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Dear Berowra resident,
Recently, I marked ten years of service as the Federal Member for Berowra.
It's an honour and a privilege to serve our community - the community
that I live in, that community I love, and the community where my wife
and I are raising our family.
I think of some of the things that we have achieved together, like the
opening of North Connex, which has taken 6,000 trucks off Pennant Hills
Road every day, and upgrades to Greenway Park, Pennant Hills Park,
Headen Park and Dural Park.
I also think of the thousands of constituents that I have helped in
dealing with the Federal government, improving their lives.
I think of the important fights I have undertaken - we have gotten
better telecommunications for our electorate, and I am still
tackling issues that are ongoing, like fighting for an upgraded New
Line Road, for more parking in Epping, and for the recognition of one
of our tremendous athletes, Ellie Cole AM, by naming Hornsby Pool
in her honour.
What people have been talking to me about most in the last month has
been the disastrous effect of Labor's taxes on our community.
Mr Albanese promised not to introduce these taxes fifty times. Labor
took these taxes to the 2019 election and were roundly beaten, with good
reason.
These taxes reduce the number of houses that are being built by 35,000,
according to the government's own budget papers, and they reduce
incentives to invest, save, and start small businesses.
While Labor MPs have been patting each other on the back and
high-fiving as a result of these taxes passing the Parliament, I've had
small business owners at roundtables and in one-on-one meetings in
tears about the fact that they've worked hard, played by the rules, and
are now having the rug pulled from under them.
Not only have I and the Liberal team promised to repeal these taxes, but
we are also going to introduce a new policy to ensure that when
Australians get a pay rise, they don't lose that money when they move
into a new tax bracket.
It's called the Tax Back Guarantee. It's the best way to deal with
bracket creep, which is a major structural issue in our economy.
You can read more about my work opposing the government's Budget and tax
policies in this newsletter, alongside highlights from my work across
our community.
One of the things that has been really helpful for me in speaking out on
behalf of the people of Berowra has been retelling your stories in
Federal Parliament - putting them on the record, and urging the
government to change their policies as a result of the adverse
effect of their tax and fiscal policies on the people of Berowra.
You can read some of the recent speeches I have made giving examples from our local community here, and here.
The more examples that I have of how government policy affects people
in our community, the stronger the representative I can be for our
community.
I want to hear from you - if Labor's policies are affecting your
business or your family, please get in touch so I can raise your
concerns in Parliament.
Kind regards,
Julian Leeser
Member for Berowra
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P.S. Follow me on social media to keep up with my work representing you.
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I
recently held a meeting at West Pennant Hills Sports Club with key
local community leaders to discuss New Line Road, the worst bottleneck
in our community.
Under
the Morrison Liberal Government, I secured federal funding for
planning, matched by the NSW Liberal Government, with $70 million
committed to upgrading the stretch between Purchase Road and Hastings
Road.
Since Labor took power, this funding has been shelved, despite growing pressure from new housing in Cherrybrook.
The meeting touched on the impacts of new housing developments near New
Line Road, the most dangerous sections of the road for drivers and
passengers, worsening traffic conditions along parts of the road, and
how congestion is affecting local businesses and community centres.
All of these considerations will be very useful as I continue my push to
have the Labor Government reinstate funding to fix New Line Road.
Your voice will help me push for change. Sign my petition here.
I also spoke about this ongoing issue in Parliament on June 29. You can read my speech here, or watch it here.
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Many seniors across Berowra have raised concerns with me about changes to private health insurance rebates.
Senior Australians have saved and worked hard for decades, only to be
hit with an enormous new expense under this Government, which is intent
on taking more of your money.
Under Labor’s new cuts, couples over 65 on gold private health insurance
cover will be hit with up to $1,614 a year more, from April 2027. This
represents a 21.3% increase and is the biggest rise in private health
costs on record.
This comes at a time when the price of everything is already up, from
groceries to electricity to rent and utilities. Our seniors and retirees
deserve better, and the Coalition will keep calling on Labor to scrap
this cut immediately.
I want to hear from you if you are concerned about how these changes
will affect your budget and lifestyle. I’ll be taking stories from our
community with me as my colleagues, and I keep fighting yet another bad
decision by Labor.
You can fill out my survey here to share your views or concerns.
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Recently I gathered two dozen local small businesspeople at a Small Business Roundtable.
