Hugh's news

Welcome

Welcome to the very first edition of my monthly, Darling Range community e-newsletter!

From my office in Byford I get to see some of the best of this community. Every day my staff and I are visited by residents from across the electorate, who bring a whole range of issues and concerns to my attention. 

Sometimes there are easy fixes to be found, and other times they might need a bit more legwork to solve. But we are always keen to help, and grateful to work in a community that truly cares about making this amazing place an even better one to live in. 

That is why I started this newsletter - to put a spotlight on the organisations, businesses, clubs and people who make the Darling Range electorate such a great place to live. It has been a lot of fun - gathering stories that often don't get the attention they deserve, reaching out to some local legends to get their expert advice, and making sure this newsletter celebrates who we are and the things we achieve. I couldn't have done it without you.

So here's to our wonderful community! This is only the first edition, and there is so much more to cover, so if you have something you feel should get the spotlight, please get in touch, we would love to hear from you!

You can visit my office at 5/837 South Western Hwy, Byford from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday. Alternatively you can telephone us on 9525 4822, or email me at hugh.jones@mp.wa.gov.au.

Best wishes

Hugh Jones MLA

Member for Darling Range

Be sure to follow my Facebook to keep up with my latest updates! 👇

Walk for Epilepsy 2023

The Walk for Epilepsy 2023 is upon us and Frankie (my four-legged friend) has determined that we are going around the buoy and doing it again, hoping to walk 75km from October 1 - 25 to raise $3500 for Epilepsy WA.

If you would like tojoin my virtual team to combine our fundraising and have a real crack at raising some decent money for Epilepsy WA, click the link above or shoot me a message on Facebook or email and we will set it up.

For added incentive (on top of helping the one in 25 of us who will be diagnosed with epilepsy in our lifetime): the first seven people on my team to raise $250 each will be my guests for lunch at Parliament House during a sitting week, as my thanks to you! 

(Note: must be resident of Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale or City of Armadale. MPs excluded from the free lunch!)

If you or a loved one has epilepsy, come along to one of Epilepsy WA's monthly Armadale Support Group meetings, where you can take a look and meet others travelling along the same road.

Jackie runs a super friendly group with absolutely no pressure. You just have a spot of lunch, maybe chat to someone next to you if you feel like it, or you can talk to Jackie privately one on one. I will be there to listen, too.

For the details of their next meet up, email supporting@epilepsywa.asn.au or call the office directly on 1300 660 880.

Community survey

Every month I hold a draw to award a $50 voucher for a lucky resident to spend at one of the fantastic local businesses in the Darling Range electorate.

For your chance to win, just complete my Community Survey and check my Facebook page at the beginning of each month to see the winner announced!

I'm keen to hear your feedback on how we can make our community even better, and by filling out my survey, your voice will be heard.

Brews with Hugh

Every month I invite members of the community to join me for a coffee and a chat at a local café in a different area of the Darling Range electorate. 

It's not always easy to visit me at my office, so these 'mobile offices' are a chance for me to spend time face-to-face with local residents and hear about the issues affecting them first-hand. And, of course, the coffees are on me!

On Wednesday, October 4, I was at the Coffee Club in Byford,  where I was joined by residents Jacob, Kirsten, Deb and Mike, who had questions about the upcoming Byford Rail Extension, the Mundijong Freight Rail Line Realignment project, the wonderful nurses at Armadale Health Service and some of the difficulties faced by people who rely on Assistance Animals for their day-to-day activities. 

As always, it gave me a lot to think about, and, where I wasn't able to answer their questions on the spot, some enquiries to follow up on their behalf. If you would like to join me at my next Brew with Hugh, I will be in Jarrahdale on November 22, and will announce the exact location on my Facebook page closer to the date.

Scam prevention

I used to work in a 'secret squirrel' environment during my 30 years of Navy service and I am very aware of the importance of document security.

During our recent Community Scam Forum, it was mentioned that one of the precautions people should take is protecting their identifying information. 

The WA Government's Scamnet website also provides the following warning: your postal mail and your online presence are the first place a scammer will look to piece together your details. Lock your mailbox, and shred your bills and other important documents before throwing out.

If you occasionally have documents that you would like to be safely destroyed, I am happy for you to pop into my office to dispose of them in our locked bin, to be cross-cut shredded by a certified provider. 

Small amounts of personal documents only please - no commercial quantities.

Did you know? My office can assist you with certified copies and WA statutory declarations. Bring your original documents to my office along with your ID for assistance. There are some documents that we cannot authorise (e.g. affidavits, national statutory declarations, etc.), however we will happily refer you to the right place if this is the case.

John Joseph Simons purchased Canning Lot 523 in Roleystone and named the property Araluen – an Aboriginal word meaning ‘running waters’ – after a poem by which famous Australian poet?