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Australia Day - a day of celebration and to reflect on who we are as a TO FOLLOW ALEX nation and to appreciate the wonderful country we live in. Throughout the Hills district, Amelia and I had the opportunity of attending a number of events throughout the day, including flag raising ceremonies and the Hills Shire Council’s Main Event held at Balcombe TABLE OF CONTENTS Heights. It was a great day and as usual the Hills community celebrated in style with capacity crowds at each event. • Hills Clinic – Opening of YA@theloft Australia Day is also when people in our community are recognised for • Red Tape Repeal Date the valuable contribution they have made to our district. These worthy set recipients have made an incredible difference to the lives of many • Name the Beer people and it is a privilege to honour and highlight them in this edition Competition of the e- newsletter. • Review of National curriculum to put On Tuesday 28 January, the Prime Minister announced that Her students first Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has approved his recommendation to • Recognising our high appoint General Peter Cosgrove AC MC as Australia’s next achievers locally: Governor-General. General Cosgrove is a remarkable Australian with Honours & Awards a long distinguished military career. He is an inspired choice as • Tour De Hills Bicycle Governor General given the significance of the years ahead and the Classic 2014 – Sunday Centenary of the First World War commemorations beginning this 2 March 2014 year. General Peter Cosgrove will begin his term as Governor-General • Clean Up Australia in March 2014. Day – Sunday 2 March 2014 Regards, • Castle Hill Annual Alex Show – 28 - 30 March 2014 - Save the Date • The Hills Home Show PS: Federal Parliament resumes for 2014 on Tuesday 11 February. & Lifestyle Expo – free entry • Australian Defence Medal and Hills Clinic – Opening of YA@theloft Certificates of Appreciation

The Hills Clinic located in Kellyville is the leader in mental health in Sydney’s north west. I had the opportunity of attending the opening of ‘The Loft’ area last week. The new YA @theloft is a space dedicated to suit the needs of young adults aged 16-25 who are dealing with mental health issues including, depression and anxiety. Dr Jason Pace and Dr Ted Cassidy founded the Hills Clinic and May 2011 and with the demand for these specialised services they opened ‘The Loft’ 18 months earlier than initially planned.

Red Tape Repeal Date set

The Leader of the House, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, and Parliamentary Secretary Josh Frydenberg MP, recently announced the Government’s Red Tape Repeal date has been scheduled for the House of Representatives on March 26. This is an important step toward the Coalitions’ commitment of cutting $1 billion in red and green tape each year to benefit business and not-for-profit organisations.

Name the Beer Competition

The Australian Brewery at Rouse Hill is a local business brewing great tasting craft beers and apple cider at their premises in Rouse Hill. The Australian Brewery has launched the ‘Name the Beer’ competition. They are currently in the process of crafting a new ‘Hills District inspired beer’ and everyone has the opportunity to enter the competition to name the beer. Competition closes 4:00pm, Sunday 23rd February.

The Australian Hotel and Brewery caters for every age group and also has a great family environment including two kids play areas. They were voted by the Australian Hotels Association as “Best Family Friendly Hotel in NSW".

Review of National curriculum to put students first

The Federal Minister for Education, the Hon Christopher Pyne MP, has announced the appointment of Professor Ken Wiltshire AO and Dr Kevin Donnelly to review the Australian Curriculum to put students first.

The ‘students-first’ approach will work with state and territory governments and teachers and parents focussing on four key areas including teacher quality, principal autonomy and engaging parents in education that will make a difference. Parents, educators, schools and all members of the public can make a submission to the review by completing the submission form by Friday 28 February 2014.

Terms of Reference for the review and for further information visit www.studentsfirst.gov.au

Recognising our high achievers locally: Honours & Awards

So many people have been recognised and honoured in the Hills district recently and it is a privilege to be able to showcase these people for all they have accomplished in their chosen field.

Bill Dixon OAM - Posthumous Australia Day honour, Medal of the Order of Australia, for his service to the community of north western Sydney. “Bill Dixon was a man of great standing in our community for more than four decades. Bill selflessly contributed to the success and development of our community throughout this time. His involvement in community volunteering in Australia dates back more than seventy years and will remain a testament to character and strength of this remarkable citizen”.

Vera Abell OAM - Congratulations on receiving the Australia Day honour, Medal of the Order of Australia, for her service to the community, coordinating charitable donations.

