NOTICE OF Council MEETING
PUBLIC AGENDA – SUPPLEMENTARY B
An Ordinary Meeting of City of Parramatta Council will be held in PHIVE (COUNCIL CHAMBER) COUNCIL CHAMBER AT 5 PARRAMATTA SQUARE, PARRAMATTA on Monday, 23 October 2023 at 6:30PM.
Gail Connolly PSM
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Council 23 October 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM SUBJECT PAGE NO
8 Minutes of the Lord Mayor
8.1 Vale Eric Tweedale............................ 3
8.2 Record-Breaking Parramatta Lanes.... 6
8.3 Youth Night Markets.......................... 8
8.4 Congratulations to the Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence Winners........................................... 10
After the conclusion of the Council Meeting, and if time permits, Councillors will be provided an opportunity to ask questions of staff.
Council 23 October 2023 Item 8.1
ITEM NUMBER 8.1
SUBJECT Vale Eric Tweedale
REFERENCE F2022/03176 - D09182403
REPORT OF Lord Mayor Councillor Pierre Esber
CSP THEME: Welcoming
workshop/briefing date: Nil
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Lord Mayor Minute is to acknowledge the death of Eric Tweedale, and express Council’s sincere condolences to his family and friends.
Recommendation:
(a) That Council acknowledge the death of Mr Eric Tweedale, Parramatta Two Blues and Wallabies rugby legend, war veteran and valued community member, on 16 October 2023 at the age of 102.
(b) That Council expresses its sincere condolences to Eric Tweedale’s family and friends at this sad time.
BACKGROUND
1. Eric Tweedale was one of Parramatta’s favourite sporting sons, a rugby legend who started with the Parramatta Two Blues and became Australian Wallaby #336, as well as a World War II veteran. He enlisted in the Royal Australian Navy during the Second World War (service number A/6346), was employed by Shell Oil Company and playing Rugby for Parramatta (now Western Sydney Two Blues).
2. Eric Tweedale was born on 5 May 1921 in Rockdale, Lancashire, England, the son of Alexander and Annie Tweedale nee Green. At 3 years old, his family immigrated to Australia in 1924 and settled in Merrylands. Eric attended Guildford Public School and then Parramatta Intermediate School. After he graduated with his certificate at 14, he worked for Anthony Hordern's in the city while learning typing and shorthand at the Metropolitan Business College. It was through the College that he gained a good job at Shells Oil Company.
3. In 1941, Eric applied to join navy and was trained at Flinders Naval Depot for convoy duty until May 1942 when Sydney Harbour was attacked by the Japanese midget submarines (31 May to 1 June 1942). To honour the dead, he served as a pallbearer at the military funeral for the dead Japanese found in captured midget subs. Eric was drafted to a naval ship escorting merchant ships as part of a convoy up and down the Australian coast to guarantee their safety from enemy attack. His first night out at sea was on board the SS Iron Knight in a convoy of 14 ships. He served four years as a convoy signalman, using Morse code and flags to communicate between the fleets to ensure all ships sailed at the same time. As the war progressed north, he too moved to Queensland protecting merchant ships carrying iron ore and coal. After he was discharged from the war, he returned to working for Shell Oil Company while also pursuing his sporting career.
4. Eric first played rugby at Cumberland Oval in 1937 after legendary Wallaby forward enforcer "Wild Bill" Cerutti introduced him to the game. At 17 years old, he was selected to play first grade Rugby and he played for Parramatta (now Western Sydney Two Blues) on and off for 21 years. Eric not only played rugby but also from age 16 played first grade cricket with Central Cumberland as a fast-medium bowler from his 1940/41 debut. He played with the likes of Lou Benaud, father of Richie Benard.
5. He was drafted for the famous 1946 Wallabies team that played against the All Blacks in Australia’s first international Test post-war. Half of the team were returned soldiers. He played prop forward / front row forward and went on to be part of one of the most famous touring teams, the 1947-48 Wallabies, who did not have their line crossed in internationals against Scotland, Ireland, Wales and England. He also played for Australia until 1949, having represented his country in Wallaby gold on ten occasions, travelling to Britain, France and Canada throughout his successful sporting career.
6. With 13 representative caps to his name, the Lifetime Parramatta Two Blues forward played 123 first Grade games for Parramatta and also represented the NSW Waratahs (#794) from 1946-1950. Eric played with the likes of Sir Nicholas Shehadie and Trevor Allan in the post-war era of rugby union as a front rower. Post-retirement from professional rugby playing at the age of 38, Eric became involved in coaching. He was a Life Member of Merrylands RSL and active member of various community clubs. Eric was awarded the Australian Sports Medal in 2000. In November 2021 the redeveloped Granville Park stadium was named the ‘Eric Tweedale Stadium’.
