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

L OCA L NEW

N Issue 4 | July 2021

Blacktown's LOCAL media voice ice

THIS EDITION

Homegrown Blacktown talent. Josh Addo-Carr.

Execs sleep rough to help youth: 5

Residents hope for the return of Doonside Festival: 12

Blacktown winning war on tossers: 3 Property prices are sky rocketing: 13 LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS FEATURE: 26

BLACKTOWN FOXX

State of Origin hero eyes clean sweep

LACKTOWN has produced many great sporting champions, but NRL star Josh Addo-Carr is the most famous of them all. The Blacktown-born flyer dubbed ‘The Foxx’ is one of the first players picked for major Rugby League rep teams including Australia and

the NSW State of Origin side. Josh, who stars for premiers Melbourne Storm every week, recently scored an astounding six tries in the runaway win over the Rabbitohs. The last time that happened was 70 years ago. But he is so fast, he could have been sprinting at the Tokyo Olym-

pics this year instead of racing down the footy field. In 2020 he told NRL.com of his aspirations to be an Olympian after he became the NRL’s fastest recorded player at 38.5kmh, while carrying a ball on grass in a match against the Cowboys.

Story page 10.

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important community announcements upcoming events transformational projects school holiday activities community award programs competitions much, much more...

ISSUE 4 | July 2021

Blacktown City blacktown.nsw.gov.au

Blacktown

Snapshot

395,000 population

18.81 billion regional economy

4.6%

24,990

average economic growth

registered businesses

143,259 local jobs

Message from the Mayor

Tony Bleasdale, OAM

As this Council approaches the end of its five-year term, I look back with pride on all we have achieved. It has been exciting to see the impact our Transformational Projects have already made on the look and feel of our City. The newly opened Warrick Lane precinct not only provides an efficient 482-space underground public carpark, but also 2 tree-lined parks, 2 flanking buildings, children’s play equipment, street furniture, breakout spaces and a plaza. This precinct will also become the centre of planned developments in the CBD that could include a new purpose-built campus for Australian Catholic University, a new Council Administration Centre and a new Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre. In February, we welcomed the first students to ACU’s Blacktown Campus in Main Street and Council recently achieved another milestone, with a smoking ceremony and sod turning to mark the start of construction of the $30 million Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre at Glendenning. This state-of-the-art facility will replace the Animal Holding Facility in Blacktown and will set new standards for Australia in dealing with unwanted pets, strays, and adoptions. Work has also started on the International Centre of Training Excellence at the Blacktown International Sportspark. In April, Council delivered a balanced $656 million draft budget for the 2021/22 financial year.

$76 million Warrick Lane car park and plaza officially open The transformation of Warrick Lane car park into a modern, world-class facility is complete. This 482 space multi-level underground car park features Darug language and First Nations artworks throughout. The precinct also features 2 tree-lined public parks, children’s play equipment, street furniture, breakout spaces and a plaza.

It could also become the permanent home to the Australian Catholic University Blacktown campus as well as Council’s new administrative centre. Artworks provide important focal points above and below ground.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said: ‘This development is a milestone in our transformational journey that is already attracting investors to our CBD and a wonderful achievement the entire community can be proud of.’ The new car park is built under a plaza between Main Street and Yan Willama Road (formerly Warrick Lane), Blacktown and features 3-hour parking with world-class facilities, including disability access, lifts and parking space availability indicators.

The car park features specially commissioned works by Prospect born and raised Indigenous artist Adam Hill, (known professionally as Blak Douglas). Pillars in the car park feature figures that depict Darug people, while each level has the image of a local animal that lives underground or can be found in the dark with the names written in English and Darug. Above ground, the eastern flanking building features an artwork by Nick Athanasiou (known professionally as Skunk Patrol).

The precinct, which will reinvigorate the eastern end of the CBD, is flanked by four storey buildings on either side that will house shops, cafes, restaurants and office space.

Environmentally, we have the biggest roof-top solar installation of any Council in Australia, we planted more than 33-thousand trees last year and we’re spending more than $56 million on parks, playgrounds and sporting fields.

It is based on the translucency of dragon fly wings and reflects natural light by day and the night lights of the city, to create changing patterns in the plaza.

Council has remained focussed on delivering on our core community services. This year we will spend $6.3 million on drainage improvements, $6.2 million on sporting ground upgrades, $60.8 million on waste collection services and $20.6 million for road and footpath improvements among numerous other projects. We are the largest council in NSW with more than 395,000 residents. Blacktown City Council is a major employer and business in Western Sydney and we remain committed to maintaining jobs, timely payment of our creditors, providing quality services, facilities and infrastructure for our residents and businesses.

Tony Bleasdale OAM Mayor of Blacktown City

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

Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre work underway

One of Council’s major Transformational Projects took another big step recently, with a sod turning and Smoking Ceremony to mark the start of construction of the $30 million Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre at Glendenning.

Its design will balance the highly technical requirements of a veterinary surgery, disease control, on-site power generation and water recycling, with the need for a robust, functional and beautiful building for people and companion animals.

The centre, due for completion in mid-2022, will exemplify world’s best practice in animal welfare and adoption.

Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre will not only cater for the needs of Blacktown but other Western Sydney councils.

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 4 | July 2021

Blacktown winning war with tossers Our city the second highest in NSW for litter reduction LACKTOWN residents rank second in the list of suburbs that have reported the largest number of ‘tossers’ as part of the NSW Government’s Report A Tosser! Program. Report A Tosser! launched in 2015 as part of the NSW Government’s anti-littering program. Roadside locations are the number one littered sites in NSW, and the program aims to change behaviour and reduce litter by sending a clear message that littering is unacceptable. According to NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) Litter Prevention Manager Rupert Saville more than 58,500 people across NSW have registered with Report to EPA to report tossers littering from vehicles. Over 2,700 of these reside in Blacktown. “It’s fantastic to be supported by so many community members who feel so passionate about protecting the environment. Currently, the Report A Tosser! community is over three times the size of the NSW Police Force and is growing,” Mr Saville said. “The program is designed to empower the community to protect the environment and ensure it’s clean and safe for everyone to enjoy. “It also sends a very strong message that anyone can be watching and, if you’re a Tosser, you will be fined,” Mr Saville said. Around 25,000 tonnes of litter is tossed in NSW each year, costing the State and local governments more than $180M to manage. Cigarette butts and takeaway packaging (including straws, cutlery, and plastics) are consistently the top littered items.

Tossers are getting tossed in Blacktown.

“What many people don’t realise is cigarette butts are made from plastic and they don’t break down, leaching toxins into the environment and causing damage to ecosystems and animals. “A bag carelessly tossed in rural NSW can end up being mistaken for food by a turtle or a straw can get caught in a turtle’s nose. If a turtle eats just one piece of plastic, it will have a 20% chance of dying. Sadly, only one in 1,000 turtles will reach adulthood,” Mr Saville said.

