February/March Newsletter - Sydney

Oran Park Town Newsletter
February - March 2013
OPT Christmas Carnival
Presentation of Award to Jack from the
Oran Park Town Team
Recent Events
The Community Spirit Award
On Tuesday 4 December, members of the
Community Development Team attended the
inaugural end of year Presentation Night for
Oran Park Anglican College. The evening was
a huge success, thanks to the dedication of staff
and students. The audience enjoyed songs,
dances and an amazing nativity production.
During the evening, the first ever Oran Park
Town ‘Community Spirit Award’ was also
presented to Jack Rodgers, a Year 5 student
at the College. Jack was nominated by the
school for his leadership skills and for being a
responsible and thoughtful student.
From 2013, the Community Spirit Award will be
offered to one student from each school (K-6
and 7-12) within the Oran Park Town district.
For further information, please contact Mel
Frank, Community Facilitator via email
[email protected] To read more
on this story and Jack’s interview visit the
Community News page of the OPT Website.
On Thursday 13 December residents
of Oran Park Town gathered in
Wayne Gardner Reserve to join in
the Christmas Celebrations.
The warm summer evening saw
many families gathering with
several bringing along their OPT
blankets and eskys prepared
to make a night of enjoying the
celebrations and relaxing and
catching up with their neighbours.
The rides and craft activities were
popular amongst the children and adults,
with the highlight of the evening being
Santa’s arrival on the fire truck.
Camden Council took the opportunity to
talk to our residents to get feedback on the
community’s vision for Camden. This feedback
will be fed into Council’s Camden 2040 report
which is a long-term strategic plan that will
respond to the area’s growth.
The Oran Park Team would like to thank
our Community Partners, Chesalon Living,
Bambino’s and Camden Council for
providing activities as well as Master’s Home
Improvement.
A special thanks also to
Camden Lions for the bbq and Narellan Rural
Fire Service for providing Santa with transport.
We hope to see you at the next Community
event. For a full list of activities and events
check out the February What’s On on the OPT
Website.
Healthy Home Cleaning
Workshop
On
Thursday
24
January, Oran Park
Town residents
enjoyed
the
Healthy Home
Cleaning
Workshop,
presented
by Macarthur
Centre
for
Sustainable
Living. Held at
Chesalon
Living
Retirement
Village
participants learnt how to
make natural chemicals for use all around the
home, from bathrooms to bedrooms, kitchens
to carpets! Everyone even received samples to
take home and try out!
New friendships were formed as residents
shared stories of cleaning secrets and gave
helpful advice. Chesalon residents also made
sure Peter, the Village Manager, was kept well
informed of how their wonderful new Clubhouse
should be cleaned!
If you missed the workshop and would like
more information please visit the OPT website.
2012 Christmas Street Party Competition Winners
Congratulations to Chesalon - our 2012 Street Party winners! Thanks to Lyn for entering
on everyone's behalf. Chesalon spent their $50 on huge Christmas Bon-Bons, chocolates
and a Christmas tree. In 2013, Chesalon will receive a $100 voucher to spend on their
Christmas Street Party. Entries for the 2013 Street Party Voucher and Christmas Art
Competition will open later this year in October.
Residents enjoying the atmosphere at the 2012 Christmas
Party, which included a visit from Santa!
Oran Park Town Newsletter
February - March 2013
Oran Park Town News
Chesalon Open Day
Written by Peter Davies, Chesalon Living Village Manager
Residents at Chesalon Living Oran Park
have welcomed the completion of their new
Clubhouse this month with many saying it was
part of the reason they moved to the village.
The resort-style Clubhouse includes a gym,
pool, theatrette, billiards and bar area, lounge,
library, craft and workshop spaces, exercise/
dance floor, hairdressing salon, café facility
and multi-purpose meeting rooms.
The
Clubhouse also includes 16 Independent Living
Units made up of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments
and constructed over two storeys. There is a
basement car park and outdoor recreational
space. Residents are already putting the
Clubhouse to good use.
A gala day will be held on Saturday 23
February to showcase the beautiful complex
to the community – come along and bring your
family for a fun day out, with live ‘abba’ style
music and a bbq lunch. The Clubhouse will be
officially opened on March 19 by Archbishop
Peter Jensen.
Enquiries escalated during January keeping the
Sales team busy. The Sales office has moved
into the Clubhouse and tours can be arranged
by phoning Alison on (02) 4604 2220 to
make an appointment. Oran Park Town is
drawing young families into the area with
affordable land/home packages for sale in a
new and vibrant community. Many families
want the grandparents to be closer to them and
Chesalon Living retirement village is the perfect
opportunity for this to happen. People can downsize into their own villa or apartment, not have
the hassle of home and yard maintenance and
enjoy the facilities of a resort-style environment.
