Canterbury Bankstown

What does it mean to be free?
For most of us, freedom is often taken for granted, but for many who have fled to this country from war-torn places or
from persecution, freedom is a world
of difference.
National Refugee Week (18-24 June) is a reminder of the challenges people face when starting a new life in a foreign place. It is also a call on all of us to find space in our hearts and our homes to help those who need it most.
This year’s theme “Finding Freedom: Family” is the perfect reminder that it is everybody’s responsibility to help newcomers find community in the place where they have sought refuge. That it is our job to make up for the family they may have left behind and welcome them to find sanctuary in our City.
As a migrant who came to this country without speaking a word of English some 25 years ago, I encountered many refugees from countries across the world.
Fleeing their homeland not because
they wanted to, but out of fear for their safety and to ensure a better life for
their families.
You will be interested to know that on 26 June 2008, the former Bankstown City Council made history as Australia’s first Council to officially sign the Refugee Council of Australia’s Refugee Charter.
It means our City pioneered change,
we inspired a culture of respect and support and we made room for those
who did not feel safe or welcomed in
their own homes.
I am proud to be Mayor of a City labelled as a “Refugee Welcome Zone”. A City that works hard to create an environment that fosters harmony and inclusion for refugees from around the world who contribute to a variety of cultures, languages and traditions.
If you would like to join us in celebrating diversity, register for Council’s 2024 Refugee Week in Lakemba where you will hear inspiring stories from talented chefs, artists and dancers from refugee backgrounds at cb.city/RefugeeWeek
Regards,
Clr Bilal El-Hayek
MAYOR
Dear Residents
Mayoral Message
@MayorBilalElHayek

We all remember what it was like to
be young and dream of one day representing your country – and to put the suburb in which you were raised into the history books.
We would look up to superstars like Steve and Mark Waugh, Terry Lamb, Hazem El Masri, Ian Thorpe, or if you’re a bit younger, maybe the Mortimer brothers or Billy Dib.
For most of us, including myself, those dreams remained just that!
But for others, the hard work paid off and they etched their names alongside the greats of their chosen sport and it’s only fitting we recognise the efforts of these local superstars.
That’s why it was important to us to bring back the Bankstown Sporting Hall of Fame where we can honour
the champions in our Bankstown community for their outstanding sporting achievements and display their memorabilia to showcase
their talents.
And while there are a number of athletes honoured in the Bankstown Sporting Hall of Fame, we are looking to add to the impressive list.
Now, for the first time in over a decade, Council is inducting new athletes to the Hall of Fame and I encourage anyone who knows someone that deserves to be honoured to nominate them
for recognition.
If you know someone who lives in the Bankstown region and who you feel should be recognised for their hard work and national achievements in their sport, nominate them for the Bankstown Sporting Hall of Fame at cb.city/HallofFame or call 9707 9699 by 28 June. They could join an elite group of local legends!
Regards,
Clr Bilal El-Hayek
MAYOR

This Men’s Health Week (10-16 June),
let’s break the cycle of staying silent and encourage the men and boys we know to speak up about their health issues.
It’s so easy to fall into our daily routines and forget to prioritise our health, but, with Men’s Health Week approaching, we are each reminded to put our wellbeing first and encourage those we love and care for to do the same.
The 2024 theme “Good Health Heroes: Good health doesn’t just happen. But it doesn’t have to be hard” encapsulates the importance of developing healthy habits by staying consistent with our efforts. It reinforces that we not only take a day or a week to focus on our health, but we consciously implement small daily actions that keep our wellbeing in check all year round.
According to The Australian Men’s Health Forum, having a close mate plays an important role in reducing mental health disorders. In fact, having no friends, or no social network, is equivalent to smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
These alarming facts are essential reminders of how important it is that we continue to check in on each other and reach out to our friends or family members even in times we may feel
too busy or even too tired.
For those who would like to expand their network, our Council operates Men’s Sheds across our City and realises the importance of bringing men together to work on projects and meet new friends.
To find a Men’s Shed near you,
visit cb.city/MensShed
As for your physical health, it’s important that you don’t ignore the little niggles or early warning signs and get checked instead of putting on a brave front.
So, to the almost 190,000 men who live in our City, let’s make this Men’s Health Week the start of creating healthy habits and taking those small steps towards a healthier lifestyle.
Regards,
Clr Bilal El-Hayek
MAYOR
Dear Residents
Mayoral Message
@MayorBilalElHayek