Content about Social Issues

December 4, 2012

Strathfield, Ashfield and Burwood on the block

The State Government is reportedly considering giving its backing to a report which calls for amalgamations of councils in the Inner West, with speculation that Strathfield, Ashfield and Burwood could be on the block.

According to The Daily Telegraph’s state political editor Andrew Clennell, Local Government Minister Don Page considers the current 152 councils unsustainable.

As reported on Ourstrathfield last week, an independent panel on restructuring councils is expected to report in March, and could outline which councils should merge.

November 15, 2012

Horrible death of a young Australian native

 

RSPCA NSW has called for restraint after a horrific act of cruelty against a young flying fox, spray painted by attackers in Strathfield.

The young fox suffocated due to paint inhalation and died.

According to reports made to the animal welfare body, there have been a number of incidents involving young flying foxes in the inner west, with many people considering them pests.

Infact, maintains Chief Inspector David O'Shannessy, some species are listed as 'vulnerable" and are Australian natives.

October 5, 2012

Our new mayor on keeping council together

It may have been an agonising week-long wait, but many Strathfield electors appear happy with the tight result they handed their new councillors after the September 8 poll.

The three Liberals – who came so close to a majority on the seven-seat council – now have to spend the next four years ensuring the support of at least one independent. And the two Labor councillors will always feel there is a tantalising chance of a shift in power. 

August 31, 2012

Strathfield First say they are calling in police over posters and poison pen letters

 

August 31 – Strathfield First today said they had called in police to investigate poison pen letters and abusive posters, claiming dirty tricks were now appearing in the Strathfield Council election campaign.

With just over a week to go before polling day for seats on the Council, candidates are setting a cracking pace of leafleting, door knocking and public appearances.

But the Strathfield First allegations have cast a shadow over campaigning. 

July 6, 2012

 

Labor, Liberal and new grass roots group, Strathfield First go head-to-head at the September council elections but Burwood Mayor, Councillor John Faker seems to be one of the hottest topics during the campaign period. 

The three main contestants battling for seats on Strathfield Council in the upcoming September elections have now announced the majority of their candidates – and the Strathfield Scene asked them to spell out their stance on the major issues.

One new group, Strathfield First Action Group, is leading the charge for the independents’ ticket with a team including the Mayor, Cr Paul Barron and his deputy, Cr Helen McLucas.

February 19, 2012

Hard lessons from two hours of meeting with the neighbours

You could almost feel sorry for Professor Marea Nicholson, Associate vice chancellor of the Australian Catholic University’s Sydney Campuses.

If she or her colleages were hoping no-one would pay much attention to the ACU's campus development plans at Strathfield, they may as well go to the bottom of the class and put on a dunce's hat.

September 13, 2011

An exciting range of new events, initiatives and infrastructure projects to reposition Strathfield as the business and cultural hub of Sydney's inner-west. 

 

This weekend marks an important milestone for Strathfield.

It will see the first in a series of big events designed to transform Sydney’s view of the municipality – and hopefully position it as one of the movers and shakers of the inner-west.

It is, in effect, the launch of Brand Strathfield. Expect to hear much more of this in the coming weeks.

May 19, 2013

Child pornography charges laid against well known teacher

A well-known Sydney dance teacher who was arrested in Strathfield with child grooming and possessing child pornography faces six new charges of aggravated sexual assault after he appeared in court today. 

Grant Davies, 39 appeared in Burwood Local Court today where his solicitor, Phillip Gibson said that his client had been handed the additional charges, bringing the total to 10. 

Davies was a teacher at R.G. Dance Studio in Chiswick, was arrested at North Strathfield following an investigation by Burwood police.



May 16, 2013

Amazing youngsters awarded for their work

Seven outstanding Strathfield young citizens have been celebrated at the annual Young Achievement Awards.

Strathfield Rotary and Strathfield Council joined forces to recognise the recipients’ remarkable commitment to community service, science, arts and sports.

The youngest recipient is just 11 years old. Se-Bom Lee from St Patricks College is the national age champion in the 200m Individual Medley and 100m Backstroke, coming first in those events at the 2012 Australian School Swimming Championships.

March 27, 2013

Police have released CCTV images of a man who they think may be involved in an armed robbery in Flemington. 

Police have released CCTV images of a man who they think may be involved in an armed robbery in Flemington. 

At around 6:30am on Sunday, a man held up a 29-year-old service station employee with a firearm and demanded that he open the security door to the premises. 

The alleged robber then stole an amount of cash before fleeing east on Parramatta Road. 
He is described as being of Caucasian appearance aged between 35 to 45 and of medium build. 

March 15, 2013

Tired of paying high prices for veggies? Soon, you’ll be able to grow your own fruit, herbs and plants in a new community garden.

Tired of paying high prices for veggies? Worried about reports of additives and pesticides? Soon, you’ll be able to grow your own fruit, herbs and plants in a new community garden.