7. Eric married childhood sweetheart Isabel Duncan in 1944 while still serving in the navy, and in 1946 became a father to a daughter named Kay. After 20 years of marriage, Isabel died at age 42 from terminal illnesses. Not long after, his mother too passed away in 1964. Eric found romance in second wife Phyllis Addicoat, an American, whom he had met in England during the Wallabies tour. His second marriage lasted for 42 years until Phyllis passed away in 2008.
8. At a reunion of the Merrylands RSL Younger Set Committee, he reconnected with former fiancée Enid Bradshaw nee Wagner after 46 years, to whom he was engaged throughout the early years of World War II. Their love story was featured in three televised news reports and they resided at Peninsula Village in Umina.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL
9. There are no further financial implications for Council arising from this Lord Mayor Minute.
Lord Mayor Councillor Pierre Esber
There are no attachments for this report.
REFERENCE MATERIAL
Council 23 October 2023 Item 8.2
ITEM NUMBER 8.2
SUBJECT Record-Breaking Parramatta Lanes
REFERENCE F2022/03176 - D09183236
REPORT OF Lord Mayor Councillor Pierre Esber
CSP THEME: Thriving
workshop/briefing date: Nil
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Lord Mayoral Minute is to celebrate the record-breaking 2023 Parramatta Lanes festival and thank all staff involved in its success.
Recommendation:
(a) That Council celebrate the success of the record-breaking 2023 Parramatta Lanes festival, with over 180,000 people attending throughout four nights of incredible local food, music, art and culture. This includes an estimated 70,000 people on Saturday night alone, which is the equivalent of last year’s total festival attendance.
(b) That Council recognise the significant efforts of all staff involved in creating such a successful event, particularly the Events and Festivals team and Waste and Cleansing team who provided invaluable support with short notice in response to the unparalleled turnout.
BACKGROUND
1. 2023 marked the 12th season of Parramatta Lanes festival, a vibrant celebration of local food, music, art and culture in Parramatta’s laneways and public spaces held from 11-14 October. The event exceeded expectations with a record-breaking attendance of more than 180,000 people, including an estimated 70,000 people on Saturday night alone, which is the equivalent of last year’s total festival attendance. There were 118 pieces of media coverage with an estimated reach of over 104 million and equivalent advertising value (EAV) of $1,105,710. Social media statistics recorded Council’s Facebook marketing reach of more than 350,000, Instagram reach of over 78,000 and more than 4 million views of TikTok videos promoting Parramatta Lanes.
2. Council recognises all staff and providers who contributed to the success of the festival, particularly the Events and Festivals team and Waste and Cleansing team who provided invaluable support with short notice in response to the unparalleled turnout.
3. Parramatta Lanes offered guests a range of curated culinary and cultural experiences, with over 40 street food vendors and pop up bars, as well as 120 live music acts, street performers and eclectic activations. Local businesses also extended exclusive deals to patrons throughout the festival. Parramatta CBD hosted 16 site activations, including Parramatta Square, Centenary Square, St John’s Church Yard, Macquarie Street, Church Street, 23 George Street carpark, Red Cow Lane, Eat Street Carpark (rooftop and ground level), Erby Place Car Park, Baba Ganouj, Phillip Lane, Parramatta River foreshore, Lennox Bridge, Park Royal Hotel and Riverside Theatres.
4. The festival aims to promote Parramatta as a destination of choice, encouraging Parramatta CBD workers to stay in the area after work and attracting visitors from beyond the LGA. In 2021, Parramatta Lanes won the RH Dougherty Award for Innovation in Special Events and Australian Event Awards’ Best Cultural, Arts or Music Event Award. The festival aligns with Strategic Goal 2 of the Cultural Plan: ‘Diversity is our strength, and everyone is welcome’, and celebrates the City’s public art, live music and local businesses.
5. This popular, award-winning event has a proven track record of social and economic benefits for the region, demonstrating the need for Parramatta to gain a greater share of arts, culture and major event funding from state and federal governments. In the past seven years, Destination NSW has invested in more than 354 sports, cultural, creative and arts events in Sydney’s east compared to only 137 in Sydney’s west. In 10 to 15 years, there will be more people living west of Parramatta than to its east, so there is a growing demand for Lanes and other premier events that showcase global Sydney’s true geographic heart.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL
1. There are no further financial implications for Council arising from this Lord Mayoral Minute.
Lord Mayor Councillor Pierre Esber
There are no attachments for this report.
