Blacktown City
Worm farming and composting workshop
Date: Saturday 19 October from 10 am to noon
Location: Dean Park Neighbourhood Centre, 9 Yarramundi Drive, Dean Park
Learn how to set up your household organic recycling system to turn food scraps and garden ‘waste’ into a fantastic fertiliser and soil conditioner.
You will learn the basics on how you can get started and the different options available including composting, worm farming and Bokashi systems. You’ll also get the opportunity to claim a free compost bin that can be delivered to your household!*
2024 Diwali Lights Competition
Blacktown City’s increasingly popular Diwali Lights Competition is back in 2024!
Diwali is the 5-day festival of lights and celebrates new beginnings. We encourage residents of all backgrounds to celebrate by decorating your home with lights.
Residents of all backgrounds are encouraged to get involved. $2,500 in cash prizes are available for the best decorated properties across our City’s 5 Wards.
Nominations close at 5 pm on Friday 25 October 2024.
For more information or to submit a nomination, visit blacktown.nsw.gov.au/diwali
Get involved in our upcoming Sustainable Living Workshops
We are proud to offer a number of sustainable living workshops throughout the year for residents who want to learn how to save money, live healthier, and reduce their impact on the environment. Topics vary each month and include workshops where you can learn how to reduce your waste, become a more environmentally conscious consumer, and learn to grow your own food.
You can subscribe to the Sustainable Living Blacktown e-newsletter to be kept informed of new workshops as they are announced by visiting blacktown.nsw.gov.au/subscribe.
Growing food at home workshop
Date: Saturday 26 October from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm
Location: Sustainability Hub at Grantham Heritage Park, 71 Seven Hills Road South, Seven Hills
Join us at our new ‘growing food at home’ workshop! Studies have shown that people who grow their own fruit and veg waste less food, save money and eat more healthily. You’ll learn the basics to help start your garden in spaces of all sizes and get the opportunity to get your hands dirty by making your own potting mix and sowing seeds.
To find out more or register for these workshops, visit Council’s website.
Anger over ticketless parking fines
REMOVING ticketless parking fines will take rangers back to the bad old days where they suffered broken jaws, black eyes and abuse for simply doing their job, said the union which represents the workers.
The NSW government is introducing legislation which will mean councils can no longer issue ticketless parking fines.
The NSW government will be responsible for every assault suffered by a parking ranger from now on, said Graeme Kelly OAM, General Secretary of the United Services Union.
“Every time a parking inspector is punched, spat on or abused they’ll be able to thank the NSW government for making
Ta difficult situation even more dangerous,” said Mr Kelly.
“Parking rangers have a tough job and like every other worker in this state they deserve to go home each day, not end up in a coma in hospital. Ticketless parking allows rangers to avoid dangerous situations.
“We’ve spoken to the government about linking out council fines to the car registration system which means drivers could get a text message within minutes of getting a fine which means they could gather evidence if they wanted to challenge it.
“Councils have invested hundreds of thousands of ratepayer’s dollars in ticketless parking technology and now it’s just going
to be junked without compensation.
“If the government is so concerned about same time notification of fines, they need to do the same with speeding fines, and fines for not wearing a seatbelt, or using a mobile phone while driving.”
Blacktown Council doesn’t use a ticketless parking fine system and says the current system works well.
Blacktown Council employs 15 community law enforcement officers – parking and in 2023/2024 there were 21,527 parking fines issued throughout the LGA.
The most common areas for infringements across the city are around schools, public transport and shopping precincts, as well as heavy vehicle parking violations.
New look at Blacktown Council
HE 2024 Blacktown Council elections was recently declared with Labor maintaining control with 8 of the 15 seats, Liberals gaining one with 6 and for the first time ever, a Greens councillor was elected in Ward 2. In a hard fought out election with at times spiteful accusations that made the national headlines, Labor lost two seats.
A range of issues were raised including cost of living, rising development of new homes without appropriate infrastructure, and allegations of the viability sale of the major Council premises in Blacktown CBD to Walker Corporation and the replacement costs for the new building and what will future rate increases look like.
In summary across the Wards:
Ward 1: Re-elected councillors were Moninder Singh (Labor) and Jess Diaz (Liberal) with Allan Green (Liberal) who switched from Ward 3 to Ward 1.
Ward2: Cr Julie Griffiths (Labor) was re-elected and will be joined by two new councillors Mohit Kumar (Liberal) and Damien Atkins (Greens).
Ward 3: Cr Susai Benjamin (Labor) was re-elected, with Cr Carol Israel (Labor, previously Ward 4) with new Liberal councillor Pradeep Pathi.
Ward 4: Cr Bob Fitzgerald (Labor) and Peter Camilleri (Liberal) were re-elected with new Councillor Dorothy Del Villar (Labor).
Ward 5: Labor Mayor Brad Bunting
was re-elected and will be joined by two new councillors Jugandeep Singh (Liber-
al) and Talia Amituanai (Labor).
Council bids farewell to councillors who did not contest including Deputy Mayor Chris Quilkey, Michael Stubley, Kushpinder Kaur, Kathie Collins, Livingston Chettipally and Tony Bleasdale who died recently in office.
Council meetings are set to get exciting given the nature of the debate in the lead up to the elections; 6 new councillors; and finely balanced chamber with Labor having a one seat majority.
Blacktown City Council is the largest populated Council in NSW with over 430,000 residents, an annual budget of over $750 million and net assets of approximately $6.4 billion.
Set in one of the fastest growing LGAs in Australia, Oran Park is a thriving, peaceful, master planned community of new homes, wide open spaces, exceptional new schools and expanding dining and retail precincts.
Premium land is scheduled to release soon and there’s a lot to fit every budget and lifestyle.
• Well positioned near the rapidly expanding Oran Park Town Centre
• Close proximity to award-winning parks, green spaces and waterways
• Easy build lots ranging from 300m 2 to 600m 2
Visit the Sales Office today and discover all Oran Park has to offer. Scan the QR code to register your interest to be informed about future land releases.
www.greaterblacktownnews.com.au www.facebook.com/theblacktownnews
ISSUE 43 | October 2024
How to get The News
The Blacktown News is available at strategic locations throughout Blacktown LGA. To find a location near you visit our website.
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Contacts
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info@greaterblacktownnews.com.au
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julie@accessnews.com.au
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The
BLACKTOWN’S TRUSTED LOCAL MEDIA VOICE
New Return and Earn at Stanhope Village
BLACKTOWN residents
have a new location to recycle their eligible bottles and cans, with a brandnew Return and Earn machine now open at Stanhope Village shopping centre.
The new Return and Earn machine is the 25th return point in the Blacktown area, providing locals with even more opportunities to return their eligible bottles and cans for the 10c refund.?
“The Blacktown community are already enthusiastic recyclers, having returned over 674.6 million eligible bottles, cans and cartons through local return points since the scheme began,” said James Dorney, CEO of TOMRA Cleanaway,
network operator for Return and Earn.
