Parramatta Times - March 2026

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ISSUE 71 March 2026

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Locals urged to back Black Dog Ride

THE Parramatta community is being encouraged to get behind the local arm of Black Dog Ride by registering to ride in the 2026 One Dayer or participating in local fundraising to help start a national conversation about depression and suicide prevention.

This year's Black Dog Ride ‘One Dayer’ motorcycle ride will be held in more than 50 communities across Australia on Sunday, March 15, 2026, with the Parramatta ride kicking off at Wentys Leagues and following a route throughout the region yet to be announced.

In 2025, more than 6,000 participants took part nationwide, helping raise over $300,000 to support mental health and suicide prevention and this year, organisers are hoping to see even more local riders, clubs and businesses come together to make a difference.

The majority of money raised through the One Dayer ride is funded back into local communities via the

Black Dog Ride Grant Program which directly supports regional and rural areas where access to mental health services and free support is limited or non-existent.

“Each year, the Black Dog Ride

One Dayer reminds us that meaningful change starts at a local level. We know first-hand that when community members, volunteers, clubs and businesses unite behind a shared cause, the ripple effect can be felt right across the country.

“By raising awareness and vital funds that go directly back into regional communities, we’re helping to close the gap where mental health services and free support are still out of reach for so many Australians. It’s about connection, compassion and showing that no one has to face their struggles alone”, said Parramatta Black Dog Ride Coordinator, Kay White.

Since 2009, Black Dog Ride’s annual

TOne Dayer has brought riders, volunteers and supporters together across Australia to start conversations, share stories, and raise vital funds for mental health.

To date, volunteers and donors have raised over $4M that has been donated to hundreds of organisations within regional communities across the country including Men’s Shed Association, Royal Flying Doctor, Just a Farmer, local schools, Mental Health Charities and initiatives that directly support the wider community.

Local schools, clubs, community groups and individuals can also raise awareness of depression and suicide prevention and support the vital work of Black Dog Ride by organising local fundraising activities and events or simply donate.

For more information on Black Dog Ride and One Dayer ride, please visit www.blackdogride.org.au or keep up to date on the Black Dog Ride Facebook page.

Upgrade for Richmond Road network

HE Richmond Road upgrade has reached a major milestone with the first sod turned, marking the start of major work on the project. The $720M upgrade will ease congestion, improve safety and support future housing,

development and connectivity across this growing region in Western Sydney. Up to 89,000 vehicles use Richmond Road each day, with traffic volumes forecast to increase significantly in the years ahead as the region continues to grow.

Traffic modelling shows the upgrades are expected to cut average travel times by around 21 per cent during the morning peak and 34 per cent in the afternoon peak once complete. The Richmond Road Upgrade includes three major projects

including the M7 Motorway to Townson Road upgrade will widen Richmond Road between Colebee and Marsden Park to reduce congestion, improve safety and support future housing and development across Sydney’s North West.

RISING WOMEN OF WESTERN SYDNEY 2026 Scholarship winner named

HISTORY-making trailblazer and youth support worker, Elyse Sene-Lefao has been crowned the 2026 winner of the Rising Women of Western Sydney Scholarship at an International Women’s Day event held at Parramatta Town Hall.

The 25-year-old former fitness trainer was the first Australian-Samoan female to conquer the UTA100 run and is the founder of the Elyse Sene-Lefao Run Club (ESRC) which provides a safe space for people to run together in Western Sydney.

Taking the reign from Kirstene Ciappara, last year’s inaugural winner, Sene-Lefao said the scholarship will help her reach her goal of coaching and inspiring people of all ages to improve their fitness and confidence.

“My mission is to combine my passion for running and helping people in the community, to become a certified running coach and grow my run club in Parramatta, Western Sydney, New South Wales and beyond – this amazing scholarship will help me get there faster.” Ms Sene-Lefao said.

“I plan to use this opportunity to support my work developing a high-quality program of workshops, coaching sessions and training that is accessible to everyone, especially those from Polynesian background and un-

derrepresented communities.”

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said this collaboration with the Parramatta Eels and Western Sydney University is an investment in the next generation of influential females of the west.

”This is about investing in local talent and helping young women in Western Sydney to reach their full potential, providing them with a platform to make a positive impact in the community,” Cr Zaiter said.

“The scholarship has been a game changer for last year’s scholarship win-

ner, Kirstene Ciaparra, who has since taken the next step in her career and is now working with the Parramatta Eels in a permanent capacity.”

“We’re looking forward to seeing Elyse use this scholarship on behalf of the community, while rising up as a leader in Western Sydney.”

Parramatta Eels CEO Jim Sarantinos praised Elyse’s leadership and the broader impact of the initiative.

“The Rising Women of Western Sydney Scholarship exists to back leaders who create real change,” Sarantinos said.

Applications for next year’s scholar-

ship are now open. For more information, visit the Rising Women of Western Sydney Scholarship page.

