LIFE & STYLE
Blacktown celebrates senior citizens
Blacktown City Council has celebrated two of the City ’ s extraordinary senior residents at the 2024 Blacktown City Senior Citizen of the Year Award ceremony .
Christine Nield and Peter Overton were named joint recipients of Blacktown City ’ s 2024 Senior Citizen of the Year , with the prestigious title recognising their dedication to their local community through volunteer work .
The Mayor of Blacktown City , Tony Bleasdale OAM congratulated both saying , “ This award provides Council with an opportunity to acknowledge and honour the heroes within our senior community in Blacktown City .”
“ With over 61,000 individuals aged over 65 living in Blacktown City , their remarkable contributions , frequently through voluntary and unpaid work , significantly enrich our community . I express my gratitude and congratulations to Christine and Peter for their countless hours of dedication . They are truly deserving recipients of this award .”
Christine , a long-time Blacktown resident , actively supports her community through various initiatives like the Quakers Hill Neighbourhood Centre ’ s donation gathering , Blacktown Council ’ s knit bomb project against domestic violence , and Boomerang Bags at Riverstone , which repurposes fabric to create environmentally friendly items .
Her innovative contributions , including making book pillows for early literacy and crafting bags for Kids Early Learning , highlight her dedication to making a difference . Recognition of Christine ’ s kindness and generosity is welldeserved .
For three decades , Peter ’ s decorated house in Quakers Hill has drawn crowds from near and far at Christmas time . With meticulous handmade decorations added each year , Peter dedicated October and November to setup and December to greeting thousands each night , organising BBQs , and even arranging visits from Santa on a fire truck .
Peter has finally decided to turn down the lights after 30 years of selfless dedication . Council congratulates Peter for the recognition he deserves as he reluctantly hangs up his ladder . Christine Nield and Peter Overton with the Mayor Tony Bleasdale .
NEW
LOAN LIMIT OF $ 2000 FOR ESSENTIALS
CAR REGO & INSURANCE DUE . SCHOOL FEES LOOMING . FRIDGE ON THE FRITZ .
The NILS program provides an interest fee loan to low income earners to help them with essential purchases .
Loans are available up to $ 2000 for essential goods and services including :
Household essentials • Car Repairs and Registration Medical & Dental • Technology • Housing • Education
DON ’ T CALL A PAYDAY LENDER , CALL 1800 509 994 ABOUT A
NO INTEREST LOAN !
Call us today for more information and to find a local office to apply through .
1800 509 994
LOAN MAXIMUM IS $ 2000 FOR ESSENTIALS & FOR VEHICLES . ONLY CERTAIN ITEMS APPLY . ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA MUST BE MET .
12 ISSUE 37 // APRIL 2024 theindependentmagazine . com . au BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT