July 2011by Rockdale City Council

On Historic Botany Bay

2011 Business Excellence AwardsLast Chance, Vote Online

English Corner

Practise Your English

Bangla Fever Hits RockdaleInaugural Bangali Festival a Success

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ContentsMessage from the Mayor ..................................................... 3Bangla Fever Hits Rockdale ................................................. 52011 Business Excellence Awards – Last Chance ............... 6Bexley Oval is Tops ............................................................. 9Accolades for Council Employee ....................................... 10Shielded From Summer Sun .............................................. 11Rain, Rain, Come Again! ................................................... 12Pesticide Use in the City of Rockdale ................................ 13A Chance to Hold History in Your Hands ........................... 14Taking Bikes to New Heights ............................................. 15Come and Learn at English Corner ................................... 16Supporting Parents With Mental Illnesses ......................... 17King of Carving and Culinary Delights ............................... 18Piping Hot .......................................................................... 19Get Your Green Thumbs On .............................................. 20Free Waterwise Workshop ................................................. 20Go Bush ............................................................................. 21Lights On, Game On .......................................................... 22Smoother, Safer Roads ...................................................... 23Committed to the Community ............................................ 24Supporting Local Business ................................................ 25Community Events Calendar ............................................. 26Lights, Camera, Action ....................................................... 27

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Message from the Mayor

We are already more than halfway through the year but I am so excited because I believe the best is still ahead of us. Council still has much work planned for 2011. The Rockdale Bangla Festival on Saturday 11 June reminded me of the wonderful diverse community we live in and how special our City is.

Council runs many events throughout the year to support culturally and linguistically diverse groups as well as seniors, families and people with disabilities – we have something for everyone. This month’s issue of the Rockdale Review showcases a small selection of Council’s initiatives and offerings for the residents of our City.

National Tree Day at the end of this month illustrates to us the importance of proactively taking care of the environment

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as a community. I encourage you all to participate and to plant a native tree as we need all the help we can get to restore the Australian bush. We should all take responsibility for the environment and set a good example for our children.

The Rockdale City Business Excellence Awards will close on Friday 8 July so save time and hop online to vote or grab a form from Council’s Customer Service Centre. I value your input and appreciate your support for our local businesses; they are truly the backbone of our community and deserve to be recognised.

Councillor Bill Saravinovski Mayor

Pictured right: Entertainment at the Rockdale Bangla Festival included the Kisholoy Chochi Kancha Children’s Group.

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Bangla Fever Hits RockdaleRockdale’s inaugural Bangla Festival was a great success with over 200 people attending on Saturday 11 June. Crowds flooded into the Rockdale Town Hall for the cultural shows, fashion, craft and food stalls. Opening the festival was a documentary movie on Bangladesh’s history and cultures followed by performances from the Oikotan musical group, children’s choirs, dancers, local entertainers and more.

“Our City is diverse and multinational and this is what makes us unique,” Mayor Bill Saravinovski said. “To say that the Bengali community has contributed much to our City is simply not enough to express how much a part of us the Bengali culture is. This multicultural mix is truly Australian and I am proud to be a representative of Rockdale.”

The festival was also attended by the High Commissioner for Bangladesh, Lieutenant General Masud Uddie Chowdhury from Canberra and other representatives from Bangladeshi organisations in NSW. Bangladesh TV (Beedesh Bangla) producer Rahmat Ullah and popular Bangladesh magazine (the Probashe Bangladesh) editor Md Abdullah Al Mamun

also reported on the event.

Council thanks the Australian Bengali Library and the St George Migrant Resource Centre for making this fun and festive event possible.

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2011 Business Excellence Awards

Last Chance, Vote OnlineNominations for the Rockdale City Business Excellence Awards close on Friday 8 July. Mayor Bill Saravinovski encourages everyone to nominate their favourite local business. “There are some fantastic businesses throughout our area that deserve to be recognised and rewarded for their commitment to excellence,” the Mayor said.

There are 17 Business Excellence Award categories including the Best Business in each Suburb, Excellence in Community, Excellence in Customer Service and the People’s Choice Award.

Save time and nominate online at www.rockdale.nsw.gov.au

Alternatively use the attached form or pick up extra forms from a Rockdale City Library branch or at Council’s Customer Service Centre (2 Bryant Street, Rockdale).