Users of the new machine can print a voucher for the refund amount, which can be
Mredeemed for cash at Coles, or they can opt for an e-voucher or payment into their bank or PayPal account using the Return and Earn app.
Locals can choose to donate their refund to local charity Blacktown Area Community Centres Inc, with funds raised through Return and Earn supporting the provision of emergency food hampers and assistance for disadvantaged families in the area.??
Local recyclers can also choose to donate their refund to the current state-wide donation appeal in support of Little Wings, providing free air and ground transport for seriously ill children from regional and remote areas across NSW, allowing for life-saving medical treatments.
More than 12 billion containers have been returned for recycling through the network
of over 630 return points across NSW since the scheme began, resulting in more than $1.2B in container refunds back in people’s pockets.
Return and Earn is also a key fundraising channel for many charities and community groups in NSW with more than $62M raised from donations and fees from hosting return points since the scheme launched. ??
The Stanhope Village Return and Earn machine is located at 2 Sentry Dr, Stanhope Gardens NSW 2768. The machine is open from 7:00am to 8:00pm daily.
For more information visit: www.returnandearn.org.au.
Grants open for festivals and events
ULTICUTURAL and multifaith community groups in the Mount Druitt electorate are encouraged to apply for a share in $500,000 to deliver grassroots festivals and events that foster community harmony and celebrate cultural diversity in 20242025.
Eligible organisations can apply for grants of between $5,000 and $20,000
to help organise festivities that celebrate and embrace our state’s vibrant cultural diversity. Every year hundreds of grassroots not-for-profit organisations across NSW use the Festival and Event grants to celebrate their cultural heritage and share food, music and entertainment with everyone in the community.
Multicultural NSW administers the
grants on behalf of the NSW Government. The festivals and events are scheduled to run between 1 March and 31 July 2025. The grants remain open until Friday 11 October, 5pm and an information session is planned for 3 October, 11am. For more information or to apply, visit https://multicultural. nsw.gov.au/stronger-together-events festivals/
Edmond Atalla MP, Member for Mount Druitt said: "The Stronger Together Festival and Event Grants aim to ensure that everyone in New South Wales can come together to celebrate the vibrant diversity of our community. "These fantastic community festivals and events offer something for everyone, no matter your cultural background.”
TALLAWONG SERVICE NSW CENTRE OPENS
PEOPLE living and working in Tallawong, Schofields, Rouse Hill and surrounding suburbs are set to benefit from easier access to NSW Government services, with Tallawong Service NSW Centre officially opening recently. Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib joined Member for Riverstone Warren Kirby to cut the ribbon on the new Service NSW Centre, which will help meet demand in one of Sydney’s fastest growing suburbs.
The new Centre is expected to accommodate nearly 118,000 customers in its first year, with a
team of about 30 staff able to assist with government transactions and services such as vehicle registration transfers, Owner-Builder Permit applications and Service NSW Business Bureau support.
For those aiming to get their L plates, around 280 computer-based knowledge tests will be available each week.
Due to retail precinct construction and traffic management delays, driver testing will be available later.
Customers can continue to complete their driving tests at nearby service centres at Blacktown, Castle Hill and St Marys.
Tallawong is the 118th Service NSW Centre to open across NSW, following the opening of Glenmore Park Service NSW Centre in March and the Macquarie Fields Driver Testing Centre last December.
The new Service NSW Centre is open Monday to Friday 8:30am – 5pm and Saturday 8:30am12:30pm. It is located on the ground floor of Tallawong Village shopping complex, Shop 29, 2 Conferta Avenue. Parking is available within the new retail precinct, or the centre is walking distance from Tallawong metro station.
Member for Riverstone Warren
Kirby said: “For people living in and around Tallawong, the nearest Service NSW Centres have been Blacktown and Castle Hill so the new Tallawong Service Centre will cut out the 45-minute round trip currently required for locals.”
“Just steps away from Tallawong metro station, the new centre will make about 1300 government services and transactions even more accessible for people living and working in Sydney’s north-west.”
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said: "As the population in Tal-
lawong and surrounding suburbs grows, the opening of the state’s newest Service NSW Centre will help make government services and transactions even more accessible.”
“The team at Tallawong Service NSW Centre will be on hand to provide high quality customer advice and support for the up to 1,300 government services and transactions available, making it a one-stop-shop for everything from Working with Children Checks to finding cost of living support.” For
BLACKTOWN CITY
Blacktown City Art Prize open
ENTRIES are now open for the 2025 Blacktown City Art Prize.
The Blacktown City Art Prize is an annual art prize and exhibition by Blacktown City Council and Blacktown Arts at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.
The Blacktown City Art Prize has showcased creativity of the region and provided emerging and established visual artists the opportunity to exhibit their work for nearly 30 years.
The Blacktown City Art Prize invites artists currently residing in Australia to submit works across a
diverse range of mediums.
Established last year, the Early-Career Artist Prize continues alongside ongoing support for First Nations and local artists with the First Nations Artist Prize and Local Artist Prize.
Finalists in the Blacktown City Art Prize go into the running to win 1 of 5 awards and the opportunity to exhibit at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre, as well as have their work acquired for the Blacktown City Art Collection.
Finalists work will be presented in the exhibition that will run from Monday 11 January to Friday 28 March 2025.
Last year saw 382 entries with 82 finalists being exhibited. The 2024 Blacktown Arts Prize was awarded to Catherine O’Donnell for her artwork ‘Gilded Communities’
The First Nations Artist Prize was awarded to Nathan Dawson for his artwork Loss of Identity/Culture.
The Local Artist Prize was awarded to Anjali Sharma for her artwork Momentary Threads of Youth.
The Early-Career Artist Prize and People’s Choice Prize were awarded to Mina Lee for her artwork Here comes trouble.
The 2025 Blacktown City Art Prize offers a total prize pool of $23,500 and acquisitions across 5 categories.
Prizes include:
Have your say on our waterways
The survey opens 16 September and closes on 21 October 2024.
Our waterways, both visible and hidden, are the lifeblood of our city.
They provide vital green spaces for relaxation and recreation, and in some cases a cool respite on our hotter days.
Waterways are an essential part of our city’s wellbeing. They play a key role in keeping our city liveable and sustainable.
As Blacktown City continues to grow, the health and future of our waterways are more important than ever.
From creeks and wetlands to concrete lined channels, our waterways improve our quality of life and play a vital role in managing stormwater.
That’s why council is inviting residents to share their views in our waterways survey.
Unlike the coastal suburbs of Sydney, residents in Western Sydney, including Blacktown City, don’t have direct access to the beaches or coastal waterways.
This makes our creeks and rivers even more valuable, as they offer vital green spaces for recreation, cooling and connection with nature.
Our waterways, when maintained and protected, can be a substitute for the natural amenities that are more accessible to coastal communities.
By prioritising the health of our local
creeks and wetlands, we can make sure that Blacktown City residents have the same opportunities to enjoy nature and its benefits as those living closer to the coast.
Input into the survey will help Council prioritise our waterway management activities including how we:
• Recognise and enhance First Nations connection to Country.
