Hills District Independent HILLS 102 December 2023 | Page 21

POLITICS

Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

MERRY CHRISTMAS !
As the holiday season fast approaches , I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year . May 2024 bring you health , happiness and prosperity .
Rydges charity Christmas gift appeal
Rydges Norwest Sydney are organising a Christmas gift and toy drive to bring a little smile to the faces of kids from families doing it tough this year . As part of the Rydges From the Heart Campaign , Rydges is asking for local businesses and residents to donate a gift valued at $ 10 or more .
All donations will be given to St
Vinnies NSW and will be distributed to families in need . To donate simply place your unwrapped gift in a gift bag and drop it off at the Rydges Norwest . Please note on the bag the age and gender of the child you have purchased the gift for . A huge thank you to David Clifford GM of the Rydges and his team as well as to Dr Jim Taggart and Emeritus Mayor Michelle Byrne for their support of this fantastic initiative !
Rouse Hill Hospital delayed to 2029
Our worst fears were revealed in the 2023 / 24 ALP Budget – with the completion of the Rouse Hill Hospital being delayed for an extra five years ! The Liberal government had already turned the sod for construction to have occurred this year , with completion due in 2024 .
Labor has indicated the Rouse Hill Hospital won ’ t be completed until 2029 .
Charity Christmas cakes and puddings
Though the Kellyville Lions Christmas Train has been retired , the Club is still selling their delicious 1kg cakes and 900g puddings . Price is unchanged from last year at $ 15 per item . To order , please contact Wayne Kedward on 0412 465 021 .
Congratulations
Dr Alan and Mrs June Gibbons 60th Anniversary

Reflecting on the past year and the year to come

with Julian Leeser MP
Every year has its challenges , and 2023 has been no exception .
Families , households and businesses across Berowra have all experienced financial pressure .
Thirteen successive interest rate increases , and wages not keeping up with prices have put most households under pressure .
Young and old are experiencing the financial vice – with interest rates and rents going up and up .
As your federal MP , I want to assure you that the number one , two and three issue that I ’ m focused on is the economy . Productivity , workplace relations and keeping government spending under control really matters .
My view is that it is better that government tightens its belt than households having to tighten its belts .
During such times when we are all are under stress , our sense of community and attachment to community matters more than ever . Getting involved with community groups , like mums ’ groups ,
Men ’ s Sheds , bushwalking groups and many of the service organisations can all help alleviate the sense of isolation that can strike in such times .
These groups are important not only for the service they provide our community but the bonds they create across Berowra . It ’ s why I ’ ve been proud to work with over 65 local groups this year in securing federal funding to help them in their work .
We live in a bushfire prone area , and with summer approaching I want to encourage to freshen up their fire plans
for the summer . If you haven ’ t ever done one , you can find out more at myfireplan . com . au .
Please read up on this , it could save your life .
As Christmas nears , I want to thank all our emergency services personnel and volunteers for everything they have done over the year and will do over the summer .
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone across Berowra . I look forward to continuing to serve you in 2024 .
THE HILLS INDEPENDENT theindependentmagazine . com . au MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY HOLIDAYS ! ISSUE 102 // DECEMBER 2023 21