More than 100 of Western Sydney’s best and brightest young people will help shape a vision for Parramatta’s future at the inaugural Parramatta Young Leaders Forum at the University of Western Sydney (UWS) on Friday 23 May. 

Lord Mayor Cr John Chedid said the forum, hosted jointly by Council and UWS, would allow young leaders aged 17 to 24 to make their voices heard on issues such as technology, lifestyle, innovation and government.

Participants, who have been chosen from local high schools, universities and employers, would hear speakers including Federal Minister for Immigration and Border Protection Scott Morrison and head of the Kokoda Track Foundation Dr Genevieve Nelson. MC will be Channel 10 news presenter Natarsha Belling. 

“I have organised this forum because I strongly believe all levels of government should listen more closely to our young people and consider their views when making decisions that will affect their future,” Cr Chedid said.

“We need to involve our future generation of leaders in our long-term decision-making to ensure Parramatta is a true City of the 21st Century.

“Young people traditionally don’t get involved in consultation initiatives so this is a great opportunity for Councillors and local business leaders to listen to their ideas and, where appropriate, work towards putting them into practice.

“Feedback from the forum will be included in a detailed report to be presented to Council for consideration.”

Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover says the University of Western Sydney is pleased to host the Young Leaders Forum at its Parramatta campus. 

"As one of the world's best young universities, UWS is proud to play a role in developing the leaders of the future,” he said.

“We are delighted to partner with Parramatta City Council on this initiative, which seeks to give a voice to the younger generation, and harness their passion and enthusiasm to make a difference to the communities in which they live.” 

Participants will discuss the following topics with local business leaders in workshops:  

• Inspiring careers and future leaders
  
• Liveability and lifestyle
  
• Entrepreneurship and innovation
  
• The future of technology
  
• Government and media
  

In addition to Minister Morrison and Dr Nelson, two inspirational young people will address the forum: Paralympic athlete and 2012 NSW Young Athlete with a Disability Kristy Pond, and social entrepreneur, motivational speaker and author Sacha Krjatian.     

Hermina Liscevic, a 2013 HSC student at Catherine McAuley Catholic secondary school in Westmead who won the John McClymont Award for History, ranked first in the State for Croatian and won the Premier’s Award for all-round excellence, will also speak at the forum.        

Following the forum, there will be a civic reception where participants will network with Councillors and local business leaders and discuss their ideas in a more informal way.

Cr Chedid said he was delighted the University of Western Sydney was partnering with Council to run the forum.

“Through our Memorandum of Understanding with the university, we are working to boost higher education services in our region so local students can study where they live.

“In Parramatta, we are creating a city of the future based on high-end technology and the jobs of the future.

“We also have a strategic alliance with the University of New England which has a campus in our CBD, and are developing   the Westmead biomedical precinct, Rydalmere UWS business innovation park and Camellia eco-industrial precinct.

“These are becoming centres of excellence that will attract high-end university graduates and the jobs of the future.

“We have a vision for the future where our region’s best and brightest students can go on to tertiary education and then highly qualified jobs right here in our city.” 

Parramatta Young Leaders Forum

Where: University of Western Sydney, Parramatta South Campus, cnr James Ruse Drive and Victoria Rd, Parramatta.

When: 11am to 5pm: Friday 23 May

Media are welcome to attend the keynote addresses at the forum   

WSBC Gold Member, Australian Turf Club (ATC), invites applications from suitably qualified individuals for the position of Assistant Race day and Events Operations Manager.

ATC is Australia’s premier Thoroughbred racing organisation with an exciting program of race meetings at Royal Randwick, Rosehill Gardens, Canterbury Park and Warwick Farm.  We have a long and proud history of delivering exciting and entertaining Thoroughbred racing in the Sydney region, traditionally playing a leading role within the Industry. The ATC also provides high quality entertainment, first-class facilities, award winning catering and customer service and is a renowned entertainment venue. The ATC plays host to profiled corporate and consumer events and exhibitions including the Future Music Festival, and the Caravan & Camping Supershow.

About the Role

Based at the award winning Rosehill Gardens and reporting to the Race day and Events Operations Manager, this permanent full time position will coordinate and manage race day and non race day events and functions with a focus on operational aspects of food, beverage, client and customer service. Further, the position seeks to provide direction and support to Food and Beverage employees to improve operational efficiency and outstanding customer experiences. Due to the nature of the role, the successful applicant will be required to work evenings and weekends.

To be successful in this role the candidate will need to meet the following criteria:

• Extensive experience in operating and managing a variety of large scale functions and events
• At least 5yrs demonstrable experience in a hands on operations role preferably from a hotel, convention or theme park background
• Experience in managing both large public and trade show events
• A proven track record of managing, motivating and improving the performance of a team of people in a customer service environment
• Demonstrated ability to prioritise, plan and execute multiple tasks
• Superior oral communication, written, interpersonal and presentation skills
• Sound conflict resolution and problem solving skills
• Well-developed computer skills in Word, Excel,  EBMS, Etivity, Visio, Task retail and electronic sign systems
• A well developed understanding of legislative requirements relevant to food and beverage services such as HACCP, RSA and OH&S.
• Certificate 4 in Frontline Management
• Valid Responsible Service of Alcohol certification

What we offer

The ATC offers employment in an award winning venue with a dynamic service driven environment, career opportunities and free on-site parking for staff.