• Improve water quality in local waterways and wetlands.
• Create green spaces that help reduce urban heat.
• Protect habitat for local wildlife.
·• Ensure sustainable water management for generations to come.
Our communities have always shown overwhelming support for protecting the natural environment.
Don’t miss this chance to have your voice heard. The survey opens 16 September and closes on 21 October 2024.
To participate in the Blacktown City waterways survey go to blacktown.nsw.gov.au/ waterwaysurvey to take the survey now
TMain Prize (acquisitive): $15,000. First Nations Artist Prize: $2,500.
Local Artist Prize: $2,500.
Early-Career Artist Prize (acquisitive): $2,500. People’s Choice Prize: $1,000.
All artworks in the exhibition are available to be purchased by the public. Artworks will also be considered for acquisition to the Blacktown City Art Collection.
Key dates:
Entries close: 28 October 2024 at 5 pm
Exhibition opens: 11 January 2025
Exhibition closes: 28 March 2025
For further information and to enter, visit https://blacktownarts. com.au/im-an-artist/blacktown-city-art-prize/
Local students thinking big
ED HUSIC
During National Science Week I asked local students to tell me their vision for Western Sydney in 2040. From re-designing Mount Druitt
Town Centre to biotopia towns, rethinking the way we protect nature, building energy efficient homes and neighborhoods, to new ways of making recyclable
plastics, these young minds are thinking big about a sustainable future.
I visited a number of schools to see firsthand students showcasing their ideas to improve our area.
Well done to the students at Rooty Hill High School, Australian Islamic College Sydney, Doonside Public School, Doonside Technology High, Plumpton High School and Plumpton Public School.
Ban on engineered stone benchtops
HE NSW Government has welcomed the Federal Government’s ban on the importation of engineered stone benchtops, slabs and panels with a silica content of more than one percent from January 1, 2025.
This follows the world-first domestic ban on the use, supply and manufacture of engineered stone products that have a silica content of more than
one percent in Australia that started on 1 July this year.
The proposed ban on importation aims to reduce the availability of banned engineered stone products to help prevent silicosis, a lung disease caused by breathing in small particles of silica dust.
In NSW there were 115 new silicosis cases between July 2023 and June 2024, and ten people sadly died from the
disease.
In addition, new work health safety requirements for the processing of crystalline silica substances began on 1 September 2024, and SafeWork NSW’s Silica Compliance Team has inspectors on the ground to educate and enforce these new laws. Employers can face penalties up to $40,000 for non-compliance.
Respect and support for all
SOUTHERN Cross Care’s name is known and trusted throughout NSW and the ACT where they’ve been a part of the community for more than 50 years.
SCC offers a full spectrum of services to provide you with options, choice and support for how you choose to live your life, today and tomorrow.
SCC believes that individuality is one of the greatest gifts of being human.
They follow a customer at the heart philosophy which means that your happiness and wellbeing are their priority.
SCC celebrates and respect diversity and welcomes all, regardless of faith, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity and lifestyle choices.
Whether it’s discovering a retirement community lifestyle, tapping into help at home, improving your health, exploring ways to boost your independence and social connections, or selecting comfortable, supportive care in one of their Residential Aged Care Homes, you have peace of mind knowing that whatever your needs may be, you have a relationship with a provider that has it covered. Visit: www.sccliving.org.au
“We recognise you as a whole person and support your physical, emotional, intellectual, social, and spiritual wellbeing. Everything we do is tailored to enhance your quality of life and enable you to live life on your terms,” said a spokesperson.
Supporting you
to live life well
Southern Cross Care (NSW & ACT) is a leading not-for-profit aged care provider that has been caring about people for more than 50 years. We deliver personalised, quality care and support services across our network of Retirement Villages, Home Care services and Residential Care homes.
Home Care
CHSP, Home Care Packages and Private Services*
We provide a comprehensive range of personalised, flexible services to help keep you living at home longer. If you’re waiting for government funding or looking to self-manage we also offer the option to pay privately for Home Care services.
Our services include:
Meal Assistance
Transport
Social Support & Activities
Wellbeing
Allied Health Support
Assistive Technology
Aids & Equipment
Home Maintenance & Modifications
Respite for Carers
Personal Care
Nursing Care
Retirement Living
Join a relaxed, private and secure community where you get to decide how to spend your time doing the things you love.
Cardinal Gilroy Village Merrylands West
Thornton Park Village Penrith
Residential Care
Our Homes are warm, welcoming places where you can relax and be yourself. Our friendly and reliable staff provide respectful care to meet your needs and support your health.
Thornton Park Residential Care Penrith
John Woodward Residential Care
Merrylands West
* Subject to availability
Care and support for a brighter future
We’d love to hear from you.
Disability Services to empower your independence
•purpose-built homes providing a safe, comfortable environment (SIL/SDA)
•1:1 support and group activities to develop friendships and grow skills
•domestic assistance with household chores
•social support to make new connections in your community
•Short Term Accommodation (STA), Medium Term Accommodation (MTA) and Independent Living Options (ILO)
•Clinical care services to ensure the highest standard of health and wellness
Experience compassionate care close to home. Call 1300 086 906.
BUILDING A HOME/BUYING OFF THE PLAN
Deal with legal issues, reducing costs of briefing multiple services
Wide range of property development expertise:
• Owner/builder
• Residential purchase
• Contracts for design/building/landscape business
• Registration and sub-divisions
• One contract for all of above.
National coverage using PEXA
Blacktown Chamber’s
Innovative donations to Nepean Hospital
Intoday’smedialandscape,it’scrucialtohighlightthepositivecontributionswithinourcommunities.
Recently, Trevor from KidsWest visited Nepean Hospital's Birthing Unit to present two innovative donations:
Connex Spot Monitor: This advanced observation tool enhances productivity and patient outcomes by capturing a complete set of vital signs in less than a minute. Its digital capabilities allow for more patient interaction and eliminate the need for manual data entry.
Special Birthing Rope: For mothers who prefer to give birth in an upright position, this birthing rope represents a pioneering step in
public hospitals. (We welcome any corrections if we're mistaken!)
These donations, while perhaps small in scale, have the potential to significantly impact the lives of patients and their families.
Have you witnessed acts of kidness or innovation in your community?
Share your experiences and photos in the comments. Let’s celebrate and inspire positive change together!
#CommunityKindness #HealthcareInnovation #KidsWest #PositiveChange #SupportLocal
A proud moment for Kidswest Australia!
We are thrilled to announce that
Kidswest Australia has been recognised as a Life Benefactor by the Millennium Foundation, a testament to our unwavering commitment to the health and well-being of children. From 2000 to 2005, we proudly donated $1M, playing a pivotal role in raising the necessary funds to build the new institute.
Today, we are honoured to have a room/lab named after Kidswest, a lasting symbol of our dedication to making a difference.
The institute itself is a major medical research hub, a working home for 600 of Australia’s best scientists working to resolve some of the most serious diseases of our time. The innovative building takes on a new approach of
collaboration across disciplines While also ‘seeing the science’ in an industry that for operational reasons is usually secured away.
