Mayor's Message Contents

2. Mayor’s message FEATURES

3. Celebrating Georges River women

4. Artist in Residence

5. Local fairy floss business creates opportunities for Georges River youth

6. GRY Fest and Youth Week

7. Community Champion – Evelyn Hsieh

8. In Good Taste Recipe

YOUR COUNCIL

9. Georges River Art Prize 2023

9. New opening hours at Georges River Libraries

10. Start strong with Council’s Early Learning Services

11. Zero Litter in Georges River

11. Bushcare volunteer update

YOUR NEIGHBOURHOOD

12. Racism Not Welcome in Georges River

13. Ormonde Parade public art

YOUR CALENDAR

14. Join us at the 2023 Un[contained] Arts Festival this winter

16. Home in St George 1920-1960

18. Anh Do - The Happiest Refugee Live! at Hurstville Entertainment Centre

19. Don’t moss around, register to Council’s Verge Garden Program

Welcome to the winter edition of Community. Firstly, I wanted to thank the community for all the support at our recent events. It’s great to see people of all ages connecting with each other and I get to meet each of you along the way.

Georges River libraries launched new opening hours at the Hurstville, Kogarah, Oatley, Penshurst and South Hurstville branches.

On International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Day, I met with Australian football great, Craig Foster to launch the ‘Racism Not Welcome’ initiative as part of our commitment to the Better Together campaign.

I’m proud to see the 12 ‘Racism Not Welcome’ street signs installed across the Georges River LGA as it celebrates our diversity and fosters a socially inclusive and connected community.

There was also a fantastic turnout at GRYFest which returned to Penshurst Park as part of our annual Youth Week celebrations. This year’s Battle of the Beats Competition saw five talented youth artists and groups take to the stage to showcase their talent in front of the community.

Well done to our finalists: KOKONUTZ, pocketwatch, Dolor, Shrooms N’ Shrubs and Jacinta Drumond.

For things to do this winter, I encourage everyone to visit Hurstville Museum & Gallery for the Home in St George 1920-1960 Exhibition. This exhibition explores different aspects of domestic life in the Georges River area and is made almost entirely of items from the Hurstville Museum & Gallery collection.

And finally, I’m excited to share the Un[contained] Arts Festival will be making a return to Kogarah. This year will be bigger and better than ever before with interactive art installations, performers, live entertainment and lots of food and drink stalls. I look forward to seeing you all there!

That’s all for now. Stay warm!

Nick Katris Mayor, Georges River Council

Georges River Council acknowledges the Bidjigal people of the Eora Nation, who are the Traditional Custodians of all lands, waters and sky in the Georges River area. Council recognises Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as an integral part of the Georges River community and values their social and cultural contributions.

We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples who live work and meet on these lands.

Artwork: Water by Aunty Annette Webb.