2017 Community Building Partnership grants will open 9am Monday 26 June and close 5pm Wednesday 9 August. Further information on the grants can be found via the link below.  http://www.communitybuildingpartnership.nsw.gov.au/

I am pleased to advise that our community safety campaing has been succesful. I was joined by Minister for Lands and Forestroy Paul Toole to announce the lights will be installaed along the John Whitton Bridge along with a $3.9 million refurbishment of the bridge. Great result for our community.

Great news for Ryde schools with Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Treasurer Dominic Perrottet and Minister for Education Rob Stokes this morning announcing increased funding for our schools. This includes replacement of demountable classrooms with permanent buildings at West Ryde Public School, Denistone East Public School and Kent Road Public School. The announcment also included funding for the construction of the primary...

They had it all at the Ermington Public School Fete; rides, great coffee, cakes galore, flowers, art auctions and beautiful music just to mention a few of the things to see and do. Congratulations to all those who supported the day.

Another great "Australia's Biggest morning Tea" at Holy Cross College, Ryde. Well done to all involved.

It's "Happy Pool Day" at Denistone East Public School. There were smilers all round as I welcomed Minister for Education the Hon. Rob Stokes, NSW Royal Life Saving Chairman Jim Whiteside and CEO David Macallister. I recently presented a petition from the school and local community showing almost 100% support for the joint venture by the Department of Education and...

It takes a strong, intelligent and compassionate person to nurse with passion and purpose, working every day to maintain the health and wellbeing of each and every patient. Thanks to all the nurses, especially those who live and work in the Ryde area.

Thank you to the 40,000 SES volunteers across Australia on Wear Orange Wednesday (WOW) Day. In the last 12 months, NSW SES volunteers responded to more than 44,000 tasks during storms, floods and other emergencies across the state. WOW Day highlights the invaluable services of SES volunteers across Australia and their outstanding work for NSW communities.

It was great to meet with the Big Red Kidney Bus team today outside of Parliament. The NSW Government has provided more than $382,000 for up to 250 patients a year to receive dialysis on the Big Red Kidney Bus - a first for NSW. The Big Red Kidney Bus is a mobile unit in partnership with Kidney Health Australia...

Proud to join with our Ryde Armenians to commemorate and remember the Armenian Genocide.

Proud to be part of the launch of the Salvation Army's "Hope" campaign in Eastwood tonight.

RESPECT They went with song to the battle, they were young, Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow. They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe. They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the...

A beautiful afternoon for high tea with members of the Eastwood Croquet Club discussing the local issues and enjoying the new floor which was funded by the NSW Government Community Building Partnership Grant.

It was my pleasure to join with local artists Toni Courtelis, Chris Vidal, Sandra Tsiprou and Peter Gonzalez to officially launch the Shepherds Bay Community Arts Show at Shepherds Bay Village Plaza.

What a beautiful day for an Easter celebration. The West Ryde Easter Fair has been an excellcent day so far. Come down and join us if you are about.

A big shout out to all our Firefighters, especially our Ryde and Eastwood Firefighters. Today is Firefigther Day and I would like to recognise and honour the sacrifices that firefighters make to ensure our communities are procted.

Despite the sun being in our eyes for the photo it was wonderful to see it out for the opening of the Eastwood Ryde Netball Association (ERNA) season. Thank to the Lions Club of Epping-Eastwood for the fantastic bacon and egg breakfast. So many Ryde volunteers creating an amazing morning for our netballers.

Today I joined with Parliamentary Secretary for Transport and Infrastructure Mr Mark Coure to annouce two options now open for community consutlation on the proposed Commuter Carpark in Eastwood.

Southern Cross Care Facility opened 22 new dementia units today taking their care ability to 62 residents. The wonderful work of Sue Daby and her staff do lets us know there are angels here with us. Congratulations to all involved.

In recognition of Seniors Week and under the Presidency of Seung-Guk Paik, the Koean Society of Sydney hosted a wonderful day of entertainment and fun for their seniors at the Ryde Civic Centre. Such a great way to recognise an extraordinary group of people.

The Harmony Soccer Day hosted by the Australian Asian Association of Bennelong was fortunate to have the weather hold off for some fun on the field. Congratulations to AAAB President Justin Li and the team, Hugh Lee, Melissa Fong and many others that make it happen.

Thank to Ken Paton and Scouts Australia for again running Clean Up Australia Day at Meadowbank and thanks to my staff for joining me. The hard part was getting the trolley out of the Mangrove tree but it did prove useful on the way back to the collection point.

Ryde Business Forum's "Business After Hours" was today hosted by the Ryde Sports Foundation at North Ryde RSL. It was fantastic to hear of the success of the Foundation and welcome four new members to the Forum. Congratulations to RBF on a great start to 2017.

It was all hands on deck to christen the new Long Jump Pit with the Gold Rake at Ryde Athletics this morning. Congratulations to all the volunteers, parents and children that make this club such a strong part of our community.

Graffiti Removal Day saw the pedestrian tunnel painted in record time - thanks to the Rotary Club of Ryde for their organisation of equipment and the corporate volunteeering of staff from Siemens in Macquarie Park. It was a pleasure to join with these groups to help improve our area.

Great to be at Blenheim Park this afternoon to discuss the proposal to expand this fantastic open space. A good outcome for our community.

