Happy New Year Parramatta: Let’s get our city back on track

Share this article with friends

EmailEmail Copy LinkCOPY

KATIE MULLENS

MORE than 20 years ago, I made the decision to call Parramatta my home – the place where I would study at our local Western Sydney University, work as a local lawyer, and ultimately build my life.

I am proud to be continuing my commitment to Parramatta by standing as the Liberal Candidate for Parramatta in the upcoming Federal Election.

As 2025 kicks off, I’ve been reflecting on both the positives and challenges of living in our great community.

One of the great things about Parramatta, is that we get to participate in so many great festivals right on our doorstep. In January we go from celebrating a day of national unity and pride – Australia Day – to celebrating our wonderful multicultural diversity with India Republic Day, Pongal and the Lunar New Year.

It’s rather meaningful that Australia Day shares a date with India Republic Day, allowing the community to celebrate both their former nation and their new home with pride.

Our community does an amazing job in coming together to celebrate our shared achievements and values and has been a welcoming home for people who make Parramatta an even better place with their many contributions.

Attending these celebrations, I am energised by the way they perfectly exemplify what our community can achieve given the opportunity. They are filled with colour, beautiful art installations, remarkable live performances and, of course, delicious food. I cherish Parramatta’s diversity – this is a place where different cultures and traditions successfully flourish side by side, creating a shared identity.

This year in the Lunar calendar is the year of the Snake, and the celebrations in Parramatta Square and Town Hall were the best ones yet – showcasing music acts, traditional lion dances, sweets and games for kids. The Snake symbolises renewal, growth, and transformation, and is most associated with the traits of intelligence and resilience.

Given what our community has been experiencing, with increasing disruption and fraying social cohesion, these qualities will stand us in good stead.

Our resilience has been particularly tested, with everyday life serving up challenges whenever we fill up the car, pay a bill or go food shopping.

But I believe that with good leadership and cooperation there is nothing we cannot achieve if we work together to get Parramatta back on track.

If we work together, with the same dedication and teamwork that were on show during these communal celebrations, we can start to ease the cost of living burdens that Parramatta households and businesses have been carrying and rebuild our faith in a better and more successful future.

I look forward to continuing this journey with the community I am proud to call home – Parramatta.

I’ll be out and about in the community, and I encourage you to come up and say hi, but if you would like to contact me directly you can email me at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or contact me via my Facebook and Instagram accounts.

Katie Mullens is Federal Liberal Candidate for Parramatta and a log term resident of the area. Visit www.facebook.com/KatieMullens4Parramatta

Article Details

Published in

News