Late Items Agenda of Council - Monday, 13 February 2023

Council 13 February 2023 Item 8.1

MINUTE OF THE LORD MAYOR

ITEM NUMBER 8.1

SUBJECT Türkiye and Syria Earthquake Appeal

REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08865093

REPORT OF Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis

CSP THEME: FAIR

workshop/briefing date: Nil

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Lord Mayor Minute is to seek endorsement for the donation of $10,000 AUD to assist humanitarian efforts in Türkiye and Syria following the tragic earthquakes on 6 February 2023.

Recommendation:

(a) That the City of Parramatta donate $10,000 AUD to assist the humanitarian efforts in Türkiye and Syria following the earthquakes on 6 February 2023, and that donations be made up of:

a. $5,000 to CARE Australia’s Emergency Appeal;

b. $5,000 to Australian Red Cross – Türkiye-Syria Earthquake Appeal.

(b) That Council write to the Turkish Consulate General in Sydney and the Syrian Honorary Consulate in Sydney to pass on its condolences; and

BACKGROUND

1. On Monday 6 February 2023, a magnitude-7.8 earthquake occurred in south-east Türkiye and Syria, the strongest tremor recorded in Türkiye since 1939. Another earthquake measuring magnitude-7.7 struck central Türkiye following the initial quake, with the Syrian capital of Damascus also hit. The earthquakes killed more than 33,000 people, and left millions homeless.

2. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan declared seven days of national mourning for the tragedy, which wiped out entire apartment blocks and caused more destruction for Syrian communities already devastated by over a decade of civil war.

3. Council acknowledges the tragic loss of life, and those injured, in the Türkiye and Syria earthquake and sends our deepest condolences to the Turkish and Syrian communities in the City of Parramatta, across NSW and Australia.

4. This Lord Mayor Minute proposes donating $10,000 AUD to assist the humanitarian efforts in Türkiye and Syria. $5,000 will be given to CARE Australia and $5,000 to the Australian Red Cross. Both organisations have teams working on the ground in the region and launched dedicated appeals to raise funds for emergency aid.

5. CARE Australia is a leading international aid organisation that works around the globe to save lives and defeat poverty. CARE has worked in Türkiye since 1959 and in Syria since 2013. CARE Australia’s Türkiye and Syria Earthquakes Appeal will assist humanitarian efforts in Türkiye and Syria though the provision of food, water, shelter and medical support for those impacted by the disaster.

6. The Australian Red Cross has launched a Türkiye-Syria Earthquake Appeal, to provide immediate and longer-term relief to affected communities. Funds will go towards emergency relief assistance and first aid services, as well as support for specialist aid workers to assist local teams to respond to the crisis.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL

7. This Lord Mayor Minute proposes donations totaling $10,000 AUD to assist the humanitarian efforts in Türkiye and Syria, and that the donations be made up of:

a. $5,000 to CARE Australia’s Emergency Appeal;

b. $5,000 to Australian Red Cross – Türkiye-Syria Earthquake Appeal

8. This donation can be met from the existing 2022/23 Lord Mayor and Council Support donations budget (126000 – 646203).

Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis

Attachments:

There are no attachments for this report.

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Council 13 February 2023 Item 8.2

MINUTE OF THE LORD MAYOR

ITEM NUMBER 8.2

SUBJECT Condolence Motion: Willem (Bill) Tibben

REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08865212

REPORT OF Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis

workshop/briefing date: Nil

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Lord Mayor Minute is to recognise the passing of Mr Willem (Bill) Tibben and show our respects for his contributions to the Parramatta community.

Recommendation:

(a) That Council acknowledge the passing of Willem (Bill) Tibben, longtime local community volunteer, founding member of Granville Men’s Shed and 2008 Parramatta City Council Senior Citizen of the Year;

(b) That a letter of condolence be sent from the Lord Mayor to Bill’s family on behalf of the City of Parramatta; and

(c) Further, that the Chamber hold a minute’s silence as a gesture of respect on Mr Tibben’s passing and in recognition of his contributions to the Parramatta community.

BACKGROUND

1. Mr Willem Tibben, who preferred to be called Bill, longtime Epping and Parramatta resident, community volunteer and founding member of the Granville Men’s Shed, passed away on 26 January 2023 due to heart failure resulting from an ongoing condition.

2. Mr Tibben was a longstanding volunteer with the City of Parramatta’s Community Care Team, recently receiving a Council award for 15 years’ service. Bill joined the Community Care Volunteer team in 2007 as a Walking Group leader with the Over 55’s Leisure and Learning Service. Bill was instrumental in the formation of the Ermington Walking Group, which grew from four initial members to over 40, meeting every Wednesday morning for a walk in Ermington. Under Bill’s guidance, the Group became a Heart Foundation Walking Group.

3. Bill was one of the founders and driving forces behind the Granville Men’s Shed, “a place to connect, a community to belong to, and mates that make it all worthwhile.” Bill worked with Michael Rigby to set up and promote the Shed, creating a welcoming and caring environment for local men. Bill’s skills in strategic planning, forming partnerships and grant funding saw the Men’s Shed initiative thrive to become a sustainable local support group.

