Domestic Violence is a sad reality in today’s society and unfortunately is a regular feature in the news we read or watch. We hope that one day, this won’t be an issue, that one day there will be no more domestic violence, however until that day comes, women and children will continue to need help escaping their lives of violence and support as they rebuild their lives for a safe and independent future.  

Parramatta Mission’s Thelma Brown Cottages provide a home away from home and a safe environment for women and children escaping domestic violence every day.

Thelma Brown Cottages (TBC) is one of only 3 domestic violence refuges in Sydney that accommodates for larger families, particularly those with 5 or 6 accompanying children. TBC is also different from most refuges in that women are provided with a self-contained apartment with their own bathroom and kitchen allowing them to be a family and face their difficult journey together with dignity.

Women and children supported by TBC are offered support and access to services to help them transition into a strong future. Children are supported through the process of continuing their education and support services are accessed to help victims work through the trauma they have experienced. TBC provides a temporary home and help women and children find their own accommodation, supporting them step by step as they rebuild their lives. The support received at TBC is in such high demand there is rarely a day an apartment is empty.

We are always needing help to make sure the TBC apartments are ready for their new residents. Items including new pillows and bed sheets are always in demand, as are the basics that help us care for our home such as mops, buckets, brooms, clothes airers and pegs. 

If you would like to help TBC in preparing the apartments for women and children please contact Parramatta Mission’s fundraising team today by emailing fundraising@parramattamission.org.au

TAFE NSW South Western Sydney Institute (TAFE SWSi) has been judged to be the most innovative and excellent training organisation in its development of the local logistics and warehousing workforce.

At a glittering ceremony last Friday in Melbourne, the National Transport and Logistics Industry Skills Council (TLISC) presented TAFE SWSi with the Innovation and Excellence in Workforce Development (Logistics and Warehousing) Award for its “innovative partnerships with the industry together with its quality teaching”.

TAFE SWSi Head Teacher – Transport & Logistics, Wetherill Park College, Ed Tarabey, said this was “not just any award”.

“This award aligns so perfectly with our focus on providing job ready graduates from an award winning, industry aligned training organisation,” he said.

In its official statement on the award, the TLISC praised TAFE SWSi’s workforce development initiatives.

“TAFE SWSi’s Transport and Logistics team has built a reputation for responding effectively to the needs of industry through innovative partnerships and quality education and training,” the statement said.

“These ongoing partnerships with leading dynamic supply chain organisations such as DHL, Johnson & Johnson, De Lorenzo and Sydney Water have demonstrated that SWSi’s programs are aligned with rapidly changing and diverse industry needs.

“The investment in developing these partnerships with local employers and job agencies in the south-western region of Sydney has paid off and is demonstrated in the high post-program employment rates and the many students returning to build on their initial qualification to successfully achieve career advancement.

“TAFE SWSi is a public training organisation providing opportunities which often prove life changing for students who are drawn from one of the most ethnically diverse and disadvantaged regions in Australia.”

TAFE SWSi Institute Director, Peter Roberts, congratulated TAFE SWSi’s Transport and Logistic team on winning such a prestigious award.

“Our customer first approach means that we match the right training solutions to all our customers in the transport and logistics area,” Mr Roberts said.

“TAFE SWSi’s industry-experienced team works hard to ensure that our students are equipped with the skills employers and modern workplaces demand.

“I am proud to say that each year we work closely with our community to help build the productivity of our region’s workforce.”

TAFE SWSi is one of Australia’s largest training organisations and has an enviable reputation for providing high quality skills training across a range of the business disciplines which are vital to growing the local, regional and state economies.

More than 21,000 students are enrolled across nine colleges in more than 400 education and training courses ranging from certificate courses to university degrees and industry specific programs.

TAFE SWSi also provides training for more apprentices than any other RTO in NSW and was awarded the 2013 Australian Large Training Provider of the Year at the Australian Training Awards.

For more information about TAFE SWSi courses please visit www.SWSi.edu.au or call 13 79 74.

