22,000 copies / month Community News, Local Businesses, Local Events and Free TV Guide 16TH FEBRUARY 2018 - 4TH MARCH 2018 VOL 35 - ISSUE 4 Sandstone FULL STORY ON PAGE 4 Sales MARK VINT Buy Direct From the Quarry 9651 2182 WantingWanting to try to try something something new new in 2018? in 2018? 270 New Line Road Why notWhy join not us join at Creative us at Creative Activities Activitiesto learn a new to (orlearn old) a craft new (or old)and craft make and a new make friend a newor two. friend or two. 9652 1783 Dural NSW 2158 NewNew class—Sharpening class—Sharpening the the Brain Brain Gabion Spalls $16.50/T (min) [email protected] Wednesdays—9.30amWednesdays—9.30am to to 12.30pm 12.30pm ABN: 84 451 806 754 75mm - 150mm for baskets 8686 Cecil Cecil Avenue, Castle Castle Hill Hill CommencingCommencing FebruaryFebruary 7,7, 2018 2018 113 Smallwood Rd Glenorie WWW.DURALAUTO.COM enquiriesenquiries ~ ~9659 9659 0242 0242 or email:email: [email protected] [email protected] Staples Bag at Baulkham Hills Photos and story by Bev Jordan Dawn Gail joined a queue at the Balcombe Heights Estate, Baulkham Hills to stock up on healthy food with Staples Bag project. She chose a $30 bag filled with staples such as bread, milk, cereals and meat and then had the chance to pick seven items from the fruit and vegetables table. Community News Community For Mrs Gail, the Staples Bag is a lifeline that gives her decent chance to make healthy meal choices she otherwise couldn’t afford. “I am on a pension,” she said, as she added sweet potatoes, peaches, mushrooms, oranges, tomatoes, zucchini and cucumbers to her enviro bag. “The Staples Bag is so important because it means we can eat healthily and not spend the little money we have on cheap rubbish.” The Staples Bag van will be pulling up behind The Turner Buildings on the Balcombe Heights Estate every second Tuesday of the month thanks to a partnership between Settlement Services International (SSI) and Hills Community Aid. The Baulkham Hills “pop up” is the 14th that SSI runs. The aim is not to just provide good food at reduced cost to people in need but also to provide work experience the volunteer experience to refugees and new migrants. Leanne Hung, SSI’s manager of youth employment and Social Enterprise said: In the two years since SSI started up it social enterprise program “We serve over 1000 customers a week.” Battlefield History Tours. When one comes across an advertisement for Battlefield History One such company is Battlefield History Tours , led by Colonel Tours, it conjours many different thoughts in people’s minds and at Graham Fleeton, retired, who, for close on 20 years has been that stage, there are many who would not look further after viewing leading such tours to those areas where Australian Forces were the advertisement. However, Battlefield History Tours are much more engaged. From the Boer War in South Africa, through to the than the name implies. Sure, they do tour battlefields and some take Vietnam War and many in between. you to ancient battlefields such as Thermopolae where the Spartans Visiting those battlefields, in many instances with family of were defeated guarding the approaches to Atherns or Culloden, those who had fought there and in many where the pride of the Scottish Highlands were heavily defeated when cases who had paid the supreme sacrifice, by visiting trying to support Bony Prince Charlie’s return. Crecy, Agincourt and where they fought and fell ensures that they will always be Waterloo are also battlefield sites that are visited by readers of history remembered. There is much more associated with Colonel as most of the Battles changed the course of history. Fleeton’s tours, interact with the local culture and people, visit But there are other groups who will take you to battlefields that sites of archaeological significance and travel through a beautiful are still in the memory of those who took part in the campaign or a landscape. These tours take you outside the normal tourist areas. later generation who may have had family engaged in the conflict. THERE IS NO BETTER TIME TO JOIN ME ON ONE OF MY 2018 TOURS. Battlefield History Tours specialises in providing very special experiences to those wishing to visit the places where Australian service personnel fought. - The Boer War in South Africa - Guadalcanal (Solomon Islands) - ANZAC Day in Athens (Greece and Crete) - Monash-Advance to Victory Tour - Vietnam Tunnel Rats Tour - Western Front to Normandy - R.A.A.F. in the U.K. - You can also immerse yourself in the age of steam by joining my UK History and Heritage Railway Tours 2 16 February 2018 | Hills to Hawkesbury Living Read online: www.hillstohawkesbury.com.au