Blacktown News - December 2021 by Community Broadcast Network (CBN)

ISSUE 9 | DECEMBER 2021

TRUSTED LOCAL NEWS

WWW.GREATERBLACKTOWNNEWS.COM.AU

MERRY CHRISTMAS Thank you to all our readers and advertisers for your support during 2021 and we look forward to returning with some exciting new initiatives in 2022.

WIN See page 4 for a chance to win a $150 dining voucher from Blacktown Workers Club.

HIGHWAY UPGRADE T

HE troublesome Prospect Highway is set for a $280M upgrade that will improve safety and travel times in Greater Blacktown and Western Sydney. The blackspot has been given the green light thanks to a joint funding commitment from the Australian and NSWs governments. Work will start early

next year on the 3.6km stretch of highway, after the contract was awarded to Fulton Hogan. Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the project would deliver improvements to travel times and safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. More page 6.

Blacktown City blacktown.nsw.gov.au

Blacktown

Snapshot

403,000 population

18.81 billion regional economy

4.6%

26,141

average economic growth

registered businesses

143,259 local jobs

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

Blacktown City blacktown.nsw.gov.au

Blacktown

Snapshot

403,000

18.81 billion regional economy

population

4.6%

26,141

average economic growth

registered businesses

143,259 local jobs

Our Responding to Climate Change Policy and Strategy commits us to: 1.

net-zero emissions from the electricity, fuel and gas we use in our operations by 2030 best practice in mitigating urban heat, minimising potable water use and stormwater management

3. assist our community to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience to climate change 4. 100% renewable electricity for Council operations by 2025 5. encourage other Western Sydney councils to join us to achieve these policy commitments. In 2020/21, we added 707 kW of rooftop solar panels to our buildings, planted more than 2,000 additional trees and trialled a cool roads product to reduce localised temperatures on hot days.

Tackling climate change in Blacktown City

Our heat refuge trial this coming summer will provide cool centres for our more

Council is passionate about tackling climate change and environmental sustainability.

vulnerable residents.

Our final Council meeting addressed reports on energy initiatives and retrofitting our street lights with LED bulbs.

For more information, or to read our policy, visit blacktown.nsw.gov.au/ climatechangepolicy

Every day around the world, there are 156 million phishing emails sent to unsuspecting recipients. A phishing email is an email sent to a user with the intent of fooling them into supplying their account username and password. Once the information is gained, confidential data can be stolen or systems and files can be encrypted pending the payment of ransom. Estimates put the number of cybersecurity incidents caused by phishing emails at between 60-80% of all incidents.

Importance of Cyber Security Did you know that, across the world, we send 21 million texts every 60 seconds, as well as 70 million instant messages, and over 200 million emails?

It’s important to always pause and consider: •

Is this email from a person or organisation you don’t normally do business with?

•

Is this an email from someone with an unusual request? This could include requesting payment to go to a different account.

•

Check the sender name and email address of the email. Do these match with the sender?

•

Is there a threat that requires you to act urgently?

With every innovation comes opportunity for cyber criminals to exploit. You can be caught up in this very simply. If you click on a link in a phishing message, your details can be accessed by hackers doing their research on your online profile, hoping to gain your trust. As we spend more time online, it is important that we are conscious of our cyber security and take relevant precautions to protect our personal information.

It can be hard to tell the difference between a fake and genuine email, so take care with all unexpected or unusual requests.

Blacktown City crowned Blood Challenge champions Blacktown City Council has taken out the top spot in the Local Government Blood Challenge. Council staff and the local community rolled up their sleeves and made an impressive 324 donations to the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood between July and September - the most donations made in NSW and

DOONSIDE

Australia. The ‘bloody good’ effort will help save an incredible 972 lives and marks the fourth year in a row that Blacktown City has won the challenge.

MARKET

This is an outstanding achievement during the COVID-19 lockdown, with the mobile blood donor centres taking significantly less appointments than previous years.

Sunday 12 December I 9 am to 2 pm

Congratulations and thank you to all of our

Corner Hill End Road and Graham Street, Doonside

wonderful donors!

Blacktown City Council acknowledges the Darug people as the traditional owners of the land on which Blacktown City was built.

Email us: council@blacktown.nsw.gov.au

Call us: 9839 6000

Visit us: 62 Flushcombe Road, Blacktown

Mail us: PO Box 63, Blacktown 2148

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ISSUE 9 | December 2021

NO to domestic violence HE Blacktown City Centre has been decorated with a colorful knitted art installation as part of the annual campaign to raise awareness of domestic and family violence. Blacktown City Council has officially launched its ‘Knit Bomb’ project to highlight the scourge of domestic and family violence in the lead up to the UN Women’s 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence. This year marks the third year of the project, with thousands of knitted squares adorning key landmarks in Blacktown, Mt Druitt and Riverstone over the coming weeks. The campaign is spearheaded by Council’s Women’s Advisory Committee, with the Blacktown Library Knitting Group and more than 70 community knitters dedicating hours of their time creating the squares at home during lockdown. This year, Council is delighted to feature an incredible teapot installation, created by inmates at Parklea Correctional Centre and decorated with knitted hearts. The piece aims to be a conversation starter, with the teapot and teacups symbolising “mending hearts over a cup of tea”. Vibrant knitted pieces have been installed on trees, poles, benches and railing posts around the Blacktown City Centre, with Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Riverstone Police Stations also being ‘knit bombed’. The project is part of Council’s long-standing commitment in condemning domestic and family violence in Blacktown City, which unfortunately has the one of the highest incidences of reported domestic assault in NSW.

The Harman Foundation’s Harinder Kaur and Maninder Singh (far left and far right) with Parklea Correctional Centre’s Michael Pugsley, Governor Paul Baker and Collen Hopwood in front of Blacktown Council’s Knit Bomb installation.

Council’s Women’s Advisory Committee leads campaign Women fleeing domestic and family violence have faced added challenges during the past two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, with service providers experiencing a spike in calls from women seeking an escape. This spike has prompted the United Nations to label this issue a “shadow pandemic” with an urgent need for government action and funding. Council’s Women’s Advisory Committee is dedicated to supporting those affected by this violence and is currently working with families of victims who

have lost their lives to develop a Domestic and Family Violence Memorial Garden.

The memorial garden will be located at Blacktown Showground and will provide a place of comfort and healing that reflects the experience of those affected. The knitted pieces will later be washed and sewn into blankets to be donated to local services, hospitals, senior’s groups and homeless people in the local community. Last year, blankets were donated to the Birthing Unit at Blacktown Hospital, Quakers Hillside Nursing Home, One Meal in Blacktown and the Blacktown City Animal Holding Facility. The global 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence runs from November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and concludes on Human Rights Day on December 10. During these 16 days, Council, in partnership with the Outer West Domestic Violence Network, will celebrate 16 local heroes who are making a difference to gender equity in Blacktown City. Their stories will be posted to Council’s Facebook pages over the coming week. Source: Blacktown City Council

Schofields property booms CHOFIELDS has become the apartment development capital of NSW with 3397 properties coming on to the market in the next two years. The once sleepy village on the way to Richmond has more than doubled its population in the 21st century. Nearby Rouse Hill is

another unit hot spot with 1274 coming online by 2023. By comparison, Liverpool with 893 and Epping 806, are dragging the chain compared to Schofields. The area is popular because of the suburban rail network connection to Parramatta, Blacktown and Sydney CBD.

ISSUE 8 | November 2021

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ISSUE 9 | DECEMBER 2021 How to get The News The Blacktown News is available at strategic locations throughout Blacktown LGA. To find a location near you visit our website.

Digital edition

Win a $150

Each edition of The Blacktown News can be viewed and downloaded in digitalf ormat at our ISSUU platform: www.issuu/communitybroadcastnetwork

dining voucher

The Blacktown News has a $150 dining voucher to Eucalyptus Dining to give away to one lucky reader. To be in the running to win simply send an email to info@greaterblacktownnews.com.au with 40-word or less description as to why you should win the voucher. Put Workers in the subject line. Best entry as judged by our panel will receive the prize. You have until December 14 to submit your entry. The winner will be notified by December 17.

Contacts Editorial michael@accessnews.com.au Admin and General info@greaterblacktownnews.com.au Editor Michael Walls michael@accessnews.com.au

Newsroom News Reporter Lawrence Machado lawrencemachado@yahoo.com Travel Editor Dallas Sherringham dallas@accessnews.com.au

Advertising sales Graham Maughan graham@accessnews.com.au Julie Jackson julie@accessnews.com.au

Administration Rebecca Swaleh rebecca@accessnews.com.au

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Our Broadcast Partner www.netwerx.tv – NETWERX is a broadcast hub that hosts and creates videos of public interest and commercial benefit.

Support Partner The Blacktown News is the official media partner of Blacktown FC and the Greater Blacktown Chamber of Commerce.

