DECEMBER 2017

Cumberland Council Community News

Cumberland gets a Christmas make over! To celebrate the beginning of the festive season and Christmas, Cumberland’s streets and town centres have been adorned with decorations and activities. Christmas trees stand proudly in town centres accompanied by large ‘Merry Christmas’ banners and there will be street performances in selected locations by the award winning Holroyd Brass Band.

The centrepiece of our Christmas calendar is undoubtedly Christmas in the Gardens. On Saturday 9 December, the beautiful Auburn Botanic Gardens will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland of free fun. Visitors will be engulfed by the Christmas spirit from 5.00pm with a jam packed program of activities, performances and delicious food including:

• An Elves Playground where you can take a photo with Santa, decorate your own gingerbread man, make Christmas wind chimes or create your own Christmas card.

• Christmas decoration and light display.

• Open air cinema screening of ‘Saving Santa.’

• Christmas carols and songs from a variety of local bands.

• Delicious dinner and dessert food trucks with something for everyone.

We encourage attendees to catch public transport. To plan your trip please visit transportnsw.info.

A free shuttle bus will operate every 20 minutes to Auburn Botanic Gardens from both Merrylands Train Station, Military Road, Merrylands and Auburn Train Station, South Parade, Auburn.

For more information on Christmas in Cumberland, visit cumberland.nsw.gov.au/christmasinthegardens

Saturday 9 December, 5pm-10pm

Free

Auburn Botanic Gardens, Chiswick Road, Auburn

Celebrate Australia Day at Holroyd GardensAustralia Day celebrations will return to Holroyd Gardens in 2018, bigger and better than Cumberland Council’s inaugural event in 2017, which attracted more than15,000 people.

Two amazing musicians are headlining a fun schedule, culminating in an impressive fireworks display.- Triple J Unearthed’s Thandi Phoenix; and- 2015 X-Factor winner Cyrus.

It will be a fair like atmosphere with thrilling amusement rides, delicious food and enjoyable activities including Giant Garden Games where families can play jumbo versions of Connect Four, Jenga, Twister and more.

Don’t miss the perfect local event to celebrate Australia Day with your community.

Friday 26 January 2018, 5pm – 9pmFreeHolroyd Gardens, corner of Walpole Street and Pitt Street, Merrylands

Do you know someone in your community who spends countless hours as a volunteer, is a sporting super star or an inspirational role model for the Cumberland community?

If you do, Cumberland Council is calling for nominations for the 2018 Local Citizen of the Year Awards, which will be announced on Australia Day 2017. You can even nominate a great community event!

The awards shine a well-deserved spotlight on the individuals and events that elevate Cumberland into a place where everyone can feel welcome, belong and succeed.

The awards are separated into five categories: • Citizen of the Year • Young Citizen of the Year (Up to 25 years) • Sportsperson of the Year (26+ years) • Young Sportsperson of the Year (Up to 25 years) • Community Event of the Year

Nominations close on Wednesday 13 December 2017.

Nomination forms can be downloaded from the Cumberland Council website at cumberland.nsw.gov.au/australia-day-awards

Nominate your local Hero

Malcolm Ryan steps down as General ManagerCumberland Council’s General Manager, Malcolm Ryan, has advised Councillors that he will not be seeking renewal of his contract, due to expire on 30 September 2018.

In the interests of ensuring a smooth transition for the organisation and the community, Mr Ryan and Mayor Greg Cummings have entered into discussions around a suitable departure date.

A resolution from Council is expected shortly that will confirm the official date of Mr Ryan’s departure.

“I am so proud of the effort that all staff have made to bring both Councils together under one umbrella,” Mr Ryan said.“I also feel very positive about what we have been able to achieve and I know that we are well placed for a bright future.

Buzzing into CumberlandIn the lead up to the launch of a Biodiversity Program that will support the conservation of the environment, Council has got buzzing early with a Native Bee Hive Project. Five hives of stingless bees, native to Cumberland, were installed around the area. These bees will pollinate our food crops and plants ensuring continued growth year round.

Council will soon be giving residents the option to have a Native Bee Hive in their own yard, promoting growth and support of gardens in your neighbourhood.

Please call Council on 8757 9000 for more information or to place an order for your own Native Bee Hive.

“Together we have built a very solid base for the future, and I know that the staff and Councillors will work together to deliver great services and community connections to all Cumberland residents.”Deputy General Manager Environment and Infrastructure, Hamish McNulty, will be appointed Acting General Manager following Mr Ryan’s departure and will remain in that role until a new General Manager is appointed, for up to a maximum of 12 months.Mr McNulty has also been asked to conduct a review of Council’s current staff structure, using a suitably qualified consultant to assist with the review.The review is expected to take some months, with a report and recommendation expect to go to Council in 2018.

Fact!According to Macquarie University, more than half of Australia’s threatened animal species live within the urban fringe of Sydney. Mayor Greg Cummings releasing native bees in Central Gardens,

Merrylands.

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CUMBERLANDSYD | CUMBERLANDCOUNCILSYDNEY

T 8757 9000 | 16 MEMORIAL AVENUE, MERRYLANDS 2160

Learn how to swim this summerSummer is swimming season. Sadly, it’s also peak period for the drowning deaths of children under 14.

The National Drowning Report 2017 shows that:• 29 children aged 0-4 drowned, 38% in summer• 12 children aged 5-15 drowned, 33% in summer

Cumberland Council is a proud partner of the Swim and Survive program; a comprehensive swimming and water safety initiative of Royal Life Saving that seeks to increase the water safety skills of Australian children to prevent drowning and increase participation in safe aquatic activity.

Since its inception over 30 years ago, more than 15 million Australian children have participated in the Swim and Survive program. Swim and Survive has made a significant contribution in many families’ lives by reducing the rate of drowning in children aged 5-14 years by over 75%.

Swim and Survive is delivered in pools, schools and other aquatic locations across the country by qualified swimming and water safety instructors.

Learn to Swim classes are available as follows:

GuildfordContact number – 9632 1491Monday / Wednesday / Friday: 9am – 7pmTuesday / Thursday: 12pm – 7pmSaturday / Sunday: 8am – 12pm

WentworthvilleContact number – 9631 9439Tuesday / Friday: 9am – 7pmSaturday: 8am – 12pm

MerrylandsContact number – 9637 6618For Merrylands enquiries, please contact Guildford Swim Centre.

GranvilleContact number – 9632 1491Monday / Wednesday / Friday: 9am – 7pmSaturday / Sunday: 8am – 12pm

For more information, call 8757 9000, email learntoswim@cumberland.nsw.gov.au or visit cumberland.nsw.gov.au/recreation/swimming-pools/learn-swim-school

Festive Season Operating Hours Cumberland Council’s Customer Call Centre will be operating from Wednesday 27 December to Friday 29 December on 8757 9000.

Customer Service Centres at Merrylands and Auburn will be closed from noon on Friday 22 December 2017, reopening on Tuesday 2 January 2018.

Libraries, Swim Centres and other Council services will be closing at different times over the festive season. Visit cumberland.nsw.gov.au/council/contact-us for more details.