New Driver Knowledge Test Online Launched for Learner Drivers
People wanting to get their learner licence will now have the option to take their Driver Knowledge Test (DKT) in the comfort of their home or anywhere with internet access with the launch of Transport for NSW’s Driver Knowledge Test online.
A commitment in the 2026 Road Safety Action Plan, the Driver Knowledge Test online has been developed by Transport for NSW in conjunction with Service NSW and comes with a host of benefits, including supporting a broader, deeper understanding of the road rules and safe driving practices.
Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary, Safety, Environment and Regulation Sally Webb said the new DKT online delivers a modern learning experience and an accessible path for learner drivers.
“We know that learning has changed over the years and this new digital, accessible and interactive product is a reflection of how people learn today,” Ms Webb said.
“It gives easier access to the test to people who are in regional or remote locations who may not live close to a Service NSW Centre, and it also has text to speech functionality which makes the product accessible for people with low literacy or dyslexia.
“It provides a cost benefit because the test can be taken as many times as needed to pass and a fee of $55 is only paid when you come into the Service NSW Centre to apply for your learner licence and have your photo taken.”
“Most importantly, it is an engaging way for people to learn about the road rules and safe driving behaviour, which forms the foundation of how they drive once they are on the road,” Ms Webb said.
Service NSW A/Executive Director Partnerships, Projects & Insights, Lauren Nagel, said the DKT online provides several other benefits.
“Service NSW is all about making it easier for the customer to interact with Government and by simply offering the Driver Knowledge Test online, aspiring drivers can complete the course and test at a time and place with internet access that suits them,” Ms Nagel said.
“By going online, this means students don’t need to miss out on school or extra-curricular activities to visit a Service Centre to complete the test. They can do this in the comfort of their own home and at any time. The Driver Knowledge Test online is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.”
“If customers are unsuccessful passing, learners won’t have the hassle of organising another visit to a Service Centre and trying to find a time that works with parents or guardians to drive them there, they can simply try again at home.”
“Within 12 months, we’re expecting about 200,000 customers to complete the DKT online so this will also free up our Service NSW team members to dedicate their time to other critical transactions,” Ms Nagel said.
DKT online also allows young people to get a head start as it can be accessed at 15 years and 11 months. When it is passed, they can visit a Service NSW Centre on their 16th birthday to apply for their learner licence.
The DKT online will initially launch in English and Simplified Chinese. Additional languages will be added in the future.
Similar products for learners have already had success in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Tasmania. The statewide launch in NSW comes after a successful 6-week pilot in metro and regional locations with 94 per cent of participants giving the product four or five stars.
To enrol in DKT online or for further information, visit https:// www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/driver-knowledge-testonline
Submit your Community Notice on/by 10th of the month, to be included in the following edition. Notices may be edited or omitted due to space limitations. E: info@districtgazette.com.au
Community Groups
Harrington Park Over 55's Social Club
Meets the first Monday of the month from 10:00am at Harrington Park Community Hall (Fairwater Drive, Harrington Park). More details: 4648 5085
Macarthur Art Group
Meet every third Saturday at Narellan Library 1st floor from 9.30 am - 1.30 pm. Tea coffee biscuits for a gold coin donation. More details: 0404 229 498
OAK - Over 55's Social Group
Meets the second Tuesday of each month from 10am to 11.30am at New Life Anglican Church Oran Park. Morning Tea is provided and there is no charge. More details: 0438 093 412
Children + Families
PlayTime @ NewLife Anglican Church
Meets Wednesdays (During School terms) at 10am -11.30am. PlayTime is for Mums and Carers with kids 0-5. NewLife Anglican Church (Cnr Marcus Loane Way + Central Avenue, Oran Park). More Details: www.newlifeanglican.org.au/wp/playtime.
Markets
Camden Fresh Produce Market
Held weekly on Saturdays from 7:00am till 12:00pm at Camden Town Farm (40 Exeter Street, Camden). More details: camdenproducemarket@hotmail.com or www. camdenproducemarket.com.au
Cobbitty Village Markets
Held on the first Saturday of the month (excluding January and February) from 8:00am till 1:00pm at Cobbitty Public School (Cobbitty Road, Cobbitty). More details: www. cobbittymarkets.com.au
Support + Wellbeing
Australian Breastfeeding Association CamdenWollondilly Group
Come along and meet new friends. Chat with mums who have 'been there' and connect with their local breastfeeding counsellors and educators. The group meets monthly at Spring Farm Community Centre (275 Richardson Road, Spring Farm). More details: camden_wollondilly_aba@outlook.com
Talented Teen’s Passion for Automotive Photography
For the last two and a half years, local Josh Cody has developed a love for Automotive Photography. At just 14 years of age, his talent behind the lens is undeniable.