New restaurants for Workers LACKTOWN Workers Club Group (BWCG) has emerged from the extended winter lockdown with a brand-new Grand Foyer and Walkway, as well as two new restaurants and two new bars. The Group celebrated the milestone with an opening ceremony on Monday, December 6. Dignitaries in attendance included Michelle Rowlands MP, Hugh Dermott MP and Stephen Bali MP. The ceremony commenced with a Welcome to Country by Official opening of new improvements to Blacktown Works Club. Erin Wilkins and a wonderful club and provide them with better facilities performance by the Nulungu Dreaming to use and enjoy.” Dancers. With the Grand Ceremony, a speSpeeches were made by Morgan Stewart, cial Members’ Week has launched which Group Chief Executive Officer of the Blackincludes a series of special promotions and town Workers Club Group, James Boyd from events for members to encourage use of the Paynter Dixon, the commercial builders responsible for the project, as well as Kay Kelly, new restaurants and bars over the week. This includes a Thai performer and fruit long-standing President of the Blacktown carving on Wednesday night, a Drag Trivia Workers Club Group. night in Redwood on Thursday night, live Mrs Kelly said: “As a not-for-profit music and a live painting by artist Danielle organisation, redevelopments like this meets RG in Eucalytpus Dining on Friday night, a commitment by the Board of Directors to DJs by BYSA in Redwood on Saturday night our members that we will reinvest in their

and a kids eat free special offer in Redwood at Sunday lunch. There is also a major members promotion for the chance to win $9,000 when they spend with a member’s card swipe in the new restaurant and bars, with the draw occuring in the Diamond Showroom on Thursday, December 23. The new spaces include: • Eucalyptus Dining – a contemporary restaurant offering light meals, club classics, succulent seafood and meaty mains. It’s open for lunch and dinner, seven days a week. • The Shed – a modern sports bar with screens and betting facilities as well as a great range of beer on tap and in the fridge. It’s open daily, from 11am to 9pm. • Redwood – a late night bar offering premium spirits, beers, wine and cocktails, while a DJ plays. Open every Friday and Saturday night from 7pm. • Mango Tango Thai – a premium dining experience with the tastiest Thai food in town, as well as Asian beers and tropical cocktails to enjoy. Open for lunch and dinner from Wednesday to Sunday.

INDEX News ......................................5 Stephen Bali ..........................7 Blacktown Workers ................8 Blacktown Show ..................11 Property ...............................14

Bouncing Back ....................16 Michelle Rowland ................20 Auto .....................................22 Games .................................23 Travel ...................................24

Fitness .................................26 Films ....................................27 Directory ..............................28 Sport ....................................31

Local entertainment Watch locally made ﬁlms. Stay up to date on infrastructure. Watch proﬁles of regional leaders. www.netwerx.tv

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

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AS INFRASTRUCTURE AND INVESTMENT BOOMS

Quest confirms Blacktown hotel LOBAL operator Quest Apartment Hotels has announced a new hotel in the Blacktown CBD, as part of the significant private sector investment in the Blacktown’s infrastructure. Quest Blacktown at 26 Second Avenue is well underway as part of a $30M mixeduse development by Gitane Living. The 82-room hotel will occupy the 11 upper floors in the new 23 level mixed-use development, which will also include a retail zone as well as private residences. Quest’s general manager of growth and capital strategy, James Shields, says the announcement comes at a time when Blacktown City is enjoying strong economic advancement, where the population is tipped to exceed that of Tasmania in the next 10 years, and annual economic activity surpassing $26B. “Blacktown Local Government Area is currently home to over 23,000 local businesses and is poised for considerable growth in the coming years, with a number of major infrastructure, productivity, and liveability projects underway”, said Shields. “Blacktown City Council has adopted a balanced budget of $656M for the 2021/22 financial year, including a major capital works program of more than $150M. “Traditionally underpinned by industrial employment in manufacturing and wholesale trade sectors, the Blacktown area is transitioning, and we anticipate that the demand for quality corporate travel accommodation in the area will continue to increase.

Artist impressions of the new Quest Blacktown.

“It’s understood there will be an increase in knowledge-intensive and population-serving jobs, especially in the health and education sectors, and Quest will be well placed to sustain the long and short stay travel requirements emerging”, said Shields. It’s a sentiment echoed by Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM, who says the new hotel is an important piece of the puzzle in helping the area meet its full potential.

“Blacktown is undergoing a significant transformation with the establishment of the Australian Catholic University campus in the CBD and Council’s own $80M redevelopment precinct, with an underground carpark, park, retail plaza and flanking buildings in the City Centre. “Quest Blacktown is part of $600M worth of development that’s currently underway or planned for area just to the north of Blacktown railway station.

“Council welcomes Quest Blacktown to our CBD as part of our commitment to transform Blacktown into a modern, vibrant city where people can live, work, gain the highest education and relax in a sustainable environment, “Mayor Bleasdale said. The basement levels of the development are complete, with the ground floor currently underway. Quest Blacktown is expected to open during the first half of 2023.

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ISSUE 9 | December 2021

GREAT NEWS FOR MOTORISTS

Upgrade for Prospect Highway  TRANSPORT | DALLS SHERRINGHM HE troublesome Prospect Highway is set for a $280M upgrade that will improve safety and travel times in Greater Blacktown and Western Sydney. The blackspot has been given the green light thanks to a joint funding commitment from the Australian and NSWs governments. Work will start early next year on the 3.6km stretch of highway, after the contract was awarded to Fulton Hogan. Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher said the project would deliver improvements to travel times and safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians. The Federal Government is funding the delivery of important road projects across Australia that improve congestion and safety including upgrading the Prospect Highway, which will make it easier for commuters to move around western Sydney,” Minister Fletcher said. “This project is one of many critical infrastructure projects to receive funding as part of our record $110B, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline, which is helping to drive Australia’s economic recovery.” The Prospect Highway will become a divided road with two lanes in each direction between Reservoir Rd at Prospect and St Martins Cr at Blacktown, with the section north of Lancelot St to be upgraded to a six-lane divided road, inclusive of two dedicated bus lanes.

The affected area.

State Minister for Transport and Roads Rob Stokes MP said the upgrade would improve access for local and through traffic, while cutting travel times and reducing congestion between Blacktown and the M4.

Delivering on promises “The NSW Government is committed to delivering on its promise to upgrade the Prospect Highway between Blacktown and Prospect, and is working with the Federal Government on delivering this critical road for Western Sydney,” Mr Stokes said. “We’ll also be building new bridges over the M4 and Great Western Highway, a pedestrian underpass between Blacktown Rd and Harrod St, and a new road connecting the Great Western Highway to the Prospect Highway. “Public transport customers will also benefit from new bus lanes between Lance-

lot St and north of St Martins Cr, demonstrating our commitment to a multi-modal approach to road upgrades.” Liberal Senator for Greenway, Senator Hollie Hughes said the upgrade would have lasting positive impacts for surrounding neighborhoods. “The Prospect Highway was created out of a series of local roads back in the 1980s and this upgrade has been on the drawing board for years, so the local community has waited a long time for this and they are getting some well-deserved local upgrades as a result,” Senator Hughes said. “Work is continuing on a new roundabout at Hadrian Av and Keyworth Dve at Prospect as well as a kiss-and-ride facility at Shelley Public School, with completion expected on both installations in the coming months.” State Member for Seven Hills Mark Taylor said the Prospect Highway carried

around 35,000 vehicles every day, including 5000 heavy vehicles and was critical for freight movement throughout Sydney. “The speed limit on the Prospect Highway will be raised from 60 km/h to 70 km/h, while the existing shared path on the western side of the highway, between M4 Motorway and Blacktown Rd, will be upgraded with resurfacing and line marking,” Mr Taylor said. Fulton Hogan is delivering the entire project, with major work starting early next year and the project expected to be completed in late 2024. Further information on the construction schedule will be made available by Transport for NSW in the coming months. To learn more about this project and to take a virtual tour of the Prospect Highway upgrade, visit www.nswroads.work/ prospecthighway.

CONNECTING LOCAL BUSINESSES TO GROW THE BLACKTOWN ECONOMY

WE APPRECIATE THE SUPPORT OF OUR PLATINUM & GOLD MEMBERS PLATINUM

GOLD

BECOME A MEMBER from $299 p. 0439 812 709

www.greaterbbc.org.au

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

Blacktown City: The City of Opportunity

From our Families to yours, Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2022!

Hugh McDermott MP with his wife Bettina and their daughters.

Anne, Stephen Jr, Stephen Bali MP and Santa.

Prue Car MP with Santa, Santa’s helper and Sudeep from Marsden Park.

Edmond Atalla MP with his Grandkids Elise and Nicholas.

We are here to help you and your family

Stephen Bali MP

Hugh McDermott MP

Prue Car MP

Edmond Atalla MP

Member for Blacktown

Member for Prospect

Member for Mt Druitt

(02) 9671 5222

(02) 9756 4766

blacktown@parliament.nsw.gov.au

prospect@parliament.nsw.gov.au

Deputy Opposition Leader Shadow Minister for Education and Early Childhood Learning Member for Londonderry

Shop 3063, Westpoint Shopping Centre, Flushcombe Rd, Blacktown

2/679 The Horsley Dr, Smithfield

(02) 9833 1122 londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au

(02) 9625 6770 mountdruitt@parliament.nsw.gov.au Suite 201, Westfield Shoppingtown, Carlisle Av, Mt Druitt

154 Queen St, St Marys

Authorised by Stephen Bali MP, Edmond Atalla MP, Prue Car MP and Hugh McDermott MP. Funded using parliamentary entitlements.

