Australia Day 2019

Thu, 31 Jan 2019

One of the best parts of my job as a Member of Parliament is being able to participate in the Australia Day citizenship ceremonies in Bradfield. This year I attended the Ku-ring-gai Council Australia Day citizenship ceremony at Bicentennial Park in West Pymble.   The enthusiasm of new citizens is always inspiring to see– and a powerful reminder of how much our nation benefits from the energy, commitment and hard work of immigrants from around the world. You can watch my Australia Day message below:

End of Year School Presentations

Mon, 24 Dec 2018

I attended several end-of-year School Presentation Ceremonies across Bradfield, presenting academic, sporting, and citizenship awards to students at Asquith Girls High, Turramurra High, St Ives High and Killara High Schools as well as students at Asquith and North Turramurra Public Schools. I was impressed with the high standards evident at each school. I particularly congratulate the recipients of my Bradfield Prize for Citizenship:

Asquith Girls' High School: Lily Perry

Turramurra High School: Rohan Meagher

Ku-ring-gai High School: Jonathan Steer

St Ives High School: Alexander Lane

Killara High School: Saarthak Sinha

Visit to Sunnyfield Enterprises' Christmas Party

Wed, 19 Dec 2018

I had the great privilege to hand out staff awards at Sunnyfield Disability Services in Chatswood. Sunnyfield employs over 1,200 staff in 65 locations across NSW and the ACT, providing accommodation services, assistance with daily life, social and community participation, supported employment, clinical services and support coordination.

Lindfield Rollers Bowling Club Presentation

Sat, 15 Dec 2018

I attended the presentation afternoon in East Lindfield for the Lindfield Rollers Bowling Club.  It was great to present some awards including to the 2018  Club Champion Mr Phil Lewis.

End of Year Community Drinks

Mon, 10 Dec 2018

Around 50 Bradfield community groups were represented at my end-of-year community drinks that I hosted in my Electorate Office. The occasion was an opportunity to celebrate the combined efforts of the multitudes of volunteers who have worked tirelessly in Bradfield in 2018. The organisations that were represented were wide and varied - including sporting clubs, charitable groups such as EasyCare Gardening, Lions and Rotary Clubs, churches, synagogues, Guides and Scouts, the free counselling service KYDS as well as Ku-ring-gai Historical and Art Societies, school groups and members of various P&C’s. Just over $1000 was raised on the night for the ongoing work of the Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women’s Shelter (HKWS). It was a privilege to hear updates from Sallianne McClelland, President of HKWS, Stephen Lloyd, President of the Ku-ring-gai Community Shed, Lindem Netball Club President Rodney Jackson and David Castle, President of Marian Street Theatre for Young People.

Lindfield Community Listening Post

Sat, 08 Dec 2018

I held a community listening post outside Harris Farm Lindfield. It was great to get feedback from members of the community across a range of issues, and hear what mattered to them. Keep an eye on my Twitter @PaulFletcherMP to be notified when I do my next community listening post.

Chanukah on the Green

Sun, 02 Dec 2018

I attended Chabad North Shore’s Chanukah on the Green in St Ives to celebrate the first night of this uplifting 8-day festival of lights. Thank you to Rabbi Shapiro, Rabbi Lewin and Chabad North Shore’s Community Director Chanoch Suffrin for your uplifting messages, as well as the opportunity for me to take part in the lighting of the Menorah. To all the volunteers and wider members of Bradfield’s vibrant Jewish community, Happy Chanukah!

Opening Lindfield East Public School's new oval

Fri, 30 Nov 2018

I attended Lindfield East Public School's Movie Under the Stars where I had the privilege of cutting the ribbon to officially declare the new school oval open. Congratulations to P and C President Tracey Rath and the entire LEPS community who have been raising funds over the last 7 years to create this green space for the local school community and beyond. I was pleased to take this opportunity to announce that Commonwealth Government funding under the Stronger Communities Programme has been allocated to LEPS, for construction of a disability access pathway to the oval.

Turramurra Trotters Run

Mon, 26 Nov 2018

I joined the Turramurra Trotters – a group of local athletes and keep-fit enthusiasts - for a  6.5km early Saturday morning run around picturesque Turramurra. After the run I presented an Australian Government Certificate of Appreciation for Volunteers to Alan Cole.  He has been the voluntary coordinator and administrator of Turramurra Trotters since 1974!

Hornsby Community Fun Day

Fri, 23 Nov 2018

I attended the Hornsby Community Fun Day. Organised by StreetWork, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Wahroonga and a number of local businesses, this event celebrated International Men’s Day and raised awareness about men as positive role models. Fundraising on the day went towards funding a StreetWork Youth Worker for the Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai area. I had the opportunity to have a chat on Triple H 100.1 FM radio about the day, as well as try out the go-karts!

Well done to Lucy Dahill, Lana Sturmer, and the StreetWork team for a successful event. If you would like to donate to the work of StreetWork, you can do so here: http://www.streetwork.org.au/get-involved/.

Armistice Day 2018

Tue, 13 Nov 2018

I attended a number of Centenary of Armistice Day Commemoration events that were held over three days in Bradfield.

The Roseville RSL Sub Branch’s Friday service was well attended by Bradfield school students, local dignitaries and descendants of former Bradfield resident, the late Major Blair Anderson Wark VC. I congratulate President Michael Askey RFD (Rtd) and Mr Malcolm Whitney of the Roseville RSL Sub Branch for organising a dignified service, culminating in participants placing a poppy on the memorial.

I attended the annual Air Force Memorial Service at All Saint’s West Lindfield on Sunday 11 November culminating with a minute’s silence at 11.00am. Thank you to Rev Phill Read and the staff at All Saint’s.  The Centenary of Armistice Service on Sunday afternoon at St John’s Gordon was ably led by Father Keith Dalby and Father Rob Sutherland.  It featured beautiful music from the choir and the catafalque party of Knox and Ravenswood cadets did a wonderful job.

Commemorations continued in the late afternoon at the Hornsby Cenotaph, where I attended the Hornsby RSL Pipe Band’s performance at precisely 5.00pm AEDST of “The Battle’s O’er” (who joined with tens of thousands of other pipe bands the world over). It was a rousing rendition, enjoyed by many locals in the warmth of the setting sun. Thank  you to Hornsby RSL President Terry James and Pipe Band Major Brian Thompson and the pipers for all your considerable effort in orchestrating this occasion.

The Centenary of Armistice Service at Masada College was a fitting way to close the commemorations on Sunday evening. I joined other local dignitaries in laying wreaths. Thank you to George Charlton and Masada staff and students for the effort and thought you put into this ceremony.

Bare Creek Trail Run 2018

Sun, 11 Nov 2018

This year’s Bare Creek trail run was a great community event and I enjoyed the chance to run the 6 km course.  It runs through the stunning Garigal National Park and starts and finishes at Acron Oval in St Ives. This event is supported by a number of community organisations and businesses. This year’s charity partner was the Indigenous Marathon Foundation, raising funds for the IMF Deadly Running Programme which helps to support children's programmes in indigenous communities. I had the opportunity to speak to the runners prior to the start of the run and acknowledge the significance of Armistice Day, and congratulate Lisa Murphy and the Bare Creek Trail Run team for a great event. Looking forward to next year’s run!