New Shopping Centreduralchamber.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DR_Jun13.pdfadvertising Terry Lambert • [email protected] Mobile: 0412 570 133 Deadline for copy & advertising

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FREEJUNE 2013

New Shopping CentreSee page 3

1 June 2013 – Dooral Roundup

My thanks to Chamber Vice-President Paul Pixton for reporting last month while I enjoyed a short visit to Adelaide and the wineries of the Barossa, Clare and McLaren Vale.

hat is a beautiful part of Australia and if you’ve never been there it is time that you did. And while you are there, make sure that you spend

two or three days on Kangaroo Island – you will love it.On 31 May the Chamber was represented at the launch of the 2013

NRL State of Origin series. We laughed with H.G. Nelson, and were fired up for this year’s series by the Origin experiences of Darren Lockyer and Nathan Hindmarsh. The keynote speaker for the event was the current NSW Young Australian and former NRL player Corey Payne, who has started a mentoring program for disadvantaged youth. What a day we had – and go the Blues!

MeetingsOn Wednesday 19 June at Bivianos Italian Restaurant Keith Marlow from Aykira Internet Solutions will talk to us about Internet Marketing, optimising results from search engines, and the use of social media. Keith has a Ph.D in Information Systems and B.Sc in Pure Computer Science. After leaving University he started work at Yahoo UK in 1997 as a Software Engineer but his skills were soon noticed by Yahoo and he went on to become their Chief Software Architect in Europe, then Asia Pacific. His knowledge of the internet and how it works is vast, and we believe his skills can benefit every small business and shopkeeper in the area.

Everyone is welcome to the meeting but as places are limited please book by mail to the Chamber at PO Box 2 Round Corner NSW 2158 or via email at [email protected]. The cost for this excellent evening including some finger food is only $20 – and with a bit of luck we’ll have a winetasting as well!

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear perhaps the most outstanding marketing adviser in Australia today! Find out how to compete and succeed!

eMailIf you want to contact me or one of the very hardworking members of the Chamber Executive you can email us at [email protected] and if you wish to write to the Editor or submit an article to Dooral Roundup the address is [email protected]

Understanding the Net By Peter Dawson

PRESIDENT’S REPORT

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The calendar says it is almost June – where has this year gone?

ime seems to be going faster and faster every year....my youngest son is doing honours at uni, my grandson is almost walking, my

mother just turned 80!! I have come to the conclusion that there is no point worrying about this phenomena any more but to just take each day as it comes and embrace it fully, staying in the moment and savouring each second! Sometimes a little difficult as the mornings get colder but this winter I am determined to love the cold....

On a local note feedback from local businesses and Real Estate is that things are slowly improving especially in Real Estate. Interest rates are historically low and banks have eased a little on their lending eligibility and investors are back in the market. Auction clearance rates have improved and old listings are finally selling and new listings are snapped up quickly. As buyers move into homes the renovating will began, again stimulating local business. The Hills District, especially Dural and surrounds is very popular and we are lucky to have such a diversity of rural and residential so close to amenities and still accessible to Sydney and the airports.

Until next month, stay warm....

Take each day as it comesBy Judy Pope

EDITOR’S REPORT

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Publisher Michael Martin • [email protected] Judy Pope • [email protected] Blue Rock • Nicola Doulougeris • [email protected] Terry Lambert • [email protected] Mobile: 0412 570 133

Deadline for copy & advertising is the 18thof every month prior to printingDooral Roundup is an officially endorsed publication of Dural and Round Corner Chamber of Commerce and is published by Blue Rock Marketing Pty Ltd. All material appearing in this magazine is subject to copyright and may not be reproduced without written consent of the copyright holder. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy of all information in this publication, no responsibility is accepted by the Chamber for the content of offers made by advertisers or editorial comment.attention advertisers - The Dural and Round Corner Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc. reserves the right to alter, omit or change editorials and advertisements. While every care is taken, no responsibility is accepted by the publishers for the content or offers made by advertisers or editorial comments.

Dooral Roundup – June 20132

he proposal is for 9000 m2 of retail and commercial space (including a Supermarket) extending from

Stonelea Court to a point opposite Franlee Road. Also proposed for the site are 25 Townhouses.

Council has resolved to prepare a planning proposal to rezone privately owned land being Lot 2 in DP 839151, Nos 488-494 Old Northern Road, Dural from RU6 transition zone to part B2 Local Centre and part R3 Medium Density Residential. The plan also introduces a floor space ratio of 0.75:1 over the part of the site to be zoned B2Local Centre.

The planning proposal will facilitate a mixed use development on the site. The part of the site to be zoned B2 Local Centre is proposed to accommodate 9,000m₂ of commercial gross floor area (GFA). The remaining portion of the site is proposed to include twenty two (22) x three (3) bedroom townhouses. The planning proposal and relevant material are available for public exhibition at Council’s Customer Service Centre, Castle Hill Library and Dural

Library until Friday 28 June 2013. The planning proposal is also available to view on Council’s website by following the link below:-http://www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Major-Plans-on-Exhibition.html

The Chamber believes that any development of this property needs to be complementary to the existing Village and in particular must not create further traffic congestion. Chamber representatives will meet with Council officers and the Developer to discuss the proposal and to make sure it has a positive impact on the business community and local residents.

Everyone is welcome to write to us at P.O. Box 2 Round Corner 2158 or send us an email at [email protected]. Please let us know what you think. However, only Members of the Chamber will be invited to attend those meetings, so if you want to be included you will need to join the Chamber.

Peter Dawson - PresidentDural & Round Corner Chamber of Commerce

New shops for Round Corner?

COVER STORY

3June 2013 – Dooral Roundup

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The Dural and Round Corner Chamber of Commerce has received notice of a proposed development which will create a new strip shopping centre along Old Northern Road at Round Corner.

L-R: Kate Vartuli, Lorraine Sutton, Sonya Schock, Casey Thomas and Karen Chan with the locally knitted blankets that will be sent overseas. One of them is being modelled by a statue of Loreto Sisters founder Mary Ward.


LOCAL NEWS

For five years community groups throughout Hornsby Shire have been coming together to knit woollen blankets that are sent overseas to people in need.

ach year their work climaxes with the Knit-In at Hornsby Library, which will occur this year on August 2.

The enthusiasm of those who take part could be seen this week when students from Loreto Normanhurst and members of the Hornsby Library Knitting Group came together to hand over a pile of blankets they had created.

It was a great example of teamwork, with the students knitting squares that the ladies then stitched together to create the final product.

The blankets were given to Wrap With Love, which has received more than 3000 blankets from Hornsby Shire since the project began in 2008.

Wrap With Love representative Lorraine Sutton was very grateful and said, “At the moment we are packing for World Vision and sending wraps to places where people have been affected by natural disaster.”

