Dear Berowra Resident,
In this newsletter, you will find updates on:
- Cost of living relief
- Iranian and Sri Lankan Meetings
- The Berowra for Yes campaign
- A big win for pick-your-own farms
- Grant opportunities
- Our local community
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COST OF LIVING RELIEF
The number one issue, number two issue and number three issue that I hear about across the electorate is the economy.
Interest rates, rising power bills, and increasing food prices are all taking their toll on households.
The economic vice on households is tightening.
That’s why I want to highlight the National Energy Bill Relief Fund.
Through the fund, eligible households can receive a one-off rebate of
$500 to help with the cost of their energy bills. Eligible small
businesses can get a one-off rebate of $650. Those payments will be made
in addition to any rebates that you already receive.
You can find out more about whether you are eligible and how you will receive the rebate by clicking on the button below.
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IRANIAN AND SRI LANKAN MEETINGS
For some time, I have been deeply concerned about the worsening situation in Iran.
I believe in the old adage, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere”.
Over the past year we’ve seen the waves of protest in Iran—protests for freedom, protests for liberty, protests for equality.
I admire the young men and women of Iran who are standing for freedom and liberty and in so doing, risking all.
That’s why I recently invited Senator Claire Chandler, the Shadow
Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs, to meet with the local Iranian
community. Senator Chandler also met with the local Sri Lankan
community.
We had a fantastic turnout, with almost 150 people joining us across the two meetings.
I was grateful to my friend, Senator Claire Chandler, for joining us
locally. Like me, Senator Chandler is a strong champion of the Iranian
and Sri Lankan people.
I am a great believer in the four freedoms that underpin human dignity:
freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want and freedom
from fear.
Brave Iranians are standing for those freedoms. It was an honour to
gather with attendees and reiterate Australia’s commitment to standing
with them.
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LAUNCH OF THE BEROWRA FOR YES CAMPAIGN
A referendum will be held in a few months’ time.
The referendum is about recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islanders in the Constitution by establishing an advisory body called
the Voice.
In a referendum, every Australian gets a vote. As you might know, I am voting YES.
To me, voting YES is a practical means by which we can provide
constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians as well as help
close the gap on intractable issues such as Indigenous health,
education, housing and employment.
Recently, over 150 local YES volunteers gathered to discuss the campaign
ahead. It will be a campaign that is positive, generous and welcomes
everyone.
In the months ahead, we are going to be at railway stations, bus stops,
shopping centres and street corners talking with our friends, neighbours
and communities.
On Sunday 13 August from 3-5 pm, I will be hosting a
Referendum Information Session at Hornsby RSL. This will be an
opportunity for you to ask questions and learn more about the vote you
will be casting later this year.
Please look out for a further invitation that will be coming soon.
If you would like to be a part of the Berowra for Yes campaign or learn more, please get in touch via berowraforyes@gmail.com.
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HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT THE REFERENDUM?
I know many residents have questions about the referendum.
As part of ensuring all Australians have information on the referendum,
the Australian Electoral Commission will be distributing a pamphlet to
all Australian households containing the official YES and NO cases. You
can read that pamphlet by clicking on the link below.
As your elected representative who voted YES in the Parliament for the
referendum, I was proud to have signed and authorised the YES case.
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A BIG WIN FOR PICK-YOUR-OWN FARMS
I want children to know that fruit and vegetables come from farms and not from supermarkets.
Our area has a number of small pick-your-own farms. Some dated back 150 years and are Sydney institutions.
Recently, those farms have been under threat.
Hornsby Shire Council in response to a State Government directive,
wanted to restrict the number of people visiting a farm, regardless of
the size of the farm, to 100 people at a time.
These rules would have been disastrous for local farms, many of which rely on paying visitors.
Local farmers told me that the policy would close their farming
businesses and see fruit rot on trees rather than being picked by
families.
It was unnecessary bureaucratic overreach.
Following a campaign from our local community, we recently achieved a big win for those farms.
Thanks to the advocacy of local farmers and a vocal community campaign,
NSW Premier Chris Minns has agreed to explore scrapping the rules.
This is a win for common-sense and a win for our community.
If you get the chance, I encourage you to visit Watkins Family Farm,
Fords Farm, Canoelands Orchard, or any other local pick-your-own farms.
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GRANT OPPORTUNITIES
Last Chance for Local Sporting Champions Grants
Local Sporting Champions and Local Paralympic Champions grants close today, 31 July 2023.
The Local Sporting and Local Paralympic Champions grants help young
competitors, coaches, and officials to achieve their dream of attending
state, national, or international championships in their chosen sports.
Grants of between $500 and $750 are available for non-paralympic
athletes aged 12-18 and grants of between $750 and $1000 are available
for paralympic athletes aged 12-24.
If you know a competitor, coach, or official who intended to apply for
the grant but has not yet done so, please encourage them to apply today.
They can do so by visiting https://www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/local_sporting_champions or https://www.sportaus.gov.au/grants_and_funding/local-para-champions
2023-24 Volunteer Grants
Expressions of interest for the 2023-24 Volunteer Grants program are now open.
Volunteer Grants support the work of local community organisations by
enabling the inclusion of vulnerable people and providing support to
increase participation in volunteering.
Grants of between $1,000 and $5,000 are available to eligible
not-for-profit community organisations to support the efforts of their
volunteers.
If you are interested in applying for a grant, please contact my office
via email to request an Expression of Interest form. Expressions of
interest are due by Friday 15 September 2023.
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IN THE COMMUNITY
Early Learning Matters Week 2023
I recently visited local childcare centres in recognition of Early Learning Matters Week 2023.
One of the centres I visited was Pennant Hills War Memorial Children's
Centre, which is celebrating its 75th Anniversary this year!
During my visit I met Sam Thomson, who has worked as an early childhood educator at the Children's Centre for 20 years.
Thank you to Pennant Hills War Memorial Children's Centre, Adventures in
West Pennant Hills, and Cheltenham Early Education Centre for having
me.
Thank you as well to all the early childhood educators across our
electorate, who lay such an important foundation for our children at the
start of their schooling journey.
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Hornsby Ku-ring-gai Women's Shelter Fundraiser
The Hornsby Women’s Shelter does critical work supporting women and
children experiencing domestic abuse and homelessness through crisis
accommodation and outreach services in the community.
I was one of the many people who attended the 2023 Mini Fete Fundraiser
for the shelter. It was great to see so many members of our community
come together for this important cause.
I particularly want to acknowledge Ann Leslie for her hard work organising this fundraiser each year.
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Sri Lanka Food Fair
Recently, I attended the Sri Lankan Food Fair.
The food and the company was amazing. It was a wonderful reminder of our area’s great multicultural character.
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Thornleigh Zig Zag Railway
I joined my friend Tim Sowden, local history buffs, and railway
enthusiasts to retrace the route of the Thornleigh Zig Zag Railway. Tim,
a local historian, has recently written a book about this important
piece of local history.
The Thornleigh Zig Zag Railway was just one of three Zig Zag railways in
NSW. The railway was primarily used at the end of the 19th Century to
bring stones and rocks from the Thornleigh quarry, which were then used
in the construction of the main Northern line.
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Please feel welcome to share
this newsletter with others who may be interested. Anyone who
wants to be added to the newsletter distribution list should
email julian.leeser.mp@aph.gov.au.
As always, please reach out to my office if you require assistance. You can email me or call 9980 1822.
Yours sincerely,
Julian Leeser
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