Office: Ground floor, 5 - 9 Devlin St, Ryde Mail: PO Box 736 Ryde NSW 1680 Phone: 9808 3288 Email: ryde@parliament@nsw.gov.au

A community newsletter from The Hon. Victor Dominello MP

February 2012

Dear Residents,

I would like to take this opportunity to update you on matters throughout the electorate.Firstly, thank you to the residents who responded with submissions to the Social Policy Committee's inquiry into International Student Accommodation in NSW and to those who attended the public meeting and spoke directly to the committee about their concerns. The committee has completed its report that outlines its findings and recommendations; copies are available from my office (call 9808 3288) or online from my website www.victordominello.com.au. The NSW Government will now reply to the recommendations within the report. I will forward that information as soon as it is to hand. Recently, I sent residents in Meadowbank an updated letter with regard to the Meadowbank Foreshore Development which was a proposal for 2,600 dwellings submitted under the former Labor Government’s Part 3A Laws. Upon being elected to Government in March 2011, Premier O’Farrell scrapped these laws and directed all advanced Part 3A Applications to the Planning Assessment Commission. The Meadowbank Foreshore Development is currently being reviewed by the Department of Planning and Infrastructure, and is to be sent to the Planning Assessment Commission for assessment. Some residents are seeing building works on the site and believe we may have “lost the fight”. This is not the case. The developer is working under a previous Council Development Application from 2002.Recently, residents have been approaching me and asking for my position on Ryde City Council's proposal to change the Development Control Plan and thus make changes to the Ryde Civic Centre. There has been much debate in the community and I am proud to be part of the O'Farrell Government initiative that keeps local decisions locally decided.

The Ryde Civic Precinct with consultation and debate is being decided by the 12 elected councillors of Ryde. It is of the utmost importance to the current

State Government that local development decisions are made by local government.

On all these matters, I have written to the residents with further detail and explanations of process. Copies are available on request, just call me on (02) 9808 3288.I can assure you that I will continue to advocate on behalf of residents for fair and transparent processes and to ensure that we don’t return to the days where one person could make a decision for

an electorate without consultation or even knowledge of the area. I believe and will fight for community consultation to ensure local

development is consultative and extensively debated with the 12 locals, elected to govern, making the final decision.

Regards,

Ryde ConnectorThe

w w w. v i c t o r d o m i n e l l o . c o m . a u

Mobile Office dates and locations can be obtained through Top

Ryde office. Please call 9808 3288

or email ryde@parliament.nsw.gov.au and speak with staff, Margaret or Michael

Mobile Office

North Ryde Community AidFrom the desk of Helen CrouchExecutive Officer, North Ryde Community Aid

I am a firm believer in the adage “The future is not something we enter. The future is something we create”. I just ask for the energy to keep cooking in 2012!

For the Home & Community Care sector there are several significant changes to be realised this year: our HACC funding transfers fully from State to Commonwealth; the equity pay case will deliver long overdue wage increases to our paid staff but there is no certainty in how to meet this extra cost; the administrative burden behind the evolving corporate governance that applies to NRCA (e.g.: Common Care Community Standards, Workplace Safety) is not relieved by any assistance for systems or personnel to be able to meet sometimes onerous obligations.An ever expanding client list of aged residents who deserve support, connections, programs and services to remain independent in their own homes in the city of Ryde that is totally reliant on the generosity of all citizens working and living in Ryde.

The paradox is the generosity we receive from private and corporate citizens in our area. It is our neighbour’s generosity that will sustain our energy this year. NRCA now assists 643 aged or disabled or carers of these value members of our community, and with only 49% of funds from government. Every dollar donated will help us have a telephone and a computer and a staff member to co-ordinate a volunteer to help us deliver a much revered service.

Personally, I may consider eating less chocolate, will try walking as my quiet time reward and make sure that I’ve two reasons to laugh out loud each day, not just one.

Working with Ryde Mayor Artin Etmekdjian on Australia Day.

CommunityGarden BloomsDespite the rain, a full inspection was proudly given and graciously undertaken at the completion of North Ryde’s newest community garden funded by 2011 Community Building Grant.

