the roof will be replaced and a deep clean of the pool will take place the Department of Education is evaluating Expressions of Interest for a new operator who could invest in further renovations providing an opportunity for a more significant upgrade and potential expansion The NSW Department of Education temporarily closed the pool which is located in the grounds of Peakhurst West Public School the department said it did not have adequate resources to provide supervision to all groups using the pool which was closed pending the appointment of a new pool operator This prompted a community outcry with the Peakhurst Amateur Swimming Club and Penshurst RSL Youth Swim Club left scrambling to find other venues at the height of the swimming season the department reopened the pool just before Christmas after appointing an interim operator Both Federal Member for Banks David Coleman and State Member for Oatley Mark Coure started petitions gathering several thousand signatures in several days The pool was briefly closed again in February when a power outage caused by the severe weather caused the pool pump to fail NSW Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car visited the pool this morning to make the funding announcement "The money that is Labor is investing into the Peakhurst West Public School aquatic facility will secure its future and is a sign of how much it values this community including those original groups that fundraised for this pool to be built in 1961," Ms Car said Zhi Soon Labor Candidate for the Federal seat of Banks also visited the pool for the funding announcement "It is great to see the Minns Labor Government investing in such an important community asset like Peakhurst West Swimming Pool so that swimmers from all around the area can continue to enjoy this long serving amenity," Mr Soon sai.d The swimming pool building is known to contain bonded asbestos which will be safely removed as part of the roof restoration works and overseen by an independent hygienist Replacement of the roof will improve ventilation inside the swimming pool building a Department of Education spokesperson said the pool will need to be closed for approximately 16 to 20 weeks during the cooler winter months with the upgrades to be completed in time for summer The facility is currently used by Peakhurst West Public School and other local schools for swimming programs several weeks a year but is mainly used by learn-to-swim providers and local swim clubs including some of the original groups that fundraised for the first pool built on the site in 1961 organisations can access alternative swimming facilities within the Georges River area including at the Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre in Hurstville and at the Sans Souci Leisure Centre in Sans Souci The department will continue to keep the school community updated on the progress of the roof works as well as the tender process said the funding was announced thanks to the community Thank you to the more than 1000 local residents who signed my petition and the many more who have written to my office and joined our grassroots campaign to upgrade Peakhurst West Swimming Pool," Mr Coure said the former Liberals and Nationals Government announced a $1 million election commitment to undertake repairs and upgrades to pool Thank you to the more than 1,000 local residents who signed my petition the former Liberals and Nationals Government announced a $1 million election commitment to undertake repairs and upgrades to pool." "The Minns Labor Government has had more than two years to fund critical upgrades to the Peakhurst West Public School swimming pool with two weeks to go before a federal election first built in 1961 through community fundraising has long been a cornerstone of local education and recreation in our community the Minns Labor Government shut down the pool giving families less than 24 hours' notice of its closure we have secured funding for it to be upgraded "This pool has always belonged to the community We will keep fighting to make sure it is restored and kept open for future generations to enjoy." Covering Georges River Council, Bayside Council and general news. For news tips contact me at jgainsford@theleader.com.au Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy You can now click/tap WATCH to start the live stream You can now click/tap LISTEN to start the live stream You can now click/tap LATEST NEWS to start the live stream Chris O’Keefe has exclusively revealed that Peakhurst West Public School’s pool will reopen on December 14 after community advocacy and Chris’ coverage prompted the Education Department to address maintenance and operational issues Listen to more highlights from Drive below: THE LEADING SOURCE OF INFORMATION FOR THE LEISURE INDUSTRY Back to Latest News back Bright Pool Services has been selected as the interim management team for the Peakhurst West Swimming Pool located on the grounds of the Peakhurst West Public School in Sydney Built by the community and completed in 1961 the pool has a rich history of hosting learn to swim and community swim clubs and is one of almost 30 school swimming pools Bright Pool Services maintains as a proactive maintenance contractor for the NSW School Infrastructure Bright Pool Services Manager Jane Bright has primarily overseen the operations of the facility since January ensuring it is meticulously cared for and compliant with health and safety regulations while building connections with the community Bright Pool Services has received tremendous positive feedback from pool users on their facility management since embarking on the six-month project the Peakhurst Amateur Swim Club (PASC) arranged a swim clinic run by Olympic swimmer Elijah Winnington Bright prepared the venue for 20 lucky club members to be put through their paces by their sporting hero then moved to the pool to conduct drills and technique sessions followed by a question and answer session with the young swimmers and their parents Winnington joked with the group - astounded by the fact that he lost all three of his ‘races’ to the young swimmer Fiancé Eve Lutze told Bright that this was the first interstate clinic Queensland-based athlete Winnington had held and that giving back to grass roots level is particularly important to him as an athlete Bright Pool Services began its operations as a commercial swimming pool maintenance company only four and a half years ago and is rapidly becoming one of Sydney’s most trusted experts in the industry Servicing both commercial and residential pools owner Peter Bright opened his store front premises in Camden in October 2024 and in this time has added two new staff to his team The undertaking of interim facility management is an achievement both Peter and Jane Bright are proud to add to their growing portfolio of projects as they plan towards directing Bright Pool Services into its growth phase Contact Bright Pool Services on 02 4611 7080, E: service@brightpoolservices.com.au, www.brightpoolservices.com.au Images: Training drills at the Peakhurst West Swimming Pool (top), Elijah Winnington with club members wearing his Olympic medals (middle) and (below from left: Deb Hogan; PASC Vice President Elijah Winnington; Mark Coure MP; Jane Bright 8th April 2025 - World’s Largest Swimming Lesson returns in June 4th April 2025 - Swimming Australia introduces strategic plan through to 2032 28th March 2025 - Blacktown celebrates 50 years of cherished Mount Druitt Swimming Centre 24th March 2025 - Swimming Australia embraces ‘Project Para’ Coach Development Program 18th March 2025 - Royal Life Saving research highlights further decline in children’s swimming skills 18th March 2025 - ONCORE Academy Partners with SWIM Coaches and Teachers Australia to enhance professional development 5th March 2025 - Royal Life Saving report shows 100% rise in swimming pool drownings over summer 25th February 2025 - NSW Government supports providers in delivering free learn to swim and water safety lessons 4th February 2025 - First keynotes announced and website launched for SWIMCON25 23rd January 2025 - AUSTSWIM introduces new aquatic fitness instructor training course 10th January 2025 - Water safety knowledge and confidence boosted via Float to Survive with GOswim campaign 4th January 2025 - Affluent suburbs of Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney