10 000 COPIES/EDITION 13th - 27th March 2020 | Vol 37 – Issue 06 NEW WAVES ON THE WAY READ THE FULL STORY ON PAGE 2 CORONAVIRUS COVID-19 READ THE FULL STORY ON PAGE 15 Organise an obligation free POSITIVE tour of the grounds today. EARTHMOVING 4 Generations of Tree Experts - Over 60 years in the Industry. Rock Walls Built Knowledge and Expertise you can trust. All types of Excavations Tree Removal Pruning Stump Grinding Your Total Trade Solution for Land Clearing Residential, Commercial & Industrial 0418 26 16 76 Mulch Sales Plumbing • Electrical • Hot Water Firewood Sales [email protected] 9629 1477 Est. Over 40 years 0415 20 33 88 M: 0414 635 650 T: 9653 2205 castlebrook.com.au [email protected] COMMUNITY NEWS FAREWELL TO WAVES: Jake Miller, Yvonne Caruana, Melanie Williams, Krystal Jessen, The Mayor Michelle Byrne, Elle Jessen Colin Jarvis, Christine Mitchell and Judy Wartmann FLASHBACK: The council swimming pool at Mileham Ave Baulkham Hills has been a hit WAVES OF NOSTALGIA with locals for 53 years AS POOL CLOSES FOR Colin Jarvis, a vice-president at The Hills Swimming and Life Saving Club said a new swimming centre was long overdue. He said the club will still be active following the temporary closure with members taking part in competitions and carnivals at other venues under the club name and blue and white colours. $55m REVAMP “This work is long overdue, we are looking forward to Waves Fitness and Aquatic Centre at Baulkham Hills what should be magnificent new facilities.” Vicki and Alan have been members of The Waves closes on March 31 ahead of a multi-million upgrade. Seniors Class since 2006 and says it has been a huge part of their lives. The much-loved swimming centre which Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne said Vicki has been doing Saturday Aqua at the pool for opened 51 years ago will be knocked down Waves had served the community well, but over 30 years. and rebuilt. The closure will be for between no longer met current needs and “future “We are both significantly fitter than we were 30 years 18 and 24 months. expectations”. ago,” they said. “We are looking to the rejuvenation of Hills Shire Council’s $55-million “We understand there will be Waves as it has become an essential part of our lives.” proposed plan has been approved by the unavoidable inconvenience for some Council Officers have assisted groups with finding independent Sydney Central City Planning when Waves temporarily closes down … alternative locations for swimming, training and fitness. Panel. but we believe that we will be delivering an Four construction companies have been invited to The proposal includes a FINA Standard asset that can be used by our children’s complete a Request for Tender (RFT), which will help Olympic Sized 50m pool with 10 - lanes, a children.” Council identify the best company for the job. 20-metre warm water pool with spa/sauna “In the meantime, Council will keep Council also moved to adopt a Masterplan for facilities, a kids splash area, large gym and working with residents, user groups, and the existing site, allowing the potential for further fitness space. members to understand the needs and enhancements to be made at Waves in the future. The plans also detail retail and wants of the community and how to There will be a farewell for Waves this Sunday, management spaces, swimming clubhouse achieve the best possible outcome for March 15 from noon to 7pm at Waves in Mileham Ave, and basement car parking. everyone.” Baulkham Hills. All welcome. Owner: Compton Media Group Publisher: Diana Paton | 0408 011 193 Advertising email: [email protected] Editorial: [email protected] www.hillstohawkesbury.com.au | Facebook @hillstohawkesbury DIANA PATON ROSA SULTANA RANIA SALLOUM BEV JORDAN IVOR JONES Publisher Advertising Advertising Journalist Contributor [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] 0408 011 193 0499 040 726 0457 120 077 0451 519 088 2 Hills to Hawkesbury Community News | 13 March 2020 Read online: www.hillstohawkesbury.com.au COMMUNITY NEWS FORUM SPARKS ACTION ON HOMELESSNESS Local politicians will be lobbied on the need for more affordable housing following a recent forum on speakers on homelessness: Alison O’Neill, Annabelle Daniel and Bev Baker. Homelessness held in the Hills. Over 130 people attended, Action on insecurity and poor pay in occupations Over 130 people signed the Declaration at the Forum: Homelessness: Older Women in Crisis, filled mainly by women. This Forum calls upon the Federal, NSW and local organised by the Soroptimist International Annabelle Daniel, CEO of Women’s governments to acknowledge that homelessness and clubs of The Hills and Hornsby on March 3. Community Shelters, spoke of the 37% poverty in women over 55 is a serious and rapidly MC Geraldine Doogue opened the increase in housing stress in Sydney growing problem forum and quoted the Hon Susan Ryan, between 2011 and 2016, and of