Strathfield Council has had a big response to plans to create a garden at Laker Reserve on the corner of Elva Street and Beresford Road, and Project Officer Sue Stevens said residents have been overwhelmingly positive.

March 13, 2013

A man was brutally attacked with a shopping trolley handle in Strathfield by three men while he was waiting for his dinner. 

A man was brutally attacked with a shopping trolley handle in Strathfield by three men while he was waiting for his dinner. 

The teens managed to escape but the 42-year-old victim ended up in hospital with head wounds which required 22 stitches. 

At around 6:30pm on Tuesday night, the victim was waiting on Everton Road while his food was being prepared when he was approached by the three teenagers.

One man was allegedly waving a stick in the air and then spat in the victim's face. 

October 5, 2012

A study shows Strathfield men are the healthiest and the slimmest in the state

Strathfield’s men are the slimmest in the state, according to a study carried out by the University of Adelaide.

And while it is true that genes play a part in a person’s weight, experts say a good education and high incomes are also important factors.

July 6, 2012

 

Tell us what you think about the newest political parties for the September 8 elections

Name of party: Liberal Party

Names of candidates and order on ticket:

Guilan Vaccari

Sang Ok

Stephanie Kokkolis

Pierre Tannous

Has the party reached preference deals?

There is nothing definite in place yet though we are in preliminary discussions

Why is your group standing for council?

March 26, 2012

Police are hunting three men after they allegedly bashed a man and threatened three others with a knife at their Hunter Street home on Sunday night.

 

Four people were threatened with a knife during a home invasion in their Hunter Street house in Strathfield on Sunday night.

Three men walked in through an open door about 10.35am and demanded the four people at home hand over their belongings.

One man was armed with a metal pole, which he used to bash a 20-year-old householder several times, police allege.

Another man threatened the foursome - a 19-year-old woman and three men aged 19, 20 and 27 - with a kitchen knife.

March 26, 2012

Police are seeking a man in his 30s after a boy was offered sweets and followed while walking home from school in Beresford Road last Wednesday.

 

Police are seeking a small black car with a large rear spoiler after a 12-year-old boy was approached by a stranger offering him sweets while walking home from school near Davey Square Reserve on Beresford Road, Strathfield.

Officers said a man got out of the passenger seat of the NSW-registered car and offered the boy lollies on March 22. The child ignored the offer and kept walking toward Rochester Road, with the man following him on foot.

March 4, 2012

New commuter cops attacked

 

Police are hunting a gang of men after two officers were injured while trying to break up a brawl aboard a train at Strathfield in the early hours of Sunday.

A 31-year old sergeant was punched several times in the head and suffered concussion, while a 38-year-old colleague was treated for back and facial injuries.

Both were treated at Concord Hopsital.

September 20, 2011

Police arrest and charge 32-year-old man over sexual assault in Homebush West

Police have arrested and charged a 32 year-old Merrylands man following investigations into an alleged sexual assault at a flat in Homebush West on September 17.

September 9, 2011

Homebush driver saves girl from rape

Quick thinking by a passing motorist almost certainly prevented a rape in a Homebush laneway on August 28.

A local resident, who spoke to the Scene on the proviso he would not be identified, said he was driving past AutoPro on Parra-matta Road about 7pm when he saw a struggle taking place in a laneway.

August 29, 2011

23-year-old sexually assaulted and punched in the face

 

August 15, 2011

A 34-year-old Strathfield man was one of the five men arrested in an international Eftpos skimming network

A highly sophisticated international credit card skimming network has been smashed by police after raids on homes in Sydney, including one in Strathfield.

July 8, 2011

Memo to Charles Casuscelli!

 

Send this page to the Police Minister Mike Gallacher 

 

When a violent gang attacks two young Indian men in the Strathfield Town Square, a drunk starts beating up his girlfriend in the street or a deranged person is abusing passersby, you might expect the police to intervene.

The problem is there is no permanent police presence in Strathfield – the nearest police station is in Flemington, a 15-minute drive away.

May 5, 2011

The Strathfield Scene and ourstrathfield.com.au are one year old.  Tell us what you think of them.

 

When Strathfield Council first mooted the launch of a new paper, some asked: “Why? Surely this is a digital age!”

Now, after 12 editions, and on the eve of our first birthday, no-one puts that question anymore.

Our exclusive front page stories, from the Town Centre redevelopment to bugs and cameras found in the private homes of councillors, have proved beyond doubt the Scenehas stuck to its proud proclamation: “Fiercely parochial.”

April 21, 2011

The former Mayor and Councillor dies at the age of 88

Former Mayor and Councillor of Strathfield, Leo O’Donnell died at the age of 88 on April 7.

 

O’Donnell served as an Alderman for 20 years between 1980-2000 and was elected the Mayor of Strathfield in 1993 and 1994.

 

An active member of council activities at both a local and regional level, O’Donnell served as Chairman of Strathfield Council’s Planning, Building, Traffic and Works Committees.