benefit from enhanced swimming pool provision 2nd January 2025 - Inverell Aquatic Centre to host Swimming NSW regional championship event in 2026 4th October 2024 - Bright Pool Services expands reach across greater Sydney 2nd May 2024 - Swim Coaches and Teachers unveils revolution in swim teacher qualifications 12th August 2019 - Loreto Normanhurst enhances swimming options 4th November 2013 - Parents value swimming and water safety lessons above other out-of-school activities we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news Click here to view our subscription options Click here to view our subscription options product and event updates delivered right to your inbox The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services See more see more See the directory see all Get your business noticed in our targeted directory Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week Website by Member for Banks David Coleman chats with Chris about why the pool has been closed for the foreseeable future Picture by Jim Gainsford.Peakhurst West Public School pool has been closed for urgent repairs Due to the severe weather conditions yesterday (Monday repair work needs to be undertaken to the pool pump It is suspected that a power outage caused by the severe weather caused the pool pump to fail "The pool pump is an essential part of the pool's daily maintenance," a spokesperson for the community users of the pool said "It supports the water circulation in the pool as well as helps in regulating water temperature and chemical balances "The NSW Department of Education is working quickly with electricians and other trades to assess the situation and fix the pool pump as soon as possible An update will be provided as soon as it becomes available." This is the second time since December that the pool has been closed On December 5 last year the Department of Education closed the pool with one day's warning the department said did not have adequate resources to provide supervision to all groups using the pool which was closed pending the appointment of a new pool operator Two petitions were circulated gathering several thousand signatures in several days By December 9 the department had reversed its decision The department appointed an interim operator pending the appointment of a permanent operator Pool users with any questions about the latest works have been referred to contact the NSW Department of Education on Email: schoolinfrastructure@det.nsw.edu.au Peakhurst.The ruination of the southern side of Peakhurst Park was commenced by the Greiner State Government in 1991 My home in Lawrence Street was one of the first in a group of Dept of Housing homes to be demolished Liberal governments and private owners eventually over developed the entire area of Lawrence Now I read the state Labor Government will be demolishing homes on the northern side of the park namely Hardwicke Street I can relate to every word written by Wallace Bridge (St George Leader The thing is once one unsuitable construction destroys the amenity of an area private owners sell to developers while the Dept of Housing congratulate themselves on the ease of moving tenants and disrupting their lives If Hardwicke Street is to mirror the southern side of Peakhurst Park Housing continue demolishing their single storey dwellings replacing them with three-storey blocks which leave the streets bereft of sunlight Georges River Council already have inherited more than enough unsuitable developments At least the State Liberals to my knowledge have had nothing to say about Hardwicke Street as it was them and the then Hurstville Council who completely destroyed streets on the southern side of the park Some time ago I came across a couple of articles about waste changes in other council areas I checked and noticed each bin had an RFID tag under the rim there was no mention of these tags when the green bins were rolled out Neither the story in today's "Leader" nor the post on council's website mention the roll out includes RFID tags on the bins The article says "Bayside Council is making changes to waste services to optimise the collection schedule and improve service efficiency for all residents." The current number of services per week is going to remain the same I don't have an issue with RFID tags but it's disappointing that council wasn't more transparent with the reasons for the bin replacement including the roll out of RFID tags A protest rally over the sudden closure of the Peakhurst West swimming pool turned into a victory celebration yesterday when the NSW Education Department reversed its decision to close the pool indefinitely View +2 PhotosThe department announced at 3pm on Tuesday (December 10) that it would reopen the pool on Saturday A community meeting to protest the closure was scheduled for 4pm but instead became a celebration in response to the news the Federal Member for Banks said the huge community response to the closure of the pool is a big part of why it is now re-opening and I'm very glad that this decision has been reversed," Mr Coleman said "The pool has been a key part of the community more than six decades and is used every week by hundreds of local residents "The State Government must ensure that the pool gets the resources it needs The NSW Government has reversed its decision to close the Peakhurst West Swimming Pool following a powerful and united community campaign demanding it reopening and community groups like Peakhurst Amateur Swimming Club and Penshurst RSL Swimming Club to once again access the pool for recreation groups that the Peakhurst West Community Pool would be closing at 12pm on following day (December 6) The closure of the pool at the height of the swimming season has families and community groups scrambling to find alternative facilities State Member for Oatley Mark Coure and Federal Member for Banks David Coleman both started petitions demanding the immediate reopening of the pool A protest meeting was held outside the pool yesterday Mark Coure MP described the decision to reopen the pool as "a victory for our local community and a testament to what we can achieve when we come together." "The closure of this pool was unacceptable and thanks to the incredible advocacy of local residents the government has been forced to listen." Hundreds of residents rallied behind the campaign I learnt to swim at Peakhurst West Swimming Pool It is a vital part of our shared history and an asset that must not be lost." this pool has been a place where children learned to swim and reopening is not just a victory for swimmers-it's a victory for community spirit and commonsense." Mr Coure said The campaign also highlighted the need for long-term investment in the pool to ensure it remains a safe and welcoming space for future generations "Now we need to ensure the government commits to upgrading and maintaining this pool for the long term." The reopening of Peakhurst West Swimming Pool is a reminder of the power of grassroots action Mr Colemen hailed the announcement today that Peakhurst West Pool will re-open this Saturday "The pool has been part of our community since 1961 and we should always stand up to protect it." a chance to meet Olympic sprint swimmer Elijah Winnington was a thrill for the young Peakhurst Amateur Swim Club members They were at Peakhurst West Swimming Pool for a swim clinic with the Olympian. The pool is situated on the grounds of Peakhurst West Public School. It is under the interim management of Bright Pool Services, which the Department of Education contacted to manage and operate the pool until the Expressions of Interest process is complete who showed swimmers how to perfect their technique - in the water and poolside the Olympian jumped into the pool to give the kids a chance to race him He signed caps and shirts and let the kids wear his Olympic medals The Peakhurst Amateur Swim Club was established in 1962 Club members have progressed to the state level Oatley MP Mark Coure was also there to meet the Olympian "I learnt to swim at this pool," Mr Coure said "As a community surrounded by waterways and pools teaching our children how to be safe and confident in the water is just as important as teaching them to swim "Elijah's visit has highlighted excellence in sport and the importance of water safety it's their first time seeing an Olympian up