This recognition isn't just about what we’ve accomplished—it's a call to action for our community. Together, we can continue to create meaningful change. Let’s keep the momentum going and inspire others to contribute to causes that matter.
We are deeply humbled by this honour and are optimistic about the future. The road ahead is filled with opportunities to impact more lives, and we’re excited to continue our journey with you by our side.
Let’s make a difference, one step at a time.
Panda Warmer donation - Campbelltown Hospital
Kidswest Australia had the privilege of handing over a crucial new piece of equipment to the incredible team at @CampbelltownHospital — a Panda Warmer valued at over $34,000! This cutting-edge device will be instrumental in supporting newborns immediately after birth, providing the warmth needed while allowing the paediatric team to carefully assess and evaluate each baby.
We were joined by Grand Isedale, General Manager of a @CampbelltownHospital, @ and the amazing staff from Birthing Unit to celebrate this important milestone. The Panda Warmer will help ensure that babies receive the best care possible right from their very first moments of life.
A big thank you to everyone involved, especially the dedicated healthcare professionals who continue
to make such a positive impact on the lives of families in our community!
Let’s keep the momentum going as we work together to support essential services and equipment for our hospitals.
Kids West is a local Western Sydney children’s charity that raises funds for medical equipment, research, and the development of childhood accident awareness and prevention programs. Founded by Trevor Oldfield and Professor Reuben Dubois of Westmead Hospital, Kids West has been supporting paediatric and neonatal intensive care units across Western Sydney since 1991. We’re a no-frills charity that bridges the gap in hospital funding to provide vital life-saving equipment to Western Sydney hospitals, supporting local families when it’s needed the most. So far, we’ve donated more than $6.5M throughout Western Sydney. Find out more about our projects or donate today. www.kidswest.org.au
HEADLINES ABILITY CHOICE CARE
LET’S ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS TOGETHER
A MESSAGE FROM THE CEO
Welcome to the Spring Edition of our Headlines Newsletter! After braving the winter months, we’re now enjoying the warmth and joy that spring brings to us. This season is perfect for exploring our communities and taking advantage of the wonderful amenities around our Activity Centre.
Since our last newsletter, it’s been a busy time at Ability Choice Care. We’ve welcomed new participants into our Supported Independent Living (SIL) homes, our Activity Centre, and through our in-home support services.
I’d like to take this opportunity to thank all the staff at Ability Choice Care for their dedication and hard work. Since March, Jane Hemel, our Managing Director, and Marina Liaskos, our Activity Centre Manager, have been working diligently to prepare for our Full-Term Audit. They built our audit preparation from the ground up, ensuring our policies align with the NDIS Practice Standards and these truly reflect the quality of our supports.
We are extremely proud to announce that Ability Choice Care achieved Zero Non-Conformities in the audit. This outstanding result reflects the improvements we’ve made as an organisation, including:
•Implementing new IT platforms for electronic file storage of all participant records.
•Installing a dedicated Network attached storage (NAS) server for daily backups of all data.
•Providing staff with access to home and shared drives via a NAS drive.
•Developing a robust disaster recovery plan to safeguard all electronic files.
•Launching an online staff compliance register, where employees can upload HR files, with automated reminders for document renewals.
•Offering easy access to policies and procedures via platforms like OneDrive and myQNAPcloud.
•Maintaining a Continuous Quality Improvement register that tracks ongoing organisational enhancements.
•Creating a comprehensive risk management plan that outlines key risks and mitigation strategies for staff and participants.
•Highlighting our executive team’s documentation processes.
•Refining our staff induction and onboarding procedures.
•Offering easy-read booklets for participants, available during termly participant gatherings.
•Using SurveyMonkey to gather feedback on the NDIS Practice Standards and Code of Conduct through easyread dashboards of participant surveys.
•Collecting staff survey feedback and implementing these suggestions.
•Publishing quarterly headlines that will inform all of the positive changes within Ability Choice Care for both participants, staff and our stakeholders.
The auditors provided incredibly positive feedback, noting significant improvements across the organisation. They commended the entire Ability Choice Care team for the marked enhancements in our governance and operations.
As CEO, I want to personally thank each of you for your hard work and commitment. Special thanks to Jane and Marina, whose sector experience and leadership have been invaluable. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed!
LET’S ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS TOGETHER
HEADLINES ABILITY CHOICE CARE
HON. BILL SHORTEN JOINS NDIS FORUM:
GENEVIEVE FINDS HER TAFE COURSE
Genevieve has been a dedicated participant at the Activity Centre, attending three days a week since we opened in December 2023. With guidance from her Support Coordinator and her dedicated team, Genevieve recently began pursuing a Certificate III in Community Pharmacy at Blacktown TAFE.
Genevieve has worked diligently to tailor her NDIS plan to align with her goals. Every Wednesday morning, she attends online classes supported by a TAFE Coordinator who ensures her needs are met. In the coming term, she will extend her learning to include two face-to-face days per week.
Genevieve’s ultimate goal is to work in a pharmacy, and she hopes to secure a part-time position once she completes her certification.
On Wednesday, 25th September, Ability Choice Care participated in a significant event at Fairfield Youth Centre, attended by Participant Representative Anna W., Community Engagement Officer Amanda, and our CEO Mahmoud. The event was organised by Dai Le, Independent Member of Parliament for Fowler in the House of Representatives and we were privileged to meet and hear from the Hon. Bill Shorten, Minister for the NDIS and Government Services, and a member of the Australian Labor Party.
This event provided a valuable platform for participants to voice their concerns regarding the support they receive. Representatives from Services Australia and the NDIS were also present, listening not only to participants,
PARTICIPANT GET TOGETHER
On Friday, 27th September, we hosted our third Participant Get-Together, marking the final day of Term 3.
but also to service providers who face challenges daily. Both MP Dai Le and the Hon. Bill Shorten were transparent about the challenges many Australians face, particularly the vulnerabilities within the NDIS.
Anna was proud to have her voice heard, representing not only herself but also everyone at Ability Choice Care.
We were thrilled to have 16 participants join us to review the term, offering valuable feedback and suggestions for Term 4. We were also delighted to welcome Saleha and the team from Ability Alliance Care, who, along with their participants, joined us for our Music Day!
These meetings not only foster a sense of community but also help us gather qualitative data that contributes to our continuous improvement efforts—it’s the heart of how we get better every term.
We celebrated some of the exciting activities our participants enjoyed in Term 3 - Arts and Crafts: Quilt cover project Cooking: New individual workstations for improved independence Karaoke: Our famous Crazy Monday and Friday sessions, held twice weekly Music Sessions: Every Friday afternoon Gardening: Harvesting herbs and vegetables from our garden beds Social Outings: Including picnics and the upcoming Sailability event in Manly (October).
with Michelle Rowland
OUR ROLE IN KEEPING KIDS SAFE ONLINE Changes to accessing social media
MICHELLE ROWLAND
OUR children are digital natives who learn, explore, connect and engage with their friends online. They can also wander into harm’s way.