Loreto student Casey Thomas started knitting after she saw an older girl doing it on the bus and thought it would be a great way to pass time during the commute to school, while Kate Vartuli started knitting as part of a social justice initiative at school.

“I thought it would be terrible to be cold and like the idea of someone receiving a warm gift made with someone’s own hands,” Kate said.

Those sentiments were echoed by Sonya Schock and Karen Chan, who are among the people that gather each week to knit in Hornsby Shire’s libraries.

There is also another great benefit they get out of it.“I enjoy the knitting group because it is full of happy

people,” Sonya said. “My husband looked in on the group one day and commented that there’s more yakkety-yak than clickety-clack in that group.”

With this year’s Knit-In approaching, more knitters are being sought.

If your school or community group would like to contribute, or if you would like to find out the details of the knitting group at your local library, please contact Sue Harrison on email at [email protected] or by phoning 9847 6804.

For more information contact media officer Nick Cook on 9847 6662.

Local Teamwork helps wrap the world with Love

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Mayor of The Hills Shire, Dr Michelle Byrne, is calling on the State Government to review the subregion grouping The Sydney Hills with Parramatta, Auburn, Holroyd and Blacktown in the Draft Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney.

ccording to Dr Byrne, more obvious synergies exist with the regions of Hawkesbury, Hornsby and possibly Ryde and Blacktown. “The question must

be asked: what makes the best sense for future planning? Our natural and obvious synergies - when you think about planning the new jobs, homes, roads and services our future communities will need - lie with Hawkesbury, Hornsby and possibly Ryde,” Dr Byrne said. “Historically, in terms of planning synergies we have never had a relationship with suburbs south of the Great Western Highway and it’s hard to imagine we will have in the future.”

Benefits from grouping regions in the Global Economic Corridor – a key ‘city shaper’ identified in the draft Metropolitan Strategy for Sydney – should be considered as a priority, according to Dr Byrne. “The Global Economic Corridor is an arc of professional services and information technology industries stretching from the CBD through North Sydney and St Leonards to Macquarie Park and Norwest, and it makes sense to consider regional planning along this burgeoning zone of economic activity,” she said.

Dr Byrne also considers the role of Parramatta as Sydney’s second CBD as ‘too important’ to be limited to one subregion. “We acknowledge Parramatta’s critical role as Sydney’s second CBD, and grouping it in just one subregion for convenience is not good planning,” she said.

“Parramatta should ideally serve multiple subregions – it must have links with Sydney Olympic Park and the Rhodes business precinct; the critical Westmead Health facilities; University of Western Sydney education zones; Western Sydney Employment areas; the Parramatta Road Corridor and other key features,” she said. The North West Rail Link provides a good example of effective subregional planning, according to Dr Byrne. “The planning for the North West Rail Link gives us a giant clue about the best shape for the subregion – and I recommend the State Government looks to this as a guideline.”

Dr Byrne said that Council would propose a revised grouping based on Councils located along the M2 corridor in a submission to the NSW Government.

A Sensible Approach for Future Planning

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The grave of Solomon Wiseman, the 19th Century pioneering settler after whom Wisemans Ferry was named, is once again standing proudly following a major restoration of the cemetery that also bears his name.

he work has been carried out by Hornsby Shire Council using Heritage Grants from the State Government. It has repaired

decades worth of damage caused by weeds, erosion, bushfires and floods in the cemetery, which is listed as being of State Significance. Some of the graves were half-buried by a flood that occurred almost 100 years ago.

Much of the work has been done by stonemason Sach Killam, who described it as an exhilarating challenge. “This is the kind of work we like doing,” he said. “With new masonry, everything is made in China and you’re just gluing it back together. “This is the real challenge. When you arrive there’s nothing there and when you leave there’s a nice monument.”

The grave of Solomon Wiseman, who died in 1838, is a good example. It had previously been broken and repaired, but that repair failed so it was simply set in a bed of concrete in the ground.

Sach and his fellow stonemason Matthew Johnson were able to extract it from the concrete and stand it up again using a “hidden pin” repair that involved fibreglass rods. They also used a lime

mortar that came from a quarry in France once operated by the Ancient Romans. Another of the tombs was repaired by marble imported from Italy, which they slotted into place like the final piece of a jigsaw puzzle.

Local resident Nick Vargassof is very pleased with the restoration. “This cemetery is part of our heritage and we’re all glad to see this work taking place,” he said.

Joanne Caldwell from the Bushland Management Committee, which helps oversee the site, echoed those sentiments. “This is history that’s worth preserving. It’s a great reminder of how hard it must have been for the settlers who first came here,” she said.


Dooral Roundup – June 2013 6

We aRe fully stockeD With all youR favouRite BRanDs!

gReat oPening sPecials!!!!

LOCAL NEWS

Cemetery restoration ensures memorials will last

TSach Killam (foreground) and Matthew Johnson apply fish oil to the railing around a grave to reduce the rate of its rusting.


More than 150 golfers, both pros and amateurs enthusiastically teed off at the annual IC Frith and Associates Insurance Brokers Castle Hill Country Club Pro Am two day golf tournament recently.

nder perfect blue sky and on Castle Hill Country Club’s championship golf course, competitive teams including a

number of Australia’s leading touring golfers together with local professional Paul Gow and a field of more than 100 amateurs played for the major prize money purse of more than $35,000.

The 2013 IC Frith and Associates Insurance Brokers Castle Hill Country Club Pro Am winner was Steven Jeffress from Coffs Harbour with a four under par. Steven will be competing in July at the 2013 British Open Championships in Scotland. Joint runners up were Ed Steadman and David VanRaalte and in third place was Adam Groom, all from NSW. Melissa Ellis, Castle Hill Country Club general manager said; “Our two day Pro Am golf tournament was an all-round success, the biggest and best yet, showcasing many talented golfers among our local businesses, many corporate sponsors and partners. “Celebrities Steve Carfino and Matt Dunning showed off their golfing expertise and putting skills on the green. It was a great community feel with loads of fun and excitement had by all throughout the tournament,” said Ellis.

Castle Hill Country Club will play host to the historical NSW Open Golf Championships this year from 18-24 November. The tournament will precede the Australian Open to be played at Royal Sydney Golf Club.

“In the lead up and during the event we encourage everyone to become involved and lend support in the way of volunteers, spectators and supporters,” added Ellis.

Annual Pro Am a swinging success

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CHCC Pro Am winner Steven Jeffress.

CHCC Pro Am young Jesse.


BReaD oR BeD Struggling families are paying up to 45% of their limited income on rent leaving precious little for food, medication and utility bills. The hard choices that struggling families’ face this winter, such as parents and children going hungry in order to pay for the most basic of essentials, is a situation we simply cannot ignore. Anglicare seeks to meet this growing need by providing a range of services to address a person’s holistic needs. The range of services provided included Emergency Relief (food, clothing, utility bills etc), Financial Counselling, Family Accommodation Support Services, Capacity Building and No Interest Loan Scheme.

