www.thehills.nsw.gov.au #SydneyHills 26 JANUARY 2015 | FREE FAMILY FUN
Including Australiana activities & fireworks
Presents the real story oF bella vista Farm January 2015 | www.events.ticketbooth.com.au | $55 26 dEc—26 JAN international sandsculpting exhibition resident 25% Discount | www.sandstormevents.com
KATE cEBERANO
5—30 dEcEMBER www.sportforjove.com.au
SHAKESPEARE SANd ScULPTING cONvIcT FOOTPRINTS
cHRISTMAS LIGHTS AUSTRALIA dAY LUNAR FESTIvAL all events at bella vista Farm, elizabeth macarthur Drive
MORE INFORMATION www.thehills.nsw.gov.au | 9843 0112
w w w . S U M M E R S E R I E S . c O M . A U cELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PIXAR
FOcUS
news anD inFormation From the hills shire council
www.thehills.nsw.gov.au
Summer 2014/15
6TH ANNUAL SYdNEY HILLS SHAKESPEARE IN THE PARK
The CruCible
& a midSummer
nighT’S dream
The Hills Shire Council
2
THE MCCLYMONTS | MCALISTER KEMP | BECCY COLE
wagons | chelsea basham | the viper creek band | ashleigh dallas | luke o’shea
www.SYdNEYCOuNTRYMuSICfESTIvAL.COM.Au BELLA vISTA fARM PARK | 8 NOvEMBER 2014
GATES OPEN AT NOON | fREE PARKING | AduLTS $40 | CONCESSION $30 | KIdS uNdER 9 fREE
dON’T MISS YOuR CHANCE TO SEE AuSTRALIA’S HOTTEST LIvE COuNTRY MuSIC ACTS @ the fARM
TICKETS ON SALE
NOw!
SuMMER in the sydney hills just got HOTTER…
There’s no better place to spend Summer than right here this year. Rock to great live music, enjoy stunning outdoor theatre, immerse yourself in Christmas spirit, discover our convict heritage and experience the marvels of international sand sculpting. Australia Day turns up the heat with Kate Ceberano
headlining free Australiana festivities and - just when you though it couldn’t get any better – Lunar Festival welcomes in the Year of The Ox. With so many reasons to stay at home this Summer – why would you go anywhere else but The Sydney Hills?
FRIGHT NIGHT
THe CruCible
By Arthur Miller I Directed by Damien Ryan The historic Bella Vista Farm packing shed becomes Salem with Damien Ryan’s new production of this iconic play. Arthur Miller’s parable of mass hysteria draws a parallel between the Salem witch hunt of 1692 – ‘one of the strangest and most awful chapters in human history’ – & the McCarthyism that gripped America in the 1950s.
The play is a portrait of the ordinary evils latent in any society, of mindless hysterical persecution through ignorance and our capacity to serve ourselves above all others that make this one of the world’s most transcendent and important stories.
FUN FROLIC
A MidSuMMer NigHT’S dreAM By William Shakespeare
Directed by Susanna Dowling
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is the ultimate expression of Shakespeare’s theatrical mastery.
Susanna Dowling’s brand new production takes us into a world between sleep and waking where ‘everything seems double’.
One of Shakespeare’s truly essential works, ‘Dream’ like every fairy story, warns that family, love and friendship are fragile. The Fairy Kingdom’s war over a mortal child turns the entire ‘mazed world’
upside down.
THe bArd iS bACK iN TOWN
Sport for Jove’s acclaimed outdoor Summer season returns for its 6th year this December at Bella Vista Farm.
If you enjoyed last year’s performances, join us for a transformative journey through dreams and nightmares with a double bill of magic and the spirit world when “All Hell Breaks Loose in the Woods”.
TeACHerS: THe CruCible reTurNS TO bellA ViSTA FArM FOr SCHOOl perFOrMANCeS iN MArCH 2015. iNFO AT SpOrTFOrjOVe.COM.Au
6 T H A N N U A L S y d N e y H I L L S
SHAKeSpeAre iN THe pArK
Tickets on sale from www.sportforjove.com.au Adults $35 I Concession $30
Online and group discounts
December 5 to 30 I BellA VIsTA FArm
FAN DAY
MEET THE TEAM
Sydney Thunder Fan day 2014 Sunday 14 december 2014 | 11am Bruce Purser reserve
Free | Meet the Sydney Thunder Squad enjoy activities | MILO T20 Blast
MOre InFOrMaTIOn www.sydneythunder.com.au
sYDNEY THUNDER @THUNDERBBL THUNDERBBL
iT’S begiNNiNg TO lOOK A lOT liKe CHriSTMAS
You may have heard of
‘Meals on Wheels’.