Tucked away in what once was a dairy-farming
area, Oran Park Town is far removed from the
stresses and strains of big city life and yet with
Narellan Town Centre just 10 minutes away and
a new shopping centre in Oran Park Town due
to open in 2014, all the services and facilities
you need are within easy reach.
We are proud to present the latest stage of our
Chesalon Living Oran Park development offering
an active, friendly and caring community with
new friends to meet, and exciting adventures
to begin. At Chesalon Living you have the
freedom and flexibility to really get the most
out of life. If you feel it’s time to enjoy a new
lifestyle, this might be just the place.
Child Minding Options
We have been approached by several residents
for assistance with locating informal/occasional
child minding services.
To assist families, the OPT Community
Facilitators have started compiling a list of
people who live locally and are interested in
providing informal child minding services.
To access this list please contact Mel Frank,
Community Facilitator via email
[email protected] or phone
0418 871 868. If you or anyone you
know would like to offer child minding
services, please also contact Mel
and provide your details.
It’s important to note all child
minding requirements and
working conditions must
be arranged directly
between parents and
carers. Because each
family’s situation is unique,
you need to decide which
carer is right for you. To assist in
Chesalon’s new facilities include a clubhouse, library, cinema, gymnasium and pool!
making your decision, take your time to speak
with, or better still meet each carer face to face.
The Australian-based website
http://www.findababysitter.com.au also features
local child minders.
Be Your Own Boss!
Do you want some ideas on how to start
your own business? Brand New Day Female
Services will be presenting the Home Baked
and Happy Fundraiser at the Oran Park Town
Community Room on Friday 15 February from
7.00 pm.
Come and meet a group of ladies who enjoy
the freedom of being their own boss. Each will
share their story of how they got started. There
will be a great variety of businesses on the night
ranging from clothing, jewellery, paper crafts
and health and beauty.
Entry is by a gold coin donation. For more
information call 0467 629 942.
Calling All Local Artisans!
OPT’s next Art and Craft Market is on in May.
The OPT Team is keen to include as many
local artisans as possible. Examples of who
we are looking for include jewellers, cooks,
musicians, glass or ceramic artists, gardeners,
painters, printer or writers, paper crafts, leather
or fabricworkers! If you would like to participate
in OPT’s Art and Craft Market please contact
Robin Hill, OPT Community Program Manager
via phone 0414 980 700 or email
[email protected]
Oran Park Town Newsletter
February - March 2013
Community Volunteering
Upcoming Events at
ORAN PARK TOWN
Date night @ OPT Cafe
On Friday 22nd February, take the night off,
leave the kids with us and enjoy dinner!
The Oran Park Town Community Facilitator’s
have organised free child minding and
children’s activities for children 4 years and over
so parents can enjoy a well deserved night off.
Volunteer babysitters will be available between
5pm and 9pm in the Community Room for the
duration of your meal at the Oran Park Town
Cafe. To register, contact Mel Frank on 0418
871 868. Once your spot has been confirmed,
make a booking with Oran Park Town Cafe and
let them know you’re coming for “Date Night”.
The Cafe has a great menu to suit all budgets.
For menu options you can visit:
www.oranparktowncafe.com.au
Conditions apply and places are strictly limited.
For more information contact Mel either by
phone or email: [email protected]
Celebrate International Women’s Day and join
the Oran Park Town Team for a Trivia Night to
be held on 8 March from 6.30pm at the Camden
Civic Centre. Bubbly and light supper will be
provided. Registration costs will be met by
the Oran Park Town Community Development
Program, but hurry as this offer is strictly limited
to the first 18 women to register.
To register please SMS your name and address
to 0418 871 868. Entries are limited to one per
OPT household and must also be 18 years or
older.
Neighbour Day
News from Camden
Neighbour Day is Australia’s annual celebration
of community, bringing together the people next
door, across the street or on the next farm for a
beer, a barbie or just a cuppa.
Neighbour Day is celebrated across the nation
the last Sunday in March, however as this is
Easter Sunday, here at Oran Park Town we will
be celebrating on Sunday 24 March.
A flyer will be distributed shortly with more
information. In the meantime, please note your
diaries.
International Women’s Day
BreastScreen Van in Camden
The BreastScreen Van will be located in
Oxley Street, Camden opposite Woolworths
Supermarket from 21st January until 3rd April.
Although the service targets women aged
50-69 and recommends that they have a
mammogram every two years, women aged
40-49 with no symptoms are also able to attend
for a screening. Please encourage the women
in your life to ring and schedule an appointment.
Early detection makes the difference! To book a
free screening please phone 13 20 50.
Are you looking for a meaningful volunteer
role? Do you like being with people and are
you a good listener?
Carrington Living-Care Communities are
seeking committed people to volunteer as
Pastoral Care Visitors for their residential aged
care facility in Camden. No previous experience
is necessary. Carrington will provide free
training and ongoing support.