Every June the whole community from schools to shoppers, households to businesses, have given thousands of baked beans, long life milk, soup, toilet paper, plus, to help families finding themselves in difficult circumstances, especially over winter. Anglicare have come to rely on your donations. The food arrives when stocks in their centres are low, but at a time when need is high. I look forward to seeing you in the supermarket, in the schools or when we come knocking on Sunday June 16. Adam Lamb, Dural District Anglican Churches.

421 felloWshiP outing It was smiles all round at Hungry Jacks with a “surprise morning tea” stop when the 421 Fellowship of St Paul’s had coffee and then went on an adventure to see the alpacas at Alpacandes Alpaca Stud at Galston. More than 40 people

were impressed by the talk from Judi Johnston who made this day most informative. Then after seeing, hearing and touching the alpacas they all went to the Galston Club for a delicious lunch. The 421 Fellowship is always looking for new places to visit. Our aim is, while we are enjoying each others company, we are also raising money for our two Compassion children in Kenya. For enquiries regarding the St Paul’s 421 Fellowship please contact Doreen 9872 1137

Meetings, Clubs & Congrats

DOORAL HAPPENINGS

June 2013 – Dooral Roundup 9

coMMunity cluB noticesthe galston vieW cluBGalston VIEW Club, will be holding its June, Luncheon Meeting at Dural Country Club, at 11.am on Wednesday 26th June. Dr Austin Mack will speak on a visit to Portwenn, the village in “Dr Martin”. Visitors are welcome. Enquiries Vivien 9894-1189

ReD cRossRed Cross, Castle Hill Branch will be holding their next meeting on Friday, June 14th in the Tribute Room, Level

1, Castle Hill Library from 9.30a.m. until 11.00a.m. All interested persons welcome. Stalls will be held at North Rocks, Sat. May 18th,and Winston Hills, Friday May 31st from 9.00a.m. Enquiries 8850 7056.

syDney hills BRanch of the association of inDePenDent RetiReesThe Sydney Hills Branch of the Association of Independent Retirees will hold their Monthly on Friday 7th June, 2013 Pennant Hills Bowling Club. Meeting commences at 10am. If you are recently retired, come along be informed of any impeding changes. By working together we can make a difference to both your and our future. President: Lauris Rennie on 9634 1186

DuRal galston PRoBus cluBDural Galston Probus

Club will hold its next meeting at 10am on Thursday 20th June at The Galston Club. The speaker will be Almis Simans: “A Journey Along the Camino, the Pilgrims Trail to Spain”. Visitors welcome. Contact Anne 9653 1004.

Rotary Club of GalstonTHE ORIGINAL GIANT BOOK FAIR

BOOKS WANTED NOW!The sorting has begun for this years Original Giant Book Fair!

Help us to make this year our best ever by donating your books now.You can drop your donations of books, sheet music, Jigsaws, CDs,

DVDs and records to:

The Shed: 35A Halls Road, ArcadiaThe Metro: Cnr Galston Rd and Pacific Hwy Hornsby

Century 21 Prime Property Dural: 695 Old Northern Rd, Round Corner

For pick up please contact Kathryn Dickinson on 0410 530 691 or Gaye Wheatley 9651 5522 or email [email protected]

This is our major fundraiser for the assistance we give to local community needs as well as national and international projects and disasters.

We really appreciate all the support that you give us with these donations.

It’s not often you can sit someone like the NSW Health Minister, Jillian Skinner, in a room with someone like the NSW Opposition Leader, John Robertson, and find agreement.

owever, there is one thing which both Liberal and Labor agree on, and I for one could not be happier

that we have agreement on it.Immunisation has been subjected to one of the great

all time smear campaigns by so called ‘scientists’ whose studies and findings have been fabricated over many years.

Perhaps the most damning of these studies was the Wakefield study from the 1990s, when vaccination was linked with autism.

The study has been proven to be a complete fraud, unvaccinated children can still incubate and pass on diseases such as Whooping Cough, German measles and Chicken Pox.

This is why both the NSW Government and NSW Opposition are moving, with the support of the Federal Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, to ensure that unvaccinated children are removed from childcare and pre-school facilities.

Moves would ensure that children are protected in safe environments and that parents who have simply forgotten to have their children vaccinated do so before allowing those children into childcare and pre-school facilities.s.

I am thrilled that the NSW Parliament will see a bipartisan solution to the question of child immunisation and I urge all parents to make sure their children’s immunisations schedule is up to date, particularly coming into the winter months.

More than 10,000 new jobs will be created across Australia should an application in the Fair Work Commission to amend the current penalty rate structure be successful.

If adopted, the proposed changes will result in: > an increase of up to 3,814 additional jobs in the industry in the first year, and 7,849 additional jobs in the industry by 2030;> an additional 6,953 jobs across all industries in the first year;> a fall in CPI; and greater economic activity and an increase in GDP.

“The application proposes, in part, that employees under the Restaurant Industry Award 2010 be paid standard award wages for the first five shifts in any week, and then attract penalty rates on the sixth and greater shifts over a seven day period, “said Stephen Cartwright, CEO of the NSW Business Chamber.

“If the Federal Government is serious about growing our economy and making it easier to employ young people, they should be in total support of this application because of the multiplying factors that will clearly benefit the national economy.”

John Hart, CEO of Restaurant & Catering Australia said that penalty rates are pricing restaurants out of the market and threatening the employment prospects of workers.

“An award that adds 70% to a Saturday wage bill and 100% to an hourly rate on a Sunday is forcing many business owners to earn less than the minimum wage or simply close their doors,” Mr Hart said.

A Bipartisan SolutionBy David Elliott

Jobs on the line in penalty rates review

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OUR STATE


Balanced Urban Growth is one of the themes of the draft Hills Shire Plan, with reliable transport options and desirable dwellings considered major priorities of Council.

he current metropolitan strategy for Sydney gives us a target of accommodating 100,000 new residents

by 2036. We want to retain the Shire’s character. By increasing the density in our town centres, we are able to maintain what we currently have throughout our suburbs. We have a diverse population, but like much of Australia we have an ageing population and it’s important to provide senior residents with convenient housing options in and around our town centres. Council is investigating ways of encouraging the knockdown and rebuilding of homes to revitalize suburbs throughout the LGA and encourage high-quality modern homes around some of our older suburbs. It makes sense to put high density around town centres and where there’s access to public transport like bus stops and train stations.

We’re going to build more footpaths so residents feel comfortable leaving the car at home and walking instead. We’re going to improve the safety and accessibility of public transport within the Shire and we’re going to lobby the NSW Government to fix major RMS-controlled roads.

My key focus as a Mayor is to manage future growth, connect the community and build a great quality of life – and I believe we’re getting closer to achieving these goals with The Hills Shire Plan.