Thanks to Josh’s grandfather Greg, who has long held some pretty special vehicles including Audis and in particular a 2020 R8 V10, and has had access to some pretty special cars to take photos of.
“I have been working really hard to build on my skills and experience with photography and spend all my free time taking photos and editing them. On my Automotive Photography journey, I have been doing private photoshoots locally and, in the Sydney CBD, and have more private photoshoots booked in the upcoming weekends” explained Josh.
“For private photoshoots, I like to select a location that suits the car so the car can be showcased at its best. Nighttime photo shoots are awesome too, because you can get really creative with headlight shots and more” he continued.
Josh has also grown his TikTok and Instagram accounts (@ JCR..Media) and (@JCR.Multi.Media), along with growing a significant portfolio by taking as many photos as possible in between school and his part time work.
His future goals as an Automotive Photographer are to secure a supercar private shoot, finishing his website, continuing to build his portfolio and getting consistent photoshoot bookings. And his dream is to one day travel the world as an Automotive Photographer!
Automotive photography is a substantial profession, with car photographers often taking pictures of vehicles for use in marketing and promotional materials. This job can be performed at a variety of venues. For example, they may shoot photos of high-profile cars at racing events or photograph popular vehicles for a car magazine.
If you would like more information on Josh’s journey, to view his work, or to book a private photoshoot, you can check out his Instagram: @JCR.Multi.Media, TikTok: @JCR..Media and soon, his website.
r Black BMW M3 at a private photoshoot | Image: Josh Cody/JCR Multi Media. Article: Julie Lobel
Western Sydney Airport Metro Tunnels Complete
Greater Western Sydney is now home to landmark new 9.8-kilometre twin metro railway tunnels, with major tunnelling officially complete on the city-shaping Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project. These tunnels are set to become the transport spine of the Greater West.
The historic milestone was reached after tunnel boring machine (TBM) Marlene arrived at the St Marys Metro Station site and achieved the final tunnel breakthrough for the project.
The mega machines spent 14 months building two separate sets of tunnels at either end of the alignment. The job required the excavation of 1,863,460 tonnes of material, enough to fill 300 Olympic pools, and the installation of 69,966 concrete segments to line the new tunnel walls.
TBMs Marlene and Catherine carved out the 4.3-kilometre tunnels from Orchard Hills, under the M4 Motorway and the Great Western Highway to reach St Marys. TBMs Eileen and Peggy constructed the 5.5-kilometre tunnels from Airport Business Park, underneath the new Western Sydney International Airport, to Aerotropolis. The final TBM breakthroughs occurred in quick succession:
• TBM Catherine completed the first tunnel at the St Marys site on 20 May 2024.
• TBM Eileen broke through at the Aerotropolis site on 29 May.
• TBM Peggy made the penultimate breakthrough for the project and arrived at the Aerotropolis site on 7 June.
• TBM Marlene made the final breakthrough at the St Marys site on 20 June 2024.
With tunnelling complete, the TBMs will be dismantled, washed and lifted by tower cranes onto trucks to travel to a storage location, before they are shipped back to the TBM manufacturer.
Work inside the tunnels will continue and involves completing the construction of 39 cross passages and preparing for tracklaying to begin.
For more information on the Sydney Metro – Western Sydney Airport project: sydneymetro.info/westernsydneyairportline
r Image/Article: Sydney Metro
Article Written + Submitted by: Lead Pastor Stuart Starr
A: Cnr Central Avenue + Marcus Loane Way, Oran Park NSW 2570
W: newlifeanglican.org.au
E: stuart@newlifeanglican.org.au
What’s this All for?
Purpose. Sometimes it’s clear from the way an object is designed. A bucket doesn’t require a certificate or course to understand it’s for carrying things. A spade would be similar, so too a fork, or even a bike. The more complex the object, the more difficulty we can have in figuring out what it’s for. A mobile phone to the uninitiated would simply be a slab of glass and dense electronics - it would be very tough to figure out that it’s a portable internet access point and wireless voice communicator! Of course, this is where ‘the manual’ comes in - a place to unlock and understand all the secrets of these complex objects from cars to computers, and even dishwashers.
