OCTOBER 27, 2015 \ STARWEEKLY.COM.AU
NEWS + SPORT + PROPERTY GUIDE
Milestone for a marvel
(Damjan Janevski)
Sunbury’s oldest resident, Mary Whitehurst, turned 110 last week, celebrating her extraordinary milestone at Riddell Gardens Aged Care centre in Sunbury, where she lives. The long-time Riddells Creek resident was president of the Riddells Creek Senior Citizens’ Club for 20 years and is an accomplished pianist. She played the organ at Sunbury Methodist Church for many years and is still the hit of Friday afternoons’ happy hour at the centre, leading the piano singalongs. McEwen MP Rob Mitchell sent special birthday wishes to Mary from Parliament, saying she now joins the ranks of Australia’s ‘super-centenarians’. “There have only ever been 26 people in Australia who have reached that age,” Mr Mitchell said. “Mrs Whitehurst, you are definitely on the money when you remind us that we have to try and look at the good things in life … you go out the next day and try to do better.” Esther Lauaki
Sunbury split dropped Sunbury will remain a part of the City of Hume – at least for now – after the state government accepted independent advice to abandon the controversial split. Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins has accepted the advice of the independent transition auditors appointed to examine the proposal. “The auditors’ report clearly shows the proposed split would come at a significant
financial cost to residents,” she said. “We supported Sunbury out of Hume in good faith that the previous Liberal government had done the work to ensure a fair outcome for local residents. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the case.” But Opposition Leader Matthew Guy called the decision “a kick in the teeth for Sunbury” and pledged to establish the council if elected in 2018. “Less than 12 months ago the Labor government held hand to heart and promised
to create the city of Sunbury,” he said. “One of the first acts of my government will be to establish the City of Sunbury.” Former Supreme Court judge Frank Vincent and John Watson, chair of Brimbank’s administrators, found the split should be scrapped because of long-term and significant financial impact on Sunbury residents. Auditors found the split would increase council rates by 14 per cent, reduce services significantly and create an unviable, unsustainable council.
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They also found the process lacked adequate community consultation and failed to explain the detrimental impact on residents. Hume mayor Adem Atmaca said the announcement would allow the council to plan for the future with greater clarity. Broadmeadows Progress Association associate secretary Sonja Rutherford said the group was pleased with the news. “The issue can now be put to rest and will stop diverting attention away from other important projects that need to be addressed,” she said.
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