Canterbury Bankstown

Can you believe the school winter
holidays are upon us!
For most parents, the holidays
come around too soon and often
they are left scrambling to pull
together a fun list of activities to
keep the kids entertained.
As a working father of four, I know how
difficult it is to come up with some
‘cool’ activities and I’m always on the
look out for suggestions.
And with the cold and unpredictable
winter weather here to stay, it can
almost feel too easy to give in and let
the kids stay inside on their digital
devices all day.
I can let you in on a little secret,
some of my best ideas come from
Council who have created an extensive
list of entertaining and educational
activities which are free or family
budget friendly.
From 8-19 July, your children can
choose from a wide range of offerings
including family favourite movie
screenings, learn to create their own
animations or they can even learn how
to play the ukulele!
For a small fee, kids can also be
dazzled by a magic show, visualize
sound waves at the science of
sound workshop or become a
palaeontologist for the day and
build their own dinosaurs!
And if that’s not enough, kids can burn
off their energy during indoor rock
climbing, have a fun game of laser tag
and bowling, or even join in soccer or
basketball clinics!
There is something interesting for all
children to enjoy and I encourage all
parents to check out the fun activities
on offer to keep the kids occupied
these school holidays.
For more information on what’s on,
visit cb.city/SchoolHolidays
Regards,
Clr Bilal El-Hayek
MAYOR
Dear Residents
Mayoral Message
@MayorBilalElHayek @Bilal.ElHayek @ClrBilalElHayek
Contact

On any given night, more than 120,000
Australians experience homelessness.
And the sad reality is that these
numbers are only rising, especially
here in our City.
According to the latest statistics,
Canterbury-Bankstown alone
experienced a 10% jump in
homelessness from 2021-2023.
Thousands of men, women, young
people and children forced to ‘rough it
out’ on the streets, ‘couch surf’, seek
shelter in a car or rely on temporary
and insecure accommodation.
A heartbreaking situation that I
encourage each of us to consider
when we return to our warm homes for
hot meals during winter while others
face harsh nights out on the street.
That’s why I am challenging business
CEOs and community leaders to join
me again this year for my second
Mayor’s Lights Out Sleepout.
Last year we raised nearly $30,000
to assist those experiencing
homelessness, and I know that our
passionate community members and
determined businesses can come
together to repeat, or even better,
last year’s amount.
Teaming up with Mission Australia,
Maronites on a Mission and Brothers in
Need, I hope we can all come together
to raise awareness and much needed
funds for those at risk of or
experiencing homelessness.
If you, or someone you know,
would like to join me in tackling
homelessness, we will be sleeping
out at the Belmore Sports Oval on
Thursday 18 July.
You can also donate to the cause.
For more details, visit
cb.city/MayorsSleepout2024
I hope to see you under the stars.
Regards,
Clr Bilal El-Hayek
MAYOR
Dear Residents
Mayoral Message
@MayorBilalElHayek @Bilal.ElHayek @ClrBilalElHayek
Contact me