Date: Wednesday 25 March 2012
Date: Wednesday 25 March 2012
On Sunday I attended the Bankstown RSL Sub Branch annual ANZAC March & Service where I had the privilege of delivering the Commemoration Address. No matter how much time passes since those fateful days on the shores of Gallipoli, the great honour and respect we bestow upon our ANZACs should never diminish. The eight month baptism of fire campaign, during which over 8100 Australians perished, gave birth to the infamous ANZAC legend that forms a special part of our national identity today. ANZAC Day is also an occasion to pay our deepest respects to our fellow Australian service men and women who place their lives on the line serving in foreign lands. Tania Mihailuk MP and Clr Alex Kuskoff were amongst the dignitaries. Thank you to Bankstown RSL Sub Branch President Jack Bedford OAM and John Woodley for organising the service.
A number of other ANZAC services were held over the weekend, including those hosted by Padstow RSL Sub-Branch and Revesby Heights RSL Sub-Branch. I thank Deputy Mayor Allan Winterbottom for representing me at both of these events. I also thank Clr Alex Kuskoff for attending the 25 Brigade Annual Memorial Service on my behalf, which took place on Saturday in Bass Hill. It’s pleasing to see the memory of our ANZACs burning so brightly in Bankstown.
On Wednesday I officiated at Council’s Citizenship ceremony where I welcomed 130 new Australians. Living in Australia we are blessed with natural beauty, one of the best medical, social welfare and educational systems in the world, peace, prosperity and abundant opportunities. We should never lose sight of how fortunate we are and the responsibility we bear to give back to our country and local community. Tania Mihailuk MP, Glenn Brookes MP, Clr Ian Stromborg, Aunty Margaret and Raymond Arraj joined me in congratulating our new citizens.
On Thursday I participated in Bankstown PCYC’s Time 4 Kids fundraiser, which involved dressing as a prisoner and being locked up in a mock jail outside the Bulldogs store in Centro. It was a fun event in support of a very worthy cause. Making sure our young people keep their lives on track and stay well clear of crime is an important priority for us as a community. Local boxing legend Billy ‘The Kid’ Dib also participated. Congratulations to Bankstown
PCYC for doing such great work.
I thank Deputy Mayor Allan Winterbottom for representing me at the Bankstown Netball Association Round 1 Season Opening on Saturday. The Association do a tremendous job in promoting netball in our city and boast an impressive membership of over 2,000 across its nineteen local clubs.
Earlier in the day Clr Winterbottom also represented me in witnessing the start of the Bankstown Amazing Race at part of our local Youth Week activities which commenced at the Bankstown PCYC.
Thank you to Councillor Ian Stromborg for representing me on Sunday at a tennis open day held at Coleman Park Tennis Courts, Georges Hall. By all accounts the day was a great success and congratulations to the facility’s interim management.
I offer my further thanks to Deputy Mayor Winterbottom for attending the Broderick Gillawarna School - Rainbow of Hope Charity Race Day last Monday on my behalf. The fundraising day was in support of special needs children aged 4-18 years old. Congratulations to everyone who contributed to this great cause.
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