Wednesday 26 <strong>June</strong>, <strong>2019</strong> THE WEEKLY TIMES 15 Celebrating 40 years <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> <strong>June</strong> 8, 2005 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> <strong>June</strong> 15, 2005 Congratulations John Booth ON <strong>TWT</strong>’S 40TH ANNIVERSARY Congratulations John on 40 years at <strong>TWT</strong> Christopher Gordon Councillor, City of Ryde cgordon@ryde.nsw.gov.au | 0466 026 265 Clr Simon Zhou City of Ryde ADVERTISEMENT <strong>The</strong> longest established Strata Management in Eastwood Congratulations John on the 40th Anniversary of <strong>TWT</strong> STRATA MANAGEMENT PTY LTD Contact us on: 02 88141668 or 02 88141728 PO Box 56,Eastwood NSW 2122 • Email: info@mcpstrata.com.au • In Strata ... because we care! <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> has sponsored and been an integral part of the Granny Smith Festival in Eastwood since its inception over thirty years ago and JB has been a foundation and lifetime committee member. <strong>The</strong> <strong>TWT</strong> Miss Eastwood Granny Smith Festival Queen Quest has been a popular feature. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> October 12, 2005 Granny Smith Festival in Eastwood Congratulations John! We thank you for your support of Gladesville RSL Club, Gladesville RSL Sub Branch and Gladesville RSL Youth Club throughout the last 40 years. From all of us at Gladesville RSL, we thank you for your service to the community and look forward to it continuing for many years to come. GLADESVILLE RSL & COMMUNITY CLUB 4-6 LINSLEY ST GLADESVILLE P: 9816 2999 l GLADESVILLERSL.COM.AU
16 THE WEEKLY TIMES Wednesday 26 <strong>June</strong>, <strong>2019</strong> Celebrating 40 years Behind the scenes with our Managing Editor JB THE WEEKLY TIMES Managing Editor John F Booth AM answers questions put to him by readers across <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> territory. Q: You have won many awards in the last forty years, which do you regard as your most significant ? – J.M (Putney). A: Being recognised by the Queen with the Australia Medal was significant and being awarded the first ever “Mate Of Bennelong” by Prime Minister Tony Abbott was also memorable. Rotary awarded me Paul Harris Fellowships and I am proud of all my awards for service to the Scouts and Guides and for supporting our local emergency and other services. I have also been a Ryde Citizen of the Year. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> is a multi award winning newspaper and it is always a honour to be recognised by the Australian media for this newspaper’s outstanding contribution to the print industry. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> has also received many awards for contributions to the community, most recently in 2016 when my newspaper was awarded the City of Ryde’s Event Of <strong>The</strong> Year during the Centenary of Anzac. Q: You have taken on Federal, State and Local governments and won many battles for the local community, which were your toughest fights? - A.P (Boronia Park) A: Every year for 40 years my newspaper has fought and defeated bad government decisions, gutless politicians and wrongdoers.<strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> has twice fought – and defeated – state government attempts to abolish Hunters Hill and merge it into Ryde. My recent and successful campaign to save the Ryde Civic Centre from being sold off to property developers led to a pro-development mayor being toppled by his own party. I have also defeated many attempts to destroy our clubs, close our schools and cut our services. Some of my most important wins have been on behalf of individuals fighting the system and I have never been afraid to stand for truth, justice and a fair go, often despite powerful opposition and many failed attempts to force me to back down. Q: You’ve achieved just about everything there is to achieve in forty years, is it difficult to set new goals and challenges? - H.G (Epping) A: My goals and challenges are the same as they were when I first became managing editor. That is, to lead a fiercely independent local paper that fearlessly upholds the truth, fights for our community and makes a positive impact in local life and in the lives of my readers. I have also risen to the Thank You & Congratulations on 40 years of service! Kim Toyer-Uttley P 9816 8105 M 0408 439 837 challenge of publishing an attractive, diverse and highly respected newspaper that is delivered on time, every time to every local home and business each week. An important goal is to continue to support local business because business is our life blood. People advertise with me because <strong>TWT</strong> is widely read, valued and respected. My businesses partners include clubs, governments, politicians and corporations but they also include trades people whose survival and growth depends on being promoted in <strong>TWT</strong>. Q: You have given a start to many talented local young people who have gone on to become famous, particularly in field of sport and in the entertainment industry. Why is it important to give local people a go? - M.K (North Ryde). A: We have also helped launch the stellar careers of local artists, academics, health professionals, scientists and community leaders. Many local people honoured by the Queen have previously appeared in a <strong>TWT</strong> story! <strong>The</strong> world famous “Yellow Wiggle” Emma Watkins started her career as a <strong>TWT</strong> Miss Eastwood Granny Smith Festival Queen. Emma exemplifies the influence my newspaper has when it supports and promotes aspiring young people. Many other local achievers - like Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Ryde MP Victor Dominello - grew up reading <strong>TWT</strong> and many articles and photo stories continue to inspire local people to pursue their dreams. Q: You have never missed a one hundredth birthday or a significant milestone in the lives of your readers, how do you manage to find out so much about local people? - L.S (Gladesville). A: In the last 40 years I have met and worked with most of them but it says