Canterbury Bankstown

With World Environment Day (5 June)
approaching, it is only fitting that we
take a moment to acknowledge the
incredible natural beauty that fills
our City.
From our three main rivers to our
fantastic parks and bushlands, our
environment is an important part of
our community’s character.
This World Environment Day we
should take the opportunity to
reflect on what we can do to ensure
we leave our City a better place for
future generations to live.
We’re lucky to have so many natural
assets in Canterbury-Bankstown and
we must always do what we can to
protect them.
There are many actions, both big and
small, that we can all take to
contribute to making our City more
sustainable. Like making an effort to
put our waste in the correct bins or
ditching the car for cycling, walking
or catching a bus or train. Even
picking up after the family dog to
help keep our waterways clean will
make a difference.
Council is highlighting what we are
doing to help the environment during
a FREE family-friendly World
Environment Day event on 1 June from
11am-3pm.
You can get inspired and learn about
the natural life in our City, take home
FREE native plants, meet some cool
wildlife creatures including lizards
and snakes, and hear about how to
volunteer to make change. Plus, the
first 100 attendees will receive a FREE
lunch from OzHarvest.
There will also be a very special bee
cabaret performance by Doctor
Amelie Vanderstock (Amelie Ecology)
to entertain the young ones and
educate them on how important their
role is in protecting the environment.
To register to attend Council’s World
Environment Day event, visit
cb.city/WorldEnvironmentDay
Regards
Clr Bilal El-Hayek
MAYOR
Dear Residents
Mayoral Message
@MayorBilalElHayek @Bilal.ElHayek @ClrBilalElHayek
Contact

Every year on 26 May, Australia stops
to observe National Sorry Day, a day
where we remember the historical
mistreatment of Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander people.
National Sorry Day coincides with
National Reconciliation Week
(27 May-3 June) and is a time to reflect
on how each one of us contributes to
the ongoing journey of reconciliation
in Australia. It also provides us with
an opportunity to deepen our
understanding of our shared histories,
cultures, and achievements with the
Indigenous community.
You might also be interested to know
why National Sorry Day falls on this
specific date.
On 26 May 1997 the National Inquiry into
the Separation of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander Children from their
Families resulted in the ‘Bringing them
Home’ report. This report examined the
forced removal of Indigenous children
from their families, later known as the
‘Stolen Generations.’
Details of the report were damning and
emphasised the need to acknowledge,
apologise and support Indigenous
People and their families impacted
by the wrongdoings of the past.
The first National Sorry Day was held
one year later and has been a significant
national event ever since.
Reconciliation is a journey for all
Australians, families and communities
and we can all be a voice for
reconciliation in our everyday lives.
I’m proud of our City’s rich Indigenous
roots, dating back some 70,000 years,
and I can happily say that we have come
a long way towards reconciliation. We’re
a City that acknowledges the original
inhabitants of the land and are pioneers
in deepening reconciliation in our
communities – with the former
Bankstown Council being the first ever
to establish a Local Reconciliation
Action Plan.
Council also runs an annual National
Reconciliation Week Art Competition for
local kids aged 4-17 where children are
encouraged to express what
Reconciliation means to them and are
given the opportunity to contemplate
and discuss its importance.
Together with our Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander community members,
let’s work to further strengthen our
community where everyone is truly
equal partners in shaping our vibrant
multicultural City.
Regards
Clr Bilal El-Hayek
MAYOR
Dear Residents
Mayoral Message
@MayorBilalElHayek @Bilal.ElHayek @ClrBilalElHayek
Contact me

Our youth are the future leaders of
our City, and it’s up to all of us to
ensure we give them every
opportunity to succeed.
Education is for most young people
an obvious factor in their growth and
development, but there are the
social and life experiences that
builds on their character and
shapes who they are.
Good role models, workshops and
seminars outside of school and
volunteering all play an important
role and it is our duty to provide them
with the necessary resources.
As a father, I know we all want the
best for our children, and I am proud
of the work Council is doing in
pioneering activities and programs
that guide our young people in the
right direction.
This week, we hosted the
Empowering Growing Minds: Youth
Alcohol, Other Drugs and Wellbeing
Seminar at Bankstown Library and
Knowledge Centre. It was a huge
success with participants learning
how to make informed decisions
and not bowing to peer pressure.
We also held the first Volunteer and
Work Experience Expo at Lakemba
where those who attended learnt
how to secure work experience in
our City.
Both of these important events
followed Youth Week where young
people explored their future pathways,
joined in on some healthy sports
competitions and channelled their
inner artists in ‘create and sip’ classes.
There’s a wide range of events
happening in our City to keep our kids
off the screens and build their skills,
and I encourage all young people in our
City to get involved in these programs.
You will not only meet new friends but
learn how to make healthy choices and
give back to our community.
Regards
Clr Bilal El-Hayek
MAYOR
Dear Residents
Mayoral Message
@MayorBilalElHayek @Bilal.ElHayek @ClrBilalElHayek
Contact

Mothers are the greatest providers
in the world.
From birth our natural instinct is to gravitate towards our mum. Whether we’re tired, hungry or sick, we all know that the only person who can make any bad situation better is
our mother.
Mums are the backbone of the family and take on many roles. They’re
the nurses, the counsellors, the teachers, the protectors, the story tellers, the chefs, and so much more.
And it’s no exaggeration to say that mums can replace all others, but no one can replace our mums.
I am blessed to have such a strong connection with my own mother where, even in my adult life, I find myself turning to her for guidance.
I am even more grateful to have a wonderful wife who is the pillar of
our household and is helping raise
our children to be the best they can.
But it is not only the biological mothers who we celebrate today,
but the aunties, grandmothers, older sisters, cousins, guardians, friends and the many other females who have positively influenced our lives.
I hope that every child in our City can experience the loving guidance of a mother figure and is blessed with positive female influence in their life.
This Mother’s Day let’s all celebrate our mums. Whether it’s taking her out for lunch, making her breakfast in bed, or simply giving her a hug, make sure you take the time out of your day to make your mum feel special.
And may the memory of the mothers who are no longer with us today live in our hearts forever.
Happy Mother’s Day!
Regards
Clr Bilal El-Hayek
MAYOR
Dear Residents
Mayoral Message
@MayorBilalElHayek