Julian Leeser (Berowra, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

For many years, the Arcadia Markets have been held at the Arcadia Public School. Conceived in 2009 by the Arcadia Public School P&C, it's both a local community event and a fundraiser. The project was taken on by the energetic and enthusiastic Meegen Gamson, who's built an incredible event from that initial idea. Along with many local school parents, people like the P&C president, Trent Dawson, Kathy Carter-Jones and Carolyn Dawson, Meegen's worked tirelessly to develop the Arcadia Markets into a hugely successful event. There's a very strong sense of community identity in Arcadia, as evidenced by the number of people sporting the 'Proudly Arcadian' t-shirts and carrying the 'Proudly Arcadian' merchandise.

The markets partner with the Old Skool Car Show, coordinated by Geoff Lister, as well as local community groups, including the Arcadia RFS, the Dural and District Historical Society, the Arcadia Pony Club, the Hills Hawks Football Club, the Dance Forte Dance School, the Lucia Beninati School of Ballet and St Columb's Church congregation. The white elephant stall, run by Dale Carn, provides an opportunity to find recycled treasures at bargain prices, with all the funds going to the school. Several local nursery wholesalers, including Overland Nurseries, Cameron's Nursery, Valley View Nursery and Lotsacolour Nursery regularly donate a generous number of plants. The school principal, Sharon O'Brien, also volunteered her time on Arcadia Market day, with a focus this year on viewing the 1994 Time Capsule items. Children were given a strong sense of our local history as they contributed to the new time capsule. The Arcadia Markets are a reflection of the wonderful community spirit of Berowra.