close One of those faces might be standing on the podium one day." St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reporter covering education, health and general community news. Email: ekolimar@theleader.com.au The Peakhurst West Public School pool which has been out of action twice since early December Picture by Jim Gainsford.Built and funded in 1961 by the school P&C hundreds of residents and several community groups use the pool for swimming lessons fitness classes and competitive swimming programs "Given its rich history and the increasing demand for swimming lessons is if the Government commits to funding its long-term maintenance and upgrades," Mr Coure said we saw a pump fail due to a power outage caused by extreme weather This just proves that the pool requires urgent upgrades and the pool will degrade if the Government refuses to fund it." the NSW Government announced the sudden closure of the pool with residents calling for an immediate reversal of the decision "Whilst we were successful in saving the pool The Peakhurst West Swimming Pool was built by the community for the community - it is only right that it continues to serve current and future generations "I would encourage you to join me in the fight by emailing my office or signing my petition announced last week and enforced the following day has drawn widespread criticism with residents calling for an immediate reversal of the decision The Peakhurst West Swimming Pool is a 25m indoor heated pool located in the grounds of Peakhurst West Public School It has served the Peakhurst community and beyond since 1961 built and funded by residents and the schools P&C committee has left community members and groups that rely on the pool shocked "This decision is completely unacceptable and must be reversed," said Member for Oatley "The closure of the pool shows a blatant disregard for the many groups and individuals who depend on this facility especially in the middle of the swimming season The reasons provided by the Minns Labor Government for the closure are inadequate." Hundreds of residents and several community groups currently utilise the pool for activities such as swimming lessons and the abrupt closure has caused significant disruption to their operations Representatives from the group were shocked by the sudden closure with the future unsure for the many swim programs they offer." met with residents at the pool site this morning stating that the Minn's Government should "work with the community to ensure this vital facility remains open." the Minns Government should be investing in its upgrade to ensure it continues to benefit the people of Peakhurst for decades to come," Mr Speakman said Mr Coure has campaigned to keep the pool in community hands He highlighted its historical significance noting that most of the funds needed to build the pool were raised by the local community and P&C committee "This pool would not have been built without the community To see it closed with only 24 hours' notice is a disgrace and shows how out of touch Ministerial departments and the Minns Government is with the community," he said Mark Coure announced a commitment of $1 million from a re- elected NSW Liberal Party Government to repair the pool acknowledging its desperate need for an upgrade and continued usage This was in line with community expectations Mr Coure has launched a petition urging the NSW Government to reverse its decision and Residents are encouraged to sign the petition and make their voices heard "Please join us in this campaign to save this important community asset We must show the NSW Government the strength of our community to save Peakhurst West Pool." https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaKf1LwE32UERBjsZDIp4YCpO4qGwVTKNPeZWypFZpBgzI_g/viewform marking a significant moment in time for teachers former students and families with connections to the school The school's birthday celebrations included events attended by a large number of former students many who remain residents of the suburb and surrounding areas One of its former students is now the principal of Matraville Sports High School Nerida Walker was the school captain of the school and has many memories of her days there as a young school girl "Peakhurst High School in the 1980s was described by our Geography teacher as a "bastion of white working class Australia My memories of my time at the school are happy ones and that is in most part due to my teachers and because of the huge group of local students who fed into the (then) huge school Nearly all of us completed high school with the same group of peers who we started Kindergarten with with a huge range of interests and abilities whose parents lived and worked in the community all sending their kids to their local high school Our teachers ranged from mediocre to excellent Mr Chan the ambidextrous science teacher who could fill a chalk board with one hand then rub it out and continue with the other at double speed The very cool Ms Smith who we could see getting out of her car every day with a surfboard on her roof who taught us how to meditate in PE - unheard of Mrs Borelli the talented music teacher who had Andrew Momsen leading us in singing Wake up Maggie in Year 7 Mrs Pickering who forced all Year 7 students to perform in a school revue I was forced to tell a Bob Newhart joke in interval to a silent audience who remained silent after the punchline except for the Year 10 kid at the back who yelled out "huh huh" (then I got a laugh) who took us all on a light plane flight over Sydney much to my mother's horror so we could get an understanding of how big the urban sprawl was Needless to say that I went on to become a Geography teacher a few years later after trying town planning for a while Peakhurst High had great facilities - plenty of handball space fields and the crowning glory being 'The Dome' - the bini shell gym/hall which we thought was excellent such as being conned into playing hockey for the school by Ms Williams and Mrs Gee as a shy Year 7 student led to a 30-year hockey playing journey only ending when my knees decided it was time Every second year we travelled as a whole school to Macksville High School on the mid-north coast enjoying the billeting system with many Peakhurst High city slickers' kids staying on farms in local shops some right on the beach at Scotts Head and having life changing experiences usually not discussed with parents upon return and certainly not with teachers up there with us The school at the time also sent Geography and Biology students every year down to Bournda National Park near Tathra to enjoy the great outdoors in A-frame huts with canvas sides Nine hours on a bus and then allowed to play night time games of spotlight in the bush (among other shenanigans) as well as navigation exercises during the day using maps and compasses looking at wildlife and learning how to body surf I remember my mother commenting when I got home that I had "changed" - meaning I looked wild As a school principal now much of this would be totally not allowed My year group had the same year adviser (Ms Christine Naylor) from Year 7 to Year 12 who taught and inspired us to read and travel and for a girl from Lugarno whose entire family had never been overseas her ideas certainly inspired me to travel as an adult We had outstanding athletes such as Australian Rugby representative Andrew Momsen and swimmer/triathlete Bronwyn Elford to name a few I think that being in a large public school with different sorts of people built into us the ability to talk to anyone without judgement and to have the confidence that we were well educated and could succeed in life I was most proud of being voted school captain in 1985 I was convinced that there was no way I would get that role and I remember sitting on the oval when it was announced over the crackling loudspeaker and I would say that the confidence boost for me was life changing for many reasons The 1985 class of Year 12's biggest moment was our muck up day when we drove a jeep complete with Michelle McKay dressed up in a toga as Sheila (from the Orange people) sitting precariously on an armchair in the ute tray through a full outdoor assembly of screaming children to the stage where a two storey high set of connected bed sheets was dramatically unfurled from the roof of the building displaying an effigy