10 000 COPIES/EDITION 06th - 20th December 2019 | Vol 36 – Issue 25 Sydney’s Plant Market wishes its customers and friends — See DETAILS ON pages 12 — Tributes to Hills Icon — See DETAILS ON pages 7 — Blueberry Hills APPLE COMPUTER on Comleroy Sandstone SPECIALISTS Kurrajong NSW 2758 Any ISSUES on Hardware Sales Software come and buy or pick Buy Direct From the Quarry We offer Onsite Repair Service your own delicious NO Call out fees, farm-fresh blueberries. 9652 1783 Cards Accepted Your Total Trade Solution for Residential, Commercial & Industrial BY APPOINTMENT ONLY Gabion Spalls $16.50/T (min) We Do Windows Too Plumbing • Electrical • Hot Water PH: 02 4576 0500 75mm - 150mm for baskets www.geeks-4u.com.au 0415 20 33 88 M: 0419 246 772 113 Smallwood Rd Glenorie CALL US - 1300 593 079 COMMUNITY NEWS The Windsor Tree CARE Frank De Masi with students PACKAGES from Riverbank Public Hundreds of festive care packages posted in the Hills are heading to Australian troops overseas thanks to local school students and residents. This year more than 250 packages were posted free of charge through Kellyville and Stanhope Gardens post offices as part of the Support to the Troops initiative. Hills Shire Councillor Frank De Masi has been promoting the Australia Post initiative for the past six years at his two branches. “Momentum has grown since I started promoting it through social media. Last year approximately 120 LIGHT UP WINDSOR were sent out. This year it is approximately 250.” A crowd of around 7000 people enjoyed the snow He said the boxes were filled with non-perishable installation and the light displays during the Light Up items with, not surprisingly, snack, lollies, biscuits and Windsor Street Fair last month. off course Vegemite the top picks. Hawkesbury Mayor Barry Calvert launched This year they included 100 boxes put together by the Mayoral Christmas Appeal in support of the students at Riverbank Public School at The Ponds. Salvation Army as he turned on the lights. He thanked Clr De Masi said he had received several thank businesses for their support and praised Vineyard you letters from appreciative troops. (see photo) Church which donated the Christmas Tree. While the posting day for packages is over Lions Club volunteers walked through the Defence is encouraging people to send emails of crowds and collected over $2000 in donations for the support to [email protected] Hawkesbury Rural Fire Service. GET A WIGGLE ON FOR FESTIVE FUN The original yellow Wiggle Greg Page will be The pre-show entertainment starts at Money from ticket sales will support three local bringing his pal Cheeko along to centre stage 5pm before the main event followed by Greg charities, Learning Links, Foster Care Angels and Hills at the Christmas in the Hills event at Bella and Cheeko and the Christmas carols. Community Aid. Vista Farm on Wednesday, December 11. There will be food trucks, rides for the Tickets are $9 online and can be booked via The Team Rescue message will be one of children, a petting zoo plus an emergency The Christmas In the Hills Facebook Page. A limited the highlights of the much-loved Christmas services display. number of tickets will available at the gate on the spectacular. night for $10 until sold out. 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 KAREN TAYLOR 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 0439 034 187 0451 519 088 2 Hills to Hawkesbury Community News | 06 December 2019 Read online: www.hillstohawkesbury.com.au COMMUNITY NEWS “I remember joining the Brigade in September 2002 and attending Carols two months later, the event had been running for two years so it was still finding its feet. To look at it now – it’s an amazing representation of our community spirit” he said. “The Brigade has really grown over that time as well – and in no small part thanks to the support of the Glenhaven community. We are very busy with fires at the moment – and it is the kind of support the Carols has shown us that means we can support our members through these busy times”. He said that despite the fires, the Brigade will still be at the 2019 Carols – “We wouldn’t miss it” he said “it’s such a part of our community’s DNA. “We want the opportunity to thank everyone for the support they have shown us”. The Glenhaven Carols by Candlelight will be on from GLENHAVEN CAROLS 4pm at Glenhaven Oval, There will pre-show entertainment by local singing and dancing schools. Carols by Candlelight will be shining brightly at The Carols will start at 7.15pm and feature the Sydney Glenhaven Oval this Sunday, December 