About the Rising Women of Western Sydney scholarship

The scholarship is part of a threeyear partnership between the City and the Eels that is delivering free rugby league clinics for local kids, building participation and inclusion for young girls in multicultural communities and aiming to grow the reputation of Parramatta as a visitor destination.

It’s open to women aged 18 to 28 years who live, work or study in the Parramatta LGA and/or can show significant connection to the local community – for example, through sport, volunteering or other community-based activities.

It provides an opportunity to build their skills and to strengthen their educational qualifications, helping them to reach their full potential.

The sponsorship package includes:

• $15,000 cash scholarship.

• An internship with the Parramatta Eels in an identified business area.

• A leadership course with the Western Sydney Leadership Dialogue valued at $13,000.

• $5,000 from Western Sydney University towards lifelong learning.

SOD TURN AT SACRED HEART PARISH WESTMEAD

Start of new church after 75 years

CONSTRUCTION has started on Sacred Heart

Parish Westmead’s long-awaited new Catholic church at Darcy Road, launching an exciting new chapter for the local community.

At the heart of the vibrant Westmead Catholic Community precinct – which includes four schools – the church will bring together liturgy, worship, education and families, while celebrating 75 years of faith, service and connection to the community.

Parishioners, school leaders and community representatives gathered yesterday as Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, led a prayer and blessing alongside Parish Priest Fr Walter Fogarty; followed by a sod turn officially commencing construction of the new Sacred Heart Church.

Bishop Vincent said the celebration recognised the parish’s proud history, its 75-year jubilee of service to a diverse and growing community, and the promise of its future.

“This isn’t just about the physical building - it’s about a way of being Church... a Church that is more participative, more mission-driven, and more in sync with the suffering world around us.”

“Here we have not just a worshipping centre, but also the biggest and the most innovative Catholic learning ecosystem anywhere in Western Sydney.”

The new parish development will include a 400seat church and expanded parish facilities, providing a welcoming place for worship, gatherings and pastoral care for the growing Westmead community.

Parish Priest Fr Walter Fogarty said many of those attending the ceremony had deep ties to the parish across multiple generations.

“Today, Sacred Heart’s diverse community cele-

Now Open

brated – parishioners who lived in Westmead before there was a parish gathered with those yet to take their first steps, with multiple generations marking this important moment in our history.”

While local Catholic worship in Westmead dates back to 1928, Sacred Heart Parish first celebrated Masses at Westmead Boys’ Home before opening its original church on February 1, 1954. Over the decades, the parish has helped establish Catholic education in the area and maintained a long pastoral connection with the Westmead hospital precinct.

The new church project is one component of the wider Westmead Catholic Community development – a major co-located faith and education precinct announced in 2019 and approved by the Independent Planning Commission in 2023.

The broader project includes redevelopment and upgrades across the Westmead Catholic Community Education Campus, including a new six-storey building that will include the new Sacred Heart Primary Westmead and new student learning spaces for Cath-

erine McAuley, expansion of student capacity, a new Ambrose Early Learning Centre and out-of-schoolhours care, and improved access and landscaping across the site. Together, the works will support an increased number of students, a significant expansion of local Catholic education and community facilities.

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese leaders, Diocesan representatives, project partners and parishioners attended the ceremony; highlighting the shared vision for an integrated precinct where faith, learning and community life are closely connected.

Catholic Schools Parramatta Diocese CEO Jack de Groot said the project brings faith, learning and community together in a meaningful way.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Martin Zaiter, who attended the event, said the Catholic community makes a vital contribution to life in Westmead and the broader Parramatta LGA, calling it the “bedrock” of Parramatta.

Visit: https://www.sacredheartwestmead.com.au

POWERHOUSE PARRAMATTA CLOSE TO FINISH Western Sydney’s cultural capital

THE NSW Government is powering ahead with construction of Western Sydney’s first state cultural institution, Powerhouse Parramatta, now 95 per cent complete, delivering a landmark project that will strengthen Sydney’s reputation as a world class events and tourism destination.

Featuring a distinctive large scale rooftop terrace with an observatory and productive Powerhouse garden that will create new opportunities for learning, events and community connection.

The rooftop terrace, with near 360-degree views across Parramatta,

is situated on top of the shorter of the two connected buildings and features a garden with Indigenous species to be used in the Vitocco Kitchen, a 200 seat production kitchen, adjacent to the garden.

The terrace will also feature an observatory with mounted telescopes under a retractable roof that will deliver astronomy programs, connecting students and communities with leading international and Australian astronomers and scientists.

Additional features include a greenhouse, water feature and the ING Pavilion, which will host talks, workshops

and public programs.

Powerhouse Parramatta has partnered with the internationally recognised Stephanie Alexander Kitchen Garden Foundation to deliver a dynamic, hands-on food and syllabus focused education program for regional NSW and Western Sydney students through the Lang Walker Family Academy.