the We call on Politicians to urgently address the former Age Discrimination Commissioner increase of 63% of older women accessing gender pay gap and the inequality in superannuation. on the Australian Human Rights homelessness services in 5 years. There must be a significant increase in the provision of Commission, saying that poverty and Alison O’Neill, Head of Housing at Link, social and affordable housing as less than 1% of private homelessness in older women is one of the said there was an urgent need to increase rentals in Sydney are affordable to people on very low most serious policy issues ever faced in social and affordable housing, reduce the incomes. Australia. gender pay gap, and the need to make Organisers of the forum have been invited to talk to Bev Baker, CEO of the Older Women’s superannuation fairer to women. MPs at State Parliament. Network, said older women experience She said 60% of Link’s tenants are casualisation in the workforce, job women and 30% are aged over 55. Stories continues on page 13 If you are over 55 and looking to relocate to the semi rural area of the Hawkesbury why not consider us? We are a small retirement village offering security, companionship, comfort and independent living. If you live alone and worry about safety and security come and see us. • Secure gated property • Security cameras • Vital Call in every home • Affordable costs • Spacious community centre RETIRE IN STYLE TO NORTH RICHMOND RETIRE IN STYLE TO NORTH RICHMOND • 8km from Hawkesbury Hospital ENQUIRIES WELCOME • Walk to shops, health professionals and Please ENQUIRIESphone for an appointment WELCOME to inspect. bus stop Please Phone Patricia for an appointment to inspect 2 and 3 Bedroom • Nearby scenic walks along the Hawkesbury The village consists of 48 x 2 and 3 bedroom villas andVillas 6 x 2 bedroom units River foreshore • Small private Garden • Pet friendly CURRENTLCURRENTLYVAILABLE A CURRENTLY AVAILABLE• Garage with Internal Access • Ducted Air Conditioning • Luxurious first floor 2 bedroom From $520 000 2 bathroom apartment with a view from the balcony Another villa coming soon • Close to the lift, covered walk- way to allocated covered carport • $530,00 Price is negotiable PHONE PATRICIA 0447 334 615 or 4571 4545 34 Beaumont Avenue North Richmond 2754 (opposite Panthers North Richmond) www.riverside-gardens.com.au Follow us on facebook.com/hillstohawkesbury 13 March 2020 | Hills to Hawkesbury Community News 3 If you are over 55 and looking to relocate to semi rural Hawkesbury in order to pursue other leisure activities in your spare time why not consider relocating to Riverside Gardens — our small retirement community. Affordable costs Walk to shops, health practitioners and bus stop Nearby scenic walks along the Hawkesbury River foreshore 8km from Hawkesbury Hospital Security gated property Vital Call in every home Spacious Community Centre Phone Patricia 34 Beaumont Avenue North Richmond 2754 Phone 4571 4545 Mobile 0447 334 615 www.riverside-gardens.com.au Your Care Our Priority PROVIDING HIGHEST QUALITY HOME CARE SERVICES WE DO HOME CARE DIFFERENTLY SO YOU LIVE WELL We do Home Care Differently so you IN YOUR OWN HOME Why Choose Us? Live Well in Your Own Home Quality & consistency of Care Our Speciality Highly Experienced, Trained and Tailored Care Plan to Suit Individual Needs Reliable Care Workers Personal Care No Basic Daily Fee and No Long-term Domestic Assistance contracts Transportation Zero exit fees Social Support and Companionship Dedicated Care Managers available 24/7 Respite Care No other hidden costs Hourly/Daily Care/24-hour & Live-In Care SERVICING: Call us today for a Free In-Home consultation to Penrith • Blue Mountains determine how we can best service you or Richmond • Windsor your loved ones! Hawkesbury • Blacktown Westmead • Parramatta & 02 4789 0622 surrounding suburbs SHOP 14/ 429 HIGH STREET, PENRITH NSW 2750 WWW.LIVEWELLHOMECARE.COM.AU 4 Hills to Hawkesbury Community News | 13 March 2020 Read online: www.hillstohawkesbury.com.au ADVERTORIAL CLOSE SHAVE FOR 10-YEAR-OLD ALICE The Year 5 West Pennant Hills Public School student is keen to Alice Van der Stel has been have it all shaved off for a cause as part of the World’s Greatest Shave. growing her hair for the past She has wanted to take part in the event for over a year and year for a very good reason. on Monday, March 23 her dream will come true at Castle Hill Girl Guide Hall at 7.30pm. In a speech to her school she said: “I was a little anxious to start and then I thought it's not about me and I don’t care if people think I look ugly because what I’m doing is for people with blood cancer who are dying every day and if I shave my head, people will have less chance of dying because isn’t that what everyone wants?” So far, the 10-year-old’s campaign has raised over $3, 200 for research into blood cancers, such as leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.