Got a little one (or two) in your family that’s a bookish, arty type, or a musical / dancer type (or any variation thereof)? Two free events in particular will satisfy even the littlest culture vultures at this year’s Woodend Winter Arts Festival.

And special children’s prices ($15) for all concerts will ensure that parents who want to foster the interest in their musical children can expose them to the very best national and international artists in the classical and jazz forms.

The now famous Woodend Library story time will this year feature and interactive ‘Magic Pencil’ session led by illustrator Ann James, who will read Bird and Bear, and I’m a Dirty Dinosaur as well as drawing and painting each of the characters from the books. All children will be guided to create their own characters in the session using ‘magic pencils.’

Musically, Mini Maestro’s will present three sessions aimed at different age groups (a group each for 1 – 2 year olds, 2 – 3 year olds, and 3 to 5 year olds) at Woodend Playgroup. Jo Irwin will take children through activities that include percussion, singing, dancing and playing to explore music elements such as dynamics, harmony, rhythm, beat and tempo.

These are FREE events for children, but bookings are essential as each year they are well oversubscribed. To register or find our more go to www.woodendwinterartsfestival.org.au or phone 0447 570 327.

President of the Law Society of NSW, John Dobson, says that the government’s proposal for an untested no-fault system is a gimmick and a front for cutting off benefits.

“The government’s new ‘no-fault’ scheme will generate more claims, cost more to administer and pay out less to injured motorists,” Mr Dobson said.

Mr Dobson said that he is concerned that by the time the public realises that the motor accidents safety net has been ripped away, it will be too late.

“The vast majority of accident victims will see reduced benefits drip-fed by insurance companies with no access to significant lump sum payments,” Mr Dobson said.

“These benefits will be cut off after a few years, regardless of whether the person is able to return to work.

“The knock on effects will be particularly severe for those who had a long working life ahead of them before the accident,” he said.

Mr Dobson said the government has ignored an alternate proposal from the legal profession that could have delivered a $50 reduction in premiums without cutting off benefits.

“The legal profession’s proposal has been independently costed and could be up and running much sooner than the government’s new scheme,” Mr Dobson said.

“If the government wants to deliver political sugar to marginal seats in the form of lower green slip prices, it should not be innocent victims of motor accidents who pay the price,” he said.

The system was thrown into chaos following a failure to finish weekend trackwork at Homebush. Trains arrived up to 30 minutes late, skipped stops and were out of timetable order – with commuters affected across the Airport and East Hills, Bankstown, Inner West, North Shore, Northern, South, Western and Blue Mountains lines.

“Minister Berejiklian should apologise and take responsibility for the latest major inconvenience that commuters suffered this morning on the rail network,” Opposition Leader John Robertson said today.

“Today tens of thousands of commuters were late to work, school and university. They missed meetings and medical appointments. They missed flights.

“People are fed up with these system meltdowns – and they’re becoming just as tired of the O’Farrell Government’s excuses.

“This is the 12^th major CityRail delay since February.

“The previous Government met CityRail on-time running benchmarks every month during its last three years – and that performance has collapsed under Gladys Berejiklian.

“Minister Berejiklian is spending undisclosed millions on logos, signage and uniforms – but she can’t get the basics right.”

Shadow Transport Minister Penny Sharpe said: “This is a Government addicted to cutting staff and cutting corners all over the rail network.”

“They’ve got money for uniforms and people to tuck their shirts in – but commuters are facing constant delays.

“The Minister should show faith with long-suffering commuters and provide them a fare free day.”
12 MAJOR RAIL DELAYS SINCE FEBRUARY

·        Monday May 6 (morning peak) – Late-finishing weekend trackwork at Homebush causes mass delays on Airport and East Hills, Bankstown, Inner West, North Shore, Northern, South, Western and Blue Mountains lines.

·        Thursday April 18 – Signal breakdown delays commuters on Blue Mountains, Western and Northern Shore lines, flowing onto Inner West and South Lines.

·        Friday April 5 (all day and into weekend) – Tens of thousands of commuters across the network delayed due to shredding of overhead wire at Normanhurst.

·        Thursday March 21 – Emergency overhead wiring repairs cause suspensions on South Coast Line with flow-on delays on Airport and East Hills line.

·        Wednesday March 20 – Train breakdown at Museum causes delays on Airport and East Hills, Bankstown, Inner West and South Lines.

·        March 12 (morning peak) – The Northern Line was suspended in both directions between Hornsby and Epping after a train became tangled in overhead wires at Epping. The incident caused major delays on the Northern, North Shore, Western, Central Coast and Newcastle lines. Delays were also experienced on the Eastern Suburbs and Illawarra Line due to signalling repairs at Wolli Creek.

·        March 1 (afternoon) – A fire in the train tunnel at Wynyard suspended trains in the mid-afternoon between Wynyard and North Sydney – causing major flow on delays. 

·        February 28 (evening peak) – All CityRail lines delayed after a loose plate on the Harbour Bridge suspended trains between Wynyard and North Sydney, throwing the network into chaos. There were further delays due to mechanical issues on the Southern Highlands and Blue Mountains lines. 

