If the last few years have left you stressed, anxious, sad or overwhelmed, you are not alone!
Multiple extreme weather events, COVID-19, the rising cost of living, and financial stress and the start of a new dry period have affected all of us in different ways.
Dealing with the effects of natural disasters and other unexpected events can have long-term effects on our mental health and wellbeing. It’s natural to experience a range of responses and emotions, including stress, fear, and anxiety. If you have been directly affected, you might still be feeling intense emotions. You may have concerns about how the experience has affected your family, your living arrangements, finances, school, or work.
Even if you have not been directly affected, you may have ongoing distress from previous events. You may have loved ones who are going through a rough time, or you may feel overwhelmed from media coverage or hearing people around you talk about the event(s).
Whatever you’re going through, it is important that you talk to someone you trust and find support. This could include talking with friends, family, and community members as well as services in your local area, your GP, or a national support service about how you are feeling.
Anyone living in Australia can call Head to Health on 1800 595 212
BELLS LINE ROAD BUSINESS COUNCIL NETWORKING MEETING – Rescheduled
The next BLOR Business networking meeting was being held on Tuesday 20 June 2023 has been RESCHEDULED to Tuesday the 4th July at 6pm at the Archibald Hotel Kurrajong Heights. Come along and hear what’s going on for businesses in our local area and have your say on how things can be improved.
For further information visit our website www.bellslineroad.com .au or email: blorbusinesscouncil@gmail.com or ring Liz on 0424329785
Everyone is welcome and looking forward to seeing you on Tuesday 4th July at the Archibald 😊
COMMUNITY GROUPS welcoming new members
MT LAGOON SATURDAY BBQ LUNCH held the first and third Saturdays in the month starting at 12 noon beside the RFS shed on Sam’s Way. Everyone welcome.
MT TOMAH AND BERAMBING COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION INC welcomes new members, and you can contact them at mtra2020@gmail.com for updates on their next event.
KURRAJONG HEIGHTS GARDEN CLUB has regularly activities and everyone is welcome. Contact Joanne on 0409762686
KURRAJONG HEIGHTS BOWLING CLUB welcomes everyone to attend any activities. Check out our Facebook page or ring Lichell on 0417656437
BELLS LINE ROAD BUSINESS COUNCIL meets monthly and has regular networking meetings. Contact Fiona on 0416031885
HAWKESBURY HARVEST FARM gate trail meets monthly and welcomes everyone. Contact Eric on 0438731712
NEPEAN HAWKESBURY LAND CARE holds regular events and would love to see you at them. Contact Katherine on 45749604
THE CLUB COMMUNITY GARDEN welcomes new people to the Kurrajong Heights Bowling Club for a paddock to the plate affair. Come and plant, pick and eat their way from the garden to the Club kitchen. Contact Eric on 0438731712
Email news of your community group to bilpindistrictcommunitynews@gmail.com
ARTS & CULTURE IN THE HIGHLANDS
Arts and culture play a crucial role in all our lives. They contribute to the unique identity and sense of pride within a rural community. They showcase the local heritage, traditions, and customs, preserving the community’s history and fostering a strong connection to the past. This shared identity strengthens social cohesion and community spirit.
TELLING OUR STORIES
Each of our little communities in the Highlands have their own stories that connect neighbours that entertain, educate, and enhance our feeling of belonging. These stories are told standing around a fire, stopped on the side of the road through car windows and in the next editions on Hawkesbury Highlands! We will bring you stories forest floor in the next edition of the Highlands.
SEEING OUR WORLD OF NATURAL BEAUTY
Arts and culture broaden perspectives, stimulate critical thinking, and encourage lifelong learning. Cultural institutions like the BigCi, located on Hanlon’s Road North is one of the jewels in our cultural crown.
BigCi is an independent, artist run, not for profit artist residency program in Bilpin, Australia (near Sydney), focusing on artists’ professional development and facilitating their projects. It was established and is run by Rae Bolotin, a practicing artist, and Yuri Bolotin, environmentalist, and wilderness explorer. Artists-in- residence can present their work during a BigCi Open Day that takes place at the end of their stay. To get on the mailing list and be notified of their events go to https://bigci.org/
CULTURAL TOURISM – SYDNEY STICKY PEAKS
Cultural tourism happens mostly on weekends during the cooler months in the Highland. Sticky beaks from Sydney come to Kurrajong Heights to look over the sprawl of suburban Sydney and onto the Highland to experience rural Australia by picking their own fruit, looking at farmyard animals, buying local products and stretching out in the open space.
Cultural tourism brings economic benefits to the community by supporting a Creative economy and entrepreneurship. They inspire and nurture creative talent, encouraging local artists, artisans, and entrepreneurs to showcase their work and develop creative enterprises.
We have visual arts at the BigCi, performing arts at the Bowlo with the Bilpin Elvis & Miranda’s monthly cabaret shows, and significant number of local food and drink products from Bilpin Bush Honey to Hillbilly Cider.
This diversification of economic activities help grow our local economies, create employment opportunities, and retain people in the community.
SOCIAL INTEGRATION AND INCLUSIVITY
Arts and cultural events provide opportunities for people of all ages and backgrounds to come together. They serve as a platform for social interaction, breaking down barriers and fostering a sense of belonging. Cultural activities promote inclusivity by celebrating diversity and encouraging dialogue between different groups within the community. This is why we produce the Hawkesbury Highlands Newsletter.
COMMUNITY GROUPS welcoming new members
Mt Lagoon Saturday BBQ lunch held the first and third Saturdays in the month starting at 12 noon beside the RFS shed on Sam’s Way. Everyone welcome.
Kurrajong Heights Garden Club has regularly activities and everyone is welcome. Contact Joanne on 0407626
Kurrajong Heights Bowling Club welcomes everyone to attend any activities. Check out our Facebook page or ring Lichell on 0417656437
Bells Line Road Business Council meets monthly and has regular networking meetings. Contact Fiona on 0416031885
Hawkesbury Harvest Farm gate trail meets monthly and welcomes everyone. Contact Eric on 0438731712
Nepean Hawkesbury Land care holds regular events and would love to see you at them. Contact Katherine on 45749604
The Club Community Garden welcomes new people to the Kurrajong Heights Bowling Club for a paddock to the plate affair. Come and plant, pick and eat their way from the garden to the Club kitchen. Contact Eric on 0438731712
Email news of your community group to bilpindistrictcommunitynews@gmail.com