Within three years almost half the councils in New South Wales will not be financially sustainable.

his is the alarming conclusion of a recent NSW Treasury report into the state of local government,

making it clear that reform is urgently needed. And while Hornsby Shire Council is doing quite well compared to many other councils, it is not immune to the effects of the $7.2 billion infrastructure backlog that currently exists throughout the state.

An even more significant report was released in April, from the Independent Local Government Review Panel, which was charged with the task of finding ways to give ratepayers value for their hard-earned money. Among its recommendations was a readjustment of borders that would, for instance, see Hornsby Council give the suburb of Epping to an expanded Parramatta Council, then join forces with Ku-ring-gai Council. Merging councils is an obvious option when trying to streamline the way services are delivered to local communities.

There are some councils that are eagerly eyeing off the territory of their neighbours and others that are manning the barricades against any suggestion of amalgamation. Neither attitude is helpful.

What’s needed is a calm and rational conversation, weighing the pros and cons of all proposals as we look for the best way to deliver value to the people who have elected us to represent them.

Council wants housing options By Michelle Byrne, Mayor Hills Shire Council

Boundary Reform clearly requiredBy Counsellor Steve Russell Mayor Hornsby Shire Council

MAYORAL UPDATE

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Today, I celebrated National Volunteers Week by visiting three community groups in the Hornsby area.

was fortunate enough to be joined by the

Hornsby Advocate’s new editor Brenton Cherry and together we rolled up our sleeves to volunteer in the community. This morning we helped out the Pink Ladies and pushed the book trolley around Hornsby Hospital. We then joined the friendly staff at Meals on Wheels to visit seven elderly residents to deliver meals, and finished our day with a visit to Hornsby’s St Vincent de Paul shop. Feeling inspired from volunteering visits on Friday, I decided to lend a hand at Berowra’s Bushcare program on Saturday. It was great to see all the hard-work which has gone into regenerating large sections of local bushland.

After seeing the tireless hard work of volunteers do first-hand I’d like to congratulate each and every one of them for the huge service they contribute to our community.

Contact me on on 9476 3411 or email at [email protected]

Of particular interest to people living in this region is the Coalition’s commitment to build the F3 to M2 ‘missing link’. This will mean less traffic congestion and less frustration for motorists.

he project is supported by Infrastructure Australia and will see a tunnel from the southern end of the F3 at

Wahroonga to the M2 Motorway at Pennant Hills Road. It will be delivered in partnership with the NSW Coalition Government and the private sector. Our aim is to have the project started by late 2014.

As part of my ongoing Meet the Member program, an opportunity was given to Cherrybrook residents to meet with me and my State colleagues, Matt Kean MP (Hornsby), Dominic Perrottet MP (Castle Hill) and Greg Smith MP (Epping) at the Cherrybrook Community Centre last Saturday. Some 400 local residents attended and a lively meeting ensued. Issues raised by residents included the future of County Drive, New Line and Pennant Hills Roads, intercultural adoption, the Coalition’s economic plans to repay Labor’s burgeoning debt, vandalism and crime in the suburbs and questions relating to immigration and refugees.

Over 34,000 people have now arrived this way since the last election when Labor promised to stop the boats.

National Volunteers WeekBy Matt Kean – Member for Hornsby

The Missing LinkBy Phillip Ruddock – Member for Berowra

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REPRESENTING OUR AREA


Hornsby MP Matt Kean joins staff at Hornsby St Vincent de Paul

L-R: Felicity Findlay - Berowra FEC President, Matt Cross - MC, Greg Smith - MP (Epping), Phillip Ruddock - MP, Dominic Perrottet - MP (Castle Hill), Matt Kean MP (Hornsby).

In his Budget In Reply speech, the Hon Tony Abbott MP said that the Coalition will keep income tax cuts and fortnightly pension and benefit increases without a carbon tax.

he Coalition will help Mitchell families, households, retirees and pensioners get ahead and plan their futures

with confidence by scrapping the carbon tax as well as ensuring that tax cuts and fortnightly pension and benefit increases are kept. Removing the carbon tax will help household budgets, improve the competitive position of Australian businesses and make Australian jobs more secure.

‘My fiRst sPeech’In August 2013, we will celebrate the 25th anniversary of the opening of the Australian Parliament House, Canberra. As part of the 25th anniversary celebrations the ‘My First Speech’ competition was recently announced.

The competition asks year 10 to 12 students to consider what they would say if they were a newly elected Member of the House of Representatives and record themselves presenting a 3 minute speech on video. From the entries received, two students will be selected to come to Canberra and deliver their speeches at Parliament House Open Day on Saturday, 24 August 2013.

This is a great opportunity for talented individuals and groups from across Mitchell to get involved with our parliamentary processes and speak on issues that they are passionate about.

For further information on how to enter the competition visit: www.aph.gov.au/myfirstspeech

Motorists will soon be paying up to 15 per cent less for their Compulsory Third Party (CTP) insurance, with the NSW Government to introduce legislation immediately to make the green slip scheme fairer and more affordable.

e want a green slip system that’s more affordable for motorists and fairer for people injured in motor

vehicle accidents. Motorists in NSW currently pay on average $500 a year for CTP insurance - up to $260 more than other states – while it can take several years for people who are injured to receive benefits. The green slip changes include the introduction of a ‘no fault’ scheme which will give those injured in accidents faster access to benefits by reducing long and costly legal disputes. Motorists will start seeing reductions to the cost of their green slip renewals from later this year, with the full impact of the legislation flowing from early next year. At the moment the scheme is nothing more than a lawyers’ picnic, with accident victims getting less than half of all premiums collected by insurers. The CTP changes will drive down costs by making sure the system focuses on injured people - not lawyers.

A ‘no fault’ scheme will benefit those who need it most – people injured in motor vehicle accidents.

Budget in ReplyWith Alex Hawke - Member for Mitchell

Cheaper Green Slip Insurance With Ray Williams

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ROUND CORNER


On Sunday 5th May, the P&C held its annual golf day.

he day was a huge success, thanks to the efforts of Neil Turrell and the Galston Public School

golf organising committee. The team worked tirelessly to ensure the event was a great success and thoroughly enjoyed by all involved. The day catered for first time golfers, as well as experienced golfers. Brilliant weather and a magnificent venue added to the enjoyment of the day. Golf was the primary focus but many great prizes were awarded at the conclusion of the event. Congratulations to Nathan Cayless, Luke Burt, Anthony Cutler and Andrew Johnson who were the overall winners on the day.

Galston Public School would sincerely like to thank Neil Turrell, Michelle Vumbaca, Leisa Turrell, Gail Philp, Debbie Webb, Kristen Taylor, Liz Eren, Kath Ballinger, Jo Stephenson, Melissa Thomson, Max Turrell, Tracey Salmon and Warren Ballinger who were responsible for organising and/or assisting on the day. We would also like to acknowledge the many businesses and families who donated generously towards the golf day.

