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AUSTRALIA DAY AWARDS 2022 Community support order of the day

LOCAL community organisations and individuals who have gone above and beyond to support the community have been honoured at the City of Parramatta’s 2022 Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards.

Award recipients were announced at a COVID-safe event at Rosehill Gardens today, following a special Lord Mayor’s Citizenship Ceremony where a small group of residents received their Australian Citizenship.

They hail from Afghanistan, Brazil, Colombia, Japan, Jordan, Pakistan, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, the Syrian Arab Republic, United Kingdom and United States of America.

“The challenges presented by the pandemic over the last couple of years have really highlighted the incredible role individuals, local organisations and charities play in supporting our community,” City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Donna Davis said.

“Our Australia Day Citizen of the Year Awards give us an opportunity to recognise some of the excellent work that is being done by so many hard-working individuals and groups across our City to help others every single day. Their tireless dedication and generosity deserves to be acknowledged and celebrated.”

“We are also thrilled to congratulate our newest Australian citizens on this momentous occasion. More than 120 nationalities and over 84 languages are represented in our City and that’s what makes our community so unique and special.”

In addition to its high calibre of nominees and winners, the City of Parramatta is proud to have Ben Farinazzo, a veteran and dual Invictus Games gold medallist, as this year’s Australia Day Ambassador. Ben is a proud and passionate advocate for veterans, mental health, the healing power of sport, and is an Ambassador for Lifeline and Soldier On Australia.

“On behalf of the City of Parramatta, I would like to thank all our winners and nominees for the tireless work they do to support our community and make our City a better place to live,” Cr Davis said.

The 2022 City of Parramatta Australia Day Citizen of the Year Award winners are: Young Citizen of the Year – Alicia Judge

In her role as inclusion and diversity manager for Scribbles and Giggles Childcare Centres, Alicia spends many hours outside of work supporting and guiding families to best meet their child's needs. She mentors more than 80 employees to ensure they are well-educated and informed about each child's needs and has created a community where families, educators and children collaborate to achieve

Australia Day Award recipients.

an inclusive educational and lifestyle plan. Alicia is passionate about helping everyone, especially children with additional needs.

Citizen of the Year – Amar Singh

Amar is the founding president of Turbans 4 Australia, a Sikh charity organisation based in the Parramatta Local Government Area (LGA). His passion is forming connections with people from all walks of life and breaking down the barriers of fear and misunderstanding, while following the core Sikh values of equality, respect and service to humanity. Amar has helped where there were large gaps in support, especially regarding the culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) community. During the pandemic, he helped pick up and deliver donated goods via Amar’s trucking company.

Senior of the Year – Bipin Johri

Bipin has volunteered at Dundas Library since September 2015, assisting community members to bridge gaps in their digital skills. Through his workshops, Bipin has shown seniors how to overcome technology hesitancy by teaching them basic computer skills, as well as how to use smart home devices, online banking and shopping websites, and other essential skills during the pandemic.

Lord Mayor Donna Davis and Minister Aklex Hawke.

Community Group Award – Homicide Victims' Support Group (Aust) Inc

The Homicide Victim’s Support Group (HVSG) is a not-for-profi t organisation dedicated to supporting families and friends who have lost a loved one through homicide. Located in Parramatta and founded in 1993, HVSG has provided support and services to approximately 4,200 people to date. HVSG runs programs for the NSW Police, off ering education and coaching in homicide victim support. Through their fundraising eff orts HVSG has started construction on ‘Grace's Place’, a trauma recovery centre that will be a unique place of healing and restoration for grieving children and young people.

Top baby names for 2021 revealed

AMEDIA and Oliver remained the most popular baby names in NSW for 2021, with new contenders Matilda, Theodore and Levi making their debut in the top 10.

Attorney General Mark Speakman and Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello today revealed the favourite names for the state’s newest residents, as recorded by the NSW Registry of Births, Deaths and Marriages.

“NSW welcomed more than 90,000 babies in 2021 and I send my congratulations to all the families who now have little ones in their homes,” Mr Speakman said.

“While Amelia and Oliver remain popular choices with parents, it’s good to see Matilda waltzing up the charts, along with Theodore and Levi.”

There were 90,059 babies born in NSW last year, only 14 more than the 90,045 who arrived in 2020.