Three square beds were installed and planted with herbs & vegetables, as well as two long beds planted with flowers and placed at the front of NRCA’s Centre at Cutler Parade. A 2,500Ltr rain water tank complete with pump to help maintain our garden with recycled rainwater was installed and garden equipment purchased to complement the on-going maintenance and long term planting program, maximises the establishment of the State Govt funded “Community Building Partnership” Project

The new garden solicits great interest from passer-by’s, and has allowed NRCA to promote community support for the garden project and other NRCA Home & Community Care programs. New volunteers are welcome, gardening tips and encouragement has been given to volunteers & staff by residents and users of the adjacent council car park. Children have left us fairies under our plants, perhaps the same regulars who come by to watch the progress of tomatoes and cucumbers growing or sporadic youngsters and their parents’ who are encouraged to come in, dig a little, water and weed. “NRCA clients participating in our various social activities are discussing gardening techniques, triumphs and beginning to be involved in its maintenance as an activity and we hope to garner even more support from more people in our area,” says Helen

If you would like to volunteer with NRCA, to help maintain the “Garden for Health & Happiness” or any other NRCA program, please call 9888 3380.

“Centre-based meals are flavoured with fresh herbs and salads have been served this past summer,” explains Helen Crouch, to Victor on location.

Unveiling photographic works created as part of the Chinese Arts and Leisure Exhibition with Christian Community Aid.

Victor with Christian Community Aid CEO, Heather Pinto.

Type to enter text

Australia DayNew Citizens Welcomed

Ryde Citizen and Youth of the Year Awards

Australia Day 2012 saw 43 Ryde residents become Australian Citizens and 19 outstanding citizens of Ryde nominated by there colleagues and peers to be eligible for the honour of ‘Ryde Citizen of the Year 2012’.

Congratulations to Suzanne Ward and Andrew Ward who were announced as the Ryde Citizen and Youth Citizen of the Year. Ryde is particularly fortunate to have so many people with a wonderful sense of community spirit and it was certainly recognised by the community on this occasion.

Ryde resident, Douglas James, receiving his Australia Day Achievement Medallion from the Custodian of the ANZAC Memorial Chris Perrin for his dedicated service in the establishment of the RSL Corps of Guards at Hyde Park South, Sydney.

Guardians Achievement Award

Geoffrey Ward, Ryde Youth Citizen of the Year.

Sue Ward, Ryde Citizen of the Year.

Three new Australian Citizens, proud to stand and recite the Oath of Allegiance.

Pillars of StrengthPillars of Strength, a new not-for-profit organisation based out of Ryde,  provides dads with support & time out they need while their baby is sick. The organisation also provides support & time out to dads after the loss of their baby.

From the personal experience of losing his son Isaac in 2010, local resident Gary Sillett found there was  limited services available for men to access when facing such a situation. As a result, Gary  created Pillars of Strength. This is the first  initiative of its kind, and works  to fill a gap in the men's health and mental health sector through providing respite and support for men going through significant family trauma. 

Working with major sporting codes, teams, venues and organisations, the Pillars of Strength Time Out/Respite program provides Dads with the opportunity to participate in, or attend, sporting and fitness activities with mates, family members or another Dad who has experienced a similar situation.  While, the In Hospital Support program currently run out of Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH) Newborn Care Centre, provides general financial advice through an accredited advisor, and financial support to dads and their families in the form of parking vouchers.  Operating since August 2011, the program has already provided significant support and Time Out opportunities to dads with their babies being treated in RNSH newborn care centre and also to bereaved dads and their families. It is hoped the available services will grow as the organisation develops in the future. To access this service or to support Pillars of Strength and their programs go to the website www.pillarsofstrength.com.au, find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/pillarsstrength or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/pillarsstrength.

Historian David Wallace capturing

history for Marist College Eastwood

taking Victors photo at work in Top Ryde

Electorate office.

American Ambassador ... Dr Kate Sinclair and

Victor with recipients of

Lunar New Year Celebrations Opening of the New Building at Weemala.To access this service or to support

Pillars of Strength and their programs go to the website www.pillarsofstrength.com.au, find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/pillarsstrength or follow us on Twitter www.twitter.com/pillarsstrength.o access this service or to support Pillars of Strength and their programs go to the websiteo access this service or to support Pillars of Strength and their programs go to the websiteo access this service or to support Pillars of Strength and their programs go to the websiteo access this service or to support Pillars of Strength and their programs go to the website

Meadowbank resident Mr Colin Allen was recently elected President of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD)

Mr Allen has worked extensively over many years with the WFD both as a board member and a project co-ordinator. He has also been involved in various development co-operation projects all over the world and has led local and national deaf associations in Australia.

Mr Allen was elected WFD President in July 2011 at the WFD General Assembly in Durban, South Africa. In his presentation prior to the vote Mr Allen strongly emphasised the importance of team work in accomplishing deaf human rights in partnership with WFD’s 132 Ordinary Members. The voting country members elected Colin Allen as the next WFD President (2011-2015) with 41 votes from 71 eligible votes cast. He was one of three candidates, the other two being from the USA and the UK.