Local business owners spoke candidly, and the feedback from the room was
loud and clear – with taxes on savings, investments, and family trusts,
on top of increasing red tape and regulatory burdens, businesses are
struggling to stay afloat under Labor.
I spoke at the roundtable about the Coalition’s plan to help small
businesses get ahead and stay ahead. A Coalition government would
introduce a Tax Back Guarantee, delivering an automatic tax cut that
gets bigger every year.
We will boost small business investment by allowing small businesses to write off assets costing up to $50,000.
We will get government spending under control, rein in inflation, and
cut the enormous cost of living that Australian businesses are currently
struggling with.
I want to thank every participant in the roundtable for their candid
engagement. I can best represent Berowra when I take the voices of our
community and our businesses to Parliament.
Small businesses are central to our community and economy. I will
continue advocating for policies that help them grow, invest, and create
jobs.
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Pennant
Hills Post Office was relied upon by the local area not just for
sending and receiving mail, but also for accessing vital official
services available at Post Offices. Now, the nearest option is
Thornleigh.
That's not good enough for our community, particularly for seniors and
anyone with limited mobility. I fought hard against this closure. I've
written to the CEO of Australia Post, launched a community petition, and
presented this petition to the Minister for Communications.
I will keep pushing Australia Post to face up to the community about
their bad decisions, and to give us the answers we deserve about any
planned future closures - because this issue goes deeper than Pennant
Hills Post Office.
I believe Australia Post isn't being honest with Australians about their plans to close even more Post Offices.
This is why I am pleased that there is now a Senate Inquiry into
Australia Post, launched on 24 June. The Inquiry will focus on Australia
Post's governance, transparency and decision-making processes, as well
as the adequacy of evidence Australia Post has provided to Parliament at
previous Senate Estimates.
If you have been impacted by the closure of Pennant Hills Post Office,
or you are worried about how Australia Post is weakening our local
services, I encourage you to add your voice to the current Senate
Inquiry into the Australia Post retail network by making a submission here.
Anyone can make a submission until 7 August. If you want better from
Australia Post, make a submission detailing your concerns, and have your
voice heard in Parliament.
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I will soon be holding a Small Business and Tax forum alongside the Hon
Angus Taylor MP and Senator Jane Hume, Deputy Leader of Opposition and
Shadow Minister for Employment and Industrial Relations.
This is an important opportunity for members of the community to have
their voices heard on Labor's Budget and tax changes, which are having a
real impact on both small businesses and households.
We will be joined by economist Warren Hogan from EQ Economics. This
forum will be a unique opportunity to hear from one of Australia's
leading business economists with more than three decades of
experience.
I'm excited to welcome Angus, Jane and Warren to Berowra to hear
directly from local business owners and organisations about how the
Budget and tax changes are impacting you, while sharing the
Coalition's policies to strengthen our economy and support Australian
businesses.
Registration is essential, and open until 13 July 12:30pm. You can find more information and the link to register here.
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Are you worried about scams, or do you want to know more about how to keep safe online?
On 29 July, I will be hosting a Stop The Scams community event
alongside scam awareness educator Charles Fellner at Castle Hill
RSL.
I have had constituents tell me about truly distressing situations their loved ones have experienced because of online scams.
The tactics that modern scammers employ online evolve rapidly, and can
be very difficult to spot. The damage to victims can be
enormous.
This free community workshop will address how to recognise and avoid
increasingly sophisticated scams in our modern world, and will cover
important practical tips you can employ protect yourself and your loved
ones.
The event will also be a chance to have your own questions answered too.
Bookings are essential. You can learn more and reserve your spot here.
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I recently appeared in an episode of 60
Minutes Australia to raise serious concerns about the safety of
Australian children and families caught under the Hague Convention.
This is an issue I've worked on throughout my Parliamentary career, ever
since it was raised with me by a courageous constituent who has been
forcibly separated from her infant Australian daughter for years.
Her daughter no longer lives in the safety of our country, because she
has been forcibly returned overseas by a court order made under an
international Convention that does not place the protection of
Australian children as a paramount consideration.
This is an issue of child safety, and one I am proud to advocate on behalf of Australian parents about.
I commend 60 Minutes for bringing this deeply important and
confronting issue to the Australian public, and I was proud to be a part
of the production.
Since the story was broadcast, I've been contacted by others whose
families have been adversely affected by the application of the Hague
Convention and who are fearful for the safety of their children.
