Soon, 15 Councillors will be sworn-in to office to be your representatives on Council.
I encourage you to keep providing feedback to Councillors so we can make the best possible decisions on your behalf.
The swearing-in will take place at an extraordinary meeting to be held on Wednesday, October 9 at Council Chambers.
Councillors will vote to elect the Mayor at this meeting and the public is welcome to attend.
Please note that all Council operations and services are continuing as usual.
Congratulations Paralympians
I was delighted to see our Blacktown City athletes do so well at the Paralympic Games in Paris.
Swimmer Chloe Osborn claimed a silver medal as part of the 4x100m freestyle relay team.
Para-cyclist Gordon Allan also performed strongly and won a bronze medal as part of the men’s 750m sprint team.
Swimmer Tim Hodge claimed two gold medals. He won the men’s 200m individual medley SM9 and was part of the mixed 4x100m medley relay team. Tim also won silver in the men’s 100m butterfly S9.
Misha Payne, who coaches Chloe and Tim at Blacktown Aquatic Centre, was one of the coaches of the successful Australian swimming team.
All four have done our community and country proud. Well done!
Celebrating Diwali
Many people in our community will celebrate the ancient Hindu festival of Diwali (“the festival of lights”), also known as Deepavali, on 1 November.
The festival marks the victory of light over darkness and people will be lighting lamps and candles in homes and temples to get into the spirit.
There is great interest in Diwali. More of our overseas-born residents were born in India than any other country.
To help bring the community together for the occasion, Council is encouraging people to decorate their homes as part of its
Diwali Lights Competition. See the Council website for details.
The Hindu Council is organising a Deepavali Festival at Blacktown Showground on 19 and 20 October. Best wishes to all who celebrate the occasion.
