FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

St Merkorious Charity Receives $8.7 Million From WestInvest Fo Centre That Will Feed Thousands Of Hungry Sydneysiders

Canterbury-Bankstown, NSW – After months of nail-biting anticipation and agonising waiting, Collappor8 is ecstatic that their client St Merkorious Charity has received funding approval for $8 7 million from the NSW Government through WestInvest

The $5 billion WestInvest Project was announced in early 2022 to support infrastructure projects in 15 West and Southwest Sydney LGAs, with $1.6 billion dedicated to the Community Project Competitive Round.

Almost 680 applications worth $7.8 billion were submitted for the $1.6 billion dedicated to the Community Project Competitive Round. In Canterbury-Bankstown, 8 projects worth approximately $62.5 million were approved – including St Merkorious Charity’s Food Distribution Centre.

Jo Johnston, director of Collappor8, congratulates St Merkorious Charity on their wonderful success.

“We are extremely delighted and excited that St Merkorious Charity has been approved for WestInvest. They support the people who are facing their toughest times and experiencing food insecurity by giving them fresh food, company, and hope. Their planned Food Distribution Centre is going to significantly transform their ability to feed and support thousands more desperate and vulnerable people in Canterbury-Bankstown and beyond,” says Johnston.

St Merkorious Charity’s planned Food Distribution Centre will include a larger kitchen and warehouse area and office, allowing them to prepare up to 12,000 meals and food hampers a week for their food relief service for people experiencing poverty throughout Greater Sydney.

The Food Distribution Centre will also include a community garden to grow fresh produce for the charity’s food service, and a food pantry for local residents to get pantry staples, hygiene goods, and donated essentials directly.

“We are so thankful and blessed to get approval from WestInvest for our Food Distribution Centre,” says Paula Nicolas, President of St Merkorious Charity

“We will be able to feed so many more people with our new Centre. The 2022 Foodbank report showed that one in five Australians went hungry last year, up from one in six Australians during the pandemic. More and more people are experiencing food insecurity, and with this Centre, we will be able to keep more people fed with our charity’s delicious and nutritious food ”

All approved projects for WestInvest will be completed by 2027.

Contact Information

Jo Johnston, Management Consultant and Economist of Collappor8

M: +61 2 8328 1350

E: jo@collappor8.com.au

10 February, 2023

Autism Community Network Appoints Vanessa Gauci as CEO

Sydney-based Autism Community Network (ACN), a non-profit grassroots organisation committed to supporting people impacted by autism, is pleased to announce that it has named Vanessa Gauci as Chief Executive Officer

The appointment comes at a pivotal time for ACN as it seeks to strengthen activities and enhance community engagement, supporting a growing network of families, said ACN Board Member Julian de Meyrick.

“Vanessa brings a unique set of skills and a proven track-record to lead the ACN team into the next exciting stage in our ongoing quest to assist more and more families experiencing autism,” de Meyrick said

Ms Gauci brings with her over 15 years of experience in stakeholder relations, government, and the non-profit sector.

Commenting on her appointment, Ms Gauci said she was grateful to join an organisation that has built an extensive network of support for over a decade

“I am extremely honoured to take on such an important role, in an organisation that truly makes a difference in the lives of those with autism and their family units.

“As a mother of five, and having a son with a dual diagnosis of autism and Down syndrome, I am passionate about ensuring our communities needs are met, voices are heard and families are supported ”

Ms Gauci said she looked forward to working with the ACN team to create new innovative groups, ensuring the sustainability of programs, building partnerships and expanding the organisation’s outreach while keeping its core values intact.

She also expressed thanks to ACN founder Steve Drakoulis, the ACN volunteer network including long-time supporter Warren Thompson and ACN Board Member Bernardo Vizcaino for assisting with the transition

About Autism Community Network

The ACN is a non-profit organisation that has been supporting over 2,000 families across Sydney and regional NSW since 2011 ACN is a volunteer-driven charity which delivers support groups for carers, social activities for family members and social clubs for autistic adults.