As a mother of two young daughters, I understand the concerns parents have around social media, like bullying, peer pressure and negative body image. Or unintentionally accessing harmful, distressing and age-inappropriate content.
Recent research by our online safety regulator, eSafety, found almost two-thirds of 14 to 17-yearolds have viewed extremely harmful content including drug abuse, suicide or self-harm, as well as gory or violent material online. A quarter have been exposed to content promoting unhealthy eating habits.
Digital platforms, government and society all have a role to play in ensuring our children are safe online.
We know that technology moves fast and no government can protect every child from
every threat, every day. But we have to do all we can to address this.
The Albanese Government is leading an important national conversation on this issue and we are engaging experts, parents and young people.
Parents I speak to are rightly concerned about the potential for social media to negatively influence or harm their children.
Young people are telling me they understand the need for protections too.
Our Government will introduce legislation into the Parliament by the end of the year to create a new minimum age for access to social media.
In this pursuit, the national conversation has proposed a range of ages to be considered.
We will be guided by evidence. Our age assurance trial is testing technologies that could be effective to ensure ages from 13 up to 16. eSafety is also working across multiple fronts to support a safer online environment for all Australians.
It offers a wealth of resources to help put parental controls in place and guide important conversations about children’s online experiences. I encourage parents, carers, educators and children to visit www.esafety.gov.au to find out more.
Australia leads the world in online safety, but with technology evolving rapidly, we need to stay vigilant.
Our priority is the ongoing safety of Australians, and that's the forward-facing national approach we are taking.
Michelle Rowland MP is the Federal Member for Greenway and Minister for Communications. If you need assistance with any Federal issue, you can contact Michelle by phone on 02 9671 4780 or by email at Michelle. Rowland.MP@aph.gov.au.
Newsbytes
Project
to make cruise ships cleaner
NSW has launched a $20M Shore Power project at White Bay Cruise Terminal, providing electricity to docked cruise ships to reduce emissions. This will cut over 4,000 tonnes of emissions annually, benefiting local communities. The project, to be completed by 2026, aligns Sydney with global ports and enhances sustainability in NSW's cruise industry.
Tougher domestic violence laws
THE NSW Government has introduced tougher domestic violence laws, including higher penalties for breaching Apprehended Domestic Violence Orders (ADVOs). New offences target intentional and persistent breaches, carrying penalties of up to five years in prison. A Serious Domestic Abuse Prevention Order (SDAPO) has been introduced for high-risk offenders, with similar penalties for violations. Additional reforms include enhanced stalking definitions and electronic provisional AVOs. The laws complement earlier measures and a $245.6M investment in victim support.
Grant money for cancer research
THE NSW Government is committing $2.1M in grants for cancer research, coinciding with World Cancer Research Day. Funding includes $700,000 each for Professors Georgina Long and Paul Timpson for advanced imaging systems to study tumor environments. Three clinical trials grants, worth $250,000 each, aim to improve access to trials for underserved communities. The Cancer Institute NSW has invested over $470 million in research over the past 20 years.
Scouts appoints Kaylene as deputy Chair
SCOUTS NSW has appointed Anthea Cudworth as Chair and Kaylene Hubbard as Deputy Chair following its Annual General Meeting. Anthea brings over 20 years of corporate affairs experience and has volunteered with Scouts for over a decade, while Kaylene has 25 years in professional services and is a former Managing Partner at KPMG. The Board also welcomed new Ex-Officio Directors Philip Cooper and Niamh Hitchman. Chief Commissioner Lloyd Nurthen praised the new lead-
Looking at better training for venues
Tership’s potential to navigate challenges in the not-for-profit sector.
HE NSW Government is exploring adding sexual harassment and violence prevention training to the Responsible Service of Alcohol (RSA) handbook for licensed venues. This follows recent updates addressing drink spiking, requiring staff to take specific actions during incidents. Advocacy groups have pushed for expanded RSA training, and the revised handbook, issued to training providers, must be updated by September 30, 2024. Campaigns like “Ask for Angela” complement these efforts to improve venue safety.
Critical shortage of stem cells
AUSTRALIA faces a critical shortage of registered stem cell donors, with 1,000 patients urgently waiting for a match, mostly blood cancer patients. The Leukaemia Foundation and Australian Bone Marrow Donor Registry are urging Australians aged 18-35 to sign up as donors, especially from diverse backgrounds. Most stem cell donations are simple, similar to plasma donation. Increasing local donors can improve patient survival chances. Sign up at Strength to Give.
Doctors say don’t ignore symptoms
DOCTORS are urging Australians not to ignore hay fever symptoms, particularly asthmatics, as allergy season begins. Bupa’s Dr. Tony MacDermott warns that hay fever, affecting 1 in 5 Australians, can worsen asthma, potentially leading to serious health issues if untreated. Symptoms of hay fever and asthma can overlap, making diagnosis challenging. Dr. MacDermott advises consulting a GP for proper treatment and ensuring asthma prevention measures, like checking inhalers, are up-to-date.
Need for early dementia detection
RESEARCH from CHeBA’s Sydney Memory and Ageing Study, led by Dr. Russell Chander, reveals that dementia and mild cognitive impairment significantly affect social cognition, which includes interpreting social cues and empathy. Over 300 adults aged 70-90 were assessed, showing dementia worsens social skills, while mild cognitive impairment leads to subtler deficits. This highlights the need for early detection and targeted interventions to maintain social engagement and reduce the burden on caregivers.
Diabetes medicine has been approved
THE Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved Mounjaro, a medicine originally for type 2 diabetes, for chronic weight management in Australians with obesity or overweight and a related health issue. It is used alongside diet and exercise. Mounjaro mimics two hormones to regulate blood sugar and promote fullness. Healthcare professionals welcome the approval, emphasizing the importance of evidence-based treatments in tackling Australia’s obesity epidemic, which affects two-thirds of adults.
Salvos are calling for volunteers
THE Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) is urging NSW residents to volunteer ahead of the upcoming disaster season. Volunteers provide vital support during disasters, offering meals, supplies, and emotional assistance to first responders and survivors. With a long history of disaster relief, SAES seeks passionate volunteers for various roles. The thorough application process ensures the right fit, with training provided. Visit the Salvation Army website for more details.
E- Scooter riders face tough penalties
E-SCOOTER riders can face significant penalties for breaking the law, similar to car drivers. Slater and Gordon Legal Counsel, Jess Lyons, warns of license loss for offenses like exceeding alcohol limits or speeding. Rules vary by state, with speed limits ranging from 15-25km/h. Helmets are mandatory, and restrictions apply on where e-scooters can be ridden. South Australia has the strictest regulations, requiring registration and insurance for e-scooters used outside private property.
Let’s Talk About It Caring For Your Mental Wellbeing:
Community in Western Sydney have been through a lot in the last few years: COVID-19 lockdowns, floods, increased financial pressures and more. Mental health has been one of the biggest challenges our region has faced, and it’s important to keep checking in on each other.
