CITY LIFE Summer Edition | Issue 101 December 2023
PARKS, PARKS AND MORE PARKS COMING
BAREENA PARK CANLEY VALE
CARRAWOOD PARK CARRAMAR
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CABRAVALE MEMORIAL PARK CABRAMATTA
MAYOR’S MESSAGE Frank Carbone
Year 6 students from Fairvale Public School attended Council as part of Council’s Civic Education Program.
We are always working hard to ensure that the health and wellbeing of our community comes first and that we provide high quality facilities, services and events, while keeping our rates the lowest in Sydney. An exciting project that is currently underway and will continue over this financial year, is the upgrade of 14 neighbourhood playgrounds across our City. Families will have even more opportunities to get out, be active and have fun together with play areas within a short walk or drive of every household. Over the past few months, playgrounds have been opened across multiple parks in the City with new playgrounds planned to be opened in the new year. Christmas is a very exciting time in our City and there is lots happening for everyone to enjoy! To support families and individuals who require assistance this Christmas, you can donate new toys and non-perishable food items to the Mayor’s Christmas Appeal. Donations can be accepted at our library branches and participating Woolworths store locations. Visit the tallest Christmas tree at Epoch Plaza in Fairfield, look out for Christmas lights and decorations at 20 roundabouts and intersections across the City with 3 new locations this year! We are also on the look out for houses with the best Christmas lights and decorations as part of the Light Up Christmas Competition. Nominate your house now for the chance to win a hamper valued at $150. Make sure you also check out our school holiday activities happening over the holiday break.
The Grand Philippine Fiesta Kultura celebration was held at Fairfield Showground.
We are holding our popular Illuminate New Year’s Eve event at Fairfield Showground, a celebration of family-friendly entertainment, food, rides and fireworks. Aquatopia is open 11am-4pm every day of the school holidays for families looking for an affordable day out. Cabanas are located around the site and are available for hire for your next party location or even a family day out. I wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year. I look forward to what 2024 holds for us as a City.
Frank Carbone Mayor of Fairfield City fcarbone@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
@FC.FrankCarbone @FairfieldMayor Villawood resident Peg celebrated her 98th birthday in October. She volunteers at Westacott Cottage every Friday.
Information and events in this publication are current at the time of printing.
The sparkle is on for Christmas
ALSO THIS FESTIVE SEASON
Big City Lights
Christmas workshops at Fairfield City Open Libraries:
I N FA I R F I E L D C I T Y
Explore all the magic the City has to offer with Christmas lights and decorations at 20 roundabouts and intersections. Visit fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/ChristmasLightsatIntersections for a full list of locations!
Christmas in Fair field City Centre Get into the spirit and head to Epoch Plaza to admire the tallest Christmas tree in the City during December.
Keep your eyes out for special visits from Santa in Fairfield Heights on 13 December and Fairfield City Centre on 14 December 2023.
Light Up Christmas Competition
Canley Heights Children’s Christmas Party Saturday 9 December, 3pm – 7pm Carols in Cabramatta Town Centre Saturday 9 December, 10am – 1pm
Sewing machine workshop – Christmas stocking 5 December – 8 December Handmade Christmas cards 6 December – 13 December Christmas preschool storytime 1 December – 13 December Christmas family storytime 9 December – 16 December Christmas craft for children 11 December – 14 December Head to fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/events for times, locations and dates. Limited spaces available.
We’re on the look out for houses with the best Christmas lights and decorations. Send us a photo of your house to be in the running to win a Christmas hamper valued at $150. For details head to our website fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au. Competition closes Tuesday 12 December 2023.
Mayor’s Christmas Appeal
Donate unwrapped, new toys and non-perishable food items to support families and individuals in need this Christmas. Donations are accepted at Bonnyrigg, Fairfield, Wetherill Park and Whitlam libraries. Donations will also be accepted at the following Woolworths store locations: Bonnyrigg, Cabramatta, Cecil Hills, Fairfield, Fairfield Heights, Green Valley, Greystanes, Pemulwuy, Toongabbie, Wentworthville and Wetherill Park. Donations can be made until Friday 15 December 2023.
