Christmas Day is just days away and the year 2011 is fast drawing to a close. Over the weekend family and friends will gather to celebrate what is perhaps one of the happiest times of the year – Christmas. The kids are on school holidays, their studies done for another year and they’re bursting with energy. For parents and everyone else there’s not enough time to do all the things we have to do to get ready for Christmas. But that doesn’t matter, it’s part of the excitement the season brings. On behalf of all our Councillors and Council staff – and along with my family – I want to wish all our residents a very Merry Christmas and a really happy New Year. I’m having a break over the next few weeks and I’ll be back in January, ready for another great year for the City of Botany Bay. My office at Eastgardens will be closed from this Wednesday December 21 and will reopen on Monday January 23, 2011.
Dec 21, 2011
Family Day at the Pool
On the 15th January, Council will host a special Family Day at the Botany Aquatic Centre. The day will include entertainment for all ages and everything will be included in the entry price to the pool.
There has been very little promotion of the pool in recent years but, with the appointment of a Recreational Officer, a program has been initiated to raise the profile of the pool over the summer months.There will be two inflatable play items in the big pool as well as live entertainment. The inflatables will float around between 11am and 3pm and there will be live entertainment, which will start after lunch around 2pm.
Council has booked a group called Three Wishez, who gained popularity and a whole lot of fans with when they took part in the X-factor, the latest television show that seeks out new talent. They made it in to the top four. There will also be entertainment for the young ones and we have secured the Jitterbugs, a popular children’s act. To add to the fun there will also be balloon benders, wandering magicians and a craft corner.
Then on again on Australia Day there will also be inflatables in the pool with a kids show by the Livelyhood. It will be a much small version of what’s on offer on the 15th. Because of our close proximity to the City and beach areas, it was decided not compete with all the Australia Day activities funded by the State Government.
Welcome to our Sister City Councillor
It has given me great pleasure to welcome to Australia, and to our City, Councillor Giorgio Fantuz, from our Sister City in Gaiarine, Italy. Councillor Fantuz is on a private family visit but has graciously made time to visit our City and I am very appreciative that he has found that time to join us.The City of Botany Bay and the Community of Gaiarine have shared a long friendship which spans more than 25 years.
Councillor Fantuz is now a second generation member of the Council of Gaiarine, who is continuing to build on that friendship. His father Vittorino Fantuz, a former Councillor and Mayor, was involved in the original ceremonies, which saw the hand of friendship extended to the City of Botany Bay. His father, and his god-father, Councillor Romeo Antoniolli, both played a major role during the early years to establish the sister city bond that now exists between our two Cities.
Now Giorgio is a young man who, like his father and god-father, has put himself forward to make a positive contribution to his community by taking an active role in local government. I commend him for his commitment and the role he will play in shaping his community in the years ahead.
It has been a great honour for myself, and my fellow Councillors, to welcome Giorgio to the council meeting on Monday night. We are indeed privileged. We send greetings to your father, Vittorino, and your god-father Councillor Romeo Antoniolli, and your family, as well to your Mayor, Loris Sonego, your fellow Councillors, Aldermen and the Citizens of Gaiarine.
We wish you a most enjoyable time during your stay here in Australia.
Dates to Remember
Dec 11, 2011
Best and Less Mural Upgrade in Mascot
The well known mural on the King Street wall of Best and Less, Mascot, will get a face lift next month. A specialist Mural artist has been engaged and work is set to proceed to restore and repaint the mural which has deteriorated over the years. The works will require scaffolding to be erected, and I again ask the Mascot Shop patrons for their patience. The area has been in need of a face lift for some time and with the mural looking fresh again, and the new paving, I am sure the minor inconveniences will be seen as worthwhile in the end.
Bus Shelters getting the once over
Residents have been commenting on our new suburb signs, which feature a three dimensional Banksia. All the new signs are almost in and the next job on our house keeping list is to give our trade mark bus shelters a new coat of paint to brighten up the streetscape.
Garnet Jackson Park at Botany
Residents could be forgiven for thinking nothing was happening with the upgrade of Garnet Jackson Reserve, but I can assure you it is progressing … slowly. We have had a hard task getting enough clean land fill (it has to be a specific PH level) for the northern end, but this is now almost complete and it will then be left to settle for a few weeks before the landscape architects move in to work their magic. There was also more rubbish to remove than we first anticipated. Rumour has it there is a car buried there. We have cleaned out a lot of rubbish and dug down deep and didn’t find one, so it is there then our staff say it must be buried VERY DEEP! I am assured the advertised plan will be completed in the New Year.
