Cr John-Paul Baladi, Mayor of Strathfield

Dear Residents,

I am excited to announce that Council has introduced our first ever Community & Business Awards, and nominations are open! Know a local business you think deserves accolades or a local sport administrator who always goes above and beyond? Click here to submit your nominations today!

Yesterday, I had the privilege of presiding over this year's September Citizenship Ceremony which coincides with Australian Citizenship Day. It is an important day to reflect on the meaning of Australian citizenship, and the roles and responsibilities we have as citizens. We welcomed new citizens from 21 different countries, and on behalf of Council we wish them a very happy future as citizens of Australia. 

As always, if you have a local concern or idea you’d like to share, you can reach me on 0400 017 759 or at cr.jpbaladi@strathfield.nsw.gov.au

Moon Festival - 4 October 2025🌕

Join us in a celebration of culture, flavour, and family fun with lion dancers, street food, and live music at Council's Moon Festival 2025!

📅 Saturday 4 October 2025
🕦 1 – 6pm
📍 The Crescent, located immediately outside Flemington train station (southern side)

Make it a lovely day out with friends and family and soak up the festive vibes that is being celebrated around the world!

Entry is free and everyone’s welcome! ✨

Update from Strathfield's Young Citizen of the Year - Mr James Craigie

The last couple of months have been very big study months for me and full of trial HSC exams. I’ve spent a lot of time at the libraries in our community, which are an excellent place to study.  It is good to be planning for the future and looking forward to the end of high school. This is a time when I have been organising my resume, reviewing the activities I am involved with and preparing applications for jobs and courses for next year. This has made me realise that being young citizen of the year for Strathfield has helped to prepare me for the future. It has pushed me outside of my comfort zone and helped build my confidence with things like public speaking. I have had the opportunity to meet with the Mayor, local politicians, council staff and also members of the community and I have met so many wonderful people. I have attended and participated in great events and gotten to see all of the hard work that goes into a community.

Being part of the community is something that I encourage others to get involved with as well. For me, it started with some local volunteering and if that is your thing you will find plenty to do in Strathfield. Volunteering is a good way to learn new skills while helping others. But the benefits of helping others also help you too! Recently I included my volunteering and my role as Strathfield Young citizen as part of an application for early entry into University and just this past week I was excited to receive an offer through the Leaders and Achievers scheme at Macquarie Uni. I am certain my role as Strathfield Young Citizen of the year contributed to this. It has been a once in a lifetime opportunity that I am so grateful to have. Now it’s the time of year when you can nominate a young person to take over this role in 2026 and if you know someone who is suitable you should definitely nominate them. It is a great experience that will help set them up for the future. 
 
In October I will start my HSC exams then head overseas on the night of my last exam to visit my family in the UK and travel through Europe for a few months. I am very excited for the future but also so grateful for all that has happened this year and for the privilege of being Strathfield Young Citizen of the Year in 2025. Good luck to every year 12 student completing their HSC and all the young people doing the final assessments and exams for the year. Don’t forget to nominate someone to be young citizen, or citizen of the year for Strathfield. It is such a great opportunity and a life-changing experience.