The money raised will go towards installing shade sails over the sand pit and play equipment.

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Annual Golf Day a Winner

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Local baker Rob Pirina launches 2013 Pie of Origin series in Bundaberg.

n 2012 Rob gained national attention with the launch of the Pie of Origin” concept which pits Rob’s Glenorie Bakery

against a local Queensland Bakery to determine the best pie for the State of Origin Series. The concept is a fund raiser to assist Bakers devastated by the Queensland floods over recent years. This year Quinney’s Pies on the Gold Coast accepted the challenge on behalf of Queensland and the Benefactors are Sue & Greg Burridge of Nightingales Pies, Bundaberg, devastated in the recent floods.

The Pie of Origin launch in Bundaberg was attended by all Queensland State of Origin players, the local Mayor and people of Bundaberg, and of course the challengers, benefactors and Rob- the only person in town to wear a Blues Jersey! During the event Mal Meninga presented the State of Origin Trophy to Rob saying “You are the first N S Welshman to touch the trophy in 7 years and will be the only one this year!” The Queensland players also signed a NSW Jersey for Rob to auction for the event – also a first.

The competition now begins to determine who has the best pie – NSW or QLD. The Glenorie Bakery was voted Baker of the Year and is baker of Australia’s Biggest Cup Cake and Australia’s Longest Sausage Roll.

Rob and his team have raised over $100,000 for charities.

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Pie of Origin


BUSINESS OVERVIEW

In 1995, Christenson was established.

he public of the hills district were then able to deal directly with a high end designer manufacturer and knowledgeable diamondteer. Specialising in Australian Argyle

Pink diamonds Christensons have won over 20 awards including the inaugural Australian Bridal Industry award as Best Jewellery, National Design Award and have picked up over twenty awards in the years since.

Christensons was created to be an old fashioned, honest and friendly business, with our workshop located on the premises where you can come and relax in our no pressure, low key environment and talk to our qualified master jewellers and friendly staff about all of your jewellery requirements.

We believe it is up to you to choose and we have a very open, informative and no pressure approach. Just quality, and we always give you our best price up front!

And we also operate our own opal mine. We show every client their stone under a microscope and allow you the pleasure of selecting your own stone with peace of mind that comes with the genuine and honest information that we are willing to provide.


Js Wine Bar and Cafe now provides this missing link with your host, the “Man in the Hat” and all our residents are able to benefit

from their initiative. On Friday and Saturday evenings and Sunday afternoons JJs Wine Bar is operating. There are around 40 different wines to choose as well as a range of boutique beers and spirits. An innovative Tapas menu is also provided for your dining pleasure. You can decide whether to eat or simply enjoy the atmosphere.

At other times JJs operates as a quality Cafe providing a full range of meals and snacks. Their coffee has been rated the best in Dural and they proudly boast that they have the best hot chocolate in Sydney. So why not try it? > You can catch up with friends in pleasant surroundings without travelling long distances> You can relax and be entertained by the easy listening, live music. > The friendly service will delight you and make your experience more memorable> The Wine and Beer lists are the best in the district. > JJs are the only establishment in the Hills District who may legally serve alcohol to you outdoors.

The staff of JJs would welcome you and excel in providing service to your group whether it is an intimate twosome or a much larger party booking.

The missing link is no more. Call 9651 5884 to arrange a memorable night out.

The Missing Link is HereFor many years the citizens of Dural have been crying out for a place to relax with a few drinks and pleasant company.

T

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had a call from Mr. Max Yarnold, the Manager of Vision Valley, who

discussed a task regarding moving a stone chapel from the Upper Macdonald Valley. I understood there was an urgency to have it removed as soon as possible as the land was heading for sale, and if the contract was signed, then the chapel was lost.”

The chapel was erected on land given by Elizabeth and Daniel in about 1828, and was on the preaching circuit and the centre of worship for the Methodists in the area until about late 1930’s and early 1940’s

The ancestors of the Rev. Sir Alan Walker lived there and were involved in preaching over several generations, so he was instrumental in the idea to move the Chapel to Vision Valley.

After Norm’s first visit to the site in August 1972, he arranged a caravan for accommodation at the site and with several helpers they began to dismantle and move the chapel.

The building was some 30’ x 15’in size with, originally, a shingle roof , later replaced by corrugated iron. The interior walls were always whitewashed. Norm said “The chapel was in a poor state and the site had to be cleared of timber and old corrugated iron before starting. The back wall had collapsed and it would have been the starting point to load the stones onto two tractors and trailers and carry them over the river.” The standing walls were mapped and each stone numbered and moved and stacked in a paddock on the other side of the river for storage.

The next part of the job was to transport all the stone to Vision Valley, and getting the trucks along the narrow roads and across the Wisemans Ferry. “Someone jumped to the wrong conclusion at the Ferry and thought that the stone in the truck was from the church at St. Albans. They thought it was stolen ! It ended up all right. It’s nice to know that someone is looking after this heritage stone !”

The site for the reconstruction was cleared down to solid rock, and new bearers and joists were laid, and then the tallowwood floor. This was covered while the walls were rebuilt with the numbered stones and new joinery made for

the windows and door was installed. The roof was sheeted with western red cedar shingles.

“Of all the pieces of stone transported, only one broke, and that piece went over one of the windows. A piece of stone from the Vision Valley area was found and shaped the same size an fitted into its place.” The whole job was completed by March, 1973.

At the next meeting of the Dural Historical Society on Saturday, 8th June, at 2 pm,Anne Mobbs will talk about “ The Records of the Illawarra Police district.” All welcome.

This is early notice about the “June Roughley Memorial Lecture” which will be held in the Arcadia Hall on Saturday, 17th August. Tom Richmond has agreed to speak about the “Early exploration of our local area”.More details later.

LOCAL PAPERS REPORT, JUNE, 2013 DURAL AND DISTRICT HISTORICAL SOCIETY

Jurd’s Chapel at Vision ValleyBy Margaret McKinley and Norm Sumner

At a recent Meeting of the Dural Historical Society, one of our members, Norm Sumner, told the story of how he was involved in moving this old rough-stone

THE WAY WE WERE

I

the loss of a gReat fRienD

On Tuesday of this week Oakhill College lost a great friend, and one of its oldest and most faithful supporters in the person of Hermann Fischer. Hermann had been involved with the College on a voluntary basis for more than thirty years, and during that time had been friend and guide to many former students of Agriculture and also some of the present members of the Agriculture Show Team.

Hermann first became involved through the Pony Club. He purchased a part Arabian pony, Lasalle Boris, for his daughter, Sarah, and she became one of the top young riders in the Club. Hermann stepped in and helped manage the Stud and the Arabian show horses and Sarah became the show rider for the Stud.