Finalists will be notified in August with the awards to be presented at a gala dinner held at The Grand Roxy on Friday 26 August. Tickets are $90 and can be purchased from Council’s Customer Service Centre. For more information call 9562 1666.

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2011 Business Excellence Awards

People’s Choice Award

BusinEss DEtAils

Name

Address

Phone

Please let us know why you have nominated this business (25 words max)

To make your vote count you Must fill out All fields below and next page

Please turn >>

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YouR DEtAils

First Name

Surname

Address

Phone

Return this completed nomination form to: Attention: City Media & Events, Rockdale City Council by post: PO Box 21, Rockdale NSW 2216

by hand: 2 Bryant Street, Rockdale NSW 2216 by fax: 02 9562 1777 by email: events@rockdale.nsw.gov.au

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Bexley Oval is TopsBexley Oval has been ranked a close second in the Ground of the Year category in the Sydney Cricket Association Shires competition. Points were awarded by the Umpires in criteria such as ground and pitch markings, pitch pace, bounce and hardness, grass covering and outfield condition.

Bexley Oval averaged an impressive 7.1 out of 10 with officiating umpires assessing every ground on every match day during the season.

Bexley Oval is known for its picturesque surroundings including the trees and its quaint grandstand. The ranking of Bexley as one of the top grounds is a great recognition of the dedication and effort put into its upkeep by Council-employed groundsmen including Trent Malley, who has been taking care of the oval for 11 years. “I keep them to high standards. It takes a lot of patience so it is always very satisfying to watch a game on my grounds. This is a great outcome,” Trent said.

“All cricketers aspire to play on turf and all international cricket is played on turf wickets. Council strives to make ours the best so that we can provide the grounds for our future stars in the making,” Director City Operations Wayne Carter said.

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Accolades for Council EmployeeIn recognition for his contribution to the Bulahdelah Bypass, Coordinator of Building Certification and Compliance Michael Azzi, was awarded the John Odongo Prize in Economic and Community Development on Wednesday 18 May at a ceremony at the University of Sydney. The John Odongo Prize is awarded to the student who has achieved outstanding results in Economic and Community Development.

For his research on the Bulahdelah Bypass, Michael led a team of students, conducting traffic studies and interviewing residents and business owners.

Michael has a Degree in Architecture, a Diploma of Applied Science in Health and Building, a Masters in Business

Associate Professor and Head of Discipline Urban and Regional Planning and Policy Nicole Gurran and Coordinator of Building Certification and Compliance Michael Azzi with his John Odongo Prize.

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Administration and is currently in his final year of his Masters in Urban and Regional Planning. In addition to this prestigious award, he has also been honoured with the John Toon’s Prize in Environmental Planning and was listed on the Dean’s list for Excellence in Academic Performance in 2010.

Having worked in the private and public sectors, Michael has been a Council employee since 1997. His dedication to his studies throughout his career shows a love of learning and research. His plethora of experience and knowledge make him an invaluable asset to Council and we extend our congratulations to him for his exemplary achievements.

Shielded From Summer Sun Council will soon install a specially designed shade structure over the playground in King Street Place in time for summer. With the increased comfort provided by the shade, both children and their carers will be able to enjoy the playground even more.

“Active kids are healthy kids. Council is always happy to support families by providing infrastructure that will be used for many years to come,” Mayor Bill Saravinovski said.

For more information, contact Council’s Design and Project Management Team on 9562 1784.

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Rain, Rain, Come Again!Following the success of Council’s launch of the Gilchrist Park Rain Garden on Saturday 19 March, Council has made plans for three more rain gardens which will be completed by the end of the year. Of the Gilchrist Park Rain Garden, Mayor Bill Saravinovski praised it at the launch saying that it is “an important element to Council’s commitment to cleaning our waterways”. Dedicated to sustainability, Council has worked to receive $300,000 funding from the State and approval for the construction of three new rain gardens.

A rain garden is a depression made in the ground and filled with native plants, thus collecting surface runoff in urban areas. This means that the rainwater from roofs, driveways, footpaths, parking lots and other man-made structures are directed to the rain garden instead of stormwater drains and nearby creeks, therefore improving the water quality of nearby waterways. Beautiful and practical, rain gardens are a type of green infrastructure that demonstrates carefully thought-out urban planning in terms of land use and giving back to the environment.