Another successful Granny Smith Festival - thanks to all the people who make this day the success it is.

It was wonderful to join with so many, including my Federal colleague John Alexander MP, to help celebrate the Eastwood Chinese Senior Citizens Club celebrate their 25th Anniversary this week at the Plaza. So many people volunteer to make this Club the success it is and I congratulate them all. It was also a pleasure to see the Italian Ladies Choir...

I bumped into Superintendent John Duncan and some Ryde LAC Police Officers at the Korean Festival celebrations in Eastoowd. A beautiful day for a great community event.

I was pleased to join the Minister for Health the Hon. Jillian Skinner at Ryde Hospital today to view the facilities that are being upgraded as part of our committment of $9 million to upgrade faciltites at the hospital and we were welcomed by volunteer Pink Ladies who totally brightened our day.

At the Eastwood Moon Festival celebrations with Mayor Bill Pickering, Councillors Justin Li, Jane Stott, Artin Etmekdjian and Nora Etmekdjian, Superintendent John Duncan, Anthony Ching and my parliamentary colleague, Damien Tudehope. A great night.

Pleased to join the West Ryde Progress Association this evening to update and discuss state issues relating to Ryde.

A mammoth effort from P&C President Michael Goldrin and his team at Eastwood Heights Public School's "Fireworks FUNdraiser" held this afternoon/evening. The fireworks display was appreciated by all and I was pleased to help out with the raffle draw. A great community event - well done.

The Joint Regional Planning Panel (JRPP) has recommended the proposal for the site neighbouring Blenheim Park not proceeed. The Panel cited the obvious physical buffer presented by Epping Road as reason for limiting high-density development on the Southern side and the adverse impact overshadowing would have on the community park. This is a great win for our community.

Chilly Winter evening at the markets but that hasn't stopped us enjoying the excellent food.

FuelCheck is finding NSW motorists the cheapest petrol and is accessible on any device connected to the Internet including smartphones, tablets, desktop computers and laptops at www.fuelcheck.nsw.gov.au.

I am patron of the Ryde Branch of the NSW Justices Association and was pleased to be guest speaker at the branch meeting tonight. A wonderful group of committed volunteers for our community.

I wish to congratulate the Ladies Committee of North Ryde Golf Club. I had the privilege of joining them for afternoon tea at their golf day raising funds for Allowah Children's Home. From all accounts there was some good golf, much fun and fundraising. Allowah will be receiving a cheque for $15,000. Congratulations ladies on this fantastic effort to support...

was so impressed by the maturity and depth of thinking that had obviously gone into the community projects exhibited by the students who graduated from the Max Potential Program last night. The contributions of the Epping Club, community mentors, parents and staff are fantastic and must be commended. There was a resounding comment from students who completed the 22 week...

I was pleased to attend the assembly at Ryde Secondary College today to present Jarrah Aleksandrovics with the NSW Government's Ryde Aboriginal Student of the Year Award. Congratulations Jarrah on your commitment and dedication to developing your talents as a musician.

The Ryde Primary School Choir sang a beautiful rendition of "In Flander's Field" at the Commemoration of the Battle of Fromelles and Pozieres today.

Sunday was a beautiful day to celebrate something truly special. The families and friends of RASAID came together for their Open Day in their new homes. All those who have assisted RASAID over the years are to be commended. To the determined group of parents who never gave up - I am inspired by you.

In June 2013 I joined with locals requesting that the Department of Education retain the site of the former Ryde High School on Smalls Road. Our strong community engagement and petitioning was successful and the NSW Government announced in November 2013 that the site would remain under the control of the Department of Education.  In 2015 the Northern District Times,...

Roll up your sleeve and support National Blood Donor Week.

Pleased to join my colleagues Minister Barilaro and Matt Kean MP at the Northern Sydney Institute of TAFE's 2016 Excellence Awards. Congratulations to the student whose hard work and dilligence has seen them excel and be recognised tonight. Thank you to Director Alison Wood and her team.

Sunday was a perfect day to join with our community at Sommerville Park and help plant some 450 tress and shrubs. This group have been planting here for a while now - two year old stand of Turpentins looks magnificent and the plantings earlier in May are growing strongly. Well done to all those who help with the regeneration, revegetation and...

Every death is one too many - the NSW Government has launched the #towardszero safety campaign with the aim of reducing deaths on our roads. Increasing the rollout of rumble strips, trialing advanced technology at traffic lights in the CBD and extra vehicle activated signs to warn drivers when they are speeidng or approaching hazards.

Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance and Member for Ryde Victor Dominello have today marked the completion of a major upgrade to Meadowbank Wharf. Customers are now benefiting from easier access to the wharf, better weather protection, more safety features as well as quicker and more efficient ferry boarding and disembarking. "This upgrade will deliver a significant boost for...

St Dunstan's Preschool Open Day saw the new kitchen get a real work out. It is fantastic that the preschool was able to access Community Building Partnership grants to update the previous 40 year old kitchen to something bright, modern and most of all, pratical workspace.

I was pleased to be able to join with many groups from our area - Rotary Club Eastwood NSW, Relationships Australia, Eastwood Chinese Senior Citizens, Eastwood and Epping Korean Chambers of Commerce and FITA/"Clean Up the World" Mission to help with the rubbish and speak about the NSW Government's 10 cent refund scheme for cans and containers.