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

now open on level one

monday - sunday lunch and dinner

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

THE VALLIES THIS CHRISTMAS

SATURDAY 18 DECEMBER $20 MEMBER $25 VISITOR

NEW YEARS EVE! BACK TO THE 80’S

FRIDAY 31 DECEMBER $20 MEMBER $25 VISITOR

THE SCREAMING JETS

SATURDAY 5 FEBRUARY TICKETS $45 EACH ON SALE NOW!

TICKETS ON SALE NOW AT WORKERSCLUB.COM.AU

WORKERS BLACKTOWN 55 CAMPBELL STREET, BLACKTOWN 2148 CovidSafe regulations apply including limited seating

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ISSUE 9 | December 2021

Man seriously injured after Blacktown armed robbery  LAW AND ORDER HREE people were charged and fronted court late last month after police said they attacked and robbed a 64-year-old man on Debby Way, Blacktown. Just after 200am on Tuesday, November 24 the man left a licensed premise on Kildare Road in Blacktown and was asked by a woman for a lift home. They drove to Debby Way and when they alighted from the vehicle the man was attacked by three men wielding metal poles and bats. The woman also joined in on the assault, and the man’s wallet and keys were stolen before they drove off in his Range Rover. Blacktown police attended the scene along with NSW Ambulance paramedics, where the man was taken to Westmead Hospital with a suspected broken ankle, broken ribs, lacerations and bruising to the face. Later that morning police stopped a Toyota Camry in Toongabbie and said they found a set of keys believed to belong to the seriously injured man. Three occupants of the vehicle were arrested and taken to Blacktown police station – two 18-year-old men and one 17-year-old female. They each met with charges including, assault with intent to rob–armed with offensive weapon. The 17-year-old was refused bail to appear at a children's court, and the two men were also refused bail to appear before Blacktown Local Court.

Various car pursuits ensued through the suburbs of Kellyville and Castle Hill, where police were forced to terminate their chase a few times because of the alleged unsafe driving of the Yaris. Finally, the vehicle was stopped by road spikes at Citadel Crescent, Castle Hill, and both the man and woman were arrested and taken to Castle Hill police station. The man was charged with a significant 14 offences including, driving recklessly and a range of firearm offences. He was refused bail and ordered to appear at Parramatta Local Court. The woman was charged and Operation PHOBETOR: Police at the Seven Hills property raid was granted strict conditional last month. bail and was due to appear at Blacktown Local Court that same week. The Range Rover was later located in Police allege that the woman was Blacktown. involved in a previous pursuit in a stolen Brazen attack on police officers, vehicle on Saturday, November 20. followed by car chase Investigations are continuing. Police allege that a man threw large Bidwill and Seven Hills rocks at officers and threatened them with homes targeted over alleged a hammer at a Kellyville home last month, drug supply crimes which evolved into a dangerous car pursuit in the Hills area. Operation PHOBETOR detectives raided Not long after midnight on Monday, a Seven Hills home last month before November 22, Riverstone police officers arresting and charging a 29-year-old man were investigating possible firearm offences with prohibited drug supply offences. at the home, when they were allegedly Police said the man was responsible for attacked by the 22-year-old man, who sped some seized precursor chemicals that had off in a Toyota Yaris afterwards, with a been located at a Prospect storage facility 34-year-old woman in tow. back in June this year.

COVID-19 Complimentary IR Assistance

He appeared at Blacktown Local Court, where he was formally refused bail to reappear at Parramatta Local Court at the beginning of this month. About 1100 litres of the precursor chemical, pseudoephedrine, was allegedly found in Prospect. The chemical has been commonly used for domestic manufacture of methamphetamine, according to the Australian Institute of Criminology. Operation PHOBETOR was established earlier this year to target and disrupt serious organised crime in NSW. Police officers also executed warrants on homes in Bidwill last month in connection with other supply drug crimes affecting the state’s North as part of Strike Force Elwick. A 47-year-old man and a 33-year-old woman were arrested during the raids and were taken to Mount Druitt police station, where they were charged with supplying prohibited drugs.

Wanted man found Police successfully located a missing man on Saturday who had an outstanding warrant for his arrest. Rebyll Oaariki, 24, was wanted in relation to concealing a serious indictable offence, and police appealed to the public as he was known to frequent the Blacktown, Mount Druitt, Penrith and St Marys areas. Anyone with information about some of these incidents is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

COVID myths dispelled by our panel of international experts in these two powerful ZOOM round tables.

Employer access to industrial relations advice and resources on COVID-19 issues such as vaccination. Includes unlimited access to our specialist advice line; regular expert updates on IR issues; webinars; and industry sector briefings. We specialise in helping employers navigate employment issues. Go to www.aigroup.com.au/covid-19-ir-assistance/

VISIT: www.netwerx.tv

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

BLACKTOWN CITY SHOW

BLACKTOWN SHOWGROUND SATURDAY 12th & SUNDAY 13th MARCH

THE LONGEST RUNNING EVENT IN BLACKTOWN HISTORY Celebrating

the show’s

Anniversary

Blacktown is bouncing back so come and enjoy entertainment for the whole family Showbags, Carnival Rides, and a great variety of Food. Visit the Arts & Crafts, Cooking, Photograph & Horticulture Pavilions. Kids will enjoy the Animal Farm Nursery, Reptile Display, Prof. Wallace’s Puppet Theatre, and Joey Presto Magic Show. Great stage entertainment on Saturday night featuring Elvis in Concert and Pop Country singer Shara Rose followed by the FMX KAO’s International Freestyle Team performing the most death defying entertaining stunt show ever seen in the country. Finally the Blacktown City Councils Fireworks Spectacular. Sunday features the “A Search for a Star Talent Quest” and the Car Show & Ute Muster.

WE HOPE TO SEE YOU AT THE SHOW

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ISSUE 9 | December 2021

Free training courses at TAFE CHOOL leavers and jobseekers now have access to thousands of free course places in the NSW Government funded Summer Skills, Lockdown Learning, and Job Trainer programs at TAFE NSW. TAFE NSW is offering free training in courses aligned to meet the skills needs of businesses in NSW, such as aviation, construction, cyber security and hospitality. TAFE NSW Managing Director Steffen Faurby said more than 20,000 people have already enrolled in fee-free Lockdown Learning courses, with almost 10,000 people studying with TAFE NSW for the first time. “TAFE NSW has assisted thousands of people with free training to upskill themselves or their staff, enhance their job prospects, or begin retraining for a new career,” Mr Faurby said. “With HSC exams underway, Summer Skills offers school leavers free short courses to upskill over the summer months, in courses such as Medical Terminology, Design and Build a Website, and Retail Customer Service.” TAFE NSW Blacktown will be offering free Summer Skills courses including: • Statement of Attainment in Beauty (Provide Lash and Brow Services). • Statement of Attainment in Beauty (Apply nail art). • Statement of Attainment in Kickstart to Hairdressing.

• Statement of Attainment in Retail Customer Service. Leading employment marketplace Seek currently has 6,516 retail assistant jobs in NSW on its site, with Bankstown and its surrounds accounting for more than 550 of them. TAFE NSW Head Teacher Susana Morales said the Statement of Attainment in Retail Customer Service is a free Summer Skills course that prepares students to professionally respond and resolve customer service issues as a retail or sales assistant. “TAFE NSW is offering many of these courses via online learning or virtual classrooms, which means that no matter where you are located you can take up the opportunity to boost your employability and gain new skills,” Ms Morales said. “Statement of Attainment in Retail Customer Service is being offered at the local Blacktown campus and is a great opportunity for school leavers to learn adaptability and effective communication skills. “Students will learn how to greet diverse customer demographics in a polite and friendly way, prioritise tasks and ensure that they are completed within required time-frames, and respond to general customer enquiries and provide clear, accurate information.” For more information about studying at TAFE NSW, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.

WHERE TO GET THE NEWS ISSUE 8 | NOVEMBER 2021

TRUSTED LOCAL NEWS

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Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale with NSW Labor leader Chris and with staff at Blackktown Workers Club.

BOUNCING BACK Free event ope n to business

SW Labor leader, Chris Minns visited Blacktown Workers Club last week to express his support for the Blacktown businesses community. The leader’s visit comes as Blacktown Workers Club gears a special event on November up for 16 called Blacktown Bouncing Back (BBB)). BBB is a collaborative project inform and educate teams created to Blacktown about adaption,in and around protection and redefining success as we progress from lockdown. “We need Western Sydney to bounce back as it is the heartbeat of New South Wales and the third economic zone in Australia,” largest Mr Minns said." MORE PAGE 3.