But what you might not know is that there is more than just a conveniently delivered meal behind this service; for many a visit from a Meal on Wheels volunteer may be the only social contact they will have that entire day.
More than 30,000 meals are served by Hills Community Care to frail, aged and disabled residents every year and according to
volunteer John Kelly every delivery is a chance to enrich someone’s daily life.
“There are a lot of people out there who need a little support,” said John “and when we visit we offer to come in, help them pack away the delivery and have a chat. It’s this social interaction that is just as important as the great food they receive.” If you would like to hear more of John’s story, and that of his clients, The Hills Council’s
Hills Community Care and Meals on Wheels have produced a short video showcasing a day in the life of the service and its value to customers of all ages and ability - simply search Youtube for ‘More than a Meal in The Hills’.
More information on Meals On Wheels is available from the Hills Community Care website: http://hcc.thehills.
nsw.gov.au or by calling 02 9761 7600 or emailing [email protected]
MORe THAN A MeAl
smAll BusIness
exChAnge expo
Connecting small business with goverment support
5 mArCh 2015
eNquIRIeS [email protected]
Connecting small business with government support
small
business
exChange expo
5 marCh 2015
support partner Major event sponsor an initiative of
enquiries
[email protected] Connecting small business
with government support
small
business
exChange expo
5 marCh 2015
support partner Major event sponsor an initiative of
enquiries
iT’S begiNNiNg TO lOOK A lOT liKe CHriSTMAS
Free eVeNT
Discover the Christmas spirit with a STuNNING light and sound show on Castle Hill Main Street this Christmas.
For the very first time, a 40m x 10m LeD light canopy will stretch across the main street throughout December giving residents and visitors a sparkling Christmas experience to remember.
The Christmas Sky Show will combine a dynamic light display with Christmas music inviting people to stroll under the canopy, look up at the dazzling night sky and celebrate Christmas.
Pre-show entertainment will be provided by student performances from local music schools.
Main Street will be closed for a few hours every night so everyone can enjoy the festive atmosphere.
Old Northern Road will close at 7.30pm, so why meet for dinner beforehand – or grab a coffee or a sweet treat before the show starts around 8.15pm.
Christmas has never looked – and sounded – so good!
5 to 30 December I road closed 7.30pm I shows from 8pm to 9pm
old northern road Castle hill, opposite the piazza
Celebrate Chinese New Year with a feast of colour, taste and sound.
Bring the whole family to experience Asian culture in The Hills.
NeW lOCATiON: North Rocks Park, North Rocks Road, Carlingford dATe: 21 Feb 2015 TiMe: 5pm to 9pm Free eVeNT: Supported by the
Chinese Community of The Hills
luNAr FeSTiVAl 2015 -THe yeAR OF THe SHeep
T h e C h r i s t m a s
SKy SHOW
Sy d N e y H I L L S I N T e R N AT I O N A L
did yOu KNOW?
Sand Sculpting as an art form has been around for centuries. Artists did not profit from their sand sculpting until the late 19th century, when many boardwalk sculptors were thrown coins by intrigued passers-by. In the 1970s, modern day sand sculpting came into being in
California. Teams of artists built bigger and bigger sculptures that became more detailed and intricate.
In 2000, sand sculpting came to Rye Beach on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula in the form of a single sculpture display. The following year, over 20,000 people travelled to see the Rye Beach Sand Sculpting Championships that were
held on the foreshore.