Report a tosser facts Report A Tosser! is part of the successful NSW Litter Prevention Strategy that has reduced the volume of litter by 43% since 2013-2014. To report littering from a vehicle you need to: • Have seen the litter being thrown, or blown, from the vehicle. • Be able to provide the vehicle registration details and the location where the littering took place. • Report the incident within 14 days.

• Submit your report online through Report to EPA Once a report is made there are 18 steps taken to verify the report before any fine is issued. A penalty for a littering offence is like any other offence. That is, a person may choose to have the matter heard in court and the presumption of innocence applies.

To Report ATosser! and protect our environment you can register at www.epa.nsw.gov.au/reporttoepa/

www.greaterblacktownnews.com.au www.facebook.com/theblacktownnews www.instagram.com/communitybroadcastnetwork/

ISSUE 4 | July 2021

CBD DevelopmenT

Work starts on next phase UST days after the official opening of the Warrick Lane underground carpark and plaza in Blacktown, work has started on the next stage of Blacktown City Council’s development and transformation of the CBD. Contractors AW Edwards have started initial works on four development sites located in the area bounded by Warrick Lane, the railway line and Sunnyholt Road. The adjacent lots of approximately 3,000 square metres each, were part of the former carpark that has now been made redundant by the new underground facility. Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM said: “This is Council-owned land that has been slated for future development. “The work on the four lots will add value to Council’s assets and provide prospective developers and consortiums with ‘ready-tobuild, clean sites’ that won’t have to undergo expensive and time-consuming demolition and remediation work. “These sites will accommodate key strategic uses that will benefit our City Centre. One is planned to house a purpose-built campus for Australian Catholic University, Council Administration Centre and the Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre. “The others are slated for private development that may include commercial office space, a hotel, assisted living accommodation and apartments.” Work already underway includes removing old fill, levelling the sites, installation of a temporary detention basin and upgrading of services. The work is anticipated to be completed by October 2021. “Council is committed to continuing the transformation of the Blacktown CBD into a modern, vibrant, sustainable city centre.” Mayor Bleasdale said.

ISSUE 4 | JULY 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 Each edition of The Blacktown News can be viewed and downloaded in digitalf ormat at our ISSUU platform: www.issuu/communitybroadcastnetwork

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

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

Advertising sales Graham Maughan graham@accessnews.com.au

The main building in Blacktown City Council’s Warrick Lane precinct redevelopment. The building and plaza sits above a 482-space underground carpark.

The redevelopment sites looking west from Sunnyholt Rd.

Administration Rebecca Swaleh info@greaterblacktownnews.com.au

Design and production Design2Pro, Words and Pixels.

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

The redevelopment sites looking east towards Sunnyholt Rd.

INDEX

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

News .................................3 City of Opportunities .........7 Blacktown Workers ...........8 Cover story .....................10 BREED ...........................11

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Property ..........................14 Michelle Rowland ...........16 Games Crosswords ........17 Trends .............................18 Travel ..............................20

Blacktown Business .......21 Directory .........................22 Fitness ............................24 Film .................................24 Business Awards ............26

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ISSUE 4 | July 2021

Execs sleep rough to support youth HE reality is that there are youth in Blacktown’s local government area who are sleeping rough every night. In a show of support and to raise awareness, management and staff from Blacktown Workers Club, led by Group CEO, Morgan Stewart, will sleep rough with a goal of raising more than $30,000 for youth support. Blacktown Workers Club Group’s (BWCG) “CEO and CO Winter Sleep Out” took place in June. The recipient of the fund raising is BYSA (Blacktown Youth Services Association), a youth-led organisation that has been providing resources to empower young people since 1986. The young people that are welcomed into the BYSA community are often from disadvantaged situations, ranging from domestic and family violence, neglect, and homelessness. BWCG, Morgan Stewart, who had participated in similar fundraisers in the past, wanted to embrace the cause of the winter sleep out, but keep it local to support the community in which two of the clubs in the Group operate. “Homelessness is an issue currently affecting the Blacktown area and when the Workers team decide to make a difference, we want to see the impact in our local community. There are no more deserving recipients than BYSA–an organisation on the frontlines of youth in crisis and experiencing homelessness,” said Mr Stewart. The Board of Directors of the Blacktown Workers Club Group donated $10,000 to the fundraiser, part of their ongoing support towards BYSA. Long-serving President Kay Kelly showing her support to the cause and the team, by spending the night sleeping rough during the CEO and CO Winter Sleep Out.

From left: Mark Robson – Paynter Dixon, Colin Ipsen – Paynter Dixon, George Vella – Blacktown Workers Club Group, Terry O’Loughlin – Blacktown Workers Club Group, Grant Heanes – Gold Security Management, Jack Miller – Blacktown Workers Club Group, Kay Kelly – Blacktown Workers Club Group, Mayor Tony Bleasdale, Blacktown City Council, Stephen Bali, MP, Member for Blacktown, Morgan Stewart – Blacktown Workers Club Group.

Support for community Major support for the fundraiser also came from the Payce Foundation, part of Paynter Dixon, the organisation currently undertaking the redevelopment of the club at 55 Campbell Street. They followed their $20,000 sponsorship of the BYSA Outdoor Cinema with another $10,000 to support the CEO and CO Winter Sleep Out. Paynter Dixon Executive Chairman and PAYCE Foundation Director James Boyd congratulated Blacktown Workers Club Group on another successful fundraiser.

For more information on BYSAv isit their website www.bysa.org.au; or find them on socials: www.facebook.com/bysa2 and instragram.com/ blacktownbysa.

Mr Boyd said: “Homelessness is a significant issue right across Sydney and we were pleased to assist Blacktown Workers, who are great supporters of their local community. Paynter Dixon and the PAYCE Foundation look forward partnering with the Blacktown Workers Club on future social justice community initiatives.” Also showing their support, the team received visits from Mayor of Blacktown City Council, Tony Bleasdale and Member for Blacktown, Stephen Bali MP, who both opened the night with heartfelt speeches and expressions of congratulations and warm wishes to the team. Since introduced to BYSA by Stephen Bali MP in 2020, BWCG has been on a journey of support for the local not-forprofit organisation, with donations and fundraising prior to the sleep out already exceeding $100,000. Unfortunately, BYSA

Alison Becroft from BYSA.

is still in desperate need of financial support due to a lack of government funding. The CEO and CO Winter Sleep Out generated an extra $33,385 in funding for BYSA, meaning that the support from the BWCG has now exceeded $136,000. BWCG and BYSA thank the wonderful supporters who made the fundraiser such a huge success.

