... FROM THE PUBLISHER’ S DESK... Your thoughts? julie @ hdinews. com. au
Happy New Year and welcome to our first edition of 2026!
Across Blacktown, 2025 unfolded as a year of growth, momentum and creativity. We covered local news and council projects, celebrated community heroes, and showcased the many neighbourhood events that ignited local pride. From small moments shared at the grassroots level to major projects reshaping our city, residents, businesses and community groups all played their part in steering us forward.
In this edition we take a moment to look back on the stories that defined the past 12 months. Our year-in-review on pages 4 and 5 highlights some of the most memorable achievements, milestones, developments and communityled initiatives that shaped Blacktown throughout 2025.
We also shine a spotlight on one of the city’ s quiet achievers. Our Blacktown’ s Finest feature celebrates Dave Hammond,
BCI who together with his wife Sallie, has spent decades supporting individuals and families through Fusion Australia. Their work has helped countless people across Western Sydney, and their story is well worth reading on pages 6 and 7.
Looking ahead, our community is gearing up for a huge Australia Day celebration, with ARIA Award-winning blues-rock legend Diesel headlining Blacktown City’ s Australia Day Concert and Fireworks. It promises to be a massive celebration of live music, local culture and community spirit— details can be found on page 9.
And with school holidays in full swing, we’ ve packed this edition with plenty of summer fun ideas for families( page 13), plus giveaways, sport and much more throughout these pages.
Thank you for welcoming us into your homes each month. Here’ s to a safe, happy and community-filled year ahead.
BLACKTOWN CITY
INDEPENDENT Issue 58 | January 2026 Phone 4588 5055 | e: info @ hdinews. com. au theindependentmagazine. com. au
The Independent Magazine acknowledges the Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of this nation. We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the lands on which our company is located and where we conduct our business.
We pay our respects to ancestors and Elders, past and present. The Independent is committed to honouring Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ unique cultural and spiritual relationships to the land, waters and seas and their rich contribution to society.
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BLACKTOWN CITY INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine. com. au ISSUE 58 // JANUARY 2026 3