In this context, we consider people - fellow human beings.
Figuring out what we are here for is not immediately obvious. There are cues of course: our appetites suggest we must eat, our hands suggest that we can create, our language ability suggests that we communicate and form community. But beyond these wonderful starting points, THE point of it all can seem elusive. If only there was some manufacturer’s instructions - some sort of guideline from the One who made us. In one interchange with His apprentices, Jesus had urged them that they could live with hope and clarity. One of them, Thomas, responded that he simply didn’t know how to do that. The Bible records Jesus’s answer, “I am the way and the truth and the life.” If we are to get to grips with our purpose, we must in a very real sense, meet our Maker. The West Minister Confession of Faith condenses down the purpose of life to this - "Man's chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy Him forever." At NewLife, we are always happy to welcome those looking to live a little more purposefully as we open the manufacturer’s instructions each week in our growing community. You are welcome to join us.
Camden Community Catch Up
Join Camden Council for the next Talk2MeBro Community Catch Up this month!
Talk2MeBro brings awareness to mental health and aims to breakdown the stigma of receiving support. The session will consist of:
• breath work
• ice baths
• community check in Here’s what you need to know …
Date: Saturday 3 August
Time: 8:00am – 10:00am
Location: Julia Reserve Community Centre, Oran Park Who: Everyone!
This is a Guys and Ladies combined event. (Children under 18 are welcome with adult supervision)
Come and enjoy a morning of Connection with yourself and others. This event will be facilitated by the Talk2MeBro Team.
Talk2MeBro is a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Notfor-profits Commission, their mission is to bring awareness to mental health and offer free community events to breakdown the stigma of receiving support.
Come along with a friend, loved one, partner. Bring a Yoga Mat, Blanket (To be comfortable during Breath work) A spare towel or 2. Warm clothes to get changed into and swimmers for the Ice. This event, is a FREE gift from Talk2mebro
For more information and to register now, head to bit.ly/Talk2MeBro-CamdenCatch-Ups
tanyadaviesmp tanyadavies.com.au
Land for sale
Enjoy living in the Park with easy access to the conveniences Oran Park is known for.
No matter where you live in Oran Park, you’re only moments from a great range of amenities including The Podium Shopping Centre, a wide array of schools, parks and facilities.
Set in one of the fastest-growing LGAs in Australia, Oran Park is a thriving, peaceful, master-planned community of new homes and expanding dining and retail precincts.
Visit the Sales Office today and discover all Oran Park has to offer.
Scan the QR code to register your interest to be informed about future land releases.
Charging Towards Ten Years of Local Footy
This season, the Oran Park Gregory Hills Chargers RLFC turned 10! The Chargers were established in 2014. When playing their first home game of the season, they celebrated their club milestone, which was a momentous occasion for the local community.
To celebrate their first decade, each Charger will be receiving a 10 year legacy jersey at the presentation this season. It’s a great time to be a Charger, as they give back to their players.
“As you can imagine, the cost of the extras such as a 10 year legacy jersey for every player, in addition to the awesome players packs our Chargers receive at the start of the season, we need to heavily fundraise this season to give our players the best we can!” said Casey Gettings, Registrar of Oran Park Gregory Hills Chargers RLFC.
The Chargers Annual Fundraising Dinner is coming up next month, on Saturday, 28th September 2024, and is looking to be a great success! The club is asking for any business who wish to donate to their event in the way of prizes, to please contact them.
“We have an amazing community around us, and we truly appreciate any support we receive for our Chargers” she said.
Casey and her fellow committee members have enjoyed watching the club continue to grow into one big family in the community this year.
“As always, seeing our Chargers on the field representing our club in green and blue is just so heartwarming! A lot of effort goes into the running of a club and the reward is those smiling faces on the footy field” Casey affirmed.
The highly anticipated finals series kicks off this month, with many teams vying for a premiership.
“Our finals kick off mid-August. We feel so many of our teams are so deserving and cannot wait to witness their success” she stated to the Oran Park Gazette.
As well as their 10th Anniversary, the club are proud of the progress of their first girl’s rugby league team.
“The club is very proud to field their very first girls’ rugby league team! The Chargers Under 14's Girls played most of the season down players, as the club tried to build the team and the girls have been absolutely killing it on the field. So much so, they were regraded from the Silver competition to the Gold competition” Casey announced.
“We are so proud of our girls and cannot wait to see where the rest of this season, and beyond, takes them” she ended.