·        February 28 (morning peak) – South Coast, Eastern Suburbs, Illawarra, Bankstown, Airport/East Hills line, South and Inner West lines delayed after freight train stuck on track at Como in morning peak.

·        February 14 (evening peak) – Valentine’s Day. A broken down train at St Leonards delayed a number of services through the evening peak. 

·        February 13 (evening peak) – Major delays on the North Shore, Western, South, Northern and Inner West lines after a fan belt caused smoke in an air-conditioner that took the signalling box offline at Strathfield and stopped trains across the network. 

·        February 4 (morning peak) – North Shore, Northern, Western, Bankstown, Inner West, South, East Hills/Airport, Newcastle and Central Coast lines all delayed in the morning peak after train became stuck in wires at 4.30am.

Over 11,000 rail commuters took part in the NRMA survey. Commuters voted Wollongong as the most frustrating local station due to not feeling safe at certain times of the day, infrequent services and a lack of cleanliness.

Commuters across the state also voted automatic climate control and air conditioning as the top way to make their train journey more enjoyable.

Local NRMA Director Michael Tynan said the NRMA launched its Seeing Red on Rail campaign to help improve the rail network in NSW and give commuters a genuine choice between driving or hopping on a train.

“Our Members want to use trains that are comfortable, safe and easy to access,” Mr Tynan said.

The top three most frustrating Illawarra stations were:

1. Wollongong Station
2. Thirroul Station
3. Dapto Station

The top three problems at Illawarra stations were:

1. Services too infrequent
2. Don’t feel safe at certain times of the day
3. Not enough staff to assist

Mr Tynan said with services too infrequent, timetables needed to be addressed.

“It is also important for commuters to have somewhere to leave their cars when travelling by public transport,” Mr Tynan said.

“Better public transport options will encourage more people to use trains every day.”

NRMA’s Seeing Red on Rail survey found the top three most frustrating stations across the entire CityRail network to be Town Hall Station (21%), Central Station (20%) and Wynyard Station (6%).

Additionally, not feeling safe at certain times of the day (34%), a lack of parking near stations (31%) and overcrowded platforms (31%) were cited as the top three frustrations, with difficulty understanding announcements on the platform/train (29%) and infrequent services (26%) coming in fourth and fifth respectively.

The survey also asked commuters to identify problems with the trains they caught and the top three issues across the CityRail network were, poor air-conditioning/ventilation (60%), dirty unclean carriages/graffiti (58%) and food and drink rubbish on seat/floor (56%).

Mr Tynan said it was not surprising that the lack of parking at train stations was voted the second biggest problem with the train network.

“Public transport is important and commuters are telling the NSW Government loud and clear they want more parking, so they have the choice to drive part of their journey and then travel the rest on the train,” Mr Tynan said.

“This is an issue the NRMA knows intimately and has been campaigning on since 2008, with parking being built or upgraded at more than 54 stations since we launched our first Park & Ride audit in 2008.”

Seeing Red on Rail also gave commuters the chance to identify ways that the NSW Government could make their train journeys more enjoyable. The top six suggestions included:

1. Automatic climate control and air conditioning on trains (51%)
2. Wi-Fi on trains/platforms (37%)
3. Mobile application with real time arrival and departure information (26%)*
4. Availability of dedicated bike racks or bike carriages on trains (14%)
5. TV screens on carriages for entertainment/travel information (11%)
6. Better public amenities/baby change tables in toilets (11%)

“This survey clearly gives the NSW Government some invaluable data about issues, both big and small, that need fixing,” Mr Tynan said.

“Better air conditioning, cleaner trains and platforms, more security and better parking are things the Government can do to give the NSW the train system it deserves.”

*Real Time information was introduced to the TripView App in April.

It is our great pleasure to invite you to a special meeting, seeking your advice in strengthening Saturday Bangla Schools in NSW. Among others, the Principal of the Saturday School for Community Languages Ms AdeliaFuller, will be present at the meeting to share views and ideas. Light lunch will be provided.

You would be pleased to hear that with your sincere cooperation, the Bangla Prosar Committee Inc was able to save the Saturday School for Bangla at the Dulwich Hill Centre from near‐closing, due to low student registration. It is also pleasing to inform you that the Saturday School for Banglaat the Liverpool Girl’s High School has a healthy number of students. As you might be aware, the possibility of introducing Banglaas a HSC subject also depends on student number at these Saturday School centres. Unlike the Sunday Community Language Schools, the Saturday Schools are directly managed and funded by the NSW Government. On behalf of the community, the Bangla Prosar Committee Inc only facilitates this important process.

For information on the Bangla Syllabus, please visit http://www.banglaprosar.org.au/syllabus.
Also, for further information on the Saturday School, please check http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/secondary/languages/sscl/

Meeting Information
Saturday 11 May 2013, 11.30am -2.30pm
Macquarie Fields Community Hall, 5 Fields Rd, MACQUARIE FIELDS NSW 2564

This has been called as the biggest massacre in Bangladesh history among series of garments building collapsed in the past years.

