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ONE WEEK can be a long time in politics as they say. And nearly two weeks after an election we still have no real government in federal parliament in Canberra and no immediate prospects of solution. However at least we have a very active new MP for Bennelong in John Alexander going to local train stations to say hello and “thank-you” to voters. A nice courteous touch. * * * CHRIS McCARTHY general manager of Ryde-Eastwood Leagues Club compered the Club’s annual Community Donations presentation evening at the Club last Tuesday when Club president Keith Aggett and fellow directors presented cheques to a number of worthy recipients. See Page 19. * * * MAYOR SUE HOOPMANN presented cheques of $5,000 each to four local community groups at Hunters Hill Town Hall on Thursday night from proceeds of this year’s Hunters Hill Food and Wine Festival held at Boronia Park Oval Sunday May 2. See Page 4. * * * BARRY O’FARRELL premier-in-waiting and currently NSW Opposition Leader was guest of honour at a Ryde MP Victor Dominello fundraising dinner at Curzon Hall Marsfield last Thursday night. Also present among the 400 guests was newly elected Bennelong MP John Alexander and partner Gillian along with Epping MP Greg Smith whose son Nathan hit the streets of Balmain Saturday night for his bucks’ night prior to his wedding on Saturday September 18 to Christine Sullivan at Our Lady Sacred Heart church Randwick officiated by Parramatta Bishop Anthony Fisher. Nathan is gradually recovering and is expected to be fully recovered by September 18. * * * THE WEEKLY TIMES heads this week’s Birthday Honours List celebrating its 90th year today September 1 since establishment by Charles H Engisch in Gladesville in rented premises. In the following years The Weekly Times has seen many changes in printing processes from hand held wood and metal typefaces with flatbed printing presses to modern computerised typesetting and fast full colour rotary gravure printing presses. Following the death of Charles Engisch the family carried on for a number of years but fell on hard times and on May 1 1979 JB purchased the title. Also celebrating today is Simon Touma who turns 51 today. Tomorrow JB Godson the great John L Simpson of Titan View Films and Australian Film Industry Ambassador 2010 blows out the candles on his b-day cake no doubt assisted by his beautiful daughters Lily Kate and Bella plus better half Maria and possibly adoring Mum Maureen and pa and my old scout mate Ian (Ernie) Simpson of Epping. Joan Edmonds Burton formerly of Ryde and later Surfers Paradise and now of Yamba on NSW far north coast also celebrates tomorrow with hubby Len and family including JB Goddaughter Robyn Boyd while another JB Goddaughter Julie Redshaw features with her son Samuel James Free turning 26. Another ex-Ryde Charles Street boy and Marist Bros Eastwood graduate Vince McDonell also celebrate tomorrow with his child bride Mary from Young and children including yet another JB Godson Michael. Balmain and Oz icon Dawn Fraser notches up another year on Saturday while Narelle Ober celenrates 74 golden years Sunday. Lyn Clark–Duff of Eastwood heads a busy Monday birthday celebration line-up which includes Bob Hill of Epping grandpa to young Bobbie, Leonie Gardner better half of Keith “Goanna” Gardner formerly of Ryde and now Macksville way, Betty Hankes-Drielsma and Ka King Ng of Imagine Eastwood. Also Monday Peter and Margaret Cooper of Coopers Tanks fame celebrate 52 years wedded bliss while Frank and Caterina Olivieri tied the knot 13 years ago Monday. Andrew Gordon (Andy) Johnston other half of Maureen and former Ryde City Councillor and ex Sydney Tech High graduate and TAFE leader blows out 77 candles on his cake Tuesday same day as JB Goddaughter Robyn Burton Boyd celebrates on the Gold Coast, Happy daze all. * * * BUMPER STICKER: No Machine Can Replace Me Until It Learns to Drink! * * * Keep Smiling! |