Here’s your chance to win a framed jersey signed by the entire 2009 Pirtek Parramatta Eels squad and help out a family in need at the same time.
Coordinated by Pro Frame Design, a family run and owned business based in Penrith, the jersey raffle is being held to raise funds for the family of Fairfield High School maths teacher Fred Pham, who is battling stomach cancer.
Mr. Pham is a husband and father of five. He has been given just months to live.
All funds raised from the raffle will be donated …

KIM Rorke didn’t know it but as her little girl was having an emergency operation in hospital for a cut lip she, too, was being stitched up.
The Greystanes mother had already driven around The Children’s Hospital at Westmead’s crowded carpark a few times with her distraught daughter, Verity, before parking in Parramatta Park, a 15-minute walk away.
Five hours later, and unable to leave the hospital, Mrs Rorke found she had been fined $85.
Despite having a letter from a doctor explaining that her daughter had had an emergency operation, the State …

PARRAMATTA River will come alive this Saturday as Riverbeats, the city’s annual arts festival, bursts into life with the free Riverbeats Live concert.
Internationally-renowned musicians will take to the stage as part of a spectacular multimedia show held on the river.
The night will kick off with a procession of more than 100 percussionists called the Big Bang Drumming Ensemble, made up of drummers representing the rhythmic traditions of different cultures found within the area.
The drummers will lead the way down Church St to the Riverbanks to open Riverbeats Live, before Synergy …

THE role of Lady Mayoress is about to be reprised with vigour in Parramatta with Lord Mayor Paul Garrard’s wife about to step out from the shadows.
Between raising their daughter, and running the household and family party hire business, Karen Garrard has been happy to be the behind-the-scenes support for her husband, who has served 35 years on council.
The Garrards have been married for 18 years and their daughter is almost 17.
During that time, Paul Garrard has been lord mayor when their daughter was aged 3, 6 and 11.
“I was …

OUR city is set to be one of the few wireless cities in the world, if Lord Mayor Paul Garrard has his way.

Cr Garrard is pushing for his eParra Strategy which will bring wireless internet to the CBD for businesses, residents and visitors.
An enthusiastic Cr Garrard put forward his ideas for an e-city at last week’s council meeting with support from all councillors except Cr Andrew Wilson who questioned whether it was council’s responsibility to wi-fi the city.
But Cr Garrard’s plan is as short on detail as it was when …