a lot about our readers’ respect and appreciation for this newspaper that they tell us their stories and want to see their friends and families recognised by me. Many famous locals, like Gladesville celebrity Maria Venuti AM, Dr James Wright AM and legends from “<strong>The</strong> Rotary Club of North Ryde congratulates John Booth on his 40th Anniversary of <strong>TWT</strong>. Thank you John for your ongoing support of the Rotary Club of North Ryde!” MORNING ROTARY MEETINGS MAKE THE MOST OF YOUR DAY <strong>The</strong> Rotary Club of North Ryde meets in the morning from 7:15 to 8:15am before work or other duties start. We begin the day with a fine breakfast, good companionship and productive plans to help the community. Once a month we enjoy a social occasion and network with other local business and community leaders. JOIN US TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR LIFE AND TO OTHERS On the first three Fridays of each month we meet from 7:15 am - 8:15am at Dunmore Lang College, 130-134 Herring Road, North Ryde, parking on site or just two minutes from Macquarie University transport hub. Contact the Club Secretary on 0404082611 or email northryderotary@gmail.com See our website www.northryderotary.com for more information. the Balmain Tigers give their time and talent to support the events I have founded, hosted and promoted. I am proud to acknowledge the contributions local people make to our local community and especially the contribution of those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice in wartime. It was an honour for me to be recently chosen to present the City of Ryde banner to the people of France and Belgium at places of significance to the fallen soldiers from <strong>TWT</strong> territory in <strong>The</strong> Great War 1914 – 1918. Q: Do you enjoy your job as managing editor? - P.P (Concord West). A: Yes! This newspaper started as a small four page newspaper in Gladesville and since I took it over as managing editor it has grown in size and quality to become nationally and internationally famous for well informed and hard hitting news coverage. What I enjoy most is that <strong>TWT</strong> is an integral part of the community. So many people tell me how much they look forward to <strong>TWT</strong> being delivered in their homes and businesses every Wednesday. I enjoy watching our small and loyal advertisers grow and our clubs, services and organisations continue to prosper. I also enjoy sponsoring and promoting events, like the Granny Smith Festival and Moocooboola which have grown to become major events which now attract tens of thousands of people each year. My own events – such as the <strong>TWT</strong> Sports Star Of <strong>The</strong> Year Awards and the <strong>TWT</strong> Miss Eastwood Granny Smith Festival pageant – continue to grow in popularity and are highly competitive. Q: What impact has multiculturalism had? - L.C (Eastwood) A: I have met many migrants who tell me they learned English by reading <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong>! Amazing! I have also met many more who tell me that reading <strong>TWT</strong> each week makes them feel proud they have chosen to live in our community. Publishing important community information lets recently arrived people know what is happening locally and gives them access to a new community they would not otherwise have. When I took over this newspaper I could not imagine that cultural events like Eastwood’s Asian Lunar Year would dominate our front pages, become world famous and be so enthusiastically supported by the wider local community. I also value our readership in the Italian, Armenian, Persian, Korean and Indian speaking communities and of course I am proud to recognise Hunters Hill’s French heritage. Q: <strong>The</strong> One-Eyed Tiger has been your loyal mascot for 40 years but what is he like to work with? - M.T (West Ryde) A: Past and present Tiger players and fans adore him and he represents all that makes our club the greatest club of all. He has never missed a game in 40 years and he even toured Britain with me. His knowledge of the Tigers first grade and junior teams is unsurpassed and he is part of the culture and the history of the club. I remember his first week with <strong>TWT</strong> as a cub reporter when From page 9 “In 1965, he became disillusioned with a number of questionable activities inside Ryde Council and resigned,” Mr Hayman added. “ He then commenced a two year campaign for the establishment of an Ombudsman, which is an independent officer to investigate the actions of public officials. “He was subsequently appointed as Australia’s first Ombudsman and as a result of his efforts, an Ombudsman now exists in every state and territory throughout Australia and all because he took the initiative to lead a fact finding mission to Denmark where the idea flourished from its Swedish origins.” John Booth has a close association with landmarks adjoining the Parramatta River and the craft that sail on it, Mr Hayman said. “He lobbied the state government to name the river cat ferries after famous Australian female athletes and now all the river cat ferries now proudly wear the names of Betty Cuthbert, Shane Gould, Yvonne Goolagong, Marlene Mathews and the like. “He was also the Foundation President for the Wallumetta Ryde District Business and Professional Men’s Club and was the first to lead the successful campaign to honour and restore the gravesite of the colonial Aboriginal leader Bennelong, in Putney.” <strong>The</strong> long serving <strong>TWT</strong> managing editor has also been prominent at the heart of community cultural life. “He created many annual community events such as <strong>The</strong> North Ryde Carols by Candlelight Spectacular, the West Ryde Easter Parade & Fair, the Ryde River’s Festival, <strong>The</strong> Gladesville Christmas Festival, the Granny Smith Quest Pageant and numerous other events and competitions. “As the proprietor and editor of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> since 1979, he has been dedicated to serving and supporting local people, local schools, aged care groups, sporting groups, returned and service