I have called on the government to address the Hague Convention. I asked
the Attorney General a series of questions about whether she will
address the Hague Convention, but she refused to answer them.
You can read my speech here, and you can watch the 60 Minutes story here.
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After attending a demonstration of
Persian Australians outside Parliament House recently, I have launched a
petition calling on the Australian Government to invite Reza Pahlavi to
Australia.
Australia is home to a proud and vibrant Persian community that has made
an enormous contribution to our nation. In fact, the electorate of
Berowra is home to the third-largest Persian community in Australia.
For many years, Persian Australians have courageously advocated for
freedom, democracy and human rights in Iran, while standing in
solidarity with family and friends who continue to suffer under
repression.
Reza Pahlavi has emerged as a leading international voice supporting the
Iranian people's aspirations for democracy, human rights, women's
rights, political freedom and the rule of law.
Many members of Australia's Persian community, parliamentarians and
civic leaders wish to hear directly from him about the present situation
in Iran, the future of Iran and the aspirations of the Iranian people
for a free and democratic society.
I recently gave a speech in Parliament calling for Reza Pahlavi to be welcomed to Australia, which you can read here and watch here.
You can add your voice to my petition calling for Reza Pahlavi to be welcomed to Australia here. |
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In May, I attended the Christian Schools Australia Annual Gala dinner.
In my speech, I honoured Dr Ted Boyce, a wonderful Christian educator, a
friend from the Berowra electorate, and a lion of the Christian Schools
movement.
Dr Boyce retires at the end of this year after 41 years as the Principal
of Pacific Hills Christian School. Under his leadership, Pacific Hills
turned from one small school with eight students and one teacher,
originally in Pennant Hills and now in Dural, to ten schools across NSW
with 3294 students and 802 staff in total.
Dr Boyce is a Christian educator of global influence. I am also proud to
call him a great friend. He has been a force for good in my life and
the lives of thousands of people around the world through his work.
His emphasis is on allowing God’s truth from the Bible to inform how we
view all of life. He believes Christian education should bring glory to
God first and foremost, and rich blessings to those who are served by,
and work in, Christian education.
I know that, even though this chapter of his work is closing, he will
remain involved in the good work of Christian education for years to
come. I wish him the very best of luck.
You can read my full speech here.
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I recently gave an address at the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai RFS’ Medal
Presentation, celebrating the service of distinguished members of the
RFS.
National Medals are presented to those who have been members of the
Service for 15 years and have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to
the RFS. At this presentation, six members were awarded the National
Medal in recognition of their extraordinary efforts as volunteers.
Congratulations to Craig Salthouse of Cherrybrook Brigade, and Nicholas
Lyons, Ross Millar, Christopher Hindmarsh, Ian Hall and Geoffrey Golding
of Ku-ring-gai Brigade.
In addition, a remarkable 36 members were presented with Long Service
Medals for 10 years of service or Long Service Clasps for an additional
10 years of service since receiving their Long Service Medal.
The RFS does absolutely vital work across Berowra to enhance fire
safety, respond to emergencies, and advocate for bushfire preparedness.
Congratulations to the members honoured at the Medal Presentation, and
to every member of the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai RFS for their contributions
to the safety of our community.
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I
was proud to present Archbishop Anthony Randazzo with an Australian
flag to take with him on his upcoming travels to the Holy See, where he
will take up a new role as Prefect of the Dicastery for Legislative
Texts. I also gave him a flag to present to His Holiness Pope Leo.
The Archbishop has been a wonderful and pivotal member of our local
community, and a good friend of mine. He is a man with a keen sense of
humour who constantly inspires others with his kindness, generosity, and
love of God.
While I am sure the local Catholic community will miss the Archbishop
greatly during his time in the Holy See, I know that he will be an
extraordinary ambassador for the Catholic community in Australia.
I wish him all the best in his travels and his ministry, and I am very
pleased that a flag from my own office will be travelling with the
Archbishop to such a remarkable spiritual landmark.
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Congratulations to the outstanding Berowra
constituents recognised on the 2026 King’s Birthday Honours List.
We are fortunate to be represented by community members whose dedication and service strengthen our local area every day.
Member of the Order of Australia (AM)
Mr Robert Dunn – For significant service to international development, the not-for-profit sector, and the community.
Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM)
Mr Robin Cummins – For service to veterans and the community.