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ISSUE 4 | July 2021

Mithila's upholding family traditions  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM LACKTOWN Hospital junior doctor Mithila Zaheen is passionate about her work, but she also has challenges far beyond the busy days caring for her patients. Mithila has a passion for health equality, with a particular interest in improving access for rural, Indigenous and refugee communities. She volunteers extensively including for a refugee tutoring service for the Sudanese communities, the homework club at Baabayn Aboriginal Corporation and with The Water Well and Share the Dignity programs. Mithila is eager to give back to her profession in many ways. She has been appointed a Conjoint Associate Lecturer at Western Sydney University School of Medicine and is currently studying a postgraduate Master of Medicine in Clinical Epidemiology at the University of Sydney. So, Mithila is certainly not afraid of a challenge and her hard work was recognised recently with an International Women’s Day honor. Mithila was named a ‘Blacktown City Woman of the Year’ finalist at the council’s annual International Women’s Day breakfast.

Humbled and honored She said she was “humbled and honored” to be recognised alongside 21 other women who have made significant contributions to the local community. Despite her challenging work and study load, Mithila makes time for her many volunteer commitments. “I make it a priority to give back. It helps me feel fulfilled when I make a dif-

Dr Fardin Ferdous and Dr Mithila Zaheen are siblings and fellow junior doctors at Blacktown Hospital, pictured on night shift together.

Mithila and her siblings with their mother, who has worked as a GP in Merrylands for 20 years.

ference for the wider community,” Mithila said. “I grew up in western Sydney and my parents are migrants from Bangladesh so I’m passionate about helping underserved populations, especially Indigenous and migrant communities. “I’m especially passionate about health literacy. It’s one thing to help people in hospital but it’s even more fulfilling when you can educate people to advocate for themselves and their health. Especially with COVID-19, there’s so much fear and misinformation that I feel a responsibility to help educate the community.” She’s just started her basic physician training at Blacktown Hospital, and is

considering specialising in cardiology or respiratory disease down the track – while staying focused on helping western Sydney. It’s no surprise Mithila comes from a medical background. Her parents are both doctors, her older brother, Dr Fardin Ferdous, is a fellow junior doctor at Blacktown Hospital and her younger sister is also studying medicine. “My brother and I did our whole internship together, which was really nice. It’s great to have support and someone to debrief with,” Mithila said. Sources: Western Health The Pulse, Blacktown City Council

Blacktown Hospital junior doctor Dr Mithila Zaheen.

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ISSUE 4 | July 2021

Blacktown City: The City of Opportunity Blacktown City is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia. By 2041, population growth will result in our region having over 615,000 residents – easily larger than Tasmania! Only by working together can we deliver the jobs, infrastructure and social services to support a vibrant and exciting City – Opportunity for All!

Realities of the 2021 State Budget The Berejiklian Government has once again revealed where its priorities are, and these priorities DO NOT lie in Blacktown City. The NSW Government Budget for 2021 saw inadequate funding allocated for Western Sydney. Blacktown City is in dire need of funding to better resource its schools, health, police, infrastructure and jobs to meet the demands of the massive population growth. No strategic plan for Blacktown City hospitals network. Planned Rouse Hill hospital downgraded to a health service. Blacktown and Mt Druitt hospitals experiencing a health crisis in staffing and resources. Lack of Palliative Care Wards across western Sydney. This Budget failed to deliver for our health needs. Thousands of children across Blacktown City are crammed in demountables, whilst schools in Sydney’s North and East have upgraded learning environment and new classrooms. The NSW Government has pledged standard funding across Prospect, Blacktown, and Mt Druitt electorates whilst for Riverstone, Seven Hills and Londonderry electorates classrooms are not matching population growth. Your postcode should not determine your opportunities. This is a disappointing Budget that FAILS to meet the needs or expectations of Blacktown City residents.

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 4 | July 2021

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ISSUE 4 | July 2021

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ISSUE 4 | July 2021

The Foxx flashes to fame Josh Addo Carr: King of Blacktown  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM LACKTOWN has produced many great sporting champions, but NRL star Josh Addo-Carr is the most famous of them all. The Blacktown-born flyer dubbed ‘The Foxx’ is one of the first players picked for major Rugby League rep teams including Australia and the NSW State of Origin side. Josh, who stars for premiers Melbourne Storm every week, recently scored an astounding six tries in the runaway win over the Rabbitohs. The last time that happened was 70 years ago. But he is so fast, he could have been sprinting at the Tokyo Olympics this year instead of racing down the footy field. In 2020 he told NRL.com of his aspirations to be an Olympian after he became the NRL’s fastest recorded player at 38.5kmh, while carrying a ball on grass in a match against the Cowboys. Usain Bolt averaged 44.64kmh in his world record 100m dash on a surface made for fast sprinting. Josh told NRL.com he could reach 40kmh plus if he trained for sprinting instead of football. He ran 10.7 for 100m as a kid. “It was about footy when I was growing up, but I always wanted to go to the Olympics and try my hand at that.” “I don’t see why a big-name sprint coach could not train an indigenous kid from a community to be the nation’s best sprinter. There are a lot faster kids than I am in Cairns, Wellington, Dubbo and other communities. They just need an opportunity”. And Josh certainly knows how hard it can be the to get an opportunity in life and in sports. His grandfather was legendary boxer Wally Carr who was Commonwealth champion and fought all over the world. Wally would pay him pocket money every time he scored a try when he was a kid. A proud Indigenous man with two Aboriginal parents, Josh epitomises what being a Blacktown hero is all about. As a youngster he started playing with Doonside Roos JRLFC when he was just three. He takes up the story on the Melbourne Storm site: “I was born in Blacktown, Western Sydney but spent the early years of my life in Doonside where my father’s family lives, the Addos. “Doonside was where I first picked up a football, playing for the Doonside Roos as a three-year-old. “I then moved into the city, to Earlwood, when I was four or five and lived there for about nine years, going to primary school at Undercliffe Public and playing Rugby League for the Earlwood Saints.

Frrom left above: Josh and a junior and as an Origin player, showing his indigenous ties, with the Grandfather Wally and below representing his country.

“

There are a lot faster kids than I am in Cairns, Wellington, Dubbo and other communities. They just need an opportunity”.

Wasn’t familiar with Sydney “However, when high school started, things started to get really challenging. I attended Matraville Sports High School because they were the only school that would accept me. It was a sports school and because of my football ability I received a scholarship but it was pretty tough. “If you’re not familiar with Sydney, to catch a bus from Earlwood to Matraville takes two hours. I would have to wake up at 5.30am every morning and did that for four years straight. “To be honest I wasn’t very good at school, wasn’t a bright kid in class so I just went there for the footy. “During my high school years I played club footy for La Perouse Panthers’ Around that same time, in Under 13s, I joined the Rabbitohs and stayed with them to play SG Ball, playing in teams one year above my age group. “In my last year of SG Ball I moved to Mount Druitt with my Dad and the long commutes continued. I travelled from Mount Druitt to Redfern every day to get to training, it was about a 90-minute trip.