From this, the Championship developed into an exhibition of the talents of sculptors, both local and from around the world. Over the years, the Sand Sculpting Australia exhibition has grown to include not only magnificent sculptures, but sand sculpting workshops for budding sculptors of all ages, and many other sand based activities. Sample the fantastic sand art at www.sandstormevents.com
Sensational sandsculpting is coming to The Hills this Summer! Don’t miss this great opportunity to witness master sand sculptors create stunning works from sand, water and a lot of imagination. Watch the masters at work, test your talent with a sculpting workshop or let the kids loose in the giant sand pit.
bellA ViSTA FArM
26 December through 26 January Ticket available through
sandstormevents.com.au
$14 adult $6 child $32 family
$10pp in a group of 10+, $11 concession
Sand Sculpting exhibition
ANOTHer greAT reASON TO STAy iN THe SydNey HillS THiS SuMMer
Written by Steven Hopley and directed by Jerry Retford, the play offers an honest, touching, and at times funny, look into the intriguing history of the Farm.
Don’t miss the story of Bella Vista Farm - told through a live experience - this January.
performance dates: 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18 January 2015
Time: 5—7pm
Venue: BellA VIsTA FArm pArK elizabeth macarthur Drive, Bella Vista Tickets: only $55 – on sale now at www.events.ticketbooth.com.au
“It’s about feeling the truth, the reality, behind the stories, events and people that this country was built on. It’s about ordinary men and women, feeling their loss, joy, pain, relief and pride. It’s about making people laugh, then reaching in and squeezing their hearts with the truth and making them cry, then wiping away their tears with more laughter.”
— Jerry Retford (Director)
CONvICT FOOTpRINTS
@ THe FArM
CONViCT FOOTpriNTS iS A uNique ‘liViNg HiSTOry’ THeATre prOduCTiON SeT iN-SiTu AT bellA ViSTA FArM, TelliNg THe STOrieS OF THe CONViCTS ANd CHArACTerS THAT WOrKed ANd liVed THere.
AUSTRALIA
DAY 2015
AUSTRALIA
DAY 2015
A US TR ALIA D AY
KATe CeberANO
ViCTOriA AVeNue | SiMply buSHed neW TIme: gates open 9am to 9pm
neW loCATIon: Bella Vista Farm, elizabeth macarthur Drive off norwest Bouelvarde
neW experIenCe: Australia Day goes ‘Australiana’
Step through the gates this Australia Day and take a step back in time. experience Bella Vista Farm as it was
hundreds of years ago, learn about our Shire’s history and immerse yourself in everything Australiana. Bring the whole family for a day of fun, celebration and great
Aussie entertainment.
F ree e NT r y | FA bul O u S F OO d | FAM il y F A V O uri T e S | FA r M y A rd Fu N | Fire W O r K S Fi NA le
Bonus! The International sandsculpting exhibition will be on at the same time as Australia Day at the front of Bella Vista Farm. Tickets available from www.sandstormevents.com.au
A US TR ALIA D AY
CO M PO ST B
INS ~ W OR M F
AR M S + F REE D
EL IVER Y!
*
50 OFF %
Recycle your food scraps
CUT YOUR
&
IN HALF
ReCyCLed
CHriSTMAS
CAN i puT iT iN My yellOW-lid biN?
TiS THe SeASON TO reCyCle! uSe THiS HANdy CHriSTMAS reCyCliNg guide ANd yOur greATeST giFT THiS yeAr Will be TO THe eNVirONMeNT.
yeS
Glass bottles and jars Christmas Cards Plastics bottles and containers
Aerosols Aluminium Cans Junk Mail
NO
Toys and clothes Bon Bons
Artificial Christmas Trees Decorations/ribbons Foil
Blister Packs Tinsel
HAVe yOu ACCuMulATed exCeSS reCyClAbleS OVer THe CHriSTMAS breAK?
Why not take them to Sita’s Resource Recovery & Recycling Centre, powers Road, Seven Hills – phone 131 335.
CHriSTMAS gArbAge SerViCeS Garbage service will remain as normal over the festive season.
Please ensure your bins are placed at the kerbside the evening before collection, even if your collection is on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
For further information, please call the resource recovery Team 9842 0310
reCyCle FooD sCrAps & CuT ruBBIsh In hAlF!
The hills shire Council is supporting the Compost revolution! The Compost revolution is helping residents to recycle food scraps into rich soil and liquid fertiliser, and keep a valuable natural
resource out of landfill.
recently, Council was successful in obtaining grant funding under the nsW epA’s Waste less, recycle more initiative (www.environment.nsw.
gov.au) and in partnership
with the Compost revolution, Council is able to offer half price compost bins and worm farms to hills residents, plus free delivery, when a short online tutorial is completed. *
leArN MOre AT WWW.
