Blacktown City Coucil's Annual Garden Competition is back for 2020!

It's time to showcase your creative flair and have your hard work recognised during the annual Blacktown City Garden Competition. With all the changes happening in the world with COVID-19 and many families now home bound, this is a perfect opportunity to keep active and maintain your pride and joy. 

Council are on the lookout for the city's best gardens across the following categories (max 3 per entry):

• Best Front Garden
• Best Back Garden
• Best Commercial Garden (Retirement Village or Business)
• Best Education Facility Garden (all education facilities) 
• Best Edible Garden (Residential/education/business)
• Best Australian Native Garden 
• Best Sustainable Garden
• Best Community Garden
• Best Individual Residential (unit/townhouse)
• Best Garden by Senior Citizen (60 years +)
• Best Themed/Novel Garden
• Best Garden by a Person/Group with a Disability.

Preliminary judging will be conducted between 31 August - 11 September 2020 inclusive, with the final round judging by industry experts in Late September Early October 2020.

For full details or to enter the competition, visit Council's website.

Tennis is back! The tennis courts at Blacktown Leisure Centre, Stanhope are reopening from Monday the 11th of May.

Court hire is only available through online bookings, and at a very affordable rate of $10 per hour. Book a court today at blacktown.nsw.gov.au/btcs.

For futher details call the Blacktown Tennis Centre team on 9421 2600.🎾

Enjoy the festivities of Australia Day 2020 at Blacktown City Council's annual Australia Day celebration at The Rooty Hill!

The Rooty Hill will play host to an outstanding stage program, free kids amusement rides, FMZ Demonstrations, Food Trucks and Stalls

SWR Triple 9 will also be broadcasting LIVE from The Rooty Hill, from 4pm to late. Alongside all Aussie music all day on SWR!

4pm - Anthems of Oz
4:45pm - Aussie FMX
5pm - The Oils Tribute
5:45pm - Aussie FMX
6pm - Choir Boys
6:45pm - Aussie FMX
7pm - SHANNON NOLL
8:15pm - DRAGON

The SWR Triple 9 FM Live Radio Gig for 2019 has been announced!

SPY v SPY are headlining and Hype Duo launching their new album live! Alongside Love Child, Whiteford and our very own Jessey Napa (from the Musos Show) performing live!

All at Western Sydney's Premier Live Music Venue, The Ettamogah on Saturday 30th November from 4pm to late and broadcasting live on SWR 99.9 FM.

It's a day not to miss! 

CLICK HERE to RSVP to the Facebook event or click the image below:

This year’s fundraising goal of $80,000 will support Vinnies programs, including Community Hubs, which provide advocacy and advice for those in need; Vinnies Conferences, which provide emergency relief and compassion to those doing it tough in our community; and Social Justice activities.

When: Friday 30 August to Saturday 31 August
Where: Western Sydney University, Parramatta South Campus (Rydalmere)​

The award winning Sydney Cherry Blossom Festival is back in 2019, bringing you a festival all about food, flowers and feeling good.

The 2019 Sydney Blossom Festival will be held across 9 days commencing on Saturday 17 August and continuing to Sunday 25 August 2019. 

Auburn Botanic Gardens open from 9am - 5pm.

There are different themes and entertainment for weekends and weekdays so be sure to pick a day that's best for you.

For further information, visit Cumberland City Councils website here.

Sydney Wildlife is an organisation dedicated to rescuing, rehabilitating and releasing sick, injured and orphaned native animals. In order to do this, they require more volunteers to care for Sydney's Wildlife, especially carers in Western Sydney, where more volunteers are required.

If this sounds like something you are interested in, why not have a look at attending Sydney Wildlife's next training session, held on the 10th and 11th August, from 8:30am to 4:30pm, in Londonderry. Following your training, you will become licensed by National Parks and Wildlife to care for the wildlife, and you will be fully insured. 

The cost of training covers the cost of equipment you will need.

Sydney Wildlife receive over 13, 000 calls for help each year, and they need your help to care for Sydney's Wildlife. If you're looking for more information, visit their website, email training@sydneywildlife.org.au or call 02 9413 4300. 

When: 5-21 July 2019
Where: Price Alfred Square, Parramatta

Sydney's biggest winter festival will return to Parramatta for 17-days of magical winter fun
from 5-21 July.

Prince Alfred Square is set to transform into an idyllic winter wonderland, featuring an open-air ice-skating rink, illuminated Ferris Wheel, carnival rides, night markets, cabaret shows, live music, alpine food village, interactive workshops, themed nights and more. There is something for everyone to enjoy!

The opening night of the festival on Friday 5 July will feature a dazzling Ice Queen slilt-walking display, and unlimited carnival and ice-skating rides for just $35 per person.

​The Alpine Food Village will have an array of delicious food options from stalls such as a Blackbear BBQ, Zahara Grill, Waffle Pops and Gelato Messina.

Winterlight's popular Theme Nights are set to make a return this year, running every Thursday
throughout the duration of the program. Make a love song dedication to your ice-skating partner during Date Night on Thursday 11 July, or cover yourself in glow-in-the-dark paint for Neon Night on Thursday 18 July.

​For more information on the full Winterlight Program, visit winterlight.com.au

SWR Triple 9 FM will be broadcasting LIVE from the top of The Rooty Hill, once again! Make sure you come and say g'day to the SWR Crew at the top of the hill!

Enjoy all the festivities of Australia Day 2019 at Blacktown City Council's Australia Day Celebrations!


The Rooty Hill will host an array of activities including free amusement rides and Australiana demonstrations, ahead of a spectacular fireworks display.


Featuring live performances by headliners The Screaming Jets and TMG as well as Boys Light Up, Original Sin INXS Show and Oz Icons. 


The Rooty Hill is a 10 minute walk from Rooty Hill Railway Station or can be accessed by car via Eastern Road, Rooty Hill. Limited free parking is available.


Stage Program
3.30 pm Gates open on Eastern Road, Rooty Hill
4.00 pm Boys Light Up
5.00 pm Original Sin INXS Show
6.00 pm Oz Icons
7.00 pm TMG
8.15 pm The Screaming Jets
9.15 pm Fireworks Spectacular
9.30 pm Event Close


Australia Day 2018 is proudly presented by Blacktown City Council and supported by
​Featherdale Wildlife Park

A free, fun-filled evening of celebrations in the Auburn Botanic Gardens on Saturday 8 December from 5pm.

Auburn Botanic Gardens will be turned into a magical Grinch themed wonderland for one special night this Christmas where things have turned decidedly ‘green’ as Dr Seuss’ beloved Grinch helps us remember the true meaning of Christmas…. You might even cross paths with the Grinch himself.


This year's Christmas in the Gardens is free and features Christmas lights, Christmas carols by local community groups, free rides and Christmas activities, Dr. Seuss themed foods and an open air movie screening. Please bring your own blanket and pillow to sit on in the Amphitheatre.


Entertainment line up

• Christmas Carols with Holroyd Brass Band - 6pm
• Christmas Carols with Cumberland Community Choir - 7pm
• Meet the Grinch at the Grinch's Lair - 5pm to 9pm
• Grinch’s Disco Party - 5pm to 9pm
• Whoville Carnival rides - 5pm to 9pm
• Face Painting and Grinch Christmas Cookie Making - 5pm to 9pm
• Movie screening of the Dr. Seuss classic ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas’ starring Jim Carrey (Rated PG). The movie starts at 8.00pm at the Mt Crumpit Open Air Cinema Amphitheatre.

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