“But when I turned 16 things just weren’t working out for me. I got dropped from the Rabbitohs and actually dropped out of school all together so I moved to Brisbane with my Dad. “Eventually I got in touch with my manager again and I got an opportunity to trial with the Sharks and the Bulldogs.” Josh played under 20s with the Sharks and then joined West Tigers where he played nine games before joining the Storm. “My first day here in Melbourne I was so nervous to meet all the boys. To be honest I’m nervous everywhere I go to meet new people. “To meet the senior boys like Jesse Bromwich, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Cameron Smith, boys like that, I couldn’t believe I was going to be able to train with these blokes let alone have the chance to play with them. “Everyone is so close and they care about your well-being. Not just about you but your family that is here as well and I think that is a big thing. Josh is a lighthearted figure with his contagious laugh only rivalled by the great Johnathan Thurston but beneath the surface, he is well aware of the standing he has within both his own community and

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other towns around Australia with a large Indigenous contingent. Grandfather Wally was Josh’s great hero, the man he lovingly called “Pops”. Wally, who I went to school with, was a great boxer and regarded as one of the best fighters in Australia in his heyday in the 1970s. He fought in 100 professional bouts on his way to winning a plethora of state and national titles. It was his grandfather's rise to the top in his own chosen sport that continued to inspire Josh. "Pop was a perfect role model for me," the Melbourne winger told NRL.com at the launch of the NRL's Indigenous Round in Brisbane in 2019, shortly before Wally sadly passed away. "Every time I played in the under sixes back in the day pop would give me $5 or $10 for every try.” When Josh was at the Wests Tigers and weighing up his future in 2016 he turned to his family for guidance. His grandfather gave him some words of advice that proved to be both wise and prophetic. "Pop said to me 'if you want to be the best you've got to be coached by the best and play with the best'. It was great advice and why I came to Melbourne," Josh said. "I am certainly coached by the best. Craig is grouse and I love being coached by him. "I am studying youth work and to be a teacher's aide so I do a lot of work with Indigenous kids in Melbourne and it is something I am very passionate about," he said. As part of that mission he plans to go further into mentoring and leadership having completed a Certificate IV in Educational Support – a major personal achievement. The NSW and Australian rep will return to Western Sydney next year when he joins the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs. SOURCES: Melbourne Storm, NRL.com

20 JUNE BLACKTOWN CITY VS SUTHERLAND SHARKS 4 JULY BLACKTOWN CITY VS WOLLONGONG WOLVES 18 JULY BLACKTOWN CITY VS MARCONI STALLIONS 25 JULY BLACKTOWN CITY VS SYDNEY OLYMPIC

ISSUE 4 | July 2021

Transforming co-working office spaces  EMMANUEL MARTIN MALL businesses are finding it easier to network in BREED Business Centre, with free coaching seminars and training on offer giving them the opportunity to meet potential clients. Shared amenities and coworking spaces give BREED tenants the opportunity to expand their networks and collaborate with like-minded small businesses in the wake of the current COVID-19 crisis. Tenants at BREED also have more frequent opportunities to a sense of community, with many coworkers willing to help each other out. Cristina Hernandez, owner of F1 Tax, said that common services and interaction with other businesses were a key part of what made the BREED Business Centre appealing. “We’ve actually gained some clients from within the BREED building.” F1 Tax is a tax agency that offers tax preparation and accounting services, and have been operating since 2020. Ms Hernandez also praised BREED’s seminars and said she had learned a lot from attending them, allowing her to further grow her business. “It’s really economical because there are other services in the building, and there’s also a lot of space to work with, there are training and meeting rooms readily available.” As a coworking space focused on helping local small businesses in Western Sydney, BREED Australia has seen the benefits of coworking firsthand. Coworking spaces increase productivity and company culture, and businesses

BREED Tenants: L-R Cristina Hernandez, Durgeshan Naiver.

reflect the behaviour of the environment they are in, aligning work ethics with those who surround them. BREED gives tenants the opportunities to interact and work with each other, with many of the businesses within the building finding clients through other tenants. Taking advantage of the coworking space at BREED provides tenants with the ability to build relationships outside of the office world. Durgeshan Naiker, owner of iEngineering Australia, (https://iengaust.com.

au/), said that the social networking within the building was a major plus for their business. “BREED offers free coaching that’s very informative, they have industry experts on a variety of topics presenting.” iEngineering Australia is a business that offers engineering and operations management services across the industrial, commercial and utility sectors. Mr Naiker said that BREED was an affordable and accessible option compared to many commercial offices, and

that he enjoyed having all of the facilities he needed within the same space. Coworking spaces also provide a welcoming environment for those who need an outlet from their workday or want space away from home to focus on specific tasks without distractions. People are also more productive when surrounded by others who are enthusiastic about growing their business, and working toward certain business goals. Ben Richardson, owner of Yurich Design Services (https://yurich.com. au/), came to BREED after working from home with limited space. He found BREED through another tenant in the building. “I’ve got a lot more space for my workshop now. The cheap rent was also an attractive option.” Yurich Design Services is a business that offers 3D printing, product design and customization solutions, as well as product development. Mr Richardson said that the environment within the BREED is that businesses with collaborate and help each other out. With access to business incubator programs, the tenants at BREED can tap into a wealth of knowledge and support that other co working workspace models do not offer. This greatly benefits tenants who are just starting up, making the challenging world of entrepreneurship less daunting. For information on BREED Australia and its services including office hire, please visit. www.breedaustralia.com.au or contact via phone on 02-98533200

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NewS

ISSUE 4 | July 2021

2021 Blacktown City Sports Awards Rooty Hill gymnast takes out gold in prestigious awards 16-year-old gymnast from Rooty Hill, who has won Gold medals at international championships has been named Blacktown City’s Sportsperson of the Year in 2020. Rooty Hill High student Koralee Catlett won 2 Gold Medals at the 27th FIG Trampoline Gymnastics World Age Group Competitions in Tokyo in 2019. Koralee won gold in the Double-mini-trampoline and the tumbling events. This competition is regarded as the World Age Championships of Trampoline gymnastics. Koralee represented NSW at the Australian Gymnastics Championships on the Gold Coast this year, winning 2 Gold and a Silver medal. She is also the current Australian Junior champion in her sport. Koralee was presented with her award by multiple Olympic Gold Medal winner and President of Swimming Australia, Kieren Perkins OAM at Blacktown City Council’s 38th Sports Awards Gala Presentation. Popular local Police Inspector, Bob Fitzgerald was awarded the prestigious Mayor’s Shield. This award recognises an individual who has excelled at their club, made an outstanding contribution to sport of a long period of time and is deemed to be an invaluable member of their club. Although Bob Fitzgerald has been involved in a number of sports and volunteer organisations, this award paid tribute to his service to Netball. Bob has been a part of Blacktown City Netball Association and Pioneers Netball Club since 1979. He is the current Vice President of Blacktown Netball Association, and a coach, volunteer, President and life member of Pioneers Netball club. As one club member said; “The Club would not be able to function without him. From coach to President to umpire, Bob does it all, his commitment is unsurpassed.”

