SOUTHEAST EASTERN SUBURBS
VOICE
• BOTANY • CHIFLEY • CLOVELLY • COOGEE • DACEYVILLE • EASTGARDENS • EASTLAKES • HILLSDALE • KENSINGTON • • KINGSFORD • LA PEROUSE • LITTLE BAY • MALABAR • MAROUBRA • MASCOT • MATRAVILLE • PAGEWOOD • RANDWICK • ROSEBERY •
BUILDING A BETTER AND STRONGER RANDWICK
Coogee Oval Grandstand upgrade
Work to upgrade the Coogee Oval grandstand and amenities has recently been completed. The grandstand was the oldest building within the oval boundary, and was constructed in 1924. The refurbishment to the grandstand and the amenities block now ensures Coogee Oval can continue to function as a first-class sporting facility.
Dear Resident, I’m Noel D’Souza and I am co-ordinating the efforts of the independent candidates running for Randwick Council in December. Here I am with two of my running mates, Russell Fairfax and Carlos Da Rocha. Below is information about each of the independent candidates and the issues facing the community.
SOUTH WARD
NOEL D’SOUZA has retired from running his two pharmacies in Matraville after 35 years. He remains passionate about local politics. “I wanted to build a better South Ward and so I became your Councillor, then Mayor for two years. I will work hard on further improvements for South Ward while protecting it from threats like the cogeneration incinerator at Matraville, the Meriton overdevelopment at Little Bay and the cruise terminal at Yarra Bay.” CARLOS DA ROCHA is a community champion who takes an anti-development stance. A councillor since 2017, he says: “I want to preserve the unspoiled nature of Matraville and surrounding suburbs.” Issues at the top of his agenda include stopping the building of a cruise terminal at Yarra Bay and incinerator at Matraville. GEORGIA ANASTASOPOULOS is a pharmacist at Walsh’s Village Pharmacy in South Maroubra. She says her priorities are “a safe and clean environment, maintenance of our roads, footpaths and public amenities, and the safety and maintenance of beaches and other outdoor areas.”
EAST WARD
RUSSELL FAIRFAX is fighting to save and upgrade the gymnastics centre on Bunnerong Road, Matraville. Russell was a star player with
Easts in the 1970s. He is long-time local and will also fight to retain the shark nets protecting beachgoers. “I will respectfully ask the council to stop lobbying to remove nets until technology provides a similar barrier and safety.” PAUL COOPER has been deeply involved in the redevelopment of Heffron Park. Like Russell, he believes the building used by Bunnerong Gymnastics “inadequately services the young gymnasts of this area.” He would like to see a better, larger, more functional gymnastics centre built which will properly service the needs of local athletes. BRUCE PICKETT has lived in the Coogee area for over 40 years and runs a local business. He is a former Rugby League player with Easts and Newtown Jets. “I would like to contribute fresh ideas and vision to the council,” he says.
NORTH WARD
AUNTY BARBARA KEELEY was one of the ‘Stolen Generation.’ At the age of three, she and four siblings were forcibly removed from their mother’s home in La Perouse. If elected she’ll press the council to create a promised Stolen Generation memorial at La Perouse. Aunty Barbara says: “My core beliefs are ‘Equity, social justice and a fair go for all.’” ANNICK ANTOINE was born in France and has lived in Australia for 20 years, most of that time in the Randwick LGA. A fervent environmentalist, Annick says “I support programs that will lead to zero carbon emissions by 2030.” GARY DI PAOLA runs a small family business in South Coogee. If elected, Gary’s mission is to help people in the community impacted by COVID, He says: “I want to work with council to increase support for initiatives such as the Community Investment Program.”
Work to the grandstand and amenities began in November last year and took a little longer than expected as the scope of work increased due to the grandstand being more deteriorated than anticipated. As demolition began, it became clear the concrete grandstand structure would need to be entirely replaced, rather than repaired as initially thought.
GOOD NEWS Dear Editor, It is great news regarding the development by Randwick Council of new amenities for South Maroubra beach (Eastern Suburbs Life, July 2021). This is a further step in upgrading South Maroubra after two recently-developed parking areas. We now hope the council will give serious consideration to restoring the rock pools at the Nov south end of the beach, an issue looked at in Ed 23 November 2020 article in Eastern Suburbs Life headed ‘Call to Restore Rock Pools.’ The old rock pools await their rebirth! Kind regards, Dr Gerry and Bessie Frangakis Residents of South Maroubra
