Spotted at the footy last night – when Wests Tigers bombed to lose 8-0 to the visiting Cowboys – was former State Water Minister and Wollondilly MP Phil Costa. He told us he spends most of his time on his property down there – and being a grandfather. Life after politics is really good, he said. A really nice fellow, Phil, you wonder how he ended up in politics.
♦ And just while on the footy, Tigers supporters were handed TRY signs as they came through the gate. Unfortunately the team didn’t score any points but that didn’t deter one young fan: when the Cows scored their only try with three minutes remaining on the clock, this resourceful kid folded back the corner with the Tigers logo on it and lifted up his TRY sign.
♦ Former councillor Alf Vella is pushing for some new “welcome to Liverpool’’ signs. Alf, who sits on council’s newly established civic advisory committee, has one eye on the future Badgerys Creek airport when he wants signs that say: Welcome To Liverpool – Sydney’s Future International Gateway. While serving on council a few years ago, Alf had Welcome to Liverpool signs erected at the entrances to the city.
♦ One of the stories MP Greg Warren told in his maiden speech – sorry, they call them inaugural these days – to State Parliament was how he met fellow MP Anoulack Chanthivong for the first time: “Many years ago, long before I entered any level of public office, I was having a few mates around so went down to the local Asian grocer to get some things. There I met this bloke who was packing shelves in his mum’s and dad’s grocery business in Campbelltown. I got talking to him and struck up a friendship, though I had no idea that nearly 20 years later the member for Macquarie Fields, Anoulack Chanthivong, would be not only my great mate but also a parliamentary colleague, fighting for our region with common goals.’’
♦ Speaking of Greg Warren, who obviously loves giving people doing good deeds a pat on the back, was at it again in parliament recently when he acknowledged Bradbury youngster Lauren McShane, the winner of the annual Campbelltown Rotary Youth Excellence Awards. “Lauren, a student of Campbelltown Performing Arts High School, is an exceptional academic student and a talented pianist, singer, actor, and local ambassador. She uses her talents to support many local causes, such as Lifeline and the 24 Hour Fight Against Cancer,’’ the MP told parliament.
♦ The Mayor of Campbelltown, Cr Paul Lake, another who appreciates good deeds, will hold a function to acknowledge and thank former MPs Bryan Doyle and Andrew McDonald for their contributions to the City of Campbelltown. McDonald retired after serving in Macquarie Fields, while Doyle lost his seat of Campbelltown to Greg Warren on March 28. Doyle was the member for Campbelltown for four years. The function will be held in the councillors lounge on Thursday, June 11.
♦ Last but not least: It’s on again: the Fight Against Cancer Macarthur will be launched on Friday, June 12 at Clintons Toyota in Blaxland Road, Campbelltown.