From left to right: Laurie D’Apice (TLISC Board Chair); Jon Northorpe (TLISC Board Member); Terry Saunby (TAFE SWSi Director Manufacturing & Transport Faculty); Edward Tarabey (TAFE SWSi Head Teacher Transport & Logistics); Olivia Milligan (TAFE SWSi Logistics Teacher); and Robert Adams (TLISC CEO)

With an athletic design and a number of new features including daytime running lamps, rear combination lamps, parking assist system and rear monitor standard across the range, the all new Camry is confident and captivating.

Additional options are available on other models including 18” alloy wheels, moonroof, pre-crash safety system, lane departure alert and more.

To book a test drive or enquire, please contact us on 8488 8797.

For more information visit landertoyota.com.au

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Click here to download the full Domestic Violence Action Plan.

Click here to download a one-page summary of the Domestic Violence Action Plan.

The Dyldam Parramatta Eels will today officially launch the club’s Domestic Violence Action Plan (DVAP), a first for a national professional sporting club in Australia.

The Eels believe that while living free from violence is everyone’s right, reducing violence is everyone’s responsibility. 

As a sporting organisation, the Eels take the opportunity to use our country’s passion for sport as a vehicle to promote positive community change.

The DVAP is a living document, designed in its initial form to:

•    Engage on the national level with Domestic Violence groups

•    Raise awareness within the Parramatta Eels community

•    Raise awareness throughout all levels of the club

•    Offer support to Board, staff and players identified as being impacted by family violence

•    Include our commitment in the code of behaviour for all Board, staff and players

•    Ensure all opportunities within the club are gender equal

At this afternoon's Round 10 Eels v Warriors game at Parramatta’s Pirtek Stadium, both teams will link arms, joined by the Minister for Indigenous Affairs, Senator the Hon. Nigel Scullion, officially representing the Hon. Tony Abbott MP, Prime Minister of Australia.

The linking of arms is a show of solidarity for the reduction of domestic and family violence, a symbol that has grown out of the NO MORE campaign in the Northern Territory. 

With the support of its founder, Charlie King, the Eels are lending their voices to NO MORE, which commenced in 2008 after consultation with Indigenous Elders from across the Northern Territory. 

Since then, it has evolved to engage with all levels of the sporting community across
all demographics. The campaign’s aim is to engage with men, as both perpetrators and victims, to take ownership of the issue and work towards a solution. 

“Sporting clubs play an important role in influencing our community, and we’re committed to giving back and helping to build a society where families can be free from violence,” Eels CEO Scott Seward said. 

“I’m very proud to be able to launch this plan, and hopefully it encourages more professional sporting teams to create their own plans and help reduce family violence.”    

The Eels invite all attendees at our Round 10 game this weekend, men and women, to join us in linking arms before kick-off to show their commitment and say: NO MORE.

NSW Premier Mike Baird today announced a major expansion by the University of Western Sydney in the Liverpool City Centre.

"I'm proud to announce the University of Western Sydney will establish a state-of-the-art Higher Education Centre in the heart of Liverpool in 2016," Mr Baird said.

"Liverpool is one of Sydney's fastest growing and most dynamic cities. It's a smart move for UWS to establish a presence in a city where almost half the population is under 30 years old.

"This new centre will further complement the strong education and health sector that is already in Liverpool. The city is at the forefront of health and medical research, with the Ingham Institute's ground-breaking cancer research and Liverpool Hospital one of the largest hospitals in the Southern Hemisphere.

"More than 6,000 people are employed in health and education in this city. I can see a bright future for Liverpool and UWS."

UWS Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover said the Liverpool Higher Education Learning Centre would meet the demand from the young growing city and expand UWS's reach to key locations across Western Sydney.

"The Centre will comprise technology-rich teaching spaces, regionally targeted post-graduate offerings, the Centre for Western Sydney and a 'Launch Pad' Smart Business Centre," Professor Glover said. "The up to 1,000sqm facility will accommodate over 150 students, staff and corporate partners in a flexible and highly-innovative workspace.

"We are delighted to add Liverpool to our network of sites across Western Sydney. Along with providing greater access to the highest-quality education opportunities for people of Liverpool, the Centre will be a pivotal contributor, along with government and industry, to the shaping of the Western Sydney Aerotropolis."