ACN is active in 14 LGA’s including Blacktown, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, Cumberland City, Georges River, Hornsby Shire, Inner West, Northern Beaches, Parramatta, Penrith City, Sutherland Shire, The Hills Shire, Willoughby and Wollongong ACN activities offer opportunities for social interaction and community access – essential for families which can experience significant isolation and hardship without access to such programs

For press inquiries please contact media@acnaustralia.org.au

Real Families Real Support

Autism Community Network Inc. PO Box 188, Riverwood, NSW 2210

20 February 2023

New airport gives $400 million boost to jobs and economy in Western Sydney

Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport continues to be at the centre of the region’s transformational uplift with around $404 million spent with Western Sydney businesses and a new group of interns and trainees joining the airport to help their careers take off.

Western Sydney International Airport CEO Simon Hickey said the airport and its contractors had engaged more than 250 Western Sydney-based businesses since work on the airport began, from local tradies and construction companies, to caterers, security guards and other small businesses

“The airport has already injected over $400 million into the local economy, around half of this money has been spent using local businesses to help us bring our world-class terminal to life,” Mr Hickey said.

“This high level of local investment supports local businesses of all sizes, meaning they employ more locals who in turn spend more money in the West ”

Ben Geisker, Director of Blacktown business, BKH Scaffolding said the scaffolding work he has secured at the airport is worth more than $7 million and meant he was able to keep on apprentices and other workers during the pandemic

“We had around 150 Western Sydney locals working on the airport job during the peak of our contract, helping to construct the formwork and scaffolding,” Mr Geisker said.

“It’s a massive source of pride for so many of us to work on the airport that will connect Western Sydney to the world ”

On top of the significant local investment, Western Sydney International Airport is providing local students with opportunities to start their careers by creating traineeships and by teaming up with the CSIRO to offer game changing new internships

Mr Hickey said it was another example of Sydney’s new airport opening high quality career pathways.

“By offering paid traineeships for Year 12 school leavers, we are inviting the next generation of young professionals to be part of bringing Sydney’s new airport to life,” Mr Hickey said.

“We are building a skills legacy for this vibrant, diverse region and we are extremely proud of the fact that a third of our current workforce are apprentices, trainees or other workers upskilling while working on the airport.”

More than 2,700 people are currently working to build Western Sydney International Airport, with almost half coming from Western Sydney The airport project will employ even more people as construction ramps up to its peak phase later this year, when around 3,500 people are expected to be directly employed on the project at that time.

Latest drone vision here

Media contact:

Sophie Hull

0431 802240 media@wsaco com au

Matt Kean Natalie Ward Treasurer Minister for Metropolitan Roads

Tuesday, 28 February 2023

Victor Dominello Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government

Toll Relief Drives Savings For Sole Traders

Up to $1,500 in cash will hit the bank accounts of sole traders within days as the NSW Government’s Toll Relief Rebate Scheme is extended to small business

Treasurer Matt Kean said eligible small business operators would be able to claim up to an additional $750 in rebates once they’ve spent $375 in a year on a business toll account.

“Sole traders can backdate claims to 1 July 2022 and claim 40 per cent of what they’ve spent, up to $750 a year. This is in addition to the up to $750 a year in rebates availableto sole traders for tolls incurred for their non-business activities, giving them a total of up to $1500,” Mr Kean said

“This will make a big difference to many small business operators who will receive cash in their accounts within days of claiming. Eligible drivers will also be able to claim free or half-priced rego until 30 June, in addition to the toll rebate.”

Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward said more than 65,000 drivers had already claimed $26.9 million in the first three weeks of the new scheme.

“More than $26 million has already been deposited straight back into the pockets of hard-working families, tradies and other workers who regularly travel on Sydney toll roads,” Mrs Ward said

“Small businesses will now have the chance to benefit as part of the Liberal and Nationals Government’s commitment to deliver savings across the community.”

Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said the Toll Relief scheme was one of more than 70 cost of living rebates available through Service NSW.

“The experience of the last month has shown lodging your claim through your MyServiceNSW account is quick and easy and can be done in a matter of minutes,” Mr Dominello said

“Customers just need to verify their identity, link their NSW toll account and then submit their claim. The MyService account also features a Toll Tracker, enabling motorists to easily track their expenditure before lodging a claim.

“Over 99 per cent of the almost 124,000 motorists who have left feedback have reported a positive experience.”

Customers who need assistance verifying their identity, linking their toll account or submitting a claim can call Service NSW on 13 77 88 for guidance or by visiting their nearest Service NSW Service Centre for digital kiosk support

For more information, go to: www.service.nsw.gov.au/services/driving-and-transport/tolls/toll-relief