men and women scouts, guides, police, hospitals, charities, Rotary, he explained to me why it would be impossible for him to report on a Tigers’ loss .. he said it is because you’ll always be a winner when you support Balmain! This is the spirit he brings to this newspaper every week. Q: How does your cultural heritage influence your work? - G.K (Woolwich) A: In the 40 years I have served as managing editor I have given a voice to all faiths and denominations that serve our community, particularly through charitable works. Many of my readers live in aged care villages, are housebound or are in hospital. <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> is their main link with the local community. This is why I place great importance on the things in our community we value, the things that make people laugh, cry and feel outraged and (especially) NSW those things that are a living LIBERALS part of our shared cultural heritage. Q: Is their a woman in your life? - K.K (Rydalmere) A: My mother and grandmother have had an enormous influence on my life and career. It is impossible to work in the media these days without being linked to a celebrity and most recently I was linked with Paris Hilton, whom I first met at Birkenhead Point and who NSW LIBERALS NSW service industries, the arts, historic properties and societies. parks, playing fields, sports, transport, infrastructure, businesses, governments and health services,” Mr Hayman added. “Always at the forefront of community events, <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> was awarded <strong>The</strong> City of Ryde’s Event of the Year for the Commemoration of the Centenary of Anzac as well as Hunters Hill’s Event of the Year for the restoration and relocation of a World War One German Howitzer.” Mr Hayman notes that Mr Booth is a local legend among Balmain Tigers fans alongside his mascot, the famous One-Eyed Tiger. “John Booth was also a member of the Balmain Tigers original promotions committee that started the first Tigers Grand Final Luncheon which continues today.” His many media awards include the National Best Editorial for a Community Newspaper for his revealing expose of the Macquarie Community College titled Where Have All the Students Gone. This Community Newspapers of Australia award follows many other including his 2013 Award for Best Community Service by a Local Newspaper. His previous awards include Best Advertisement (2010), Best Editorial (2008), Best Colour Advertisement (2007), Best Spot Colour Advertisement (2007), Best Advertising Campaign (2007), Best Spot Colour Advertisement (2006), Best Editorial (2005) and the Community Service Award in 2003. “He was named Citizen of the Year by Ryde City Council for community service and his service to scouting.” In 2001 his work for the community saw him recognised by Prime Minister John Howard with the Australian Centenary Medal for service to the Australian community. “<strong>The</strong> world of politics and business across Northern Sydney has been shaped by John Booth who served as President of the Ryde Chamber of Commerce and was foundation president of the Wallumetta Ryde District has posted flattering comments about me on her Facebook page! Some readers might remember I dated Olympic Gold Medalist Betty Cuthbert! One of the best things about my job is that I get to meet women who have made – and continue to make - outstanding contributions to the people and communities they serve. And <strong>TWT</strong> readers would know the enormous contribution ADVERTISEMENT Business and Professional Men’s Club.” Heritage has been a specific interest and <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> won the State Government’s Heritage Award for the Lane Cove electorate in 2014-2015. “His commitment to heritage goes back beyond 1961 when he co-founded the Ryde District Historical Society and he was instrumental in saving four historic houses in the City of Ryde called Addington (1798), Willandra (1842), <strong>The</strong> Retreat (1843) and Gracemere built in 1894.’ Campaigns in <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> have also been effective in saving Hunters Hill High School, Tennis World at North Ryde High School grounds from sale by the State Government. “Many people will appreciate that he has given young women from Ryde and Gladesville an opportunity to serve the community as <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> Miss Eastwood Granny Smith Festival Queen and as <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> Gladesville Festival Teen Queen. “Various festivals and events owe their existence to John Booth and <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> including the North Ryde Community Christmas Carols, West Ryde Easter Parade & Fair, Gladesville Christmas Festival, Ryde Aquatic Festival.” Mr Dominello summed up Mr Booth’s career to date as inspiring outstanding and wholly committed to local democracy. “John Booth has made an enormous contribution to our community in Ryde,”the Ryde MP said. “However in my view, his contribution to strengthening our democracy and therefore our way of life has been even more profound. “For those of us who love democratic freedoms, we are indebted. “John went to the great Ryde Public School and then Sydney Tech High before he worked as a copy boy at Frank Packer’s Telegraph,” he said. “He worked his way up and became Deputy Editor of the Primary Producers Newspaper and today he is famous as the Managing Editor of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong>.” that Ulrike Eichmeyer has made to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> over the years. EDITOR’S NOTE: In 2021 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Weekly</strong> <strong>Times</strong> celebrates a Centenary, an unrivalled achievement, unique in the history of local independent newspapers in Australia. John, Congratulations and best wishes on a wonderful milestone - NSW 40 years of LIBERALS ownership at <strong>TWT</strong> NSW LIBERALS NSW Authorised by John Sidoti MP, 128 Great North Road, Five Dock NSW 2046, using parliamentary entitlements.
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