of the Deputy Principal as Bagwahn Sre Rajneeshi (a hot news item at the time) I am unsure if it was that or the evening breaking into our senior study for our end of year party that upset the school the most I was not judged because I was from a broken home or that my parents were not tertiary educated I shudder to think how I might be categorised these days I was teased sometimes because I was skinny and had a "ski jump" nose but the school was a big level playing field filled with all sorts who sorted each other out and backed each other up if needed My brother Brett followed me through the school two years later and he also turned out alright I am sure we all have different tales to tell from those days however I remember Peakhurst High and my experiences there with true happiness and I feel lucky and grateful for the education I received." David Coleman outside the Peakhurst West Swimming Pool last week David Coleman will host a community meeting today to protest against the closure of the Peakhurst West Pool The NSW Department of Education closed the pool The department made the decision to temporarily close the pool until a suitable operator is appointed to run the facility however to ensure the continued safety of the public a suitable operator is required to provide qualified supervision and conduct maintenance and increased water quality inspections," a department spokesperson said "We understand that the Peakhurst West Public School swimming pool is an important facility for many members of the community "During the temporary closure of the Peakhurst West Public School pool alternative public swimming facilities within the Georges River area are available including Hurstville Aquatic Leisure Centre But Mr Coleman said the closure could be permanent "The Government has stated that the pool will be closed until an Expression of Interest process to run the pool concludes," Mr Coleman said if the Expression of Interest process does not find a suitable operator "there is a chance that the pool will no longer be viable and will be closed" permanently "This decision is completely unacceptable in my view and must be reversed," Mr Coleman said "To close the pool with one day's notice shows a lack of respect for the many groups who rely upon the facility Hundreds of local residents are involved in community groups that use the pool and they are in the middle of the swimming season "The reasons provided by the Government for the closure of the pool are wholly inadequate If the Government wanted to keep the pool open A petition started by Mr Coleman calling for the immediate reopening of the pool had gathered 1500 signatures by Monday The petition is at: www.davidcoleman.com.au/state-government-must-reverse-decision-to-close-peakhurst-west-pool/ State Member for Oatley has also launched a petition calling for the pool to be reopened: ttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScaKf1LwE32UERBjsZDIp4YCpO4qGwVTKNPeZWypFZpBgzI_g/viewform Picture by Jim Gainsford,This is the Christmas party that almost didn't happen Since 1962 the volunteers of the Penshurst RSL Youth Swim Club have been training generations of children how to swim at the Peakhurst West Public School pool But that almost came to an end on Thursday December 5 when the Department of Education closed the pool with one day's warning This prompted a community outcry with the Peakhurst Amateur Swimming Club and Penshurst RSL Youth Swim Club scrambling to find other venues at the height of the swimming season David Coleman called on the department to immediately reverse its decision and reopen the pool State Member for Oatley Mark Coure said the decision was unacceptable Both started petitions which gathered several thousand signatures in several days allowing the pool to reopen this morning (Saturday president of the Penshurst RSL Youth Swim Club "If we weren't able to find another pool there was a danger our club would have closed." The club celebrated the reopening of the pool this morning with a free sausage sizzle a visit by Santa and gifts for the children The Penshurst RSL Youth Swim Club has 71 members aged from four-years to 25 years and 20 instructors and holds learn-to-swim classes and squad training every Saturday morning the younger swimmers who we teach freestyle and backstroke They then graduate to the Seahorse group where they start to do breaststroke improve their freestyle and backstroke and learn to do diving Then there is the Sharks group where they do all forms of swimming strokes while learning to do butterfly "After this they are qualified to go into the squads and are ready to compete with all the other RSL swim squads This year we had 19 entries over three carnivals and tonight we are competing in the RSL zone championships at Botany pool "We also help our older swimmers to qualify as swimming teachers by teaching them CPR and first-aid "Our role is to help the young ones to learn their water skills and safety so parents can feel confident that their kids are safe around water "As far as we are concerned we are here to help the community." a life member of the club said when the Peakhurst West pool was built it was originally a 15-metre pool "When they wanted to convert it to 25-metres there were Sunday doorknocks between Riverwood and the pool in Peakhurst West to raise the money," Peter said "It shows the effort the community has invested in the pool This can be seen in David Coleman's petition gathering 1,500 signatures in a matter of days," he said Mark Coure described the reversal of the decision to reopen the pool as "a victory for our local community and a testament to what we can achieve when we come together the government has been forced to listen," he said "The Government stated that the pool will be closed until an Expression of Interest process to run the pool concludes," Mr Coleman said if the Expression of Interest process does not find a suitable operator 'there is a chance that the pool will no longer be viable and will be closed permanently.' " Mark Coure said the campaign also highlighted the need for long-term investment in the pool to ensure it remains a safe and welcoming space for future generations But for the moment it was business as usual at the Peakhurst West pool "I'm happy we are still operating and are able to finish the year seeing the kids with big smiles on their faces." Picture suppliedRockdale Musical Society's Diary of a Wimpy Kid production opens shortly at Rockdale Town Hall The stage adaptation of Jeff Kinney's globally successful book series will come to life on April 11-13 Diary of a Wimpy Kid has become one of the most beloved book franchises in the world with more than 275 million copies sold in more than 80 editions and 69 languages Author Jeff Kinney's relatable storytelling has captivated readers of all ages making Greg Heffley's journey through middle school a cultural phenomenon The musical adaptation brings Greg's misadventures to life The cast is a real-life family - the Fosters joined by his real-life parents Kathleen and Matt Foster as Susan and Frank Heffley and his younger sister Emily Foster as part of the 40-member cast President of Rockdale Musical Society Carina Herbert said this was a vibrant and hilarious musical "This show is an incredible mix of experienced adult performers and talented younger actors all coming together to create something truly special," she said "Community theatre plays a vital role in enriching our local arts allowing performers of all ages and variousities to shine while bringing world-class productions to local audiences." she said productions like this served a broader purpose and confidence in young performers while providing accessible theatre experiences for the wider community Tickets Picture FacebookFootball St George's Girls Junior Development League players were in for a surprise recently when Matildas coach Tom Sermanni unexpectedly visited their training session at Peakhurst Park the coach took the time to engage with the young players The visit was warmly welcomed by Football St George with Technical Director Brian Dene expressing his appreciation for Mr Sermanni's generosity and passion for the game "Tom's presence here inspires our young players," he said "His experience at the game's highest levels and willingness to give back to grassroots football speaks volumes about his