Blacktown beauty shines:

SCAN QR code for details

Blacktown City blacktow n.nsw.gov.au

Blacktown

Snapshot

Blacktown Council

Fox Hills Golf Club

Stanhope Leisure Centre

Blacktown Council Libaries

Lillys Function Centre

Blacktown Workers Club

Riverstone Newsagent

Blacktown Chamber events

Prospect Hotel

Blacktown FC

Stanhope Gardens Library

Blacktown Sports Club Blacktown Travelodge The Australian Hotel Vineyard Motel

Toongabbie Bowling Sports Club Wests Tradies

Nine years of Council what's been acheived: 23

Seven Hills Plaza Lalor Park Library Riverstone Library

403,000

18.81 billion

population

regional economy

ISSUE 6 | SEPTEMBER 2021

Blacktown RSL

THIS E EDITIO DITION N

4.6% average economic growth

26,141

TRUSTED LOCAL NEWS

143,259

registered businesses

local jobs

WWW.GREATERBLACKT OWNNEWS.COM.AU

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THIS EDITION

WESTPOINT backs domestic violence fight: 3 Mayor calls for local vaxx clinic: 6

Blacktown doctor Jana

Pittman competes in SAS

TV.

SAS JANA

Sub-branch answers calls for support: 10

LACKTOWN Hospital’s famous Olympian Dr Jana Pittman for a grueling survival challenge has swapped her stethoscope in the latest series of ‘SAS’ Jana’s roller coaster ride TV on the Seven Network. of triumph, defeat, failure and makes her ideal for the rigorous format of the show. success throughout her life one of the 18 celebrities The 38-year-old dual Olympian who will be subjected to is extreme physical and psychologica on the upcoming military-styl l testing e show. More page 5.

Why Blacktown is tops for property investment: 14

Blacktown City blacktow n.nsw.gov.au

Blacktown

Snapshot

395,000

18.81 billion

population

regional economy

4.6% average economic growth

24,990 registered businesses

143,259 local jobs

Never miss out. Get the digital edition 24/7 at www.greaterblacktownnews.com.au

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

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CALLING ALL CHAPLAINS

Parklea’s faith leaders unite EING a prison chaplain isn’t a job, it’s a calling, according to Parklea Correctional Centre’s five faith leaders. To ensure the prison can provide support and guidance to its diverse inmate population and staff, Parklea’s operator MTC-Broadspectrum has engaged chaplains from the Anglican, Catholic, Seventh Day Adventist, Uniting and Islamic religions and there are plans to recruit more from other faiths. The chaplain’s role is to listen and provide counsel to inmates, their families and staff when they need help, and when COVID restrictions permit, a church service is held on Sundays. While they come from different denominations and faiths, they all enjoy working together and have the same goal – to provide pastoral care to anyone who needs it, even if they don’t follow the same religion or any at all. Uniting chaplain Liva has been at the prison the longest, serving the needs of inmates and staff for six years.

“To work as a chaplain is a vocation or a calling, it’s not a job, but we are not here to proselyte to others or convert inmates to become Christians,” Liva said. “We are chaplains for everyone. We are all God’s children and loved by God equally. The presence of [muslim chaplain] Mohamad has enriched our “being” as chaplains.” Stanhope Anglican Church minister Edwin wanted to expand into chaplaincy after volunteering with prison ministry organisation Kairos International. “I saw the impact their ministry had on the lives of the inmates. That convinced me prison ministry was something worthwhile to pursue as a chaplain,” Edwin said. “I hope to help people to reassess their lives, accept responsibility for their actions and make purposeful changes in their lives so that they don’t reoffend.” Muslim chaplain Mohamad was interested in working in a prison to make a difference in people’s lives. “I want to be part of making a difference in the rehabilitation of inmates and I love to see time spent with them making

Cheung Tuni Laikum, Richard Korkor, Mohamad Halloum, Governor Paul Baker, Rev’d Edwin Thambyaiyah, Rev’d Liva Tukutama.

a change in their behaviour and attitude,” Mohamad said. Richard started as a Catholic chaplain at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital last year and joined the Parklea team in March after “the holy spirit working through people suggested I consider it”. “I enjoy the possibility of bringing a face of hope and healing into a place where there is so much hurt and suffering,” Richard said.

Festival now a Christmas Market HE COVID 19 pandemic played havoc with Blacktown City Council’s program of festivals and markets. The Doonside Festival was especially hard hit with official dates being announced and then postponed twice, due to COVID restric-

tions. But now, Blacktown City Council has partnered with the Doonside Festival Committee and Blacktown City Lions Club in organising the 2021 Doonside Christmas Market. The Christmas Market will be held on Sunday, December 12 in Doonside,

corner of Hill End Road and Graham Street, from 9.00am to 2.00pm. The market will feature kids rides as well as food trucks and market stalls. This is a free event with full details and opportunities for stall holders available at Council’s website.

Tuni has been a Seventh Day Adventist chaplain for Corrective Services NSW for two years and joined the Parklea team earlier this year. He is also a chaplain at a retirement village. “I see my role as serving inmates in their time of spiritual need,” Tuni said. “I hope to move inmates from a hopeless mindset to a hopeful expectation in God.” Edwin and Mohamad offered some words of advice for those considering entering prison chaplaincy. “I will certainly recommend this job to anyone who loves, values and respects the inmates as people made in the image of God and who are very precious in God’s sight,” Edwin said. “Someone who likes to listen, someone with empathy and strength of character,” Mohamad said. Parklea Correctional Centre is operated by MTC-Broadspectrum on behalf of Corrective Services NSW.

Better Foundation raises money for Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals to provide lifesaving additional services and equipment for the people of Blacktown City. Better Foundation is pleased to announce our media collaboration partnership with Blacktown News to provide monthly updates on Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals.

The Community thanks all hospital staff for their dedicated service during the COVID pandemic. Thank you! Updates on the hospital and Gala Dinner Night on Saturday 19th March 2022 can be found on Better Foundation website: https://betterfoundation.org.au/

PROPERTY SHOWCASE 14

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

Got something to share? Send your property tips to info@greaterblacktownnews.com.au

AS THE MARKET COOLS…

Western Sydney remains HOT  TRENDS | DALLS SHERRINGHAM YDNEY’S booming property market is showing signs of cooling after one of the most historic years of property growth, however Western Sydney remains hot. Affordable prices and buyers looking to exit the city and apartment life means interest in the west is still high as the region celebrates breaking the Covid-19 shackles. And interest is being ramped up by a big increase in listings which were held back during the pandemic. The Inner West is sizzling with a couple paying $580,000 above the reserve price for a modest home at Ermington. A crowd of 100 people, including 19 bidders, descended on the auction for a house in Gregory St with development potential. The average price in Ermington is $1.39M but the stiff competition pushed the price $580,000 over reserve to a record $2.38M. The home had been in the same family since 1952 and was set on a 700sqm block, ideal for development. It was the first time the property on Gregory St was up for sale in about 70 years and the $2.38M price was a surprise for both the agents and vendors. Selling agent Paul Tassone of Professionals-Ermington told media the reserve was set at $1.8M based on recent comparable sales in the area and $1.9m would have been considered a good price. “It was a crazy result,” Mr Tassone said, adding he had estimated the value was no more than $2M. The registered bidders were a mix of buyers wanting to renovate the home, but the strongest competition was from developers wanting to replace the original house with duplexes, Mr Tassone said. Part of the appeal was that the 708sqm block would be about 100m from a proposed shopping precinct and was across the road from a park and reserve. There was still strong demand for property but the key change since lockdown was a greater selection of housing.

Buyers are spoiled for choice. There is no rush to move on what they see because the taps have been turned on full blast for new stock. Well-located properties are the exception and were continuing to attract significant results because they were rare, according to experts. Mr Tassone said inner suburbs were likely cooling faster than Western Sydney, which was continuing to draw buyers because of the more affordable prices. The auction was one of more than 1000 held across Sydney om that week-

end, a 91% rise in auction volumes from when the city emerged from lockdown in October. Sydney’s house prices have increased by 30.4% in the past year, with the median price now $1.5m, following a fall in values of -2.9% between April and September 2020 when Covid first hit. Parts of Sydney’s are cooling with the monthly rate of growth halved since the heights of March this year, when prices reached a monthly growth rate of 3.7%— the fastest monthly increase the city has experienced in three decades.

October’s prices showed a modest dip from the previous month, when values grew at a rate of 1.9%, while house and unit price growth also slowed after growing by 2% and 1.5% in September. According to Corelogic, property values rose 1.5% in October and are now up 23.8% for 2021. A typical Sydney house is $320,000 more expensive than it was at the beginning of January, while units have experienced a gain of $100,000. Sources: The Professionals, Corelogic, Urban Developer

HOW TO WIN THE WEST

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS

LO OUR CA CI L PA

APRIL 2021 Edition 120

TY PE ’S R

WESTERN SYDNEY MEDIA ALLIANCE ParramattA

Voice of Australia’s most progressive city

T I M E S

ISSUE 9 | April 2021

L LOCA NEW

Minister pushing for more women on Parramatta Council: 3

%ඔඉඋඓග඗ඟ1 Issue 1 | April 2021

Blacktown's LOCAL media voice

EXCLUSIVE: Bob Turner on his new role at Blacktown FC.

