There was a children’s choir from Dubbo staying in the Centre doing some training there, an appropriate example of what could be achieved in the Centre, alongside the fitness and sporting encouragement. One of the features of the Centre is undoubtedly its variety, as the older buildings and new are brought together to give resources for the development of excellence in diverse areas of life.
Hopefully, the Prime Minister would have been so impressed that the support of the Federal Government will continue on into the future and be expanded as time goes on. Congratulations to all concerned!
Photo: Andrew Collis - Shane Phillips, Kevin Rudd, Kristina Keneally and Jenny Macklin at the NCIE
Source: South Sydney Herald April 2010 www.southsydneyherald.com.au
]]>Kristina Keneally MP
MEMBER FOR HEFFRON
Late last month the Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and I had the pleasure of opening the new National Centre of Indigenous Excellence at Redfern – a $50 million state-of-the-art sports, education and community centre. The facility is the first of its kind and will help develop Indigenous sporting and artistic stars as well as provide local families with a range of learning, recreation and employment opportunities.
The state-of-the-art National Indigenous Centre for Excellence provides:
· A sports and fitness centre comprised of a multipurpose sports court and gym;
· Arts and crafts, computer and other activity rooms;
· Campus accommodation and dining for 113 people;
· Sports playing field;
· Outdoor 25 metre heated swimming pool;
· Intensive literacy tutorial centre for 60 primary school students;
· Conference facilities; and
· Commercial office space.
This community facility will become the beacon for indigenous culture and sport in the country. It will provide professional mentor and learning programs for indigenous children that will help them excel in life and go on to bigger and better things.
Further information about the Centre is available at www.ncie.org.au
Kristina Keneally MP
Member for Heffron
Shop 117, 747 Botany Road, Rosebery NSW 2018 Phone: (02) 9699 8166 Fax: (02) 9699 8222 Email: kristina.keneally@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Photo: Kristina playing basketball at launch of Centre
Source: Advertisement South Sydney Herald April 2010 www.southsydneyherald.com.au
]]>In the 1950s, Mr Dixon was involved in the Federal Council for the Advancement of Aborigines and Torres Strait Islanders. With the development of funded Aboriginal organisations in the 1970s, Mr Dixon became a foundation member of the Aboriginal Arts Board and was effective in pressing for reforms in funding for Indigenous artists. He also worked with Mum Shirl, Fred Hollows to establish the Redfern Aboriginal Medical Service.
“Mr Dixon spent his life fighting for the rights of indigenous Australians,” NSW Premier Kristina Keneally said.
Mr Dixon, who died in a La Perouse nursing home on March 20 aged 81, worked on the Sydney wharves where his association with the Waterside Workers’ Federation saw him rise to political prominence but there was also a terrible legacy from this time. He suffered from asbestos poisoning and this is what claimed his life. He is survived by his two daughters, Rhonda and Christine, and a large extended family.
More on Charles “Chicka” Dixon:
Photos: Charles “Chicka” Dixon funeral
Related story: Community in mourning
The look on the people’s faces as she served them was priceless, there were plenty of second and even third glances as people walked away, stopped and looked back. Once her shift was over she sat down with club secretary Perry Johnstone to discuss the upcoming season for the club.
She was told that pre-season training for the teams aged Under 13 to Open Aged teams will be commencing their training as of Wednesday February 10 at Erskineville Oval, the Under 6s through to the Under 12s will be starting their training as of Wednesday March 10 also at Erskineville Oval.
As always there is free registration, jumpers, shorts and socks for everyone who plays football for the Rovers.
The club is regarded among locals as the family club, and this has been evident throughout the years as the club prepares for its 62nd season of providing rugby league to the people of the inner city.
The true spirit of the club is shown by the volunteers who run the club. Everyone gives their time free of charge to ensure that everyone has the chance to play the game and enjoy the benefits of teamwork, mateship, fitness and racial tolerance.
