In The Field Staff Newsletter

IN THE FIELD

Message from the General Manager

The year is getting away from us, I can’t believe it’s already nearly Easter!

As you’d be aware, the State election recently saw a change in leadership for NSW, as well as two new local MPs with the retirement of former local MPs Nick Lalich and Guy Zangari. We wish them well and look forward to working with the new members Tri Vo and David Saliba, as well as long-time MP Hugh McDermott, on opportunities to improve the quality of services and living for our residents.

The weather over the past 6 months or so has been challenging, with grass mowing hard to keep up with. We are starting to see more progress there and we are sending out Green Teams to do weeding and a tidy-up of our landscaped areas, which makes the place so much more inviting for residents and visitors. Well done to our outdoor teams who work so hard in sometimes difficult conditions.

Following the sale of WestConnect, Council received funding for three new projects from the WestInvest competitive grants program. The funding will allow us to complete works at Endeavour Sports Park, Canley Vale and Brenan parks. We also applied for funding to redevelop the Cabravale Leisure Centre into a wellbeing precinct. Unfortunately, we were unsuccessful in obtaining this funding, which was very disappointing, but we will look for other funding opportunities to make this happen.

The organisational restructure that I have been updating you on over the past few months has now been completed, with the changes going through the Consultative Committee and ELT last month. The organisational structure chart is updated and now available in First Call. The new reporting lines have come into effect and there will likely be a transitional period while Directors get used to their new portfolios and teams.

Our Operational Plan for 2023-2024 is now out for public exhibition. Have a look on our website – there is an interactive map where you can zoom into specific areas and see what Council has planned for that area – with the option to make a comment or even add a new suggestion in a specific area. This should make it much easier for residents to have their say.

This issue of In the Field has some photos and information about the employee awards presentation held at Aquatopia in February. It was such a great day and so good to see so many people come along even though the weather wasn’t the best. It was a great opportunity to celebrate our colleagues and to take some time to be proud of what we have all achieved together.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a safe and happy Easter with your loved ones. Rest, recharge and enjoy the things that matter most to you.

Bradley Cutts, General Manager

Congratulations TO ALL THE WINNERS!

EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR - Glenn Meehan

Congratulations on the outstanding dedication to your profession, team and Council. This award is in recognition of Waste & Cleansing Operation’s continued service to the Community, ensuring bins were collected during both waves of COVID. Also, the Depot fire incident caused the loss of more than half the waste trucks. This required Council to source replacement trucks from neighbouring councils. Glenn overcame significant challenges to continue and maintain Council’s waste services.

Dolores Schembri and Janire Hagery - WHS

Dolores and Janire were proactive and effective in obtaining and communicating information to staff during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was complicated with regular changes to the NSW Public Health Orders requiring timely interpretation and appropriate communication.

Tom Donahue - Operational Improvement

Tom continually identified and built upon the existing data base in relation to properties subject to annual fire safety requirements. He was proactive in pursuing properties which historically had not been identified. This proactive approach has achieved safer buildings and improved the safety of occupants.

Jennifer Lim Hernandez - Sustainability

Jennifer’s ongoing support and dedication to Children and Family Services is to be acknowledged. Jennifer was instrumental in providing guidance to Children and Family Services that improved and assisted members of the community in navigating and understanding Council’s financial processes.

Natalie Todorovic - Innovation

Natalie coordinated food and personal parcel delivery distributions across and beyond the Fairfield LGA. Natalie was responsible for rosters, inducting staff and distribution of food PPE’s She also liaised with Foodbank, Oz Harvest and businesses. Natalie was instrumental in the COVID response which has been acknowledged by Resilience NSW as best practice response to COVID. Many councils have contacted Council for assistance in their response to food security issues.

Aelina Truong - Customer Service

Aelina has a very strong focus on customer service, including professional communication and willingness to follow through every matter to conclusion with appropriate feedback.

2021/22

Glenn Meehan

Janire Hagerty and Dolores Schembri

Tom Donohue

Jennifer Lim Hernandez

Natalie Todorovic

Aelina Truong

Year and Team Awards

TEAMS OF THE YEAR Rates Team - Innovation

The adoption of new processes and improved utilisation of technology enabled the Rates Team to exceed revenue collection forecasts during COVID-19. The team has achieved better outcomes and enhanced the level of services to internal customers and ratepayers.

