On Tuesday, 9 February 2010, I had the pleasure of standing with Labor Minister the Hon Paul McLeay MP, Labor Deputy Speaker the Hon Tanya Gadiel MP, and Ryde Mayor Clr Michael Butterworth, in opening the $600,000 revamp of the Ermington Boat Ramp.

Despite the different political allegiances, I must always give credit where credit is due. This revamped boat ramp looks terrific! As a member of the boating community myself, I was appreciative of the Labor State Government’s contribution.

30 September 2009 saw Clr Tony Issa hang up the mayoral chain as the first Liberal Lord Mayor in NSW history. It remains an honour to be part of a Liberal team who not only increased our number elected onto Council to our highest ever, but also to be part of the team that helped secure Parramatta Liberals with a special place in NSW history.

Defeating the two Labor candidates by a vote margin of 9 to 6, Parramatta’s new Lord Mayor is Clr Paul Garrard, and the new Deputy Lord Mayor is Clr Chiang Lim.

Despite losing to the Melbourne Storm at the 2009 Grand Final (23 to 16), our Mighty Parramatta Eels took our imaginations from an outside chance only a few months ago to the possibilty of winning the Grand Final after 23 years of waiting. 

That’s right! Australia’s oldest and most famous road also exists in Lebanon!

You may have heard about the recent Daily Telegraph story alleging Parramatta City Council as the most extravagant and wasteful when it comes to catering expenses for Councillors and their staff, at the expense of the taxpayer. “… pastry cups filled with smoked chicken, fresh mango and coriander salsa and berry tarts: $106,075,” as quoted by the Daily Telegraph’s Vicki Campion.