EXTRA RECYCLING COLLECTION Between 25 December 2023 and 5 January 2024, Council will provide an extra recycling bin collection to help dispose of Christmas wrapping paper, food packaging and boxes. Just leave both your yellow and red-lidded bins out together on your normal redlidded bin collection day.
SUNDAY 31 DECEMBER
FAIRFIELD SHOWGROUND | 5PM - 10PM
FREE RIDES, ENTERTAINMENT, FIREWORKS & MORE!
TICKETS ON SALE NOW! TICKETS $5 PER PERSON
TICKETS & INFORMATION
www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/illuminate @FairfieldCity @DiscoverFairfield #IlluminateFairfield 4
at Fairfield City Open Libraries
Mayor’s Summer Holiday Reading Program For library members 0 to 4 years and 5 to 13 years until 31 January 2024. A literacy program for children to engage with libraries and reading throughout the summer. Practice or improve reading skills over the school holidays, meet new friends, learn more about your community, libraries and have fun! *Terms and conditions apply Scan the QR code for more information.
lab.LX & STEAM lab.LX and lab.LX STEAM are creative learning spaces for STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) education. Students, technology enthusiasts, and creators can come together through a combination of workshops and open lab sessions to advance their understanding of STEAM subjects. Workshops | Open Lab | Ozobot Art: Lightshow | Ozobot Art: Spirograph | VR Experience | 3D Modelling Youth: Ancient and new wonders with fusion 360 | Kids 3D Modelling: Great Wall Challenge
Fairfield City Open Libraries is running multiple workshops over the school holidays:
Family movie time 9 January – 23 January Australia Day Bunnings craft 11 January – 16 January
Puppet pandemonium 16 January – 18 January Terrarium workshop 19 January – 24 January
Lunar New Year Traditional Chinese calligraphy workshop 25 January LEGO Treasure Hunt 23 January – 25 January
Head to fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/Whats-on for times, locations and dates. Limited spaces available.
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Blessing of Fairfield City & Community
Saturday 2 March 9:30am
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When:
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11am to 9pm
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24 February 2024
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Free workshops for young people aged 12-24 years in photography, film and other creative media fields in the lead up to our annual Youth Week event, Bring It On!
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2024 BRING IT ON! FESTIVAL WORKSHOPS
atta Town C
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Workshops will run one afternoon/evening per week between March-April 2024.
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Registrations will open in January 2024 on the Fairfield City Youth Instagram page.
The workshops will run across 5 weeks after which time, all attendees will have the chance to put their skills into practice at the Bring It On! Festival in April. For all skill levels – whether you are a beginner interested in learning how to use professional cameras or a more experienced photographer wanting to take it to the next level. Visit fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au or follow us on Instagram @bringitonfest to stay up to date. www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/lunarnewyear Cabramatta - A Taste of Asia @DiscoverFairfield
FAIRFIELD CITY HQ
THE HUB@BONNYRIGG
WHY CHOOSE US?
The Hub@Bonnyrigg Dhanawi is a new community precinct providing space for meetings, events and activities. The centre includes a large function space, two large meeting rooms, a commercial kitchen and some smaller informal areas. There is a garden as part of the precinct for use by local residents. The garden space will increase access to fresh and nutritious food and develop skills in gardening, composting and cooking. Scan the QR code for more information.
FLEXIBLE CO-WORKING SPACES
LOCATION
Nestled in the heart of Fairfield City Centre and situated within an 8-minute walk from Fairfield Station.
AFFORDABLE
State-of-the-art facilities and high quality equipment without the overheads of traditional serviced offices.
MEETING SPACES
FACILITIES FOR HIRE Did you know...
Three fully equipped, versatile spaces tailored to meet your team and business needs.
There are more than 30 tennis courts available for hire across the City.
