Environment minister Greg Hunt is a very observant man.
Here he was today with local MP Russell Matheson at Ambarvale’s Yummy Café and children’s centre launching a Macarthur local environment plan when half way through his spiel he pointed to roofs of homes across the reserve and said:
“I look around and it’s good to see there’s a lot of solar panels on homes around here, that’s what we want to encourage.’’
The plan, with $300,000 in the kitty includes a new Green Army project for St Andrews and funding for local community groups to install solar and battery storage.
The Yummy Café is located right on the corner of Woodhouse Drive and Copperfield Drive and it offers views of many homes. Still, well done to the minister for being so eagled eyed.
♦ And while on the July 2 federal election, the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has issued a reminder this week that anyone interested in standing as a House of Representatives or Senate candidate has until noon tomorrow, Thursday, June 9 to nominate.
♦ The Kids of Macarthur Ball on Saturday was more than just a fundraiser with a Mexican flavour, it was also a chance to bump into some people we haven’t seen for eons. They include former Kentlyn neighbours Paul and Margaret Wakeling, looking healthier than ever -retirement is good for some obviously.
Cherie Kemp, the wife of famous retired Campbelltown golfer Paul Marantz was also there, seated at the table of Patrick Duffy, recently featured here for living in historic homestead Denfield.
We also spotted some councillors, including George Greiss, Bob Thompson and Rudi Kolkman, who were at the council table, while Mayor Paul Hawker was up the pecking order with federal MP Russell Matheson and his wife Sharryn.
Kids of Macarthur CEO Denise McGrath got a laugh when she said during her speech that her husband and son every year ask if they will be getting awards for helping out. “I tell them they have me,’’ she said.
♦ This time last week we confirmed that John Hennessey’s funeral will be on the Friday, from 10/30 at the St John’s Catholic Church in Campbelltown. But it won’t be the only high profile funeral at the same church: the funeral for car man Rod Lawrence at St Johns is also set for this Friday at 1.30pm and according to a Facebook post by son Mark, “all friends and past employees are welcome to attend’’.
♦ Yesterday at Wests Leagues Club Leumeah, Kelly O’Dwyer, the Minister for Small Business, MP Russell Matheson and local real estate agents, builders, developers, lenders and anyone with a vested interest in the local housing market discussed the importance of negative gearing. It all went well but the conversation at one stage drifted to the other election campaign concern by some people, superannuation. Personally we didn’t think there are that many locals with million dollar plus super holdings.
♦ Campbelltown Council recently completed the renewal of a number of playgrounds across town as part of its annual Renew-Connect-Revitalise improvement works program. The latest upgrades are now ready for the community to enjoy at Budbury Park, Glenfield; Gargery Reserve, Ambarvale; Merino Park, Airds; Salter Reserve, Minto; and Moncrieff Reserve, St Helens Park.
But it’s worth noting that at the official opening of Ambarvale’s Gargery Reserve, Mayor Paul Hawker had a little helper to cut the ribbon: local resident Chanelles Taualofai.
They are pictured at left.