Councillor Brad Bunting, Bob Fitzgerald and Kieren Perkins.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM was represented at the presentation by the Chair of Council’s Sport and Recreation Advisory Committee, Councillor Brad Bunting. Mayor Bleasdale said in a message to the presentation: “Blacktown City is truly the sporting capital of Western Sydney. To have been nominated for the 2020 Sports Awards is a fantastic achievement in itself. “It is a recognition from your peers and you should all be very proud of your sporting accomplishments. I wish you all the best of luck in your future sporting endeavours.”

This year’s winners Sports person of the Year: Koralee Catlett Mayor’s Shield: Bob Fitzgerald Sports Coach of the Year: Mark Wilkinson Mark's objective with The Tennis Practice is to create an inclusive environment where playing the game is fun. Mark currently holds a Level 3 Master Professional Tennis coach accreditation. Mark takes a great deal of pride in helping other

Councillor Brad Bunting, Koralee Catlett and Kieren Perkins.

coaches become the very best they can be. Junior Sportsperson of the Year: Andrei Honrada Andrei is part of the Basketball Australia team and Asia Pacific Basketball team that won the Junior NBA Global championships. He was one of only 10 players only invited to join Sydney Kings Elite Junior Developmental Camp and in 2019 his team won U14 Australian club championships. Sports Volunteer of the Year: Roy Krishnendu Starting from 2011, Roy has been a hardworking coach, selfless volunteer, and an efficient and productive administrator in both soccer and cricket. Sports Official of the Year: Robert Kowalczyk Robert is one of the youngest qualified referees in ice hockey NSW. He has taken it upon himself to officiate the youngest ice hockey group all the way up to the senior level. He has been praised for his continuous commitment to officiating and it’s been said that without him many junior games would not have gone ahead. He is a mentor to many younger referees.

Team of the Year: Cumberland Nepean softball 2019 U14 Girls representative Team The CNSA U14 Girls Rep Team has won back to back State Championships. During November 2019 the girls team remained undefeated duplicating their 2018 season. The U14 Girls Rep team always displayed the utmost respect for the game and for each other. Club of the Year: The Tennis Practice The Tennis Practice welcomes anyone who is interested in playing tennis, regardless of their age, gender, background, or disabilities. Since starting in 2018 with zero students, they currently coach around 170 students each week from toddlers through to adults. Encouragement award – Lucy Doole-Dunham – Touch football, Basketball, Netball, Softball Encouragement award – Pranshav Shah – Long distance running. Encouragement award – Tamika Rex – Touch football. Encouragement award – Yuvraj Sharma – Cricket.

Residents hope for return of Doonside Festival ESIDENTS are hoping for an end to current stay-at-home orders to allow for the return of the annual Doonside Village Festival. Blacktown City Council has partnered with the Blacktown Lions Club and the Doonside Festival Committee in presenting the 2021 Doonside Village Festival, to be held on Saturday, July 24 between 10am and 3pm in the Doonside at Hill End Road. Currently the festival is planned to feature a wide range of activities and entertainment including rides, workshops, stage performers, stalls and of course a wide range of festival food! Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said the Doonside Village Festival

2021 Doonside Village Festival

The annual Doonside Village Festival is scheduled to be held on July 24, 2021.

“Council and the Doonside Festival organising committee will continue to monitor Public Health orders in order to determine whether or not the festival will be held on the scheduled day or be postponed. “I am hopeful that the Doonside Village Festival will go ahead but the community can rest assured that it will only go ahead if Public Health orders allow it, and it would be held strictly within COVID-safe guidelines and requirements,” Mayor Bleasdale said,

for the community to come together and to have a well-deserved celebration.

For information visit https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/ Events-and-activities/2021-Doonside-Festival.

When: Saturday, July 24, 10am to 3pm Where: Doonside CBD, 1 Hill End Road, Doonside, 2767 Cost: Free entry would be an opportunity for all the community to get together and have a good time. “However, public safety is our highest priority. The festival will only go ahead if it is allowed under Public Health orders and under the strictest COVID-safe conditions of entry. “I know just how vibrant and passionate the Doonside community is. A family-friendly festival would be a great way

RSL hands out $40,000 in scholarships LACKTOWN Returned Services League Sub-Branch supports local veterans and veteran families to achieve better education outcomes by offering a long-term Scholarship for the period of their studies. Recently Blacktown RSL Sub-Branch handed out $40 000.00 in educational scholarships to High School and University students living in Western Sydney area. Called the Alf Ross Memorial Scholarship Scheme, this scholarship is awarded by the members of the Blacktown RSL Sub-Branch to members of the veteran community including their children. All recipients are from the Blacktown

Members of the Blacktown RSL Sub Branch Members , Blacktown RSL Sub Branch Volunteers, Blacktown RSL Sub Branch Committee members, Students / Recipients of scholar ship and some parents. Picture by Jun Burton.

and surrounding suburbs. The Alf Ross Memorial Scholarship Scheme is awarded every year to deserving students connected to the veteran community. The Alf Ross Memorial Scholarship Scheme enables Blacktown RSL Sub-

Branch to support the veteran community obtain support and finical assistance during their studies. Blacktown RSL Sub-Branch is focused on supporting the veteran community and their families to achieve better

educational and support. Blacktown RSL Sub-Branch also managers Comfort Care, this is a service assisting Veterans living in Western Sydney. Comfort Care offers a range of support to veterans in need.