character The girls are thrilled to have him on the pitch and his words of encouragement will stay with them for a long time." We care about the protection of your data. Read our Privacy Policy. This is probably not the page you’re looking for who are celebrating 70 years of marriage this year The couple will officially mark the milestone of their happy union They featured in the Illawarra Mercury 10 years ago when they celebrated their 60th anniversary they are proving that longevity in marriage is well and truly something to be proud of before they moved to Peakhurst where they currently live They met at a Sunday School in 1950 at Burwood They have three children - all of them daughters plus they have seven grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren When asked to reveal their secret to a long and happy marriage they said the same thing: "it's all about give and take." As for what qualities they most admire in each other Bunty said that she admired Warwick's faithfulness that he has been a hard worker and good provider They have also travelled to 27 countries together in their retirement years including China It's been one year since St George Montessori Peakhurst opened its doors to families in the community and the demand for care and education is growing which caters for children from birth to three years of age Educators work within the Montessori philosophy which emphasises building curiosity and independence Executive Service Manager Susan Hamadi says the centre has been well received by families in the area and it's been amazing to continue to provide care and education for families," she said The demand for Montessori education has increased "It's been around for a long time and it's getting a lot of the recognition it deserves," she said It's being able to provide children with freedom Head of Operations Dali Milacovic said with the rising cost of living families were also sending their children to daycare earlier than before "There is a need for early childhood care in this growing area." cook Sue Youssef and Executive Service Manager Susan Hamadi the NSW Government announced it would help every child in NSW have access to affordable with up to 200,000 families across the state to benefit from the largest ever investment in early education fee relief A total of $430 million has been allocated to provide fee relief for families of three Since the state government introduced up to $500 a year fee relief for three-year-olds Early education is vital for a child's development supporting the improvement of their language Research also shows that access to early education for children supports women's economic participation Picture suppliedCan women 'have it all?' Ask Maria Dalamaras and the answer will be a confident and resounding 'yes' Lugarno-based business owner and mother of two boys is not only passionate about mentoring other women to succeed in all areas of life it's possible to do it with a strong essence of balance Mrs Dalamaras has been selected to receive the Business Achievement Award at the 2024 St George Community Awards for the third consecutive year The recognition highlights the ongoing contributions of her business digital marketing consulting and social media management Working with small to medium sized business by helping them create a digital space "My background is psychology so I've always been interested in helping people in some aspect," she said "I found a gap in the market when I was in the corporate world after I had my first son I had friends with small businesses and they wanted help With a natural understanding of how consumerism relates to psychology she grew the business through word-of-mouth "I work in marketing...but I don't actually market myself," she said which will be presented on November 29 at Mortdale RSL "So much of our energy goes into raising our children but I celebrate the small wins because when you're happy in your work environment you're happier at home," Mrs Dalamaras said As a working mum who built her expertise in an industry dominated by males she says it's beneficial for women to know they can succeed in both areas of life - on the home front and in the office "I think there is a fair balance out there who will be running as a candidate in Peter's group in Peakhurst Ward at the upcoming local government elections.Georges River Councillor Peter Mahoney has resumed his Council duties and returned to the election campaign trail after being involved in a serious car accident in early June Georges River Residents' and Ratepayers' Councillor for Peakhurst Ward Councillor Mahoney was involved in a serious car accident in early June while returning to Sydney from the south coast He sustained significant injuries and was airlifted to St George Hospital where he underwent surgery and spent over a week in intensive care Councillor Mahoney is dedicated to his rehabilitation and is showing daily improvement Councillor Mahoney is excited to be standing for re-election "I am proud of what I have been able to achieve for the community and the environment on Georges River Council," Cr Mahoney said "I hope to be re-elected in September so I can continue delivering positive change for our community This is motivating me to work hard during my rehabilitation so that I can strive toward a full recovery and be back in full swing representing Peakhurst Ward." Councillor Mahoney was actively engaging with residents at Lugarno Shops showcasing his commitment to the community Cr Mahoney has attended council committee meetings in July and the July 22 council meeting where he submitted a Notice of Motion calling on the council to conduct a publicity campaign tp heighten awareness about the severe safety risks involved with the use of batteries and battery chargers and with the information provided to include safe methods of disposal of these items This was unanimously supported by the council The driver of a 4WD has been charged after a woman pedestrian was fatally injured at Peakhurst on Friday emergency services were called to Forest Road and Pritchard Place where they found a 63-year-old critically injured after being struck by a vehicle "The driver of the 4WD - a 48-year-old man - was taken to St George Hospital for mandatory testing," the statement said "Officers from St George Police Area Command established a crime scene the man was taken to Kogarah Police Station where he has now been charged with negligent driving occasioning death "He was refused bail and appeared in Parramatta Bail Court on Saturday where he was formally refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court on Friday August 9 Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time Peakhurst Public School principal Sally Lawson set out with a simple mission: to improve students’ writing skills the school in Sydney’s south has quickly gained a reputation for fostering the talents of the next generation of talented young writers Hillary Yuan (right) and Sophie Choker won awards at the recent WriteOn literary competition It has picked up five awards in three years at the state’s WriteOn competition and has produced strong student test results Lawson credits the school’s success to its renewed focus on writing and the creation of a new teaching role: instructional leader in literacy “When I first came to the school just over four years ago we had a look at our writing and believed we could do better,” she said “I looked at the staff and saw that we had a teacher that was a really good practitioner and good in that area “My role I think is to identify very talented staff and put them into an area where we actually soak up all their skills.” Year 3 student Hillary Yuan was this week awarded a gold medal at the WriteOn awards the state’s creative writing competition for primary school students She was among 18 children in the state to be recognised after entering a poem called Memories So Fair Students were required to compose a work based on a stimulus photograph of children at a sideshow game Hillary said she loves creative writing because it makes her feel happier when she’s upset and she takes inspiration from her favourite books and authors “One of my favourite authors is Enid Blyton because she teaches me lots of new lessons on how to use your imagination and appreciate life,” she said “Two of my favourite books are The Secret Garden