The partnership will see more than 10,000 NSW students each year experience hands on learning, providing new skills across agricultural science, cooking, sustainability and well-being.

the public domain is built. Powerhouse Parramatta is expected to open later this year.

When complete, Powerhouse Parramatta will include almost 12,000 square metres of public space, creating a major new public green square, seamlessly connecting to the Parramatta River.

Powerhouse Parramatta is the first public building in Australia and the first project in Western Sydney to be assessed as a 6 Star Designed project under the Green Building Council of Australia’s new Green Star Buildings assessment tool.

When it opens, the Powerhouse will be highly energy efficient, all-electric and operating on 100% renewable electricity, aiming to be climate positive under the Green Star Buildings V1 Climate Positive Pathway.

Key internal spaces across the site have been completed, allowing fit outs to commence across the site while final touches take place on the building and

Minister for Lands and Property Steve Kamper said: “Construction of Western Sydney’s first state cultural institution, Powerhouse Parramatta, is now 95 per cent complete, marking a major milestone for this transformational project.

"Powerhouse Parramatta will be a game changer for our state and reflects the Minns Labor Government’s commitment to design excellence, innovation and sustainability in Western Sydney.

"Once complete, it will be the largest museum in NSW, offering 18,000 square metres of exhibition and public space and standing as a true cultural and architectural icon for Parramatta.

Parramatta MP, Donna Davis said the Powerhouse’s eco-friendly features bring design into the 21st century with 100% renewable electricity.

Cumberland Hospital under management

THE NSW Government has directed the appointment of an independent team of experts to oversee the management of Cumberland Hospital, with immediate effect.

The direction from the Minister for Mental Health is aimed at improving safety, strengthening governance, and rebuilding public confidence, alongside a formal security review into recent incidents.

The team of experts will see that clear monitoring, accountability and escalation frameworks are put in place to ensure oversight and see sustained improvement at Cumberland Hospital.

This follows the recently announced review, which will examine patient care and treatment, security protocols at Cumberland Hospital and, and the management of abscondments, including assistance provided by the NSW police force.

Additional security has been engaged to assist in the enhancement of safe and

secure care for patients and staff at the hospital.

Cumberland Hospital will be closing permanently at the end of next year when the new Westmead Integrated Mental Health Complex opens.

The $540M purpose-built facility will transform mental health care in Western Sydney.

The modern complex will include a link bridge connection to Westmead Hospital, providing better connectivity

Nbetween mental health care and other services including the emergency department and psychiatric emergency care. Construction is well underway on the new facility, which is scheduled for completion in late 2027.

Minister for Mental Health Rose Jackson said: “Community safety is a top priority for our Government and I am concerned that recent incidents at Cumberland Hospital undermine the sense of safety and security people rightly expect

in the management of our mental health system.

“A formal review into these recent incidents is underway, but because we want it to be a thorough process it will not be completed overnight.

“That’s why we’re taking immediate action to intervene in the management of this facility with a team of experienced health administrators, to ensure the safety of patients, staff and the community.

"The fact that Cumberland Hospital is closing does not change our responsibility to ensure safe, dignified and high-quality care in the interim. Our focus remains firmly on the people receiving care today.

“We don’t want people experiencing mental distress shunted away in small, isolated facilities. The new Westmead Integrated Mental Health Complex will allow us to relocate patients into a modern, integrated network of health facilities.”

Shutting down illicit tobacco operators

SW Health Inspectors have now issued 105 short-term closure orders since new laws strengthening tobacco and vaping control efforts came into effect in November 2025. This milestone comes ahead of a further increase to the federal tobacco excise, driv-

ing concerns this will push more people to illicit market tobacco as the cost disparity between illegal and legal tobacco continues to grow. Under the November 2025 laws, NSW Health supported by NSW Police make short-term closure orders of up to 90 days for premises sell-

Uniting Venues North Parramatta o ers an idyllic conference and training venue, in park like grounds with native gardens adjacent to a bush reserve.

With state-of-the-art facilities including in-house audio visual, free Wi-Fi, onsite catering, accommodation, parking, unbeatable accessibility and convenience, Uniting Venues has everything you need to plan and run your next event, conference, or seminar.

With exible spaces, the latest technology and a standout location, Uniting Venues North Parramatta is the place for your next event.

ing illicit tobacco, illegal vaping goods, or selling tobacco without a licence. In the past 10 days, 30 more stores across Hunter New England, Murrumbidgee, Nepean Blue Mountains, Northern Sydney, Sydney, South Eastern Sydney, South Western Sydney, Western Sydney,

Illawarra Shoalhaven, and Western NSW Local Health Districts have been shut down immediately for 90 days. NSW Health inspectors seized approximately 700,000 illicit cigarettes and 3,900 illicit vapes while implementing the Closure Order at these 30 premises.