Basketball Rules in Oran Park
South West Sydney Roar Basketball have had an amazing Winter Junior Season, with record numbers taking to the courts to represent the local club.
The Winter Junior Season will conclude this month, with the finals taking place on Thursday 1st and Friday 2nd August.
“It was a fantastic season, with a record of almost 500 juniors playing on Thursdays (girls) and Fridays (boys)” said Matthew McKenna of South West Sydney Roar Basketball.
“There were many highlights this season. It was great to see participation numbers grow across 13 age groups and divisions” he continued.
Proving the sports popularity, the turn around time for the upcoming Spring Junior Season is just one week after, commencing on the 8th and 9th August.
Registrations for the new season are currently open. Matthew is looking forward to another successful season ahead.
“We continually provide opportunities for new children to join the competition. We cater for juniors aged from 8 to 18 years of age and we have become the largest provider of basketball programs in the Macarthur and Camden area” he said to the Oran Park Gazette.
The strength of basketball will no doubt continue to grow, especially with the Australian Men’s and Women’s teams about to take to the court at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“Our basketball programs have become extremely popular, as many children now choose basketball as their main sport, whilst others join with their friends as a second sport. We also offer various levels for beginners through to the elite and complement these with some outstanding coaching programs” Matthew explained.
South West Sydney Roar Basketball offers programs for all family members. They run the Little Ballerz for 3 to 6 year olds, Play & Train Programs and Roar Junior Hoops for training, and gender-based junior competitions. They also have adult competitions for ladies, men and a mixed gender competition.
“We have a great indoor training centre, Swish HQ, at Smeaton Grange. South West Sydney Roar certainly has all basketball needs covered” he ended.
For more information about registrations, visit https:// shorturl.at/NEL7t, search South West Sydney Roar Basketball on Facebook or call 0410 503684.
r Under 14 Girls team that represented South-West Sydney Roar in Canberra at the NAIDOC Canberra Tournament | Image Supplied by South West Sydney Roar Basketball
Ngunnawal woman Melinda Brown held a book release of her memoir, Shades of Me, at the Oran Park Library last month, tying in with National Reconciliation Week, which leads into NAIDOC Week.
Her first memoir, Mel’s book tells the story of her discovering her Ngunnawal heritage, after growing up white. Her early life was marred by despair and domestic violence, but she found the strength to survive. Mel found the book difficult to write, and in the end, it took three years. “Each time I had to re-edit, I had to re-live the experiences, and there were many times I didn’t think I could finish it”, she said.
As a young mother she unlocked her ancestry’s secrets without realizing the challenges that came with identifying as Aboriginal in Australia. Her memoir follows this journey to understand her culture, which gave her the strength to find her place in the world.
Mel’s life has changed significantly since those days, and she hopes that there are no more traumas in her life to write about in the future and is focused on her grandchildren as her family grows.
As a former manager of the Aboriginal Child Protection Unit, and having spent over 20 years providing Aboriginal counselling, spiritual healing and well-being programs for Aboriginal communities across Australia, Mel hopes that it will resonate with readers. “It covers themes of family violence, discovering my Aboriginal heritage, child protection, spirituality, and culminates in a beautiful love story”, she said.
“For some people it will be a good read, but my hope is that for one person it will make a difference.”
But for now, like many writers, it’s back to her full time job, working on the outskirts of child protection and specializing in lateral violence. Although she’s excited to be working on an Aboriginal Tarot Deck, the first of its kind, due for release next year.
You can buy Mel’s book Shades of Me on her website shadesofme.com.au.
r Melinda Brown, author | Image: Dezine By Mauro [Inset] Shades of Me by Mel Brown | Image: Gelding Street Press. Article: Kate Neill
Blind Aussie Surfer Smashes World Big Wave Record for New Doco
Four time para surfing World Champion, former Paralympic Cyclist and World Champion, Matt Formston, has taken his quest for sporting greatness to new heights, setting a new Guinness World Record for the largest wave surfed by a vision impaired male (IS2), captured in the new feature-length documentary, ‘The Blind Sea’, in cinemas nationwide from August 15.
At the age of five, Matt was diagnosed with Macular Dystrophy, a rare eye condition that left him two life-changing things: 3% vision, and a desire ever since to do what everyone else says can’t be done.
An avid surfer since his childhood growing up on the beaches and oceans of Narrabeen, from paracycling glory through to his role at the heart of Optus’s diversity, inclusion and sustainability team, Matt’s passion for surfing has been ever-present.