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ISSUE 4 | July 2021

Service for pregnant Aboriginal women NEW 24-hours-a-day, 7-days-a-week service is set to help ensure the health and wellbeing of pregnant Aboriginal women in western Sydney. The Dragonfly Midwifery Clinic is a service offered by Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD), which provides culturally safe midwifery care for women from Aboriginal backgrounds. Four new midwives are the backbone of the program – basing themselves at the Westmead accommodation complex to make sure the service runs 24/7 during pregnancies and up to six weeks following birth. Women and their partners have conversations with their midwives about keeping healthy during pregnancy and becoming a parent. Providing continuity of care for Aboriginal mothers has been a long-term dream for midwife Courtney – a Wiradjuri woman from Parkes. “There are only 230 Aboriginal midwives in Australia. I am a Wiradjuri woman and I have always felt a strong obligation to be a part of these numbers,” Courtney said. “Most women who identify as Aboriginal do not have a good outlook on accessing

Joelle Harland-Sykes, left, was happy to use the new service when she had her twins.

healthcare at the hospital. Having a place to come to in the community makes it more relaxed and comfortable. “It is also proven that having a trusted midwife makes a woman feel safe during pregnancy and childbirth, and improves

health outcomes for mums and babies,” she said. Joelle Harland-Sykes became the first mother to give birth with the help of the new dedicated midwifery program, welcoming twins Jacob and Zakariya at

Westmead Hospital in January 2021. “It was great having the midwives support my wishes and be my voice. I have never had a caseload midwife and I decided to try the service. It turned out to be a whole different experience,” the mother of four said. WSLHD Director of Aboriginal Health Strategy, Braiden Abala said the symbol of the clinic, the dragonfly, was inspired by the artwork “Dance of the Dragonflies” by Darug artist Leanne Tobin which is used for all Aboriginal health services in the District. “Leanne’s expression is that the artwork is about the transition of the dragonflies throughout their life journey – and a good starting point is birth,” he said. WSLHD has the largest population of Aboriginal people living within NSW and the program seeks to help address the fact Aboriginal women and babies continue to experience higher rates of mortality and morbidity compared to non-Aboriginal women and babies. The Dragonfly Midwifery service is in addition to the existing Aboriginal Maternal Infant Health Service providing more choice for Aboriginal families in western Sydney.

Hotel CEO calls for COVID certainty ANY staff and hoteliers across Blacktown have been left devastated and exhausted by the extension of the Sydney lockdown and state-wide restrictions. Australian Hotels Association (AHA) NSW CEO John Whelan said the hotel sector would proudly continue to play its role in preventing the spread of COVID, but needed certainty moving forward. “The lockdown extension is devastating news for more

than 50,000 Greater Sydney- based staff who are out of work for another week, as well as the broader NSW hotel industry which has operated under restricted trading conditions for more than 15 months and counting,” Mr Whelan said. “Our staff have rent and bills to pay. Many are not eligible for government support and a third week with no work really hits hard. “Country and regional NSW have had no cases, but

businesses there are also facing an extra week of restrictions. “Today’s lockdown extension is particularly hard to take when we are seeing the world open up. We appear to be going backwards – with community vaccination still months away at best. “Looking ahead, we simply can’t afford another Sydney CBD quarantine COVID breach–the economic and mental health costs of the ensuing lockdown are just too great.”

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PROPERTY SHOWCASE WESTERN SYDNEY

ISSUE 4 | July 2021

Published in Western Sydney Business Access | Parramatta Times | Blacktown News | www.westernpropertyguide.com.au

WHO WANTS TO BE A MILLIONAIRE?

Property prices still skyrocketing  DALLAS SHERRINGHAM T’S a case of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire’ in July with Sydney prices continuing to skyrocket in the unprecedented property boom gripping the city. Old houses that were bought for a few thousand dollars last century in a prime location are now bringing up to $5m in parts of the Inner city. The Sydney median price reached $1.3M recently, increasing 8.5% in the quarter which is the highest level since records were first taken in the 1990s. A derelict five-metre-wide house with a hole in the ceiling has sold for a whopping $4.62M, becoming one of the most expensive homes for its size ever sold in Sydney. Massive quarterly gains in the eastern suburbs, Northern Beaches, Baulkham Hills and the Hawkesbury are behind the quarterly median price rise of more than $100,000. The decrepit inner-city terrace sold for an unbelievable $4.6m, surpassing its reserve by more than $500,000. More than 100 people turned up to watch the uninhabitable house at 112 Surrey St, Darlinghurst go under the hammer. The five-to-six-bedroom property spans four levels with water damage throughout, rotting floorboards, a fallen-in ceiling and a collapsed balcony. But that did not stop 16 buyers registering to bid on the property, which was considered a bargain and could fetch $8m when renovated. Over the year, Sydney house prices have jumped by 12.6%. Domain's Senior Research Analyst Nicola Powell said in an interview it had been a "rapid acceleration" in prices. "It's the fastest acceleration of house prices over a single quarter since our Domain records began in 1993," she said. "We've got double digit annual gains and that's the steepest rise since mid-2017. "Previously we'd seen very much the low end of the market supporting price growth ... now we're starting to see the upper end of the market is leading." Dr Powell speaking to the ABC said no area of Sydney escaped the pricing boom and every region had hit record highs.

Over the year, Sydney house prices have jumped by 12.6%.

It’s a two-edge sword The median house price of more than $1.3M is backed up by SQM research. SQM research managing director Louis Christopher said it had been an "extraordinarily" strong quarter. "It was driven by a multitude of factors, particularly government stimulus," he said. "From the outset of this current recovery and effectively, current housing boom, there's been great demand for freestanding houses. "People have been looking for larger properties because they've been working from home, and that trend is still with us."

And the West and Hills district are benefitting greatly because of the stock of free-standing homes on larger blocks. Unit buyers aren’t much better off because the median price of a unit in the Sydney region has just topped $1m. It came on the back of incredible growth earlier this year, which has meant a typical Sydney house is now about $117,000 pricier than it was at the end of February. Close to $40,000 of that increase was from May growth alone. Sydney’s price rise was 66% higher than in Melbourne and about 36% higher than the national average. There may be a two-edged sword for struggling homebuyers. On the one hand,

prices will slow down because of auctions cancelled in the lockdown, but this could be accompanied by a predicted increase in interest rates. They can also look forward to housing supply beginning to increase in many suburbs in the west and a further increase would take pressure off of buyers to bid up prices. A shortage of listings has been one of the biggest drivers of the recent price boom, according to experts. South Strathfield is particularly popular with buyers because of the quality homes available in this once showpiece area of early 20th century Sydney. The average price is now $1.8m, which is $500,000 more than the city median.

APRIL 2021 Edition 120

WESTERN SYDNEY BUSINESS

LO OUR CA CI L PA TY PE ’S R

HOW TO WIN THE WEST

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

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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.

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

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.

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48,000 Facebook followers Build your own resume Media support programs Multiple packages available

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

ISSUE 4 | July 2021

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with MICHELLE ROWLAND

2 | May 2021

How's your mobile phone coverage?

• Aged Care & Pensions • Centrelink • Immigration • Medicare • National Disability Insurance Scheme • Taxation & Superannuation

PANDEMIC: It didn’t need to come to this  MICHELLE ROWLAND

Australians are now realising that Scott Morrison isn’t up to the job.

