Out and about at Eastlakes

I enjoyed being out and about at Eastlakes Shopping Centre today talking to residents and business owners. It is where I grew up, went to school, where my late parents home still stands today, and near where I now live.

Eastlakes is such a vibrant community. With all the pressures and poor planning decisions that has produced such difficulty for local Eastlakes residents, they are always upbeat and always greet me with smile and a hello "Ronny".

Support the establishment Alexandria Scouts & Cubs

As a long-time supporter of Scouts and Cubs, I am proud to support the campaign by the Friends of Alexandria Scouts club to re-establish Alexandria Scouts Club in the old Alexandria Scout Hall.

Scouting provides an opportunity for young people to develop their character in an environment that is inclusive and encouraging. It also provides young people with the skills to be active and productive members of our society. 

I believe that the re-establishment of the Alexandria Scouts Club will add significant value to not only the community of Alexandria but also the South Metropolitan Scouts Region group. 

This campaign is a great initiative by Friends of Alexandria Scouts club and I commend them on the work they do for our community.

If you wish to sign the petition to re-establish Alexandria Scouts Club, I encourage you to visit their website:
http://www.change.org/en-AU/organisations/alexandria_scouts.

St Peters Anglican Church - 175th anniversary of the first burial

Laurel Horton, Ron Hoenig MP, Bob Horton

It could have been 200 years ago as I was welcomed this afternoon at St Peters Anglican Church that was celebrating the 175th anniversary of the first burial at Sydney's second oldest church.

Dressed up in Victorian style clothing members of the congregation opened their doors to members of the community marking the occasion with 12 permanent information plaques that were being installed in the graveyard.

A power point presentation on "Victorian Death and Mourning", a Victorian music organ recital, a sausage sizzle and afternoon tea made the community very welcome on this historic occasion.

St Peters Church was constructed 176 years ago. The building is an early gothic revival constructed in 1838. The first person to be buried at St Peters was John Benfield, a soldier, the last burial was 1896. A total of 2,515 people were interred, two thirds being children under 10 years. That to me was an eye opener as I read the tragedies of children, as the Rev. Andrew Bruce reminded the congregation how that generation had to live with death so frequently.

I am so impressed listening to Bob and Laurel Horton and their follow congregants who do so much to educate our community about St Peters and Sydney's rich heritage.

Ron Hoenig inspecting the historic graveyard at St Peters

Ron Hoenig MP speaking to St Peters congregation and guests

Congratulations to our new Australian citizens

It was a pleasure to attend Randwick City Council 's Citizenship Ceremony and join Randwick Mayor Scott Nash, Kingsford Smith Federal member Matt Thistlethwaite MP, in welcoming our newest Australian Citizens.

Randwick Town Hall was filled with family and friends and special guests as they witnessed our "New Aussies" taking their "Pledge of Allegiance", the final step to becoming an Australian Citizen.

It was a fantastic evening that will be remembered by our newest citizens for the rest of their lives. Australia’s multicultural society is at the heart of what makes our country so great and by continuously learning and embracing each other’s cultures and experiences we can only grow together. I congratulate our newest citizens and welcome them as a fellow Australians. 

Tribute to Annett McKeown retired Principal Mascot Public School

Cr. Stan Kondilos, President Mascot Public School P & C, Annette McKeown, RonHoenig MP

It was a great pleasure to present Ms Annette McKeown with a copy of the tribute I made about her in Parliament last year.

Ms McKeown was Principal of Mascot Public School and left the teaching profession last October after 20 years as a school principal and 18 years as a teacher. Ms McKeown leaves behind a lasting legacy at Mascot Public School. She was responsible for implementing a number of important reforms, including improving student learning outcomes and enhancing the positive relationship that the school enjoys with the local community.

Ms McKeown’s almost 40 years of service to public education ought to be recognised and I wish her the very best in her well-deserved retirement. I would like to sincerely thank Ms McKeown for her tireless dedication to not only our community, but also to the New South Wales public education system. 

Centennial Park Mobile Office

I really enjoyed visiting the residents of Centennial Park over the weekend for a mobile office and speaking to them about some of the issues that concern them. This is a new area for me that will come into the Heffron electorate after the recent redistribution. 

I believe it is important that I am always available to residents in hours and locations that suit them. Thank you to those that came out and met with me, I look forward to visiting again soon.

Alexandria Summer Fair

It was terrific to pop in on Sunday to Alexandria Park for the second annual Alexandria Summer Fair that was organised by the Alexandria Residents’ Action Group (ARAG). 

Many local businesses joined with the Alexandria community to exhibit the huge array of services.  Just talking to people and stall holders you could feel the wonderful sense of community pride from the Alexandria community. The rain held off magically on a warm sunny day. 

I enjoyed chatting to some of the stall holders at the “Trash and Treasure” site, as well as to volunteers with the St John Ambulance Service who outlined to me the wonderful work they do for our community.

The Alexandria Park Community School band also performed brilliantly for everyone at the fair and I know there were many proud mums and dads watching on. 

I would like to congratulate the ARAG volunteers on their outstanding effort in organising the fair. ARAG's level of commitment to the community of Alexandria is certainly worth recognising, that goes beyond raising community awareness and fighting on their behalf on environmental matters. 

It also thank Sydney City Council for their support of the fair and I look forward to attending it again next year.