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FINANCE
How can you make
applying for the Age Pension easier ?
with Rebecca Chester Age Pension Help
We are always talking to people who are looking at applying for the Age Pension , and find the requirements of the application process confusing , time consuming , or difficult . So , here are some of my top tips to make the process easier .
Review your bank accounts – Since every bank account must be reported , regardless of the balance , have a review of your accounts . Do you really need 20 different accounts ? This could be a good time to consolidate and close any unwanted accounts , simplify your life as well as your application .
Review your superannuation – Have you been putting off consolidating your multiple superannuation
accounts ? Now is the time to talk to your Financial Adviser or Superannuation Fund about the benefits of consolidating your super funds and the tax structures of superannuation versus account-based pensions .
Keep your ATO file up to date – If you are earning contractor , sole trader , self-employed income , or rental property income , make sure your accounts are up to date . Your income assessment is dependent on Income Tax Returns and your business financial statements like Profit and Loss ( income and expenses ) and Balance Sheet ( assets and liabilities ). Keeping these up to date will help you to be ready to apply .
Organise your personal documents – Can ’ t find your birth certificate ? Not sure where your rates notice is ? Now is a good time to organise all those important ‘ life ’ documents into a folder so they are easy to find .
Having your documents ready will make the process less stressful , but if you want to take the stress right out of your application , talk to me about how we can complete your claim for you . Phone me today , 1300 222 484 .
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COMMUNITY
Riverstone PS celebrates 140 years
by Greg Martin
The first schools in Australia were established at the end of the 18th century , a couple of years after Captain Arthur Phillip and the First fleet landed at Sydney Cove .
By the early 19th century , a system of state-funded schools had been established , however , education was still largely the preserve of the wealthy , as poor children were often required to work to support their families .
It wasn ’ t until the later stages of the 19th century that education began to be seen as a right for all children , regardless of their background or circumstances .
This led to free , compulsory education for all children aged 6-14 years .
Among the first of those schools was Riverstone Public School , which began teaching children on Monday , February 15 , 1883 .
The schoolroom measured 20 feet by 17 feet ( 6.1 x 5.2 metres ) and within a fortnight 42 pupils and their desks and chairs were crammed into the space to learn learning readin ’, ‘ riting ’ and ‘ rithmetic .
Could be an entry in the Guinness Book of Records !
One hundred and forty years later , ex-students and staff from near and far converged on Riverstone Public School to celebrate - yep , you guessed it - the school ’ s 140th birthday .
The celebrations were held on November 24 at Riverstone Public School ’ s third home , the state-of-theart premises in Elizabeth Street , opened in 2002 .
Previously the school was situated in Garfield Road from 1929 , opposite the original school which is now home to the Riverstone and District Historical Society and Museum .
All in attendance at the birthday celebrations had a day to remember – both current students and those who came before them .
The celebrations commenced at 11.30am with visitors taking guided tours of the classroom and the various play area , after which there was a formal assembly to celebrate the “ 140 years of Knowledge and Friendship ” - which is the school ’ s motto .
Special guests include one of the school ’ s Old Boys , State Member for Riverstone , Warren Kirby , Michelle Rowland , the Federal Minister for Communications , and representatives from Riverstone Police Area Command and the NSW Department of Education .
20 ISSUE 33 // DECEMBER 2023 MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS ! theindependentmagazine . com . au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT