Unemployment levels low in Hills

PROSPEROUS times in the Hills have brought unemployment levels to an all-time low.

Unemployment has fallen by 33 per cent in the past 12 months, with an extra 1541 people securing a job.

“Our region’s contribution to the State economy has almost doubled in just three short years,” Hills Shire Mayor Mike Thomas said.

100,480 residents in the Hills now have a job as business continues to boom.

“Unemployment is falling, employment is growing,” Cr Thomas said.

“This is a great result and proof of how attractive business is becoming in the Hills.”

Total sales by companies in the

Bingo! Game on for a day of bowls at Hills District Bowling Club

more photos

LAWN bowls is attracting a much younger audience these days and Hills youngsters are invited to roll up.

Hills District Bowling Club has a junior lawn bowls and bingo day on January 17 for boys and girls aged nine to 17.

Organisers hope it inspires the next generation of rollers. Children will be shown the basic rules and skills of lawn bowls.

There will be prizes during two sessions with drinks and lunch provided.

It will run between 10am and 2pm. Cost is $8 and bookings are essential.

Inquiries: 9639 2733.

Source: whereilive

Padstow man in court after police find gun hidden under car

A MAN will appear in court today charged with multiple firearm offences after being arrested at Canterbury this morning.

Police patrolling Ward Ave spoke to two men in a parked Nissan Pulsar and on searching the car found a black handgun in a white plastic bag under the car and a pair of bolt cutters.

A man, 20, of Padstow, was taken to Campsie police station and charged with multiple firearm offences. He was refused bail and is to appeal in Parramatta Bail Court later today.

A man, 21, was released pending further investigation.

Source: whereilive

Padstow man in court after police find gun hidden under car

A MAN will appear in court today charged with multiple firearm offences after being arrested at Canterbury this morning.

Police patrolling Ward Ave spoke to two men in a parked Nissan Pulsar and on searching the car found a black handgun in a white plastic bag under the car and a pair of bolt cutters.

A man, 20, of Padstow, was taken to Campsie police station and charged with multiple firearm offences. He was refused bail and is to appeal in Parramatta Bail Court later today.

A man, 21, was released pending further investigation.

Source: whereilive

Calls for multicultural policy

A NEW campaign calling on the Federal Government to develop a new national multicultural policy has been launched.

More than 100 organisations and individuals have signed on to support the campaign - Reclaim Multiculturalism - a push led by the Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia.

Launched on November 30, the campaign is calling on the Federal Government to adopt a multiculturalism policy after the country’s last one expired in 2006.

The campaign is based around 11 principles including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are the First Australians, equality, equal dialogue, and responsibility for cross cultural and intercultural engagement.

Boppin’ Babies support Cambodian orphans

Boppin' Babies music groups for babies and toddlers is offering school holiday programs in January 2011 at Tarragindi to raise funds for Sunrise Children's Villages in Cambodia. 

The 30 minute sessions for children under four years of age include singing, moving to music, playing instruments and musical play on Tuesday 11th, Thursday 13th, Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th January 2011.

The sessions will run each day at the Uniting Church Hall at 24 Pope Street, Tarragindi and cost just $10 per family payable on the day for children under four years of age, their siblings and carers.

Director Kate Williams

Plan your Christmas Lights tour

Abbeyfeale Street, Tingalpa. More photos in our gallery.

Quest Newspapers presents full and comprehensive coverage of the 4KQ Christmas Lights competition, with photo galleries, maps and entrant’s stories from across Brisbane.

MEGA PHOTO GALLERY
After months of planning and checking bulbs, residents finally get to light up to celebrate the festive season.
Christmas Lights 2010 - Mega Photo Gallery
Do you have any photographs of your house lit up? Submit your own Christmas Lights pictures to the gallery!




MAPS
See the best Christmas Lights displays across Brisbane, with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from the 4KQ Christmas Lights competition’s North, South, East and West regions.
Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - WINNERS

Plan your own Christmas Lights tour using our maps, with every Christmas Lights competition entry listed.
Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - NORTH
Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - SOUTH
Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - EAST
Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - WEST

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS STORIES

City night lights up
BRISBANE: The city centre will be glowing with Christmas spirit this year as the Queen Street Mall enters the 4KQ Christmas Lights competition.

Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - NORTH
Lighting up Christmas at Chermside
Dawn and Tony Zimmerman are bringing some light to their neighbours and visitors this Christmas.
Find the Zimmerman’s house on our Brisbane Christmas Lights - NORTH map, and get driving directions to their lights display.

Flicking on the Christmas cheer
MORAYFIELD: From humble beginnings, the Addison Court Christmas lights display

Plan your Christmas Lights tour

Abbeyfeale Street, Tingalpa. More photos in our gallery.

Quest Newspapers presents full and comprehensive coverage of the 4KQ Christmas Lights competition, with photo galleries, maps and entrant’s stories from across Brisbane.

MEGA PHOTO GALLERY
After months of planning and checking bulbs, residents finally get to light up to celebrate the festive season.
Christmas Lights 2010 - Mega Photo Gallery
Do you have any photographs of your house lit up? Submit your own Christmas Lights pictures to the gallery!




MAPS
See the best Christmas Lights displays across Brisbane, with 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners from the 4KQ Christmas Lights competition’s North, South, East and West regions.
Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - WINNERS

Plan your own Christmas Lights tour using our maps, with every Christmas Lights competition entry listed.
Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - NORTH
Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - SOUTH
Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - EAST
Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - WEST

CHRISTMAS LIGHTS STORIES

City night lights up
BRISBANE: The city centre will be glowing with Christmas spirit this year as the Queen Street Mall enters the 4KQ Christmas Lights competition.

Brisbane Christmas Lights 2010 - NORTH
Lighting up Christmas at Chermside
Dawn and Tony Zimmerman are bringing some light to their neighbours and visitors this Christmas.
Find the Zimmerman’s house on our Brisbane Christmas Lights - NORTH map, and get driving directions to their lights display.

Flicking on the Christmas cheer
MORAYFIELD: From humble beginnings, the Addison Court Christmas lights display

Too cool for school

Danielle RG has given her artistc flair to Seven Hills West Primary

FIND US ON: Facebook / Twitter

HER ART works are the centre of admiration all over town - but community artist Danielle Rawnsley-Galistan said her best works are the ones you cannot see from the streets.

Ms Rawnsley-Galistan last week unveiled three new murals at Seven Hills West Primary.

While still following her Australiana theme all three murals showcase a very different - somewhat softer - side to Ms Rawnsley-Galistan’s artistic talent.

The artist was recently awarded the Blacktown Advocate Community Contribution of the Year.

Her works are one of several which have

Yagoona RSPCA staff urge prudent pet gifts this Christmas

BEFORE you buy a new furry friend as a gift this Christmas, make sure you’re fully aware of the added costs and responsibilities that owning a pet will bring.

Cats and dogs require plenty of time, attention and space, to ensure they are happy and healthy in their new homes, said Marianne Zander, who works for the RSPCA in Chullora.

“Make sure the recipient is actually interested in having a pet,” she said.

During 2010 the RSPCA’s Yagoona shelter has received nearly 5000 dogs and just over 7000 cats, Ms Zander said.

During December and January, the organisation expects to

Assistant NSW Police Commissioner Frank Mennilli sends out warnning

Message from Assistant Commissioner Frank Mennilli Region Commander South West Metropolitan Region (SWMR).

The 2400 police men and women who work in the South West Metropolitan Region would like to wish their communities of Ashfield, Bankstown, Burwood, Cabramatta, Camden, Campbelltown, Campsie, Fairfield, Flemington, Green Valley, Liverpool, Macquarie Fields, Marrickville and Rosehill a very Merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous New Year.

``As we enter this holiday period I would like to remind everyone driving on the roads to be vigilant and remember to take suitable breaks. During this time of the year we find a number of people are

Summer snow falls at Perisher

Snow is falling on the Snowy Mountains, Sydneysiders are bracing for damaging winds and much of the state's east woke up to rain today.

VIDEO REPORT: There was snow in the mountains last night, however warmer weather is expected to return for Christmas.

It is hard to believe it's summer, let alone Christmas.

But that's just what happens, forecasters say, when you combine a cold front moving through western south east NSW and a low pressure system over the Tasman Sea.