Sustainable Resource Centre (SRC) Team - WHS

The SRC Team achieved a period of 680 days without a lost time injury on site and the successful operational integration of the Drop Off Centre and SRC entry point. The Team also received a mark of 100 per cent in the WHS internal audit conducted at SRC last month.

Customer Service Team - Customer Service

After a challenging period with COVID-19 and climatic events, the Customer Service Team has provided an exceptional level of customer service to the Fairfield City community. They have the ability to resolve a variety of customer issues and understand when it is necessary to send the issue to a higher level. They always try and resolve the issue while providing exceptional customer service.

Domestic Waste - Operational Improvement

During the first and second wave of COVID, the Waste & Cleansing Operations Service was one of those few teams within Council that never stopped. During COVID the team experienced a fire at the depot which caused the loss of more than half the fleet, sicknesses due to the pandemic, the climate change challenges such as La Nina and the struggle with being unable to unload trucks due to excessive storm events. The team embraced the need to keep on going in order to ensure a continued service delivered to the community.

Children and Family Services - Sustainability

During COVID-19 our Children and Family Services remained open and operational throughout the lockdown and continued to provide education and care for children, whilst Fairstart transitioned to telehealth services.

With low occupancy numbers the educators transitioned to cook healthy and culturally appropriate meals for the local community for vulnerable and isolated residents. 11 centres quickly adapted to the change producing approximately 35,487 home-cooked meals.

Fairstart delivered 1,585 sessions of telehealth. This required staff to mobilise and adapt therapy approaches to ensure support for children with additional needs.

Innovation - Rates Team

WHS - Sustainable Resource Centre

Customer Service - Customer Service Team

Operational Improvement - Domestic Waste

Sustainability - Best Start Education & Care

Celebrating OUR STAFF

Fairfield City Council staff were treated to a day out at Aquatopia to celebrate staff achievements in 2020-2021.

Staff across all services enjoyed a BBQ lunch along with unlimited rides at our famous water park. Everyone had fun on the day, spending time with colleagues, relaxing and enjoying a well deserved break.

Thank you to all staff involved with organising the event, your efforts are greatly appreciated!

Recognition Awards Program NOMINATE AN EMPLOYEE OR TEAM

Categories:

• Customer Service

• Innovation

• Leadership

• Operational Improvement

• Sustainability

• Work Health and Safety

For more information on RAP awards visit FirstCall.

Nominate staff or a team with performance excellence in any of these categories:

The national Inspire 2023 conference was held over two days in March at the International Convention Centre with more than 1,200 Early Childhood delegates in attendance.

The conference provided a forum for early childhood workers to be challenged, affirmed and inspired.

During the conference, four of our Best Start Education and Care centre directors presented ‘Boiling in the Bubble… She’ll be right mate!’.

The presentation illustrated the reflections, challenges and personal stories of our Best Start Education and Care early childhood professionals who worked through the challenging times of the 2021 COVID-19 lockdown.

Maria, Jackie and Jason, with the behind the scenes support from Silvana spoke about the process of cooking more than 35,000 meals for the local community. They highlighted how COVID shifted the way educators, centre directors, upper management, and other business units within our organisation banded together in the face of challenging times, to support not only our local community but each other.

Jason’s Story

At Fairfield City Best Start Education & Care, the Community Project Team runs playgroups for children and families. We also attend our services on a weekly basis to provide strategies and resources to educators when working with children that require additional support. We wanted to share a story showcasing the support we provided to one of our families.

There was a child who required significant additional support with his family wanting to place him into one of our services, but there were no positions vacant until the following year. The Community Project Team then recommended he attend our playgroup in the meantime.

His family was very anxious about him starting care due to his high needs. We looked at how to best support this child and his family.

We had an educator from his service attend the playgroup so

The ‘Cooking for the Community’ project formed a number of initiatives that were implemented across the Early Learning services, one being the design and publishing of a cookbook. Working with a local charities, collating contributions for the community through developing food and toy hubs within the Early Learning services.

The third initiative was visits to local nursing homes where children interacted with the residents. Cook and sip evenings were created where our families could come together to create a meal and build upon their own community relationships.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank all the departments such as Communications and Marketing that assisted and supported the conference team over the last few months to make sure that the presentation and publications were completed.

he could begin building a bond and have a familiar face. We also had his support educator attend.