So, when the opportunity arises to go head-to-head with the world’s biggest and most dangerous waves at Portugal’s infamous Nazaré, family fears, super storms, injuries, and a lifetime of doubters won’t stand in the way of Matt’s relentless determination to break through life’s latest obstacle.
But faced with a mountain of raging water that cares not for pride and glory, where will Matt’s desire to prove people wrong carry him?
Alongside surfing insights from World Champions Layne Beachley AO, Sam Bloom, Joel Parkinson and big wave legends Lucas ‘Chumbo’ Chianca and Dylan Longbottom, Matt’s parents, his wife, and children offer an intimate and revealing glance into the mind and motivations of a man for whom being the best is never enough.
Written, directed, and edited by award-winning Macarthur filmmaker, Daniel Fenech, The Blind Sea combines intimate portrait with epic action to produce a film that has to be heard every bit as much as seen.
On his decision to take on Nazaré and the film, Matt Formston says: “To the people who have a disability, I want to show them some of the processes I use to find a way through life’s obstacles.
“And to the people who don’t have a disability, I want to show them that having a disability doesn’t mean accepting a lifetime of limitations. If I’ve been able to do the things I have with a disability, then maybe we’re all capable of more than other people would like us to believe.”
The Blind Sea will be in cinemas nationwide from August 15th, with tickets on sale now at Event Cinemas, Hoyts, Village Cinemas, and leading independent theatres.
Matt Formston | Image: The Blind Sea | Article: iStories
Most of us remember the excitement and fear of our upcoming formal. The doubt about finding that dress, the date, the suit or the car, that will just make this night one of the most memorable in our lives. For many, this anxiety is heightened by the fact that its not the most important thing on the affordability scale at a time when a lot of people are cutting back to the bare minimum to meet their living costs.
Enter The Formal Project Inc, which was started 5 years ago by Chelle and Sam Oakes from their home in Ruse. A singular student requested their help to attend their formal, from one student to many and so The Formal Project Inc was born.
The Formal Project Inc is an independent charity organisation that provides free formal wear to students graduating at the end of each year. Due to the generosity of Minto Mall in donating a space for 2023/2024 Formal seasons, The Formal Project Inc has been able to expand to, providing free interview, clothing and support, business attire, workwear and personal care items to those in the community who need these things.
Their motto of ‘No Child Left Behind’ is something they stand firm with. “We believe that every student, despite their situation, should feel their best especially when celebrating their achievements with peers” said Sam Oakes to the Oran Park Gazette.
They raise funds through the Op-Shop market, which runs 7 days a week, from 9:00am till 4:00pm. Donations of clothing, books, DVDs, shoes, and bags are welcome, and they also invite the community to make a purchase through the Op-Shop, with confidence that all funds raised are supporting students who graduate each year.
“We are a local initiative that relies upon our community to continue. Our volunteers are all community members, who give so much of their time and energy to ensuring the whole project works for everyone” Sam explained.
“Without volunteers, without community contribution, none of this would be possible. It is so important that each person who donates, who purchases, who makes a booking or who volunteers their time knows how much we value them. A massive thank you goes out to the community as a whole” she continued.
For more information, search The Formal Project Inc on Facebook.
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Monday - Friday 6:30am - 4:30pm Saturday 7am - 11am
Present this coupon in store for 10% off our Colourcrete sealer and decorative range.
r Michelle Oakes (L) and Sam Oakes (R) Image Supplied by Sam Oakes. Article: Julie Lobel
Article Written + Submitted
by: Keira Noble | Clinical Psychologist
The Anxiety & Depression Clinic
W: www.anxietydepressionclinic.com.au
P: 0424 263 577 | 02 46266932
Procrastination
Do you frequently put off tasks to the last the minute, only to find yourself feeling overwhelmed and stressed?
Procrastination is a very common problem for many people across many domains. Whether we procrastinate about household chores, paying bills, work tasks or completing academic assignments, the accruing stress of cramming and leaving tasks can negatively impact your mental health.
There are various reasons why people procrastinate, but some common causes have been identified. These include believing that one works better under pressure or believing that one needs to have the right mind set to get the best result. In the short term, procrastinating on a task feels beneficial as we avoid the time, effort, energy, feelings of anxiety, frustration or confusion that completing the task may evoke. However, procrastinating often leads to long term pain for us, then feeling pressured and overwhelmed with limited time to complete the task or even failing to complete, leading to much larger consequences.