COMpOSTreVOluTiON.
COM.Au/THeHillS Or CAll Our reSOurCe reCOVery TeAM ON 9843 0310.
T H e F U T U R e O F T H e
Castle Hill Showground
THe CASTle Hill SHOWgrOuNd iS A COMMuNiTy reCreATiON SpACe THAT HAS beeN eNjOyed by reSideNTS FOr MOre THAN 100 yeArS, ANd
COuNCil iS NOW lOOKiNg AT HOW iT CAN SerVe eVeN MOre reSideNTS ANd ViSiTOrS iN THe FuTure.
There are many different factors at play that means now is a good time to consider the future of the precinct. The North West Rail Link is under construction and a station will be located on the perimeter. As well, the area within 800m of the new Showground Station will become part of an urban Activation Precinct - a Government program that fast-tracks the delivery of housing meaning that it is expected that residential apartment buildings will be constructed nearby.
A study is underway that will determine the long-term future of the Showground.
Council wants to engage with as many residents and
Showground stakeholders as possible to hear their views.
FAqS
Will the current
showground users still be allowed to use it?
Yes. While some licensing arrangements have changed, all current Showground users will still be able to use facilities they currently use.
Will the showground be sold off for housing?
No. Although the area adjacent has the potential for housing, the Showground itself will remain a public leisure and recreational space. With more residents moving to the Shire, the importance of improving it as a leisure space is clear.
HOW CAN i HAVe My SAy?
Visit www.thehills.nsw.gov.au and click on the link which reads TAKe THe CASTLe HILL SHOWGROuND SuRVeY.
living sustainably Workshop series
s u m m e r s e r i e s 2 0 1 4
Composting and Worm Farming
thursday 16th oCtober 10am - 12noon Practical techniques to turn your kitchen scraps into rich organic garden fertiliser using two simple and easy methods.
WiCking beds
thursday 23rd oCtober 9.30 - 12.30pm Discover how to construct your own low cost
self-watering vegetable patch as part of National Water Week.
inseCts in the garden - Friends and Foes saturday 25th oCtober 9.30 - 12noon Find out tips to treat the most common pests in the garden using natural treatments and learn about beneficial plants as well.
plant propagation
Wednesday 29th oCtober 10am - 11.30am Learn all you need to know to successfully cultivate plants from seeds, cuttings and other methods.
sustainable house design
saturday 1st november 9.30 - 11.30am Join a guided tour of an 8 star rated home and gain expert advice about designing or retro-fitting your home.
nature art Class
every tuesday morning
From 14th oCtober until 2nd deCember betWeen 10am - 1pm
Cost is $30 per Class. materials provided.
old-Fashioned Cooking using home-groWn produCe
thursday 6th november 9.30 - 11.30am Get involved in old-fashioned cooking using simple recipes that incorporate fresh home-grown produce.
dealing With Weeds
saturday 15th november 10 - 11.30am
Practical advice and demonstrations on how to identify and deal with troublesome and noxious weeds. Workshop best suited to rural landowners.
no-dig gardens
thursday 13th november 10 - 11am
No-dig gardens are a great way to overcome poor soils, hard ground or for those with limited space to create a fertile kitchen garden.
Composting and Worm Farming
saturday 22nd november 10am - 12noon Practical techniques to turn your kitchen scraps into rich organic garden fertiliser using two simple and easy methods.
summer - in the groWing garden thursday 27th november 10 - 11am
Find out what you should be planting in Summer and what you need to do to achieve a healthy, productive fruit and vegetable patch.
environmental dates
national Water Week nov 19-25 national reCyCling Week nov 10-16
bookings essential
Book online at:
www.thehillsenvironment.eventbrite.com.au
0427 928 111
eAST
CLR ANDReW JeFFeRIeS MAYOR
beAuTy ANd bligHT
Driving visiting family and friends around the northern part of our Shire reminded me again of how beautiful this part of Australia is and how tourism contributes to our economic wellbeing. Just south of Wisemans Ferry on Old Northern Road is the Tobruk Sheep Station, a family run business catering to international and local visitors.
