Some of the people behind advocacy groups in Western Sydney get a little upset when the South West Voice points out what a waste time it is to just have a function with the Premier or a minister and let them know what’s needed out here in Campbelltown.
“Talk is cheap’’ was our most recent comment under a post boasting about such an event.
But it’s the truth because when the Liberals are in power they couldn’t get care less about an area that mostly elects Labor MPs.
And when Labor is in charge, as Minns and co are right now, there are no political risks in doing nothing, other than smile when a Parramatta based advocacy group calls for action in South Western Sydney.
The latest example of such a dismissive attitude can be seen in recent correspondence between Campbelltown Mayor Darcy Lound and NSW Attorney General Michael Daley.
The mayor wrote to the Attorney General to seek a meeting to discuss the impending closure of the local Community Justice Centres.
Campbelltown Council is concerned the closure of the centres will not be a good thing for people in the area who use their services.
And the mayor just wanted the chance to put those views to the minister.
“I’d appreciate the opportunity to meet with you at your earliest convenience,’’ he wrote in his letter.
The minister wrote back a brief note to tell the mayor: “I am unable to meet with you at this time.
“Thank you for taking the time to write to me.’’
Need we say anymore?
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The Lebanese Muslim Association’s 2025 Future Path Expo will be open to the public free of charge for the first time.
It will be held next Wednesday, August 13 at the Whitlam Centre and up to 500 high school students are expected to attend.
There will be 50 interactive stalls, career workshops, games, a photo booth, free lunch and prizes.
Special guests will include local chamber of commerce President Michael Azzi.
“We want young people – and the wider community – to connect with real professionals, ask questions, and walk away feeling inspired,” says the association’s Lynda Kartout.
“It’s all about helping people take that first confident step into their future.”
The event runs from 10am to 2pm and showcases both professional and trade career paths.
Past expos have proven popular, with strong school engagement and positive community feedback.
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It’s a new era for the Campbelltown City Library (HJ Daley), following the opening of its new home in the heart of Campbelltown’s main street.
We popped in again on Wednesday and can confirm large numbers of visitors.
Without a doubt some of them are there just to check it out because they’ve heard it’s quite an interesting design.
Designed by architects Lacoste + Stevenson, it boasts a contemporary look across the much larger floor space than its predecessor.
Features of the new library location include a new creative studio which now includes a laser cutter and social robotics joining the 3D printers, sewing machines and podcasting and video editing software and hardware.
There’s also a local studies area featuring a large interactive touchscreen for exploring online photo and document archives.
The library also provides more spaces for young people to study and enjoy recreation time, and family friendly facilities (pictured above).
“People of all ages are going to love visiting this fantastic new space to enjoy the diverse collection, the creative studio, great services like the Local Studies and Family History sections and the many other programs that are offered by the library,” says Mayor of Campbelltown Darcy Lound, who did the official opening honours on Monday night.
“Bringing this all to Queen Street in the middle of our city centre will ensure that the library is accessible for everyone, while bringing significant benefits to surrounding businesses with more than 10,000 people expected to visit each month,” Cr Lound said.
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At last week’s police officer of the year awards presentation Senior Constable Janelle Morrison won the Crime Prevention Unit category.
Up on stage to receive her award, the MC surprised Const Morrison – and most of the people in the auditorium – by wishing her a happy birthday.
Indeed it was Const Morrison’s birthday, who received another surprise when the entire audience sang “happy birthday to Janelle.’’
It really was a nice moment, and what’s wrong with a bit of niceness now and again.
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The former Queen Street headquarters of the South West Sydney Academy of Sport is no longer the biggest eyesore of Campbelltown’s main street, as reported in the South West Voice recently.
No, now it’s just a vacant block, as pictured above.
Earlier this year we reported that lack of maintenance had resulted in grass almost a metre long, but it looks like our interest has paid off because the house has been demolished and the site cleaned up.
That’s much better, folks, thank you.
Now, if we can just do something about the biggest eyesore in town, the Panjo!
So where is the south west academy of sport located now and who owns the now vacant block of land where the academy used to be?
Academy is in a council owned heritage home The Stables) opposite Campbelltown Mall