December 2013
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FREE DECEMBER 2013 Dural > Mid-Dural > Round Corner > Kellyville > Annangrove > Kenthurst > Glenhaven > Arcadia > Glenorie > Galston Twas the Night before Christmas See page 3 Celebrate our 50th Birthday with us . $PeCiALS across the RANGe! Visit our new Website www.hdfe.com.au buy Kubota Parts online $ave time and $ave money. from $6,490 New Kubota ZG100 Series. Arriving October 2013. Limited stock available, pre-order now to avoid disappointment. 598 Old Northern Road Dural NSW 2158 www.hdfe.com.au Ph: 9651 1896 PRESIDENT’S REPORT Christmas Wishes By Peter Dawson On behalf of the Chamber Executive I extend season’s greetings to all of our readers, to the members of the Chamber and to the shops and businesses throughout this area. Have a wonderful Christmas and New Year. chambeR celebRations On 29th November the Chamber sponsored “The Picnic in the Business Park” at New Line Road and on 6th December the “Drinks on the Village Green” at Round Corner. With the generous assistance of several local shopkeepers we shared a couple of hours of friendship, fellowship and goodwill, and a great deal of laughter echoed around the carpark at both venues. My thanks to all members of the Executive and also to those generous retailers who donated food and beverage. best DecoRateD shop At the time we went to press the judging of our competition for the best decorated shop in the area was not completed, but I will announce the winner in the next edition of Dooral Roundup. meetings Our next Chamber meeting will be our Annual General Meeting on 22nd January at Allure Restaurant from 6pm and all members are welcome. And on 25th February at Bivianos Italian Restaurant we will join the Rotary Club of Dural to present cheques to the beneficiary charities from this year’s Dural Community Golf Classic to the charities. Details can be found on the website at www.duralchamber.org.au If you want to contact me or one of the very hardworking members of the Chamber Executive you can email us at mail@duralchamber. org.au and if you wish to write to the Editor or submit an article to Dooral Roundup the address is [email protected] December 2013 – Dooral Roundup 1 EDITOR’S REPORT The Times are a Changing By Judy Pope Finally we have been blessed with some rain after a very long dry spell. e seemed to have received the last four months rainfall in a week Wand the grass has turned from dry and crispy to lush and bright green almost immediately and the tanks and dams have filled. All the gardens will be delightful for the festive season. As the fun part of the year rapidly approaches and the final plans are made for where to spend Christmas day and how to spend the extra time off work the anticipation builds and builds. The children count down the days until Santa comes, their parents count down the days until they can have some time off work and the grandparents count down the days until they can catch up with their families. The more time you have spent on planet earth the more important non-materials become and the more important family and friends become but for the little ones it is all about Santa and what they can get. Please try and shop locally for Christmas and give back to this wonderful community we are lucky enough to live in. We have very low crime rates, very low unemployment and many small businesses that need your support to keep this community strong and vibrant. Enjoy a wonderful Christmas and set your goals high for 2014. Birds l Fish l Rabbits l Mice l Guinea Pigs l Pet Accessories l Pet Food l Kennels l Cages & Hutches 2 Dooral Roundup – December 2013 COVER STORY Twas the Night before Christmas On, Comet! On, Cupid! on, on Donner and Blitzen! He was chubby and plump, a right jolly old elf, To the top of the porch! to the top of the wall! And I laughed when I saw him, in spite of myself! Now dash away! Dash away! Dash away all!” A wink of his eye and a twist of his head, Soon gave me to know I had nothing to dread. As dry leaves that before the wild hurricane fly, When they meet with an obstacle, mount to the sky. He spoke not a word, but went So up to the house-top the coursers they flew, straight to his work, With the sleigh full of Toys, and St Nicholas too. And filled all the stockings, then turned with a jerk. And then, in a twinkling, I heard on the roof And laying his finger aside The prancing and pawing of each little hoof. of his nose, As I drew in my head, and was turning around, And