Everyone is welcome to come down to Erskineville Oval and jump on board the Rovers express, players old and new, team officials, committee members and sponsors are always welcome. What better way is there to show your community spirit in 2010 then to get on board with your local team, whether you have lived in the area for five minutes or for 50 years. Once you get the Rovers’ bug, you have it for life.
For all the latest info on pre-season training and all the other news regarding your local club, check out the club’s official website: www.alexandriarovers.com.au
You can email the club at alexandriarovers@hotmail.com or why not become a friend of the club on facebook?
Source: South Sydney Herald February 2010 www.southsydneyherald.com.au
]]>His family decided yesterday to accept an offer from the Premier, Kristina Keneally, of a state funeral, but a date has not been set.
"Mr Dixon spent his life fighting for the rights of indigenous Australians," Ms Keneally said, describing him as a national figure and a statesman and ambassador for human rights and Aboriginal social justice.
Mr Dixon grew up at the Wallaga Lake Aboriginal mission on the South Coast before finding work as a labourer on the waterfront at Port Kembla and in Sydney. From there, he became involved with the Waterside Workers Federation and used the organising skills he learnt in the fight for indigenous rights.
Mr Dixon was chairman of the Aboriginal Arts Board and a foundation member of the first Aboriginal Legal and Medical Services in Redfern.
He upset the Australian government by taking an Aboriginal delegation to China in 1972 and was monitored extensively by ASIO along with several other activists at the time.
Jonathan Bogais, a journalist who is writing a book and producing a documentary about Mr Dixon with the late activist's daughter Rhonda, said he was enormously influential.
''He was a typical leader, who never wanted to be a politician but aimed at creating embarrassment for the state so it would react to situations. He spent his life creating a better situation for his people.''
Naomi Mayers, chief executive of Redfern's Aboriginal Medical Service, said Mr Dixon was one of the fighters who will be remembered from the '60s and '70s.
''He and his wife Elsa were really good at looking after the young people, and they idolised him,'' she said.
The Community Services Minister, Linda Burney, said Mr Dixon had iconic status across Australia. ''He was a mentor and teacher to thousands … the lessons in life you learnt were lessons that would serve you well forever.''
]]>“It’s wonderful and pretty humbling because of all of the beautiful women out there that I know who work really hard at a community level, so it really is an honour,” she said.
She has also worked with women across the board including being an integral part of starting the women housing program in the 1980’s and working with females in the jail system to help change their pathways.
Ms Ingram’s eyes were opened to plights of the Aboriginal people when she moved to Redfern from the Central Coast in 1958.
“It has improved but that’s primarily from the fight that Aboriginal people have put up and I’m afraid at this piece of time in history we are going backwards, which is a shame,” she said. “I see there is a big thrust toward mainstreaming - it has never worked in the past and it will never work again - as a matter of fact it is disastrous.”
She said the answer was for local women who know about the issues to put proposals forward to the government.
“We have to keep struggling to say that we need special consideration for programs that we know how to deliver at the coal face rather than waiting for it to get to bureaucracy,” Ms Ingram said.
At 69 years old, Ms Ingram said would not give up because there was still a very long way to go.
“I’ve told my daughter and grand daughter to do the same as I do when I go.” she said.
Photo: Erin Byrne - NSW Premier & Heffron MP Kristina Keneally presented the Heffron Woman of the Year Award to Millie Ingram.
Source: http://southern-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/millie-fights-for-womens-rights/
]]>Once the park is finished – a process expected to be complete within 12 months – ownership will transfer to the City of Sydney.
The park sits in the centre of the so-called ‘Central Park precinct’, immediately north of O’Conner Street in Chippendale. It will also feature three additional street frontages to new public roads which have yet to be named.
Frasers said the park would include a “prominent water feature” dividing the park in two, as well as “substantial” public artwork, pedestrian footways and a cycle route.