Behaviour changer - tips to help reduce procrastination:
• Identify the tasks that you procrastinate over
• Notice the discomfort that arises when approaching the task and attempt to sit with this feeling
• Reverse the script – try and choose short term pain for long term gain. Imagine how you will feel when you complete the task
• When feeling overwhelmed by the task, break it down to the smallest action to start. e.g. if completing an assignment, the first action may be to commit to writing one sentence.
• Identify your common methods of procrastination and remove them. e.g. if you scroll on your phone, leave your phone in a different room
• Reward yourself for the small actions you complete
• When you complete a task, savour the feeling of achievement
Time’s Up, Buckle Up: Cameras Begin Enforcing Seatbelt Use
Motorists and their passengers are reminded to buckle up or face the consequences, with mobile phone detection cameras to begin enforcing seatbelt offences from Monday, July 1.
After months of testing, existing mobile and stationary cameras positioned across the NSW road network are ready to snap drivers and passengers flouting the 50-year-old seatbelt law.
While the vast majority of the 6.9 million drivers in NSW and their passengers buckle up properly every trip, a small percentage still refuse to obey the law.
Not wearing a seatbelt has been shown to double the risk of death if involved in a crash.
Drivers are reminded there will be no grace period of warning letters for seatbelt offences, with fines in place from day one as the NSW Government continues to add new measures to combat road fatalities.
Fines of up to $410 and at least three demerit points will be issued to the driver if they or their passenger are caught by camera not wearing their seatbelt or not wearing it correctly. Every dollar raised by seatbelt cameras will go back into road safety.
Data shows 150 people died while not wearing a seatbelt in the five years between 2019 and 2023.
On average, 15 per cent of deaths on NSW roads every year still involve people not wearing a seatbelt.
To help communicate the change, the NSW Government launched a fresh advertising campaign on May 19 across radio, television, and social media platforms, demonstrating the correct way to wear a seatbelt and reminding drivers that cameras will be switched on for enforcement from July 1. This campaign and images of offences can be viewed here.
The implementation of seatbelt enforcement via camera will be closely monitored by Transport for NSW and Revenue NSW staff as the program is rolled out over the next few months. This will include daily monitoring to ensure that if any issues arise, they are quickly identified and dealt with.
Seatbelt enforcement by cameras follows a string of new road safety measures launched by the NSW Government, including:
• Removing a loophole to force all motorists driving on a foreign licence to convert to a NSW licence within six months
• The demerit return trial that rewarded more than 1.2 million drivers for maintaining a spotless driving record during the initial 12-month period up to 16 January 2024
• Doubling roadside enforcement sites used for mobile speed cameras, with the addition of 2700 new locations where a camera can be deployed. Enforcement hours will remain the same
• Hosting the state’s first Road Safety Forum of international and local experts
“To the vast majority of the 6.9 million drivers on NSW roads it will seem unthinkable that some fellow drivers still do not make the simplest and safest decision when getting in a car: Putting on a seatbelt.
“The fact is that five decades since it became law, there are people still dying as a direct consequence of not wearing a seatbelt.
“It is horrifying to think that 15 per cent of all deaths on the road in NSW are due to someone not buckling up.
“Seatbelt cameras will help us get the message through to these drivers.
“World-first mobile phone detection cameras have had great success in changing that behaviour and we expect seatbelt cameras to do the same” said Minister for Roads John Graham.
r Transport for NSW | Article: John Graham MP/Jenny Aitchison MP
New Ambulance Station for Oran Park
The Minns Labor Government has purchased the site of the planned purpose-built Oran Park ambulance station on Porter Street.
The vital new health service will serve communities across south western Sydney including Oran Park, Camden and Narellan.
The station will support local paramedics to provide the best emergency and mobile medical care, when and where it’s needed, now and into the future for this growing region.
Health Infrastructure and NSW Ambulance carried out a thorough evaluation of the site to ensure the location best meets the needs of the local community as well as emergency ambulance operations and paramedic staff.
The site was identified following a comprehensive service planning process using best practice modelling software which maps Triple Zero calls.
With good access to the major road network, the site is ideally situated to form part of the ambulance station network and will optimise emergency ambulance responses across south western Sydney, while meeting the future health needs of the community.
It will also improve network coverage supporting existing stations including the ambulance stations at Camden and Campbelltown.