4. Bill was recognised in 2008 as the City of Parramatta’s Senior Citizen of the Year. The award acknowledged his work establishing the Men’s Shed, Walking Group and service to the community through the Parramatta Climate Action Network. Bill was also a finalist in the 2021 Senior Volunteer of the Year category at the Centre for Volunteering awards, where his work with Council was acknowledged.

5. Bill was honoured as recently as December 2022. I had the honour of presenting Bill with the 15 Year Service Award at the Community Care Team’s End of Year Volunteer Celebration.

6. Council offers its condolences to Willem (Bill) Tibben’s family and friends and will observe a minute’s silence in the Chamber as a gesture of respect.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL

7. There are no new financial implications for Council as a result of this Lord Mayor Minute.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis

Attachments:

There are no attachments for this report.

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Council 13 February 2023 Item 8.3

MINUTE OF THE LORD MAYOR

ITEM NUMBER 8.3

SUBJECT 2023 Australia Day Honours

REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08865228

REPORT OF Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis

CSP THEME: WELCOMING

workshop/briefing date: Nil

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Lord Mayor Minute is to recognise and congratulate recipients of 2023 Australia Day Honours for their contributions to the Parramatta community.

Recommendation:

(a) That Council congratulate the following recipients of the Order of Australia’s 2023 Australia Day Honours for their contributions to the Parramatta community, being:

a. Member (AM) in the General Division

i. Emeritus Professor Richard Lionel Howitt AM

ii. Professor Clara Kaye Chow AM

iii. The late Mr John Moxon AM

iv. Professor Anna Poidevin (De Fazio) AM

b. Medal (OAM) in the General Division

i. Dr Kristin Bindley OAM

ii. Brother Anthony Paul Boyd OAM

iii. Dr Roslyn Allayne Crampton OAM

iv. Ms Katherine Maka OAM

v. Dr Coralie Wales OAM

(b) That Council congratulate Amar Singh, founder of Turbans for Australia, who was recognised as Australia’s Local Hero in the 2023 Australian of the Year Awards; and

BACKGROUND

1. On 26 January 2023, as part of the Order of Australia’s 2023 Australia Day Honours List, the Governor-General recognised the following recipients who have contributed greatly to the City of Parramatta:

2. Member (AM) in the General Division

a. Emeritus Professor Richard Lionel Howitt was named a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to education, and to the indigenous community. Professor Howitt has held leadership positions in human geography, and Life sciences at Macquarie University. Professor Howitt’s research focuses on Indigenous rights and the interface between Indigenous communities, natural resource development, governments and corporations at the scales of the project, the community, the landscape and the nation.

b. Professor Clara Kaye Chow was named a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to medicine as a cardiologist, and to research. Professor Chow has been a cardiologist and Program Director at Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) since 2014, and is currently a WSLHD Board Member. Since 2018, Professor Chow has been Academic Director, Westmead Applied Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health.

c. The late Mr John Bruce Moxon was named a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to community health, and to people with physical disability. In the City of Parramatta, Mr Moxon was one of the founders of Parramatta Computer Pals for Seniors in 2007, serving on the committee for ten years. He served as a founding member and one-time Chair of Council’s Access Advisory Committee. Mr Moxon served on Council’s Access Advisory Committee for over 25 years, and was the recipient of the 2010 Parramatta City Council Senior Citizen of the Year Award.

d. Professor Anna Poidevin (De Fazio) was named a Member of the Order of Australia for significant service to medicine, particularly cancer research. Professor De Fazio is Head, Gynaecological Oncology Lab at the Westmead Institute for Medical Research, where she has worked for 28 years.

3. Medal (OAM) in the General Division

a. Dr Kristin Bindley received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community through palliative care initiatives. Dr Bindley has worked as Bereavement Counsellor and Clinical Lead, Supportive and Palliative Care, Western Sydney Local Health District, since 2008.

b. Brother Anthony Paul Boyd received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to secondary education. Mr Boyd served as former Deputy Headmaster at Parramatta Marist College.

c. Dr Roslyn Allayne Crampton received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to medical administration. Dr Crampton served as Chief Medical Advisor to Westmead Hospital since 2013.

d. Ms Katherine Maka received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to medicine as a forensic pathologist. Dr Ellis was the director of the Department of Forensic Medicine at Westmead Hospital ICPMR for 25 years.

e. Dr Coralie Wales received the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to community health. Dr Wales was a manager of Community and Consumer Partnerships at Western Sydney Local Health District from 2014-2021 and Lead facilitator at WentWest since 2021.

4. On 25 January 2023, as part of the 2023 Australian of the Year Awards, Amar Singh was recognised as Australia’s Local Hero 2023. Mr Singh is founder of Turbans 4 Australia, a not-for-profit based in Clyde that distributes food hampers and provides assistance to vulnerable community members in Western Sydney.