giving a nod, up the Down the chimney St Nicholas came with a bound. chimney he rose! He was dressed all in fur, from his head to his foot, He sprang to his sleigh, And his clothes were all tarnished with ashes and soot. to his team gave a whistle, A bundle of Toys he had flung on his back, And away they all flew And he looked like a peddler, just opening his pack. like the down of a thistle. But I heard him exclaim, His eyes-how they twinkled! his dimples how merry! ‘ere he drove out of sight, His cheeks were like roses, his nose like a cherry! “Happy Christmas to all, His droll little mouth was drawn up like a bow, and to all a good-night!” And the beard of his chin was as white as the snow. The stump of a pipe he held tight in his teeth, And the smoke it encircled his head like a wreath. He had a broad face and a little round belly, That shook when he laughed, like a bowlful of jelly! December 2013 – Dooral Roundup 3 LOCAL NEWS Local Pollies roll a Mile in somebody else’s Shoes Hornsby Mayor Steve Russell joined other local politicians in wheelchairs as part of Ride A Day In My Wheels, raising awareness of disability issues. he highlight was a race between T all of them around Hornsby Mall, in which Mayor Russell finished last under strong protest. “I want it to be known that I was the only one who didn’t cheat,” he said, laughing. “Phillip Ruddock had people responsible for public policy, it’s important that we gain this small insight into pushing him and Matt Kean was the challenges faced by those with a disability,” Mayor Russell said. actually towed up one of the hills “Local government, like the other tiers of government, is there to support all behind an electric wheelchair!” the people living in our community including those with a disability. All jokes and games aside, the day had a serious objective. “Exercises like today are valuable because they help us keep their “For those of us who are needs high in our mind when making decisions.” Work Commences on Pitt Town Rd Work has begun on the replacement of two old timber bridges on Pitt Town Rd, Maraylya. ills Shire Mayor Dr Michelle Byrne was joined Hby Council’s General Manager Dave Walker, Infrastructure Projects Manager Ken Willimot, Principal Projects Co-ordinator Steve Englezos and Project Officer David Duffield to turn the first sod on Wednesday. other way around it, we have to close the road.” Mayor Byrne has thanked residents and motorists for “But Council teams will work as fast as they can to get these their patience during this period. bridges replaced.” “The new bridges will be higher, reducing the risk Motorists driving light vehicles can use a detour along Maguires of flooding and are a safer option to the old timber Rd and McClymonts Rd, however this detour is not suitable for bridges we currently have along Pitt Town Rd,” heavy vehicles. Truck drivers should consider alternate routes. Mayor Byrne said. “I want to thank residents and motorists for their Access will be maintained to all properties at all times patience during this period. Unfortunately there’s no during this period. 4 Dooral Roundup – December 2013 Mindless Vandalism severely damages Les Shore Reserve Council is appealing for information following an act of vandalism that has resulted in serious damage to Les Shore Reserve, Glenorie. t appears that the offenders I have used a chainsaw to cut a telegraph pole and driven a vehicle onto the reserve and performed burnouts, severely damaging the grass. Council’s General Manager Dave Walker is hoping local residents may be able to help Council find the perpetrators. “This is another example of mindless vandalism and it’s really disappointing,” Mr Walker said. “It appears that the vandalism occurred on Sunday night, however it is difficult to determine an exact time.” “Due to the wet weather, Council officers have been unable to begin patching up the damage.” Mr Walker said the damage was quite severe and he struggled to comprehend why anyone would do such a thing. “If the person was driving a motor vehicle they’re probably old enough to know a lot better. If we catch the offenders I’ll have no hesitation in banning them from all Council parks, reserves and facilities and work with police to prosecute them as hard as possible.” Anyone with information should contact 9843 0555. December 2013 – Dooral Roundup 5 LOCAL NEWS New Exhibition for Famous Local For more than 28 years Kenthurst Galleries has been a are only open major resource for students and art lovers.