T the time of writing this column, Greater Sydney – and indeed, parts of Brisbane, Darwin and Perth – are in lockdown. While it is important all Australians follow the best health advice by social distancing and maintaining high levels of personal hygiene, it didn’t need to come to this. For almost 18 months, Australians have been patient as we grapple with the pandemic. This time last year, many parts of Australia seemed to be returning to normality. With the States bearing the brunt of the pandemic response, Scott Morrison had two jobs: the rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine, and the construction of national quarantine facilities in every State and Territory. We know that the best weapon against COVID is the vaccine. But Scott Morrison’s failure to secure adequate supply, his over-reliance on a single vaccine and the sluggish rollout has exposed Australians to the outbreaks we are now seeing across the country. So too has the Federal Government’s refusal to deliver purpose-built national quarantine, as is its constitutional responsibility. The fact the Prime Minister seems happy to do so now, after months of refusing to act, will no doubt be viewed with a fair degree of cynicism. The Prime Minister should stop gaslighting the nation and get on with fixing the mess of his own creation. He should stop shifting the blame and attacking the States when it suits his political objectives. We need national leadership, and

How’s your mobile coverage?

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

Working and learning from home is the new normal – and this means that quality mobile coverage is even more essential for our quality of life. That’s why I’m conducting a local Mobile Coverage Survey. This will help to build the case for mobile providers to address poor reception in our area, by compiling case studies to demonstrate the impact patchy coverage is having on families and small businesses. To have your say, please send an email to Michelle.Rowland.MP@aph.gov.au or call my office on 9671 4780. By helping to identify poor mobile reception in our area, we can help ensure local residents can enjoy improved mobile coverage for their work and lifestyle needs.

Always available to help My team and I are always available to help with any local or Federal matters. While my office remains physically closed for the duration of the NSW Government’s Public Health Order, please be assured my team and I are working remotely and are contactable by email or over the phone. I have also been making phone calls to local residents who are older or may be more vulnerable during this time, to see if they need assistance. If you know of anyone who might be in particular need during this lockdown, please let me know and I will try to help where I can. If I can be of assistance with any matters, please email Michelle.Rowland.MP@aph.gov.au or call 9671 4780. Michelle Rowland is Shadow Minister for Communications and Federal Member for Greenway.

ISSUE 4 | July 2021

Crosswords/Games Solutions page 18

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1. Surrender signal, white ... 4. Studied for exam 8. Celebrity status 11. Advantages 13. Look forward to 15. Large horned African beast 17. Catch (thief) 18. Steak cut (1-4) 20. Human males 21. Wrote by machine 24. Grill 27. And not 28. Eskimo house 30. Crypt 31. Paved with ceramic squares 33. Harsh experience 34. Moral principles 35. Pre-owned 36. Rush 39. Yacht's cooking area 42. Elegance 44. Flippers 45. Titled ladies 46. Chop wildly 48. Reform 49. Bird claw 50. Grew old 52. Slights 54. School market 55. Long tales 56. Desires greatly 57. Dress ribbon 60. Periods 62. Open wounds 65. Birthright 67. Unprincipled person 69. More senior 70. Prevents, ... from 72. Mobile phone chip, ... card 73. Unrefined 75. Other way round, vice ... 77. Bloodshot (eyes) 79. Snap (fingers) 81. Owing 82. Brown in pan 84. Trifled 85. Part with cash 86. Is compelled 87. Manage 88. Holler

DOWN 1. Solid 2. Mimicking 3. Post-baby-boomers, ... X 4. Invitation footnote (1,1,1,1) 5. Buildings defacer 6. Understated 7. Information 8. Trivial lie 9. Make reparation 10. Jug 12. Helicopter blade 14. Room beneath a roof 16. Successors 19. Growths 22. Sings Swiss alpine-style 23. Shirked 25. Water mammals 26. Embroidery loop 29. Submitting (application) 32. Acid drug (1,1,1) 35. Reveals 37. Foot joint 38. Stinging insects 40. South American mountains 41. Gapes 42. Survive (3,2) 43. Consumed 44. Deeds 47. Reflective road marker 51. Ballroom performer 52. Holy 53. Stern 54. Weirdos 58. 4th month 59. Squeeze fondly 61. Financial holding 63. Fortunate 64. Snow vehicle 65. Crowbars 66. Let up 68. Leaves out 71. Prig 72. Rip-off 74. Unbutton 76. Ascend 78. Bargain 80. Cradle 83. Some

Games Solutions

ISSUE 4 | July 2021

TrendS

Why WELLNESS is the new buzzword

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

ELLNESS has suddenly become a key word in attracting and maintaining employees in the new age of the COVID-19 pan-

demic. A quick search of Google will find a plethora of companies springing up to provide wellness resources for companies keen to establish a ‘healthy’ reputation. But what is wellness and how can it be applied to the workforce? Google defines wellness as: “the act of practicing healthy habits on a daily basis to attain better physical and mental outcomes”. So instead of just surviving you will be thriving and as a result you will be a better performing staff member, whether you are in management or a worker. In the past, the wellness of staff was of little concern to management, except

when somebody took “too many sick days” or had a mental meltdown. Today’s manager must be more than just a leader and slave driver. He or she must be part doctor, part fitness expert and part social worker to keep staff happy and productive. For progressive companies it may mean converting unused office or factory space into a wellness centre. One new age company is Wellness Solutions. It creates wellness centres for businesses looking to join the health revolution. Its aim is to assist companies considering converting an existing room into a wellness lounge. Wellness Solutions has a range of options including:

• Immersive Studios for Movement. • Innovative Wellness Pods with privacy screens. • Community areas such as lounges, co-working spaces and wellness cafes.

The company says If you're limited for space it's easy to create your own custom wellness lounge. And the wellness pods are a new innovative type of retreat where you can enjoy breathing, massage and meditation sessions while relaxing with your feet up.

It’s now WE not ME Employee wellness is high on employers’ to-do lists as they look to not only cut health care expenses but improve productivity and recruit and retain top talent. And as with the rest of their benefits portfolio, employers are looking for ideas that will not only set themselves apart from the competition, but also actually drive excitement and interest among employees. Some places are getting truly creative in the ways they’re working to engage employees in their own wellness, with ideas unique to them.

