Local News – 222

Music matters

Congratulations to Balmain acoustic indie singer Domenica (pictured), whose ‘Springtime Sun’ song was recently nominated in the 2013 MusicOz Australian Independent Music Awards. Domenica will walk the red carpet at The Star Casino, Pyrmont, on November 7th alongside many other talented local musicians and says that growing up in Sydney’s inner city exposed her to “a diverse and vibrant music scene,” which has allowed her music to evolve and grow.

 

Grants for Ashfield

Does your organisation need more money? Ashfield Council’s 2013/2014 Community and Environmental Grant Scheme opens on Monday 4th November, offering local organisations the chance to secure extra funding for their initiatives. Grant 1 is available for non-profit groups, who can apply for up to $2,000 for services or programs that address major community needs. Grant 2 is for environmental initiatives.

For more details about eligibility and guidelines you can attend an information session on Tuesday 12th November at 10am or 6pm at the Ashfield Civic Centre. To book your place at one of these sessions email christinao@ashfield.nsw.gov.au or call 9716 1842. Closing date for all applications is 5pm, Friday 6th December.

 

Childcare crisis demands action

Over 50 representatives from local P&Cs across the Inner West attended a public forum in Balmain last month to demand the State Government take action in resolving the childcare crisis and schools shortage, which is causing boundary changes that are forcing siblings to be separated into different schools and hundreds of children to be turned away from after-school care. “Local parents are crying out but so far Minister Piccoli is refusing to listen,” said Mayor of Leichhardt, Darcy Byrne.

The meeting resolved that Leichhardt Council will engage a demographer to provide projections of the numbers of children aged 0-4, 5-11 and 12-17 years for 2016, 2021 and 2026, and apply the future child numbers to estimate demand for school and OSHC places. Furthermore, they will be providing P&Cs with information on how to lobby and mobilise their parent communities.