon-reducing and carbon-neutral vehicles and technologies over the next eight years. The numbers represent an increase of 75 per cent on the previous annual sales projection of two million BEVs, which was issued in May. TMC says that of the investment funds will be devoted to research and development and capital expenditure for BEVs, while the other half will be dedicated to hybrid-electric (HEV), plug-in hybrid-electric (PHEV) and fuel-cell electric vehicles (FCEV). The total includes ¥2 trillion (A$24.7 billion) – one-third higher than the ¥1.5

trillion (A$18.5 billion) announced in September – to accelerate the development of more advanced, high-quality and affordable batteries. Toyoda-san said TMC was committed to offering carbon-reducing and -neutral vehicles at an affordable price, while addressing the needs of customers with varying vehicular requirements. "We will not only add battery EV options to existing vehicle models, but offer a full line-up of reasonably priced mass-production models, such as the bZ series, to meet the needs of all kinds of customers," he said. "We can position batteries and electric motors to bring more freedom to battery EVs. This freedom will allow us to be more attuned to our customers, such as by meeting the various needs of different regions, the various lifestyles of our customers and, when it comes to commercial vehicles, everything from long-distance transport to last-mile delivery." TMC said because every market had its own specific energy requirements, the firm would offer a diverse range of carbon-reducing and carbon-neutral vehicles to suit both established- and developing markets. "That is exactly why Toyota is committed to providing a diversified range of carbon-neutral options to meet whatever

might be the needs and situations in every country and region. It is not us, but local markets and customers, who decide which options to choose," Toyoda-san added. The 16 battery-electric vehicles displayed at Toyota's Megaweb event included five bZ branded vehicles, seven lifestyle models – including light commercial vehicles – and four Lexus models.

Entire line-up electrified Toyoda-san said TMC aimed to electrify the entire Lexus line-up by 2035 – the Megaweb event even showcased an intriguing LFA-inspired all-electric supercar. He said Lexus intended to offer a battery electric vehicle in each segment by the end of the decade, and that BEVs would make up 100 per cent of Lexus’s global sales by 2035 – totalling one million units globally. The five vehicles from Toyota’s bZ (or beyond Zero) battery electric range include the recently announced bZ4X; a small, medium and large SUV, as well as a lone mid-size sedan. At this stage, only the BZ4X is confirmed for Australia. Toyota Australia President and CEO Matthew Callachor said the model would appear in local showrooms sometime after the model’s international launch in 2022. "We are absolutely committed to providing our customers with a range of

technologies that will help them on their journey to zero emissions based on their individual circumstances, ensuring we leave no-one behind," Mr Callachor said. "Importantly, Toyota is not limited to a single technical solution because Australians have vastly different motoring needs, with locations from inner cities to suburbs, regional and rural areas and outback Australia.” Mr Callachor said local buyers are already beginning to make the switch to electrified vehicles, and that there was a strong desire among Australian motorists to reduce their carbon emissions. "Australians are already buying Toyota hybrid electric vehicles in record numbers, which is significantly reducing the amount of carbon emissions. This demonstrates their support for a cleaner, more sustainable future and affordable, practical options,” he added. "We have also embraced fuel-cell electric vehicles with the second-generation Mirai, supported by the new Toyota Hydrogen Centre in Melbourne, and we have announced plans to introduce our first battery EV in Australia, the bZ4X SUV. "All of this adds to our excitement and anticipation around the latest investment Toyota is making in BEVs and our ongoing commitment to sustainable motoring solutions," he concluded.

FilM

ISSUE 18 | January 2022

House of Gucci – 3 stars Good but prone to excess. House of Gucci is undeniably a good film; it’s just a little too bland, a little too safe, and a lot too long to be truly great. ESPITE a colorful performance from Jared Leto, House of Gucci is muted and bloated, turning an interesting real-life story into a cinematic tale of excess; both on screen and behind the camera. Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) is an outsider from humble beginnings, whose relationship with Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver) of the famed Gucci family causes a rift in his relationship with his father Rodolfo (Jeremy Irons). Working with Maurizio’s uncle Aldo (Al Pacino), Patrizia organizes a reunion, and in doing so draws her and her husband into the uber wealthy circle of fashion royalty known as the Gucci’s. But her ambition increases; she wants the fabulous house, the clothes, the clout. Patrizia whispers in Maurizio’s ear, first to oust Aldo, and then to get rid of eccentric cousin Paolo (Jared Leto). However, the drama, police interest and politics prove to be too much for Maurizio and Patrizia, and as their relationship falls apart, dire decisions are made; decisions that could be life or death for some of the famous family. Ridley Scott directs House of Gucci with a distinct absence of flair. While the costuming is excellent, for a film about something as exciting as the fashion industry, one would hope for a more colourful, lively and innovative interpretation. House of Gucci feels a lot like Scott’s All The Money In The World; all muted tones, dutch angles and restraint. But whereas that movie had an action subplot mixed in, this one does not, resulting in an overabundance of rich people talking in rooms over espressos and paperwork. Then there’s the runtime. Scott presents House of Gucci like a waterlogged corpse; bloated in the extreme, and without anything appealing to show for it. At 2 hours and 38 minutes, one might imagine this is a truly complex story, or space is given to allow the performers to plumb the depths of their character’s emotionality, but neither of those things are true. Firstly, the film is as simple a plot as could be. We’ve seen similar plots before, not just in film but in probably two dozen Netflix crime docos over the past twelve months, and Scott doesn’t need the extended runtime to showcase this story. Secondly, he doesn’t utilise the extra time to great effect. There are great stretches of indulgent scene setting, and when pivotal moments happen in the

relationships of these characters, he barely explains them.

