By BOB DWYER, Parramatta Lord Mayor
WHAT a busy month January has been in Parramatta! While our Australia Day celebrations were low-key this year, I had the privilege of welcoming dozens of new citizens in a special online ceremony on January 26.
It was also a pleasure to honour several local heroes for their service to the community at our Australia Day Local Awards. February is shaping up to be another exciting month, with lots happening in the City of Parramatta.
Night-Time Economy Grants
Parramatta’s night-time economy is one of the largest in NSW, valued at $1.1B. Our vibrant dining and entertainment sector attracts thousands of visitors to our City. And, we locals, love nothing more than catching up with friends over a meal on Eat Street, before heading to a show at Riverside Theatres, or enjoying some live music in one of our many venues.
There is no doubt, however, that COVID has hit this sector hard. Which is why I am looking forward to seeing the applications for a share in Council’s $50,000 Night-Time Economy Activation grants. These grants will help local businesses, groups, and individuals develop projects or trial new and interesting concepts that will boost our local night-time sector and help us become a thriving 24-hour destination.
Applications are open now and will close at 5pm on Friday, February 22. To learn more or apply, visit cityofparramatta.co/night-grants
These grants are among a range of annual Council grants available for community, clubs, events, and creative initiatives. Find out more at cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/community/grants
Park for free
For the next few months, until 30 April 2021, you can park for free at Council’s City Centre and Eat Street carparks between 11am and 3am the next day, Monday to Saturday. All you need to do is spend $20 at a participating business.
Just ask for your free parking voucher when you pay for your purchases.
Find out more at cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/free-parking
That Summer Feeling
Although we are nearing the end of summer, you can still share in prizes worth $10,000 in our ’That Summer Feeling’ competition. All you have to do is share a photo or video on Instagram or Facebook showing what the ‘That Summer Feeling’ at Parramatta means to you, and you will go into the daily draw to win a $100 AT PARRAMATTA Gift Card! Tag us @atparramatta or use the hashtag #summerwhereitsat. Find out more atparramatta.com/summer
Shows at Riverside Theatres
Only a few more sleeps till the smash hit musical, We Will Rock You, opens at Riverside Theatres and I can’t wait! It’s billed as a hilarious, eccentric, and moving story of outsiders rising up against the establishment, with a backing soundtrack from Queen. Set in the future, where rock music and all musical instruments are banned, revolutionaries Galileo and Scaramouche have to break free!
Lovers and curious of fine music will enjoy the marvellous Paul Cutlan String Project: Living. Bridging classical, jazz and global styles, the music touches on themes of motherhood, friendship, memory, conflict and reflection.
Meanwhile, Queerstories, part of Maeve Marsden’s groundbreaking national LGBTQI+ storytelling project, features local storytellers Miranda Aguilar, Mark Mariano, Jane Marsden and more.
These are just a few of the shows at Riverside Theatres this February. For more information and bookings visit riversideparramatta.com.au, or call Box Office at (02) 8839 3399.
Church Street, We’re Open
Council continues to support our Eat Street business through the ‘Church Street, We’re Open’ campaign. Book a table and have a night out supporting one of our fantastic local eateries. https://discoverparramatta.com/eat-and-drink/church-st-were-open
Council Meetings
Council Meetings are typically held on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 6.30pm. Due to impacts of COVID-19, the public can’t attend in person, but you can watch the meetings through the live-stream video link on Council’s website. For more information and to access the live-stream link, visit www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/councilmeetings
Bob Dwyer is Lord Mayor of Parramatta. You can also find my Lord Mayor’s message online on the City of Parramatta website: www.cityofparramatta.co/LMmessage