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Month is, ‘Let’s Talk About It’ . This prompts us all to reflect on our mental health and overall wellbeing. Maintaining good mental health is important in our daily lives and encourages a proactive approach to seeking help when necessary.
Five Tips to Boost your Mental Wellbeing
1.Prioritise self-care: Make time for activities that recharge you and reduce stress. Whether it’s a hobby, relaxation techniques or taking a break; find something that fills your bucket.
2.Stay active: Exercise helps release endorphins which improve your mood. Aim for regular exercise such as walking, yoga or playing a team sport.
Where to Get Help
3.Build and maintain relationships: Spending time with family, friends or support groups can provide a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation.
4.Practice mindfulness: Techniques like meditation and deep breathing exercises can help you stay present and manage stress.
5.Seek professional health: If you are struggling with your mental health, please speak with your GP or visit a mental health service available in your area.
There are services available to community in Western Sydney which offer support. Please visit our Mental Health webpage for more information.
Support for Young People: headspace
headspace is an early intervention program for young people aged 12-25 years, providing access to support and information for a broad range of concerns including mental health, physical or sexual health, drugs and alcohol and work and study support.
There are headspace centres in Castle Hill, Mount Druitt and Parramatta. Appointments and referrals are required. Visit the headspace website for more information.
Support for Adults: Head to Health
If you’re not feeling like yourself, Head to Health can connect you to free mental health support. Visit the Head To Health website for more information. You can call their support line or visit their safe space in person. No appointment or referral is required.
Call 1800 595 212 (9:00 am –9:00pm weekdays, 3:00 pm – 7:00pm weekends and public holidays)
Visit in person Ground Floor, Suite 1, 150 George Street, Parramatta, NSW 2150
Support for First Nations Community: Marrin Weejali
Marrin Weejali Aboriginal Corporation provides culturally safe counselling and referral services for Western Sydney’s Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community members affected by drug and alcohol dependency, and non-acute mental health issues.
Services include counselling, group therapy, transition assistance, health support, case management and community work.
Call: 02 9628 3031
Health professional or self-referral: Complete form
Crisis Support
If you, or the person you are supporting, needs immediate crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 . If it is an emergency, please call triple zero ( 000 ).
HOW OFTEN SHOULD WE EXERCISE? Follow this easy reference
EXERCISE is often touted as a cornerstone of a healthy lifestyle, but many people are left wondering: how often should I be exercising to maximize the benefits?
The answer varies depending on individual health goals, current fitness levels, and personal circumstances. However, general guidelines can provide a solid foundation for most people seeking to enhance their health and well-being through exercise.
Understanding the Guidelines
According to the World Health Organization (WHO) and various health institutions, adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic activity each week.
This can be broken down into manageable sessions, such as 30 minutes a day, five days a week.
For those looking to achieve additional health benefits, the recommendation increases to 300 minutes of moderate-intensity or 150 minutes of vigorous-intensity activity per week.
This can contribute to weight management, improved cardiovascular health, and enhanced mental well-being.
Types of Exercise
To maximize the benefits of a workout routine, it’s essential to include different types of exercise:
Aerobic Exercise: Activities like walking, running, cycling, or swimming increase your heart rate and improve cardiovascular health. Aim for a mix of moderate and vigorous-intensity activities to keep things interesting and effective.
Strength Training: Incorporating strength exercises at least two days a week is crucial. This can involve lifting weights, using resistance bands, or performing bodyweight exercises like push-ups and squats. Strength training not only builds muscle but also enhances bone density and metabolism.
Flexibility and Balance: Activities such as yoga or tai chi improve flexibility and balance, which are especially important as we age. Including flexibility training a few times a week can enhance overall mobility and reduce the risk of injuries.
Listening to Your Body
While the above guidelines are useful, it’s vital to listen to your body. Individual factors, such as age, current fitness level, and health conditions, can impact how often and intensely you should exercise.
For beginners, starting with shorter sessions and gradually increasing duration and intensity can help prevent injury and build confidence. Conversely,
those who are already active may benefit from varying their routines to include different types of workouts, such as high-intensity interval training (HIIT), which can deliver maximum results in a shorter time frame.
The Role of Recovery
Rest and recovery are just as important as the workouts themselves. Overtraining can lead to injuries, burnout, and decreased motivation. Incorporating rest days into your routine allows your body to recover, rebuild muscle tissue, and prevent fatigue. Aim for at least one or two rest days per week, depending on the intensity of your workouts.
Making Exercise Enjoyable
Finding activities, you enjoy can greatly increase the likelihood of sticking to a routine. Whether it’s joining a dance class, hiking with friends, or participating in team sports, enjoying your workouts makes it easier to stay committed. Variety not only keeps things fresh but also engages different muscle groups and enhances overall fitness.
In summary, for maximum benefit, adults should aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity exercise each week, combined with strength training and flexibility work. Listening to your body, prioritizing recovery, and engaging in activities you enjoy will help you maintain a consistent and rewarding exercise routine.
Remember that the journey to better health is a marathon, not a sprint; finding the right balance will lead to sustainable results and a healthier, happier life.
TraveL
with Emma Wilson
Sydney’s unusual dining experiences
An illumination night out at Luna Lu
IF you haven’t visited Sydney’s Rocks area in a while don’t go past Luna Lu restaurant. What a thrill to be in one of Sydney’s older sandstone buildings whilst enjoying an incredible Immersive Dining Experience’, a light show all around the walls in 360-degree view as you dine. The lights include intricate Japanese wall art and ocean scenes as a whale lazily swims by. This Immersive Dining experience is available every Thursday and Sunday night at Bar Lulu and you can enjoy these scenes whilst enjoying a delicious 3-course set menu for $120pp. For details: www.lunalu.com.au/whats-on/immersive-dining-at-bar-lulu/
Luna Lu’s new spring menu is well-worth experiencing for a date night or just a fun night out with friends. Mentai scallops and Flying Fish Roe are
delicious entrees as are Salmon and Snapper Crudo Mosaic. Mains include Char Siu Pork, Spicy Dan Dan noodles and Kungpao Cauliflower and select a dessert that is pure edible art. Choose between Yuzu Namelaka or Luna Opera House (a berry and coconut sponge coulis).
If you like to dine outside to enjoy Sydney views including the Opera House you can reserve the Dining Dome while enjoying a bespoke four-course banquet menu.
Luna Lu has partnered with Chateau Tanunda, so you can also enjoy a complimentary Chateau Tanunda wine pairing created specifically to accompany the course of meals throughout the evening. Details here: lunalu.com.au/what’s-on/dining-dome/
Champagne. Jacquart Bar and high tea
FOR something special head into Sydney’s CBD for a special high tea day with your kids at David Jones’s Champagne Jacquart Bar on level 2 in David Jones. The high tea feels very ‘New York’ style, situated in a department store overlooking green leafy Hyde Park outside. Head Chef, Alessandro Morabito (formerly Bel and Brio and Pepi’s) has created a masterpiece tower of edible delights including petit fours, home baked scones with jam and a choice of Mosaique NV Brut or Rose for the adults.