Interested applicants should send their resume and cover letter outlining how they meet the criteria to cpalmer@australianturfclub.com.au

Applications close 15^th May 2014 

Raising Hope For Homeless Women

Parramatta Mission has been providing community services for over 40 years. Helping people who are homeless, people facing crisis and people living with mental illness.

Today, Parramatta Mission is one of the largest providers of community mental health services in New South Wales, as well as one of the largest providers of community services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Western Sydney. We do this with a vision to be a community transforming lives through our values of grace, dignity, inclusion, faith and hope.

Pathways for homeless women have been minimal and a reoccurring gap in our society over the past decade. With an increase in the cost of living, rising rates of domestic violence, and employers demanding higher levels of workplace experience and skills, the gap is rapidly increasing.

Mental health is another common theme present in women experiencing homelessness, and when paired with the above mentioned factors, mental health symptoms can often be exacerbated.

While social housing is a temporary fix for homeless women with complex needs, for many women it can only be seen as that, a temporary fix. A holistic approach toward meeting women’s individual needs is a necessary requirement in reaching a more permanent solution.

Restrictions around implementing a holistic approach for individual women include, limited funding, limited affordable housing, limited access to therapeutic interventions and extensive time delays for professional intervention. These restrictions significantly impact on the healing process that is vital for women to connect with the community and maintain stable tenancies and housing over significant periods of time.

Gala event objective

Parramatta Mission’s Raising Hope for Homeless Women Gala Event, hosted by Mark Taylor, is being held to raise awareness and funds to address the unmet need of crisis accommodation for women who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.

All proceeds will go towards building and developing crisis accommodation for homeless women.

Crisis accommodation is intensive support and the provision of case management to restore hope in women who have been deeply traumatised in life.

Together we can help women escape the danger and despairing reality of homelessness, giving them hope and assistance to transition into safer and more independent living.

As a Corporate Partner of the Raising Hope for Homeless Women Gala Event you will benefit from:

• Networking
  
• Corporate Social Responsibility
  
• Team Building
  
• Marketing and brand awareness
  
• A great night with friends, family, clients and staff for a great cause
  
• Being a known major partner in the implementation of crisis accommodation for homeless women in Western Sydney
  

The Parramatta Mission team is dedicated to working with your organisation, ensuring your sponsorship investment is maximized through marketing and communication opportunities.

This is a great chance for your organisation to promote your brand and supportive role in bridging the gap in services for homeless women.

Parramatta Mission is dedicated to expanding our footprint over the coming years. Your continued support and partnership will not only enable great change in our community, but provide your organisation and staff the benefit of being part of a community transforming lives.

Additional Event Information

Venue:

Waterview in Bicentennial Park

Bicentennial Drive (entrance off Australia Avenue)

Bicentennial Park, Sydney Olympic Park

Commencing at 7:00pm

Expected attendance: over 400 guests including representatives from leading corporate and community organisations, and Parramatta Mission staff and stakeholders.

Celebrity host for the evening: Mark Taylor

Mark has been the well-respected patron of Parramatta Mission for 17 years. During this time

Mark has been a positive presence in the Meals Plus Community Kitchen and Outreach Program. Socially engaging with consumers as they attend Meals Plus for their lunch and actively supporting Parramatta Mission and its services in our vision of transforming lives.

Mark brings with him, as one of the guest speakers to the Parramatta Mission Gala Event, the

Captain of the Australian Cricket Team, Michael Clarke. Michael has successfully led the Australian Cricket Team to wins in the Ashes and the South African series.

On the night there will be additional guest speakers, silent auction items, entertainment, beauty booths, gift bags and more.

This is a fantastic opportunity to meet with like-minded people and organisations.

For more details of how you can get involved and the level of sponsorships available, click here or contact:

Aaron Power

P: [02] 9891 2277

M: 0407 445 224

E: aaron.power@parramattamission.org.au

W: www.parramattamission.org.au

Parramatta Mission has been providing community services for over 40 years helping people who are homeless, people facing crisis and people living with mental illness.

Today, Parramatta Mission is one of the largest providers of community mental health services in New South Wales, as well as one of the largest providers of community services to people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness in Western Sydney.

The programs and services that Parramatta Mission provides are delivered with the values of grace, dignity, inclusion, faith and hope, and with a vision of transforming lives.

A growing concern in our society and the community sector is the lack of crisis accommodation for homeless women.

We know that there is a need for emergency housing for women, and we plan to make a difference.

Parramatta Mission is hosting this Gala dinner event to raise awareness and funds to address this issue.

