Parra News August 17 2021

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Tuesday, August 17, 2021
LEAVE A CARD FOR YOUR NEIGHBOURS
City of Parramatta Council
has launched its ‘Help a Neighbour’
initiative to support local
residents who need a hand
during the current lockdown.
Adapted from a similar
program run by the Red Cross,
people will now be able to
check in on their neighbours
who may be isolated and need
support by leaving a calling
card in their letterbox.
“We know that people want
to help and so we’re inviting
residents across the City of
Parramatta to leave Council’s
Help a Neighbour calling
cards in the letterboxes of their
neighbours in a COVID-safe
way and offer a helping hand
during this difficult time,” said
Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer.
The calling cards can be
downloaded from Council’s
website and printed out, or
copied by hand, and left in the
mailbox or under a door.
Check in on your neighbours.
Community heroes
are true role models
Nominee Helen Williams.
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PN45081
Some of Parramatta’s most outstanding
role models are being recognised
as part of this year’s Westfield Local
Heroes program.
Now in its fourth year, the program
recognises those whose work or contributions
create positive benefits for
others in the community and awards
$10,000 grants to three successful finalists.
Westfield Parramatta has announced
six finalists including:
Christine Cleary, StreetMed
Christine Cleary is the brave and
compassionate founder of StreetMed,
a charity that provides free healthcare,
food and clothes to homeless and
at-risk people in western Sydney.
Dr Ruth Parsell, CareFlight
Westmead resident, Dr Ruth Parsell is
deputy medical director at CareFlight,
a charity that takes the emergency
department to the patient in a stateof-the-art
medical helicopter and has
saved countless lives.
Marnel LaGarde, Parramatta/
Holroyd Family Support
Since 1985, Marnel LaGarde has been
a devoted member of the Parramatta/
Holroyd Family Support team and
is now CEO. In addition, she delivers
home-cooked meals to elderly
neighbours, refurbishes bicycles for
disadvantaged children and arranges
donations of second-hand furniture for
struggling families.
Natty Osorio Diaz, The Smith Family
Natty Osorio Diaz supports over 300
families and 600 students through
her work at The Smith Family, helping
families access educational support,
including literacy, numeracy and technology
programs, mentors and financial
assistance for educational items.
After hours she volunteers as a refugee
and asylum seeker support worker.
Seethalakshmi Srinivasan, Rydalmere
Public School Community Hub
Seethalakshmi (Seetha) Srinivasan
creates new pathways for migrant
parents and is a pillar of support for
isolated and vulnerable women. As
Rydalmere Public School’s community
liaison officer she coordinates various
programs to make migrant parents feel
included, empowered and confident.
Helen Williams, Hope Connect
Support worker Helen Williams
improves the lives of families in local
underprivileged suburbs. Devoting
herself to Hope Connect for the past
16 years she creates a safe space for
families to share the most private and
painful parts of their lives.
The voting period for Westfield Local
Heroes is open now. To vote, visit westfield.com.au/local-heroes.