STUDIO HQ
Fancy a game of futsal with your mates?
Capture visuals in our high-end film and photography studio, the perfect space for photoshoots, podcasts and interviews at an affordable hourly rate.
NETWORKING OPPORTUNITIES We host a variety of onsite networking opportunities throughout the year that can contribute to the success and growth of entrepreneurs and small business owners.
Head to www.fairfieldcityhq.nsw.gov.au for more information.
We have two synthetic FIFA-style outdoor futsal courts that you can use on a casual basis available 7 days a week between 8am and 10pm.
MAJOR PROJECTS UPDATE Brenan Park Smithfield Playground upgrade coming soon
NEW PARKS COMING Council will start its significant upgrade of Endeavour Sports Park in Fairfield West in the coming months with the first stage of work expected to be completed in mid-2024.
Planning is currently also underway to transform Brenan Park in Smithfield with new recreation and fitness facilities for all ages. New elements could include new playground equipment and nature play spaces, a water play area, flying fox and an outdoor fitness station.
Endeavour Sports Park will become a high level grassroots sport precinct with something for everyone. There will be a wider range of sporting activities available as well as existing ones. Council will transform the existing netball courts into multipurpose courts to accommodate netball, basketball, volleyball, futsal and pickleball, complete with new lighting. Later staged works will include: • An upgrade of the existing AFL field • Two new synthetic fields with 200lux lighting • Football and cricket pitches and increased lighting for night matches and training • An upgrade to most amenities buildings and a new amenities building for the synthetic fields. 8
Endeavour Sports Park Fairfield West
Small playgrounds upgraded Recently we opened two new super playground parks at Canley Vale and Fairfield Heights, but equally important are our everyday neighbourhood playgrounds to ensure play opportunities are within a short walk or drive of every household. This financial year we will open 14 upgraded neighbourhood playgrounds containing features such as slides, climbing frames, spinners, rockers and seating. Over the past few months we have opened playgrounds in Curran Park, Prairiewood; Fitzgerald Park, Edensor Park; Tallowood Park, Bossley Park; Handel Park, Bonnyrigg Heights; and, Prospect View Park, Smithfield.
Indoor Entertainment and Sporting Centre Council is developing detailed plans for the new Indoor Entertainment and Sporting Centre at Fairfield Showground. The indoor complex will cater for events such as exhibitions, conferences, weddings and trade shows. It will also accommodate indoor sports such as table tennis, futsal, basketball, volleyball and gymnastics. The centre includes two halls, grandstand seating, a performance stage, kitchen and amenities.
Lighting up suburb banners We’re installing lighting for our promotional street banners at a number of locations so that residents and visitors can be informed 24/7 about our popular upcoming events. The banners look great against the night sky and make beautiful welcoming gateways to our various suburbs. The lighting has been installed at four major locations at Mount Pritchard, Smithfield, Yennora and Fairfield East.
The facility is designed to attract performers, corporate and community events and sporting events to Fairfield City, helping to boost our local economy.
In the new year, playgrounds will be opened at Cawarra Park, Fairfield; Macarthur Park, Fairfield East; Adams Park, Canley Vale; Bold Park, Cabramatta West; Welcome Park, Wakeley; Garran Park, Fairfield West; children’s playground at Fairfield Park; Busby Park, Edensor Park; and Rosford Park, Smithfield. The Rosford Park upgrade will also have outdoor fitness equipment and an Exeloo installed. 9
AROUND OUR CITY NEWS AND EVENTS
Students graduating Year 6 from schools across the City were presented with free passes to Aquatopia.
Mayor Frank Carbone visited Fairfield High School to join in on R U OK Day? activities.
T
hanks to all the families who came to the Grandparents Day at the Farm event in October in celebration of all the wonderful contributions of grandparents. 10
Fairfield based ‘Tyreworld’ celebrated 50 years in business and was presented with a Lifetime Business Award.
Mayor Frank Carbone presented Spirit Awards to Year 12 students at high schools across the City.
