When the Cobbitty markets started 35 years ago one of the original stallholders was Ann Bailey.
On the first Saturday of each month – except for January and February – Ann’s beautiful crafts have been part of the markets at Cobbitty Public School.
Well, in 2017 Ann is the last one standing from those early days, the only original stall holder still going, and if they had awards for longevity she surely would get one.
Well done to you, Ann, a great effort by any measure.
xxxxx
♦ Another one who’s doing more than just OK in the longevity stakes is Campbelltown local Trevar Langlands who was recently elected NSW state president for the Fellowship of Australian Writers for the 17th year.
Langlands presents the Arts & Entertainment program every Wednesday on local radio station 2MCR [100.3FM] between 9am and noon.
xxxxx
♦ Two of the most generous people in Macarthur are Julie and Kevin O’Keefe.
The owners of Macarthur Engineering are always happy to help some of the great local causes and have been doing so for 20 years or more.
In recent times they have become involved in their own personal crusade with the Phelan McDermid Syndrome Foundation – their granddaughter Olivia is one of a small number of people diagnosed with this very rare condition.
The Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (P-MS) is associated with autism, intellectual disabilities, sleep disorders and seizures.
When I dropped in to say hello at their Dumaresq Street office I found Kevin and Julie working hard on a gala dinner fundraiser, but not for their own cause.
“They called and asked me to help on the committee,’’ Kevin tells me.
And everyone knows neither Kevin or Julie can say no to such requests for help.
For the record, the dinner on July 1 at the Cube will raise funds for the Camden Wollondilly Domestic Violence Committee.
It’s part of a community initiative of the Camden Cats AFL club, sponsored by, you guessed it, Macarthur Engineering.
xxxxx
♦ If you happen to be in Queen Street, Campbelltown tomorrow morning, Wednesday, May 17 and you see an inflatable car on the front lawn of the Civic Centre “driven’’ by the mayor, don’t be alarmed.
It is part of a promotion for Fatality Free Friday, an annual initiative which encourages drivers to think about, and change their behaviour on the road long-term.
It’s organised by the Australia Road Safety Foundation, and supported by Campbelltown City Council.
xxxxx
♦ NRL referee Chris James did some nice work on and off the field when he officiated in a Group 6 match last weekend.
Proving the some referees can be popular, James took time out to chat to local league fans and also caught up with many old friends and fellow referees having started his career at Group 6.
The NRL whistle blower was presented with his Group 6 referees uniform by representatives of McGrath, who sponsor the Group 6 referees.
xxxxx
♦ Did you know that Macarthur boasts the best local cricket club in the entire country at the moment?
Well, we do because at the first ever A Sport for All Community Cricket awards held at the Melbourne Cricket Ground the Camden Cricket Club was named Cricket Australia Community Cricket Club of the Year.
So it’s well done to everyone at the Rams and hopefully you’re an inspiration for all the other local junior cricket clubs around the region.