For nearly 160 years, Rookwood Catholic Cemetery has served as a place of peace, remembrance, and tradition - welcoming people of all faiths.

With beautifully landscaped grounds, Rookwood Catholic Cemetery offers families a place to honour life with faith, dignity, and compassion.

› Dedicated Catholic lawns and historic chapels

› Selection of high-quality monument services and packages

› Sydney’s only Catholic crematorium

› Monthly and special Masses for All Souls, Mother’s Day, & more

› Grief Care support, workshops, and remembrance events

Charity’s CEO’s lesson for students

WHEN children’s charity leader, Clare Pearson, addressed Western Sydney University’s psychology graduates last year, she had a simple message for them: follow your North Star and trust in yourself.

After all, it’s by focusing on her passions that Clare found her way to Little Wings – a not-for-profit based at Sydney’s Bankstown Aerodrome that flies and then drives seriously ill children in rural and regional New South Wales, the ACT and Queensland to their bigcity treating hospitals and accommodation.

Clare has done such a stellar job at the charity that she’s one of two finalists for the 2026 NSW Premier’s Woman of Excellence (the winner will be announced in the lead-up to International Women’s Day). The prestigious award celebrates role models who effect lasting change and inspire others.

Clare’s career “flight path” hasn’t exactly followed a straight line. She originally tried teaching – following in her father’s footsteps – but related more to her mother’s work as a nurse and midwife. “I saw her in a lot of caring roles where she was working at the hospital with very vulnerable babies,” Clare says.

“Seeing her do that and then seeing those babies and those families thrive and no longer need to be in hospital, I remember feeling a real sense of pride and

connection to what she was achieving there.”

Clare completed Social Science and Arts degrees, majoring in psychology, at Western, spending most of her time at the Werrington campus but sometimes attending Bankstown and Parramatta campuses. Her memories include a “really great friendship group” and Werrington’s ease of access and facilities.

“I was a diligent student and I still love to learn,” says Clare. Having a small gap between high school

and uni was also beneficial. “Having that little bit of maturity helped me stay focused,” she says. “The most powerful thing that I got throughout my undergrad degree was my sense of purpose - I think that was really firmly established for me that I wanted to work with purpose.”

Post-studies, Clare worked as a child protection caseworker in Blacktown before heading to London where she undertook a master’s degree in child and adolescent welfare via distance education. Her work in the not-for-profit sector led her to pen a 2018 book, Threads of Hope, which celebrated the resilience of human-trafficking survivors.

“Sex trafficking is very unpalatable [as a subject] and it was very hard to raise money so we used beautiful images, things that people are comfortable looking at, but we told [the women’s] stories and shared what was happening to them,” says Clare.

“One said her mum had sold her for 10 kilos of rice. To know your own mother sold you for a bag of rice, it was just, ‘How do you go on? How do you feel good about yourself and feel like you add value and that you are worthwhile when every experience you've had tells you you're not?’” The book sold out, helping to open up conversations about how to best support survivors.

Tensions driving interest in electric cars

RISING tensions in the Middle East following attacks involving the United States, Israel and Iran have sent global oil and gas prices soaring, with inflation expected to affect sectors such as transport,

logistics, agriculture and mining.

The Australian Electric Vehicle Association (AEVA) says the situation highlights the importance of reducing dependence on fossil fuels. The AEVA has long promoted electric

vehicles as a strategy for fuel security. Australia currently holds less than a month of liquid fuel reserves, far below international standards. AEVA argues electrifying transport is the most effective way to strength-

en energy security, noting Australia now has more than 120 EV models available and a growing affordable market. Governments are urged to maintain commitments to electrification.

BURNOUT OR BANK BALANCE? Cost of pushing too hard

„ KYLIE KING

I’M sure you can agree that burnout doesn’t happen overnight.

It creeps in slowly.

It starts with saying yes to one more client because you need the money. Or taking on one more project because you don’t want to miss the opportunity.

Or working one more night because that’s just what you do and even though you don’t have time, you’ll figure it out and keep going.

Until one day you realise, you’re exhausted… but you don’t stop or in some cases you don’t think you can stop.

Because the inbox is still full.

The clients still need you.

And the bills don’t pause just because you’re tired.

So you push through.

And I see this all the time in the ALIBI community. Strong, capable, incredible women who are carrying so much. Their business. Their family. Their clients. Their responsibilities. And somewhere in the middle of holding everything together, they stop checking in with themselves.

We tell ourselves it’s just a busy season. That it will calm down soon. That once we hit that next income goal, or finish that next project, we’ll finally rest.

But the finish line keeps moving.

What used to feel exciting starts to feel heavy. The thing you once loved starts to feel like pressure. You’re still showing up, still doing the work, but the spark

isn’t the same.

That there. That’s burnout.

And the scary part is, it often doesn’t look dramatic from the outside. Your business might still look successful. People might still be praising you. But inside, you’re tired in a way that sleep doesn’t fix.