"We had some cool overnight temperatures in Perisher, Falls Creek and Charlotte Pass, where we also saw some snow," Weatherzone meteorologist Micaela Weber said.

Ten millimetres of the white stuff fell over Charlotte Pass, where overnight minimum temperatures

Boppin’ Babies support Cambodian orphans

Boppin' Babies music groups for babies and toddlers is offering school holiday programs in January 2011 at Tarragindi to raise funds for Sunrise Children's Villages in Cambodia. 

The 30 minute sessions for children under four years of age include singing, moving to music, playing instruments and musical play on Tuesday 11th, Thursday 13th, Tuesday 18th and Thursday 20th January 2011.

The sessions will run each day at the Uniting Church Hall at 24 Pope Street, Tarragindi and cost just $10 per family payable on the day for children under four years of age, their siblings and carers.

Director Kate Williams

Man charged after incident at Grove St, Earlwood

A man was charged with numerous offences including assault and carrying a knife at Earlwood

A man will appear in court today charged with a raft of offences including assault, carrying a knife in a public place and malicious damage after an incident near Ashfield yesterday.

About 5.30pm on Thursday 16 December a 19-year-old man was inside a home in Grove Street at Earlwood when he was disturbed by a noise outside.

When the man opened his front door he allegedly saw a 31-year-old Earlwood man standing at the gate who threatened him with a knife. The 19-year-old fled back

Man charged after incident at Grove St, Earlwood

A man was charged with numerous offences including assault and carrying a knife at Earlwood

A man will appear in court today charged with a raft of offences including assault, carrying a knife in a public place and malicious damage after an incident near Ashfield yesterday.

About 5.30pm on Thursday 16 December a 19-year-old man was inside a home in Grove Street at Earlwood when he was disturbed by a noise outside.

When the man opened his front door he allegedly saw a 31-year-old Earlwood man standing at the gate who threatened him with a knife. The 19-year-old fled back

Sabrina Mitwali at Miss Middle Eastern Austraila beauty pageant

SHE’S talented, beautiful and now a radio presenter in Queensland, but former Bankstown Talent Advancement Program student, Sabrina Mitwali will head back to Sydney on Friday to perform at the Miss Middle Eastern Australia beauty pageant.

The 20-year-old will do two performances on the night at the Grand Westella, Lidcombe - the first with the help of beatboxer Genesis Cerezo and the second with dancers Jess Mateus and Stephanie Garcia.

Miss Mitwali said she will sing to Mr Cerezo’s beat before performing a song she wrote for the Miss Lebanon Australia beauty pageant, Beautiful Women.

“The audience can expect

Sabrina Mitwali at Miss Middle Eastern Austraila beauty pageant

SHE’S talented, beautiful and now a radio presenter in Queensland, but former Bankstown Talent Advancement Program student, Sabrina Mitwali will head back to Sydney on Friday to perform at the Miss Middle Eastern Australia beauty pageant.

The 20-year-old will do two performances on the night at the Grand Westella, Lidcombe - the first with the help of beatboxer Genesis Cerezo and the second with dancers Jess Mateus and Stephanie Garcia.

Miss Mitwali said she will sing to Mr Cerezo’s beat before performing a song she wrote for the Miss Lebanon Australia beauty pageant, Beautiful Women.

“The audience can expect

Couple's bright idea

LIGHTS shine bright in the northwest where the season’s most devoted refuse to be deterred by surging electricity costs as they aim to spread Christmas cheer.

Houses throughout the region are lighting up to take part in the 4KQ Christmas lights competition.

Henry and Mary Cichowski, of Kuringal Drive in Ferny Hills, have been building on their lights display for seven years.

``It takes me four and a half weeks to put it up,’’ Mr Cichowski said.

``I’ve got a decorator, which is my wife. She’s got a very good eye for detail.’‘

He estimated their display, which they

It's a brighter outlook for Melton single parents

SHARON Rayment is used to being on the receiving end of dirty looks, she gets them whenever she tells people she’s a single mum.

“You get that look like, ‘Why, what’s wrong with you’?,” she said.