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The new rain gardens will be located in Peter Depena Reserve (Dolls Point); Bona Park (Ramsgate); and Kendall Street Reserve (Sans Souci) to target water quality in Waradiel Creek, Bado-berong Creek and Goomun Creek respectively. All of these creeks flow into the Georges River, a major waterway in the area.

Council aims to keep our waterways in their pristine natural state and to enhance the landscape of our local parks. With the planting of native trees, Council is keeping with the existing plant life and ensuring that we are doing our best to reduce our footprint on the environment.

Council is herbicide spraying using Spearhead for broad leaf weed and bindii over the next few months. Spraying will occur at our major sporting fields and ovals, passive parks, picnic areas, the Cook Park beachfront and will also include some playgrounds, public gardens and natural areas.

Appropriate signage will be displayed at each location when work commences. This notification is in accordance with Council's Pesticide Usage Notification Plan.

For more information contact Council's Parks Coordinator John Comerford on 9562 1523.

Pesticide Use in the City of Rockdale

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A Chance to Hold History in Your Hands

It’s not too late to make history as the 2011 Ron Rathbone Local History Prize is still open for submissions. Entries must be received by Friday 12 August. $5000 will be awarded to the author of the best piece of original research on any subject related to the City of Rockdale.

School students are invited to enter the Junior Ron Rathbone Local History Prize - with both the winning primary school student and the winning secondary school student each receiving $500.

Pick up a form from Rockdale City Library today. History is written by winners after all and winners have to work hard to get there. So whether you get your pen, quill or computer out, start researching and writing so you can maximise your chances of being a winner.

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Taking Bikes to New HeightsIn an award ceremony in Canberra on Wednesday 1 June 2011, Council’s Landscape Planner Fiona MacColl was presented joint Winner of the 2010 Bicycling Achievement of the Year Award Professional Category with Isabel Ross, a Population Health Officer in Western Australia.

As the Executive Officer for the Australian Bicycle Council from 2007 until March 2011, Fiona coordinated and facilitated a network for all three tiers of government, community and the cycling industry. Fiona’s contribution is unique as she was the only full-time public service employee managing the 2011-2016 National Cycling Strategy and the first national Cycling Participation Survey.

She established and managed the web-based Cycling Resource Centre as an international portal of information for and about the Australian cycling sphere. Through her tireless efforts, Fiona has championed cycling in Australia and liaised with many groups to raise the profile of this green form of transport.

Congratulations to Fiona for all her hard work! For more information check out the Cycling Resource Centre at www.cyclingresourcecentre.org.au

Above L-R: General Manager Cycling Promotion Fund (CPF) Peter Bourke, Landscape Planner and former Executive Officer for the Australian Bicycle Council Fiona MacColl and Government Relations Representative CPF Stephen Hodge.

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Come and Learn at English CornerLooking for a job and would like to improve your communication skills? Interested in improving your English speaking and listening skills? Join the English Corner at the Rockdale City Library which runs from 6pm–7:45pm every Tuesday night.

A joint initiative of Council and St George and Sutherland Community College, the English Corner was founded by Mikhall Chong and has been established for over two-and-a-half years. It is run by dedicated volunteers.

“We are providing people with the opportunity to practise their English,” Mikhall said.

The English Corner welcomes people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse backgrounds. It’s free and has a relaxed learning atmosphere, so come along and start practising your English!

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Supporting Parents With Mental IllnessesAround one in five people will experience a mental illness. In approximately 25 per cent of families in Australia, a parent has experienced a mental illness.

The St George and Sutherland Mental Health Service (St George Child and Family Interagency) with support from Council presented a free training day for Early Childhood Services on the topic ‘The Impact of Parental Mental Illness on Children’ on Friday 3 June.

Staff in long day care centres, community-based pre-schools and independent child care providers in the St George area were invited to attend. The one-day training seminar offered much needed resources for these Early Childhood Service providers on how to support parents with mental illnesses.

The training was designed to give information on mental illnesses and the impact they have as well as developing practical ways to assist children and their families who are experiencing mental health issues.

A role-play simulating psychosis in the seminar attended by child care workers.