BEST GIFT SINCE THE OPERA HOUSE POWERHOUSE Parramatta CEO Lisa Havilah is more interested in the flood of excitement over the controversial $920M project than any flood-waters that may lap at its riverside approach. After the recent devastating rains that saw Parramatta River break its banks between the ferry wharf and the site of the museum, Ms Havilah is adamant that the building and its exhibits will not be affected.

FULL STORY PAGE 10

RETAIL BOUNCES BACK -

THIS EDITION

AUTO: SsangYong's mid-life update: 30 BUSINESS: Retailers reveal solutions: 34 TRENDS: Is love passing you by?: 36

World class health care

Westmead Hospital’s new clinical tower oepns: 2

New suburb named BradÀeld

Govy ofÀcially names high tech city at Aerotropolis: 6

Family business in COVID

How many leveraged patience capital during COVID: 12

TALE OF TWO POOLS

Фf^ ÌÓ æ â î î±Ë æ ® þ Ì î® îÓó©® æî ÓÌ EÓÿ â î ±Å âæ ® þ â þ Å î® æÓÅóî±ÓÌæ Ì â Óâ ¨Óâ w æî âÌ ^ą Ì ąФæ У â± Âæ Ì ËÓâî âФ æóßßÓâî Ë æóâ æ Ì ¨Óâ î® ±Ì óæîâą ÓóÌ â î ±Å ±Ì óæîâąϻ óî î®±æ æ îÓâ ® æ ßâÓó Â î®±æ ą â Ì ąÓÌ Ϻ ®±æîÓâą Ó¨ ÓóÌ ±Ì© Â ¨âÓË î® ® â æî Ó¨ î±Ë æϺ FULL STORY PAGE 5

How hope really works

Feature on the Salvation Army Red Shield Appeal: 15

SALOVS: How hope really happens: 19

FTER a few hot summers for swimmers who loved Parramatta and w ÌîÿÓâî®þ±ÅÅ ßÓÓÅæ Ì æóđ â during their closures, relief is on the way. Just a day apart, the refurbished Wentworthville pool opened and î® Ĝâæî æÓ ÿ æ îóâÌ ÓÌ î® spectacular Parramatta Aquatic Centre. Both communities have been without a pool since 2017, the Parramatta Memorial Pool demolished to make way for Bankwest Stadium and the previous Holroyd Council wanting to close the tired Wenty pool

rather than refurbish it. After a bit of æ óĖ îÿ Ì W ââ Ë îî ÓóÌ ±Å and the NSW Government on who would pay for its replacement, an agreement was reached on funding for the state-of-the-art aquatic centre. And in Wentworthville, a concerted community campaign and the Cumberland Council, saved the beloved pool with an upgrade. While Parramatta residents wait two years for their pool, they are welcome to dive to Wenty.

High impact media that reaches Young people turning their lives around at BYSA.

Youth Needs Our Support

VITAL youth service in Blacktown is set to close after missing out on important State Government funding. The Blacktown Youth Support Association’s Youth HQ program helps young people at risk - those who have

been in trouble with the law or those who may be headed that way. But the service was told at the end of last year by the Department of Communities and Justice that they had missed out on funding, in favour of more “targeted” youth

WELCOME to the Blacktown NEWS

ELCOME to Blacktown's NEW LOCAL media voice, The Blacktown News (BN). The Blacktown News is the much-anticipated new newspaper and digital media brand that covers Blacktown LGA with local news written by experienced journalists. The Blacktown News is Blacktown's ONLY printed newspaper and is independently owned and managed locally by a management team that has been working in Blacktown for almost 20 years.

The News will be distributed across 110 strategic distribution points in the LGA. Published in digital and print editions the Blacktown News ođers maximum impact for targeted advertising opportunities and reach to Blacktown's diverse population. With a mission of championing community and business issues, the BN is a proud media partner of the Greater Blacktown Chamber of Commerce, the Blacktown Local Business Awards and Blacktown FC.

Keep up to date with the latest news in and around Blacktown! Get your monthly community e-newsletter today.

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As one of the state’s fastest growing cities, Blacktown has undergone a signiĜcant transformation. It's population is set to rise from 400,000 to 540,000 residents by 2036. The Blacktown News is the print and digital media resource that connects residents and visitors to the city’s diverse community, its progress, business opportunities and lifestyle. We value your feedback. Go to www.greaterblacktownnews.com.au to share your story.

FULL STORY PAGE 6

The home of jobs in Western Sydney. Connecting businesses with job seekers directly l

programs. A letter from the Minister for Families and Communities Gareth Ward suggested that the BYSA seeks funding from other government departments such as education and sport. FULL STORY 10

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Australia’s fastest growth region - Greater Western Sydney, home of Australia’s newest 24-hour airport. Targeted reach. Four powerful media brands in digital and printed formats. Contact us today for a conversation about your success plans: graham@accessnews.com.au

www.accessnews.com.au | www.greaterblacktownnews.com.au | www.parramattatimes.com.au | www.jobswesternsydney.com.au

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

AMCHAM GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY SUMMIT

Join Us

Join us for this business-focused summit, as we connect you with leaders from industry, business and government to present the information, ion, resources and strategies you need to succeed in na rapidly evolving city of opportunity. Official Media Partners

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WEDNESDAY 23 MARCH 2022 | 8:30AM - 4:00PM | COMMBANK STADIUM MEMBER: $299 - TABLE: $2,990 | NON-MEMBER: $349 - TABLE $3,490

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

Blacktown bounced back ROUND 100 people turned up for the inaugural Blacktown Bouncing Back event at Blacktown Workers Club in November. MC'd by Greater Blacktown Chamber President, Trevor Oldfield, the event featured a line-up of expert speakers who presented on themes around recovery post-lockdown. Speakers included Jim Taggart OAM, Chris Hekeik from Mode Media, Rebecca Mihalic from the Business Depot, Katherine Haws from Digital Age Lawyers, Syed Fazal-e-Hasan and Hormoz Ahmadi both from Australian Catholic University Blacktown. The event was sponsored by ACU Blacktown. Supporting partners included Blacktown City Council, Greater Blacktown Chamber of Commerce and Blacktown Workers Club. The Blacktown News was the official media partner. Stay tuned for news about the second event in the series called Doing Business in Blacktown planned for May 2021.

MC Trevor Oldfeild.

Jim Taggart.

See the full video of the event at www.greaterblacktownnews.com.au

Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale with Workers Club CEO, Morgan Stewart.

Chris Hekeik.

Rebecca Mihalic.

Chris Hekeik.

Syed Fazal-e-Hasan.

Jim Taggart.

Business card draw with Paul Campbell form ACU.

Katherine Hawes.

The speakers areea.

Entry to the event.

Blacktown MP Stephen Bali.

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

Rebecca Mihalic.

Katherine Hawes.

Workers Club CEO, Morgan Stewart.

Hormoz Ahmadi.

Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale.

Blacktown MP Stephen Bali.

Members of the audience.

Chris Hekeik and staff.

Hormoz Ahmadi and Syed Fazal-e-Hasan.

2021 DOONSIDE

Christmas Market We We have have partnered partnered with with th the th he Doonside Doonside Festival Festi tival Committee Committee and and Blacktown Blacktown wn Lions Lions Club Club to to bring bring you you the the 2021 th 2021 Doonside Doonside Christmas Chri ris istmas Market. Market.

When

SUNDAY, 12 December 2021 09:00 AM–02:00 PM Doonside CBD, 1 Hill End Rd, Doonside 2767

C Celebrate your community spirit and pick up some last-minute gifts at the Doonside Christmas Market. s T The market will feature free kids rides as well as food trucks and market stalls.

CommenT

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

Why partnerships are essential  BOB TURNER INANCING sport has gone through a huge change since my arrival in Australia 45 years ago. From gate, social media, hospitality, television, government, sponsorship and the latest in private ownership, I have witnessed and been involved in a number of changes to always find ways to fund sport. In the early days sponsorship was very much a charity or donation to fund an interest, family member or passion. This was particularly true for junior sport teams around the country. Local butchers, real estate agents, sports stores and local branches of major businesses put their money to fund Junior sport team uniforms and in some cases registration fees. Thank goodness they did to limit the growing investment parents were having to contribute to see their children on the sports fields. It was those who embraced corporate support as partners and not sponsors that found ways to maximise the exposure and Return On Investment (ROI) for sport and the partner, that excelled and propelled their clubs to another level. I remember playing Little League baseball when I was 10 and being recruited to play for US Markets – a food chain like Woolworths and Coles. The coaches and their wives took ultimate pride in the team and set a culture and brand that I remember to this day. US Markets were ecstatic at the approach the parents took and gave me a lesson at an early age of a ‘Double Win’ philosophy and how it should work. Professional sport is a different beast

to fund. Television contracts are the life blood of many sports and Leagues but these amounts are limited. Outside of television, revenue is derived from attendance, merchandise, social media, hospitality, and sponsorship, or in my view regarded as partnerships to ensure both groups win for ROI and longevity. In the mid 90’s sponsorship in Australia started to become a negative as each year more sports developed a national league. As soon as a national league was mentioned or developed, Players – their agents, coaches and administrators all sought full time employment. Where the money came from to fund their passion was not important.