Here’s the truth we don’t talk about enough: no bank balance is worth losing yourself over. And I know you know what I’m going to say but here is your sign to pay attention and remember:

You can always make more money.

You can always rebuild momentum.

But when your health, your energy, and your wellbeing are gone, everything becomes harder.

I’ve seen women step back, take a breath, and come back stronger. Not because they pushed harder, but because they finally allowed themselves to stop.

Rest isn’t quitting. Rest is what allows you to keep going.

Because success isn’t just about building a profitable business. It’s about building a life that actually feels good to live.

Your business should support you - not consume you.

So if you’re tired, listen to that. If your body is asking for a break, don’t ignore it. Taking a day off won’t make everything fall apart. In fact, it might be the very thing that holds everything together.

At the end of the day, your business needs you well.

Not just functioning. Not just surviving. But well. Because the most valuable thing in your business was never the bank balance.

It was always you. And without you, there is no business.

Kylie King is a hypnotherapist, business and mindset mentor, and the founder of the ALIBI Awards, a national business awards program that celebrates women doing business their way. She believes every chapter of your journey deserves to be honoured. especially the ones that required the most courage. Visit: www.alibiawards.com.au

Money Mavern

with Sheila cabacungan

TOUGH LOVE CONVERSATIONS EVERY Western Sydney Family Needs

From spending with intention to money dates to early‑inheritance truth bombs — here’s the tough love Western Sydney families can’t afford to ignore.

SHEILA CABACUNGAN

Over the past three episodes of Money Maven, one message has come through louder than anything else: the conversations we avoid in our households are often the ones costing us the most.

This month has been all about Tough Love Conversations — the honest, practical, sometimes uncomfortable money chats that every Western Sydney family needs to start having.

Spending With Intention (Not Influence)

We began the series by stripping back the truth about how we’re spending — not just on big events like Valentine’s Day, but on the small habits that quietly drain our bank accounts.

This year, fewer Aussies bought Valentine’s gifts, but those who did spent with more intention. That shift is powerful.

The tough love here is simple: stop being loyal to bad deals. If your bank, telco, insurer or supermarket isn’t rewarding you, it’s time to switch.

Western Sydney households are

doing the heavy lifting in a cost-of-living crisis, and staying with brands that no longer offer value isn’t noble — it’s expensive.

For women, research shows carry more of the daily financial load, intentional spending is a game-changer. When women align their spending with values rather than pressure or comparison, financial confidence grows, and stress eases.

Tough Love With Your Partner

Next, we turned inward — into our relationships, where money is often the quiet tension simmering beneath the surface.

Healthy couples aren’t lucky; they’re intentional. They schedule money dates, communicate openly and share the mental and emotional load of run-

ning a household.

We talked openly about prenups and Binding Financial Agreements — not as predictions of failure, but as tools for fairness, clarity and respect.

Being “looked after” financially is not the same as being financially safe.

And for women in Western Sydney, who often experience career breaks, part-time work and carer responsibilities transparency is essential protection.

Whether you combine accounts, keep them separate or run a hybrid system, the power comes from communication — not the structure itself.

Money Truths Across Generations

Finally, we tackled the toughest conversation of all: early inheritance and what support between parents and adult children could actually look like.

It’s no secret that younger people are struggling with rent, mortgages and the rising cost of life. Parents want to help, but many are terrified of outliving their money — and with good reason.

Longer lifespans, healthcare costs and market uncertainty mean retirees need more financial security than ever before.

Tough love means this:

Parents are not a bank.

Adult children aren’t falling short for needing support — but the help must be safe, sustainable and fair for everyone.

Families need clarity, not guilt. Structure, not secrecy. Conversations, not assumptions. And women — who live longer and retire with less — need to be protected in this process, not pressured.

The Real Takeaway

Tough love isn’t harsh. It’s honest, grounded and deeply caring.

The conversations you avoid today become the crises you face tomorrow. And the families who thrive financially are the ones who talk early, talk often and talk openly.

So What Now?

To dive deeper into these topics and learn how to start these conversations at home, listen to the full Tough Love Con versations series on Money Maven

The QR Code will take you straight to the Podcast page so make the time to listen.

Follow Money Maven with Sheila on Facebook and LinkedIn to stay connected and get practical tools made for the tradies, professionals and small‑business owners of Western Sydney.

cPa Support for a fairer aTO

CPA Australia supports the Tax Ombudsman’s call for fairer General Interest Charges (GIC) remission and welcomes the ATO accepting all recommendations to improve transparency, consistency and fairness. The group says reforms must include empathy and proportionality, especially for taxpayers facing genuine financial hardship. It stresses clearer guidance, better communication and more balanced decision-making, particularly since GIC became non-deductible in 2025, increasing financial pressure on individuals and small businesses.

