On Friday I was pleased to attend the annual cheque presentation ceremony for the Community Development and Support Expenditure Scheme (CDSE) at the Revesby Workers Club. The CDSE program, administered by Council, relies on the generosity of our registered clubs, who set aside a proportion of their profits every year to assist local organisations and projects across the community. This year 69 projects received a total of $774,437. Participating clubs are: Bankstown RSL Club, Bankstown Sports, Bankstown Trotting and Recreation Club, Bass Hill RSL, Birrong Sports & Bowling Club, Chester Hill RSL & Bowling Club, Mount Lewis Bowling Club, Padstow RSL, Panania Diggers and Revesby Workers Club. The clubs are to be congratulated for the generosity they show through their participation in the CDSE program each year. Alan Ashton MP and Clr Ian Stromborg were also in attendance at the presentation.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of Bankstown Girls High School. On Saturday night I was pleased to attend a dinner marking this significant milestone and acknowledge the role Bankstown Girls High has played in educating young women in our community. Daryl Melham MP was in attendance along with many past and present staff and students. It was also nice to see former Bankstown Girls High students Heather Wicks and Suzanne Jamieson. Thank you to Principal Mrs Betty Harper for the invitation and hospitality.

During the week Deputy Mayor Khal Asfour and I visited the Yagoona Campus of the Al Sadiq College for their Learning Celebration Day. The day began with an opening assembly followed by a range of activities enabling the students to showcase their achievements.

On Saturday I opened Radio 2ME’s Harmony Festival in Paul Keating Park. A good sized crowd was there to enjoy the range of activities, entertainment and information stalls. Laurie Ferguson MP, Minister Barbara Perry MP, Deputy Mayor Khal Asfour and Clr Naji Najjar were amongst the crowd.