“It’s like single parents aren’t normal, but we’re just normal people doing it tough.”

That’s why Ms Rayment is relieved that there’s now a safe haven for single mums and dads at a newly formed Melton branch of Parents Without Partners.

The group aims to provide a chance for single parents to socialise both with and without their children.

“People cope with it

Rooty Hill RSL gives generously to community

To celebrate the Festive Season and the spirit of giving Rooty Hill RSL is calling for applications from qualifying community organisations for financial support in 2011.

WHEN it comes to giving few do it better than Rooty Hill RSL, who announced this week it has donated more than $699,000 to local community projects this year.
To celebrate the Festive Season and the spirit of giving Rooty Hill RSL is calling for applications from qualifying community organisations for financial support in 2011.
An RSL spokesperson said the committee will consider all applications that support initiatives within the Blacktown Local Government Area.
All applications should include an annual report or similar information, and include all sources of funding.
``We need this information in considering all projects for

Rooty Hill RSL gives generously to community

To celebrate the Festive Season and the spirit of giving Rooty Hill RSL is calling for applications from qualifying community organisations for financial support in 2011.

WHEN it comes to giving few do it better than Rooty Hill RSL, who announced this week it has donated more than $699,000 to local community projects this year.
To celebrate the Festive Season and the spirit of giving Rooty Hill RSL is calling for applications from qualifying community organisations for financial support in 2011.
An RSL spokesperson said the committee will consider all applications that support initiatives within the Blacktown Local Government Area.
All applications should include an annual report or similar information, and include all sources of funding.
``We need this information in considering all projects for

Rooty Hill RSL gives generously to community

To celebrate the Festive Season and the spirit of giving Rooty Hill RSL is calling for applications from qualifying community organisations for financial support in 2011.

WHEN it comes to giving few do it better than Rooty Hill RSL, who announced this week it has donated more than $699,000 to local community projects this year.
To celebrate the Festive Season and the spirit of giving Rooty Hill RSL is calling for applications from qualifying community organisations for financial support in 2011.
An RSL spokesperson said the committee will consider all applications that support initiatives within the Blacktown Local Government Area.
All applications should include an annual report or similar information, and include all sources of funding.
``We need this information in considering all projects for

Employment rate falls back into line

A more than 55,000-increase in full-time jobs helped the unemployment rate fall back to 5.2 per cent after last month's unexpected rise.

This was despite yet another rise in the number of people joining the labour force.

The news pushed the Australian dollar almost half a US cent higher. It was trading at US98.4c just after the data was published at 11.30am, up from US97.91c.

Australian Bureau of Statistics data published today showed the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate fell 0.2 points in November. It comes after October's surprise increase to 5.4 per cent, reported a month ago.

That increase

Council rates revenue by suburb

WANT to know how much your suburb is adding to the council coffers?

Quest Newspapers has obtained figures showing how much every suburb in Brisbane is paying in rates and general charges this financial year.

Brisbane’s top five suburbs include Brisbane (CBD) $67,832,726.99, Fortitude Valley $14,539,601.40, South Brisbane $10,638,980.44, New Farm $10,611,874.89 and Coorparoo $10,498,940.65.

To see the full list click here.

Source: whereilive

Summer Sole Mates

Mindful of how easy the kilos pile on during Christmas and New Year, Walking For Pleasure Brisbane have designed a series of walks for summer that will have you stepping out around the Brisbane River; parks; bush tracks and beaches as summer 'sole mates'.
Walks designed for the cooler parts of the day and early evening are featured in their programme booklet (available on your first walk) of walks that have more on their mind than just physical fitness, you can revel in the river precinct at 5.30pm from South Bank on 15 different walk circuits, as the day cools

Bull Sharks lurking in Georges River, Picnic Point

A bull shark like this one could be lurking in the Georges River.

SEARING sunshine and 30C-plus temperatures are sending residents and their pets swarming to beaches, pools and rivers.

But those heading for riverside spots such as the Georges River at Picnic Point could find themselves swimming with unwelcome companions - bull sharks.

The maneaters, which can attack swimmers in water less than knee deep, had previously been seen swimming through the river, with recorded attacks on people during the 1930s and ‘50s.