Rhondda Vassallo PSM – Congratulations on receiving the Australia Day honour, Public Service Medal, for outstanding public service, particularly to the people with a disability and their families.

Congratulations to all the winners of The Hills Shire Council’s Australia Day Awards for their contribution they have made to the community.

• Jennie Page – Citizen of the Year • Kasuni Fernando – Young Citizen of the Year • Mike Blair – Senior Citizen of the Year • Access2Art – Community Project of the Year • Shirley Holden – Australia Day Hero Award • Olga Zavaglia – Australia Day Hero Award • Dr Reza Ali – Australia Day Hero Award

Tour De Hills Bicycle Classic 2014 – Sunday 2 March 2014

The Castle Hill Rotary’s Tour De Hills Bicycle Classic 2014 is being held on Sunday 2 March 2014 at the Australian Hotel & Brewery. This year the aim is to raise $60,000 for a variety of community groups, including Rural Fire Service, NSW Police Legacy and Motor Neurone Disease Research. There are four options of rides, 15km ride for the families and up to 90km ride for the keen cyclist. Registrations are now open.

Clean Up Australia Day – Sunday 2 March 2014 Clean Up Australia Day is a great opportunity for the community to come together and clean up and preserve our precious local environment.

This year I will be helping a group of keen local volunteers representing 1st Balcombe Heights Scout Group at Col Sutton Reserve, Baulkham Hills. If you have some time to spare and can pitch-in please come along, it would be great to meet you and also clean up Col Sutton Reserve.

Perhaps you want to undertake your own activity, or find something closer to where you live? If so, further information can be found at the Clean Up Australia website.

Castle Hill Annual Show – 28 - 30 March 2014 - Save the Date

The 128th Castle Hill Agricultural Show will be held at the Castle Hill Showground from 28-30 March 2014. The Castle Hill Show is a must for all age groups and gives everyone the opportunity to enjoy a country show where you can see, hear, touch and smell the best of the country and our regional districts.

With the construction of the North West Rail Link taking place near the Showground there are some changes taking place this year. Car park entry is from Showground Road and the Annual Show Horse Section competition will take place on Saturday 22nd and Sunday 23rd March.

The Hills Home Show & Lifestyle Expo – free entry The Hills Home Show & Lifestyle Expo will be held over two days; Saturday 15th and Sunday 16th March 2014 at Bernie Mullane Sports Complex, Marella Avenue, Kellyville. This is a must attend for anyone looking to build a house, renovate or redecorate inside and outside your home. The Expo is free to attend and also car parking is free.

Australian Defence Medal and Certificates of Appreciation

The Australian Defence Medal (ADM) has been established to recognise Australian Defence Force Regular and Reserve personnel who have demonstrated their commitment and contribution to the nation by serving for an initial enlistment period or four years service whichever is the lesser.

Each year I have the honour of hosting a presentation where eligible recipients formally receive either the Australian Defence Medal or Certificate of Appreciation for their service to our nation. To hear about their experiences and what they achieved on behalf of our country is truly inspiring.

Certificates of Appreciation are a way of expressing the nations thanks to those who have made a contribution towards Australia’s efforts in war, conflicts and peace operations. The contributions can be as a civilian or as a member of the armed forces. For the Second World War, the contribution may have been in Australia or overseas. For all other conflicts the contribution must have been given overseas in the country in which the conflict occurred.

Certificates are available for service in:

Second World War, for service in the Australian armed forces or on the home front British Commonwealth Occupation Force (Japan) Korean War Malayan Emergency Indonesian Confrontation Vietnam War Gulf War Iraq War Peace Operations A person, who made a contribution, either in the Defence forces or as a civilian, may request a certificate in respect of his or her service, or a family member or friend may nominate a person. Next of kin may nominate a deceased family member.

If you are eligible for an Australian Defence Medal and/or Certificate of Appreciation please contact my office for an application form on 9899 7211 or email [email protected]

Representing the communities of Baulkham Hills, Beaumont Hills, Bella Vista, Box Hill, Castle Hill, Kellyville, Maraylya, Nelson, Northmead, North Rocks, Rouse Hill, West Pennant Hills and Winston Hills

Electorate Office: Suite 8/23 Terminus Street, Castle Hill NSW 2154 Postal address PO Box 1173, Castle Hill 1765 Email: [email protected] Phone: (02) 9899 7211 Fax: (02) 9899 7990

Authorised by Alex Hawke MP, 8/23 Terminus Street, Castle Hill NSW 2154.

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