Region. Aldi applies to sell liquor in NSW

German supermarket chain, Aldi, which has numerous stores across Western Sydney, has applied for the right to sell alcohol in its NSW stores, in its latest attempt to disrupt the Woolworths and Coles grocery and liquor duopoly. The retailer has been selling liquor in Victoria for seven years, offering about 70 varieties of non-refrigerated beer, wine and ready-to-drink spirits, most of which are Aldi brand products.

North Ryde. Professor wins an award

Macquarie University vice-cancellor, Professor Steven Schwartz, has received the Market Personality of the Year award, part of Insto's Distinction Awards, in recognition of his role in the university's innovative 2010 bond issue. Macquarie's $250 million 10-year bond was issued as part of a $450 million financing in the bank and bond markets. The aim of the university's refinancing was to underpin the continued implementation of its strategic campus development program, particularly the investment in research facilities and infrastructure. These projects include the Macquarie University Hospital, Australia's most technologically advanced hospital, and the co-located Australian School of Advanced Medicine; the global headquarters of Cochlear Ltd; and the Australian Hearing Hub, a collaborative, world-class facility purpose-designed to understand hearing and related speech and language disorders

Region. UWS wins an award

The University of Western Sydney's commitment to creating a fair and equitable workplace has been recognised once again with the announcement that it has been named as an Employer of Choice for Women (EOCFW) for the eight consecutive year.

Region. New head of UWS

Professor Peter Shergold will be installed, this month, as UWS Chancellor by the Governor of NSW, Her Excellency Professor Marie Bashir. The secretary of the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet from 2003-2008, Professor Shergold was the nation's most senior public servant, serving four prime ministers and eight ministers in both Labor and Coalition governments. During this time, he established the Office of Multicultural Affairs, headed the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission (ATSIC), and was Secretary of government departments, including the Department of Education, Science and Training. In 2010 the UWS Board of Trustees elected Professor Shergold as successor to Mr John Phillips who retired in December after almost 10 years of service as Chancellor. The function will be held on Saturday, March 19, at the Parramatta campus.

Parramatta/ Forum was 'long overdue'

“This is the first time that we’ve had some of the best minds in the one room to discuss the future of Parramatta and how we can best manage anticipated growth of Sydney,” said the Lord Mayor of Parramatta, John Chedid, following a daylong. Economic Development Forum. More than 250 guests and speakers attended from a diverse range of fields, including leaders in sectors such as business, property, sports, arts and planning. “The feedback was that this initiative was long overdue. There was also renewed confidence from business and investment stakeholders who left believing that things were starting to happen in the city. Many of the problems currently plaguing Sydney, things like transport and employment, can be solved through proper infrastructure investment in Parramatta. We can provide jobs close to people’s homes in the west and our central location makes for an ideal focal point for the city’s future transport system,” he said