Dr Roger Hampson – For service to medicine as a pathologist.
Mr Noshir Irani – For service to the community.
Mr Glenn Johnston – For service to the Indigenous community.
Dr Emad Shublaq – For service to engineering.
Australian Fire Service Medal (AFSM)
Assistant Commissioner Victoria Campbell – For distinguished service to the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Congratulations once again to each of these recipients. Your tireless dedication makes Berowra and Australia a better place.
If you would like to nominate someone for an Order of Australia Award, you can do so by visiting this link: https://www.gg.gov.au/australian-honours-and-awards/nominate-someone-award
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Parents in the Berowra electorate choose all kinds of schools for their
kids, and this week I moved a private member's motion in Parliament
praising variety and choice in school education.
In our electorate, 45 government schools educate nearly 21,000 students,
18 independent schools educate nearly 14,000, and eight Catholic
schools educate nearly 4,000. I don't care whether that's a government
school, a Catholic school or an independent school. Every
child deserves a world-class education.
Parents know what's best for their children. They choose schools for all
sorts of reasons, location, values, safety, a child's individual needs,
and they often make significant financial sacrifices too. School
funding is parents' money. It should support the choices families make.
My motion called on the Government to protect parent choice and ensure
funding is fair, certain and sector-neutral, for every child, in every
school.
You can read my full Motion here, or watch it here. |
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Nominations for Australian of the Year 2027 are now open, and will close on 31 July 2026.
Nominees can be awarded in one of four Award categories:
- Australian of the Year
- Senior Australian of the Year (those aged 65 years or over)
- Young Australian of the Year (ages 16 to 30)
- Australia's Local Hero
If you know someone making a true difference in the lives of others, who
enriches our community or strengthens our country, I encourage you to
nominate them.
You can learn more about Australian of the Year here, and get started on a nomination here.
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In 2017 I founded the Tom Hughes Oration to honour the Hon Tom Hughes AO KC, the first Member for Berowra.
The 10th Tom Hughes Oration, delivered by Andrew Hastie MP, was a great success.
Andrew gave a thoughtful address on the opportunities and challenges of
artificial intelligence - particularly its implications for Australia’s
sovereignty, security, and future.
Thank you to Tom Hughes' widow Chrissie, the Hughes family, and everyone who joined us to honour Tom Hughes’ legacy.
You can read Andrew’s remarks here.
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On 5 June, I sat down with three dedicated
educational experts at Pacific Hills Christian School in Dural to
discuss one of the issues closest to my heart: improving educational
outcomes for Indigenous Australians.
I was joined by Dr Ted Boyce, Pastor Will Dumas, Ben Van Gelderen, and
Damien Gainsford, people doing real, meaningful work in Indigenous
education. It was exactly the kind of local, grassroots conversation
that I believe good national policy must be built on.
We agreed on two clear goals: radically increasing the number of
Indigenous students attending school and the number completing their
education.
The panel was emphatic that achieving this means moving away from rigid,
one-size-fits-all approaches toward solutions that are
community-centred and culturally responsive.
I’m grateful to Pacific Hills Christian School for hosting us, and to
Ted, Will, Ben, and Damien for their generosity, passion, and insight.
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Hornsby Gang Show 🎭
Scouts and Guides on stage in a musical variety show!
📅Friday 10 July ⏰ 7.30pm
📅Saturday 11 July ⏰ 2pm and 7.30pm
📍 Abbotsleigh, 1666 Pacific Hwy, Wahroonga
Sydney North Region Scouts and Guides performing in a musical variety show.
🎟 Cost: Adults $35, Concession/children $30
🔗 More information & tickets: https://www.gangshow.com/
The Cottage Artisan Winter Market 🧺🌷
Dangar Island Cottage, an initiative of Brooklyn Community Association
and Hornsby Council, will be hosting their Winter Market featuring a
range of stalls from community artisans. Choose from local produce,
gifts, food, and more!
📅Sunday 9 August ⏰ 10am - 3pm
📍 10 Dangar Road, Brooklyn NSW 2083
🔗 More information about The Cottage: https://brooklyncommunity.org.au/the-cottage/
Free Guided Bushwalks 🌿🥾
Hornsby Shire Council's program of free guided bushwalks continues, with
experienced local guides leading walks through some of our Shire's most
beautiful bushland.
