Canterbury Bankstown

A conversation is sometimes all that
is needed to change a life.
And tomorrow’s R U OK? Day
(Thursday 14 September) is an important reminder to check in with friends, family and colleagues.
It’s a sad reality, mental health impacts the lives of so many people – tragically, almost nine Australians lose their lives to suicide each day.
With today’s fast pace and cost of
living pressures, it’s not surprising
that we are seeing increased levels
of stress and anxiety.
Over the years, we have become more open when it comes to discussing mental health issues and dealing with the stigma that is often attached to it.
But there are still many people in our community who are too afraid to speak out and suffer in silence, opting to deal with their issues alone.
Asking “are you OK?” is a simple yet effective way to support those who are struggling. It’s all about letting people know that you care and that you’re here, to really hear them.
By taking the time for an R U OK? conversation and genuinely
listening with an open mind,
we can all help those around us
feel supported and connected.
And remember, it’s okay not to be okay. Life’s ups and downs happen to all of us, and it’s important we spot the signs that someone is struggling.
The earlier you give someone
the opportunity to open up
to you, the sooner they can
find appropriate support or,
if needed, professional help.
The R U OK? website has a fantastic list of resources that you can call upon for advice on how to support someone who is struggling.
Just visit ruok.org.au/FindHelp
Let’s not limit R U OK? Day to just tomorrow and make asking “are you OK?” a part of your everyday relationships with those around you.

This week is one that is very close to
my heart for several reasons.
National Child Protection Week
(3-9 September) is all about ensuring every child in our country is safe and supported. It’s a very public reminder we must all work towards preventing child abuse and neglect.
As a father of four, I understand how important it is to know your child is safe and I also understand there are still children falling between the cracks.
According to the latest statistics, there were an alarming 35,000 Australian children abused or neglected last year, and it’s clear more needs to be done
by way of promoting children’s safety.
This week, the focus will be
around issues connected with child
protection, from cyber security and being safe on the road, to bullying, mental health and more.
And the message couldn’t be any clearer – keeping children safe is every adult’s responsibility and it shouldn’t just be left to parents, grandparents, teachers and the police.
When it comes to keeping our most vulnerable safe from harm, we all have
a role to play. It’s important to really listen to children and understand their issues, and if something doesn’t seem to be right, report it.
There’s no doubt our City is a family-orientated community, and I’m proud
of the initiatives our Council has taken to ensure we are fostering a child friendly environment.
To raise awareness during Child Protection Week, we’re hosting
a range of activities aimed at
empowering families.
Activities include self-defence
classes for kids, a Belmore Youth Resource Centre open day, and,
for the parents, online cyber safety sessions. I encourage all families to
get involved and check out the full program at cb.city/CPW
Let’s continue working together to
build a community where every child feels safe, valued and empowered.
Clr Bilal El-Hayek
MAYOR

Saying ‘yes’ is sometimes difficult, but the outcome can be momentous.
Three letters which can define a nation and send a very powerful message of reconciliation and recognition to the First Nations People of Australia.
Across our country, from the remote lands at the northernmost tip of Australia to our southern point,
from the east to the west, the Voice
to Parliament is a daily discussion,
with media organisations and commentators fuelling much of
the debate.
And at last night’s meeting, our Council made a definitive stance to support the ‘yes’ case – a testimony to the values we hold as an organisation.
I’m proud of our City’s rich aboriginal roots, dating back some 70,000
years, and I can happily say that
we have come a long way
towards reconciliation.
It was the former Bankstown Council in 2012 which established a Local Reconciliation Action Plan, the first Council to do so. We celebrate and participate in NAIDOC and Reconciliation Week and we hold National Sorry Day ceremonies.
In 2019, we supported the Uluru Statement from the Heart, with the previous Mayor signing a commitment to support the statement.
Our Council also has in place an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Advisory Committee, you could say our own “Voice”, and a First Nations Youth Group, set up for the younger generation to connect with their culture. We have also just established a working group to develop an Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.
We must continue moving forward and that is why we are committing our Council to the ‘yes’ case. And on a personal note, I will follow in the footsteps of other mayors and sign the commitment to support the Uluru Statement from the Heart.
So, let’s ensure our voice is heard by voting in the upcoming referendum.