GRAFFITI is about to be blasted out of Parramatta with council’s new graffiti removal unit.
The truck uses environmentally-friendly sodium bicarbonate to blast graffiti off buildings and walls as quickly as possible after council has been notified of the vandalism.
Parramatta Council bought the graffiti-blaster after councillors John Chedid and Michael McDermott campaigned for a better solution to the city’s growing problem.
Lord Mayor Paul Garrard said graffiti vandalism was costing Parramatta money and resources which could be better used to enhance the city.
“We are determined to keep our city clean and attractive, …

THERE has been a spike in stealing from motor vehicles around Granville and Guildford railway stations over the festive season while in Parramatta, the offence is under control, police report.
Rosehill police are warning motorists to lock their cars and hide valuables such as GPS navigators, laptop computers and mobile telephones after a spike in vehicle break-ins.
Acting local area commander Det Insp Garry Sims said stealing from motor vehicles had increased over the past three months, especially in carparks around Granville and Guildford railway stations.
“This has been happening over the past …

His outstretched arm rested on the table, with his fist clenched.
Harold Moss held his chin high as he sat upright in his chair.
Yet his eyes were red as tears welled inside.
The 86-year-old Ballina man kept saying time heals old wounds.
But then he agreed with a quick shake of his head: “Not really”.
Too many mates had been lost.
And now Mr Moss is believed to be the last alive.
He was one of 24 survivors of a little-known World War II disaster, the sinking of HMAS Parramatta II in the Mediterranean in the …

Most Rev Anthony Fisher has been made Bishop of Parramatta by the Pope. At 49 years of age, the appointment makes Bishop Fisher the youngest Catholic bishop in Australia. The Diocese of Parramatta covers a large area and includes the Blacktown, Holroyd, Parramatta and Penrith Council areas as well as some of the Liverpool Municipality.
Bishop Anthony Fisher was the Coordinator of World Youth Day 2008 in Sydney and was the Parish Priest in Watson’s Bay for the last seven years. Bishop Fisher replaces Most Rev Kevin Manning as Bishop of …

The principal of Emmanuel College in Victoria has declared that Good Friday should be preserved as a holy day, in response to news that Old Collegians and Merrivale were proposing to play a game of football on Good Friday this year.
The match would be held a day before the Warrnambool and District Football Netball League (WDFNL) has scheduled first-round matches for the 2010 season, The Warrnambool Standard reports.
“It should be kept as a holy day,” College principal Philip Morison said. “That’s a personal belief.”
Mr Morison warned that a game could …