Fact finding mission They were now pros and like in the USA and Europe should get paid. Gate and sponsorship and media support were now critical. The next answer was private ownership. Unfortunately, in most professional sports it is far easier to lose money than make it. Way back in the early 90’s, Mike Wrublewski and I went to the USA on a fact-finding mission on how professional sport was financed. Television, gate and private ownership were the keys at that time. We had the opportunity to meet with then CEO of the NBA, David Stern. Mike and I asked David why they did not have corporate names on the singlets as we did in Australia exemplified by the Sydney Coca Cola Kings. Why also did they not have signage around the court for sponsors advertising. The answer was not the direction the NBA needed to take at that time. Fast forward 30 years and things have changed.

When Covid and the lockdowns hit, the sports that continued playing around the world were those that had TV and corporate dollars to keep things moving. In most cases these were the elite codes and the professional competitions such as the NBA, MLB, EPL, NRL, AFL and such. They had the income, and as important the contracts with television entities to fulfill. Empty stadiums became the norm but they kept playing. Semi-Pro and community sport took a sever hit and are now hitting a cautious Go button to get back into action. Blacktown City FC has been a dominant force in football since their inception 68 years ago. Always strong on the pitch and a proven developer of young talent the culture in the club is as good as I have ever witnessed.

Where the club dropped the ball was in the marketing of the team and the ability to represent its ‘Namesake’ with the marketing required. That is all changing as we develop a sound marketing program to coincide with taking control of our home stadium – Blacktown City Sports Centre! The various business streams offer corporate partners a variety of packages and in all cases will be treated as partners not just sponsors. Whether it is US Markets, Blacktown City FC, Sydney FC or Manchester United the absolute key in today’s sports world is ROI through a partnership not Sponsorship. Those that excel in creating partnerships will be the winners and survive! Bob Turner is chairman of Blacktown City Football Club. Visit www.blacktowncityfc.com.au

NewS

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

Artist impressions of the park.

ROUSE HILL PARKLAND EXPANDS

Centennial Park of the West  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM ne of Greater Blacktown’s best regional parks will grow by more than a third following the acquisition of private land at Rouse Hill. The Rouse Hill Regional Park is a favorite with families and residents of Western Sydney and the new land acquisition will be dedicated as a permanent public space. The ambitious plan is to turn it into the Centennial Park of the West. Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said the 25ha expansion of the Rouse Hill Regional Park, was part of the Government’s commitment to delivering more public parklands for Sydney’s West. He said the first five hectares of the parcel had come into public ownership under the care of Greater Sydney Parklands. “Sydney’s north-west is growing and its public parklands must grow with it. I’m delighted to see this major expansion of public space, which helps us achieve our vision of a city within a park,” Mr Stokes said. He said the NSW Government had a commitment to ensuring all Sydneysiders had access to great regional parklands, “no matter what part of the city you live in.” “Once the acquisitions of the new public space are complete, Rouse Hill Regional Park will come under the care of Greater Sydney Parklands, who will be tasked with turning it into the Centennial Park of Sydney’s north-west.”

Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly said more open space was good news for the health and wellbeing of the local community. “This growing parkland will give our growing community a special place to have

a barbecue, picnic, exercise or relax with family and friends,” Mr Conolly said. In addition to the expansion of the park, Greater Sydney Parklands will soon begin initial studies with National Parks and Wildlife Service, with the aim of

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opening up the newly acquired land for public use, while also protecting the NSW heritage-listed Rouse Hill Estate. Details: www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-apark/parks/rouse-hill-regional-park

20 JUNE BLACKTOWN CITY VS SUTHERLAND SHARKS New dates 4 JULY BLACKTOWN CITY VS WOLLONGONG to beWOLVES 18 JULY BLACKTOWN CITY VSannounced MARCONI STALLIONS 25 JULY soon. BLACKTOWN CITY VS SYDNEY OLYMPIC

CommenT with MICHELLE ROWLAND

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

I am available to help with a range of Federal matters, including: • Aged Care & Pensions • Centrelink • Immigration • Medicare • National Disability Insurance Scheme • Taxation & Superannuation

Addressing the imbalance in our cultural INVESTMENT  PROSPERITY | MICHELLE ROWLAND OMING out of this pandemic, it has never been more important that we ensure secure, good jobs for our Sydney residents; not just in the CBD, but particularly in our growing, prospering Western Sydney region. And, to build the prosperous Australia of tomorrow, we need to start planning today. That’s why I joined Anthony Albanese to announce our proposal for the prosperous, dynamic and diverse Western Sydney of tomorrow. It seeks to look into the relocation of the SBS Headquarters from North Sydney to Western Sydney. Western Sydney is one of Australia’s most diverse and fast-growing areas and the SBS is Australia’s most diverse multilingual, multiplatform media organisation. But there is an imbalance in infrastructure, skilled jobs and cultural investment in Western Sydney. Despite being home to 30 per cent of the State’s population, Western Sydney receives only a fraction of Commonwealth Arts program funding and the NSW Government’s Arts budget.

Michelle Rowland MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GREENWAY

Level 1, Suite 101C, 130 Main Street, Blacktown PO Box 8525, Blacktown NSW 2148 (02) 9671 4780 Michelle.Rowland.MP@aph.gov.au www.michellerowland.com.au MRowlandMP Authorised by Michelle Rowland MP, Australian Labor Party, Suite 101C, Level 1, 130 Main Street, Blacktown NSW 2148

This proposal seeks to investigate this imbalance by commissioning a feasibility study into relocation of the Northern Sydney-based headquarters of the SBS to Sydney’s West, alongside the creation of a multipurpose space for content creation and public use, such as meeting space for small not-for-profit ethnic organisations. This has been estimated by one council to bring 400 construction jobs to Western Sydney and generate $85M for our economy, kickstarting an economy sedated by the Liberals’ long-term economic mismanagement and inadequate pandemic response. The SBS is a vibrant jewel in Australia’s multicultural crown. We want to explore how relocating this dynamic multi-platform digital broadcaster to the heart of a fast-growing multicultural corridor in Australia could be beneficial for Sydney’s west– in both an economic and cultural sense. Western Sydney deserves this opportunity to build back stronger after the pandemic and, if elected, a Labor Government will make it happen. Michelle Rowland is Shadow Minister for Communications Federal Member for Greenway. Visit: www.michellerowland.com.au

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

OF WESTERN SYDNEY Watch Western Sydney's brightest stars ... as they dance to raise funds for a cancer free future Satu rd a y, 26th M a rch 2 0 2 2 Went y Lea gues Cl ub | 7 pm

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AutO

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

Premium focus sees Honda slash Civic model range and annual sales targets  BUYING | MATT BROGAN ONDA will offer just one grade and one body style of its next-generation Civic model when the five-door VTiLX hatch goes on sale from December 6. Honda Australia says the single-spec offering is a move to push the model upmarket as the business “repositions” itself to focus on private small car buyers. It’s part of a broader decision that will see the Japanese brand sell just “20,000 vehicles” annually from now on. The eleventh-generation Civic is powered by an updated version of the familiar 1.5-litre VTEC TURBO four-cylinder petrol engine. The new range no longer incorporates the 1.8-litre normally aspirated four-pot, which previously powered the entry-grade VTi-S. The line-up will be further bolstered next year when the e:HEV hybrid and sporty Type R arrive. Speaking to GoAuto this week, Honda Australia director Stephen Collins said the brand would target buyers of “European-type hatches” on the back of an increasing proportion of SUV model sales. The annual sales target for the new highgrade Civic is 900 units. “We really have quite an onslaught of new product arriving over the next 18 months – and the Civic petrol model is the first. It’s a car that has an enormous history globally and, in Australia, it has been on sale for nearly 50 years,” Mr Collins said. “Throughout that period, it has played different roles for us… and this vehicle will play a different role again. We are repositioning the Civic in Australia. On occasions, it has been our volume model and, other times, it has been more niche and more premium. This time it is very much a premium step up… a real step up in terms of the class of the hatch. “As such, it won’t be a big-volume vehicle for us. Over the next 12 months, we expect to (sell) about 900 units. It will be a more premium vehicle, positioned at the top of the hatch market and, although it will be a lower volume (car) for us, it is still an important model,” he added. Mr Collins said the strategy behind Civic fitted Honda’s new agency ethos of a “right-size business” that can “sell a sustainable number of vehicles to support (its) profitability”. He said the brand would continue to focus on a premium specification and high-series grades as it moved forward; the streamlined product line-up would effectively “create space for all-new products now on the horizon”. “We’ll be launching the Civic with the ‘one price promise’ – it will be priced $47,200 drive-away nationally. We think that’s very reflective of the level of equip-

ment and premiumness of the vehicle… and we think the package really speaks for itself,” Mr Collins continued. “Probably around 90 per cent of our business will be SUVs (in future). SUV growth in the market continues to be amazing and our line-up over the next few years will reflect that.” When asked if Honda Australia considered ditching the Civic altogether, Mr Collins was resolute, saying the nameplate was “synonymous” with the brand and would continue to have a presence in the local market for the foreseeable future. “I think the primary reason is that it’s just such a part of us – we have to bring it to market,” Mr Collins enthused.