Construction and operational timeframes will be determined as the project progresses.
The next steps for the project include design development and seeking planning approval for the new station.
The new station is being delivered as part of the NSW Government’s $615.5 million investment into the NSW Ambulance Infrastructure Program.
The Program will deliver 30 additional ambulance stations and supporting infrastructure across NSW over the coming years, including in south west Sydney.
Health Infrastructure is working with NSW Ambulance and other Government stakeholders to identify potential sites for new ambulance stations under the Ambulance Infrastructure Program with sites also already confirmed at North Sydney and South Windsor.
The program follows the success of the $202 million Sydney Ambulance Infrastructure Strategy (SAMIS), which delivered 12 new Ambulance Stations across the Sydney Metropolitan area, and the$232 million Rural Ambulance Infrastructure Reconfiguration (RAIR) program that is delivering 54 new and upgraded ambulance stations across regional NSW.
The NSW Government is working to improve access to care and reduce wait times, through their budget emergency department relief package which will invest:
• $171.4 million to introduce three additional virtual care services helping 180,000 avoid a trip to the ED;
• $100 million to back in our urgent care services to become a mainstay and key instrument of the health system in providing a pathway to care outside of our hospitals for an estimated 114,000 patients;
• $70 million to expand emergency department short stay units to improve patient flow to reduce ED wait times by nearly 80,000 hours;
• $15.1 million to for an Ambulance Matrix that provides real time hospital data to enable paramedics to transport patients to emergency departments with greater capacity and reducing wait times;
• $31.4 million to increase Hospital in the Home across the state allowing over 3,500 additional patients each year to be cared for in their home rather than a hospital bed; and
• $53.9 million to improve patient flow and support discharge planning by identified patients early on that are suitable to be discharged home with the appropriate supports in place.
“Our top priority is to ensure that our growing communities can access the care they need, where they need it, when they need it.
“The purchase of the site marks a significant milestone bringing the south west Sydney community one step closer to a new Oran Park ambulance station” said Minister for Health Ryan Park.
“The new Oran Park Ambulance Station will bolster emergency care for south western Sydney and provide a first-class workplace for local paramedics” said Member for Camden Sally Quinnel.
Camden Multicultural Markets
Introducing … the Camden Multicultural Markets!
In partnership with Mount Annan High School, Camden Council would like to introduce the Camden Multicultural Markets!
A group of students from Mount Annan High School have developed this project as part of the 2023 Sustainnovation Challenge to raise awareness and celebrate Camden’s growing diversity.
This is an amazing opportunity to showcase cultural inclusivity through multicultural markets!
Here’s what you need to know: Saturday 31 August 11:00am – 3:00pm Narellan Library Forecourt
Keep your eyes peeled for more information
r Taking place this month | Image/Article: Camden Council
2024 Unlock Camden
Love being a part of the Camden community?
Camden Council want community members and local special interest groups to come along and share their passions with community at the 2024 Unlock Camden event. Join in and celebrate what makes Camden the best place to be!
When: Saturday 28 September
Where: Camden Town Centre
Register your interest by emailing: creative@camden.nsw.gov.au
Emily Cascarino in Little Women the Musical: A Journey from Community Theatre
to Professional Performer
Sydney's Hayes Theatre is set to enchant audiences with "Little Women: The Musical" from July through August 2024. This adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's beloved novel focuses on the lives of the March sisters and their steadfast mother, Marmee, portrayed by local theatre star, Emily Cascarino.
From Small Beginnings: Emily's Early Journey
Emily Cascarino's journey began in the quiet suburbs of Narellan Vale, performing in local productions at the Campbelltown Town Hall Theatre and the Camden Civic Centre. "Community theatre was everything at that point in my life," Emily fondly recalls. Her first stage appearance was in "Annie" over 25 years ago, a role that ignited her passion for the arts. "I was tiny, and the world seemed so big to me then," she reminisces.
The Professional Leap: From Mamma Mia to Wicked
Emily made her professional debut in "Mamma Mia" in 2009 at age 19, learning invaluable lessons about hard work and resilience as a swing covering 13 different tracks. "It was a crash course in the realities of professional theatre," she says. Her career soared with roles in productions like "Wicked," where she toured extensively as Nessa. "Playing Nessa, who is in a wheelchair, taught me a lot about empathy and adaptability," Emily explains.
