COMMUNITY CENTRE NAMED IN HONOUR OF FORMER MAYOR

When former Mayor Helen Westwood AM opened the Chester Hill Community Centre nearly 20 years ago, she had a bold vision the multipurpose facility would meet the needs of the community for generations to come.

So, it was a fitting tribute to the popular Mayor when the building was renamed to the Helen Westwood Chester Hill Community Centre in a special ceremony last Friday.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek joined family members and Councillors to officially rename the Centre and honour the former Mayor.

“It has been an important hub for our local community and it would not have been a reality without the tireless advocacy of Helen,” Mayor El-Hayek said.

“Helen has stood up for all members of the community and has been an outstanding and articulate advocate for women.

“She has not backed down on issues such as domestic violence and has worked relentlessly to open up and expand Disability Services.”

Since opening in 2005, the facility has catered for senior citizens services, before and after school care, support for people with disability, and has been a focal meeting point for many locals.

“We knew there was a need for spaces for people to come together – for volunteer groups providing support services and for local kids to come before and after school,” Ms Westwood said.

“Using the existing Senior Citizens Centre, but extending it, we designed the multipurpose building.

“It was a complicated process but with a lot of goodwill we were able to achieve it!”

Ms Westwood said it was really special to have the Centre named in her honour.

“When I looked around, there’s very few things that bear the name or reflect the contribution that women have made in our society. For that reason, I am really pleased,” Ms Westwood said.

The Helen Westwood Chester Hill Community Centre is available for a range of activities and functions. For more information, visit cb.city/HallsAndCentres