Two weeks until Homebush Vibes!

Cr Karen Pensabene, Mayor of Strathfield

Residents

What a fantastic week I have had. The last week of the month is when we induct new Australian citizens and I act as the presiding officer. We had nearly 100 new residents inducted last Thursday from over 21 different countries. Deputy Mayor Cr Ben Cai and Cr Sharangan Maheswaran were there to help at the ceremony, and we were all thrilled at the response of the new inductees. To each and every one of you, congratulations on this significant milestone, and may your future be filled with prosperity and success.

Congratulations to all our residents from seniors to juniors who represented Strathfield in all sporting grand finals this week. Whether you won or didn’t, we are so proud of your achievements and we know that playing sport is a wonderful way of bringing the community together and I look forward to next year.

I visited Café Tabouli in Homebush this week to discover the owners have launched a heartwarming pay it forward donation scheme. When you visit the café, patrons have the opportunity to contribute whatever amount they desire to support the homeless, disabled or residents with special needs. During my visit, I had the pleasure of witnessing a compassionate carer James assisting his disabled companion, Luke. Thanks to the generous donations from our local residents, Luke was genuinely thrilled to receive his scrumptious lunch. Thank you, Café Tabouli. We all recognise the number of individuals facing challenges, and through remarkable initiatives like this one, it really shows wonderful community spirit.

The General Manager, Michael Mamo and I were invited to Strathfield Rotary to present our vision and plans for Strathfield Council. We discussed the latest statistics from the 2021 census, our plans for upcoming projects from Westinvest funding and discussed in detail why we were compelled to introduce a special rate variation. The enthusiasm of the club members was evident with the questions they posed. It was also evident that the Strathfield Rotary Club and Strathfield Council share a longstanding history of collaboration, a tradition we eagerly intend to hold well into the future. Thank you to President Nick Hamilton-Kane, board and club members and for an exceptional evening.

I had a very productive meeting with the Strathfield School for Seniors last week. Members of this group meet each other once a week and it’s always wonderful to see the camaraderie and fun they share. They have classes for knitting, crocheting, art, computer, bridge and lots more. If you are interested in joining any of the classes and want to become a member of this vibrant group, please contact Helen McLucas on helenmclucas99@gmail.com

It is with deep sorrow that we farewelled a former Mayor of Strathfield yesterday, Cr Laurel Jennifer O’Toole. Cr O’Toole held the position of Mayor from 1998 to 2000. She was inducted to Council in 1991 and dedicated a decade of her life with her families support to the betterment of the Strathfield community. During the service yesterday, it was acknowledged that these were her most cherished years, a period where she looked back on with fondness, and always remembered the unwavering support she received from her community. Our condolences extend to Mrs O’Toole’s family, and we express our gratitude for her exceptional contributions to the Strathfield community, a community she represented with great pride.

As always if you require any help or information, please contact the office or email me on cr.kpensabene@strathfield.nsw.gov.au

Two weeks until Homebush Vibes!

Join us Saturday 16 September at Rochester Street from 3pm – 9pm to experience the tastes, sights and sounds of Homebush. Get ready for dazzling dances, live music to get you grooving, local culinary treats, free activities and a blow up billiard soccer field!

Women's Health Week 2023

Women’s Health Week is the week-long event in Australia focusing on the health and wellbeing of women and girls run between Monday 4 September to Friday 8 September 2023. Click the link below to discover a fantastic range of resources.

Mayor Visits Strathfield School for Seniors

The Mayor visited Strathfield School for Seniors at Carrington Ave Hall to meet the new President Mr Ross Selby. It was lovely to see the engagement between our seniors and the Mayor, who is very keen to keep this collaboration ongoing and consistent.

Junior Australian Sports Program

Strathfield Council has partnered with Australian International Sports Organisation to run an 8-week Junior Australian Multi-Sport Program. This program is for children aged 4 to 12 and will run weekly from Wednesday 25 October to Wednesday 13 December 2023.

Strathfield Home Library Service

Do you know someone who is housebound and could use a visit from our Home Library team? We deliver library items when you can't get to us! Items are selected by library staff to meet the need or requests of each member and are delivered directly to their home or nursing home every month.

Digital Media Youth Club

Are you in high school and looking to fine tune your photography skills? Register for our upcoming Painting with Light class at Strathfield Library on 21 September. Spots are limited so get in quick!

Lend a hand for Weed Control

Weeds pose a major threat to the existence of hundreds of native plants and animals within NSW alone. NSW Weed Wise provides essential information, images, links to documents and literature on weed management to assist mitigating the effects of more than 325 weeds in New South Wales.

Corrard/Haeremai, 78-80 Broughton Road, Homebush

August is Family History Month!

Operating as a boarding house in May 1963, Corrard was built c.1888 for Hulton Smyth-King, Canon of St Andrew’s Cathedral. It stood at 78-80 Broughton Road, Homebush, an address that no longer exists. By 1915 the house was named Haeremai, a Maori word for ‘welcome,’ and it retained that name for more than 50 years. Haeremai was demolished during the 1970s when land was subdivided and Simone Crescent was created.

Unsightly boarding house’, 28 May 1963. Courtesy Strathfield Local Studies

Read more about the families who made Haeremai their home or visit Strathfield Library to trace your own family history using Ancestry Library Edition.