Nearby islanders have long traded with Australia’s indigenous peoples. Most history books count the Dutchman Willem Janszoon as being the first documented contact in 1606 when he sailed along the western side of Cape York Peninsula. And there is strong evidence that the Chinese discovered Australia and traded with Aboriginal peoples before 1432, especially during the voyages of Admiral Zheng He. All these before Captain Cook even set foot in Botany Bay in 1788.

Richie Benaud’s family home is proposed to be redeveloped for the construction of a 2 storey dual occupancy at 5 Sutherland Road, North Parramatta. We are urgently seeking an Interim Heritage Order from the NSW State Government. As a world class cricketer, a member of the Australian and ICC Cricket Halls of Fame, he is undoubtedly the most influential cricketer and cricket personality. His family home and backyard during his formative years is where Richie Benaud developed his googly, topspinner and flipper and other cricket skills, thereby making his family home a cultural heritage item.

Shirley MacLaine has a wonderful saying. “It is useless to hold a person to anything s/he says while s/he is in love, drunk, or running for office.”

With today's Federal Labor’s announcement of $2.6bn for the Parramatta-Epping Rail Link, I am cautiously pleased yet sceptical, because when you have a letter from the NSW Transport Minister dated only 10 days ago stating that the NSW State Government’s 10 year horizon does not include the Parramatta-Epping Rail Link, is a promise to be taken seriously?

Deputy Lord Mayor Chiang Lim is one of only two Western Sydney leaders assisting the Australia-China Chamber of Commerce and Industry of NSW in a bid to host the World Chinese Entrepreneurs Convention in 2013. The only other is the Parramatta Chamber of Commerce.

Other demonstrated support includes former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, NSW Premier Kristina Keneally, Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore, Sydney Business Chamber’s Executive Director the Hon Patricia Forsythe, and Qantas.

Breakfast with Barry O’Farrell, dinner with Julie Bishop, or Chinese with Tony Abbott and John Howard?

It may still might not be too late!