Good
• MAKE sure you tune in to the Paris Olympics (July 26 to August 11) to watch and cheer on locals, including archer Peter Boukouvalas, swimmers Abbey Connor and Se-Bom Lee, boxer Tina Rahimi, soccer’s Mary Fowler, athlete Jessica Hull, tennis’ Alexei Popyri, water polo’s Chaz Poot and Rugby Sevens’ Dietrich Roache, as they compete in the world’s biggest sporting event – hoping to bring home gold for Australia.
• STALLHOLDERS are invited to be part of Pets Day out 2024 on Sunday, November 10, at Vale of Ah Reserve, Milperra, 11am-3pm. Organisers are looking for entertainment providers, food vendors, trainers or other businesses with expressions of interest due before 5pm on Friday, August 2, at cb.city/PetsDayOut
• OVER 500 ran or walked the pristine surroundings of Mirambeena Regional Park in Georges Hall during the 2024 Festival of the Feet last Sunday. With babes in prams to energetic octogenarians, the lineup featured serious competitors and others having fun. Organised by Western District Joggers and Harriers, there were refreshment stands along with awards for winners of the 3km, 7km, 14km and half marathon categories. Race results: westiesjoggers.com.
• NOMINATIONS are now open for the 2025 Australian of the Year Awards. If you know someone who has made a significant contribution to the local community, or is an inspirational role model to others, nominate them today at australianoftheyear.awardsplatform.com. Nominations close on Wednesday, July 31.
• CAMPSIE Police Area Command will host a combined Retired Police Day with Auburn and Burwood Police Area Commands to honour the contribution and ongoing legacy of retired officers. To celebrate, retired officers from Campsie, Auburn and Burwood, are invited to attend a special event with morning tea at Campsie Police Station on Thursday, September 5. To RSVP by August 23, call Peta on 9784 9605 erecordscampsie@police.nsw.gov.au
• FOUR in five Australians say they support donation but only one in three (36 per cent) are registered as organ and tissue donors. In the past, registering to be a donor was done when you renewed your driver’s licence. Now you register online at the Australian Organ Donor Register. It only takes a minute to register and don’t forget to tell your family. Become a lifesaver at: service.nsw.gov.au
• FILM screenings, trivia nights and a ‘love your library’ craft workshop are just some of the activities for families to enjoy during Library and Information Week (July 29 to August 4). Details and bookings: cb.city/LibraryWeek.
• THOSE who love a bargain are reminded the Revesby Craft Fair returns this Saturday, July 27, 8am-1.30pm, with a treasure trove of amazing items at affordable prices. You can choose from handmade jewellery, clothing, wooden items, plants, perfumes, candles, jams, honey and a host unusual trinkets and gifts. Pet friendly (but keep on leash), the fair also features a sausage sizzle, gozleme, freshly made cakes, pastries and coffee.
• CHECKING out the JB Hi-FI sale, a resident noticed they had a copy of movie FJ Holden in stock for $7.98. Reminded that the 1977 was partly filmed in Picnic Point, he checked it out again and noticed that at 42 seconds in, they leave a house in Stretham Avenue and at one minute and eight seconds in, turn from Stretham into Kennedy Street. To check out more: youtube.com.
• PLEASANTLY surprised, a reader said you wouldn’t know the holidays were over and school back yesterday since the traffic was still flowing so well: “I usually dread this time, at the start of school term, when everyone seems back in the car but for some reason, the roads are still fairly quiet and I’m hoping it lasts; maybe some lucky families are taking an extended winter break.”
Bad
• THERE were multiple signs informing city-bound motorists the M5 tunnel was closed on Monday morning after an over-height vehicle got stuck, with motorists advised to turn off at Kings Georges Road, but that didn’t stop some motorists ignoring the warnings and still heading east. “I wonder how long they had to wait there before the tunnel was cleared,” said a commuter in disbelief, “what were those drivers thinking?”
• BANKSTOWN boxer Tina Rahimi has smashed the Paris Olympics over a controversial ban that will stop French Muslim athletes from competing with their traditional headdress. The 28-year-old, who will compete as part of a squad of 12 fighters in Paris, said the ban didn’t make sense. “Thankfully I’m still able to participate in my hijab, which I’m so grateful for because I’m not a French athlete, I’m Australian.”
• MARLENE is calling for public toilets in parks to remain unlocked and available to the public: “The toilet facilities at Johnston Reserve, Revesby, throughout the school holidays, remained locked. I have spoken to the council who stated vandalism was a concern. They will have a trial period of three months commencing from this week. However, this is not good enough. Public toilets should remain open at all times.”
• IN an argument for keeping cash at home, the CrowdStrike outage on Friday shows how a single, flawed update from a trusted source can shut down the internet and world banking and travel systems. “Let’s hope it was an isolated incident,” a reader said. “But just to be on the safe side, always make sure you have some cash at home; next time it may last more than six hours.”
• EXPERTS have issued an urgent warning about a highly contagious new coronavirus variant spreading rapidly during Australia’s winter season. Symptoms include fever, cough, shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, fatigue, muscle aches, headache, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, runny nose, nausea and diarrhoea. Australians are being urged to wear a mask, keep away from people who are sick and stay up to date with Covid vaccines.
• A GREENACRE man has fallen victim to an alleged online car sale scam. However, after a two-week police investigation into the alleged scam, two people have been charged.
• A CONDELL PARK commuter can’t wait until all roadworks have been completed: “It’s great to see the State Government putting lots of effort into upgrading our roads but some works have been going on for years, especially the further west you go. A hold up here, a hold up there might not seem like a big inconvenience but they all add up to extra travelling time on trips.”
Hi Torch
Not sure if this would be of interest for the Good / Bad section. Its simply about two dumped rubbish issues.
1. The rubbish is in the bush area known as Virginius Reserve, which sits between Virginius Street Padstow and Centaur Street Revesby. It has been there at least since late June this year. About a 2 & 1/2 minute walk along a beaten track deep into the bush there is a clearing which unfortunately has become an area scattered by general rubbish. The rubbish consists mainly of discarded plastic bottles and cans, fast food wrappings and some broken chairs. It apears to have been a regular meering place because someone has set up an old outdoor garden setting with glass top table and chairs, some intact and some broken. One interesting item commonly referred to as a ‘bong’, a filtration smoking device, has been seen on the table. Although the area cant be seen from outside of the bush, it does represent an ugly site inside the otherwise natural reserve. CB Council have been informed via online and telephone.
2. A discarded large water heater cyclinder currently lies on the nature strip in Hydrae Street, Revesby (outside No.67). Its initial presence would not normally create concern however it has been there at least since 18 July this year. It could be a minor danger to vehicles or pedestrians as it sits on the crest of the grassed area, and could roll in either direction. The CB Council has been informed via online and telephone.
If the Torch is interested in reporting the items, I could be happy to check that both rubbish sites still existed prior to printing. ASlso, if it helps I have photos.
Regards
Peter