An Unexpected Turn: The Impact of COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic brought challenges, halting her performance as Glinda in "Wicked" at the Riverside Theatre just before technical rehearsals. "It was very disappointing not to perform after all that preparation," she reflects. "But I still feel like I conquered that role in my own way."
A New Chapter: Little Women at the Hayes Theatre
Now, Emily takes on the role of Marmee in "Little Women: The Musical," a story that resonates deeply with her. "Little Women is such a beautiful story, rich with emotion and depth," she shares. "I identify with Marmee as a mother myself. It's a role that feels very close to home." The musical features captivating songs, with Emily's character delivering the poignant number "Days of Plenty." "It's such a privilege to sing that song every night," she says.
A Legacy of Community and Passion
Performing at the Hayes Theatre is a special honour for Emily, who values the venue's character and history. "It's a wonderful feeling to be part of that community, bringing this story to life in such an intimate space," she notes. Emily's journey from community theatre to professional stages worldwide is a testament to her talent, dedication, and passion for the arts.
"Little Women: The Musical" runs through August 11th, 2024, at the Hayes Theatre in Elizabeth Bay, Sydney. Don't miss the chance to see Emily Cascarino and a talented cast bring this timeless story to life.
Listen to Broadway Beats every Sunday on the Sounds of Macarthur radio station - 100.3FM on the Community Radio App or online at www.soundsofmacarthur.org.au. Catch previous interviews by Melissa on Spotify at - https://open.spotify.com/show/ 0bk8xiDz4ghCJkrlddIrs6?si=67bf479db6b34538
r Kaori Maeda-Judge (L), and Emily Cascarino (R) | Image: Grant Leslie Photography | Article: Melissa Musgrave/Broadway Beats
PROBUS CLUB
Article Written + Submitted by: The Probus Club of Oran Park E: secretary.oranparkprobusclub@gmail.com | P: 0410758755
We are halfway through the year already and it’s been a busy one for all our members at Oran Park Probus Club!
We have visited the Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs exhibition, toured Adelaide and taken a trip on the River Murray on the Proud Mary, enjoyed a fabulous coach trip to the Blue Mountains complete with a ride on the Zigzag railway, plus floated a successful whale watching trip. Add to that all our Coffee and Chat mornings, pub lunches, specialty dining, walking, craft, trivia, movie and theatre groups and you can see there is a lot you can do when you are a member of a Probus group! We also hold a book swap at our General Meetings, so there is plenty of reading to catch up on each month!
There is plenty to look forward to with lots of activities planned for the next few months. Carpool trips to the Fairground Follies in Bowral and to POLAIR at Bankstown. There will be a Mystery coach tour and, an event is in planning to celebrate Probus month in October.
Members who attended ‘The Grandparents Club’ at the Cube in Campbelltown enjoyed a very energetic musical comedy and had a good laugh. This will be followed by ’Singin’ in the Rain’ at the Campbelltown Townhall Theatre but we will not be sitting in the ‘splash zone’ – we will leave that to the more adventurous patrons! It’s not too late to join us!
Come along to one of the General Meetings of Oran Park Probus Club and find out all about Probus, an organisation that promotes fun and friendship to retirees and those who are semi-retired. Apart from our Guest Speaker, we have a ‘getting to know you’ Member segment and have introduced a 10-minute segment for members to talk about their favourite hobby.
At the last Meeting, one of our members displayed her fabric and wool art. The wool alone involves hours of work before the creative process can progress to produce a beautiful work of art.
Monthly Meetings of Oran Park Probus Club are held at Wests Lakeside Golf Club, 50 Raby Road, Gledswood Hills on the first Tuesday of the month, except November and January.
If you would like more information about Oran Park Probus Club, please contact the Club Secretary email: secretary. oranparkprobusclub@gmail.com
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Matt McKenna 0410 503 684 play@wildfire.org.au
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Well Winter, is nearly behind us. Despite the icy cold mornings and chilly evenings, the days have been surprisingly pleasant. You know Spring is around the corner when the sun is peeking through the frost.
What a hive of activity it has been. Many wonderful events and milestones have taken place in the last month, with many more on the cards for the months ahead.
We are so very fortunate to work with members of the community compiling each edition, without our valued community contributors, local advertisers and YOU our readers, we wouldn't be able to continue delivering community news direct to the letterbox. We THANK you!
As always, there’s plenty to read, see and do, outlined in this month’s edition, take the opportunity to put your feet up and revel in all things local, if only for an hour! Sometimes, when things are falling apart; they may actually be falling into place.
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