and Matilda I really like the character development and how it comes from sad and miserable to happy and exciting.” She was joined by year 5 student Sophie Choker who won a silver medal for her poem Draw Of The Prize The school’s success in writing has not been limited to competition wins with the latest NAPLAN results showing it has made above-average progress in writing between 2019 and 2021 Merryn Whitfield is the school’s instructional leader in literacy and works with teachers and students on their writing “We find little snippets of quality literature that we can then bring back into the classroom to engage students and show them good models,” she said “Then we work with them slowly to develop their skills so they feel comfortable and confident to write on their own.” She said she was amazed by the quality of the students’ work and hoped they would continue with creative writing “It gives me goosebumps; when you read them for the first time you just go ‘wow’,” Whitfield said The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day’s most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up here Peakhurst Public School principal Sally Lawson set out with a simple mission: to improve students\\u2019 writing skills the school in Sydney\\u2019s south has quickly gained a reputation for fostering the talents of the next generation of talented young writers It has picked up five awards in three years at the state\\u2019s WriteOn competition Lawson credits the school\\u2019s success to its renewed focus on writing and the creation of a new teaching role: instructional leader in literacy \\u201CWhen I first came to the school just over four years ago we had a look at our writing and believed we could do better,\\u201D she said \\u201CI looked at the staff and saw that we had a teacher that was a really good practitioner and good in that area \\u201CMy role I think is to identify very talented staff and put them into an area where we actually soak up all their skills.\\u201D the state\\u2019s creative writing competition for primary school students Hillary said she loves creative writing because it makes her feel happier when she\\u2019s upset \\u201COne of my favourite authors is Enid Blyton because she teaches me lots of new lessons on how to use your imagination and appreciate life,\\u201D she said \\u201CTwo of my favourite books are The Secret Garden and Matilda I really like the character development and how it comes from sad and miserable to happy and exciting.\\u201D The school\\u2019s success in writing has not been limited to competition wins Merryn Whitfield is the school\\u2019s instructional leader in literacy and works with teachers and students on their writing \\u201CWe find little snippets of quality literature that we can then bring back into the classroom to engage students and show them good models,\\u201D she said \\u201CThen we work with them slowly to develop their skills so they feel comfortable and confident to write on their own.\\u201D She said she was amazed by the quality of the students\\u2019 work and hoped they would continue with creative writing \\u201CIt gives me goosebumps; when you read them for the first time you just go \\u2018wow\\u2019,\\u201D Whitfield said The Morning Edition newsletter is our guide to the day\\u2019s most important and interesting stories For information directly relating to bushfires please call the Bush Fire Information Line on 1800 679 737 or visit the NSW Rural Fire Service Website here. [external link] We responded to over 150,000 incidents in 2023-24 The incidents displayed below are note-worthy incidents that have been published as media releases or tweets Details about incidents may change and should not be used as emergency information and/or advice North Parramatta | The fire at Dunlop Street, North Parramatta has been contained but is expected to smoulder through the morning. Because there may be smoke in the area, residents and businesses in the vicinity are advised to keep doors, windows, and vents closed. View on X [external link] Fire and Rescue NSW acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the land and acknowledges and pays respect to their Elders Middle ring suburbs in Sydney’s south and south west are the most affordable areas to buy a property if lifestyle and amenities are important New research by PRD Real Estate named Peakhurst Narwee and Caringbah as Sydney’s most liveable and affordable suburbs MORE: Inside Karl Stefanovic’s waterfront mansion Nicole Kidman leads celebrities moving to this NSW region 18 year-old buys $5m mansion in Dural PRD chief economist Dr Asti Mardiasmo said the suburbs were the cheapest ones within 20km of the city and had plenty of amenities green space and job opportunities on their doorstep is expected to have upwards of 10 bidders at its auction this Saturday The suburbs were also found to be investor havens with above-average rental yields and below-average vacancy rates Dr Mardiasmo said the suburbs were not necessarily the cheapest in Sydney from a price point but were compared to an area’s liveability score “These suburbs tick all the boxes for what everyone wants in terms of liveability economic activity and being investor friendly,” she said “You will find cheaper suburbs a lot further out but none will offer anything close to what these suburbs do.” The report found Sydney to be the most affordable city when solely based on liveability Peakhurst had a median house price of $1.2 million which while above the Sydney median house price was the closest suburb to the city that met the criteria Jannali was second with a $1,200,250 median and Caringbah ranked third at $1.375 million For apartments Peakhurst was also the cheapest at $685,000 followed by Narwee ($612,500) and Caringbah at $701,000 All were cheaper than the median Sydney unit price Ray White Georges River — St George principal Fraser Glen, who has a three-bedroom Peakhurst house going to auction on Elwin St this Saturday said the suburb had often been cheaper than the surrounding ones “The homes have always been undervalued considering how close Peakhurst is to everything,” he said “A lot of buyers have just started to discover that they can save $200,000 by coming five minutes down the road to Peakhurst.” The PRD Real Estate Affordable and Liveable Property Guide also named Sydney as the most affordable city in Australia when taking into consideration the criteria of property trends The report said Sydney offered a much cheaper entry price to get all of those factors than any other city Despite being the most affordable liveable city in Australia that met the criteria the biannual report found affordability had decreased in Sydney since the last update in November House hunters can now buy a property for a $1m in 12 per cent of all the city’s suburbs — down from 13.9 per cent “The current market is the most affordable price point you will have in the next year with affordability likely to decrease only further,” Dr Mardiasmo said third parties have written and supplied the content and we are not responsible for it completeness or reliability of the information nor do we accept any liability or responsibility arising in any way from omissions or errors contained in the content We do not recommend sponsored lenders or loan products and we cannot introduce you to sponsored lenders We strongly recommend that you obtain independent advice before you act on the content realestate.com.au is owned and operated by ASX-listed REA Group Ltd (REA:ASX) © REA Group Ltd. By accessing or using our platform, you agree to our Terms of Use. following a police pursuit through Peakhurst officers from Traffic and Highway Patrol Command attempted to stop a black sedan on Forest Road "When the vehicle allegedly failed to stop as directed a pursuit was initiated," the statement said "The sedan allegedly ran a red light at the intersection of Forest Road and Stony Creek Road and collided with three other vehicles before stopping "The driver of the sedan - a 32-year-old man - attempted to flee the scene before he became aggressive with police who discharged a taser to effect the arrest "A female passenger was arrested at the scene and questioned before being released "The drivers and passengers of the other three vehicles involved sustained minor injuries with one woman taken to Liverpool Hospital for