Dear Residents,

Congratulations to our newest local Australian Citizens who received their citizenship on Tuesday in front of their family and friends. Presiding over these ceremonies is one of my favourite things to do as Mayor and this time was just as special with 100 people from 21 countries becoming citizens. Each new citizen was given a plant, that I hope will grow roots in this country just like the new citizens themselves. 

I hope everyone is enjoying the July school holidays and taking full advantage of the cool winter sunshine. Did you know we have 29 parks in the Strathfield LGA? Many of them of playgrounds, BBQ areas, sportsfields and more, so there is always something for kids to enjoy outside. You can see them all on the website.

Finally, this Saturday I will be hosting another Mayoral Street Meeting. This is a great opportunity to meet with me in person and let me know what matters to you and your neighbourhood. From 10:00am - 10:45am I will be at the corner of Hillcrest Avenue and Bennett Avenue, Strathfield South, and between 11:00am - 11:45am you will find me at the corner of Cross Street and High Street, Strathfield. I hope to see you there!

If you need to contact me or have any questions, please do so by emailing me cr.bcai@strathfield.nsw.gov.au or ring our office on 9748 9999.

Cr Benjamin Cai, Mayor of Strathfield

Have Your Say and Help Shape a Better Strathfield

Council’s Have Your Say website is your central go-to platform to share ideas on projects, strategies and policies shaping your local community. Join the conversation and help inform decisions to create a better Strathfield for everyone.

The projects waiting for your feedback include:
✏️Strathfield Infrastructure Renewal & Maintenance – closes 23 July 2026
✏️Enterprise Risk Management Policy – closes 3 August 2026
✏️Draft Resilience Strategy 2026-2030 – closes 5 August 2026

Photos: Anoop Gholap, Year 12 Student at Homebush Boys High School and Strathfield's Young Citizen of the year

Hello everyone, it’s Anoop here, Strathfield Council’s Young Citizen of the Year 2026!
This term has been another busy one, both at school and through the activities I’ve been involved in across the community. As we move closer to the HSC, a lot of my time has been focused on completing assessments and preparing for the HSC Trial examinations, which begin early next term. Balancing study commitments with other responsibilities has certainly been challenging, but it has also been rewarding.

Earlier this term, I had the privilege of attending a few significant events. International Women's Day hosted by Strathfield Council, to which schools within the LGA were invited to be part of. I attended, including some prefects from Homebush Boys High School, who represented our school. I found the event both insightful and inspiring, as it highlighted the impact that strong leadership and perseverance can have on individuals and communities. I also attended the Battle of Kapyong Memorial Services, which was organised by Strathfield Council in collaboration with Cumberland RSL sub-branch, held at the Ismay Reserve, Strathfield. The large scale of community attendance was very pleasing, as it reflected the importance of such a historic event and those who sacrificed their lives. I also attended the ANZAC Day Dawn Service, where I joined members of the community in commemorating the service and sacrifice of Australian and New Zealand servicemen and women. It was a meaningful opportunity to reflect on the values of courage, mateship, and service that continue to shape our nation.

At Homebush Boys High School, I also helped organise and support our Easter Raffle alongside the HBHS prefect body of 2026. The raffle brought students and staff together while raising funds for school initiatives, and it was great to see such strong participation from the school community.
Outside of school, I have continued my involvement with the Australian Air Force Cadets. This term, I had the opportunity to lead cadets at a biannual camp, helping to coordinate activities, support younger cadets, and develop leadership and teamwork skills in a challenging environment. It was a valuable experience that allowed me to grow as a leader while contributing to the development of others.

Although it has been a busy period balancing academic commitments with community and leadership responsibilities, I am grateful for the opportunities I have had to contribute, learn, and continue developing skills that will serve me well in the future.

Kind Regards
Anoop Gholap