Upcoming walks include:
📅Thursday 9 July – Twilight Crusher Plant Precinct Hornsby Park Walk
📅Friday 10 July – Refuge Rock Cherrybrook Walk
📅Saturday 18 July – Florence Cotton Walk Hornsby
Designed for a range of fitness levels, these walks offer insight into the natural and cultural heritage of the Bushland Shire.
🎟 Cost: Free (Hornsby Shire residents only)
📌 Bookings essential
🔗 More information & registration: https://www.hornsby.nsw.gov.au/bushwalks
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Beacon Musical Society: Mary Poppins 🌂
BEAMS will be performing the much-loved musical Mary Poppins, based on
the stories of P.L. Travers and the Walt Disney classic film.
Performance dates are:
📅Friday 17 July ⏰7.30pm
📅Saturday 18 July ⏰1.30pm and 7.30pm
📅Saturday 25 July ⏰1.30pm and 7.30pm
📅Tuesday 28 July ⏰ 7.30pm
📅 Saturday 1 August ⏰ 1.30pm and 7.30pm
📍 Epping Baptist Church, 1-5 Ray Rd, Epping NSW 2121
🎟 Cost: Children, Pensioners, Student $35, Adults $45
🔗 More information & tickets: https://beams.org.au/currentshow/
Ferry Artists & Friends Exhibition 🖌️🎨
Artists from Wiseman's Ferry "Ferry Artists Gallery", along with other
local artists from Kur-ring-gai Art Society will be hosting a combined
exhibition displaying their works.
📅 28 July - 9 August ⏰10am - 4pm Tuesday to Sunday
📍 Wallarobba Arts and Cultural Centre, Edgeworth David Ave, Hornsby NSW 2077
🔗 More information about Ferry Artists: http://ferryartists.org.au/
Boutique Music Theatre: Matilda Jr 📚
Boutique Music Theatre is performing the family favourite Matilda Jr, featuring school students from across Berowra!
Performance dates are:
📅Friday 10 July ⏰ 7pm
📅Saturday 11 July ⏰2pm & 7pm
📅Sunday 12 July ⏰ 11am & 3pm
📍 Hildegard Theatre, Mount St Benedict College, 449C Pennant Hills Rd, Pennant Hills NSW 2119
🎟 Cost: Children $35, Concession/Seniors $38, Adults $40
🔗 More information & tickets: boutiquemusictheatre.com/musical-production
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Renaming the Hornsby Aquatic and Leisure Centre
Ellie
Cole AM is Australia’s most decorated female Paralympian, winning 17
medals across four Games. She is also a valued member of our local
community, living in the Hornsby Shire while raising her family and
working as a disability advocate, author and commentator.
To recognise her achievements and local connection, and in recognition
of her work with the Hornsby Swim Club and the Berowra RSL Sub-Branch
Youth Swimming Club, a petition has been launched to rename the Hornsby
Aquatic and Leisure Centre in her honour.
Renaming the centre would celebrate her legacy and inspire future generations. Sign the petition here to show your support.
Pushing for More Parking in Epping
In
recent months, I have been doorknocking across Epping and North
Epping, listening to residents about the matters that concern them most.
One issue raised time and again is parking.
As Epping continues to grow, finding a parking space has become a daily challenge for many locals.
Our infrastructure needs to keep pace, including a clear plan for more
public parking to support residents, businesses, and community life.
Add your voice by signing the petition here.
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I
was honoured to receive a replica of the Australian Parliamentary Mace
from the Speaker of the House of Representatives recently, and it will
be coming soon to schools across Berowra with me.
The Mace is the most important symbol in our Parliament. Carried into
the chamber at the start of every sitting day, it signals the authority
of the Speaker and the power of the House of Representatives itself.
Our current Mace was a gift from the British House of Commons and King
George VI in 1951, celebrating 50 years of Australian federation,
crafted in solid silver and gold plate, and weighing 8 kilograms.
This replica is part of the Australian Parliament's civics education
program, and I can't wait to bring it into classrooms across the
electorate. Democracy is strengthened when the next generation
understands the history and meaning behind the institutions that serve
them.
Watch this space, I'll be visiting schools in Berowra soon. If you'd
like me to visit your school (and bring the mace!), please contact my
office.
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I
recently enjoyed a great visit to Cherrybrook Public School, where I
presented the school with the Australian, Aboriginal, and Torres Strait
Islander flags.