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King of Carving andCulinary DelightsThe Campsie Food Festival on Saturday 4 June drew many citizens eager to sample choice culinary delights. The place was bustling with life; the sight and smell of colourful and delicious food created a mouth-watering experience. Mayor Bill Saravinovski was delighted to meet Chef Charlie Yan and hold one of his masterpieces of fruit carving.

Under Chef Yan’s skilled craftsmanship, it only takes around half an hour to carve fruit and vegetables into edible works of art. At the Campsie Food Festival kitchen, he also participated in the Mystery Ingredients Challenge having to

Showcasing a watermelon masterpiece at the Campsie Food Festival: (L-R) Eileen and Peter Rao, Mayor Bill Saravinovski, Chef Charlie Yan and Lily Lin.

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cook up dishes from a strange combination of ingredients such as a dozen quail eggs, one bottle of honey and 10 lamb chops! Chef Yan, in an impressive display of his cooking skills, created three succulent dishes while keeping to a strict 30 minute time-frame.

Chef Yan has been carving food for more than 20 years and specialises in Asian cuisine. He runs his own business, Yan's Great Garnishes, in Strathfield and conducts many cooking shows around Sydney including the Royal Easter Show this year. He won a Gold Medal for Fruit Carving from the Australian Kitchen Artists Association in 2010 and recently won the Golden Finger Award.

Piping HotTo address the problem of flooding in the Ramsgate area, Council is amplifying the drainage system by installing a new pipeline and pits along the northern side of Alice Street between Alfred Street and Chuter Avenue.

The new pipeline will connect into another new pipeline at the intersection of Alfred and Alice Streets that was installed in 2010. This project is part of an ongoing program to address flooding problems across the city.

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Free Waterwise WorkshopIf you are interested in saving on your water bills and want information on how to conserve water, come to the free Waterwise Workshop hosted by Council on Saturday August 6 from 12 noon to 3pm at the Kingsgrove/Bexley North Community Hall (56A Shaw Street, Bexley North).

The workshop will provide you with information on practical and cheap waterwise solutions for the home. The workshop will cover designing and installing water-sensitive landscaping, rainwater tanks, green roofs and walls, rain gardens, mini-wetlands and porous paving.

Get Your Green Thumbs On Bring your friends and family to plant a native tree on National Tree Day on Sunday 31 July from 9:30am to 12:30pm in Bardwell Valley. This event run by Council is a great day to show children how fun and easy it is to help the environment.

No experience is necessary and all tools are provided as well as a bush tucker morning tea. Everyone who plants a tree or more will get to take away their own native plant.

For more information on National Tree Day and on the Free Waterwise Workshop, call Council’s Environmental Projects Officer Madeline Hourihan on 9562 1663 or email mhourihan@rockdale.nsw.gov.au

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Go BushCouncil is looking for helping hands to join our band of dedicated volunteers who individually, or in groups, care for our local bushland.

For a suburban Council, Rockdale City is very lucky to have several valuable bushland gems that provide food and sanctuary for a surprisingly wide variety of native plants and animals.

Rockdale City’s bushland and wetland reserves, parks and even nature strips provide stepping stones for our native animals to move between larger bushland areas. The community’s efforts and commitment to managing and caring for these areas is vital and highly appreciated.

There are three bushcare groups in Rockdale City: Coolibah Reserve, Bardwell Park; Hawthorne St Natural Area, Ramsgate; and Bardwell Valley. Council is planning to expand to Stotts Reserve, Bardwell Valley and Civic Avenue, Monterey. Groups meet for a two or three hour work session once a month, usually on the same weekend each month. Bushcarers will also have the opportunity to attend specialist environmental workshops and open days.

If you would like to participate in the bushcare training or join an existing group, call Council’s Environmental Project Officer Madeline Hourihan on 9562 1663 or email mhourihan@rockdale.nsw.gov.au and help make a difference to your local environment.

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Lights On, Game OnThough the nights are longer and days shorter, young sporting stars can now keep on playing season after season at Tonbridge Street Reserve, Ramsgate thanks to the installation of four large training light pole towers.

The new lights reflect Council’s interest in preserving the tradition of sports and shows our support for our local teams.

