Mayor's Community Message

1 October

GRANNY SMITH TIME

There are less than three weeks to go before City of Ryde celebrates the 40th anniversary of the iconic Granny Smith Festival and it’s time to start planning your day at one of Sydney’s biggest and most popular outdoor carnivals.

This year’s milestone event promises to be bigger and better than ever with a bumper crowd of over 80,000 expected for a fantastic day of family fun in the heart of Eastwood between 9.00am and 8.30pm.

Attendees can look forward to an impressive array of amusement rides, market stalls, food trucks, live performances, a dedicated youth zone, free children’s activities and the Granny Smith History Hub in Eastwood Library.

This year’s special guests include 2024 Australian Idol winner Dylan Wright and the popular junior lifeguards from Kangaroo Beach. Festival goers can also purchase 40-year merchandise on the day to keep a little piece of Granny Smith history. And our spectacular fireworks finale is not to be missed.

For full details of our exciting 40th anniversary program, including a festival map, performer schedule, food options, and our famous street parade, click here.

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

Nominations are now open for Council’s 2026 Mayor’s Citizen of the Year Awards, with winners in four categories to be announced at a special Australia Day ceremony on 26 January 2026.

These awards are a wonderful way of publicly acknowledging and recognising the outstanding accomplishments by individuals in our community who have excelled in their chosen fields.

Winners and nominations in the past have come from fields as diverse as sporting administrators, business leaders, fire fighters, church leaders, school captains, writers, youth workers and business entrepreneurs.

I encourage everyone to nominate someone deserving in the categories of Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year, Sportsperson of the Year, and Environmental Citizen of the Year.

For more details on Citizen of the Year, click here.

CITIZEN OF THE YEAR

I’d like to congratulate Clr Sophie Lara-Watson, who was re-elected for a second term as City of Ryde Deputy Mayor at Council’s 23 September 2025 Ordinary Meeting.

Clr Lara-Watson has a life-long relationship with the people of this City and brings a knowledge and passion for her community, combined with terrific strategic thinking and an unwavering commitment to getting things done.

I look forward to working with her once again over the coming year.

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Sincerely, 
Trenton Brown – Mayor

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