Eastlakes Shopping Centre Visit with Matt Thistlethwaite

Ron Hoenig MP and Matt Thistlethwaite meeting Eastlakes residents

Yesterday I visited Eastlakes Shopping Centre with Matt Thistlethwaite to say hello local residents about their concerns.

So many of our residents spoke to Matt and I about their fear of the proposal to build more high rise flats in the Eastlakes area. The already overcrowed area and gridlock in the streets has the local residents very worried about the pending development application before the State's Planning and Assessment Commission.

All of us would like to see the shopping centre redeveloped. It is the high rise flats that we are concerned about.

Two weeks ago I met with the Planning and Assessment Commission and voiced my fierce opposition to the proposal.  I was please that Labor's Matt Thisthlethwaite, the candidate for Kingsford Smith at Saturdays Federal Election was with me to hear the residents views first hand.

After all Matt is a local and understands. He is one of us.

Daceyville Community Day at Rowland Park

What a great sunny Saturday it was at Rowland Park, Daceyville with Botany Bay City Council hosting a successful Community day.

I popped along to say hi to all the local people and with a walk around I was pleased to see that Council had provided information stalls on recycling and worm farming, children’s and community services, free fruit and vegetables and general information along with a jumping castle & a rock climbing tower for the kids to enjoy. 

The local Police, Maroubra Rotary Club, the Eastern Suburbs PCYC, Botany SES who ran council's free sausage sizzle and Randwick Little Athletics also had stalls there and were very happy to talk to the community about what they do and how to get involved.

Matt Thistlethwaite, Labor candidate for Kingsford-Smith, Botany Bay City Mayor, Ben Keneally, Deputy Mayor, George Glinatsis  and Councillors were also busy chatting to the locals and giving out advice where needed. 

I must say I am very proud to be the State Member for Heffron as Botany Bay City Council and local community organisations in the Heffron area are so proactive in their services, happy to assist people in need and most of all love what they do, to me that is what makes a great community.

I would like to thank Botany Bay City Council, the local emergency services and community organisations along with everyone who came along for making this event as great as it was. 

Pagewood Botany FC - Cheque presentation to Sydney Children's Hospital at Jellicoe Park, Pagewood

What a great day it was on Saturday to attend the Pagewood Botany FC soccer club junior presentation for boys & girls (13-18s) at Jellicoe Park.

There was a real buzz in the air as the young players awaited their trophies and anticipated wining the “Junior Sportsperson of the Year” award and the “Clubman of the Year” award.

I would like to congratulate Jason Poon in winning the “Junior Sportsperson of the Year” award and Bill Katakouzinos in winning the "Clubman of the Year" award".

Each year Pagewood Botany FC donates money to non-profit charitable organisations, this year I was honored to present a cheque to Sydney Children’s Hospital on behalf of Pagewood Botany FC as part of their annual fundraiser. This money will make a real difference helping children in need.

The soccer club put on a great day with games team tug of war, dunk the Manager/Coach, dual lane bungee and a good old fashioned BBQ sausage on a roll.

I would like to thank the club and all the wonderful volunteers for their tremendous efforts in getting the children involved in sport, financially assisting great causes in need and putting on great presentation events.

To get your children involved in a great community soccer organisation please visit: http://www.pbfc.com.au/

Ian Levitt, Judith Levit, Skye, Ron Hoenig MP, Fiona Casperszz, Deanne Parker, Nick Gemis.

Lionel Bowen Park dedication

Hon. Kristina Keneally, Cr Tony Bowen, Cr Ben Keneally, Claire Bowen, Ron Hoenig

On Saturday 31 August I was delighted to attend Mascot Park’s official dedication, now known as the Lionel Bowen Park dedicated to Lionel Frost Bowen AC.

The park was officially renamed by Botany Bay Council by Botany Bay Mayor Ben Keneally and Mrs Claire Bowen, the wife of the late Lionel Bowen AC, in the presence of Lionel’s family, and many guests including former members for Heffron, Mayoress and former Premier Kristina Keneally, and Dierdre Grusovin, and councillors from Botany Bay and Randwick City Councils.

Lionel’s son, Randwick Council’s Mayor Tony Bowen spoke so amiably about his father’s time in politics, how much he cared for and made a difference to the country and the community without a care for recognition or attention for his efforts. It just shows how selfless a man he was.

