12th August 2023. Edition One. In this edition: President's Report,
BCCT eNews,
National Tree Day,
Results on the Survey on Beecroft Road Traffic Management,
Issues Raised with Hornsby Shire Council following our Survey,
Civic Trust's Spring Walk,
Correspondence from the General Manager, Steven Head HSC,
Beecroft Bush Dance,
Beecroft Tennis Club Open Day,
Beecroft Orchestra,
Your Civic Trust,
Epping Civic Trust,
Local JP,
Julian Leeser MP. Newsletter,
Hornsby Council News Bulletin,
City of Parramatta News Bulletin,
Recent Development Applications,
Latest Police Reports.
Message from the President It
was both sad and a milestone to hear that Sparks Shoes will be closing
after over 90 years of trading and 4 generations here in Beecroft. A
history of this retail outlet can be found on the History Group website CLICK HERE.
My wife Louise, inquired as to whether their shoe measurement
sizes had been kept from when she was a girl – but she was informed that
regrettably they had not been kept from the last millennium! The family
have made (and continue to make) a significant contribution to our
community and will be greatly missed.
By way of local news, I went in a personal capacity to two local events
in the last month. The first was to a meeting about the Voice, held by
Beecroft Yes 23 in the Community Centre. There were three speakers,
namely, Dr Shireen Morris (a constitutional lawyer), Noel Pearson and
Julian Leeser (the Federal representative for Berowra). The meeting was
well attended and the speakers spoke fluently and knowledgeably. It was
subsequently reported in The Guardian. Julian Leeser made
mention of the comparison between the roles of The Voice and that of the
Civic Trust as well as the voting history of postcode 2119 in the 1967
Referendum. Two of the Aboriginal advocates in 1967 had a connection
with our suburbs. The histories of the connections of Margaret Tucker
and Bill Onus are on the History Group website. For Bill Onus CLICK HERE. For Margaret Tucker CLICK HERE and scroll down.
The second event was the induction of Rev Paul Harris as the Minister of
Beecroft Presbyterian Church. While it felt strange to be welcoming
Paul who has already been the minister for the last 5 years, the
ceremony represented a milestone in his ministry from being appointed by
the regional Presbytery to being supported by the local church
congregation.
On Saturday, 12 August, the Historic Houses Association organised a
heritage walk in Cheltenham. It was pleasing to see that the walk was
fully booked, with a waiting list. The tour leader was supplied by our
History Group. The group ended with coffee and a slice at Molly’s
Pavilion. Next year there might be a second walk in Beecroft. If
you are interested in a walk, then the Spring Walk of the Civic Trust is
on August 27 and is advertised elsewhere in this eNews.
Talking of walking, Louise, our dog and I had pleasure in walking along
one of the new footpaths installed by Parramatta City Council in
Beecroft. It is also great that the broken plumbing from the Beecroft
Railway Station (on the Sutherland Road, eastern, side) has been
repaired. The removal of fluids and stench is much appreciated.
We have also heard back from Heritage NSW that our submission for a Blue Plaque on Marie Byles property, Ahimsa
in Cheltenham, was unsuccessful. This did not surprise us as we thought
that it would be very unlikely that one postcode would receive Blue
Plaques in successive years – when so few are honoured in this way. The
plaque commemorating Mark Lidwill on the gate post on Beecroft Road that
used to lead into his former home and surgery (But now Arden School) is
still looking proud on the post. Lidwill invented, while living and
working in Beecroft, the world’s first heart pacemaker that had been
used on a human and his story is on the History Group website CLICK HERE.
As readers will be aware the Civic Trust continues to advocate on a
range of topics including M2 Noise, traffic on Beecroft Road,
improvements to the Village Green, the appointment of private certifiers
and the preservation of Byles Creek bushland. Two recent letters from
Hornsby Shire Council, containing very helpful information on some of
these topics are to be found in this eNews. The Civic Trust always
welcomes the views of fellow residents on topics for advocacy.
Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust eNews The
Trust publishes this monthly eNews newsletter. If you would like
to receive this newsletter on a regular basis, please CLICK HERE to subscribe to the eNews.
National Tree Day at Beecroft Village Green Hornsby
Shire Council held its annual National Tree Day at the Beecroft Village
Green this year. A broad variety of indigenous plants ranging from
native grasses to small trees, sourced from Council’s nursery, were
planted adjacent to the train line. Traditionally held on the last
Sunday in July, our local community was well represented by our scouts,
Rotary and local families. The event was organised by Council’s
nursery staff with support from our councillors.
Photos courtesy of HSC
Results on the Survey on Beecroft Road Traffic Management We asked:
Do you want the Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust to advocate for the
installation of a Red Light and Speed Camera to be installed on the
corner of Beecroft and Hannah Streets?