It’s open 10am to 4pm and bookings are essential and children must be accompanied by an adult. www. champagnejacquartbar.com.au
Champagne Jacquart Bar, Level 2, 86 – 108 Castlereagh Street, Sydney
The Yum Cha Project
Have your kids ever eaten Yum-cha? Mine had heard of it but never tried because I kept promising to take them to Chinatown on a Sunday and that never eventuates. Yum Cha was popularised in the 80s and 90s in Australia and translates to ‘drink tea’. It’s typically a long sit-down lunch with trollies circling the restaurant offering steaming dim sum share baskets. It’s ‘a thing’.
City-lovers are in luck! Yum Cha comes to Grosvenor Place, (close to Circular Quay) and is fast, friendly and delicious. It’s the latest dining concept from culinary maestro Howin Chui, founder of Ni Hao Bar, Kowloon Cafe, Stir Fry King and Senpai Ramen.
Looking to modernise the Yum Cha experience Chui and co-owners offer a selection of delectable Dim Sum ‘by the piece’ and along with contemporary tea options - swapping a pot of Jasmine for an iced bubble tea.
It’s hard to find reasons to enjoy a day out with older teens but luckily most like to shop for clothes (if you’re paying) and they are always starving. Meet them at The Yum Cha Project and try delicious Hainan chicken pizza, Signature siu mai dumplings, steaming pork dumplings and spring rolls and pork buns, Peking Duck pizza and cheeseburger spring rolls.
Yum Cha Project is open during daytime hours –Mon-Thurs 8am to 4pm and Thurs –Fri 8am to 8pm and found at Shop 3, 225 George Street (on the high / west side of George St). Enjoy their company for the 20 minutes they will grace you with before they’re off again exploring the shops!
Travel tech – Don’t leave home without them
Charging Station - No more fighting over who has the charger. Anker’s Mag Go Wireless Charging Station allows you to charge your iPhone, earbuds and Apple watch all at the same time at twice the speed. And it’s magnetic and foldable so stores and travels easily. Check out www.anker.com
Trackers - Track your passport, keys, wallet, bicycle or carry bags with a portable ‘tile’. Very easy to use - it comes with an app and when downloaded you can activate a tile and keep track of where
your item is. Go to tile.com/en-au to order one (or 10) today.
with Emma Wilson
YOUR QUEENSTOWN FAMILY GETAWAY
Stunning scenery and friendly locals
BY TRAVEL EDITOR EMMA WILSON
IT’S just across the ditch and you’ve completely forgotten it exists, but Queenstown is an easy family holiday for every age group. For an overseas destination it truly is Sydney’s easiest destination. It’s not just an adrenalin-mecca for active young people, there are activities to suit every age group – active, less active or disabled travelers. The scenery is stunning, the shopping is great, dining options are plentiful, the water is safe to drink, and the locals are very friendly. Why not reconsider your next family holiday here?
Getting to Queenstown
Just a three-hour flight from Sydney, Queenstown airport is a wow-factor entry into New Zealand with its backdrop of rugged snowcapped mountains towering over you on the airport tarmac. With this clean, efficient and smallish airport, you are out in the fresh air with your luggage surprisingly quickly. Transport options into town are plentiful and there are wheelchair options for transport as well. To get into the downtown area the route one public bus runs every 15 minutes and stops regularly along Lake Whakatipu. The Stanley Street will deliver you to the centre of the downtown action. Or to maximise sightseeing time take a ferry into the downtown area, ferries leave every 30 minutes and depart from the Hilton Hotel, which is a short taxi ride from the airport. Alternatively, there are shuttle buses that also accommodate wheelchairs upon request. Head to www.queenstownairport.co.nz/transport for all your options.
Where to Stay
If your trip is short or you prefer the buzz of nightlife and vibe of staying within a busy downtown area, many hotels, restaurants, shops and activities radiate from Lake Whakatipu’s Tahuna area harbour, the ‘Queenstown Beach’ area. If you’re staying in town, you won’t need a car and can do a lot on foot, including many of Queenstown’s iconic activities and there are options to be picked up from your hotel by activity providers if you book something fun to do. You may need a car if you prefer to stay further away, like in rural accommodation, otherwise local buses can take you downtown or along Wakatipu's length.
Like any major city there are new hotels and older hotels so it will depend on your preference, but newer buildings have building codes that are wheelchair friendly so take this into consideration when booking.
Skyline Gondola
A great ‘first day’ thing to do to get a good orientation of Queenstown is to head to the Skyline Gondola in Brecon Street. This is a spacious state-of-the-art new gondola that will bring you up to a restaurant and activity precinct at the top of the hill. Here you can sit and enjoy the views of the Remarkables and have a bite to eat. There’s also a lolly shop for kids or take a turn riding the luge if you’re feeling adventurous. Views look out over the lake, mountains parks and town as far as the eye can see and it is spectacular. There is a wheelchair entry here as well, it’s very accessible. www.queenstown.skyline.co.nz
Ziptrek Ecotours
Explore the forest above Queenstown on a zipline for something different. For ages 7 to 85, depending on your level of adventure, you can choose from a few different zipline options, 2 to 6 zipline rides that gradually deliver you gracefully to the base of the mountain.
The 6-line zip includes a 20-minute hike through the forest down to the final zipline section, which is the ‘steepest tree-to-tree zipline in the world. What makes this eco-friendly is that tourists can explore the area ‘in the air’ without leaving an impact and at each stage of the zipline tour guides teach you about the local area, the flora, fauna and Mauri culture and the history of the area. It’s fun and informative and the zipline travel is extremely safe and utterly exhilarating. This is not a wheelchair friendly activity due to the uneven surfaces everywhere. Head to www. ziptrek.co.nz to buy tickets online.
Indoor Skydiving
This is an all-ages and all abilities activity that suits people even people who are NOT tempted to try outdoor skydiving (that’s me). The iFLY centre is run by the very incredible Matt Wong who has gone out of his way to make this experience accessible to all, including people who experience terrible anxiety, young kids right up to elderly people and it is a wheelchair friendly activity (and great fun to sit and watch).
The trainers for this experience are extremely experienced and reassuring. Sessions start with just one minute with the trainer physically holding you
100% of the time and you are just in a very safe and contained wind tunnel and ‘fly’ just a metre or two from the ‘ground’ in a flying suit with earplugs and helmet. It is impossible to ‘fly away’ but if you enjoy that one minute you can progress to a longer session or a session where you and the trainer can utilise stronger winds (upon request) and ‘fly’ higher up the wind tunnel and even begin learning to move and turn in the wind. The feeling you have ‘flying’ is utter freedom and really a once in a life experience and you can choose add ons such as VR goggles. Head to www.flynz.co.nz for more info.
Sherwood Hotel
Queenstown is leading the way in sustainable tourism and thanks to Destination Queenstown this will get even better over the next few years. This is terrific news in an industry where everyone wants to visit popular sites and sights but can often ‘love places to death’. This is sad for our kids and grandkids who may never experience the very thing we all love about a place.