The farm puts the tourist in an Outback environment complete with mustering, a kids’ animal petting area, shearing, damper and billy tea in a setting looking out to the Blue Mountains which takes one’s breath away. During my visit I met people from the uS and Malaysia who were quite blown away at their rural experience so close to Sydney.
The new restaurant which has opened, together with the bush music talents of the family, can only enhance Tobruk as a destination in the Shire.
Nearby attractions including the ebenezer church, Tizzana Winery and the various river punts across the Hawkesbury make a drive along our recently upgraded River Road in North Ward a wonderful way to spend a day.
Council’s economic development team work recognise the value of tourism in creating employment and regional wealth and work closely with regional business to facilitate new ventures as an important part of our economy.
Contrasting with our rural beauty is the recent plague of unauthorised signs promoting cheap roof painting and other dubious services.
Council does its best to remove these but, like illegal dumping, it is a persistent challenge. Residents should not hesitate to bring these issues to their local Councillor.
I have had a few representations from residents concerned about changes to our tree preservation policies which have been reviewed just at the time the State Government has supported the Rural Fire Service in implementing more far reaching changes directed at mitigating fire risk to property.
Both of these areas of regulatory change acknowledge that achieving a sensible balance between the amenity provided by trees in our leafy suburbs and residents’
right to safely enjoy their valuable property remains challenging.
eAST
CLR ALAN HASeLDeN 0419 495 089
eAST
CLR RYAN TRACeY 0419 429 217
What a year it has been for Council and for the future of Local Government. The State Government has invested a large amount of money for Local Councils to explore mergers and we have been given a timeframe to forward our plans to the Government. The Hills Shire Council is in a strong position financially and I would endeavour to ensure that any proposal that comes before Council serves our community well, and that our community has its say.
I had the pleasure of attending Pawsitive Steps for Mental Health at our annual Paws in the Park - the day raises awareness in regards to mental health and its a great day out too.
Orange Blossom Festival was a wonderful opportunity for our community to get together and what a wonderful atmosphere was created across our Shire. It was great to visit events such as Crestwood Fair, Kenthurst Fair and The Pop up Markets and secret garden in Main Street!! Well done to all involved.
In regards to Northconnex and the proposed pollutant stack in West Pennant Hills, I would like to ensure you as a Councillor for east Ward I am opposed to an unfiltered stack in our area, and any other environmental impacts being ignored. It is imperative that the NSW Government and Northconnex pay heed to the community’s wishes, as it’s important we ensure our community’s health and welfare.
Finally, thanks to all who have helped me this year and I wish you, your family and those close to you a very Merry Christmas, happy holiday period and wonderful New Year.
prOud TO be eleCTed MAyOr OF THe HillS SHire
I am proud to have been elected by my colleagues to the role of Mayor of The Hills Shire. Since a very young age, having grown up in Carlingford, I have had a passion for politics and my local area. The opportunity to become a Councillor, Deputy Mayor and now your Mayor has allowed me to represent our great community and do something that I love.
I’m proud of the fact that The Hills Shire Council has gone from once being on the brink of financial ruin to being the envy of every other Local Government Area in NSW, despite the challenges we face with future growth and development. I believe that our residents and ratepayers respect this Council for its financial conservatism and its recent record of infrastructure delivery. This path will continue under my leadership in the year ahead.
Throughout my term as Mayor, there will be six key areas that I will focus on. I believe by pursuing these issues, we will help build an ever better quality of life for the residents of The Hills. They are - ensuring light rail connects to our southern suburbs like Carlingford, The Hills visitor economy, local infrastructure, commuter car parking, the knock down and rebuilding of homes and Council amalgamations.
I look forward to further establishing the Sydney Hills as a place where people want to live, where people want to do business and where people want to visit.
Merry CHriSTMAS ANd Our beST WiSHeS
As the Christmas season is fast approaching, it is timely to reflect upon the year and the world in which we live.
Christmas is a special time of giving and an occasion to extend the message of love, sincerity and care. I trust that you will have the opportunity to share it with those dearest to you.
Amanda, Olivia, Caitlin and I wish you and your loved ones the best of good health, happiness and prosperity for 2015 and hope that the peace and blessings of Christmas may be yours.