Michael, one Lionel’s other sons spoke so personally and deeply about his father being a wonderful hero that is, a great dad.

It was lovely to see Mrs Claire Bowen, unveil the plaque and take a moment to remember her husband and what he meant to so many people of the community.

It was an honor to speak about Lionel and tell a few stories of my time working with which I will forever regard as a priveledge . Lionel was many things, a Solicitor, a Politician, a community advocate, a family man however most of all a wonderful man, who had his priorities right and will always be remembered, a true legacy. 

I would like to thank Botany Bay City Council’s Mayor, Councillors and staff for putting on such a memorable event.

I would also like to thank the people who came along to this event and paid their respect to the Bowen family and reflected on who Mr Lionel Bowen AC was to them.

Lionel Bowen AC devoted 42 years to public office representing the local community in all three levels of Government:

Ron Hoenig MP speaking at the dedication

• ·Federal Parliament Member for Kingsford-Smith 1969-1990
• Deputy Prime Minister of Australia 1983-1990
• NSW State Parliament, Member for Randwick 1962-1969
• Randwick City Alderman 1948-1962
• Mayor of Randwick 1950-51; 1955-56

Shadow Ministers and Matt Thistlewaite visit Mount Sinai College Maroubra

Principal Phil Roberts, Ron Hoenig MP, Rabbit Elie Farkas, Matt Thistlewaite, Guy Zangari MP

The Labor candidate for Kingsford Smith, Matt Thistlewaite, visited Mount Sinai College in Maroubra yesterday with Shadow Minister for Energy and Ports, Ron Hoenig MP, and Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Communities, Guy Zangari MP. The Shadow Ministers and Mr Thistlewaite met with college principal, Phil Roberts , and college rabbi, Rabbi Elie Farkas and toured the campus. 

Mr Hoenig’s children attended Mount Sinai College. Both Mr Zangari and Mr Thistlewaite were delighted to have the opportunity to see first hand the wonderful work at Mount Sinai College does in providing a modern and well rounded education for their students.

Mr Zangari said “it was wonderful to see the Jewish ethos play an integral role in the delivery of quality education”.

Prime Minister Rudd, Matt Thistlethwaite join me in visiting Mascot Child Care

Children, parents and staff of the Mascot Child Care Centre were thrilled today to receive a visit from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Kingsford Smith Candidate and former Senator Matt Thistlethwaite, and I this morning.

Whilst the Prime Minister and Matt Thistlethwaite, talked to the media about paid parental leave, they also took the opportunity to talk to me about the O'Farrell government cuts to early child care at Mascot Public School and Banksmeadow Public School which Mr Rudd described as appalling.

Mascot Child Centre owned and operated by Botany Bay City Council was proud to show off to the Nations Leader their magnificent,  picturesque  and well run child care centre.

Ron Hoenig MP, Matt Thistlethwaite, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd

Ron Hoenig MP and Matt Thistlethwiate as Mascot Child Care Centre

Ron Hoenig MP and Prime Minister Kevin Rudd Mascot Child Care Centre

Ron Hoenig MP, Matt Thisthlethwaite at Mascot Child Care

Ron Hoenig MP welcoming Prime Minister Rudd to Mascot Child Care Centre

Matt Thistlethwaite at Pagewood Soccer Club

Matt Thistlethwaite with Ron Hoenig MP & Coach Justin Hampton with the Under 8 Sky Shooters team

More than 1200 boys and girls aged from 5 to 12 years, from Pagewood Soccer Club descended on Jellicoe Park today for their annual Presentation Day. Joining the club for the festivities was Labor’s Kingsford Smith candidate Matt Thistlethwaite and Ron Hoenig MP, Member for Heffron. 

Celebrating the end of another successful season of soccer the children each received a trophy and enjoyed a fun day with rides, sausage sizzle and soccer games. 

The wonderful volunteers associated with this fabulous community based club do so much for our community. Not only do they provide great coaching and a great club for our youngsters they also raise funds for charity. This year they held a “Cup Cake Day” to raise money for the Children’s Hospital. 

The Presentation Day was a wonderful family fun day and Matt and I were honoured to be a part of it. We thank the club and its members for their very warm reception and good wishes for Matt for the 7 Septemeber. 

Congratulations Pagewood! Your community salutes you.