Trust your audience While it is always better to under-exposit, and to trust your audience, here it feels like a slap in the face–give me a tighter, higher thinking, shorter film, rather than one that both requires us to mentally interrogate these characters independent of the film and sit in the chair watching nothing happen for nearly 3 hours. What that all comes down to is excess. Scott, one of the powerhouse directors of his time, and delivering his second excessive and massive movie of the year, is undoubtedly a hard man to say no to, and the creative control he must exercise

independent of critical exterior thought cannot always be a good thing. Here, we see that on full display, and perhaps that is fitting given that we are discussing a family whose lust for luxury, excess and greatness was their ultimate downfall; Scott’s indulgence in those same vices critically wounds this movie. That being said, Driver and Gaga were both good, and Gaga firmly cements herself as an actress once again. That Oscar was no fluke. Between the pair of them, there isn’t a scene, or line of dialogue, that they can’t handle, and they bring a believability to the larger-than-life story. A believability that is almost shattered by the absurdist, OTT performance from Jared Leto as Paulo. That being said, we absolutely ADORED his performance–the

standout of a film that is too bland and safe for its own good. After the initial shock, you settle into his work, and it is fine; but never boring, and that is absolutely necessary with this film. All around, House of Gucci tells and interesting story, and in a very stylish but removed way. It’s anchored by tremendous actors, scenery and costuming. The problem is that it just all feels a little bland and excepting the brief flares of colour that Leto brings to the piece, it’s a monotonous slog through much of the overly long material. Reviews by Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com

HospitalitY

ISSUE 18 | January 2022

SKYE Suites Parramatta general manger, Quercy Jouannes experiences the power of the pool.

The power of the pool beckons KYE Suites Parramatta general manger, Quercy Jouannes was the first to experience the power of the pool as summer kicks in Parramatta. Locals may consider a staycation or consider having family stay in their own hotel apartment with all the resort. GM Quercy welcomes locals to stay or do business at SKYE Suites Parramatta. He has an summer package deal running until February which includes the entire contents of the mini bar, a late check out

and a full bottle of chilled Rosé wine. The hotel’s pool is more than a place to swim; it’s part of the overall design, a place to escape or exercise, it becomes a deal breaker when bookings are made. The pool has a huge impact on property in terms of bookings, guest expectations, usage and design, and in this instance, creates a resort feel within an urban location. With Summer now here and domestic travel and staycations on the rise, now

more than ever the power of the pool applies! This 25 metre infinity pool blends into the Koichi Takada designed property surrounded by manicured gardens and palm trees. Hotel General Manager, Quercy Jouannes knows the temperature rises in Parramatta as summer kicks in. The first question he hears from guests and conference delegates is “is there a pool”. Visitors coming in for a staycation or to

visit families ask the same question, and the corporates just want to jump in and do laps early in the morning to prepare for their day ahead! Another option is to use the property as your work from home space! Imagine the benefits of working from your apartment hotel with pool, gym and spa and all the entertainment on your doorstep. The hotel is fully equipped to support WFH setup. Enquires visit: www.skyesuites.com.au)

EntertainmenT

Mamma Mia comes to Riverside

Debora Krizak as Tanya, Louse Butler as Donna and Rachael Gillfeather as Rosie. Photography by Grant Leslie.

AMMA Mia! is one of the most popular musicals of the 21st century and now it’s coming to Parramatta’s Riverside Theatres in February in a stunning production. Packemin Productions is bringing the party back to Riverside Theatres with their hit production of Mamma Mia! from February 11 to 26. With a mix of returning cast and new, it's sure to be a whole lot of fun and exactly what we all need right now, here in Parramatta. Featuring hit after hit from the incredible songs of ABBA including Dancing Queen, Voulez Vous, S.O.S, Take

a Chance On Me and The Winner Takes It All, Mamma Mia! tells the hilarious and heart-warming story of a young woman's search for her birth father. On the eve of her wedding, a daughter's quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother's past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. A mother. A daughter. Three possible dads. And a trip down the aisle you'll never forget, Mamma Mia! is the perfect musical for the whole family. The cast includes Louise Butler as Donna, Courtney Bell as Sophie, Deborah Krizak as Tanya, Rachael Gill-

feather as Rosie, Scott Irwin as Sam, Mark Simpson as Bill, Nat Jobe as Harry, Joe Kalou as Skye, Megan Stack as Ali, Tonieka Del Rosario as Lisa, Sam Harmon as Pepper, Cameron Boxall as Eddie, Jim Mitchell as Father Alexandrios.

For exclusive behind the scenes content, please visit on: FACEBOOK: facebook.com/packeminproductions TWITTER: twitter.com/packeminpro INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/packeminprods Use hashtag(s): #PackeminProds

ISSUE 18 | January 2022

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ISSUE 18 | January 2022

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Parramatta Times - January 2022

Articles inside

Trends

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Auto

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CRMC

Experts

Geoff Lee

Council Elections .............5,6 History