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun welcomed the university to Liverpool, saying the institution had made the right decision to establish itself in the Great South West.

"As the Airport City, Liverpool is seeing unprecedented development and growth across all sectors, including education and research," Mayor Ned Mannoun said.

"Those who get in early will be able to make the most of the opportunities which Liverpool has to offer: a young tech-savvy population which speaks more than 140 languages; a growing population; accessibility by roads and public transport, as well as affordable industrial and residential land.

"This announcement aligns with our vision to create innovative education and employment opportunities through strategic partnerships. Partnerships such as this will enable us to harness jobs and business investment potential from the Airport for our local community."

The University will reveal, over time, more detail about the course offerings this newest of sites will deliver. However the focus will be best-practice teaching and research programs that are both international in outlook and regionally aligned.

“Instead of wondering when your next vacation is, maybe you should set up a life you don’t need to escape from” - Seth Godin.

In terms of our work lives, it’s a sad reality that most people hate going to work and literally count down the days until they can escape by going on holiday!

To me this is a sad reality. At Gallop we think this needs to change and we are all about having fun within the workplace. After all, people tend to spend more time at work than they do at home. It makes sense to create a culture where it’s ok and even encouraged to have fun whilst you work!

So to inject some more fun in YOUR business, here is a challenge from Gallop:

We want  you, our clients, to get creative, get a bit silly and have some fun by creating a music video with your team, your clients, your families, whoever! Show us how you like to have fun, and enter your music video into the Gallop Music Video Awards (nicknamed the GMVA’s)!

We will release the music videos at our end of year bash and let our clients decide on the night who the winner is! All videos must be submitted to us by Monday the 3rd of November… so it’s time to get started if you haven’t already!

We take having fun so seriously that it is part of our company VFP to create “Profitable, efficient and FUN companies that are able to expand working as a team towards agreed upon goals”.

Join in the GVMA’s and you might be surprised just how much fun you and your team will have.

Anthea Papanicola
Head of Client Delivery

Click here to find out more

The Western Sydney Business Connection (WSBC) and WSBC Platinum Partner TAFE WSI are leading a research project to conduct skills audits within the Western Sydney Area. 

The aim of the research is to identify areas of skills shortages or over supply in your local area and potentially influence government policies associated with skills and jobs development.

As a business operating in Western Sydney, we encourage you to take part in this research.

By providing input of your current and future skill needs, your business will have an opportunity to get involved in this inaugural research. You can also opt-in for a customised business report which will allow you to benchmark your organisation’s performance against your competitors.

To take part in the online survey, please type the following link to your web browser:

http://tinyurl.com/WestSydSkillsAudit

The survey will take about 10 minutes to complete. Lonergan Research has been commissioned to run this study.

or scan the following QR Code:         

For any queries please contact Michael Sugg (M.Sugg@wsbc.org.au) 

Parramatta City Council has approved development applications to demolish its Darcy Street Council offices and the Civic Place Library building in preparation for the next stages of the $2 billion Parramatta Square urban renewal project.

The approval of the applications was based on a report and assessment by independent planning consultants and will allow Council to provide developers with vacant possession of the two sites.

The council offices, library and other council-owned property along Darcy Street will eventually make way for high-end commercial office space and the Aspire residential tower.

Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Scott Lloyd says demolition of the Council offices and library will be carried out by the preferred developers which are expected to be selected mid-2015.

“Council’s preparation and approval of the DAs will remove approximately six months from the critical path of the Parramatta Square development projects,” Cr Lloyd said.

“Council has made the decision to have Stage 2 and Stages 5&6 of Parramatta Square ‘shovel ready’ as soon as possible, which will allow us to attract major tenants and businesses.

“We have already started the demolition of the old Post Office building and other demolition DAs are currently under review by the independent assessor.”

Parramatta Square is set to transform Parramatta’s core into a vibrant mixed-use hub, accommodating a substantial new public domain with more than 240,000sqm of mixed-use development.