297 mattresses and 103 tonnes of waste were collected at Council’s annual Spring Clean Drop-off event in September.
A new Youth Area at Whitlam Library Cabramatta was opened thanks to a $150,000 grant from the State Library of NSW.
Mayor Frank Carbone attended an event hosted by Core Community Services for Child Protection Week in September.
A night of costumes and spooky and entertaining activities were held at Canley Heights for Halloween.
The October 2023 Fabulous Fairfield winners were awarded with gift cards, plants and certificates at the October Council Meeting.
FAIRFIELD CITY MUSEUM & GALLERY
AWEL, Fairfield MG, 2023, installation.
Deanna Hitti, A is for Alam (pen), 2022, detail. Image: Christian Capurro.
A WHISPER ECHOES LOUDEST
LANGUAGE EXCHANGE
ARTISTS
ARTISTS
Rosell Flatley / Carmen Glynn-Braun / Dennis Golding / Mehwish Iqbal / Shivanjani Lal / Nadia Refaei / Roberta Joy Rich / Sha Sarwari
Rainbow Chan / Anne-Louise Dadak / Kuba Dorabialski / Deanna Hitti / L-FRESH-The-LION / Jazz Money / Audrey Newton / James Nguyen / Rachel Schenberg
Until 10 February 2024
A Whisper Echoes Loudest reflects on individual and collective experiences of colonialism by those who have always, and those who now call Australia home. Through gentle and resilient artistic practices, the artists involved in the exhibition explore narratives that are otherwise concealed from public view and concern. In sharing these narratives, the exhibition seeks to foster a sense of empathy, understanding, and community. Curated by Nikita Holcombe.
Opens 24 February 2024
Language Exchange considers the experience of being connected to non-English languages while living in predominantly Englishspeaking Australia. The exhibition engages artists from several cultural backgrounds to create a dialogue between the layered feelings of joy, sorrow, community, recognition, and revival. Curated by Amy Prcevich.
Visit fcmg.nsw.gov.au for more information about what’s on at Fairfield City Museum & Gallery. fairfieldcitymuseumgallery @fairfieldcitymuseumgallery
EXTRA RECYCLING COLLECTION
IS IT GARBAGE OR RECYCLING? We all want to do the right thing for the planet and recycle, right?
Between 25 December 2023 and 5 January 2024, Council will provide an extra recycling bin collection to help dispose of Christmas wrapping paper, food packaging and boxes. Just leave both your yellow and red-lidded bins out together on your normal redlidded bin collection day.
We know that sometimes we’re not quite sure if certain things can be recycled. For example, soft plastic bags ALWAYS go in the red garbage bin, but what about food packaging? Which bin does that go in? Scan the QR code for what goes in the red-lidded garbage bin and the yellow-lidded recycling bin. We have information available in English, Vietnamese, Assyrian, Chinese, Khmer and Arabic. There is also a full A-Z list of items that you can use as a quick, easy-to-use ready guide!
KERBSIDE CLEAN-UP BOOK ONLINE NOW
No book-in services from 23 December 2023 – 7 January 2024 Red and yellow-lidded bin waste services will operate as normal
www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au/kerbsidecleanup
Pet owners are encouraged to take extra care to ensure their pets are safe during the holiday period. Dogs and cats can become frightened during fireworks or thunder storms. There are a number of ways you can ensure your pets stay safe. • Provide a safe, comfortable and familiar environment and ensure fences, gates and doors are secure. • Consider staying home with your pet. • Bring your pet indoors. Most importantly, ensure your pet is registered and microchipped and all details are up to date. This will help ensure you can be reunited with your pet if they run away. 13
BOOK YOUR PARTY
in one of our many cabanas that come with a barbecue, small fridge, fan, table, bench seating and park access!