50-year history “We have a 50-year history with Civic and I think if you ask the average person in the street about Honda models, I think the Civic would be the top two or three (they recall), despite the fact that we sell a lot more CR-Vs and HR-Vs. It’s synonymous with our brand.” The Civic, HR-V and CR-V will be joined by another SUV in the next 12 months. The Accord – which will be refreshed before the end of 2022 – will remain in Honda Australia’s line-up. The Odyssey will, however, be retired globally as Honda closes its people-mover production facility to focus on the manufacture of SUVs. “The eleventh-generation Civic represents a step-change for Honda in the small-car segment, with the all-new model elevating key aspirational elements of the Honda brand such as craftsmanship, premium quality and intuitive design,” Mr Collins continued. “On the eve of its 50th anniversary, Honda designers and engineers have taken the Civic to a whole new level, producing a car that is more advanced, more sophisticated, and more premium than ever before.

“For Australia, the all-new Civic has been specified to appeal to a new target customer, one that aligns with the move to a more premium positioning for the Civic nameplate and the Honda brand overall,” he added. Output figures of the VTEC TURBO engine in Civic are rated at 131kW (+4kW) and 240Nm (+20Nm), the figure rising to 134kW on premium unleaded fuel. The front wheels are driven via a continuously variable transmission, which Honda “redeveloped and improved” for 2022. Honda says the Civic VTi-LX will accelerate from 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds and the model’s average fuel economy figure is listed at 6.3 litres per 100km (ADR Combined). The new model places an emphasis on innovation, design leadership and outstanding driving dynamics, Honda says. Its clean modern design is paired with a high-tech, human-centred interior equipped with the latest advanced active and passive safety systems.

Safety technology Honda will offer its latest Honda Sensing safety technologies on the Civic VTi-LX hatch, including blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, driver and front-seat passenger knee airbags, traffic jam assist, driver attention monitor, as well as a pop-up safety bonnet. The Japanese-built model rides on 18inch alloy wheels (with a puncture repair kit) and will be available in four paint colours: Crystal Red, Crystal Blue, Crystal Black and Platinum White. Honda says it has focused on outward visibility as part of a push to create a “panoramic exterior view”. The newcomer’s A-pillars have been moved backward, the bonnet lowered and the dashboard flattened to improve the view forward. The door-mounted wing mirrors, in turn, serve to improve sightlines between the front pillar and the mirror. Cabin volume is increased by 34 litres to a total of 2803 litres. Despite its rakish roofline, the Civic is said to still offer “ample head, leg, shoulder, and hip room for all passengers.” The model is 12mm wider in its rear track and has a 35-mm longer wheelbase than the outgoing model; the suspension comprises a strut front- and multi-link rear arrangement. Braking is all disc (282mm front/260mm rear) and the steering electrically assisted. The new Civic tips the scale at 1369kg. Meanwhile, the front seats are trimmed in black perforated suede (with red accents) and are both heated and electrically adjustable, while the 9.0inch touchscreen infotainment array

supports wireless Apple CarPlay and (wired) Android Auto connectivity. A BOSE 12-speaker premium audio system, Qi wireless device charging pad, satellite navigation (with over-the-air updates) and LED ambient courtesy lighting are also fitted. The extended rear overhang and reduced hinge intrusion sees the Honda’s claimed luggage capacity grow to 404 litres. A lower lift-over height and 60:40 split-fold rear seats join an additional under-floor tray (45 litres) to further extend the Civic’s cargo-carrying ability. Australian sales of the Civic trail those of most of its sub-$40,000 small car competitors; at the time of writing, had Honda recorded year-to-date unit sales of just 2749. Its sixth place standing sees the current-gen Civic place behind the Toyota Corolla (25,393), Hyundai i30 (21,080), Kia Cerato (16,183), Mazda 3 (12,566) and Subaru Impreza (3273), but ahead of the Volkswagen Golf (1527), Skoda Scala (855) and Ford Focus (662).

2022 Honda Civic hatch pricing*: VTi-S (a) Discontinued VTi-L (a) Discontinued VTi-LX (a) $47,200* (+$10,600) RS (a) Discontinued

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

Crosswords/Games

Solutions page 31

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Point on the earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake 6. The man who invented the cube that became a world hit, Hungarian designer, Erno ... 9. First person to circumnavigate the world in a balloon, ... Fossett 10. New York World Series baseball team 11. China's ... Zedong 12. West African republic with Conakry as its capital and chief Atlantic port 13. Sweet sparkling wine from the Piedmont area of northern Italy 15. Soviet statesman, ... Gorbachev 16. Wave-riding 18. Geothermal springs 20. Moving ice mass (Aletsch is Europe's largest) 21. US president's country home, ... David 23. London monument that stands close to the site of the Tyburn gallows, ... Arch 24. Flightless Australian bird 27. An ancient Greek one would have competed naked! 28. UAE sheikhdom, Abu ... 29. Tennis champion, Monica ... 30. Jazz legend, Duke ...

DOWN 1. English racing town or sort of salts used as a purgative 2. Fast and furious sport involving a puck (3,6) 3. Florida swamp region 4. World champion ice dancers, Jayne ... and Christopher Dean 5. Paris boulevard leading to the Arc de Triomphe, Champs ... 6. Cricket scores 7. Dutch word for 'farmers' used to denote Afrikaans-speaking South Africans 8. American statesman noted for his efforts in establishing a cease-fire in Vietnam in 1973, Henry ... 14. Final battle at the end of the world or the movie starring Liv Tyler and Bruce Willis 15. CS Lewis Narnia tale, The ... Nephew (8'1) 17. Door-to-door (hawker) 19. Term for conjoined twins first used to describe Chang and Eng Bunker 20. Archangel generally depicted in art blowing the trumpet that will announce the second coming 22. Mausoleum Shah Jahan built to commemorate his wife, the Taj ... 25. Workers' body formed to safeguard salaries and conditions 26. Followers of Judaism

TraveL

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

BELOW DECK SUPERYACHTS…

The business trip of the lifetime

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM IRING a ‘Below Deck TV’ superyacht in Tahiti or the Caribbean is not cheap, but it is the ultimate way for a business or group of friends to enjoy the holiday of a lifetime. The smash hit TV show has introduced the superyacht concept of cruising to whole new generation of businesspeople. I have been fortunate enough to enjoy this kind of adventure several times and it’s my favorite form of travel by a long shot, for good reason. It is simply the best way to travel. If you’re not familiar with the plot of Below Deck, it tells the story of the crew of these superyachts who have to battle each other and sometimes the guests as they cruise around Moorea, the Mediterranean, the Virgin Islands or Thailand in absolute luxury. The guests get drunk and misbehave, the crew falls in love or hates each other, and poor old captains have to keep it all shipshape. Food and drink abound on the back deck, with superb cuisine a highlight and almost every whim or request catered for during the five-day charter. So, how much does it cost to hire yourself one of the Below Deck superyachts? Charters start at $140,000 a cruise which, when you break it down to around $10,000 a guest is reasonable. However, you are expected throw in a tip for around $1500 each and you have to pay for your air fares and accommodation on land. Most of these superyachts are typically 50m plus long and are constantly updated and remodeled – as well as being renamed as they change hands. You can buy a new ‘second hand’ model for around $20m. The Mediterranean superyachts starring in the show are much more expensive to hire at almost twice the cost of the American yachts. But imagine cruising into Monaco, Portofino or Ibiza in your own luxury superyacht while quaffing down a French champagne or two on the top deck.

Relaxed or as busy as you want The lifestyle is as relaxed or busy as you want. The trick is to pace yourself and enjoy the cruise rather than the booze. Clothing is casual and there is normally a theme dinner where you are expected to join in and end up dancing with the crew. Before the cruise, you select the type of food you require and a menu is developed to suit your needs. Guests on the cruises where Top Deck is being filmed pay significantly less for their

charters, however they only last three days instead of five. You also have to be filmed constantly and suffer the consequences of being on TV worldwide and often ridiculed on social media. For example, in season six, guests paid a total of $40,000 for their Croatian charter. The price include accommodation in four rooms one night before the charter and one night after. However, if you chartered the Lady Michelle in Season Six during filming in the Mediterranean visiting ultimate places, guests paid $275,000 per week if they chartered during TV production. It was $310,000 off camera in high season. Australia has superyacht charters, most of them in tropical regions and they cost from $100,000 per week. Our yachts are typically not as big as the TV show yachts, averaging around 40m and normally carrying eight to 10 guests. The Whitsundays is the superyacht charter capital of Australia with spots like Whitehaven Beach a mecca for guests. So, if your business is a success and you are looking for a way of celebrating your good fortune or rewarding your hardworking staff, a superyacht charter may be the way to go in 2022. Source: www.worldwideboat.com

Games Solutions

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

TrendS

WARNING IN LEADUP TO CHRISTMAS

Tips for spotting fake online reviews  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM EVIEWS can be your golden gateway to finding the perfect online product or service, but how reliable are they in this world of fake news and manipulated data? With sales like Black Friday and other big sales to follow, many Aussies will go online to start their Christmas shopping. In the meantime, many Aussies have also been online during lockdown to buy what they need. Similarly, the looming holidays will mean many of us will be reading online reviews of hotel rooms and resort facilities before making our choice for a vacation destination. An amazing 95% of Aussies say they read reviews before purchasing something online. The experts at Reviews.org surveyed 1000 Aussies on their knowledge of fake online reviews and found that more than half of Aussies think they’ve fallen for fake reviews before. In addition to the survey, they asked the ACCC for tips on how Aussies could spot fake reviews and what to do if they encounter any. Reviews.org worked with the ACCC to gather advice on how to spot a fake review. So, what does the ACCC say about fake reviews? “There are various ways in which online reviews can be manipulated,” a ACCC spokesperson said. “For example, a business may post fake positive reviews about their own goods or services, or offer incentives to consumers to post positive reviews or remove negative reviews. Businesses may also post fake negative reviews about their competitors to gain an advantage in the market.” Here are a few highlights from their report: • Aussies think online reviews are important—with 95% saying they read online reviews before purchasing something online. • 86% said they also read reviews before going to a restaurant or business. And a mere 15% say they would not purchase something if it had an average rating lower than five stars. • 28% say they do not trust online reviews.

spent ordering online takeaway during lockdown. “So, with so much of our hard-earned cash going towards online purchases, we naturally want to ensure we’re making the right choices,” Victoria Schmid of Reviews. org said.

