HILLS INDEPENDENT HILLS 130 April 2026 | страница 22

POLITICS

As

your Federal Member, I am here to:
Assist with accessing federal government services Attend your local community event Arrange congratulatory messages
Please contact my office if I can be of assistance.

Honouring our local ANZACs this 25 April

with Julian Leeser MP Federal Member for Berowra
On 25 April, our community will gather to mark the 111th anniversary of the Gallipoli landings.
Anzac Day is a day that asks us to pause. In 1915, young Australians and New Zealanders landed on the Gallipoli peninsula. Many had never left home before. More than 8,000 Australians would not return.
Australia was a young nation then, only 13 years into Federation. When Britain declared war, we went too. Gallipoli did not succeed in its military aim, but it left a deep mark on our national life. The
qualities we associate with the Anzacs- courage, endurance, loyalty to one another- have become part of how we understand ourselves as a nation.
Each year, I think particularly of the young men from our own community who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Men like Private Ormond Fathers, a Hornsby apprentice, who enlisted in September 1914 and was among those sent to Gallipoli for the landing on 25 April 1915. Just weeks later, in June 1915, he was killed in action. His battalion would go on to fight at Lone Pine in August that year.
He was one of many local sons who never came home.
Thank you to Karen Richardson for her work on the biography of Private Fathers.
Each year I am struck by the sight of people gathering before dawn- young families, veterans, school students- standing quietly together as the sun rises. The dawn service speaks to something enduring in the Australian character.
I encourage you to attend one of our local services this Anzac Day: Annangrove: Annangrove Park- 11:00am Beecroft: Beecroft Cenotaph- 3:00pm Berowra: Berowra RFS car park, March and Service- 7:30am Berowra Waters: Western Shoreline Forecourt- 5:00am Brooklyn: Brooklyn Oval on 27th-
10:45am Cherrybrook: Anzac Jawan Cenotaph on 20th- 3:00pm Galston: Galston Cenotaph- 6:00am Glenorie: Glenorie Memorial- 6:00am Glenorie: Woolworths car park, March and Service- 3:15pm Hornsby: Hornsby Cenotaph- 5:00am Kenthurst: John Benyon Park, March and Service- 8.30am West Pennant Hills: WPH Sports Club- 5:00pm Wisemans Ferry: Anzac Memorial- 6:00am Wisemans Ferry: Primary School, March and Service- 10:00am

Mark Hodges MP

MEMBER FOR CASTLE HILL

AS YOUR STATE MP, I AM HERE TO:

• Help you with any State Government matters.
• Provide Justice of the Peace services.
• Assist in accessing NSW Government services, assistance or grants.
• Arrange congratulatory messages.
02 9686 3110 castlehill @ parliament. nsw. gov. au Suite 1A, 19-21 Terminus Street, Castle Hill NSW 2154
Authorised by Mark Hodges MP, Suite 1A, 19-21 Terminus Street, Castle Hill NSW 2154. Funded using Parliamentary Entitlements.

Volunteers make a difference

by Mark Hodges MP Member for Castle Hill
Every day, volunteers across New South Wales give their time, skills and energy to support their communities. From local clubs and charities to emergency services and community groups, their contributions make a real difference to people’ s lives.
Volunteers also play a significant role in the state’ s economy, contributing an estimated $ 205 billion in value each year. More importantly, they strengthen the social fabric of our communities through
their generosity, compassion and commitment to helping others.
The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards celebrate these outstanding individuals and the impact they make across the state.
If you know someone who deserves to be recognised for their dedication to community service, we encourage you to submit a nomination before Friday, 29 May 2026.
You can also help us celebrate volunteering by sharing this opportunity with your networks and encouraging others to nominate the volunteers who make a difference in their communities.
To learn more about the Awards, including nomination guidelines, FAQs and tips for submitting a strong nomination, visit www. volunteering. com. au / awards / about-the-awards / or scan the QR Code.
Authorised by Mark Hodges MP. Funded using parliamentary entitlements.
22 ISSUE 130 // APRIL 2026 theindependentmagazine. com. au THE HILLS INDEPENDENT