Top 20 Blacktown local heroes: 10-6
WE CONTINUE our countdown of Blacktown city’s top 20 local heroes — as we crack our top 10. These people have helped shape lives and turned around communities.
Blacktown
Don't miss out on the headlines from Blacktown. Followed categories will be added to My News.
BLACKTOWN LOCAL HEROES
Local heroes: 20 to 16
SOME of Blacktown city’s local heroes are well-known, some not so much.
But what they all do is put their community first across numerous areas — youth, homelessness, education, disabilities or sport.
This week the Advocate will count down, from 20 to one, our picks for our top 20 local heroes. Some will be controversial, some obvious.
All 20 will be listed here with your opportunity to agree, disagree or suggest others who should be on the list.
10: JOE AND JOANNE TAU — BLACKTOWN PCYC
Couple Joe and Joanne Tau run Blacktown PCYC and have played a huge role in creating respectable young community members.
Their goal has been to create peace in Blacktown, bringing together people from all creeds, colours and backgrounds.
Mrs Tau is the manager at PCYC, where the couple run several projects including the OneLove cultural mentoring program.
Mr Tau recently won two 2018 Council of Pacific Communities awards for his work with OneLove.
He also works in schools across the area as a community liaison officer, promoting behavioural change and academic achievement.
The Taus were named joint winners of the 2012 Blacktown Citizen of the Year Award for their commitment to volunteering and youth work.
9: RICK WELSH — THE SHED AT EMERTON
The Shed at Emerton has become a haven for men battling mental health issues in the Mt Druitt area for a decade.
What began as a men’s suicide prevention program by Western Sydney University has grown into much more. Every Wednesday men and women from around the area sit down for tea, coffee, lunch and a chat — and are put in touch with vital, lifesaving services.
At the forefront of that battle has been co-ordinator Rick Welsh, who has created a space that links locals to 28 services for health, crime, legal, housing and family issues in a safe environment.
The Shed has a particular focus on helping indigenous people in Mt Druitt, who have struggled connecting to the services that can help get their lives back on track after personal issues or tragedy.
Mr Welsh’s work at The Shed and outside its doors saw him recognised with an Aboriginal Justice Award in 2017.
8: NATHAN MARSHALL — COMMON GROUNDZ COMMUNITY CAFE
A cup of coffee goes a long way when Lalor Park’s Nathan Marshall is involved.
Mr Marshall, a Christian minister who opened Common Groundz Community cafe, has been credited with driving social change in the disadvantaged suburb.
He started the not-for-profit cafe in 2008, which provides funds to put food on the table of struggling families and build homes in third world countries.
It is run by volunteers and has branched out into several programs including a homework support group, Lalor Park Community Garden and art therapy classes for people with a disability.
It has also worked with TAFE and runs free barista courses for local youth.
Lalor Park residents say the suburb has transformed in recent years, and it couldn’t have happened without Mr Marshall’s work.
7: ARTHUR BOZIKAS — SELF ADVOCACY SYDNEY
Born with a rare blood disease, Arthur Bozikas wasn’t meant to live past 20.
But hundreds of blood transfusions later Mr Bozikas defied the odds, and went on to dedicate his life to help countless people with a disability across Blacktown and NSW.
The chief executive of Self Advocacy Sydney, which runs out of Blacktown, has also been a director or board member of the Disability Advocacy Network Australia, the NSW Disability Advocacy Network and the NSW Ombudsman Disability Roundtable.
His goal has been to create awareness and promote independence for people with a disability. Self Advocacy Sydney’s motto is: ‘Speaking for Ourselves’.
In 2016 Mr Bozikas was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for service to people with a disability.
He is also an author of fictional novels.
6: JHAN LEACH — BLACKTOWN WOMEN’S AND GIRL’S HEALTH CENTRE
Growing up the daughter of an abusive father, Jhan Leach was exposed to the brutality of domestic violence.
In her adult life Ms Leach has become a tireless advocate for women’s rights and safety as the executive officer of Blacktown Women’s and Girl’s Health Centre.
For more than two decades she has supported domestic violence victims, using her own experiences to connect with clients.
The centre’s work is vital in Blacktown, an area with one of the highest rates of family violence in Australia.
It also works to combat drug use and other health issues in the area.
Ms Leach won the NSW Woman of the Year for Blacktown in 2016, the 2016 Heart of the Community award for Blacktown, and was nominated for a Pride of Australia award in 2016.
BLACKTOWN LOCAL HEROES
Local heroes: 20 to 16
TOMORROW WE ANNOUNCE OUR TOP 5. WHO WILL MAKE THE CUT?