When the Stud was dispersed, Hermann who had by now become a fixture around the College, moved to the Agriculture Department and faithfully cared for a variety of animals being there morning and evening with their feeds. His experience in showing the horses was then used to assist teachers in the Agriculture Department who wished to show the animals. His great love was Lucky, the ewe lamb, that became his pet and was known to several generations of students – she died of old age only three weeks ago after producing thirty four lambs for the farm. As a tribute to him

and his work for the College, Hermann Oval was named for him a few years ago.

Hermann’s life was a remarkable one having been born in Germany in 1930, being drafted into the German army in the last days of World War11 and spending twelve months in an American prisoner of War camp, eventually being allowed to return home at the age of 16. He migrated to Australia in 1953, met and married Stephanie and raised a family of four children. He was a great and generous Australian who loved and served his adopted country for sixty years.

May he rest in peace with the Lord. Br Peter McIntosh, FSC.

lunch With the PRinciPal

Each year the Kindergarten classes look forward to their special lunch with the Principal. After sharing an indoor picnic lunch, the children asked Mr Phipps “Where do you do your work?” After showing them his desk and chair, the little ones decided it might be fun to see what it was like to sit in the Principal’s chair.

Azaya Janny–Reynolds enjoyed his moment as Principal of Hills.

SCHOOL NEWS


anZac Day PaRaDe

Middle Dural School was well represented at the ANZAC Day march in Glenorie. There was a huge turnout generally – a testament to the cohesiveness of our wider local community. Our students, including many from kindergarten, behaved remarkably well throughout the ceremony.

They will no doubt look back on their participation and realise that there was much more to it than just a fun march with banners, horses and bagpipes.

cRaZy haiR Day

Okay, so it wasn’t quite as important ANZAC Day, but it was a lot of fun. Students who weren’t as game as Flynn and Charli (who shaved their heads) came to school on the last day of Term 1 with some wiggedy-wack hairdos.

In the process they raised a substantial amount of money for the Leukaemia Foundation.

an auDience With the hon BoB caRR

This month, The Hills Grammar School’s Year 10 History classes were treated to an audience with the Hon Bob Carr, Minister for Foreign Affairs. An intensive Q&A Session was held via skype on the subject ‘Australia as a Global Citizen’.

Mr Carr was most impressed by the depth and breadth of the students’ questions and commented that it was more intense than Question Time in Parliament!

sMall schools cRoss-countRy Races

Once again, Middle Dural, Hillside and Annangrove Public Schools joined to compete in cross-country races at Middle Dural’s stunning grounds. We couldn’t have asked for more perfect weather. Thank you to the parents and other volunteers who, among other tasks, manned the barbecue and made sausage sandwiches for the 150+ hungry people. The photo shows Middle Dural’s Kollah-Jade, who won her race in a field of over 50 boys and girls.

Go Kollah!


Have few hours to kill before your flight and struggling to keep your eyes open?

ell hopefully you’re at Abu Dhabi International Airport and can flop into one of their new “Go

Sleep” sleeping pods.The ‘pods’ are

essentially chairs that convert into private flat beds. There have been 10 pods installed in Terminal 1 and 3, with an extra 35 due to be installed later this year.

The chairs include a sliding shade that the airport says will isolate the passenger from noise, light and crowds. They will soon be upgraded to include internet access and secure storage for luggage and valuables. Travellers will also be able to charge their electronic devices on the chair.

Sleep areas are already available at some airports around the world, including Moscow Airport which is home to the “Sleepbox” . The sleek-looking pod can be rented for short periods of time by travellers to rest while awaiting the final boarding call.

Passengers can enjoy some quiet shut eye without leaving the airport, thanks to a futuristic cabin that contains bunk beds, a TV, Wi-Fi connections and mood lighting.

Meandering through my local Bottlo the other day and I happened to stumble past a very familiar looking bottle of Sangria.

he plastic bottle in question was not much to look at and was filled with a litre of absolute rubbish that

I was last seen chugging whilst running away from a very mean bull in Pamplona. The preferred cocktail for the “running of the bulls” Sangria is also perfect for a sunny winter’s day.A wine punch typical of Spain, Portugal and Argentina, Sangria normally consists of wine, chopped fruit, a sweetener, and added alcohol varieties. Chopped fruit can include orange, lemon, lime, apple, peach, melon, berries, pineapple, grape, kiwifruit and mango. A sweetener such as honey, sugar, syrup, or orange juice is added.

For those who like their liquor strong, this powerful sangria recipe aims to please. Fortified with wine, vodka, and gin, this recipe will strip you from your winter blues. Olé!

3 1/4 cups dry red wine2 cups sparkling apple juice4 tablespoons gin4 tablespoons citron-flavoured vodka2 tablespoons sugarJuice of 1 large orangeJuice of 1 large lemon1 small orange, lemon and lime, sliced thin crosswise

But beware Sangria is named after the Spanish word for “blood” - “sangre” because of its typical dark-red colour. Less is more!

Less is moreWith Hugh Martin – Bluestar Beverages

Forty Winks at Airports

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QUAFF IT TRAVEL

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ph. 02 9651 44496a/3 Ward Pl, Dural [email protected]

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Infertility is becoming more and more common, so many people are turning to ancient therapies like acupuncture to help them conceive their bundle of joy.

ith studies showing acupuncture and Chinese herbs to be as effective or even more effective

than modern medicines like Clomid, it’s no surprise that people are keen to try natural options.

But you may be wondering how acupuncture can help increase fertility rates. Acupuncture channels flow all throughout our bodies, including through our reproductive organs. By selecting specific points that relate to fertility, we can make remarkable changes. Some of the ways acupuncture can help infertility include:> promoting blood flow to the uterus> ripening follicles to encourage ovulation> thickening the uterine lining for implantation> promoting healthy sperm

Another important component of treating infertility is through diet and lifestyle. For the blokes, make sure your mobile phone is kept away from your body to help prevent DNA damaged sperm.

As a couple, it’s important to consider your diet. Could it be better? Most of us could say yes to this, but sometimes we need a little guidance as to what healthy eating is.

Try and make sure a large portion of your diet is organic vegetables and fruit, with a variety of pulses, beans, organic meats, and plenty of water.

Pin curls, short bobs and raspberry lips are all the rage again as Gatsby fever takes hold – Nat Fitzgerald from Clara Bow Hair & Makeup tells how you can get the look.

n the wake of Baz Luhrmann’s glitzy adaptation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic Jazz Age novel, The Great

Gatsby, vintage-inspired looks from the Roaring 20s are topping the charts as this season’s most sought after trend.

The 1920s was an era of outrageous glamour and excess, where women broke free from tradition and were liberated to create their own looks – they cut off their hair, played with makeup and weren’t afraid to have a little fun.

