Ed 28, April, 2021 www.easternsuburbslife.org www.easternsuburbsdirectory.org
Bayside NEWS EASTERN SUBURBS
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DAVE SHARMA
FEDERAL MEMBER FOR WENTWORTH 2021 PROMISES TO BE A YEAR OF TRANSITION
The COVID-19 vaccine is being rolled out, our economic recovery from COVID-19 continues, and Australia is as well-placed as any other country in the world coming out of this crisis. Unemployment levels are down to 5.8%, with 90,000 Australians finding or increasing work between January and February this year. In less than 12 months from when the COVID-19 recession began, there are now more jobs in the Australian economy than there were before the start of the pandemic. As we move forward to a new normal, lots more is happening in Wentworth. Here’s a snapshot of what I’ve been up over the past few weeks.
LOKAHI FOUNDATION OPENING
Last month I attended the opening of The Lokahi Foundation in Bondi Junction – an organisation that is empowering women in the Eastern Suburbs to reclaim their lives after domestic violence. I was so pleased to help the Foundation secure $180,000 of Federal Government funding to expand their services. Founder and CEO, Rachael Natoli, is an inspiring community leader who formed Lokahi in 2016 after leaving a long-term abusive relationship. Rachael told me that she couldn’t have survived the stress and difficulty of leaving without the support of her caseworker, who went above and beyond in the level of care she provided. Rachael said that if everyone had a caseworker like hers,
more DV victims would leave for good and rebuild their lives independently. And so, the idea for Lokahi was born. I want to thank Rachael and the entire team for their leadership – the work they are undertaking will no doubt change lives.
PHASE 1B OF THE COVID-19 VACCINE Over 1,000 GP clinics started the next round of COVID-19 vaccinations last week, with an additional 4,000 clinics coming on board by the end of April as part of Phase 1B of the COVID-19 vaccine programme.
Dave with the Founder & CEO of The Lokahi Foundation, Rachael Natoli, at their office opening
Phase 1B of the rollout includes anyone aged 70 years or over, along with more healthcare and frontline workers, and people with particular medical conditions. The GP clinics that will commence vaccinations in and around Wentworth from Monday, March 22, 2021 are: • Bondi Respiratory Clinic, Bondi Junction • Double Bay Doctors • Cooper Street Clinic, Double Bay • Paddington Family Practice • Woollahra General Practice • Rose Bay Medical Practice • Coogee Family Medical Centre
Local, State and Federal Government have come together to fund a brand new cycleway for Oxford Street.
ROADS FUNDING
Many people are eager to roll up their sleeve to get the jab, so please be patient while booking your spot. Every Australian will have the opportunity to get vaccinated over the coming months.
Hundreds of road safety projects are rolling out across NSW, in a more than $400 million blitz designed to reduce road trauma and save lives. Wentworth is receiving over $23 million worth of upgrades, including funding for a brand new cycleway in Sydney’s east!
To find out when you are eligible and clinics near you, take the eligibility checker quiz here: covid-vaccine.healthdirect.gov.au/eligibility.
Joint local, state and federal funds will deliver a continuous cycleway network from Centennial Park to the city leading to
improved safety, street beautification and traffic calming. This is a good outcome for the local community. With plans for an Oxford Street cycleway between Paddington Gates and Taylor Square now underway, I will be pushing for the removal of the COVID-19 pop-up cycleway on Moore Park Road and Fitzroy Street, and the return of parking spaces for local residents.
Nominations are open for the Woollahra Design Excellence Awards, which acknowledge examples of buildings and places that make an excellent contribution to the character and heritage of Woollahra. Local residents and their architects, planners, builders or consultants are encouraged to nominate residential or commercial buildings from within the Woollahra local government area. Awards nominations close 21 May. To enter or learn more, visit woollahra.nsw.gov.au/designawards 2019 Winner – Design (New Buildings) & Sustainability Award Paddington Courtyard House by Aileen Sage Architects