Mr Dominello said choosing the right baby name is part of the joy of parenthood.

Parents have 60 days to register their newborn, which can be done for free online. This establishes the child’s legal identity in the community and is important in accessing government services such as schooling and Medicare.

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Leaders dance for cancer

ISSUE 19 | FEBRUARY 2022

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BEST OF Parramatta

THE Stars of Western Sydney Gala Night is approaching quickly with 10 community leaders putting on their dancing shoes and working hard to spread the word and raise funds for Cancer council NSW.

Scheduled for March 26, this event will be an extension of the highly successful Stars of Parramatta, bringing together our community from all areas of Blacktown, Parramatta and surrounding suburbs for an evening of entertainment, laughter and fundraising support.

There is a range of themed dances on the night, with tickets including a three-course meal and drink on arrival as well as the evening entertainment.

“Every star has an important reason as to why their getting involved in this event, whether it be losing their mum, being a cancer survivor themselves or preventing their own diagnosis,”

said Danielle Sammut, Community Relations Coordinator.

“With one in two Australians being diagnosed with cancer by age 85, this is something so important in our community.”

Stars of Western Sydney will be taking extra precautions to ensure it is a covid safe event.

If you’d like to buy tickets, visit https:// stars.cancercouncil.com.au/event/stars-ofwestern-sydney/home

Chris Planer, General Manager Life Education Diane Colman, Councillor Cumberland Council Emma Roach, Community Relations Coordinator Dooleys Lidcombe Leanne Shelton, Founder of Write Time Marketing

TJ, Founder of TJ Property Group Kayla Welsh and Nathan Saleh duo, Richardson and Wrench Real Estate Rooty Hill Julie Noordhuis, Project Manager

Sreeni Pillamarri, Councillor Hornsby Council Mary McTaggart, Commercial Manager Wenty Leagues Andy Abbey, Head of Corporate Affairs Club Parramatta

INDEX

News ...................................3 Am Cham ............................6 Light Rail .............................7 Property ............................13 Eat St ................................16 Fitness ..............................18 Geoff Lee ..........................20 Travel ................................21 Experts .............................22 Auto ..................................23 Films .................................24 Entertaiment .....................25 Men's Health .....................27 Trends ...............................30 Sport .................................31

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TOWERS ARE ON THE RISE Offi ce market continues to grow

DESPITE a challenging economic climate, Parramatta’s office market continues to grow, with more stock coming on online and a net gain in the amount of leased space.

Property Council of Australia’s Western Sydney Regional Director Ross Grove said Parramatta had more towers reaching completion, and the demand for tenancies is three times as high as the historical average.

“Parramatta has recorded ‘positive demand’ over the past six months with newly leased offi ce space outstripping recently vacated space by 15,062sqm,” Mr Grove said.

“Put simply, this means we have more people coming in than going out.”

“In addition to the positive demand for space, the introduction of 99,722sqm of A Grade space to the market has led to an increase in the vacancy rate of 3.5 percent.

“Parramatta has in recent years had one of the lowest vacancy rates in New South Wales, which made it diffi cult for tenants adjust their needs by moving across spaces within the same market.”

Mr Grove said the introduction of new stock, particularly at the A Grade level, bodes well for the city’s future.

“The fundamentals of Parramatta are incredibly strong. A shared public and private vision for the future of the city has been supported by an ambitious infrastructure program which has inspired the private sector to look upon it favourably,” he said.

“Parramatta’s offi ce market will continue to perform well as the city continues to become an employment destination of choice for the surrounding population catchment.

“It is critical for the livelihood of our CBDs that offi ce workers are allowed to and encouraged to rediscover the energy and joys of working in our cities and with our colleagues. It is vital this starts with leadership from the top – the return of public sector workers.”

Above: topping out ceremony at Parramatta Square and right, Ross Grove.

State Member for Parramatta Dr Geoff Lee welcomed the latest fi gures.

“Parramatta is in great shape. We are pleased to see the industry is moving to open up shop in Parramatta in response to our substantial infrastructure pipeline,” Dr Lee said.

“The NSW Government’s unprecedented wave of investment in Parramatta’s future through light rail, metro, health, education and cultural infrastructure is driving jobs into our city and improving our quality of life.”

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