Earlier this year, Cherrybrook Public senior students paid a visit to
the Australian Parliament House, where I spoke to them about the
importance of democracy and the role and history of Parliament.
Just like the history of our democracy, our flags have remarkable
stories and a unique place in our national identity, which I always
love to share with students.
It has been great to see such a high level of civic engagement among students, both in Canberra and back home in Berowra.
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I
recently welcomed Year 5 and 6 students from Galston Public School to
Parliament House as part of their school excursion to Canberra.
I spoke to the students about the job and daily life of a
Parliamentarian, the structure of our democracy, and the
significance of Parliament House to our national history.
It is always wonderful to welcome students from Berowra to the place
where I do my work representing the community, and I'm always
appreciative of the teachers who put in so much organisation and effort
to make these excursions possible.
I hope the students of Galston Public School had a fantastic time in
Canberra and were inspired to learn even more about how our democracy
works back home in Berowra.
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I had a great time at Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women's Shelter's fair, an
event which raised vital funds to support the Shelter's work
including housing and advocating for women and children
fleeing domestic violence.
It was heartening to see organisations including Berowra Baptist Church,
Ann Leslie's Music Studio, the RFS, Pacific Berowra Christian School,
and Bugs About come together to help make the day a success.
HKWS does life-changing work in our community, and I wish them every
success as they continue to help women and children in our community
facing domestic violence.
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It was fantastic to attend the Hornsby SES Youth Internship Program
Presentation and to see first-hand what students from our local area
have achieved over the past 10 weeks.
Through the program, participants developed practical emergency response
skills, teamwork, leadership and resilience under the guidance of the
dedicated volunteers from the Hornsby SES Unit.
Congratulations to every participant, and to Hornsby SES for making the
program possible. It was a pleasure to join Inspector James Logan, Unit
Commander, in presenting the students with certificates and medallions
to recognise their outstanding achievements.
Our community is stronger because of volunteers who invest in the next
generation, and it's encouraging to see so many young people stepping up
to serve others.
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I
attended the Sydney Multicultural Midlife & Seniors Cultural
Showcase on 6 June at the Pennant Hills Community Centre, hosted by the
Leading Light Multicultural Association.
With around 300 attendees filling the venue to capacity, it was a
wonderful celebration of the incredible contributions multicultural
seniors make to our community.
The event featured cultural performances spanning martial arts, dance,
music and poetry, along with fascinating “mini interviews” with
community leaders, entrepreneurs and artists from Chinese, Turkish,
South American and Australian backgrounds.
Four themed chapters explored identity, perseverance, legacy and dreams,
creating a powerful reminder of the rich tapestry of experience our
multicultural seniors carry with them.
What struck me most was the deep sense of pride and belonging in the
room. These are men and women who have spent decades shaping Australian
society through community service, entrepreneurship, family leadership
and volunteer work. Their stories deserve to be heard and celebrated.
Congratulations to the Leading Light Multicultural Association on a truly memorable occasion.
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Emmanuel Anglican Church, Glenhaven, recently celebrated its 140th anniversary with a wonderful service and community gathering.
I was honoured to attend, to learn more about the rich history of the
Church, and to hear from the Senior Minister Hayden Smith.
It was also great fun to help hand out balloons, chat with the church
community, and spread cheer following the formal celebratory service.
Emmanuel Church has been serving the Glenhaven community ever since its
very first service in 1886. I am so pleased to see the Church continue
to flourish under the ministry of Hayden Smith, who took up the role in
2019.
I look forward to celebrating many more milestones with the community at Emmanuel.
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I recently spent a morning with the Cherrybrook Litter Warriors to clean
up our local area and learn more about the great work the Warriors do
in our community.
Organised by local Natalie Bryant, the Litter Warriors meet
fortnightly to collect rubbish from parks and streets in the
Cherrybrook area.
They do excellent work to keep our area clean, while also providing
locals with an opportunity to meet new people and make a difference.
Natalie started the Warriors in August 2025, inspired by the amount of
rubbish she was noticing on her local walks. She has
since been able to make a real change through the Warriors' routine
clean-ups. Congratulations to Natalie and to all the members who joined
us, including Judy, Louise, Phil, and Jo.
You can find more information, details on how to join the Litter Warriors, and when they meet, here.
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The Pennant Hills High School Winter Carnival is to Pennant Hills what Vivid is to Sydney.
