Morris Iemma was once the most powerful man in NSW.
But his days as a Labor premier are long gone and now Iemma is content to get involved in the community just like the rest of us.
As SW Voice readers would know, he’s the president of the Campbelltown Camden Ghosts cricket club.
His vice president is current Liberal MP Chris Patterson, from Camden.
We recently interviewed both for a feature on the changing face of our great cricket club, and we couldn’t help asking Mr President how it all came about and what life is like post politics.
“I am enjoying life immensely; I have a number of roles in cricket, and I have four children that play the game,’’ he told us.
“Like many parents you start off as someone who transports their kids to games, sits back and watch and pretty soon you’re roped in to set the stumps up and eventually they ask you to be on the committee, so here I am.’’
Iemma, we noticed, is a lot slimmer than in his premiership days, and we asked him how he’d lost so much weight.
“I just cut out the rubbish I used to eat,’’ he explained.
“No fad diets, just cut out the rubbish and now eat well, a healthy, balanced diet.
“But I have also started exercising every day, walking up to eight kilometres each day, something I couldn’t find the time for when I was in politics,’’ Iemma told us.
“I have to admit I have become a little obsessive with exercise, but I feel good, so I just keep going.’’
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His vice president Chris Patterson is still in politics and recently we asked his office to respond to Labor claims that the M5 Cashback system was headed to the scrapheap.
They didn’t make the deadline, but – better late than never – here is what Patterson’s office eventually sent through:
“Please accept my sincerest apologies for the time it has taken in getting back to you. Please find below comments from Chris in relation to your request:
“The NSW Government has no plans to remove the cashback on the M5 southwest motorway.”
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Federal Labor MP, Dr Mike Freelander made time on Monday to meet and hear the concerns of residents opposed to the giant intermodal terminal being built in Moorebank.
The delegation included John Anderson, chairman of RAID – Residents Against Intermodal Development Inc – and he rang to tell us that they got a good hearing from the member for Macarthur.
Mr Anderson said they wanted to inform Campbelltown leaders such as Dr Freelander how the intermodal will negatively impact this area when it’s operating out of Moorebank Avenue.
This will include extra trucks on our roads as they transport containers to customers, and more pollution as a result.
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If you’re an AC/DC fan don’t miss next week’s Camden Council Library Service evening.
Jesse Fink talks about his new book, Bon: The Last Highway – The Untold Story of Bon Scott and AC/DC’s Back in Black.
The author talk will be held at 6.30pm, on Wednesday, November 8 at the Camden Civic Centre in Oxley Street.
Tickets are just $5 and the cost includes refreshments and can be purchased online at www.library.camden.nsw.gov.au/bookings
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The hard work and wonderful creations of Macarthur’s most outstanding gardeners were again recognised at the annual Campbelltown and Camden Councils garden competitions.
Maureen Wenzel of Macquarie Fields was named Campbelltown’s newest grand champion or top green thumb, if you like.
Ms Wenzel also won the best backyard and district award for Macquarie Fields categories. She received $1300 in prize money for winning the grand champion title.
Across at Camden, Linda Jane was the Grand Champion with her Spring Farm property.
“The well-considered plant selection and placement not only provided year-round seasonal interest but also delightful foliage contrasts,’’ the judges said of Linda Jane’s outdoor handiwork.
“The implementation of various, attractive hard landscaping elements not only added appeal but also ensured low water usage.
“For the judges, both aesthetically and practically, this garden ticked all the boxes. It was outstanding,’’ the judges added.
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How would you like to live in a street called Lemon Road?
Would Tangerine Road be more to your liking?
How does Mandarin Drive grab you or Nectarine Avenue, Tangelo Drive, Sinensis Avenue, Citron Road or Paradisi Street?
Soon these street names will be up on signs in a new release area in Cobbitty, which is of course known for its orchards.
Camden Council has approved the list of suggested street names by AV Jennings, the developer of the release area on the corner of The Northern Road and Cobbitty Road, and put them up for public exhibition and comment for 28 days.
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The Organ and Tissue Donation service of South Western Sydney Local Health District will be out sand about visiting local libraries this month.
For more information call Tessa Bayrante, who is the community development officer of the Organ and Tissue Donation service, on 4621 8757.