The Sherwood is an excellent example of a hotel reno in the right direction, they took an 80s Motor Inn and transformed it into a sustainable tourism icon, with food sourced from the kitchen garden, local growers and producers. From the garden eat fresh beetroot, butternut squash, rhubarb, lettuce among other yummy ingredients.
Hotel rooms are decorated with local artworks and wall hangings, blankets woven with New Zealand wool, interiors utilising recycled materials and locally sourced manuka and myrtle ingredients for shampoo and body wash. www.sherwoodqueenstown.nz
For more information about what is the best time of year to visit Queenstown and what tours are on offer and suggested itineraries, visit Destination Queenstown. www.queenstownnz.co.nz/
puzzles and games
CROSSWORD
BLACKTOWN JUNIOR, ANA KAILAHI
Resigns with GWS Fury for 2025
ALISON SHEPPARD
THE Blacktown City Netball Association (BCNA) is a vibrant and inclusive netball community located in the heart of the Blacktown City Council.
They proudly own GWS Fury, which is one of ten teams participating in the Netball NSW Premier League competition.
The 2025 season marks a decade of participation for GWS Fury in the grey and orange, and we are delighted to announce that Kailahi has re-signed with us for a fifth consecutive season.
Kailahi started her representative journey with BCNA as a 12-year-old and now at just 20 years old, she will enter her 5th season in Premier League for GWS Fury, having taken the court for her first game on 7 April 2021.
In 2024, Kailahi had an outstanding season and received the GWS Fury Player of the Year award from Councillor Bob Fitzgerald of Blacktown
City Council and Van Nguyen, the GWS Fury Director of Performance.
This award recognises a player who has excelled in their role, embodied the club's mission and values, and proudly represented GWS Fury.
Kailahi says: “I love GWS Fury because ever since I have been a part of this club, they have become more than just
a netball club for me. It has become a place I can call home. They pushed me into being the best version of myself, not only on court but also off court. I love this club because they always support myself and my fellow team mates in all our commitments, whether it’s for Fury or not.”
GWS Fury is also excited to take this opportunity to share that our Head Coaches, Jennie
Webster OAM and Nardia Macdonald, have re-signed for the 2025 season! Both coaches hold Elite Coaching accreditation, and we are very fortunate to have their expertise guiding our athletes.
In 2024 alone, GWS Fury athletes achieved personal success with selections into state and national teams, including Netball NSW State teams, Australian National Championship teams, the Suncorp Super Netball Mavericks, Tonga TALA National and U21s teams, the Regional Emerging Talent team, and the Metro Emerging Talent team.
Whilst our athletes excel on the court, we're also proud of our coaching staff appointments to the Netball NSW Metro Emerging Talent team, the First Nations Emerging Talent team, and the NSW State 17s team.
As we look ahead to 2025, more coaching roles for the NSW State 17s teams have already been confirmed.
We're extremely proud of our GWS Fury coaches and athletes.
Kailahi leaves us with this quote: “Minor setback for a major comeback. Believe in yourself, keep pushing through the challenges, and remember, the greatest victories often come after the toughest battles.”
As a supporter of BCNA, we invite you to join us in our mission to nurture and grow the talent of our young athletes. Your support through venue access, equipment provision, or sharing of expertise, can make an impact on our community's sports development.
Whether you're a local business, a sports enthusiast, or a former player, your contribution will help us continue to offer a high-performance support network and a player-centered environment.
For more information, you can contact the association through secretary@ blacktownnetball.com.au, visit the website at www.blacktownnetball. com.au or our Facebook page.
Alison Sheppard is a GWS Fury Executive Representative.
TechnologY
AI WANTS TO RUN OUR MEETINGS Should we let it?
ANDREW POPE
“Can’t talk now, am back-to-back all day”. In today’s workplace, where meetings have become a de facto measure of productivity, this phrase has become a badge of honour. Busy and important trumps focused work.
Since the pandemic, we’ve relied on moving traditional working habits into a digital setting. Meetings are a prime example of this. We know how they work; moving meetings into a virtual format is less demanding than trying to get our people posting and commenting asynchronously in Teams channels or in Slack.
Recognising the rise of virtual meetings, we’re seeing more technology solutions to help us manage these demands without having to miss a thing! Microsoft recently announced the ability to ‘follow’ a meeting, to enable those who can’t attend to receive notes, actions and follow-ups. And soon, Microsoft are also launching Team copilot.
Team copilot is your team assistant, an AI tool that will summarise meetings, track tasks, moderate your meetings, respond to questions and project manage your activities.
Leaving aside the risks of leaving project management to AI, where it is helpfully hallucinating new deliverables and assigning tasks to the poor sod who forgot to update their calendar – now suddenly finding their free time has been filled with random tasks, what does this mean for those back-to-backers? And what does this mean for how we run meetings?
The ability to summarise meetings for those who couldn’t make it can be seen as a blessing.
We get the key outcomes, the actions relevant to us and literally any other summary that we can think of to ask Copilot to supply. Want to know who asked the most questions, who
didn’t ask anything, who blinked the most times? Copilot will tell you.
Fewer meetings to attend, no fear of missing out. Productivity boosted!
But is it? And what is productivity in meetings?
The Collins dictionary definition of a meeting is “… an event in which a group of people come together to discuss things or make decisions”. This means that a meeting is largely about conversations and outcomes. Which we already knew.
Humans are brilliant at using conversations to learn, apply and decide. That’s why we attend meetings: we’re there to contribute, to steer, to experience, to ask, to think.
So, what happens when we don’t attend a meeting, sending our Copilot on our behalf?
For simple, repeating meetings –such as status updates – this is not so much of a problem. Though arguably, this shouldn’t be a synchronous meet-
ing in the first place. But what about proper meetings that require input, not passive interest?
The problem of meetings is not too many meetings; it’s being in the wrong meetings. AI assisted summaries and suggestions are genuinely helpful.
There’s a risk that we lose sight of the importance of a conversation. That meetings become about being as efficient as possible, with AI helping us to discover outcomes - or to move towards them – with less human input.
Which takes us back to the start: what is the purpose of the meeting? Who do we need to attend to meet its objectives? Why do we need to have it all?
We risk forgetting why we need to get people together, why we need to
have a conversation. Human relationships don’t develop when we rely upon AI to tell us about our colleagues.
They develop from deeper interactions – conversations, questions, physical gestures.
Similarly, problems don’t get solved, opportunities don’t arise, if we just don’t turn up.
The problem of meetings is not too many meetings; it’s being in the wrong meetings. AI assisted summaries and suggestions are genuinely helpful.
But they are no replacement for the power of a human conversation. A conversation where, with our colleagues, we shape new outcomes. Not simply just communicating them.
We just need to accept the meetings where we’re invited to a discussion and decline the ones where we’re only passive participants.
Andrew Pope is partner and consultant at www. designingcollab.com