HE’S talented, a bit shy and only 18 years old - but Australian Idol finalist Nathan Brake is the idol of Parramatta Council after becoming the city’s first Goodwill Ambassador.
Lord Mayor Paul Garrard launched his Goodwill Ambassador program, with Nathan named as the first, at Monday night’s council meeting.
Nathan, who lives at Guildford and attends the Performing Arts High School at Harris Park, travelled with his mother from the Australian Idol house in Mosman to accept the honour.
He bashfully thanked councillors as he accepted the framed certificate.
“I thank you for …

Why be stuck in traffic jams and pay ever increasing road tolls when you can bicycle ride to work?
National Ride to Work Day is an annual event across Australia which aims at encouraging commuters to ride their bikes full or part way to and from work.
This morning starting at 7.00am a steady stream of riders turned up to Prince Alfred Park Parramatta for a free coffee & muffin and a chatted to fellow bike commuters before heading off to work. I lost count but at least 60 riders turned up, …

LORD Mayor Paul Garrard and union stalwarts led by legendary activist Jack Mundey were all beating the same drum on Parramatta Wharf on Friday save the Parramatta RiverCat service.
Both the lord mayor and the activists chose Friday to launch their separate campaigns to keep ferries in public hands and to upgrade the service to Parramatta.
In the morning, Mundey and his crew of activists were down on the wharf in the morning with their cry for the ferry service to stay in public hands.
Mundey, former president of the Builders’ Labourers Federation …

Winger Bryson Goodwin says his ex-Kangaroo father backs his decision to pledge his rugby league allegiance to the Kiwis.
Goodwin, who was born in New South Wales town Parkes, is one of four new caps in the New Zealand side for a one-off test against Tonga in Rotorua on Wednesday.
The match is a dress rehearsal for the Kiwis before they fly out for the inaugural Four Nations tournament in England and France.
Goodwin, who was in prolific try-scoring form for the Bulldogs this year, qualifies for New Zealand through his Maori grandmother …

PARRAMATTA’S finest painters, art lovers and talented students are taking part in October’s Foundation Week Open Arts Award Exhibition.
This is Parramatta Art Society’s major annual event which has been running for more than 20 years.
Society secretary Brian Richardson said 100 artists entered a total of 320 paintings, all of which would be hung.
“There are six categories, the main three being artworks of all mediums, paintings of Parramatta district, and a junior section for students,” Mr Richardson said.
“This year we’re trying to enhance the local Parramatta theme.”
He said the event was …