Mr Allen is a world leader in Deaf Community development, human rights and advocacy.

WFD is an international non-governmental organisation representing and promoting approximately 70 million Deaf people’s human rights worldwide; its mission is to promote the human rights of deaf people and full, quality and equal access to all spheres of life, including self determination, sign language, education, employment and community life. WFD has a consultative status in the United Nations and is a member of International Disability Alliance (IDA).

Meadowbank ResidentColin Allen, PresidentWorld Federation of the Deaf

The Day to Day Living Program, at Badajoz Road North Ryde is aimed at supporting people with a severe and persistent mental illness. The program offers a wide range of activities based on socialisation, education and recreation and is opened Monday-Thursday from nine am to four pm. Consumer, David Duval made the following comments about the program...

“Day to Day Living has given me a place to go to with support. I attend once a week and have joined the cooking group which gives me more confidence to cook at home and try something different.People don’t judge you here. This centre, which we all call The Hut, is part of my community. It helps with outside community awareness about mental health and raises community awareness by providing a program which addresses day to day issues. The Hut provides a structured well thought out program which addresses the needs of the consumers. They help with stuff

like mental things – people look after you and keep you on the right track, making it easier to live with the illness. Members make you feel welcome and wanted and I am very thankful to the volunteers who offer their time.’

This program has impacted the Ryde community by raising awareness about mental health issues, and providing a safe place for people who have been diagnosed with an illness to attend. Our aim for this year is to give back to the community. We are at present looking at activities we can undertake, for example, volunteering at nursing homes. If you would like any further information, please contact Ryde Day to Day Living 9878 3468.

Day to Day Living Program

Opening of the New Building at

Weemala.

Opening of the New Building at

Weemala.

Opening of the New Building at

Weemala.

Opening of the New Building at

Weemala.

As your local Member of Parliament I can:

• Represent you in parliament.

• Take your concern directly to the appropriate Minister or department to get a response.

• Put you in touch with a service that can help you.

• Advise you of your rights and further action you may care to take.

• Lobby for more resources for your group or community.

• Work with you to achieve positive outcomes and to make democracy work for us all.

As your State Member I also deal with:

Ageing and Disability

Attorney General

Community Services

Primary, Secondary Education and TAFE

Emergency Services

Fair Trading

Health, Dental and Public Hospitals

Industrial Relations

Land and Water Management

Local Government

National Parks

Main Roads

Police

Primary Industries

Public Housing

Public Works

Transport

CONTACT VICTOR

Phone 9808 3288

Fax 9877 6222

Email ryde@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Mail PO Box 736, Ryde NSW 1680

Electorate Office Ground floor,

5 – 9 Devlin St, Ryde NSW 2112

HOW I CAN HELP YOUI am Francine Crimmins, a local in Ryde and a student at Marist

Sisters’ College. Last year, my fellow classmates and I are constructed a Human Powered Vehicle in preparation for a 24 hour energy breakthrough challenge held in Victoria in November.

The Energy Breakthrough is a program designed for students, parents and local industry to work together to construct a vehicle or innovation in technology that represents an energy breakthrough. We are the pioneers for NSW competing in this environmental event which attracts over 20 000 spectators and the media over 4 days of competition. We are also one of the few girls teams that compete.

In our eyes, we see the Energy Breakthrough Challenge as a way to pave the way for women in technology and of course, raise environmental awareness within a positive atmosphere. Our vehicle however, is not cheap to construct and we are always looking for sponsorship.

We are riding our Vehicle in high profile events such as the Sydney to Wollongong charity ride and we plan to enter more Energy Breakthrough Challenges around Australia this year to promote and encourage young women to become involved in environmentally sustainable technologies. If there is any way that you or your company could help us in any form whether it be financial donations, materials or assistance in return for advertising space on our vehicle, please contact us at crimminsf@mscw.catholic.edu.au and we will be happy to send you more information about the competition as well as answer any questions you have.

Marist Sisters Year 9 Design Technology class with their entry for the Energy Breakthrough Challenge.

Young Women in Technology

Youth Perspective For Ryde Are you aged between 16 and 24, interested in your

community and want to be part of a Youth Forum for the Electorate of Ryde?

The forum will meet with Victor Dominello to raise and discuss issues directly related to the youth in our

community. If this opportunity interests you, contact Margaret or

Michael to discuss. Phone: 9808 3288

Email: ryde@parliament.nsw.gov.au