In the spirit of all things Deco, we love Vogue’s modern take on Gatsby’s vintage look last month (pictured, with Carey Mulligan as Daisy Buchanan). It’s heavily made up with signature 20s deep, dramatic eyes. The good news is it’s a look that’s easy to create yourself. Head to our blog at www.clarabowhair.com for a step-by-step guide on how to recreate those sultry Gatsby eyes.

Complete the look with flapper-inspired hair. Forget your straightening iron, girls – finger waves and pin curls call for curlers and old fashioned rollers to get the loose, cascading styles needed to conquer this look. Keep them in place with gorgeous, crystal encrusted bobby pins and clips.

Acupuncture for Infertility & Pregnancy By Kim Gatenby – Acupuncturist

Going Gatsby With Clara Bow Hair & Makeup

HEALTH & BEAUTY

WI


Winter comfort food made easy in one pot.

ingReDients0.75 kilo beef chuck roast, trimmed of fatSalt, to tasteFreshly ground pepper, to taste4 tspns extra-virgin olive oil, 1 large onions, thinly sliced 2 cloves garlic, minced1 tspn dried thyme3/4 cup strong brewed coffee2 tblspns balsamic vinegar2 tblspns corn starch mixed with 2 tablespoons water

MethoDStep 1: Preheat oven to 300°F. Season beef with salt and pepper. Heat 2 tspns oil in a Dutch oven or soup pot over medium-high heat. Add beef and cook until well browned. Transfer to a plate.Step 2: Add the remaining oil to the pot. Add onions, reduce heat to medium and cook, stirring often, until softened and golden. Add garlic and thyme; cook, stirring, for 1 minute. Stir in coffee and vinegar; bring to a simmer. Return the beef to the pot and spoon some onions over it. Cover and transfer to the oven.Step 3: Braise the beef in the oven until fork-tender but not falling apart. Remove beef and rest for about 10 minutes. Step 4: Skim fat from the liquid; bring to a boil over med-high heat. Add the corn starch mixture and cook, whisking, until the gravy thickens slightly, about 1 minute. Season with pepper. Carve and serve with gravy and steamed vegetables.

ServeS 4. Suitable for a slow cooker.

An entertainment devised by Sheridan Morley with the words and music of Noel Coward.

wo of Australia’s rising stars of musical theatre transport you to a world of glamour, wit and

elegance in a timeless musical which has been acclaimed throughout the world. Noël Coward and Gertrude Lawrence formed a legendary on and off stage partnership. They looked rich, they were elegant; they sang, they danced, they made jokes through clenched cigarette holders. They were impeccable.

James Millar (Grey Gardens, Oklahoma, Jerry Springer: The Opera) returns from London to play Noël Coward and is joined by Lucy Maunder (Dr Zhivago, The Rocky Horror Show, Jekyll and Hyde). Under the direction of showbix legend Nancye Hayes, they take a contemporary look at two of the 20th century’s greatest stage personalities and the era they helped to define.

Featuring songs, sketches and scenes from Coward’s own works, diary excerpts and letters between the two, Noël and Gertie is highly entertaining, strangely familiar and surprisingly touching. If you love musical theatre, celebrity, gossip, glamour, the plays of Noël Coward; if you love shows like Downton Abbey, The Great Gatsy, Pride and Prejudice, Poirot, or Mary Poppins, then you’ll love Noël and Gertie - a glittering evening of delight, wit, song and dance.

At the Riverside Theatre from June 11-15.

Coffee-Braised Pot Roast

Noel and Gertie

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MA’S KITCHEN REVIEW


NEW RULESFOR POOLS AND SPASYOU MUST REGISTER YOUR POOL OR SPA BY OCTOBER 2013

Do you own a pool or spa? Did you know that new State Government rules came into effect from April 2013?

All pool and spa owners are required to register their pool or spa on a new state-wide online register and must have completed registration by 28 October 2013.

A $220 penalty applies for failing to register a swimming pool.

www.swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.auVISIT

Legitimate tax minimisation can be achieved by taking certain actions prior to 30 June.

ax minimization strategy options for most taxpayers are as follows:-

> Delay deriving assessable income.> Bring forward incurring deductible expenses or losses.> Prepay next year’s expenses. (Maximum of 13 months).> Assess marginal tax rates for all tax payers.> Potential negative gearing strategies. > Make payments that receive special tax treatment. Eg superannuation contributions.> Not all strategies are available to all taxpayers therefore clarification should be sought before proceeding.

If you are in business or earn your income through a company or trust consider the following:- > Income delay> Bring forward deductible expenses > Employer superannuation contributions. > Is your loan account in debit? Will interest be tax deductible? Will you have a deemed dividend? Have you make the minimum payment required for your Div7A loan?> Prepare Stock count working papers.> First time tax concessions for small business.> Prepayment of certain expenses such as insurance or

interest.

Should you wish to go through the possibilities please call us at W. Griffiths & Co Pty Ltd on 9651 2288.Disclaimer: This is general information only. We take no responsibility for any errors, omissions or possible misleading statements. This is not designed as a substitute for professional advice and we suggest that such advice is sought.

Fleetwood Mac epitomises the survival spirit.

f course, the back story, of break ups, make ups, and their

insatiable drink and drug habits are as famous as the band itself. Drummer Mick Fleetwood admits it’s a blessing they’re still writing, recording, performing and touring stronger than ever.

“In the old days, there was a definite routine of how we juggled our [illegal] substances. We didn’t like to walk on stage completely ... you know,” he says, sheepishly.

“We all know what we did - it’s all public knowledge. A lot of cocaine and booze,” Fleetwood says.

“But you have to put it in perspective. War stories become very romantic and they are fun to tell, but I certainly try to preface it by saying it’s not recommended.

“We are, quite frankly, fortunate to have prevailed,” Fleetwood says. “We’re lucky, we’re grateful and we’re here.”

For now, the Mac are steering their way through good times, including an album in the works, and a tour to Australia later this year.

touR DatesSydney Entertainment Centre, Nov 10;Hope Estate Winery, Hunter Valley, Nov 16;Adelaide Entertainment Centre, Nov 19Perth Arena, Nov 22Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne, Nov 26Hill Winery, Geelong, Nov 30Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Dec 2Vector Arena, Auckland, Dec 6

Tickets on sale June 13.

Taxation Planning With Wayne Griffiths

Music for the age

FINANCIAL MATTERSMUSIC

TO


In the winter months invite the warmth into your home by adding texture and warm bursts of colour…

reating texture in your home is a great way to introduce warmth and make spaces feel more

intimate. Simple rugs and throw cushions add a new dimension to living areas and in wet areas, like kitchens and bathrooms, leather and fabric look tiles can soften the cold environment.

Introduce new paint colours in warm neutrals; colours with a yellow or brown base are particularly successful. Painting bedrooms in these rich colours immediately creates a cosier atmosphere.

