22nd October, 2025.
Last week I joined the vibrant celebrations at the Arts Alive Festival in Picton, Wollondilly. A wonderful showcase of creativity and community spirit. It was great to stand alongside Anna Watson MP - Member for Shellharbour, who represented the Minister for the Arts, The Hon. John Graham MLC. The aim of the Arts Alive festival is to shine a spotlight on the arts, the talented creators and artists, live music, and the performances from across the Wollondilly and Macarthur region, celebrating local talent and culture. Thanks to the generous support of the NSW Government through the Open Streets Program (2025–2028), Wollondilly Shire Council received a $350,000 grant to bring this incredible event to life. I want to thank Wollondilly Shire Council and the hardworking and dedicated council team, stallholders, food trucks, local businesses, creatives and cultural dances, who all worked hard to bring this open and free festival to the community. Wollondilly again shines with its amazing vision for community focused events.
