[dropcap]A[/dropcap]fter taking part in the Anzac Day March in Sydney, a group of visiting Greek presidential guards – the world famous Evzones – came to Camden for one more commemoration ceremony.
Attended by a large number of people, the ceremony was held across the road from Camden RSL, at Bicentennial Equestrian Park.
Camden MP Chris Patterson was there and so was the mayor of Wollondilly, Judy Hannan, and the Greek consul-general of Sydney, Mr Christos Karras, among others.
The mayor of Camden was nowhere to be seen.
We hear Cr Lara Symkowiak baulked at spending ratepayers’ money for a civic reception for the Greeks, and that’s fair enough.
But she and the other councillors could have attended what was a splendid Anzac commemoration that included a “welcome to country’’ speech by Dharawal elder Uncle Ivan and an indigenous dance performance.
Members of the 23rd Camden Army Unit also participated and a historian took to the microphone to explain the strong links between the Anzacs and Greece in World War I and II.
The event was organised by John Tsekas, the founder of Macarthur Greeks Inc and Camden RSL and it included a reception afterwards at upstairs@freds.
Mr Tsekas said it was “one-off event”.
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Across to Campbelltown Council now where a changing of the guard may have just started taking place at the senior executive level.
Michael Sewell, the council’s director of city governance, has told general manager Lindy Deitz he will be retiring later this year.
Sewell’s last day will be October 31.
The GM hasn’t wasted any time and has already initiated the recruitment process for Sewell’s role.
There’s been speculation for some time that other senior directors at Campbelltown will also be calling it a day this year, with strategy boss Jeff Lawrence tipped to be the next cab off the rank.
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The Campbelltown Local Environmental Plan (LEP) will need to be amended if plans for a 26 storey development on the Campbelltown RSL site are to get the green light.
The current LEP allows jus 10 storeys so it will be interesting to watch how this will play out, especially in light of council’s Reimagining Campbelltown vision.
The planning proposal for Campbelltown RSL has now – finally – been submitted by Think Planners for the three sites in Queen Street, Cordeaux Street and Carberry Lane.
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David Hurley, the Governor of NSW, will be in the heart of Campbelltown on Thursday, May 10.
Along with Mrs Linda Hurley, the Governor will visit St Vincent de Paul Society’s Nagle Centre in Iolanthe Street as part of their vice regal visit to Western Sydney.
The couple will be invited to be part of a cake cutting ceremony to mark the commencement of a season of celebration in recognition of the Nagle Centre’s 25 years of service to the local community.
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This year’s catch a carp competition in the pond at Eagle Farm Reserve wasn’t as successful as previous years.
Despite 413 registered fishing participants just 19 carp were caught.
Unfortunately, eight native birds and one turtle were injured by entanglement or being hooked during the April 22 event.
A report to Campbelltown Council says WIRES was invited along to ensure that injured wildlife was cared for.
“Council’s open space section will be reviewing the event for 2019 including potential relocation, options for broadening its scope and how impacts on native fauna can be minimised,’’ says the report to council.
For the record, 67 carp were caught the year before.
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On a more positive environmental note, more than 1,000 trees and shrubs were planted by Bushcare volunteers and community members at Smiths Creek Reserve yesterday morning.
Well done to everyone involved in the Wild Koala Day community tree planting event.