So popular in modern homes is the minimal aesthetic of glass and chrome, which can be very cold and sterile in winter. Soften these looks by introducing other metal tones like brass and copper, they will soften the space whilst maintaining the minimal material palette. Large scale rust coloured feature tiles are ideal for a fireplace or feature wall,

small copper mosaics add a warm colour and texture and can be used in bathrooms and kitchens a features.

Make some changes for winter and enjoy the comforts of your home!

Phone 02 9894 6765 to make an appointment with a World of Tilesconsultant, or visit us at World of Tiles - Unit D1, 2 Packard Ave Castle Hill NSW 2154.

With all the dramatic weather we have been experiencing lately, it made me think of ways to further incorporate nature into my home, and what better way to watch the sky then with by installing skylights.

kylights are literally windows for the roof; so think of the possibilities, to stare up a dark starry night or

watch a summer storm roll on by, all within the comfort of your home, through your very own roof.

Not only do sky lights add scenery, but they also offer the ability to access natural warmth and light into your home, and another means of ventilation.

When installing skylights, be careful on where you position them as this will allow you to control the heat and light that the window will provide.

Skylights come in a variety of designs, like windows, including circular, diamond, triangular and multi-sided configurations. You have the choice of whether you want the skylight to provide ventilation or to be a sealed fixture.

Along with innovation in design has also come innovation insulation and energy efficiency. Today, manufacturers of skylights have developed ways to add heat in winter and reduce unwanted heat through the skylight in summer. Skylights are often designed with multiple layers of glazing, and covered with low-emissivity films to help block solar heat gain and reduce heat loss in winter. Although you should expect to pay a little more for these products, think of the long term cuts on your energy bills and the reduced impact your home will have on the environment. So before you begin your project, visit a home show.

Consider installing a skylight, it will help both your finances and our environment.

World of winter WarmthWith Elias Yousif

SkylightsWith Neil Turrell

CS

AROUND THE HOME

There are several cost effective alternatives to heat your outdoor entertaining areas.

ire pits are the cheapest, starting from around $30, to heat a small space and they can be quite decorative. The

simplest are braziers, a metal cage structure designed to hold the fire off the ground. Their limitation is there must be no combustible materials under or around them or you could be in the fire.

The gas outdoor patio heaters are a better option if you don’t want, or can’t have wood fired . The effective heating area of these is from 3 to 5 metre diameter and the cheaper models, starting at about $120, will only do smaller areas. If you need to heat bigger areas look for one that has an output of 42Mj and over. Wall mounted radiant gas heaters are a good option for tight spaces and come in LP or Natural gas. There are outdoor electric radiant heaters available but their running costs will generally make them less affordable.

It should not be difficult to find a solution to suit your space, lifestyle and your pocket to make your outdoor entertaining areas useful all year round.

There are several reputable outlets in the Hillswhere you can get good advice and the full rangeof heaters discussed above.

Housing finance figures point to reports of a strengthening property market.

vidence closer to home also upholds the market strengthening with the residential gaining good returns

in shorter time frames which in turn has a positive effect on the rural market.

“Recent data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) shows that the total number of dwelling commitments increased by a seasonally adjusted 4.5 per cent in March,” said Chairman and Owner of Century 21 Australasia, Charles Tarbey. “These figures are pleasing to see and likely reflect the fact that many buyers were responsive to the Reserve Bank of Australia’s rate cuts in October and December of last year.

“Century 21 believes this trend may continue after the Reserve Bank’s latest decision to cut the official cash rate to 2.75 per cent.”

The ABS’ data shows that on a national basis, the seasonally adjusted number of owner occupied housing commitments increased by 5.2 per cent over March, while the value of investment housing commitments rose 2.1 per cent.

“The refinancing figures are positive, as they may indicate that more mortgage holders are proactively taking advantage of rate cuts and seeking out the best lenders.” continued Charles Tarbey.

“Such figures may also be a positive sign for future value growth within the Australian property market,” he concluded.

Real Estate Round UpWith Gaye Wheatley

Outdoor LivingBy Michael Freame, as heard on ABC 702 “Homies” Saturdays 10.00am “The Pool Guy”.

F


E

Open7 Days

Unit 2 827a Old Northern RoadDURAL 2158 Ph 1300772722

Enter behind McDonalds - In between Reece Plumbing & Dargils HireFor access to the full rangeof Gasmate OutdoorHeating visitSpa & BBQ Barn

The Rotary Club of Galston recently hosted the Com-munity Awards Night dedicated to Apprentices and Community members throughout Galston /Glenorie, and the surrounding area.

poignant part of the evening was the presentation of the Rod Tallis Memorial Award to Matthew Jones who

has an accomplished career in Horticulture. The award is in memory of Rod Tallis who established Overland Nurseries in 1973. Rod was highly involved and respected through out the nursery industry and the local community he crammed into his brief 36 years, what most of us take a lifetime to achieve. After thirty years and changes to the course the Shield will be no longer awarded therefore it was fitting to see it presented to Julia Tallis-Young, Brent and Scott Tallis of Overland Nursery where it will proudly hang.

Nine other awardees were honoured during the evening for their achievements including James Tribe from Goodies Bakery, Nathan Wells Overland Nursery, Kylie Napoli and Grace Barba from Rodney’s Hairstylists and Beauty by Grace, Brian Pritchard for Community Service, Bill Fleming for Quite Achievement, Shalinder Rai Property Manager from Century21 Dural for Pride of Workmanship, Kirsty Marsh of Lorick Management, Vivki Blownless – Glenorie Growers Market and Hills Storage for Small Business.

The evening was a celebration of the achievements of these outstanding people.

School children were asked to write a poem involving the theme ‘MY MUM MY HERO’ - the response and standard was overwhelming.

y Mum is a Hero is a competition for Hills Primary School girls and boys in years 5 and 6, a project for local

youth conducted by Glenhaven Rotary.Winner of the competition is Maryanne Jothy of St

Bernadette’s Primary School Castle Hill.Maryanne and her mother Saidah are to have a portrait

painted in oils by well known portrait artist Harry Hughes of wepaintyourportrait.com with runners up receiving dinner for two at a local restaurant and movie tickets for student and mum.

Presentations were held at Springfield House Dural the Rotary Club of Glenhaven on the 21st of May.

A Poem for Mum

cluB neWs


M

A

Annual Community Awards Night

1st Prize Maryanne Jothy with mum Saidah - St Bernadette’s Primary School Castle Hill.2nd Prize Jordan Zenere with mum Gehan - Glenhaven Public School.3rd Prize Julia Gutierrez with mum Brenda - St Bernadette’s Primary School Castle Hill.4th Prize Ben Moult with mum Berit - Glenhaven Public School.

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Tradies & Professionals

28 Dooral Roundup – June 2013

Documents

New Shopping Centreduralchamber.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/DR_Jun13.pdfadvertising Terry Lambert • [email protected] Mobile: 0412 570 133 Deadline for copy & advertising