preferred greeting and meeting our customers , many of whom stopped for a chat whenever our paths cross ,” John said .

John Levy was raised in Coogee and after departing Randwick High School with his Leaving Certificate , he worked in accountancy until 1963 when he bought the first of his health food stores in Double Bay .

Further stores were opened in Coogee and Rose Bay and then later in Birkenhead Point and Macquarie Centre .

“ By the time we bought the Regent , we were only operating at Macquarie Centre which was taken over by our son , Andrew , allowing Joanna and I to concentrate on the theatre ,” John said .

Joanna and John worked together until Joanna ’ s passing and of course it knocked the stuffing out of him but continuing to work at the theatre , was balm to his pain .

“ We met as teenagers through our membership of the Eastern Suburbs Jewish Youth Club which organised activities such as dances and picnics ,” John said .

“ We bided our time before marrying and tied the knot at Temple Emanuel at Woollahra and we were thrilled that the famous Rabbi ( Rudy ) Brasch performed the wedding ceremony .”

Revered as the “ father ” of modern liberal Judaism in Australia , Rabbi Brasch was also a writer and broadcaster , had a rapier-like wit and a storyteller in the classic Jewish tradition .

Towards the end of our interview , I

John Levy with one of his proudest possessions – a 9.5mm movie camera , given to him when he was just 14 years of age by his father .

asked John did he have any other interests besides movies .

“ Of course , I delight in being a grandfather to my six grandchildren and from the age of ten I was a keen social tennis player and played the game until dicky knees forced me to give it away in my early 70s ,” he replied .

“ I still take great interest in tennis as well as cricket and enjoy watching both on television .”

There ’ s that screen again !

He ’ s served 22 years on council and is now holding the office of deputy mayor for a second term .

Barry Calvert , ALP , has held a long list of positions including mayor , and now holds the executive position of president of WSROC ( Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils ).

He once ran as a candidate for the state seat when living in Baulkham Hills and moved to the Hawkesbury in 1985 . He currently lives in Kurrajong Heights on “ a couple of acres I enjoy ridding of blackberry and lantana ”.

As reported last month , Cr Carver was voted in with Cr Patrick Conolly as the new deputy mayor and mayor respectively of Hawkesbury ’ s top team at the local government elections .

The former Hawkesbury High school teacher and family man said the administrative vocational section of western Sydney schools could be likened to a “ translator ”.

“ It ’ s not easy liaising with two organisations that don ’ t speak the same language … I did it for 15 years , retiring in 2003 ,” he said .

The experience has benefitted him in his council career .

“ Even though we [ councillors ] are in political parties I don ’ t push politics , I work with the Liberals and others to get things done ,” Cr Calvert said .

His favourite projects include solar energy “ I was behind the push to council to go solar , saving up to a halfmillion dollars in bills ” Cr Calvert said ,

and he wants to explore using battery power on a larger scale in council and community buildings .

He takes pride in the homes for homeless program he spearheaded as mayor in 2019 .

“ It involved community groups , police , unemployed and displaced people . Of 36 homeless , we found 34 long term stable homes and two returned to family – a 100 per cent result ,” Cr Calvert said .

This councillor is well spoken and articulate ; perfect for his “ other job ” DJ ’ ing a seniors music segment every Wednesday at 3:00pm on Hawkesbury ’ s Harmony FM 89.9 - he is also president .

“ I interview local community groups and play 50s , 60s and 70s music ,” he said .

In his WSROC position , Cr Calvert lobbies governments and organisations for “ a better deal for western Sydney .”

He ’ s worked on the Beds for West hospital project with Westmead , Nepean and Blacktown , as well as the Beat Urban Heat projects .

clinic @ definebyjill . com

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