This fantastic event brings together the wider community to enjoy
great food, performances, rides, and activities, and it also raises a
significant amount of money for the school.
I brought the kids along, and we had a wonderful time. This year is
extra special, with Penno High celebrating its 60th birthday. Past
students were welcomed back for tours during the day, and there was even
a specially grafted Penno Rose on sale to mark the occasion.
The entertainment programme was outstanding, with performances from
school bands, choirs and dance troupes, as well as visiting performers
throughout the afternoon and evening.
It takes an enormous effort to put on an event like this, and it would
not be possible without the 200 volunteers from the school community who
gave their time on the day, led by a dedicated Carnival team of 24.
I want to thank P&C President Dan Saunders and his team, as well as
everyone involved in making this year's Carnival such a success. Thanks
also to Cherrybrook RFS, Westleigh RFS and Hornsby SES for being there
on the day.
Happy 60th birthday, Pennant Hills High School!
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It
was great to attend Hornsby North Public’s recent Movie Night, held by
the P&C as a fundraiser to support the school’s resources and
student opportunities.
The community enjoyed the fun kids’ movie Goat at Hornsby North's Oval,
along with delicious food and snacks from the on-site barbecue.
I want to congratulate Hornsby P&C on a wonderful evening that
brought families from the local area together, and wish them success
with ongoing fundraising efforts. Thank you to Kate Noonan from Hornsby
North P&C for the invitation and her organisational work. I
know my family will be looking forward to the upcoming movie nights!
We are very lucky to have such dedicated P&C teams at our schools
across Berowra, which enrich the lives of our students and the wider
community through events like this one.
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At
Vision Australia’s Future Me Event in Epping, I had the pleasure of
hearing directly from participants in Vision Australia’s Life Ready
Program and other support initiatives.
I was truly inspired and impressed by the stories I heard, and it’s
clear that the team at Vision Australia are making a real difference in
the lives of those with low or no vision.
At the event, I met children learning Braille with the help of Vision
Australia and spoke with their parents about the importance of early
support for children with low or no vision.
I was also moved by the story of an older gentleman who, having lost his
sight later in life, found respite from depression and new hope through
building skills with Vision Australia.
Congratulations to Vision Australia, and particularly Stephanie, who
runs the Life Ready Program to help young people build independence and
self-belief. I thank them for the transformative work they are
doing in our community and around the country.
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This week, I had the privilege of attending the first raising of the
Australian flag on Cheltenham House's brand new flagpole.
The flagpole was installed after the beautiful suggestion to have a flagpole on-site was made by a resident.
I was honoured to present Cheltenham House with the Australian flag and to watch it fly for the first time.
It was also a pleasure to meet the residents and staff of Cheltenham
House. Thank you to everyone involved for such a warm reception and for
organising an event that brought residents, family, friends, and
guests together.
I particularly want to thank the dedicated group of students from nearby
Cheltenham Girls High School who took time out of their school holidays
to sing as part of the event. Their talent and enthusiasm made the
afternoon even more memorable.
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Congratulations
to Berowra Musical Society on an incredible production of Charlie and
the Chocolate Factory, held at the Berowra Community Centre from May 23
to May 31.
The performances by the entire cast were fantastic, and it was great to
see performers from such a wide range of ages collaborating on one
outstanding production.
I want to acknowledge the brilliant performances by Charles Bradford as
Willy Wonka, Hugo Bolluijt as Charlie, and Scarlett Clark, Heidi Burr,
Maxine Fields, and Ryan Lyari as the children Charlie meets on his
journey through the factory.
I always look forward to supporting Berowra Musical Society’s shows, and
I can’t wait to hear more about their 2026 Christmas production.
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It
was a real pleasure to visit the talented young cast of Boutique Music
Theatre as they put the finishing touches on their upcoming production
of Matilda Jr.
With 51 young performers drawn from schools right across our electorate,
including Normanhurst West PS, Thornleigh West PS, West Pennant Hills
PS, Pennant Hills HS, Cherrybrook Technology HS, Loretto Normanhurst,
Mount St Benedict College and many more, this production is a
celebration of our young community talent.
Boutique Music Theatre, based in Normanhurst, has been doing outstanding
work since 2019 nurturing young performers through high-quality musical
theatre training in singing, acting and dance. What sets them apart is
the calibre of their teachers, who are working professionals bringing
real industry experience and genuine mentorship into every class.