REFERENCE MATERIAL
Council 23 October 2023 Item 8.3
ITEM NUMBER 8.3
SUBJECT Youth Night Markets
REFERENCE F2022/03176 - D09183529
REPORT OF Lord Mayor Councillor Pierre Esber
CSP THEME: Welcoming
workshop/briefing date: Nil
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Lord Mayoral Minute is to seek Council’s support for the upcoming Youth Night Markets event on 28 October 2023.
Recommendation:
(a) That Council acknowledge the upcoming Youth Night Markets on 28 October 2023 from 7pm at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral at Harris Park, and the tireless work of event organisers, Maronite Youth Organisation.
(b) That Council provide $1,000 to sponsor the event, supporting youth-led community initiatives and creating positive promotional opportunities for City of Parramatta. This sponsorship silver package will provide City of Parramatta with a logo projected on large screen on the night, one banner for display at the function and unlimited food and drinks all night for 3 people.
(c) That Council promote the event via appropriate media and communications channels.
BACKGROUND
1. The Maronite Youth Organisation (MYO) was formed in 1984 as the official voluntary youth committee of Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral. The vision of MYO is to strengthen the Maronite Community faith within the parish and in the wider Australian community. MYO value the needs and issues of young people and aims to address them by organising, encouraging and promoting social interaction amongst young Lebanese-Australians.
2. MYO facilitates initiatives that enable young Maronites to find a sense of community and belonging, such as retreats, day trips, dinners, sports match viewings, movie nights and BBQs. Moreover, MYO also organises charitable events to help those in need, including the World's Greatest Shave campaigns, hosting Cancer Council's Biggest Morning Teas, regular blood donation drives and Christmas appeals. In the past, MYO has hosted gala dinner events to raise funds for its youth initiatives and charitable causes.
3. In 2023, MYO will host Youth Night Markets on Saturday 28 October 2023 from 7pm at Our Lady of Lebanon Co-Cathedral at Harris Park. The event is expected to have over 500 attendees, feature a range of local businesses, entertainment and a raffle, with funds raised going towards MYO’s youth initiatives and charitable causes. The vibrant Youth Night Markets event promises to bring together families, friends and young people across the Parramatta community for a memorable, youth-led experience.
FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL
4. 1. This Lord Mayoral Minute seeks to support the Maronite Youth Organisation’s Youth Night Markets through a $1,000 sponsorship package. This can be funded from the existing Lord Mayor and Councillor Support budget 2023/24.
Lord Mayor Councillor Pierre Esber
There are no attachments for this report.
REFERENCE MATERIAL
Council 23 October 2023 Item 8.4
ITEM NUMBER 8.4
SUBJECT Congratulations to the Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence Winners
REFERENCE F2022/03176 - D09183686
REPORT OF Lord Mayor Councillor Pierre Esber
CSP THEME: Thriving
workshop/briefing date: Nil
PURPOSE: The purpose of this Lord Mayoral Minute is to congratulate winners of the 33rd Annual Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence (WSABE) that are based in the City of Parramatta LGA.
(a) That Council recognises all Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence (WSABE) winners and finalists based in the City of Parramatta LGA on their outstanding efforts, showcasing their ability to innovate and adapt amongst a very competitive field of candidates.
(b) That the Lord Mayor write to all WSABE winners based in the City of Parramatta LGA to congratulate them on their awards.
BACKGROUND
1. Sponsored by City of Parramatta and hosted by MC Stephanie Brantz, the 2023 WSABE Awards Gala was a fine dining experience featuring the Baker Boys Band and multiple addresses by government and key stakeholders including Premier the Hon. Chris Minns MP, Luke Magee, President of Parramatta Chamber and Rosa Bellissimo, Chair of WSABE. Other dignitaries in attendance included the Hon. Senator Maria Kovacic, Senator for NSW, Paul Signorelli OAM, Executive Chairman for Doltone House and The Hon. Alan Cadman OAM, WSABE Patron.
2. Congratulations to the 2023 WSABE winners across eleven dynamic award categories recognising excellence across a broad range of industries and fields. Winners based in the City of Parramatta LGA include:
a. HomeWorld Excellence in Small to Medium Enterprise Award: Scanning Pens
b. Parra Leagues Club Outstanding Start-Up Award: Leora Technologies – Leora.AI
c. Workers Lifestyle Group Outstanding Community Organisation Award: ACE- Arts & Cultural Exchange
FINANCIAL IMPLICATION FOR COUNCIL
3. There are no new financial implications for Council as a result of this Lord Mayoral Minute.
Lord Mayor Councillor Pierre Esber
There are no attachments for this report.