Blacktown City Council - August 2020 - E-newsletter

August e-newsletter

Mayor's Message

COVID-19 remains in our community

Blacktown City Council is maintaining strict COVID-19 guidelines. Masks are available to all staff involved in face-to-face contact with the public, and to those staff members who regularly use public transport, should they choose to wear them. Council has perspex screens at its service centres and libraries and will maintain additional cleaning services at all Council facilities. There is strict social distancing and restricted numbers at all our leisure, swimming and tennis centres, and I was extremely pleased to see great cooperation from all community members at the recent Family Fish-In at Mount Druitt pool. I am concerned and disappointed, however, at the fact that many people appear to be ignoring the social distancing requirements in our local malls and shopping centres. I still see large groups of mostly young people, walking through the centres without masks and keeping no distance at all between themselves and other people. As the saying goes; 'we’re all in this together'. Blacktown City has had one of the highest rates of testing in NSW and luckily one of the lowest rates of positive results. Let’s all do our part to keep it that way. I strongly recommend wearing masks when out in public places and please get tested if you show any flu-like symptoms.

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Koori Curriculum NAIDOC Virtual Art Competition

This year many traditional Indigenous activities held across our Kids’ Early Learning child care centres have been affected by COVID-19. Kids’ Early Learning Seven Hills West has been working on an art piece for the NAIDOC Virtual Art Competition on this year’s NAIDOC theme, 'Always Was, Always Will be'. Extending on the collaborative project, families were also invited to participate extending on the theme. We are asking for your support to help Kids’ Early Learning Seven Hills West by voting here.

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What’s Going Up in Blacktown

Blacktown city centre is continually updating, changing, and becoming an inviting place to visit. Many of you will have noticed new concrete spherical bollards placed on Patrick Street in front of Westpoint. The colour of the bollards was specifically chosen by artist Andrew Frazer, who will be assisting us in beautifying Jim Simpson Laneway later this year. Already appearing in Jim Simpson Lane is a new lighting system to guide you on your journey at night. Don’t forget to look up at the Piccadilly building and check out our feature lights 'Connect, Create, Celebrate!'

2020 Council's Blood Challenge

We need your help to regain our lead in the 2020 Councils Blood Challenge! In just 7 weeks, we have reached 215 total donations and saved 645 lives! Tamworth Regional Council is leading the way with 220 donations. If you would like to get involved and save 3 lives in the process, simply book an appointment here, and during your donation, ask for your donation to be recorded on Blacktown City Council's tally! For more information, including local donation centres, click here.

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New Vice-Chancellor for ACU

ACU has appointed Professor Zlatko Skrbis as its new Vice-Chancellor and President. Professor Skrbis joined ACU in 2018 as Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) and is currently serving as Acting Provost. Professor Skrbis holds a PhD in Sociology and has a prominent and current international research profile in the fields of migration, social theory and youth studies. He will take up his role in January 2021, replacing Professor Greg Craven, AO, who has led the university since 2008. For more information about ACU and its new Vice-Chancellor and President, click here.

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