The death toll has been reached over 210 and expecting many more to count. Bangladesh Army, Rapid Action Battalion personnel, fire brigade workers, Police and volunteers are continuously digging through the debris in a frantic search for survivors.

The country is observing a national mourning day today in memory of the Savar Victims.

Shadow Minister for Local Government Sophie Cotsis said today’s report by the Local Government Review Panel would force councils to amalgamate to preserve their financial viability.

The report notes that two-thirds of the State’s councils are at financial risk.

It proposes mass amalgamations across the Sydney Metropolitan Area, the Hunter and Central Coast; including:

·         Amalgamating Botany Bay, Randwick, Sydney, Waverley and Woollahra (while abolishing Leichhardt, Marrickville and Canterbury)

·         Ashfield, Burwood, Canada Bay and Strathfield

·         Hurstville, Rockdale and Kogarah;

·         Manly, Pittwater and Warringah;

·         Newcastle and Lake Macquarie;

·         Cessnock and Dungog;

·         Gosford and Wyong; and

·         The establishment of 20 super-councils in rural and regional NSW

Ominously, the O’Farrell Government would exempt councils that amalgamate from rate-pegging – allowing them to charge unlimited rate rises above IPART determinations.

·         “Conditional exemption from rate-pegging for say 3 years with the promise of permanent exemption if the new councils demonstrates a high standard of financial planning and management and community engagement … offering a higher level of support to early movers to a merger by July 2014.” Local Government Review Panel Report, page 59. 

“This is a brutal hit-list for forced council amalgamations and the O’Farrell Government should rule it out immediately,” Shadow Minister for Local Government Sophie Cotsis said.

“Local communities have not been given a say.

“This is a recipe for monster councils – and monster rate rises.

“Under this proposal, the O’Farrell Government would allow councils that agree to amalgamate to charge unlimited rates – while the rest would be at risk of going bankrupt.

“The costs of amalgamation would be borne by ratepayers – higher charges for everything from garbage collection to childcare to parks maintenance.

“We know that NSW councils are cash-strapped and today’s report essentially invites the O’Farrell Government to hold a gun to their head – amalgamate or lose your financial viability.

“The O’Farrell Government has wasted two years and $2 million of taxpayers’ money on this report.

“Forced council amalgamations wreaked havoc in Victoria and Queensland.

“A proposal as controversial as this must be put to a ratepayer referendum.”

Bangla Academy Australia is calling for enrollment at our new center Punchbowl-Lakemba-Wiley Park-Belmore.  Students for learning Bangla language, culture and heritage encouraging to come 5th May 2013 , Sunday at 3pm Sharp  for all kind registration. This program for Bangla language (NSW students Kg to Yr12), Please confirm by sending an email or calling us with your details. Any questions please call 0401065297.

Class location: Punchbowl Boys High School

Class Starts: 4:30pm sharp,

Class Starts after long holiday: May 05,2013

For new registration please confirm your appointment prior to arrive.

All communication please email: banglacademy@gmail.com

Please share the news with your friends and families. Also, if you have experience as a teacher and quality teaching is your prime moto, please come forward and take the leadership with Bangla Academy Australia. You may simply let us know your expression of interest by sending an email.

Kind Regards, Sharmin Shafiuddin and Anwar Akash www.banglaacademy.com

Opposition Leader John Robertson today strongly urged Rockdale, Oatley and Heathcote residents to get their application in before the June 14 deadline:

Mr Robertson said: “Mr O’Farrell promised families a $75 electricity bill rebate – but two years later, households in Rockdale, Oatley and Heathcote are yet to receive a single cent.

“The O’Farrell Government should really be automatically issuing this rebate to households – we know it has access to the information of eligible families.

“However, if the Government won’t listen – I’m determined to ensure no family in Rockdale, Oatley and Heathcote misses out because of the O’Farrell Government’s mismanagement.

“My advice to Pittwater residents – don’t delay. Get your application in. Your family is entitled to this assistance.”

The revelations about the botched program follow a Freedom of Information request by the State Labor Opposition. It showed the O’Farrell Government is yet to approve any applicant for the rebate. Just 664 NSW families know about the rebate and have applied for it.

Duty MLC for Rockdale, Oatley and Heathcote the Hon. Shaoquett Moselmane said: “This is a monumental stuff up from Mr O’Farrell. At a time when electricity costs are soaring, people don’t even know about the rebate’s existence.”

“Families in Rockdale, Oatley and Heathcote are already struggling with energy bills that have risen by more than 40 per cent since Mr O’Farrell came to office.

“The worst possible outcome would be if financial assistance for families went unclaimed.

“With winter around the corner, electricity bills are only going to keep rising.

“I urge families to claim what Mr O’Farrell promised them.”

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE REBATE

1. Log onto www.trade.nsw.gov.au/energy and click “Family Energy Rebate”; or

2. Call the Government’s hotline on 1300 136 888

Festival details are:

Venue: Epping West Public School

Date: May 11, 2013

Time: 10:30 to 2pm

Parking: Street parking available

Contact: banglacademy@gmail.com