With Parramatta being the defacto capital of Western Sydney, Australia’s third largest economy, it became a coup when China offered Parramatta to be associated with its trading city, Yiwu, the world’s largest consumer goods market.

No longer are the compulsions strong for local Councillors wanting to create sister city relationships. Being the already culturally diversed community that we are, existing sister city relationships are maintained but not expanded.

Since late 2008, the Federal Government’s Nation Building – Economic Stimulus Plan invited state and territory governments to propose infrastructure projects for federal financial assistance. Presumably the NSW State Government had submitted a number of rail infrastructure projects for the Federal Government’s consideration for funding.

According to records, this issue has been debated since 1994. And unfortunately, the debate still continues. However, I believe the wider Parramatta community should be invited to participate in this debate about democracy.

We 'ordinary' parishioner of St Patrick’s Cathedral often need to be forgiven for casually regarding the Cathedral as our local parish church (except with a few more seats!) We have become so comfortable in our own Cathedral parish that we sometimes forget its significance as the Diocesan Church.

And in our rebuilt, modern Cathedral, one of the most important ceremonies we could ever have was the Installation of our new Bishop, Anthony Fisher OP, on 4 March 2010.

Many people have asked why I have always voted against all brothels. In all honesty, it is not because of some religious conviction, but simply the protection of women from violence.

Yes, despite the fact that there are some women who choose to become working girls, they are human beings and deserve protection from violence and harm. So, it came as no surprise that one day there would be a proposal for a brothel that features significant security measures to address this.