Region. Local TAFE students win medals

Nine students of TAFE NSW - Western Sydney Institute excelled at the 2008 National WorldSkills Competition picking up two gold, one silver and six bronze awards. Ron Wright, relieving director, TAFE NSW -Western Sydney Institute, said the institute had a team of 17 students in the competition. “So to win nine medals can only be described as an outstanding achievement,” he said. The medalists came from five TAFE colleges in the region. The competition, Australia's largest and most prestigious trade and skills showcase, is held every two years.

Sydney Olympic Park. Monster Skatepark

The Sydney Olympic Park Authority is seeking tenders for the operation of a Monster Skatepark as a world-class facility. It will feature a vert ramp, spined mini-ramp, indoor street course and a retail facility. The successful tenderer will be engaged under license to manage and operate the facility for a period of three years, with two optional extensions by mutual agreement with the authority.

Bankstown. Activity increase at airport

Bankstown Airport is undertaking a hanger refurbishment program to meet the demand for space reflecting increasing aviation activity. Aircraft movements now exceed 350,000 per year, with aviation users are choosing to base their aircraft at the airport, a spokesperson said. The refurbishment of two additional hangers will be completed in early August 2008.

Region. UWS professor wins top award

Professor Graeme Newell, from the UWS School of Economics and Finance, has been awarded the European Real Estate Society (ERES) Achievement Award, in recognition for his significant contributions to the organisation over a ten-year period. Associate professor, Robyn McGuiggan, executive dean of the UWS College of Business, he has succeeded in putting UWS on the map of the global property sector. In May, Professor Newell was awarded the American Real Estate Society (ARES) Distinguished Service Award - the first time that the major international prize had been awarded to a non-American academic in the award's 22-year history.