How to identify a fake review?

Victoria Schid.

• When shown examples of online reviews, only about one in four could correctly identify the fake review. Now, Aussies are pretty prolific online shoppers. According to Australia Post, four in five households made at least one online purchase at some point in 2020, totaling more than $50bn. And that does not include the millions of dollars we all

The spokesperson for the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) urged all shoppers to be aware that “not all posted reviews are legitimate”. “There are various ways in which online reviews can be manipulated.” “For example, a business may post fake positive reviews about their own goods or services, or offer incentives to consumers to post positive reviews or remove negative reviews. Businesses may also post fake negative reviews about their competitors to gain an advantage in the market.” So, what should consumers be on the lookout for when shopping online? Here are a few tips: • Don’t rely on one website when researching something you’re looking to buy. Before purchasing,

consult multiple trustworthy and independent sources, like third-party reviews platforms and expert reviewers like Reviews.org. Unlike the reviews you find on the business or product’s own website, third-party reviewers tend to employ stricter quality assurance policies. • Be wary of testimonials. Whether it’s a fancy new smart home gadget or a local plumbing business, the ACCC warns that positive reviews and testimonials published on a company’s own website may be less credible, as they are often incentivised by the business; for example 10% your next order in exchange for a fivestar review. • Look for patterns. There are a few telltale signs when it comes to spotting an illegitimate review. Were all, or a lot of the reviews posted on the same date? Are they written in the same tone, using the same vocabulary? Has the author left reviews for other products and businesses, or just this one? • Don’t fall for overwhelmingly positive reviews. Retailers, as opposed to third-party review site, may have more control over what customer reviews are published and which are removed. If something has thousands of reviews and very few, if any, under three stars, it’s possible the company has deleted credible negative reviews to artificially inflate their rating. “If consumers are concerned about fake or illegitimate reviews appearing on third-party review platforms, they should first report this to the third-party review platform provider,” the ACCC spokesperson advised. You can see the full survey, plus tips from the ACCC here: https://www.reviews.org/au/reviews/fakereviews-survey/

FitnesS

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

My take on the fitness industry  ADAM SIMPSON HAVE been in the health and fitness industry now for almost 15 years, so I have been around for long enough to see many of what I believe are the shortcomings of the industry. In a perfect world those of us in the fitness industry would be able to help everyone achieve their health and fitness goals. I have listed below where I think the health and fitness industry falls short and what you can do to navigate it. 1. Unrealistic Body Images on Social Media – We have all seen the perfect body images of fitness influencers posted all over social media. It can be all too easy to compare yourself to one of these fitness influencers, then spiralling your own self confidence down the drain. My advice is to stop comparing yourself to these photos, comparison is the thief of joy. You need to remember that often these photos are highly photo shopped, use clever lighting and have a fitness model who has literally dedicated their last few months to get themselves in shape for the perfect photo. Instead, track your own progress and only compare yourself to how far you have come. I guarantee it is going to make the process that much more enjoyable. 2. Conflicting information and confusing messages – After speaking to loads of people over the years, a common thing I hear is that people are confused on what they need to

eat or drink to get in shape. I can completely understand how easy it can be with all of the mixed messages out there. From carnivore, to vegan, to keto, high carb, low carb and everything in between. My advice to you is stick to the basics, eat plenty of fresh fruit and veggies, lean cuts of meat and quality sources of carbohydrates. Limit how much processed food you are eating and be mindful of the total calories you are consuming. Your best bet is to book yourself in with a qualified nutritionist and speak to someone who specialises in all thing’s food.

3. Quick Fix schemes – Often I see programs or dietary protocols being sold as the quick fix to all of your health and fitness problems. The truth is, there is no silver bullet to getting your fitness where you would like it to be. It takes time and patience, you must spend the time working on building better habits that you can stick to long term. My advice is to find an exercise program you enjoy so you actually do to it. In addition, make small dietary changes that you don’t find too hard to implement. Often small changes can lead to big results, you just need to be consistent with the habit you have changed.

4. Over Complicated or Extreme Programs – Your fitness program does not need to be overcomplicated; you just need to be consistent. Stick at it and the results will come. Like quick fix schemes extreme programs are sold to be the magical answer to all of your problems, the problem is they are very hard to stick to long term. My advice is to set yourself a minimum standard on how many days a week you will commit to. Some weeks you might have more time and feel really great, by all means train that bit harder or more frequently. But the results will come from all of the weeks that you hit your minimum standard. Consistency is truly the key. 5. Trainers operating beyond their scope of practice – Most trainers just want to help their clients get results anyway that they can. Trainers are often the first point of contact when it comes to questions around nutrition or even niggling injuries. It can be quite easy for a trainer to overstep the mark and put together a detailed nutrition plan or advice on an injury. My advice to you is, go to your trainer for training, your physiotherapist for your injuries and seek out a nutritionist for customised nutrition plans. If you have any questions on any of the above or anything related to nutrition or training, feel free to email adam@ repetitionspt.com.au. I would love to hear from you and help you in any way that I can. Adam Simpson is lead trainer at Repetitions Fitness, Rouse Hill.

FilM

ISSUE 9 | December 2021

Dune – 5 Stars The greatest movie of the decade AUL Atreides (Timothee Chalamet) is the son of Duke Leto (Oscar Isaac), who has been tasked by the emperor with leaving his planet, and taking over the planet Arrakis. Despite the Atreides’ love for their homeworld, they are forced to travel to the dusty, sandy, red planet where the Universe’s entire supply of Spice (a mineral used for interstellar travel) is mined. But the previous colonialist overlords of the planet, the Harkonnens, led by their Baron (Stellan Skaarsgaard) aren’t looking to turn over their riches so easily. As they hatch a plan to destroy house Atreides, the Duke turns to the native people of Arrakis. Meanwhile, Paul contends with the prophecy his mother (Rebecca Ferguson) and the Bene Gesserit have given him; he is to be a messiah on this planet. But before he

can be, he has to learn how to survive it. Based on the incredible, and oft thought unadaptable, novels by Frank Herbert, Dune is a masterpiece, crafting a compelling, engaging and beautiful tale out of the first half of the main book and unravelling the dense subject-matter into an easy-to-understand and enjoyable 2-hour 35-minute film. Across the board, the acting is superb, with Chalamet and Isaac in particular standing out as perfectly cast iterations of their literary predecessors. That being said, from a performance perspective there isn’t a single weak link here, and every appearance of every character comes with a palpable, tangible excitement that is hard to shake. Couple that with a tale that is grand, exciting and fantastic in nature. Frank Herbert’s original novel, along with Isaac

Asimov’s Foundation series, is the base seed of pretty much every sci-fi we have seen on the big screen in recent decades, so there was always the potential that the tale could feel old or stale. Nevertheless, director Denis Villeneuve circumvents these issues by melding all of the familiar elements together in an unfamiliar, and exciting, new piece that doesn’t feel quite like anything that has come before. Perhaps that is to do with the story, which is confidently told without resolution, in anticipation of a second film. Then again, perhaps it is to do with the scale. Dune is grandiose to say the least. The costumes are gorgeous, and perfect. The set design is massive, gargantuan, and endlessly awe-inspiring. Cinematographer Greig Fraser knocks the shooting of the piece out of the park, and every single

frame feels like a piece of art. Despite all of this, without a shadow of a doubt the most impressive part of Dune is the score by Hans Zimmer. This feels like a seminal work from the maestro, and the audioscape of the piece will stay with you long after leaving the cinema–whether it’s the all-encompassing wave of sound that closes the picture, or the glare of bagpipes as Josh Brolin’s Gurney Halleck charges into battle. If this is the most beautiful movie of the year, it’s the score that takes it into the pantheon of classics for the ages. Dune is a masterpiece that has to be seen to be believed. Reviews by Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com

Blacktown News - December 2021

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