But despite there being a shark sign at Alan Ashton Reserve, Picnic Point, Bankstown councillor

Blacktown painting the town 'read'

Blacktown Mayor Alan Pendleton said it was important to support such initiatives.

BLACKTOWN Council will attempt to Paint the Town Read in order to improve future literacy levels in the area.

The council will support the Paint Blacktown Read program, which targets children aged 0-3 to improve literacy and cognitive ability from next year.

The program was first initiated more than 10 years ago in Parkes, and has proven highly successful in western Sydney areas like Mount Druitt and Riverstone.

The concept was derived from research that showed engaging children in reading, singing, talking and rhyming from birth increased

Success Stories: Andrew Tierney

Panania boy Andrew Tierney has made it in the tough entertainment industry as part of Human Nature. PICTURE: GETTY IMAGES

FROM the quiet streets of Panania to the neon lights of the Vegas strip, Andrew Tierney’s music career has carried him far from his childhood home.

Despite the glitz and glamour of his current life, the Human Nature vocalist still fondly remembers growing up on Gorman Ave and playing with the neighbourhood kids at nearby Bruce Reserve.

“I only have good memories of Panania and Bankstown,” Tierney said of his childhood locale. “I think it was a great area

Success Stories: Andrew Tierney

Panania boy Andrew Tierney has made it in the tough entertainment industry as part of Human Nature. PICTURE: GETTY IMAGES

FROM the quiet streets of Panania to the neon lights of the Vegas strip, Andrew Tierney’s music career has carried him far from his childhood home.

Despite the glitz and glamour of his current life, the Human Nature vocalist still fondly remembers growing up on Gorman Ave and playing with the neighbourhood kids at nearby Bruce Reserve.

“I only have good memories of Panania and Bankstown,” Tierney said of his childhood locale. “I think it was a great area

Capital lashed to a standstill

An early summer rainstorm brought the capital to a sodden halt yesterday as a deluge of about 60mm closed the airport, swamped the zoo and sparked 150 calls for help from the emergency services.

Send us your photos of sodden Canberra

Flooding caused damage to streets and homes across the ACT as emergency services were called to properties with water damage in Higgins, Hawker, Weston, Latham, Holt and Calwell.

ACT State Emergency Service volunteers were also called to the National Zoo and Aquarium, to drain water from an animal enclosure, and a number of passengers at the Canberra Airport were stuck in transit because of temporarily

Storms hit Melbourne

The Blackburn station underpass has been turned into a torrent of water. PICTURE: Jason Edwards.

Flash flooding in Blackburn. PICTURE: Jason Edwards.

The storm clouds roll in across Melbourne's southern suburbs. PICTURE: Andrew Batsch.

Racing from the rain in Blackburn. Picture: Steve Tanner.

The storm rolls in. Picture: Georgie Haberfield

more photos

UPDATE 5.05pm: THE worst of Melbourne's thunderstorms have passed, but trains are still affected.

The Bureau of Meteorology is continuing to monitor the storm situation and may issue further warnings tonight.

Commuters leaving work in peak hour will face delays on the Belgrave, Lilydale, Sydenham, Werribee and Williamstown lines.

Click here for updates from Metro’s website.

>> GALLERY: See our storm pictures and add yours

Earlier, lightening came within 10km of Melbourne Airport, grounding flights for 15 minutes during this afternoon's wild weather.

All flights were grounded between 2.27pm and 2.45pm.

Incoming flights were able to land, but passengers were not able to disembark.

Some pilots continued flying in the holding pattern instead until conditions

Habib waits for release of new documents

Former Guantanamo Bay detainee awaits the release of controversial WikiLeaks documents. PICTURE: VANESSA HUNTER

FORMER Guantanamo Bay inmate Mamdouh Habib is anticipating the potential release of classified documents relating to his detention at the US military prison in Cuba.

“I expect something,” Mr Habib said early this morning.

More than 250,000 diplomatic cables, many of which are classified, will be released in stages by the controversial WikiLeaks whistle-blower website, founded by Australian Julian Assange.

Australian officials are reported to also be on the lookout for information discussing Habib and fellow Guantanamo detainee, David Hicks.

A government committee has been