By Di Bartok
Good to see the Premier out
IT was good to see Premier Mike Baird out at Parramatta on Australia Day, hosting a reception at Old Government House for invited pillars of the community. Even I scored an invite, thanks to Parramatta MP Geoff Lee, and was able to grab a quick chat and selfie with Premier Baird. The only other time a Premier has attended the Premier’s Australia Day Reception was in 2012 when Barry O’Farrell made it to Parramatta. Other years, Mr Lee has hosted the soiree. Mr Baird told the audience assembled in Old Government House’s marquee that Australia’s real beauty was in its people. “It is in Australians’ DNA to put other people before themselves,” he said. “We saw this recently (during the Sydney siege in Martin Place) which brought out the worst in humanity but also the best when people took time out from their lives to bring flowers to Martin Place to remember the victims and their families. And we saw it with the emergency services who put their lives at risk every day for others.” Lord Mayor Scott Lloyd said the Premier’s visit was “a true indication” of the importance of Parramatta, “the next great city of Australia”. Mr Baird and his lovely wife Kerryn left Parramatta about 4.30pm to head to that other great western Sydney city, Penrith.
Labor legend Tom joins Gough
HOW appropriate that Labor legend Tom Uren should choose Australia Day to die. Mr Uren, who had lived in Guildford, died aged 93 in a Sydney nursing home. He was the quintessential Aussie, a battler made good, giving back to society and caring about his fellow humans. As a minister in the Whitlam and Hawke governments, Mr Uren achieved a lot for Australia, particularly in the western suburbs, which he loved. Perhaps his greatest legacy was the part he played in ensuring Parramatta Park’s bright future, instrumental in putting the historic park under a Trust. Mr Uren was in federal parliament for 32 years and, in 2013, was made a Companion of the Order of Australia for his work on behalf of former prisoners of war. He had been appointed a companion of the Order of Australia for his service to the Parramatta Park Trust and welfare of veterans. While maintaining his Catholic faith throughout his early adulthood, he became an atheist at the age of 45. With his politics formed by his mother’s sense of social justice, Mr Uren joined the Labor Party in 1951. Moving to Guildford, he was elected MP for the seat of Reid in 1958. During his time as Whitlam’s Environment and Regional Development Minister, Mr Uren helped to prevent the destruction of inner city suburbs, cut the sewerage backlog and established the Australian Heritage Commission. He greened the western suburbs and had a special place in his heart for Parramatta Park, which he feared would suffer if not managed by a Trust. He now joins his old mate Gough in finding out whether there is a God.
Didn’t know it was there
AND speaking of Parramatta Park, NSW Heritage Minister Rob Stokes braved a boiling hot day to hop on a magical mystery history tour of Parramatta at the end of last month. Organised by Parramatta Chamber of Commerce with the help of Parramatta’s hardworking MP Geoff Lee, the tour’s aim was to better acquaint the minister with Parramatta’s precious heritage treasures. The chamber’s Gary Carter, who also is a member of the National Trust, said he hoped the tour and chat with the minister would have a positive effect on government decisions re Parramatta developments. Conducting the bus tour was the personable Kerima-Gae Topp of Topp Tours, who met the party at Old Government House, where the minister had a good look-around the World Heritage site under the expert guidance of manager David Hoffman, who is as proud of the House as if it were his home - rather than home away from home. Then it was on to Parramatta Park, Wistaria Gardens, the Female Factory and a colonial bakery now operating as commercial offices in George St - showing how heritage can be preserved with adaptive re-use. Adaptive reuse is the buzz term of the State Government, causing some heritage protectors to be concerned about how that is done. Tour operators such as Kerima-Gae Topp ensure that these hidden treasures are still on the heritage tour trail. After the tour, Mr Stokes said he had a new appreciation of the visible heritage gems of Parramatta and would be mindful of them in government planning. Chamber president Roger Byrne was taken aback by the heritage buildings, admitting he did not know “that all this was here”. He said the business community needed to be more aware of the heritage of Parramatta and how it could fit into a modern city. Mr Lee pointed out that Parramatta’s history was its strength and is keen to promote heritage tourism in the city more.
Penrith puts on a big bash
BUT Parramatta is not the only city with a proud heritage. Penrith is putting on a big bash for its bicentenary this year, starting with a heritage display at Penrith City Library this month. The display will feature artefacts belonging to early settlers and explorers, along with images of important documents dating back to the 1800s. There will also be a number of history inspired events, activities and competitions for the community to get involved in each month, culminating in the Bicentenary Community Festival in September. Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler said he was looking forward to learning about, and celebrating Penrith’s “unique and colourful past” throughout the year. “There are so many people who have played important roles in Penrith’s history, and yet they remain largely unknown to our community. The Bicentennial celebrations give us an opportunity to acknowledge these people and celebrate their achievements,” Cr Fowler said. “Most importantly, the Bicentenary allows us to look back at the history of Penrith, to see how far the city has come in 200 years and really appreciate everything about our current way of life and where we live today.”
Best outdoor venue in Sydney
THE new stage at Bella Vista Farm Park, in its finished state, had its first airing on Australia Day and what an unveiling it was, loaded up with dignitaries and community awardees. It was a close call, with the finishing touches being put on it just days before the big day. But it has already stood up to the rigours of the Christmas in the Hills event before it was completed, so is set for a lot of use. The stage cost The Hills Shire Council $123,500 after the NSW Government kicked in $500,000. Mayor Andrew Jefferies said the stage would make Bella Vista Farm Park “one of the best outdoor venues in Sydney”. Mr Elliott said that the stage would provide an economic boost for the region, with the recent Sydney Country Music Festival having an estimated $ 1.4 million impact on the local economy. “Bella Vista is fast becoming one of the most versatile locations in Sydney, with strong transport links, a commercial centre in Norwest Business Park and now a major performance centre at Bella Vista Farm,” he said.
Liverpool a University city?
WHY should Parramatta be the only University City in the west? So reckons Liverpool, which is aiming to have its own UWSy campus in the near future. A University of Western Sydney spokeswoman described Liverpool as a “pivotal part” in their strategy to expand educational opportunities across the region. “Discussions with Liverpool Council and other key stakeholders have progressed significantly in recent months, with a number of options for a university presence now under active consideration,” she said. “The university intends to be in a position to provide an update in the near future.”
Liverpool Council Deputy Mayor Peter Ristevski said he was humbled by the response. “It really makes you feel like all of your hard work is coming to fruition,” Cr Ristevski said. “For universities to want to invest millions here, they have to have faith in the council.” Liverpool deputy mayor Peter Ristevski said the council had been in talks with several universities as part of a five-year plan to entice a big-name university to build a campus in the city. Liverpool Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Harry Hunt confirmed he had been part of the discussions. “The University of NSW and UWS are already involved with Liverpool Hospital and the Ingham Institute,” he said.