Many of their students have already gone on to achieve remarkable
results, from lead roles in major productions to film appearances and
top results at the Sydney Eisteddfod.
Beyond the skills developed on stage, the opportunity to participate in
programs like Boutique Music Theatre’s also empowers our young people to
build confidence, discipline, resilience and teamwork. These are
qualities that serve our youth well in every walk of life, and I'm proud
to support organisations in our community that invest so meaningfully
in the next generation.
Matilda Jr. runs from July 9 to July 12 at the Hildegard Theatre, Mount
St Benedict College, with six performances across the school holiday
period. It’s a perfect idea for a fun-filled family outing.
Performance Times:
- Thursday 9 July: 11am
- Friday 10 July: 7pm
- Saturday 11 July: 2pm & 7pm
- Sunday 12 July: 11am & 3pm
Tickets are available now at boutiquemusictheatre.com/musical-production
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One of my key focuses as Shadow Minister for Education is lifting Australia’s falling literacy and numeracy standards.
Our children should be getting world-class foundational educations in
our classrooms to set them up for success in their further studies
and future careers.
In reality, our literacy and numeracy standards aren’t keeping pace with
other similar nations, nor with the results of previous generations.
This is why I was pleased to visit Genius Abacus’ recent annual
showcase, celebrating student achievement in mathematics and numeracy.
With over 300 families in attendance, the scale of Genius Abacus’s work
to help kids understand and love mathematics, numeracy, and
problem-solving was on clear display.
It was a privilege to acknowledge the progress and successes of so many
students from our local area, and to learn more from founder and
director Smita Sharma about the great work Genius Abacus does to foster
learning and mathematics skills in students across many age groups.
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It
was a pleasure to attend a recent rehearsal of Mary Poppins, an
upcoming production by the Beacon Musical Society that will be playing
at Epping Baptist Church from July 17 to August 1.
The cast is full of talent, energy, and skill, and I am sure the
production will delight audiences of all ages. We chatted about their
rehearsal process, the upcoming show, and what’s next from the BEAMS
crew.
I brought along some pizzas to celebrate the hard work of the cast and
crew, and to wish them all the very best for the show’s opening.
Performance Times:
Friday 17 July: 7.30pm
Saturday 18 July: 1.30pm and 7.30pm
Saturday 25 July: 1.30pm and 7.30pm
Tuesday 28 July: 7.30pm
Saturday 1 August: 1.30pm and 7.30pm
Tickets are available now at Beacon MS Ticketing
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Thank you to Helen Seares and the Epping Weavers, Embroiderers and
Spinners (EWES) for the warm welcome at this year's annual exhibition at
the Epping Creative Centre.
For more than 40 years, EWES has been promoting creative fibre arts,
preserving traditional crafts and passing valuable skills on to future
generations. This year's theme, Inspired by Nature - Winter, showcased the remarkable talent, creativity and dedication of local artisans.
The exhibition featured an impressive range of handcrafted items,
including clothing, scarves, jewellery and other unique creations.
Visitors also enjoyed fashion parades and a community café, making it a
wonderful event for families and residents from across the district.
Community groups such as EWES play an important role in fostering
creativity and ensuring traditional skills are passed on to future
generations.
I was also pleased to see the exhibition supporting H.A.R.K. (Health
Assessments for Refugee Kids) at Westmead Children's Hospital through
its fundraising efforts.
Congratulations to everyone involved in another successful exhibition.
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In
May, I had the pleasure of attending Sweet Charity, performed by the
Hornsby Musical Society. The Musical Society’s rendition of the classic
show was full of energy, talent, and good fun.
The audience was treated to faithful renditions of much-loved songs,
including “Hey Big Spender” and “If My Friends Could See Me Now”.
Particular congratulations must go to the very talented cast, consisting
of Victoria Alfieris and Asha Perry as Charity, James Denton and Logan
McArthur as Oscar, Sarah Paull and Gabrielle Foster as Nickie, Charlie
Wrublewski and Kate Addison as Helene, Max Waterson as Vittorio, Tim
Selby as Herman, and Sam Byres as Daddy Brubeck.
The Musical Society wrapped up its run of Sweet Charity on the 24th
of May. I look forward to their upcoming productions, which are always
of such a high calibre. It’s a privilege to support our brilliant local
performing arts scene.
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