The aim is to raise enough funds to build and develop accommodation for homeless women, which will also provide case management, support and assistance to women in need, homeless or at risk of homelessness.

Parramatta Mission thanks you for your support and partnership in this event.

The people of Western Sydney are finally getting a fair go after being treated as an economic afterthought by ­policymakers for far too long. The Australian government is putting an end to Labor’s investment vacuum by delivering a ­record $3.5 billion roads package over 10 years in Western Sydney that will create at least 4000 jobs in addition to other economic spin-offs and slash drive times for local residents.

This historic investment includes the construction of new motorways and upgrades to existing infrastructure which will support a new airport at Badgerys Creek, boosting the local economy and making Western Sydney an even better place to live and do business.

As Australia’s third largest economy and in its own right our fourth largest city, Western Sydney needs the infrastructure of the 21st century to unlock its economic potential so local residents have more employment ­opportunities closer to home and can enjoy the quality of life they deserve.

As Prime Minister Tony Abbott has said on numerous occasions, we want people to spend less time stuck in traffic and more time being productive at work or at home with their families.

That is why we are fast-tracking infrastructure development in Western Sydney so the 200,000 people that have to leave the region for work every day can do so more quickly and safely or, alternatively, have access to more employment opportunities closer to home.

Our infrastructure plan will deliver significant upgrades to major and local roads including widening of Bringelly and The Northern Rds, construction of a new four lane motorway between the M7 and the Northern Rd, upgrades to key interchanges and a $200 million package to upgrade local roads.

These projects will increase the capacity of the region to handle future traffic growth, improve accessibility to the M7 and M4 motorways, significantly reduce travel times and improve the safety performance of Western Sydney’s road network.

Both the Australian and NSW governments are serious about building these vital economic road projects quickly, which is why ­construction work has been fast-tracked to commence this year with the first ­contracts for Bringelly Rd expected to be put to tender in July and planning on The Northern Rd also substantially progressed.

I will continue to work closely with NSW Minister for Roads and Freight Duncan Gay to plan and prioritise funding of current projects and consider future projects for later stages of the program.

Unlike the previous Labor government, when we make promises we get on with the job of delivering them. Not only are contracts being put out to tender and planning is well underway, we are already actively engaging ­residents and businesses to ensure they have the opportunity to add value to the roll-out of this significant ­infrastructure investment.

In the past two weeks my local federal and state parliamentary colleagues and I have hosted a number of information sessions with key stakeholders from local government, business, tourism, education and health sectors.

The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with University of Western Sydney Vice Chancellor Barney Glover welcoming the long overdue infrastructure investment: “The ­framing of these commitments around employment and economic priorities ­confirms both levels of ­government understand the region’s capacity.’’

The Australian government’s investment in Western Sydney’s future is a key pillar of our broader economic action strategy and builds on significant commitments we’ve already made, including $1.5 billion towards building WestConnex and developing the Moorebank intermodal terminal.

These commitments, coupled with our responsible management of the Budget will ensure Western Sydney gets a fair go and grows into one of the economic powerhouses of Australia.

Source: The Daily Telegraph by Jamie Briggs. Original article. Jamie Briggs is Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development

Sydney Hills Shire Council’s Investment Attraction program has been praised by a husband-and-wife business team who not only re-located their integrated medical practice, but also their home, to the Sydney Hills.

Sivanna Health is now operating on Showground Rd and Director Girish Raniga credited Council’s Economic Development Team with introducing him and wife Dr Jaimini Raniga to the Sydney Hills.

“We were doing some research on The Hills area and came to see Council’s Economic Development and Marketing Officer Stephen Garrard,” Mr Raniga said. “Stephen took us on a tour of The Hills, explained the demographics of the area, developments that were set to take place, infrastructure that was due to be built and information on how the area would grow.”

“This information really attracted us to the area and we’ve now set up our business and our home here. We really like the lifestyle here in The Hills.”

Hills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne said the Investment Attraction program has also pulled in new residents.

“The Raniga family wouldn’t have chosen the Sydney Hills had they not met with Council’s Economic Development and Marketing Team,” Mayor Byrne said.

“The Sydney Hills is going to be home to an additional 100,000 residents over the next 25 years, and those residents need jobs. Attracting businesses like Sivanna Health will give more options to locals.”

“Our Economic Development Team is here for our business community, but it’s also here to attract businesses to the Sydney Hills as we keep up the pace as one of the fastest growing Local Government Areas in Australia.”

To find out more, contact Council’s Economic Development Team on +612 9762 1108.

Pictured: Director Girish Raniga, Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne, Dr Jaimini Raniga, Council's Economic Development Officer Stephen Garrard at Sivanna health opening.

Sydney Hills Shire Council's commitment to delivering quality facilities and infrastructure that meet the present and future needs of the community involves much planning and consultation with the community. 

The information via the link below has been provided to help keep the community informed about the progress of Council's major infrastructure and transport projects in the Shire. View Infrastructure and Transport Projects