At the playgroup, we saw him thrive and become more confident. When he started in the new year, he needed support to settle in his new environment, and having that familiar face of the educator really helped. He felt safe with her and, with her support was able to bond with other educators and children. As the service had put in place support strategies, it made the transition really smooth. It was beautiful to see the benefit of having the playgroups connected to our services. We have received such positive feedback from the child’s family on what a difference it has made to their child’s journey.

Silvana Popovic, Community Project Educator Children & Family Services

The Hub@Bonnyrigg Dhanawi

Residents in our City will now have another place to meet, socialise, learn, or gather with the official unveiling of The Hub@Bonnyrigg Dhanawi.

As our urban areas grow and yards become smaller, a safe space available to everyone becomes more and more important. In February, the community centre was officially opened with its large hall that can accommodate up to 150 people.

The centre will be an ideal place for families, community groups, play groups or businesses to use for large family gatherings, meetings or hosting education courses.

The centre has an accessible commercial kitchen, meeting spaces catering to 6 to 80 people, audio visual capacity, a fully accessible bathroom, office space, a wet play area for children and a beautiful garden.

The centre was built as part of the redevelopment of the Newleaf Estate under a negotiated planning agreement where the developer builds the centre before handing it to Council to manage for the community.

The planning for the centre started in 2017 with meetings being held between council staff, Landcom and Land and Housing Corporation to design the centre that is here today. We made sure the community was involved to deliver a centre for our residents with consultations at Bonnyrigg Plaza and through meetings with community groups.

Community bookings for The Hub@Bonnyrigg Dhanawi will be available in the coming months.

With the addition of The Hub@Bonnyrigg Dhanawi, we now have 20 community halls and centres across the City to book and use.

Our centres and halls are perfect places for neighbours, friends or family to meet and enjoy time together.

To view the full range of centres available to book visit www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/centresandhalls.

Fairfield Heights Park and Bareena Park

Work is well underway upgrading Bareena Park, Canley Vale and Fairfield Heights Park playgrounds thanks to a $4.9 million grant from the NSW Government’s Public Spaces Legacy Program.

Bareena Park will comprise of a one-of-a-kind large koi fish slide and climbing rope feature to go with a ‘water theme’ playground. Equipment will include five bay swings, carousels, spinners, rockers, seesaws, musical equipment, slides, and lots more!

Fairfield Heights Park’s ‘nature theme’ playground will include a large treehouse piece with a slide, in addition to accessible play equipment, toddler and kids swings and play zone.

The two new playgrounds are due to be completed in July this year and join a lengthening list of Fairfield City super parks, such as the Adventure Park and Obstacle Course at Fairfield

We are also planting more trees, installing new seating, wider paths and new paving for commuters and shoppers to enjoy while also restoring the significant

Art and Meditation WORKSHOP

In March, Council hosted an Art and Meditation Workshop for people with a disability and their carers.

27 people with disabilities and their carers from the Cerebral Palsy Association and the Australian Foundation for Disability (Afford) enjoyed the Art and Meditation Workshop at Wetherill Park Library. It was a diverse group with participants with neuro-disabilities and intellectual disabilities. A meditation counsellor came to facilitate the simple meditation and how to relieve stress by doing things we love.

Afterwards, there was a free style art session where the participants could choose their art medium of choice. It was a successful workshop in partnership with Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association and the Open Libraries, with participants and carers expressing their interest in workshops in the future hosted by Council.

‘Activate Your Lunch Break’ is a new initiative created to encourage staff to take a break at lunchtime and get outdoors or simply have some fun playing a game with colleagues.

• Bananagrams

• Dominoes

• Monopoly Deal cards

• Phase 10 cards

• Sequence board game

• Rummy-O

• UNO Flip cards

• UNO cards

• Whiteboards to score

• Battle Blocks

• Boules set

• Catch Ball set

• Quoits

• Table Tennis set

Games available Monday to Friday from 12 to 2pm, located at Council’s Administration Centre, Reading Room 4 or Lunch Room 5.

get ac tive

Want to have some fun, make new friends and get active at the same time? Why not join a staff sporting group or become a member of Council’s gym located at Council’s Administration Centre.