Foster care reforms overdue

THE PSA says NSW foster care reforms are a long-overdue reset after outsourcing failures under the Permanency Support Program. The union argues fragmented responsibility harmed outcomes despite rising costs. Reforms will strengthen government oversight, reduce outsourcing, improve accountability, boost foster carer recruitment, and support Aboriginal organisations. The PSA says the changes respond to frontline concerns, restore decision-making to government, and aim to improve child protection outcomes and public confidence.

Govt to review cafe red tape

THE NSW Government will review red tape affecting cafés and restaurants to simplify approvals, reduce paperwork and make compliance clearer for more than 50,000 food businesses. Led by the Productivity and Equality Commissioner, the review will examine licences, permits, reporting and inspections, aiming to cut duplication without lowering safety standards. Building on existing small business reforms, recommendations will be delivered in August 2026 to help operators focus on customers and growth.

Suspended under new laws

NSW Fair Trading has suspended agent Deepak Bangarh’s licence for 60 days over price misrepresentation and failing to pass on all offers and appointed a manager to oversee his business during ongoing investigations. In a separate case, Epping agent John Kim’s licence was cancelled and he was disqualified for five years after allegedly misappropriating about $300,000 in trust funds. NSW is also considering tougher underquoting laws and has launched a public “Name and Shame” register for disciplinary actions.

Newsbytes

real costs of extreme weather

EXTREME weather caused almost $3.5B in insured losses across 264,000 claims in 2025, according to the Insurance Council of Australia. Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred was the costliest event at $1.5 billion, while severe spring hailstorms

Lockout laws finally gone

TWELVE years after Sydney’s lockout laws began, the NSW Government is removing the final major restrictions, including the 3:30am last drinks rule, to boost the night-time economy. Changes also scrap plastic cup rules and other blanket limits, while retaining key safety measures. A review found targeted regulation can maintain safety as assaults decline. The reforms aim to revive live music, support venues, and strengthen Sydney’s growing entertainment precincts and nightlife economy.

Salves urge using Moneycare

THE Salvation Army is urging Australians to use Moneycare, its free financial counselling service, as new research shows 44% will start 2026 in debt and many feel growing financial stress. De-

added $1.4B. Five major events were declared significant or catastrophic. Insurers expect costs to rise as more claims arrive and continue supporting recovery efforts, with further extreme weather already impacting Australia in early 2026.

spite delivering over 48,000 sessions last year, awareness remains low. Moneycare helps with budgeting, debt and financial planning. Survey results show widespread money pressures and discomfort discussing finances, with the Salvos encouraging people to seek support and reduce financial stress.

call for under-18 super

THE Super Members Council wants to scrap rules denying most under-18 workers super, saying 119,000 NSW teens will miss out on $98 million in 2025/26. Current laws require under-18s to work over 30 hours weekly to qualify. The council argues the rule is outdated, worsens the gender super gap, and unfairly excludes part-time workers. It says reform would boost retirement savings, simplify compliance, and has minimal impact on businesses.

Telling stories, celebrating success, inspiring all WISB is about progress. The stories that stem from the rich ecosystem of women growing in and succeeding in businesses across all sectors and all levels.

WWW.WOMNENINSMALLBUSINESS.AU

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CONCERNING MYOPIA RATES AMONG CHILDREN Experts urge more outdoor play

As we move into the 2026 school year, optometrists are encouraging parents to make outdoor play a priority for their children this school year with new data from Bupa Optical revealing that 27 per cent of Australian children who underwent an eye test last year were diagnosed with myopia.

Spending time outdoors has been proven to be beneficial for reducing myopia risk amongst children however outdoor play is on the decline with separate research noting that 50 per cent of kids reported not being allowed to play outside alone or with friends at various times. Additionally, a quarter of Aussie kids say they need improvement in the opportunities to play outside and hang out with friends.

Bupa Optical Optometrist Karen Makin said childhood myopia rates have been on the rise, especially in the years following the COVID pandemic, with fundamental changes to children’s lifestyles lingering well beyond lockdowns.

“We continue to see more and more parents coming in to report that their children have been having trouble in the classroom as a result of vision problems.

“While factors such as genetics play

a significant role in the development of myopia, the common thread amongst many of these new cases is more time in front of screens and less time spent playing outdoors in natural light, which improves contrast sensitivity, reduces eye fatigue, and stimulates dopamine release in the retina, which helps regulate eye growth,” Karen said.

A 2025 study from Macquarie University found secondary school students averaged around 9 hours daily on

screens, while primary students spent appriximatly 6 hours. This is despite Government recommendations that for young people aged 5–17 years, it is recommended they have no more than two hours of sedentary recreational screen time per day.

“While there is a growing trend towards more schoolwork being undertaken online or via devices, we are concerned that recreational time has followed suit, with time spent gaming,

on social media or watching entertainment on smart devices at the expense of time spent playing outside.

