Swansea Local Women of the Year

It was fantastic to recognise Laurel Williams as Swansea Women of the Year.

Aunty Laurel has built a 50-year career in Aboriginal education and these days is a tireless volunteer. Her stellar career includes a PhD and the longest active stint on the Aboriginal Education Consultative Group.

Congratulations and thank you, Aunty Laurel.

Backing our Local Surf Clubs

Great to join Brad Fox President of Swansea - Belmont SLSC to present a cheque for $22,000 to purchase a new IRB to support the club to do the work they do to keep our community safe.

This is part of a broad investment of more than $100,000 split between all surf clubs in the Swansea electorate.

Justice of the Peace Services

My office offers Justice of the Peace Services for the community.

There is a JP available at the office: 

• Monday from 10am until 11am and from 3pm till 4pm,
• Wednesday from 10am until 11am and from 3pm till 4pm,
• Friday from 10am until 11am and from 3pm till 4pm. 

A Justice of the Peace can

• Witness documents
• Witness statutory declarations
• Witness affidavits
• Witness and administer oaths and affirmations
• Certify a true copy of an original document.

If you need a signature witnessed, do not bring pre-signed documents. The Justice of the Peace needs to see the signing take place. A Justice of the Peace will not witness a blank document.

The NSW Justices Association Lake Macquarie Branch also offers a community JP Service with all the latest information available here.

Stations Future Unveiled

It was great to have the Minister for Planning in the Hunter this week to unveil the future of the historic Station building.

The NSW Government has opened expressions of interest for a tourism and hospitality operator for this historic place.

The Government is focused on investing in our region. The Newcastle Ocean Baths have never looked better. City of Newcastle has restored them beautifully, helped by $3 million from the NSW Government.

Class 361 Attestation

On 1 March, 2024 158 probationary constables graduated the NSW Police Academy.

Congratulations Class 361 on your hard work and resolute commitment to serve and protect communities across NSW. It was an honour to welcome you to the police family.

The new officers have started at stations across NSW and I wish them all a rich and rewarding career with the NSW Police Force.

Belmont & District Residents' Action Group

The Belmont & District Residents' Action Group is a local community group that advocates on behalf of Belmont and surrounding suburbs on a range of local issues. The group engages with local, state and federal levels of government. The group is seeking new members and if you would like to join, please contact Robin Gordon on robingordon1942@gmail.com.

Belmont Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary

The Belmont Hospital Volunteer Auxiliary truly are a great help to hospital staff. Beginning 50 years ago with a trolley service to patients and staff, the Auxiliary now has a team of more than 30 volunteers who provide 3 services:

• Patient Care which does administration work for all the departments within the hospital. It also sells craft and personal items to assist our patients and visitors
• Meet & Greet work from the foyer and assist visitors navigate around our hospital
• Kiosk provides food and beverages to staff, visitors and patients

All services run 5 days per week. The Auxiliary are always looking for more volunteers to join their team. They work on a weekly or fortnightly roster (with the option to work full or half days). If you are keen to join this wonderful team call Fay Smith (President) on 0427 488 499.

Savings for Pensioners 

The rise in the cost of living has been hitting many people hard, especially pensioners. Here are 10 ways for NSW pensioners to save:

1. Council rate rebates: Pensioners are entitled to up to $250 a year off their council rates. For more information visit the Lake Macquarie City Council and Central Coast Council websites. 
2. Electricity rebate: The Low Income Household Rebate will shave up to $285 a year off your electricity bill for households with a retail provider.
3. Gas rebate: This rebate will give you a discount of up to $110 a year.
4. Water rates: Eligible pensioners can access a quarterly rebate, shaving hundreds of dollars a year off a typical household bill. 
5. Revenue NSW Unclaimed Money: Find “lost” money waiting to be claimed from inactive bank accounts, shares and investments, insurance policies, unpaid wages, unclaimed super and deceased estates.
6. Travel vouchers: Pensioners are entitled to four Pensioner Travel Vouchers each calendar year. They can be used for two return or four single trips, giving access to free or discounted travel in economy class on NSW TrainLink Regional services within regional NSW.
7. Free car rego: Pensioners in NSW don’t pay registration fees or motor vehicle tax on one of their cars. They also receive free driver’s licences, free driving tests and concessions on the cost of Mobility Parking Scheme permits.
8. Free glasses: You can get yourself one pair of single vision glasses or one pair of bifocal glasses in a two-year period under the NSW Spectacles Program.
9. Seniors Card: The NSW Seniors Card is packed with discounts for thousands of retailers and services across the state from groceries to tradespeople and insurance.

I encourage all seniors to apply for these savings if they haven't already.