For the last two years it has been an incredible honour to serve as your Mayor.
There is nothing more that I love than serving the people of the Hills Shire. It is a wonderful community with so many wonderful people.
I have been overwhelmed by the love and support this community have given me since day one. To all of you, I say thank you! I look forward to working as hard as I can in the role of Deputy and ensuring that the Hills remains the greatest place to live and work.
My door remains open. I wish Clr Jefferies, all the best in his role as Mayor in the coming year. I am sure he will do a wonderful job.
The recent Federal Government announcement that a Headspace will be funded in Castle Hill is a major win for the Hills. The Hills is often over looked for such important services and it is wonderful that the Government has listened to our cries.
A Headspace centre will provide mental health services for young people who have the highest prevalence of mental illness.
There is a real need in this community to assist our youth affected by mental illness and to ensure they go onto live productive and rewarding lives. I look forward to working with the stakeholders and service providers to ensure this service gets up ASAP. It will go a long way in assisting in the fight against mental illness in our community.
It is hard to believe that another year is almost at a close. It has been a big year at Council and I know that 2015 will be just as big. I encourage all residents over the Christmas break to enjoy the Sydney Hills events Summer series including Shakespeare at the Park and the International Sand Competition at Bella Vista Farm. On behalf of my family, and myself I wish all of you a joyous Christmas and a happy and prosperous 2015.
WeST
CLR DR MICHeLLe BYRNe DePuTY MAYOR
0448 268 140
As a councillor, I have always promoted the principles of:
- Financial prudence - Less bureaucracy - Less regulation
- Responsible governance
In promoting less regulation we recently reduced controls over our residents ability to manage their trees. I am still not happy with many of the provisions still in the policy though I have to concede it is a big improvement on the previous policy.
These regulations are only really relevant in the older areas of our shire where the vegetation has been planted some time ago.
In newer areas, there are few trees due to the high densities forced on council by state planning departments. In the older areas, council has previously refused permission for our residents to remove trees on the basis of the tree’s health.
For many residents, council was insensitive to their fears and needs. The policy was popular with radical greens, but not our residents with tree problems. I trust our residents will see this move as Council responding to their needs.
As a member of the audit committee we recently reviewed the annual financial statements. With few exceptions, I am pleased at the prudence displayed by council.
We have significant reserves which have been set aside for infrastructure and facilities. We mostly focus on key services that we see as being important. As a comparison, I recently attended a local government awards night that highlighted the ridiculous things some Councils spend money on.
Many of these councils struggle to fund basic services because they are distracted by non core frivolous spending. Our council can easily weather many of the shocks other councils use to charge rate levies on their residents.
Finally, I’d like to wish everyone a merry Christmas and Happy new year. I will be especially thinking of old friends and supporters over this period.
WeST
CLR MIKe THOMAS 0423 798 891
WeST
CLR RAYMOND HARTY OAM 0412 265 876
THe ArriVAl OF SpriNg
The commencement of Spring brings to The Hills Shire a sense of excitement and vitality as people contemplate the coming of Christmas and time spent with family and friends.
The recent Orange Blossom Festival, along with events such as the Sydney Country Musical Festival, Shakespeare in the Park, International Sand Sculpting exhibition, Carols in The Hills at Bella Vista Farm and the spectacular Christmas Light and Sound Show to be staged in the Castle Hill Town Centre main street during December, all create an atmosphere of excitement and joy. Residents and visitors will be able to walk along Castle Hill main street – which will be closed each night for a two to three hour period - to view the sound and light show and enjoy the tree-lined main street festooned with fairy lights and light poles decorated with Christmas decorations.
For a time, we will be able to escape the travails of our everyday life and embrace the spirit of Christmas and goodwill toward each other - rejoicing in the sound of children’s laughter and curiosity. The decision by Council to beautify the main street has changed the culture of Castle Hill with coffee shops and eateries popping up along the length of the main street from Cecil Avenue all the way down into Old Caste Hill Road.
The main street has become a place where people meet and enjoy conversation over an outdoor cup of coffee or lunch. The pop-up markets and the new Christmas sound and light show are part of the cultural change that has occurred.
May I take this opportunity to wish residents of The Hills Shire and their families a joyful and happy Christmas and the very best for the New Year.
eNjOy SOMe MAiN STreeT MAgiC THiS CHriSTMAS!
