Hills Independent #76 October 2021 | Page 3

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... FROM THE EDITOR ’ S DESK ... Your thoughts ? maryann @ hdinews . com . au

We ’ re on the final countdown to Freedom Day . NSW lockdown restrictions are promised to be lifted in just weeks .
This will be cause for celebration . Our local economies can ’ t take anymore .
All of us will be breathing a sigh of relief as we literally throw open our doors and get back to joining the world in somewhat of a more regular lifestyle .
Our vaccination rates in this region have been incredible – 90 % plus now . Our shire has a first dose rate of 93.3 % and a double dose rate of 59.7 % at time of going to print .
Federal Government data also found The Hills Shire had the highest first dose rate out of all Sydney LGAs and was second in NSW . No mean feat for a population ( aged 15 and over ) of 140,271 residents .
As Mayor Michelle Byrne said “ Well done Hills Shire ! This is an incredible achievement .”
The promise of public freedoms and the greater welfare of communities being immunised against the more dire effects of the virus , that in turn would cripple our health systems , are ideal incentives ; once the availability of vaccines was finally sorted out .
Let ’ s hope governments on all levels can work as quickly as we did in heeding their jab “ call to arms ” in giving us all some assurance and support as we “ break out ” into the wild .
This guidance is imperative to small business , so the world we now enter will not be a confusion of state vs state , region vs region and vaccinated vs un-vaccinated privileges .

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Issue 76 | October 2021 Phone 4588 5055 | e : info @ hdinews . com . au theindependentmagazine . com . au
Owner / Publisher | Julie Ryan // 0421 574 093 // info @ hdinews . com . au PO Box 16 WINDSOR NSW 2756
Creative Director | Natalie Reed // Natwest Creative Designs // 0411 030 474 www . natwestcreativedesigns . com . au | production @ hdinews . com . au
Printer | Spot Press , Marrickville • 2021
Julie Ryan 0421 574 093 Owner / Publisher
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Maryann Jenkins 0427 442 452 Group Editor
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Lorraine Clifford 0488 025 533 Sub Editor

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Disclaimer : The comments of columnists and contributors do not necessarily reflect the views of the Hills District Independent . The Hills District Independent nor any person acting on their behalf , may be held responsible for the use to which the information contained in this publication may be put , or for any errors which , despite careful preparation and checking , may appear .
Kathryn Johnston 0422 404 366 Photographer
Lorna Gordon 0402 596 244 Freelance Writer
Greg Martin 0420 655 524 Journalist
Patrick Staveley 0406 225 405 Journalist * CONDITIONS APPLY
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