For further information please contact Donna
Barnard, Pastoral Care Coordinator on
(02) 4659 0418 (Monday & Tuesday) or
email: [email protected]
Narellan Library’s:
“The Space Digital Studios”
The Space Digital Studios are located in the
room upstairs at Narellan Library. This venue is
a collection of three learning areas - the space;
a technology workshop room with access to
20 PC laptops, the Design & Create Mac lab
with 10 networked iMacs and Record & Mix;
a sound proof room with mix deck, sound and
video equipment.
‘The space’ provides digital community learning
workshops on technology of all kinds. TAFE
computer classes are held in the space for
beginners and intermediate users as well as
school holiday sessions for young people
including claymation, online discovery and
animation.
During the month of February workshops will be
held in Photoshop, Photoshop Advanced and
Illustrator as well as a free Tech Talk on Digital
TV Options. To keep up to date with happenings
in the space, phone Camden Council on
(02) 4645 5039 or you can visit the websites:
www.library.camden.nsw.gov.au/ or
sites.google.com/site/thespacedigitalstudios/
email: [email protected]
Use a QR barcode app
with any smart phone to
go directly to The Space’s
webpage!
Oran Park Town Newsletter
February - March 2013
Camden Family Day Care
(FDC)
Family Day Care is a
unique home-based
education and care
service that offers a
warm, safe, secure
and
stimulating
home environment
catering for young babies through to pre-teens.
Camden FDC is sponsored by Camden Council
and funded by the Australian Government and
is rated as ‘Highly Accredited’
Family Day Care offers flexible hours to suit
individual family needs, small groups, familyfriendly environments that focus
on play based learning and
consistent Educators who
provide stability and a
commitment to building
strong relationships
with
individual
children and their
families.
Camden FDC caters
for children during
standard
hours,
before/after
school,
during school holidays
and in some circumstances
overnight and weekends.
Children are nurtured and cared
for in the homes of approved FDC Educators
who are trained, resourced, supported and
monitored by the Camden FDC Coordination
Unit team.
If you would like to find out more about the
service please contact (02) 4654 7851.
Active Over 50s
Camden Community Connections have
partnered with South Western Sydney Local
Health District to make available the Narellan
Tai Chi Classes.
Tai Chi is a meditative low impact form of
exercise that involves slow and controlled
movements. It has many health benefits
including improved balance and coordination,
strengthens bone density, relieves the effects of
stress and helps with arthritic pain.
Classes are held at Narellan Library in the
Iron Bark Room from 12.30pm – 1.30
pm, every Monday excluding public
holidays. Cost is $8 per class. Free
transport is available to those who live
in the Camden local government area.
For more information contact Camden
Community Connections on
(02) 4647 1283.
Mt Annan Leisure Centre YMCA
Mt Annan Leisure Centre YMCA offers programs
for all ages, including Learn to Swim, Mums and
Bubs fitness classes, Kids Club, Junior Gym,
Teen Gym, memberships and programs
and PrYme Movers for over 50s.
Some of these programs can
be participated in together
or simultaneously. This is
a unique proposition in
the health and fitness
industry.
Join Mount Annan
Leisure Centre in the
New Year and get 6
weeks for only $99.
Not only is it a great
gym membership for
all your health and fitness
needs, but you will also
receive a free starter Y results
pack. Conditions apply. For more
information contact the Customer Service Team
on (02) 4648 4830 or visit their website:
www.ymcansw.org.au/centre/mtannan/
Transition to School Program
Northcott is now accepting referrals for its
transition to school program in the Liverpool,
Bankstown,
Fairfield,
Campbelltown,
Wollondilly, Camden, and Wingecarribee local
government areas for kids starting school in
2014.
To be eligible, Children need to have a diagnosis
of a global developmental delay (or intellectual
disability) and be starting school in 2014 in a
mainstream class or a support class within a
mainstream school.
Children included in the program will start the
service in July 2013 and continue until June
2014. Children will receive a multidisciplinary
therapy
service
(Speech
Pathology,
Occupational
Therapy,
Physiotherapy,
behaviour support) to help the child to succeed
in their first year at school. The service is
funded by Ageing, Disability and Home Care
(ADHC) so there is no cost to the family. For
more information, please contact Stephanie
Eber on (02) 8778 2300
Bus Service to Leppington
Forest Lawn Cemetery
Camden Community Connections provide a
free monthly bus service to Leppington Forest
Lawn Memorial Park for seniors. The service
is available the second Monday of each month.
The bus departs from the Narellan Library car
park at 10.00 am. Individual transport to and
from home may also be available upon request.
Complimentary morning tea will be provided
and a family service advisor is also available.
For bookings or enquiries, please contact
Carmelina from Camden Community
Connections on 4647 1283 or email
[email protected]
Local Newspapers
Want to keep up with news around Oran Park
Town and Camden? The Camden-Narellan
Advertiser and Macarthur Chronicle are
delivered to the Sales and Information Office
and Oran Park Town Café each week. Drop by
and pick up a copy!