Community News Community Dawn Gail fills her bag watched by (LtoR) Leanne Hung (SSI) Mici Beer (HCA) and Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne. The bags vary in size and cost but $30 will get you $75 worth of items She said 600 volunteers had supported the program with 150 “Every person should have access to affordable food but this finding work as a result. is not the reality for all people in The Hills, our new partnership “Unemployment has been really hard for our disadvantaged with SSI this will assist people with access to fresh food at a price youth and refugees” they can afford. Our next Staples Bag Pop-Up Stall is on Friday 16 ‘It’s not just gaining vocational skills, it’s about giving back to February behind Turner Building (No 4), Balcombe Heights Estate, the community.” 92 Seven Hills Rd, Baulkham Hills (opposite Jasper Road School) Hills Shire Mayor Michelle Byrne congratulated Hills Community Aid on its partnership. BREAKOUT “It always excites me to see services that come to the hills and Bags include vegetarians ($15), standard ($20), families ($30) with makes a difference to people. Lives.” shoppers having the choice of which fresh vegetables, fruits and Acting CEO at Hills Community Aid, Mici Beer thanks Hills type of meat or fish to buy. Shire Council for its support with a social inclusion grant to To find out more visit thestaplesbag.ssi.org.au or call Hills partner with SSI to provide staple bags and financial assistance and Community Aid on 9639 8620. advice for youth and migrants” Blue & Gold Army descend on The Hills SKYLINE SOLAR INSTALLS AUSTRALIA’S A sea of blue and gold is set to take over Bella Vista Farm on Sunday, February 11, for the Parramatta Eels Blue & Gold Army LARGEST RESIDENTIAL Festival. TESLA POWERWALL 2 SYSTEM The festival provides the final opportunity for Eels Members and fans to meet the players, hear from head coach Brad Arthur and meet the Eels Cheerleaders before the 2018 season kicks off. Mayor of The Hills Shire Council, Dr Michelle Byrne said the Blue & Gold Army Festival is a great way for fans to meet their sporting heroes. “The festival acts as a great way to encourage a healthy and active lifestyle, especially for the younger fans who get to meet their idols up close,” Mayor Byrne said. “I encourage everyone, fans and residents alike, to come along and enjoy a great family day out this month.” The kids will be kept busy in the Kid’s Zone with jumping castles, face painting, rides, a petting zoo and appearances from the team mascots Sparky and Sparkles as well as rugby league drills for little aspiring NRL stars. Members will receive priority entry on the day, with exclusive access to the 2018 Parramatta Eels squad for an additional two hours, providing the perfect opportunity to meet the players, snap a pic and grab a signature. Gates open at 3pm for Eels Members and 5pm for the general public. Become a Member of the Blue & Gold Army today at https:// 1300 759 765 membership.parraeels.com.au/. 317 Windsor Rd, Vineyard 2765 For more information and to check out all the other exciting www.skylinesolar.com.au events happening in The Hills this summer, head to http://www. summerseries.com.au/Home. Follow us on facebook.com/hillstohawkesbury Hills to Hawkesbury Living | 16 February 2018 3 Community leaders and volunteers shared the Marian Piper, Kate Hawkins, Donna Fraser and Carol Harding love at the Heart of the Community morning tea. Community News Community Heart of the Community by Bev Jordan and Diana Paton | Photos: Kylie Murphy There was a lot of "love in the air" for a community morning tea held at Aberdoon House Rouse Hill on Valentine's Day. The historic stone cottage has been used by North West Disability Services as a base for its art and hospital programs for over 16 years. Morning tea organiser Bev Jordan said she had come across so Hills to Hawkesbury Living publisher Diana Paton welcomes guests many Not For Profit and community groups doing amazing things in the area during her 17 years as a journalist in the Hills. "I wanted to organise a community morning tea that would bring people together but also highlight the work of North West Disability Services. Having a morning tea on Valentine's Day seemed a perfect combination." "It enabled people to chat to other organisations working in the community and showcase the amazing cafe at Aberdoon House that is open to the public every Wednesday morning " Deborah Gersbach CEO North West Disability Services with Clients not only made the morning tea and served it but also Bob Waller (ACIA) and Azita Adollahian Shining Light Foundation decorated the room and table cloths for the Valentine's Day theme.