“Here in this development, the infrastructure comes first. Often with development, it’s the other way around – things like parks and sporting fields only arrive after, or at the same time as the developer has actually completed,” said NSW Planning Minister Tony Kelly.
He added Frasers had five further projects, representing the balance of the concept site, currently before the Department of Planning awaiting approval.
Although the Broadway site does not contain any property formally earmarked for affordable housing, Mrs Keneally said Frasers was making a “quite significant” contribution of over $30 million to affordable housing in Redfern-Waterloo.
Completion of the overall redevelopment is expected to take between 8-10 years, according to Frasers Property COO Nicholas Wolff.
Frasers CEO Dr Stanley Quek said he hoped the entire Central Park site would eventually be shorthand for a Sydney city hub. “A key feature of the Central Park project will be the connectivity that it will bring to Broadway and Chippendale, linking major commercial nodes, local businesses, transport, retail centres, schools and universities to the southern end of Sydney’s CBD,” he said. “I hope very soon… Central Park will become one of the Sydney CBD’s iconic meeting places [like] Circular Quay, Pitt Street Mall, Chinatown or Hyde Park, where people will one day be saying ‘Meet you at Central Park’.”
Illustration: An artist’s impression from Block 5, looking west across the Main Park
Photo: Premier Keneally announces the Central Park project, alongside Planning Minister Tony Kelly, Frasers COO Nicholas Wolff and CEO Dr Stanley Quek
Source: www.altmedia.net.au/sydney-gets-its-own-central-park/16198
]]>State Transport Minister David Campbell said the government had allocated $15 million to get the M5 extension “shovel ready”.
“The RTA is currently at the start of that process with an environmental assessment to follow,” Mr Campbell said.
He said the government had lodged a funding request for the expansion with the Federal Government’s Infrastructure Australia fund.
Last Sunday Tempe and St Peters residents staged another rally against the RTA’s plans, with more than 250 people marching from Tempe reserve to an RTA consultation session at the Jets Sports Club.
The protesters are against the RTA’s plan to build an arterial road through the reserve as part of the M5 expansion.
Tempe 2020 residents’ group spokesman Patrick McInerney said the community would continue to rally until the RTA abandoned the arterial road.
“Tempe 2020, the residents of Tempe and St Peters, will not rest in our campaign until the option of a 50ft four-lane freeway running through Tempe Reserve and spewing 90,000 cars a day into the suburban streets of St Peters is taken off the table,” Mr McInerney said.
Source: http://inner-west-courier.whereilive.com.au/news/story/residents-rally-to-terminate-m5-plan/
]]>“I welcome the commitment to extending the light rail network as the best solution for inner Sydney. The City of Sydney has undertaken a number of studies recommending light rail and our ‘Sustainable Sydney 2030’ plan outlines proposed light rail routes combined with more cycleways and improved pedestrian access to reduce congestion in central Sydney,” she said. “I’m pleased to see the Government’s Transport plan also acknowledges walking and cycling as part of the equation.”
The proposal includes a 5.6 kilometre extension of the light rail through the inner west to Dulwich Hill, and a 4.1 kilometre extension to the new Barangaroo development, on the western side of the city, then under the Harbour Bridge to Circular Quay. The government says the light rail could carry up to 10,000 passengers an hour through the city.
Lord Mayor Clover Moore also underlined the immediate need for construction to begin on the additional heavy rail line and increased station capacity in the CBD, given that the CBD Metro had been shelved indefinitely.
The Lord Mayor’s Sustainable Sydney 2030 project, launched in 2008, is an initiative that strives towards making Sydney a global, green and connected city by 2030 by addressing serious challenges that face Sydney, including transport.
“I have been in discussions with the Premier about the opportunity to immediately implement a number of ‘Sustainable Sydney 2030’ transport projects in central Sydney...There are some practical changes we can make quickly to improve circulation in the city centre, and the City of Sydney will work with the NSW Government to fast-track these,” said Lord Mayor Clover Moore.