Located in the heart of the CBD, the three hectare site is set to reinforce Parramatta’s position as Sydney’s dual CBD.

Construction work has begun on Stage One of the project - a $220.5 million commercial tower which will accommodate a new multi-level campus for the University of Western Sydney.

Cr Lloyd said lease agreements had now been finalised for premises to house the Parramatta City Library and Council administration offices until new facilities are built at Parramatta Square.

The library’s temporary home will be an office building at 1-3 Fitzwilliam Street where it will occupy part of the ground floor, the first floor and part of the second floor.

Staff and services from 30 Darcy Street and Connection Arcade will be relocated over the ground floor and six floors of office space at 126 Church Street.

“Both the Library and Council offices will continue to be conveniently located in the heart of the CBD to ensure ratepayers and other customers continue to have ready access to the library and front-of-counter Council services,” Cr Lloyd said.

Parramatta is being positioned as a ‘smart city’ with the development of a Technology Masterplan for Parramatta Square and the creation of a Smart City Masterplan.

The plans will provide a strategy for how technology initiatives can be efficiently planned for and incorporated into new developments and projects across Parramatta.

Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Scott Lloyd says that with so much urban renewal taking place across the city, Council is taking the time now to find innovative solutions to address issues such as telecommunications planning, power infrastructure and public Wi-Fi in current and future projects.

“Applying the masterplans to development areas such as Parramatta Square will serve to guide the types of technologies, standards and approaches that Council will follow in its planning and which developers should adopt in their building designs,” Cr Lloyd said.

“Digital technologies are critical drivers of innovative and productive, liveable cities.

“Council is committed to advancing connective technologies to create a better social, environmental and economic way of life. These masterplans will go a long way to embedding this vision.”

The Deputy Lord Mayor of Parramatta Cr Steven Issa, and Chairman of Council’s ParraConnect Committee that has been driving a number of smart city projects, says the Masterplans will help establish a connected community.

“The creation of these masterplans will support our long-term vision for a smart city by guiding the use and integration of leading-edge technologies,” Cr Issa said.

“It means we are creating a city centre where workers, residents and visitors can readily interact with state-of-the-art technologies.”

The work will be supported by a Smart City Strategic Project Officer. The newly created position will coordinate strategic relationships relevant to innovation, education and technology and represent the interests of Council in technology-focussed partnership initiatives.

Since 2009, Parramatta City Council has undertaken a number of initiatives to position itself as an emerging smart city, including the ParraSync smart card, free Wi-Fi in libraries and wireless solar powered CCTV.

These initiatives have been led by ParraConnect, a community partnership advisory committee, which aims to foster new digital initiatives in local public precincts.

Further information on Parramatta City Council’s focus for becoming a smart city can be found here: http://www.parracity.nsw.gov.au/work/economic_development/strategy/smart_city

We would like to wish Ronald McDonald House Westmead every success with their Telethon on Channel Seven this Saturday 16 May from 10 am until 5:30 pm and encourage ALL  members of the WSBC community to get involved and support one of the WSBC Charity Partners.

Sydney Telethon is a Channel Seven fundraising initiative in support of Ronald McDonald House Westmead’s Building Love campaign.

The aim is to help raise the necessary funds to build a new House.

We would encourage you to get involved by doing the following:

·        Like the Sydney Telethon facebook page for all the latest announcements on performances and special guests on the day

·        Use the official Hashtags: #BuildingLove and #SydneyTelethon

·        Always tag @RMHWestmead - www.facebook.com/rmhwestmead

twitter.com/rmhwestmead  - Instagram / rmhwestmead

·        Be watching Sydney Telethon Saturday 16 May from 10am on Channel Seven

·        Sending your message of support with your own ‘building love’ photo which will be shared with the families at Ronald McDonald House Westmead #BuildingLove

Their dedicated social media pages are:

·        Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sydneytelethon

·        Twitter: https://twitter.com/sydneytelethon (@sydneytelethon)

·        Instagram: https://instagram.com/sydneytelethon (@sydneytelethon)

Please help them build a new house.

Share the love with your fans and networks through your social media!