AQUATOPIA WATER PARK IS OPEN FOR THE 2023/24 SEASON! 14
TO PURCHASE TICKETS OR BOOK A CABANA VISIT FAIRFIELDCITYLEISURECENTRES.COM.AU/AQUATOPIA
COUNCIL CLOSURES Some of Council’s services will be closed over the Christmas/New Year period. For urgent enquiries outside these closure periods, please call 9725 0222. Council Administration Centre Closed 23 December – 7 January Fairfield City Leisure Centres Prairiewood Leisure Centre Closed 25 December Cabravale Leisure Centre Closed 24, 25, 31 December and 1 January Fairfield Leisure Centre Closed 24, 25 and 31 December Fairfield Youth and Community Centre Closed 23 December – 7 January Fairfield City Museum & Gallery Closed 23 December – 8 January Fairfield City Open Libraries Closed 23 December – 1 January Fairfield Showground Closed 25, 26 December and 1 January Long Day Care and Multipurpose Services Closed 23 December – 9 January Preschools Closed 23 December – 23 January Fairfield City HQ Closed 23 December – 7 January Recycling Drop Off Centre Closed 23 December – 12 January Sustainable Resource Centre Closed 22 December – 7 January Kerbside Clean-Up Book-In Service No book-in services from 23 December – 7 January Other waste services will operate as normal.
Look out for your free 2024 Calendar!
WHAT’S ON 2024 CALENDAR
JANUARY
Follow us @fairfieldcity www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
Tuesday 23 and Thursday 25 January
LEGO Treasure Hunt Wetherill Park and Fairfield Libraries 10.30am – 12.30pm
The 2024 calendar is your guide to our annual program of events and services delivered across the City. Each resident will receive a 2024 calendar delivered to their home.
Friday 26 January
Australia Day Celebrations Fairfield and Prairiewood leisure centres, Fairfield Youth and Community Centre
Thursday 25 January
Lunar New Year - Traditional Chinese Calligraphy Workshop Whitlam Library Cabramatta 11am – 12pm
Friday 26 January
Australia Day fireworks Canley Heights Town Centre 9pm
Australia Day Celebrations
FEBRUARY Every Saturday
Fairfield City Markets Up to 600 undercover stalls Fairfield Showground Smithfield Road, Prairiewood 9am-4pm
Cabramatta Lunar New Year
Saturday 3 February
Canley Heights Lunar New Year clebrations Canley Heights Town Centre 5pm – 9pm, fireworks at 9pm
Sunday 4 February
Fairfield Youth and Community Centre Open Day 11am – 4pm
Saturday 24 February and Saturday 2 March Cabramatta Lunar New Year – Year of the Dragon Cabramatta 9am – 9pm Sunday 9.30am, blessing of Fairfield City and community
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YOUR ELECTED REPRESENTATIVES
fcarbone@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au 9725 0203
Frank Carbone Mayor of Fairfield City
@FC.FrankCarbone @FairfieldMayor
PARKS WARD
Reni Barkho
George Barcha
Michael Mijatovic
rbarkho@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
gbarcha@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
mmijatovic@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au hmorvillo@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
0404 445 551
0427 901 166
0432 442 921
Hugo Morvillo
0438 530 131
Andrew Rohan
Marie Saliba
arohan@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
msaliba@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
0431 264 990
0437 984 704
FAIRFIELD/CABRAVALE WARD
Milovan Karajcic
Kevin Lam
Carmen Lazar
Dai Le
Kien Ly
mkarajcic@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
klam@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
clazar@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
dle@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
kly@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
0417 770 110
0483 809 606
0410 643 568
0410 899 787
0412 564 388
Charbel Saliba Deputy Mayor
0427 725 422
csaliba@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
CONTACT US Phone NRS TIS
9725 0222 133 677 (Hearing Impaired) 131 450 (Interpreter Service)
Administration Centre 86 Avoca Road, Wakeley Monday to Friday 8.30am-4.30pm
Call Centre Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm
PO Box 21 Fairfield NSW 1860 mail@fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au www.fairfieldcity.nsw.gov.au
Follow us @fairfieldcity @DiscoverFairfield