8. Hills Choir and the Rouse Hill Anglican School band. The evening will end, weather permitting, with a fireworks Local businesses rallied to ensure that "Kindalin Glenhaven, Eden Brae Homes finale at 8.45pm. the much-loved community event, would and Glenhaven Rotary are also returning continue for its 19th year. Chair of the as significant sponsors this year" said Mrs organising committee Annie Bradley said: Bradley. KENTHURST CHRISTMAS "We were shaky there for a few months, Proceeds from the night will be The Rock n Soul Choir will be leading the Christmas but the outpouring of support means we donated to Glenhaven Rural Fire Service Carols at Kenthurst this Saturday. will definitely see the Glenhaven Carols this and Hills Community Aid. The Rotary Club of Kenthurst has organised a year – with Santa, singing and fireworks.” Senior Deputy Captain at Glenhaven community Christmas get together at the John Benyon She said the “show was going on” RFS, Matthew Schroder-Shorten said that Park on Kenthurst Rd starting at 6pm. thanks to Platinum Sponsorship from the support given by the community who There will be a barbecue and soft drinks available. Louis Carr Real Estate and The Hills Shire attended Glenhaven Carols by Candlelight Santa will be arriving at 8.30pm. Council. over the past 19 years had been humbling. Xmas $549 Sale on Now Yamaha P45 Digital Piano $249 $479 $329 $999 Cort CAP810 Epiphone LP Fender Affinity Yamaha Rydeen Acoustic Pack Studio LT Strat Drum Kit duralmusic.com.au 32/286 New Line Rd 9651 7333 Dural (Behind McDonalds) Follow us on facebook.com/hillstohawkesbury 06 December 2019 | Hills to Hawkesbury Community News 3 4 Hills to Hawkesbury Community News | 06 December 2019 Read online: www.hillstohawkesbury.com.au COMMUNITY NEWS A LIFE SAVED Art Aquino was enjoying a late lunch at Castle Towers when he spotted a man collapse in front of the Coles store. Art, a volunteer with both St John “The other guy had only done his Ambulance and the SES, just CPR training two weeks before but we happened to look up at the exact worked so well together.” The two life time that Joe William collapsed and savers visited the 69-year-old from Bella was being supported by his wife. Vista in hospital much to the delight of “He was clinging to her,” said Joe and his wife. Art. “He was sliding down and While the incident was in May both looked in difficulties. I ran over.” Art and Rob have just been recognised At the same time he ran with a St John Save a Life Award. The over and started to help so did Award was presented by NSW Governor businessman Rob Theodoridis and Margaret Beazley in the Great Hall of both men immediately started Sydney University. The citation ended resuscitation while Rob’s partner with the sentence: “There is little doubt Connie comforted Joe’s distraught that this man would have passed away wife Cath. shortly after his collapse had is not “He had no pulse,” said Art. been for the early intervention of Mr They worked on him until he started Aquino and Mr Theodoridis.” breathing again. A doctor and a nurse The Save a Life Award was applied a defibrillator. presented to 24 people. St John CEO When NSW Ambulance paramedics Sarah Lance said their actions showed arrived Joe suffered another episode "how important first aid is". and paramedics and police responded. * Each year more than 3000 St John He was taken to Westmead Hospital Volunteers provide around 180,000 and placed in intensive care. hours of first aid health services at Art said he didn’t think twice about over 5000 community events and rushing over to help. emergencies across NSW. Follow us on facebook.com/hillstohawkesbury 06 December 2019 | Hills to Hawkesbury Community News 5 COMMUNITY NEWS THE GIFT OF JOY Buying can have a charity edge all over the Hills this Christmas Affordable with charity Christmas tree sales, gift wrapping and giving trees retirement across the Hills and Hawkesbury. FRESH ROTARY TREES living at its Rotary Clubs will be selling fresh trees this weekend and next weekend (December 14 and December 15). best… The Rotary Club of The Hills-Kellyville memberswill be in two locations over both weekends selling fresh Christmas trees: The Bull & Bush Hotel (car park), cnr Windsor Rd and Seven Hills Rd, Baulkham Hills. The Ettamogah Hotel (car park), cnr Windsor Rd and Merriville Rd, Kellyville Ridge. Members of the Norwest Sunrise Rotary Club will be selling fresh trees at Bunnings, Castle Hilloff Victoria Rd, Castle Hill from 8am to 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday on both weekends until supplies run out.