Danielle Taylor, Community Projects and Partnerships

year of the CAT & RABBIT

Our Lunar New Year celebration to see in the Year of the Cat and Rabbit was held in Cabramatta in February.

Thanks to the great work by the Major Events team as always, it was another successful year with about 12,000 people from Fairfield City and beyond enjoying the day’s activities.

Family friendly activities included amusement rides, lion dance workshops, a Hello Kitty meet and greet, DimSimLim leading a Cabramatta food tour, martial arts demonstrations, chop stick competition, God of Wealth visits and of course a big fireworks finale.

Special shout out to City Works, our electricians, Waste Services and many other staff who were involved in making the day go smoothly and giving our residents a wonderful day out.

Seniors’ Bus Excursion

On Thursday, 23 March, the Fairfield Seniors Network went on their first excursion since 2018 to Mt Annan Botanical Gardens.

17 local seniors from different cultural backgrounds and community groups, including the Chinese Russian Friendship Group, Active Maltese Group, Assyrian Social Group, Italian Pensioners, Canley Heights Seniors Group, St Hurmidz and NSW SLASA, came together to enjoy the gardens.

These excursions are a great way for seniors to find out more about the local area, to get out and be active in an accessible space, meet people from different cultures, and also to combat social isolation.

Danielle Taylor Community Projects and Partnerships

Farewell TO OUR STAFF

After 15 years at Fairfield City Council, Cheryl Bosler, the Queen of Place, took her final exit on Friday 10 March 2023.

Cabramatta Place has experienced so much change and growth over the years with Cheryl in the Manager’s role. She has overseen countless major events in our City over the years and worked on numerous projects advocating for Cabramatta, Canley Heights, Canley Vale and Lansvale. The town centres will surely feel her absence.

Cheryl was a problem solver, and always a phone call away. She had strong relationships with the local businesses, always making herself available to them. Cheryl leaves behind a (sad) team that has learnt so much through her knowledge, leadership, vibrant energy and passion. The Cabramatta Place and Major Events team will miss her terribly, as will many of the local businesses and stakeholders. We wish you good health, a happy retirement, and the very best in this next phase of your life.

Dave Smith, after serving more than 40 years’ at Fairfield City Council, has decided to start a new chapter in his life and retire.

Dave’s commitment, dedication and devotion towards his work over the many years has inspired many people within the organisation.

Dave has helped shape and build the foundations in Open Spaces and Parks and Gardens for future generations to enjoy and utilise.

Miriam Downie, after many years of service to our Council, has decided to retire and enjoy life with her family!

Miriam started her employment with Council in April 1975 then resigned in November 1989. In 1990, Miriam returned to Council and was appointed a permanent part time job share position for the next 10 years. In June 2000, Miriam was appointed Personal Assistant to the Executive Manager Environmental Standards and in 2018 transferred to Executive Assistant to Director Governance, Brad Cutts.

“I’d like to thank Council for the opportunities, which allowed me to grow my career and skills over the years. Thank you to everyone who provided me assistance, when required. I have enjoyed my work, have met many wonderful people, and made life long friends and will look back fondly on my time here.”

International Women’s Day

On Wednesday 8 March, we had the opportunity to #EmbraceEquity at the Workary during our International Women’s Day event.

Our audience of 83 were inspired, educated and encouraged by our three guest speakers on how to live a purpose-driven and sustainable lifestyle, encouraging women to step into roles, that historically have been male dominated. A special opening performance by the Vietnamese Women’s Association In NSW choir embraced what it is to be a strong mother, wife, sister and daughter through song.

Lakshmi Gowda is the owner and director of the sustainable designer label of “Lakshmi Bee” alongside her mother Susan. Their mission is to help heal the planet through their sustainable designs, while encouraging others to lead purpose driven lifestyles.

Lakshmi believes that great change starts with ourselves to create a better future for generations to come. They devote hours and months infusing their designs with elegance, luxury and style as well as their own multicultural heritage. Lakshmi spoke about not giving in to fashion trends, but to dress to reflect yourself and feel comfortable in what you wear, investing in quality pieces of clothing that last, in that way we can all do our part to protect the environment.