“While physical conditions are often easier for parents to spot, vision problems can be much harder to detect. That’s why we recommend yearly eyetests for children ahead of the school year to ensure any issues are detected and addressed early,” Karen said.

Along with special purpose glasses and contact lenses to help control myopia progression, other ways Bupa Optometrists can treat myopia include through Orthokeratology. This is a form of vision correction where hard contact lenses are worn overnight while sleeping and are fitted such that they change the shape of the cornea, resulting in clear vision when the lenses are removed in the morning, as well as keeping the progression of myopia in check.

“But we would much prefer a child didn’t get to the stage of needing vision correction and myopia management, so send your children out into the backyard to play,” added Karen.

With cost-of-living pressures affecting many families, parents can rest assured that eye tests are bulk-billed for eligible Medicare cardholders at Bupa Optical.

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Toki Bistro and Bar, North Sydney

FOR an alternative Friday night dining experience minus the trek into the CBD, Toki Bistro and Bar in North Sydney just might be your answer.

Right in the heart of the business precinct at 100 Miller Street, it is conveniently adjacent to the new Metro and North Sydney stations, offering a sanctuary away from the work week.

The restaurant is located inside of the Northpoint Tower, revitalised in 2018, where a dynamic retail and office space during the day transforms into an elegant dining quarter once the laptops and office doors are closed for the day.

Think soft lights, flowing curtains with talented and welcoming staff, mostly European, adding authenticity to the experience.

The cocktail program rivals Sydney’s best. I enjoyed the Quiet Flame, a delicious balanced blend of Mezcal, Bourbon, and beetroot syrup. Served theatrically under soft curls of smoke, work week dramas seem far away.

/The menu is a clever example of French-Japanese fusion, marrying traditional European culinary technique with delicate flavours and impressive presentation. Our star starters were an aesthetic masterpiece: Stracciatella with onion jam and nectarines coupled with the

Snow Crab toast that almost looked too good to eat!

The Murray Cod, paired with bright orange and fennel, was exceptionally tender, while the Lamb Rump with smoked macadamias offered

Wa rich, textured depth that delights your palate. Guillaume, our charismatic French waiter, politely guided us to better wine choices that didn’t disappoint.

Put Toki on your list of special

places to experience for top Sydney dining in North Sydney.

An intimate dining experience

ITH a laid-back coastal vibe enjoying views across the harbour at Rose Bay in Sydney, Rasa House is one of the coolest places to kick back and enjoy a specially curated cocktail while you leisurely choose any of their Asian inspired delights from the menu.

Rasa House has developed a strong and loyal following from ‘its locals’ as well as the more intrepid traveller with a culinary sense of adventure who pack this restaurant out 7 days a week.

Vinnay Matta, the charismatic owner of Rasa House, effortlessly engages with all his guests to ensure that their dining experience exceeds their expectations. He is adept at suggesting the right dishes for you to experience the depth and breadth of his east and southeast Asia culinary traditions. With a range of exotic foods presented to perfection, Vinnay ensures that all tastes are catered for. The absolute stand out for me was his hibachi grilled satay chicken skewers!!

Bookings: https://www.rasahouse.com.au/#bookings

Telling stories, celebrating success, inspiring all WISB is about progress. The stories that stem from the rich ecosystem of women growing in and succeeding in businesses across all sectors and all levels.

Delicious memories of the Lau Pa Sat hawker markets in Singapore immediately flooded through my head as soon as I bit into Vinnay’s version of this delicacy.

The friendly, professional service and attention to detail by the Rasa House team changed my thoughts from having “just a night out for dinner” to being fully immersed in an exotic food journey where I savoured the dietary delights from cultures embedded across Asia. Alyssa, our attentive team mem

ber with her Nebraskan accent who has since made Australia home, made sure that we paired the right wine, chosen from their extensive international wine list, with our food choices. The result was a delight to our senses.

As a restaurant that can host an intimate dinner for two through to a full family gathering, all while overlooking Sydney Harbour, it has endeared itself to me as one that I will return to so I can continue my exotic food journey with Vinnay and his team.

with Emma Wilson

Wine Pairing, Greek Dining in The Rocks

FOR one night only, The Rocks’ newest Greek taverna Jimmy’s Kitchen is hosting a special wine-pairing dinner bringing together traditional Greek dining and boutique Australian winemaking.

In collaboration with Small Forest Wines, the Upper Hunter label by acclaimed Japanese-born winemaker Atsuko Radcliffe, the $185pp ticketed experience will feature a four-course Greek menu paired with her small-batch wines, now newly listed at the venue.

Guests will enjoy pairings throughout the night including village-style spanakopita paired with Small Forest Verdelho 2022, Chargrilled Striploin Steak paired with Shiraz 2019 and smokey hot pita bread & fries w/ oregano & feta, alongside live Greek dancing, entertainment, and the warm, old-school hospitality Jimmy’s Kitchen has quickly become known for.