Yes/No 83% of eNews Voted YES
17% of eNews readers Voted NO
Issues Raised with Hornsby Shire Council following our Survey The
Civic Trust has written to Hornsby Shire Council informing them of the
results of our survey and also requesting an update on Traffic
management for traffic entering Beecroft Road and the increase in trucks
using Copeland Road to avoid North Connect tolls.
Council's reply can be viewed CLICK HERE
Civic Trust's Spring Walk The Civic Trust's next walk will be the Spring walk. The walk is planned for the 27th of August.
Please note this in your diaries. We will be providing more details in our August edition of the eNews. 2023 Autumn walk
Correspondence from the General Manager, Steven Head HSC At the Trust's Annual General Meeting in October 2022 several questions were put to the General Manager.
Mr Steven Head's reply is now available CLICK HERE.
Beecroft Bush Dance The last Bush Dance was a huge success, the next one is planned for September.
Beecroft Tennis Club Open Day Sunday 10 September, 11am to 3pm Celebrating 125 years of tennis at Beecroft.
Unleash your tennis talent, all welcome. Activities:
Social tennis,
Try real grass courts,
Free coaching 11am - 1pm,
Exhibition doubles match 2pm,
Kids' activities, face painting,
Lunch: BBQ, sliders, kebabs, hot dogs.
Entry: Free to all comers.
Venue: Beecroft Lawn Tennis Club, Cnr Beecroft Rd & The Crescent, Beecroft.
For more information visit the club's web site: CLICK HERE
Beecroft Orchestra’s Concert 3 for 2023 on Sunday 17th September at 2:30pm
Cheltenham Girls High School new Performance Hall, The Promenade, Cheltenham 2119
Conductor-Joanna Drimatis
Assistant Conductor-Paige Gullifer
Antonin Dvorak-Symphony No6, Op 60
Emilie Mayer-Faust-Overture
Antonin Dvorak-Serenade for Winds, Opus 44
This year, the orchestra initiated a Young Conductors’ Program. The
response to this has been astonishing and 4 young conductors were
selected to assist and learn from the orchestra’s Conductor, Dr Joanna
Drimatis - one in each musical term. Funds for this program come from
tax deductible donations to the orchestra’s Gift Fund which is
accessible through the Beecroft Orchestra Website. CLICK HERE
Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust The Trust has for many years fought and lobbied to protect our suburbs.
If you value your Trust and appreciate the work the Trust does to
preserve the amenity and heritage of our two suburbs, please consider
renewing your financial membership.
This can be done on-line at https://bcct2119.com.au/membership.htm Without your valued support, the Trust will cease to exist.
Epping Civic Trust
The next Epping Civic Trust meeting will be on Tuesday 15th August at 7.30 pm.
The venue for the meeting will be the hall for the Churches of Christ Bridge St Epping.
Anyone wishing to hear from Jerome Laxale would be very welcome.
To read the Epping Civic Trust's August news letter CLICK HERE.
Local Justice of the Peace Timothy
Abrams, a Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust committee member, has
generously offered his services as a Justice of the Peace for any
residents requiring this service.
Tim can be contacted on Mob 0417 662 405
Dr. Penelope Crossley has also generously offered her services.
Penelope is a practising solicitor and is happy to witness documents pro
bono for 2119 residents if Tim is unavailable. Penelope can be
contacted on 0449 232 474.
Julian Leeser MP. Latest Newsletter The Trust's policy is that we will publish submitted newsletters from any of our elected representatives. CLICK HERE
Hornsby Shire Council's August News Bulletin Can be viewed CLICK HERE
City of Parramatta's August News Bulletin Can be viewed CLICK HERE
Recent Development Applications The
Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust's Web Site now has links to recently
submitted Development Applications in the 2119 postcode area for both
Hornsby and Parramatta Shire Councils. This page will be updated
with every eNews publication. CLICK HERE To access them.
Other objections and correspondence with council can be viewed CLICK HERE
Latest Police Reports CLICK HEREfor
the latest reports. Just a reminder that these reports are
regularly provided by the Ryde Police Area Command which includes the
entire suburbs of Beecroft & Cheltenham.
Annual Memberships for 2023 became due in March... CLICK HERE
Keep our two suburbs strong and informed by being a member!
To support or join the Beecroft Cheltenham Civic Trust, please visit our website. CLICK HERE.The
eNews has become our main method for disseminating information to the
community. We already send the eNews to many of our residents. We
encourage residents who receive the eNews to tell their neighbours and
friends and suggest they too subscribe. The eNews letter is
available to all who subscribe. Trust Membership is not a
requirement.
The eNews archives are available HERE. To subscribe to the eNews: CLICK HERE.The Trust has always sought to assist any resident regardless of their membership status.