The magic of Christmas is coming to The Hills – and in a truly spectacular way! every night throughout December, between 8 and 9pm, Council will bring you a never-been- seen-before light and sound extravaganza.
This wonderfully immersive experience will feature an enormous 40m x 10m canopy of LeD lights which will be erected on Main Street, Castle Hill. each night you will get to enjoy a visual light show combined with performances from students at local music schools. It is our hope that this spectacular array will be enjoyed by many residents in the Sydney Hills, whilst also attracting thousands of visitors to enjoy our beautiful Shire.
Christmas and New Year are such a wonderful time to give and to celebrate.
The holiday season is often a time of family, friendship and community – and I can’t think of a better way to bring this sense of celebration to life in The Hills Shire, than to light up our Main Street.
On a personal note, it has been an honour to serve as one of your Councillors this year. Thank you to each and every one of you who has entrusted me with your concerns, and thank you also to those who have given me much appreciated encouragement. I wish you all a safe, joyous and memorable Christmas and New Year. I hope to see you on Main Street!
We are blessed to enjoy a wonderful way of life in The Hills Shire. For those who may be looking for an opportunity to give to others less fortunate this holiday season, please consider supporting a wonderful local organisation called Give and Take.
Give and Take is the first charity of its kind. This innovative organisation is run by volunteers entirely online via Facebook – and allows you to immediately and directly assist, donate to, or help those in hardship who are living local to you. Just log onto Facebook and search for ‘Give and Take’ – and help change someone in our community’s life this Christmas.
CeNTRAL
CLR DR JeFF LOWe
CeNTRAL
CLR TONY HAY OAM
CeNTRAL
CLR YVONNe KeANe 0419 553 495
0419 821 557
0422 508 975
WHiTe ribbON dAy
November 25 is White Ribbon Day - The International Day for the elimination of violence against women. I encourage men in our Shire to play an active role by visiting www.whiteribbon.org.au or www.myoath.com.au and swear never to commit, excuse or remain silent about violence against women. It’s up to all of us to be proactive and stand up for this great cause.
Christmas in The Hills Christmas is a busy time for Councillors and one event I particularly look forward to is ‘Christmas in The Hills’. Christmas in The Hills is a celebration of all things Christmas and is held at our very own Bella Vista Farm Park on Wednesday December 14 this year from 3pm with markets and Christmas Carols and fireworks from 7pm to 9pm.
I would like to wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and happy new year.
During the past few weeks I have had the pleasure of meeting small business owners though various breakfast meetings.
One of the things it highlighted to me was the lack of knowledge that the Hills Council has an economic Development Team that provides assistance and runs free of charge courses to further encourage and enable businesses to flourish in the Hills – Government does not provide jobs, but it’s our responsibility to create an environment that assists business owners to do that.
The Hills is a fast growth area for both living and working and supporting the backbone of small business’ will assist in creating more jobs for this vibrant, family friendly shire to flourish – contact Councils EDU for more information on 02 9843 0191.
We have a lot of activity going on in the Shire starting with the Sydney Country Music Festival on November 8th at Bella Vista Farm Park – many acts including McAlister Kemp, The McClymonts and Beccy Cole to mention a few that will be there to entertain the crowds. (www.
sydneycountrymusicfestival.com.au) The Christmas Lights will be officially turned on in Castle Hill Main Street (in Central Ward) on December 5th and will attract many visitors as we have committed to invest in this light and sound spectacular over the coming years whilst still being a very financially stable council (“the envy of the state” as I heard one councillor from another shire say recently).
Followed closely by Christmas in the Hills at Bella Vista Farm Park on December 17th with fun for the whole family from 3pm. (http://
www.christmasinthehills.com.au/) I was very honoured to recently be at the official launch party and met some of the fantastic sponsors and volunteers in the organising committee.
Whichever of these events you choose to be at I look forward to seeing you there – in the meantime have a safe and happy Christmas.
As the seasons grow warmer many of us are drawn to the beautiful outdoors of the Shire. There is little doubt the surrounding bush plays a significant part in making this Shire a highly sought after place to live.
