It ’ s summertime , and Blacktown City is the centre of fun , family and cultural events and activities this summer . There is plenty to look forward to for kids and adults alike .

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said , “ What a fantastic line up for summer and the school holidays . A festive Australia Day with some of the best music and fireworks in Western Sydney and plenty for kids to learn , read or play at our libraries and leisure centres over the summer period .”

“ Come on and get out and about in Blacktown City , make some lasting memories and picnic , walk or bike ride or play in our parks , Nurragingy Reserve or at Prospect Reservoir . There is plenty to enjoy and plenty to do , a summer full of fun in

Blacktown City ,” Mayor Bleasdale said .

At Blacktown City leisure and aquatic centres there is lots to do in or out of the water ; swimming , tennis , a range of other activities and a little bit of Christmas science fun . Blacktown City libraries are great places over summer , with good reading and other fun activities .

There are clubs you can join , films you can see and you can even borrow a book or three .

With Blacktown City ’ s Australia Day celebration , you can wake up with the wildlife for an Australia Day breakfast at Featherdale Wildlife Park and then head to the Rooty Hill for a big evening of live music and Western Sydney ’ s biggest and best fireworks display .

Council ’ s Australia Day Concert on

26 th Jan 4pm – 9.30pm is headlined by Aussie rock music icons The Baby Animals , supported by the Queen Forever Show , The Frocks and VTribe . There are free rides , free water games to cool down and a free circus workshop .

Our city ’ s local heroes will be recognised at Blacktown City ’ s Australia Day Awards Ceremony , while some of the City ’ s newest residents will be welcomed at a special Australia Day Citizenship Ceremony at Bowman Hall .

“ While we acknowledge the growing calls to change the date of Australia Day , I urge everyone to reflect on our history - the highs and the low points - respect the stories of others and celebrate our achievements as a nation ,” Mayor Bleasdale said .

And there is more to look forward to in February . Blacktown City are celebrating the Year of the Dragon with Council ’ s Lunar New Year celebrations at Nurragingy Reserve in Doonside .

The colourful festival will bring together the whole community for an evening of cultural entertainment , lion and dragon dances , a traditional Chinese New Year blessing ceremony , fireworks , food stalls and kids ’ activities .

Blacktown City is proudly home to a large and prosperous Asian population , with the Lunar New Year being a special time for many of our residents .

These festivities have become a much-loved event in the Blacktown City community and bring together people of all cultures for an evening of celebration .

Prospect is one of several electorates that will benefit from a share in $ 500,000 from the NSW Government , through a program that installs life-saving defibrillators at sports facilities .

The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program provides grants up to $ 3,000 to eligible sporting organisations towards the purchase of automated external defibrillators .

The NSW Government wants to ensure that people participating in sport in the most disadvantaged areas have access to this life-saving equipment , so they are equipped to respond to life-threatening emergencies .

The Program is available to sport and recreation clubs , associations , and organisations as well as councils and service clubs in the Prospect Electorate . Applications close on 24 February 2024 , at 1:00pm . For further information on the Local Sports Defibrillator Program , visit : www . sport . nsw . gov . au / grants / local-sport-defibrillatorgrant-program

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Member for Prospect Dr Hugh McDermott said , “ With more and more people of all ages participating in sport and active recreation across Prospect it ’ s vital our local sporting organisations are equipped to respond to life-threating emergencies .

“ The Local Sport Defibrillator Grant Program supports sports to install this equipment at local sports facilities , enabling them to respond in the worst-case scenario .”

Professor Jamie Vandenberg , Co-deputy Director of the Victor Chang Cardiac Research Institute , said , “ Sudden cardiac death is rare , but it can strike anyone at any time , and when it

does every minute counts .”

“ If you have a sudden cardiac arrest outside of hospital you only have a one in 10 chance of survival .

“ Defibrillators save lives ; we need more across NSW and in as many sporting clubs as possible .

“ We also need to ensure that players across all sporting codes know how to use a defibrillator to give their teammates the best chance of survival .”

Dr Hugh McDermott , Member for Prospect .