With funding from the State Government and Council, the four light pole towers have been installed for the Ramsgate Junior AFL Club. Totalling $88,000, half of this has been funded by a grant from the NSW Government Sport and Recreation Program.

On top of this, another two large training light pole towers for the Brighton Seagulls Soccer Club have been installed in Scarborough Park. Using a $15,000 grant from the NSW Government under the Community Building Partnership Program and $55,000 from Council funding, Council made the upgrades to the community facilities so our young sports teams can keep playing and we can keep watching them grow.

“Sport is truly an important part of Australian culture and I am delighted to support our young sporting teams in this way,” Mayor Bill Saravinovski said.

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Smoother, Safer RoadsAs part of our extensive Road Resurfacing Program, Council has been laying asphalt on the road. This type of maintenance reduces potholes and cracks to ensure that our roads are smoother and safer than ever. Here is a small selection of what Council has been doing for the community.

Burlington street, Monterey

Barnsbury Grove, Bexley

A steamroller presses and packs the asphalt mix down to create a smooth surface.

A worker spraying bitumen in order to prepare the surface for the laying of the asphalt mix.

With a layer of asphalt laid, workers sweeps the surface and even out the sides to make sure that the surface is clear to be sealed.

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Committed to the CommunityCouncil strives to give recognition to those who play a critical role in defining our City spirit and demonstrate commitment to our community. Council is indebted to the selfless sacrifice of citizens who help us build such a great community at Rockdale City.

Mayoral presentation of certificates to citizens recognised for their commitment to the community: (L-R): Councillor Angelo Anestis, Emanuel and Irene Savvas, Mayor Bill Saravinovski, Chris and Georgia Gravanis, George Lianos and Irene Anestis.

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suppoRtinG loCAl BusinEssCouncil is committed to the growth and prosperity of our local businesses, which is why the Rockdale Review has a regular column devoted to promoting different local businesses throughout the City. Each business also has an accompanying short film which can be viewed at www.rockdale.nsw.gov.au

El-Zahraa Bakery27 Belmore Street, Arncliffe, Phone 9597 6017

Traditional Lebanese pastries Fast, friendly service Vegetarian and meat pizzas and pies

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Community Events CalendarEnglish CornerWhen Every Tuesday, 6pm - 7:45pmWhere Rockdale City Library, 448 Princes Hwy, RockdaleCall Council’s CALD Services Specialist Stephanie Lee

on 9562 1824

Author talk: sandy Brocking When Thursday 28 July, 1pmWhere Rockdale City Council Chambers,

448 Princes Highway, RockdaleCall 9562 1821. Bookings essential. Books will be

available for sale and signing. Free entry with light refreshments provided

national tree DayWhen Sunday 31 July, 9:30am - 12:30pmWhere Broadford St Reserve (Bardwell Valley), BexleyCall Council’s Environmental Project Officer Madeline

Hourihan on 9562 1663

Free Waterwise Workshop When Saturday 6 August, 12pm - 3pm Where Kingsgrove/Bexley North Community Hall,

56A Shaw Street, Bexley NorthCall Council’s Environmental Project Officer Madeline

Hourihan on 9562 1663

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Watch these latest videos on www.rockdale.nsw.gov.au

Rockdale Meals Volunteers

Employment and Training Expo

Lights, Camera, Action

Free Child Restraint Check DayGet your child restraints checked by an authorised fitter

When Tuesday 16 August

Where Venue details available when booking

Call Limited places. Bookings essential. Contact Council’s Road Safety Officer on 9562 1701

Customer service Centre

9562 1666www.rockdale.nsw.gov.au

Council’s Customer service Centre is open on saturdays from 9am to 1pm

This document contains important information about Rockdale City Council. If you do not understand, please

visit Council's Customer Service Centre at 2 Bryant Street Rockdale on Monday to Friday from 8.30am to 4.30pm.

Council Staff will be happy to arrange interpreter services for you. You may also contact Telephone Interpreter Services on 131 450 and ask them to ring Rockdale

City Council on 9562 1666 on your behalf.

This is a large print version of our regular Newsletter.

2 Bryant street Rockdale nsW 2216 po Box 21 Rockdale nsW 2216

tel: 02 9562 1666 - Fax: 02 9562 1777Email: rcc@rockdale.nsw.gov.au

DX 25308 Rockdale