The NSW Office of Liquor Gaming & Racing, the government department reponsible for the management of charitable licensing and fundraising activity in New South Wales, has made an innovative step forward in keeping charities up-to-date with changes in legislation and other matters affecting their fundraising activities. A new e-newsletter will be sent directly to subscribers, keeping the industry abreast of any breaking news. Anyone interested in receiving eNews should visit www.olgr.nsw.gov.au and register.

Lifestart volunteer Sandra Francis has won the 2009 Rotary Community ‘Unsung Hero’ Award. Nominated by Lifestart mum Ainsley Poulos, Sandra has assisted on fundraising activities at our Eastern Sydney Centre for the past two years. “Sandra has been great” said Ainsley. “She doesn’t even have kids at the centre but still helps in every way she can. That’s real community spirit.”

Despite having a busy working life as Office Support Manager for Clayton Utz, Sandra is also an active member of Maroubra Surf Lifesaving Club and assists a number of other charities. Lifestart has a number of volunteers working in various roles and we thank all of them for their time and effort.

(Ainsley Poulos is mother of 4 year old Archie, who attends the Lifestart Eastern Sydney Centre. If you would like information about volunteering with Lifestart, please call 9807 9700.)

The Lifestart Nepean Golf Day & Celebrity Dinner is being held at Penrith Golf Club on Friday 28 November. For full details and to register go to our Events page.

The Lifestart TTP Program (Therapy Transition Program) has been operating since the beginning of Term 3 as part of our Eastern Sydney centre.  The program works with children preparing to attend mainstream school the following year and there are currently 17 children in the program. TTP Co-ordinator Lauren Mills said: “Term 4 is a very busy time with a lot of nervous parents - but all the children are enjoying their first visits to their new schools. The staff at all the schools have been very helpful and welcoming.”

For further information on the TTP Program contact Lauren Mills on 9315 5436.

Lifestart Christmas cards, beautifully drawn by our Lifestart special kids, are now on sale. To view the cards and for details on how to order them go to our ‘Shopping With Lifestart’ page.

The new Lifestart Nepean centre was officially launched by Penrith Councillor John Thain on Tuesday 28 October. Located in the former St Marys Occasional Care Centre in Carinya Aveneue, the new premises have been provided courtesy of Penrith Council and Clr. Thain was instrumental in assisting Lifestart gain Council support.

New Australian movie The Black Balloon has received the highest number of nominations for this year’s Australian Film Industry Awards with eleven nominations. The film has been described as “a warm-hearted drama about a family whose lives are dominated by an autistic teenager.”