Although pleased with Premier Keneally’s plans, the Lord Mayor also urged the State Government to continue shaping Sydney’s public transport for future generations and to keep the city on par with some of the world’s best.
“Major cities around the world are embracing a renaissance in public transport, cycling and walking, and this is what Sydney must do too, to successfully adapt to a new low carbon, more sustainable future. We can learn from the experience of other cities - they’ve faced the same issues and found solutions.”
Lord Mayor Clover Moore highlighted that the large cost of modernising Sydney’s transport options were no longer an excuse for lack of action by the government.
“Debt financing is one option and it could be repaid over a very long period of time to spread the cost burden. There are many financing options available and Government should not be spooked by the big numbers involved,” she said.
“Investment in our transport system now is an investment in our future....This is a time to be bold and visionary, to make responsible long term decisions for the benefit of the people of NSW and leave a lasting legacy for future generations. “
Source: http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/news/story/sydney-lord-mayor-welcomes-light-rail/
]]>Source: http://theshout.com.au/2010/02/10/article/Former-CUB-Site-To-Create-1200-Jobs-6m/HSMSYGVOJY
]]>The project is modelled on similar plans run in New York and Melbourne, which have increased tenant support, and reduced vandalism and antisocial behaviour.
The program will provide up to 120 jobs through paid traineeships in community services, trade and security for public housing residents.
It will also involve having a concierge information desk in every building on the green, swipe card access, the installation of 60 additional CCTV cameras and improved repairs, with a roving neighbourhood team of contractors from the company Spotless.
Premier Kristina Keneally and Housing Minister David Borger announced the Waterloo Green Neighbourhood Project, which will be brought online by December.
“This is about making public housing safer for residents - particularly older people, people living on their own, and others who need support in their community,” Ms Keneally said.
Residents who have been begging Housing NSW for improved safety measures for years welcomed the announcement.
But Sydney Greens Councillor Irene Doutney, herself a Waterloo Green resident called on Housing NSW to roll the upgrade out across all housing estates in NSW.
“I welcome any measures to curb crime and antisocial behaviour in public housing estates, as well as keeping residences in a livable condition” Cr Doutney said.
“However the sudden injection of funds to Waterloo Green brings into stark contrast the situation at a number of other public housing estates, such as Joanna O’Dea Court in Camperdown, where residents have been desperately crying out for security and adequate maintenance.”
“The pilot program we are announcing at Waterloo Green is based on international best practice,’’ Mr Borger said.
‘’If it works, the Government will roll it out to other appropriate locations.”
Source: http://sydney-central.whereilive.com.au/news/story/win-for-waterloo-public-housing-estate/
]]>The Exodus Foundation's literacy Tutorial Centre program, developed in conjunction with Macquarie University, provides intensive tuition to primary school aged children whose reading age is below average.
Students make average gains of 15 months in reading accuracy, and a 39% increase in the number of words read per minute.
"Our literacy program offers hope to the one-in-five students identified by the NSW Auditor-General's report as having fallen to, or below, minimum literacy levels", said Rev. Crews.
Kevin Rudd will visit the students in The Exodus Foundation Tutorial Centre to see first-hand how these remarkable gains are made.
The Exodus Foundation operates literacy Tutorial Centres in Redfern, Ashfield, Gladstone and Darwin.
]]>Having made a fourteen and a half minute speech, Mr Rudd retook his seat on a raised platform.
Shirley Lomas, 54, from Petersham then approached the prime minister, accusing him of failing disabled people of all backgrounds.
Her disabled 28-year-old son, David Pearce, is currently in a care facility at Penrith, in the city's west.
"What I would like to know is when are you truly going to help young aboriginal and non-aboriginal disabled people?" the angry voluntary worker demanded.
"This is my community ... I see drugs sold by our own people, so therefore more children are being born with disability.
"I would like to know when are they going to have their needs looked at?"
She added that her own "disability" was the "colour of her skin".