treatment "Police conducted a search of the sedan and seized a firearm and illicit drugs "The man was taken to St George Hospital under police guard for treatment and mandatory testing "Following release from hospital today (Sunday) he was taken to Kogarah Police Station and charged with 22 offences The man was refused bail to appear at Sutherland Local Court tomorrow (Monday) Year 10 students from Georges River College Peakhurst have won the Junior Division of a competition that recognises achievements in marine and aquaculture technology The studentsdeveloped an innovative project about the ocean, and submitted their project into the Fish Tank Competition in the Volvo Ocean Lovers Festival the contest encourages schools to fish for bright ideas in their quest to become the next generation of young eco-creators in their community High school students across Sydney were invited to contribute their ideas to help the ocean and turn ripples of action into waves of change to positively affect the ocean A group of girls from GRC Peakhurst, Abigail Mckenzie, Mya Wong, Tahlia Coulton, Abbie Clay, Amelia Wilson, Lillian King, submitted their project titled 'Mechanically Driven Artificial Upwelling'. They examined the effect of cold water upwelling on coastlines The process occurs when the top layer of water is moved by the wind If the coast is to the right of the wind direction an 'upwelling' process draws up colder and more nutrient-rich water from the depths of the ocean to the surface Upwelling occurs where the sea becomes very deep relatively close to the shore swimmers may notice that water temperatures at the beach get colder from one day to the next upwelling of nutrient-rich water is important for attracting and nurturing marine life with guests including NSW Shadow Environment Minister Information about working in or operating early childhood education services including outside school hours care information for parents including how to choose a service and supporting your child for their transition to school Skills NSW helps post high school students find courses in vocational training across a wide variety of industries and course providers The NSW Department of Education is committed to employing the best and brightest teachers who can teach and make a difference in NSW public schools NSW Department of Education's information on curriculum taught in NSW schools Aboriginal education and communities & personalised support but Peakhurst Public finally got to celebrate its sesquicentennial Though COVID restrictions put celebrations on hold last year came together to celebrate Peakhurst Public School’s 150th anniversary earlier this month The BBQs were fired up for sausage sizzles the cake stall was full to the brim with goodies and classrooms were overflowing with memorabilia to celebrate the amazing milestone of a century and a half of learning at the school Special guests included local members of parliament and past principals who spoke about the enormous impact Peakhurst Public School has had on the local community The 2021 school captains also made their return to share memories of their time at Peakhurst Public School and speeches were placed into a time capsule alongside a book of memories by students past and present and other community members The time capsule will be placed in the library where its whereabouts can be closely monitored as another capsule buried 25 years ago was hidden a little too well and was unable to be located Assistant Principal Karla Wilson played an integral role in the organisation of the day we also had more attendees than we could have hoped for and it was such a fun day,” Ms Wilson said “To have so many people share the impact that Peakhurst Public School has had on their lives was beautiful to witness and we can’t wait to have a time capsule that we are actually able to locate.” We recognise the Ongoing Custodians of the lands and waterways where we work and live We pay respect to Elders past and present as ongoing teachers of knowledge We strive to ensure every Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander learner in NSW achieves their potential through education Picture suppliedA car caught fire at Peakhurst on April 3 Fire & Rescue NSW was on scene at Bailey Parade just after 5pm The station commander requested assistance from NSW Police for traffic control and the energy authority to inspect the overhead wires for damage The fire was extinguished about half an hour later Alexi McKerron and Audrey Vida (sibling absent from photo) with Deputy Principal Scott Wilson Principal Diane Wilson and Year 7 advisor Deb Vlahos Picture by Chris LaneThe unknowns of a new environment were made a little more comfortable no doubt for these siblings who launched into 2024 with a familiar face Georges River College Peakhurst has five sets of twins in Year 7 who are well settled into their high school Principal Diane Wilson says it's quite a rare sight to have so many siblings in the one cohort "Each of them are able to make new friends but having a twin certainly is someone there extra We have separated all of them in different classes," she said "My philosophy is around them being individuals rather than pairing them up as twins It gives them the opportunity to develop their personality in their classes with their teachers." CNN and the BBC World Service which is copyright and cannot be reproduced AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time which is 10 hours ahead of GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) Sonia Fenton has applied to build a $9.5 million three-storey extension as a hostel accommodation for women over 55 Objectors say the future hostel residents are not a concern but it is the height loss of privacy and lack of parking that are the issues Concerns include the proposal for 29 balconies overlooking residents the three-storey height in an R2 residential zone The residents have collectively hired an independent planner who has also highlighted the concerns in his report on requirements not being meet They have collected more than 800 signatures on a petition against the development "This is not about residents assuming who these women are," one resident said "We are not a community against aiding seniors services There are currently four aged cares within 500 metres of our street "This is a sensitive topic and offence can be made quite easily against a demographic in need These include 29 balconies overlooking residential homes and streets in an R2 low density zone "Privacy of the neighbours is compromised due to the height of this building Overshadowing impacts due to the non compliance is significant and concerning "The 8.5m height allowance in this zone being ignored There are two houses that will have an over 9 metre wall next to them on one side and another house with a 9 metre wall next to it on the other side of the site."' said the DA does comply and that the corner setbacks of the new building will be more than the existing buildings "The setbacks for balconies will be adequate for privacy," she said "The third storey is recessed into the mansard roof so from the street it reads as two storeys." Residents are are also concerned that the DA calls for the removal of 22 out of 26 trees including four heritage trees "Trees and greenery are a key characteristic of the neighbourhood," the residents' spokesperson said Ms Fenton said she was distressed when she read the heritage landscape architect's report and has requested it be revisited and amended There are 60 year old palms that are recommended to be removed The landscaping report is being reviewed," she said Residents are also concerned about the lack of parking in an already congested street," the spokesperson for the residents said tradesmen and contractor numbers could vary "The clearway on Forest Road which is 6-10am and 3-7pm will not be able to accommodate any extra cars during these times that this facility may need in the future." Ms Fenton said the venue currently has only three spaces for up to 350 people and two of these are accessible spaces "The venue has been a function centre since 1947 when parking was not a question," she said two of those 14 new spaces are accessible in the basement near the lift and the two outside near forest road entrance will remain." Residents will hold at meeting on Sunday at 10am at Prospect Road