5. Since 2015, Turbans 4 Australia has specialised in providing emergency goods to people in need regardless of their race, religion or ethnicity. Under Mr Singh’s leadership, the volunteer group helps people experiencing financial hardship, food insecurity, homelessness and unemployment, as well as those impacted by natural disasters such as bushfires, floods and drought.

6. Councillors and Council staff may be familiar with Amar’s work as Turbans 4 Australia provides services to members of our community, including distributing food hampers to the isolated and vulnerable during COVID-19 lockdowns. Mr Singh was the City of Parramatta 2022 Citizen of the Year.

7. City of Parramatta congratulates and thanks Amar Singh, and all our Order of Australia recipients, for their service to the Parramatta community and beyond, work that continues to this day. Their valuable contributions have helped to support and enrich the lives of local residents, visitors and businesses.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL

8. There are no new financial implications for Council as a result of this Lord Mayor Minute.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis

Attachments:

There are no attachments for this report.

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Council 13 February 2023 Item 8.4

MINUTE OF THE LORD MAYOR

ITEM NUMBER 8.4

SUBJECT i4Give Day 2023

REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08865268

REPORT OF Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis

CSP THEME: WELCOMING

workshop/briefing date: Nil

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Lord Mayor Minute is to acknowledge the collaboration between the Abdallah and Sakr families and the City of Parramatta in organising i4give Day at Prince Alfred Square, Parramatta on Saturday 04 February.

Recommendation:

That Council acknowledge the Abdallah and Sakr families, Council officers and all who played a part in the delivery of i4give Day in Prince Alfred Square, Parramatta, on Saturday 04 February 2023.

BACKGROUND

1. i4Give Day was held on Saturday 04 February 2023 at Prince Alfred Park, Parramatta from 11am-10pm. The City of Parramatta organised the event in collaboration with the Abdallah and Sakr families. Hundreds attended the event, which featured free family run activities, children’s workshops, a petting zoo, amusement rides and an evening outdoor movie screening.

2. Council contributed $65,000 for the delivery of the 2023 i4Give Day event.

3. i4give Day and the i4give Foundation were launched in 2021 in remembrance of Angelina, Antony and Sienna Abdallah and Veronique Sakr who tragically lost their lives on 1 February 2020, in Oatlands.

4. The focus of i4give Day and the i4give Foundation is to increase community awareness of the power of forgiveness in transforming human relationships and increasing resilience.

5. A number of dignitaries attended the event, including the Hon. Anthony Albanese MP, Prime Minister of Australia, the Hon. Dominic Perrottet MP, Premier of NSW, Chris Minns, NSW Opposition Leader and former Prime Minister, Scott Morrison.

6. Council acknowledges the Abdallah and Sakr families, council officers, and all who played a part in the delivery of i4give Day in Prince Alfred Square, Parramatta, on Saturday 04 February.

7. Council also thanks the Abdallah and Sakr families for sharing this day with our community, encouraging us to share in your sorrow and joy, your grace and courage, and for inspiring us all to choose a path of grace and forgiveness.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL

8. There are no new financial implications for Council as a result of this Lord Mayor Minute.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis

Attachments:

There are no attachments for this report.

REFERENCE MATERIAL

Council 13 February 2023 Item 8.5

MINUTE OF THE LORD MAYOR

ITEM NUMBER 8.5

SUBJECT International Mother Language Day

REFERENCE F2022/00105 - D08865289

REPORT OF Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis

CSP THEME: WELCOMING

workshop/briefing date: Nil

PURPOSE:

The purpose of this Lord Mayor Minute is to recognise International Mother Language Day, marked annually on 21 February.

Recommendation:

That Council acknowledge International Mother Language Day on 21 February and recognises and celebrates the cultural and linguistic diversity which makes up our vibrant community.

BACKGROUND

1. International Mother Language Day (IMLD) is a United Nations sanctioned day celebrated annually on 21 February to promote awareness of linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualism.

2. IMLD is an opportunity to promote the preservation and protection of all languages used by people across the world.

3. The City of Parramatta is one of the most culturally and linguistically diverse LGAs in the country, with 61.8% of households speaking a language other than English at home^{^[1]} (compared to 24.8% nationally).

4. The top five languages (other than-English) spoken in the City of Parramatta are: Mandarin (12.4%), Cantonese (6.4%), Korean (5.5%), Hindi (3.7%) and Arabic (3.2%).

5. There is growing awareness that languages play a vital role in development, in ensuring cultural diversity and intercultural dialogue, but also in strengthening co-operation and attaining quality education for all.

6. The City of Parramatta’s social media channels will celebrate IMLD, highlighting the free multilingual resources available at City of Parramatta libraries and online. The social media post will highlight Council’s large Community Language book and digital collections in 20 languages including Arabic, Chinese, Hindi, Korean and Persian. Social media posts will alert the community to a free Council service in partnership with the State Library of New South Wales, which enables residents to request books in their language from a collection of over 41 languages.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL

7. There are no new financial implications for Council as a result of this Lord Mayor Minute.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Donna Davis

Attachments:

There are no attachments for this report.

REFERENCE MATERIAL