Founded in 2013, Small Forest Wines is the culmination of Radcliffe’s nearly four decades of experience across Australia, France and Japan, including her role as an International Wine Challenge judge in London

an honour she has held annually since 2012. Today, she produces small-batch wines that express the character of the Upper Hunter and are known for being vibrant, food-friendly, and easy to drink.

The world Is our oyster, women embracing adventure at any age

„ TRAVEL EDITOR EMMA WILSON

FOR a very long time indeed -women were expected to fade into the background once the days of ironing school uniforms and cleaning out lunch boxes were done.That era is over.

Today, women are not retreating instead, they’re stepping into new adventures. And no one shows this better

than Di Westaway OAM, founder of Coastrek and Wild Women on Top.

Wild Women on Top was founded in 2004 by Di to connect and support women in the outdoors. Di launched Coastrek in 2009 as a team trekking challenge designed to inspire women to get outdoors, move their bodies and support each other while raising funds for charity.

What began as a simple idea of women walking spectacular coastal trails together has grown into a powerful movement that has raised tens of millions of dollars for organisations such as the Fred Hollows Foundation, funding vital programs to restore sight and improve health outcomes around the world.

A new grandmother now, Di admits that the older she gets, the more she finds fresh joy on the bike, ocean swimming or rock climbing on rock faces in Greece. As she ages, she’s not slowing down, she’s discovering honing her technique, getting better, and fully embracing the belief that the world truly opens up as we grow.

Di is a great example to mothers everywhere, cleaning squished bananas out of the bottom of school bags wondering if our best years are behind us. Equally, Di’s story isn’t just about her, it’s about what’s possible for all of

us. We need women like Di. Women who show us that there’s no age limit on adventure. Whether it’s walking, cycling, climbing or ocean swimming. Di’s journey reminds us all that the best discoveries are still ahead.

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, pick up those trekking shoes, grab that bike, and remember that adventure doesn’t have an age limit. https://www.wildwomenontop.com/

a

Are you looking for support or worried about someone you care about? Call Medicare Mental Health and we’ll guide you to the right services and supports for your needs. Phone 1800 595 212.

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REVIEW:

There’s

a little

bit

of heart in the formula for this Aussie-set rom-com

„ JACOB RICHARDSON

GRACE (Teresa Palmer) counts numbers incessantly, in an effort to hold her world together. But a chance encounter with Seamus (Joe Dempsie) leads her to take a chance on love; throwing her world upside down in the process.

Addition struggles to shake off, perhaps, the shackles of the nation in which it comes from. There are little fingerprints that tell you it’s an Aussie film; an overly complicated plot with a raft of extraneous side characters, plenty of ‘inclusion’, and perhaps a touch too much in making it look amazing.

It’s when the makeup of Addition casts off these extra little elements and focuses on what it should be - a good rom-com - that it works best. here’s a lot of nuance and difficulty in this story, but the central conceit, of a woman with a mental illness that impedes, and ultimately implodes, her romantic life, is a strong one, and handled well. At least, up until that implosion. Teresa Palmer does an OK job in the lead, but Joe Dempsie as her erstwhile lover is far and away the standout.

And they have a good chemistry, aided by some wonderfully strong dialogue from Becca Johnstone and Toni Jordan’s script.

The problem with Addition - outside of the trap-

pings already identified - fundamentally comes down to the structure. Whereas one might imagine a typical structure where the romantic leads break up after some complication caused by Grace’s illness, but are brought back together again, this film tries to eschew that - to some extent - in favour of a more complex, interweaved storyline that never quite takes off.

While there is a complication, it feels incredibly rushed because of all of the disparate elements the filmmakers are trying to cram in here (including a Tesla apparition, a tragic backstory, and a niece discovering her sexuality).

When we should be rooting for Grace and Sea-

mus to put aside their differences and get back together, instead we’re treated to a rapid ‘fixing’ of Grace’s illness by a therapist in a deus ex machina way, a shoehorned in plot with Grace’s niece confiding her secrets in her, and a hurried makeup between the actual characters we care about. It’s too many numbers to add up to a satisfying film.

Which is a shame, because the back and forth banter, the meet cute, the challenges of their relationship and the genuine chemistry between the two actors in the lead relationship is really strong. Some of these lines are laugh out loud funny, even for the jaded critic.

But spreading it so thin, because the screentime is being used for this ‘complex’ backstory, does a disservice to what we’re actually interested in here - how do two people find a way to make their love work in the face of such adversity?

There are great ideas captured here, and the film stands strong as a slightly more complex rom-com in a country that produces very few of those, but it is made all the more bittersweet to see it stumble in the third act, when the relationship it had started to build felt so strong; until it got distracted by other plot threads.

Addition never quite adds up to the sum of its parts. With a strong central romance and a standout performance from Joe Dempsie, the film nevertheless ties itself in knots to provide complexity and nuance it doesn’t need. 3 STARS.

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