to voice their concerns "Our main concerns are looking at scale and serviceability including its placement in our residential street," the spokesperson said "The architects nominated are very well-respected and we understand they have a brief We would like the process to integrate concerns over the DA to deliver something that fits in our area." "We have 884 signatures on our petition so far." : ABC News News HomeSuspicious fire at Peakhurst house used to grow cannabis: policeShare Suspicious fire at Peakhurst house used to grow cannabis: policeTopic:Fires The fire at the Peakhurst house is being treated as suspicious. (ABC News) Link copiedShareShare articleA house in Sydney's south, which police say was used to grow drugs, has been damaged by a suspicious fire. Police seized about 70 cannabis plants during a raid on the house in Webster Avenue at Peakhurst last week. Police say the property was used to grow drugs. (ABC News) The haul had a street value of $200,000, according to officers. A 25-year-old Bankstown man was arrested during the raid. Investigations are continuing but the vacant house was damaged in a fire overnight. Police said there was evidence a flammable liquid was used in a number of the rooms, and the fire is being treated as suspicious. Officers said no-one was in the house during the blaze. A man has faced court accused of the manslaughter of the wife of a teacher from his former school following a car accident in Sydney's south-west on Tuesday night appeared in Sutherland Local Court on Thursday He was formally refused bail in connection with 24 charges Tragic loss: Gayle Gibson and husband Tony Giorgio.Credit: Facebook a teacher at Canterbury Girls' High School were killed when Mr Knodler allegedly crossed a median strip in a stolen Toyota LandCruiser at Henry Lawson Drive in Peakhurst a maths teacher at Picnic Point High School were injured and taken to St George Hospital before being released on Wednesday told the Herald  that Mr Knodler had attended Picnic Point High School The ex-classmate said it was "highly likely" Mr Knodler was taught by Mr Giorgio who would often assist "struggling classes" Tyron Knodler will remain behind bars after allegedly causing a fatal car crash Picnic Point High School did not wish to comment Ms Gibson has been remembered as a "much-loved" teacher Canterbury Girls principal Sue Holden released a statement on Wednesday "Unfortunately we have today received some very sad news has passed away overnight in a tragic traffic accident Ms Gibson was a much loved member of staff and a former head teacher Our sincere condolences go out to her family," the statement read Police allege Mr Knodler stole the Toyota LandCruiser early on Monday before stealing a bottle of Jim Beam from a Dan Murphy's in Bankstown about midday on Tuesday blew .166 - three times the legal limit - after the crash He was charged with offences including two counts of manslaughter two counts of aggravated dangerous driving causing death two counts of aggravated dangerous driving causing grievous bodily harm high-range drink driving and failing to stop and assist A man has faced court accused of the manslaughter of the wife of a teacher from his former school following a car accident in Sydney's south-west on Tuesday night 62,\\u00A0a teacher at Canterbury Girls' High School told the\\u00A0Herald\\u00A0 that\\u00A0Mr Knodler had attended Picnic Point High School The ex-classmate said it was \\\"highly likely\\\" Mr Knodler was taught by Mr Giorgio who would often assist \\\"struggling classes\\\" Ms Gibson has been remembered as a \\\"much-loved\\\" teacher \\\"Unfortunately we have today received some very sad news Our sincere condolences go out to her family,\\\" the statement read Police allege Mr Knodler stole the Toyota LandCruiser early on Monday before stealing a bottle of Jim Beam from a Dan Murphy's in Bankstown about midday on Tuesday Police have arrested two men and charged one with murder after finding a body inside a metal cabinet floating in a creek on the NSW Mid-North Coast Detectives were searching Warrell Creek in Macksville on May 12 when they came upon the large cabinet Queensland police arrest a man in Brisbane on Wednesday Police say they were prompted to search the creek after realising a person was missing while investigating drug supply in Caringbah It is alleged the man most likely suffocated in an apartment on Lawrence Street in Peakhurst on April 27 after being “fairly violently assaulted” was arrested on Monday and charged with the man’s murder He allegedly killed the victim and arranged for an associate to fly down from Brisbane to “clean up” the scene of the crime was arrested by Queensland police on Wednesday and faced court ‘I understand that the family are absolutely devastated to die in circumstances like that is just awful.’ Detective Acting Superintendent Virginia Gorman said the Queensland man is believed to have put the victim’s body in the cabinet and driven to Warrell Creek The cabinet was later found floating in the creek “Police will allege that he was brought in as a cleaner … he’s been called in on this instance to clean up but I don’t have any information to suggest that was a normal occupation for him.” Gorman said it will be alleged the motivation for the killing was drug-related “I understand that the family are absolutely devastated to die in circumstances like that is just awful,” she said hoping this person would just disappear and no one would ever notice .. Gorman said police had done an “outstanding” job to identify that a person was missing and find his alleged killer in such a short period of time Fraser faced Sutherland Local Court on May 16 where he did not apply for bail and it was formally refused He will next face Downing Centre Local Court on August 17 The Queensland man is expected to face court in NSW at a later date It is alleged the man most likely suffocated in an apartment on Lawrence Street in Peakhurst on April 27 after being \\u201Cfairly violently assaulted\\u201D was arrested on Monday and charged with the man\\u2019s murder He allegedly killed the victim and arranged for an associate to fly down from Brisbane to \\u201Cclean up\\u201D the scene of the crime said the Queensland man is believed to have put the victim\\u2019s body in the cabinet and driven to Warrell Creek \\u201CPolice will allege that he was brought in as a cleaner \\u2026 he\\u2019s been called in on this instance to clean up but I don\\u2019t have any information to suggest that was a normal occupation for him.\\u201D \\u201CI understand that the family are absolutely devastated It\\u2019s a 22-year-old boy who\\u2019s deceased .. to die in circumstances like that is just awful,\\u201D she said Gorman said police had done an \\u201Coutstanding\\u201D job to identify that a person was missing \\u2018I understand that the family are absolutely devastated to die in circumstances like that is just awful.\\u2019 Peter Mahoney and Mayor Nick Katris at Peakhurst Park.The Georges River community had a special visitor at Peakhurst Park last week Prime Minister Anthony Albanese joined Georges River mayor Nick Katris and Councillors Ashvini Ambihaipahar Peter Mahoney and local sporting groups on site to celebrate the installation of an automatic irrigation system and natural playing surface upgrades on Field 1 The rejuvenation of the sports field means local groups and schools can continue to play the sports they love every week throughout the year The project received $500,000 in funding from the Australian Government through the Community Development Grants program Picture suppliedPeakhurst West Public School pupil Zakrya Swade has been nominated for a national award run by the Fred Hollows Foundation The young humanitarian will join finalists at Government House Sydney for the 2023 Fred Awards which celebrates Australians who are making a difference in their community The humanity award recognises year 6 students who show kindness As well as building a new school garden with his classmates Zakrya is a junior cadet with St John Ambulance NSW and is fundraising for The Penny Appeal to build four water wells in developing countries six students from across Australia will be named junior ambassadors and three national finalists for the Fred Awards will be acknowledged before the 2023 Humanitarian of the Year is announced