Whilst there are many volunteering opportunities in The Hills one that combines the great outdoors and service is Bushcare. Bushcare is Council’s link between volunteers and the promotion of a healthy bushland environment. You can join in looking after native bush, plant identification, fauna monitoring and seed collection for propagation at the Community Nursery. Open to all ages, including kids supervised by a parent/
guardian, or perhaps get a business/
sporting group together for some team bonding in the bush ! See Council’s website for further details of your local Bushcare group.
On the topic of looking after our
environment unfortunately illegal dumping still occasionally occurs around the Shire, including a recent example involving asbestos. Illegal dumping is unsightly, costly to our limited community resources and devastating to native bushland and fauna. To help keep our Shire pristine call 98430555 to report illegal dumping.
Finally, with the festive season
approaching, I wish you and your family a very Merry Christmas!
I would like to congratulate Clr Andrew Jefferies on his election as Mayor. Andrew has a strong record of delivery for east Ward, particularly with a greater footpath rollout, commuter carparking options, arguing for better transport solutions and fighting against inappropriate development.
Andrew also has a strong background in the Tourism sector, and has been a key driver of the upcoming ‘Summer Series of events’.
These events coming to the Hills in the next few months the Christmas light spectacular on Castle Hill main street, the Sydney Country Music Festival, Shakespeare in the Park, International Sand Sculpting exhibition and Australia Day 2015 – I hope to see you at one of these events soon.
I would also like to thank Clr Dr Michelle Byrne for her service as Mayor of The Hills Shire Council. As much as anyone I know, Michelle Byrne is universally respected across the community for her work in bringing the Hills together and improving outcomes for our residents.
I would like to encourage people to participate in Run for the Hills, this year to be held on Sunday the 23rd of November.
Run for the Hills is a highlight of our local calendar, an 8km fun run or walk through Castle Hill to raise money for Lifestart.
The run is followed by a full day festival on Castle Hill main street: a pop up park, stage entertainment, markets and activities for children. entry is available online www.runforthehills.com.au. Although the event is a fun day, I encourage anyone to beat me in the run, if you can!
May I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous new year.
NORTH
CLR MARK TAYLOR
NORTH
CLR PeTeR GANGeMI 0419 200 300
0419 618 790
[email protected] 0419 429 095
NORTH
CLR ROBYN PReSTON
While this time of the year is typically focused on celebration and interaction with family and friends, spare a thought for our Rural Fires Service (RFS) volunteers and the unselfish way they go about their job.
To protect our Shire the RFS carried out major hazard reduction burns in January and August 2014. On any of those days there were 150 volunteers in the field.
We look over the horizon and see the back burning, not realising the logistical coordination required – it all just seems to happen! Their dedication inspires me.
This year the Kellyville brigade celebrated 75 years and Round Corner brigade turned 50! On the back of that I am encouraged by the fact that RFS recruited 78 new members over the past 12 months.
In an era of social media hype and new age fads, the popularity of such a traditional body is remarkable. Mateship, courage and endurance resonate with the RFS volunteers who risk their lives to protect life and property. So as you sit back and enjoy Christmas festivities, spare a thought for our RFS volunteers.
You can make their job easier by being diligent around your property and removing any fuel. Get rid of dead wood, piles of garden waste, leaves overflowing in gutters.
Neglecting these simple tasks can lead to catastrophic consequences.
The RFS website is a must to visit www.
rfs.nsw.gov.au for information on how to plan and prepare for the bush fire season, updates on major fires, volunteering and of course the latest information on changes to the 10/50 vegetation clearing policy.
I would like to wish our RFS volunteers and all Hills residents a safe and happy Christmas. The horizon looks promising and I will be privileged to support you in any way I can as we move into 2015.
@ THE FARM
26 JANUARY 2015 | FREE FAMILY FUN
Including Australiana activities & fireworks
Presents the real story oF bella vista Farm January 2015 | www.events.ticketbooth.com.au | $55 26 dEc—26 JAN international sandsculpting exhibition resident 25% Discount | www.sandstormevents.com
KATE cEBERANO
5—30 dEcEMBER www.sportforjove.com.au
all events at bella vista Farm, elizabeth macarthur Drive MORE INFORMATION www.thehills.nsw.gov.au | 9843 0112
cELEBRATING 20 YEARS OF PIXAR