It comes exactly a fortnight after Indigenous Affairs Minister Jenny Macklin was heckled at the same centre, by a man who said he was a member of the stolen generation.
He accused the government of being racist over the intervention programs in the Northern Territory.
A calm-looking Mr Rudd re-took the microphone stand after Friday's incident, saying he would help the woman and describing her as a passionate mum who was right to raise her concerns.
Earlier in the ceremony, he described the centre, which has extensive sporting facilities, including a swimming pool, gym, football pitch as one that offers great hope.
"This is a really good day for Australia. This is a really good day for indigenous Australia. This is good stuff," Mr Rudd told around 200 people attending.
"What has been built here is a world class facility.
"It offers great hope, great opportunities."
Indigenous teenagers, from outside Sydney, said they are envious of the centre.
"It's real good. Good for the community around here. Get everyone off the street, they can come in here and have a game," Josh Toomey, 16, from Dubbo, told AAP.
He added he was jealous of locals who could use the centre.
"If only we could have one of these back home."
Tennis legend Evonne Goolagong-Cawley said the centre would benefit everybody.
"This is a very exciting day for me, it's turned into a magical place for everybody in Redfern," said Goolagong-Cawley, who is one of the centre's directors.
"It's all about creating jobs. We have a beautiful pool, a beautiful gym, it's a meeting place not just for indigenous people but for everybody."
A number of former and current indigenous sporting stars, as well as dignitaries including NSW Premier Kristina Keneally, attended the opening.
]]>
The $50 million centre has been built by the Indigenous Land Corporation at the 1.6 hectare site of the old Redfern Public School.
The centre has an intensive literacy tutorial centre for primary school students, community meeting rooms, a football oval and a swimming pool.
There are accommodation facilities on site and it is estimated more than 5,000 Indigenous students across the country will stay at the centre each year.
They will participate in leadership, development and sporting courses.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, who opened the centre with NSW Premier Kristina Keneally, says it is one of the most important investments made in Aboriginal culture.
"It symbolises the dawn of a new era in Indigenous education, engagement and leadership," he said.
"It offers great opportunities. It offers great practical help for young Indigenous Australians to reach their full potential."
Former Wimbledon champion and board member Evonne Goolagong Cawley says she hopes the centre will become a meeting place for Indigenous and non-Indigenous people.
"I think it's going to make a really big difference to the community because I know if I feel good about myself, my body and I feel healthy, then I feel healthier in the mind, and that's what's taken me all over the world," she said.
"You never know, we might get some champions coming out of this."
More than 20 jobs have been created for Indigenous members of staff now employed at the centre.
Source: www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/02/26/2831720.htm?section=justin
Note - Channel 10 coverage can be found at www.ncie.org.au/news/media-gallery/105-ncie-opening-covered-on-channel-ten-news-21-01-10.html
]]>''Our commitment is to start work in our first term,'' the opposition leader, Barry O'Farrell, said yesterday.
Under the government's Metropolitan Transport Plan, released at the weekend, no construction work on any of the projects outlined will start soon.
Construction of the $6.7 billion north-west rail link from Epping to Rouse Hill will not begin until 2017, with the first passengers expected to be carried in 2024. The project was originally announced in 1998 but has been deferred at least four times.
The south-west rail link is not expected to be ready until 2016, although no start date has been confirmed. It was shelved most recently in the November 2008 mini-budget.
Construction of a tunnel between Eveleigh and Wynyard will not start until 2015.
The Premier, Kristina Keneally, said construction of platforms at Redfern, Central, Town Hall and Wynyard ''can start mostly likely within the next year to two years'', however she would not give a firm timetable.
''We'll start ordering the 1000 new buses this year; we'll start ordering the new train carriages this year; we will start the planning approval process for the city relief line and the western express,'' Ms Keneally said.
Source: www.smh.com.au/nsw/rail-work-to-start-in-our-first-term-ofarrell-says-20100222-orra.html
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