On Friday I attended La Salle Catholic College for the opening of the refurbished Benilde Building, St Mary Mackillop Lecture Theatre, Science Laboratories and General Learning Areas. His Eminance, George Cardinal Pell, AC presided over the proceedings which were attended by a number of official guests including Daryl Melham MP. These upgraded facilities will be beneficial to the school community and assist La Salle Catholic College in meeting the needs of their students. This year also marks the school's Diamond Jubilee and I congratulate La Salle Catholic College on 60 years of educational excellence for our community. Thank you to Principal Brother Peter Ryan for the invitation.

Bankstown's Seniors Week celebrations have come to a close for another year and it has been great to see so many residents taking part in these celebrations. A highlight for many was the bus trip to The Entrance and I took the opportunity on Wednesday to farewell the buses as they departed Bankstown.

Applications for the 2011-2014 term of Bankstown City Council's Youth Advisory Committee are now open. The Committee is the formal voice of the young people of Bankstown, ensuring young people have a platform to express their opinions on issues affecting their lives while providing advice to Council on the needs of youth in the city. If you are aged between 12 and 24 years and have an interest in youth affairs, please consider lodging an application before 15 April 2011. For more information visit www.bankstown.nsw.gov.au or contact Council's Youth Development Officer on 9707 9605.