Joshua Badu, Life and Business Coach has worked with leaders and business owners on how to empower and thrive in their personal and professional lives. His passion is seeing people find their true success and change the world around them. He reminded us of how historically women’s roles have changed getting the audience to reflect on how far we have come, realising the journey still continues.

Vincent Ramirez represented Robogals a UNSW student run organisation and promoted the work Robogals do in the community to engage school aged girls in engineering from a young age. Robogals encourages young women to take up courses/careers in the field of engineering, science and technology.

It was a great morning, the audience got to mingle with the presenters over refreshments and we were honoured to have Councillor Marie Saliba, join us too.

Manjit Uppal, Senior Library Assistant

SH e LF INDULGENCE

Book Title: It ends with us

Author: Colleen Hoover

Genre: Contemporary romance

About the book...

This book follows the life of Lily Bloom and a romance that flourishes with an untamed man named Ryle. Lily has grown up with a tainted view on men and relationships due to having a violent and emotionally distant father. She always resented her mother for staying with him until he passed away and never understood why she didn’t leave him. As her relationship with Ryle becomes more intense and intimate she starts to find herself tolerating very similar behaviour. Throughout the story we also get to know her first love Atlas, a homeless boy, that she fell in love with as a teenager. He comes back into her life during her relationship with Ryle and begins to cause waves. Lily eventually finds the strength to break the cycle that her mother and her have been through, but only to change her daughter’s life, whom she has with Ryle.

What you liked….

I enjoyed getting to know the characters through the book from Lily’s perspective as a young woman and also as a teenager. This isn’t a typical romance novel where the two main characters fall in love, face adversity and then live happily ever after. The presence of domestic violence throughout the book is condemned and the main character Lily finds the strength to do what is right for herself and her daughter despite the promises that Ryle will change his way. For any young girl or grown woman that may be inclined to read this book, it sends the positive message that women can and should walk away from relationships that do not honour or respect your boundaries.

Reviewer:

Nastasija Koroneos

Digital Media Officer

Library Services

Open Libraries availability:

Online e-book and hard copy

Getting to know YOU

Name: Matthew Taket Innovative Library Programs Officer

Bookworm rating: 5/5

Are you a library member? Sign up today!

Contact Library Services on x333 or email libraryenquiries@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au

Hobbies

Fav. colour Black

TV series

Favourite movies

The Fighter, Trainspotting and Shot Caller

I’m proud of...

Video games, film/TV, skateboarding, martial arts, gym and reading my friend. She’s been

through a lot and yet she still has such a big heart, full of kindness and support.

When I was young...

Fav. food Shepherd’s Pie

I bet you never knew... I have tattoos!

A word of advice; never...

say never, because limits,

like fears, are often just an illusion – Michael Jordan.

A highlight in my life would be...

Brooklyn 99 I wanted to be a soldier. when I made my first film.

Famous person High-fiving Oli Sykes

Fav. band... Trophy Eyes

Travelling? visit... Kiama Blowhole!

Name: Tina Kochou Customer Service Officer

Pets

Two children

Fav. colour Blue & yellow

Hobbies

After work drinks, baking, beach trips and camping All genres

TV series MUST watch...

Will & Grace

Music/band

Fav. food

Carbohydrates

amazing women who have taught me a lot

When I was young...

I’m proud of... being part of a great team of Movies.. Jaws

A highlight in my life would be... catching a 2m shovel nosed shark with a Kmart fishing rod

A word of advice,

I never needed anyone say never never...

I bet you never knew... I lived in New Zealand

If you are interested in volunteering to be the next ‘Getting to know YOU”, please send an email to inthefield@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au

HAPPY EASTER TO FAIRFIELD CITY COUNCIL STAFF

To make Easter eggs-stra special, staff will be treated to an Easter egg hunt at the Administration Centre on Wednesday 5 April.

The Easter bunny will be visiting your desk and will also be hiding a special egg! If you are lucky enough to find a special egg, return it to Communications and Marketing to receive something special to share with your team.

We’re hopping you have a wonderful Easter with all your family and friends.

There are great prizes up for grabs. Everyone can enter! Send your answer to inthefield@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au Staff with correct answers will be contacted to spin the wheel! If you are located at another service other than the Administration Centre we can spin the wheel for you via Teams. Prizes are limited so get in quick!