Others are picking up on what others are doing and then tweaking those ideas to suit their own employee populations. Another wellness firm Benefits Pro said some companies were really taking on the challenge and reflecting it in the very design of the workplace. “Whatever strategies they’re trying, companies are finally recognizing that, when it comes to wellness, it’s not enough to talk the talk. They have to walk the walk and incorporate ideas into the mission and values of the company.” However, companies are now finding that wellness really needs to be a “we” rather than “me” rejuvenation. “Workplace wellness programs are implicitly focused on the individual: biometric screenings, individual incentives, gym member reimbursements,” Benefit Pro said. SOURCES: Google, Benefits Pro, Wellness Solutions

ISSUE 4 | July 2021

Business People

Employees’ shock response…. Take a $30k pay rise or work from home HE choice is simple. Would you take a $30,000 raise or permanently work from home at your current salary? In a shock result WFH, or work from home, won hands down, in a USA survey. If given the choice between the $30,000 raise or permanently WFH, employees at some of the world’s biggest companies said they would choose the latter. The Business Journals, citing a survey by professional network Blind, said 64% of respondents would forgo the extra cash for the remote work benefits. About 67% of Google respondents preferred permanent work-from-home, as well as 64% of Amazon, 62% of Microsoft, 69% of Apple, 76% of Salesforce and 47% of JPMorgan Chase employees. The result is as much a reflection of the massive wages paid on Wall St and in Silicon Valley as it is a true indicator for average workers. However, a similar choice may on the cards for Australian workers in the future. When the pandemic first hit early last year, Australia’s workplaces looked very different to what has now become the norm in a world still defined by COVID-19. WFH was still a relatively fringe option, generally reserved for only a select few office dwellers. Yet, a year after the first lockdowns began, a nationwide revolution in how we work has occured. As a result of the shift to WFH, many Australians increasingly find themselves reassessing their personal circumstances and priorities. Where once being within comfortable commuting distance of a CBD was considered an absolute necessity, in this new world some Australians now find themselves working from home in an entirely different state. With this new level of flexibility and acceptance of alternative working arrangements, as we have reported, many Australians have taken this opportunity to pursue a move to an outer suburban or regional area.

Attitudes towards COVID vaccines To what degree these trends will remain permanent is still a matter of ongoing debate, as the CBD-based office standard is reassessed through the evolving pandemic situation. However, the effects flow on past workers with the need for future public transport, parking and roads all under review. It could mean that CBD’s like Parramatta, Liverpool and Blacktown would be better off if the State Government provided services such localized light rail systems to service increasing demand in those areas. Instead of funneling workers into metro systems and bus stops, the light rails could link shopping centres and malls with higher density housing. And if it were up to the workers, WFH would almost certainly be permanent. According to a study conducted by Swinburne University for the Fair Work Commission, only 5% of workers sent home during the pandemic want to return to the office full-time once the pandemic has finally concluded. More than a year since the 100th COVID-19 case was recorded in March 2020, Australians are WFH than they were before the pandemic and they expect this pattern to continue, according to data released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS). A recent ABS survey showed 41% of people with a job WFH at least once a week in February 2021, compared with 24% at least once a week before March 2020.

“Employed Australians expected WFH arrangements to continue throughout the year,” the report said. In the next six months, 47% of employed Australians expected the amount of WFH to remain the same, 11% expected a decrease and 8% expected an increase. Employed women at 17% were more likely than employed men at 11% to want to increase the amount of work done from home. The survey also followed up on Australian’s attitudes towards COVID-19 vaccines. Almost 75% agreed they would get a COVID-19 vaccine as it became available and was recommended for them. The number one factor that affected the decision to get the vaccine was whether the vaccine had been in use for a long time with no serious side effects 27%. Recommendations from the Department of Health at 23% or a GP or other health professional 21% were also important for making decisions. The survey also asked Australians about how they expected their household finances to perform in the next 12 months. Seven in 10 Australians expected their household finances to stay the same, while almost one in five expected them to improve and one in eight expected them to worsen. Around 50% expected their household to save money, while 23% expected their household will not save any money and 27% did not know. Meanwhile, three quarters of Australians say their ideal work environment is a mix of remote and in-person working, according to another new study. More than half of Australians think fewer people will have stable, long-term jobs in the future. Another 16% say they'd prefer a wholly virtual workplace where they can contribute from any location. A group of 2000 Australian workers was part of one of the largest ever studies of the global workforce, with 32,500 participants from 19 countries. The survey was conducted in February and respondents included workers, business owners, contract workers, students, unemployed people looking for work, and those on wage subsidies or who were temporarily laid off. The survey by PwC found the pandemic has intensified Australians' anxiety about the future. It found 56% of Australians think few people will have stable, long-term employment in the future.

Disturbingly, nearly one-third think their job will be obsolete within five years. Automation is a large concern, with 59% of respondents saying they were worried many jobs were at risk, with 44%t feeling uneasy about their own jobs being at risk. Nearly two-thirds of Australian participants in the survey felt the government should act to protect jobs, and that feeling was more acute among

18–34-year-olds at 63% than those over 65 at 50%. Workers in the hospitality and leisure industry, one of the hardest hit in the pandemic, felt most strongly about the government's responsibility to protect jobs at 79%. However, more than half of Australians still believed technology could improve job prospects, while 17% said it would make no difference and 28% thought technology would be an impediment.

Licensed Maintenance Electricians We are seeking a number of experienced Licensed Maintenance Electricians to undertake reactive and programmed works as a part of our growing team. You will be allocated a VSHFL¿F VLWH V LQ HLWKHU Hawkesbury, Penrith, Parramatta or Campbelltown areas so if you are “local” to one of those areas and like the idea of work close to home, this might be for you! If you are a licensed electrician whose strengths are in maintenance & service, then get in touch now for an immediate start with our great team. BENEFITS Great conditions. Work close to home as a part of a fantastic team.

JOB REQUIREMENTS 1. Licensed Electrician. 2. Experienced in carrying out reactive and programmed PDLQWHQDQFH IDXOW ¿QGLQJ ႇHULQJ KLJK OHYHO VHUYLFH WR our key clients. 3. Driver’s License, Whitecard & Police Check required. HOW TO APPLY Please send a covering letter outlining your experience & suitability, along with your resume to: KU#KL[ FRP DX MORE INFORMATION • $GGUHVV 1/10 Production Place, Penrith. • 6DODU\ 5DQJH $70,000 - $100,000. • 7RWDO <HDUV¶ ([SHULHQFH 0-5. • :RUNLQJ 6WDWXV The candidate must have the right to live and work in Australia.

TraveL

ISSUE 4 | July 2021

Colonies built on gold rush heritage  SANDIP HOR ISCOVERY of gold in 1851 in the rich and shallow alluvial fields around present-day Ballarat and Bendigo in Victoria, which became an independent colony around the same time, changed the history of Australia. The gold rush fired the entire nation’s economy by bringing substantial wealth to its shores, stimulating secondary industries, driving population growth restructuring the manufacturing sector and significantly helped shaping shape its socio-political climate. Soon, the region was filled with wealth seekers, only from other parts of Australia but from Europe, America and even China. Less than 200km from Melbourne, the quarter became the home to more than 5000 mining companies, several mining stock exchanges and banks and a fine array of grand architecture, flanking spacious parks , gardens and tree-line avenues. While mining stopped in Bendigo in 1954 despite claims of strong deposits still underground, digging still continues under Ballarat’s beautiful cityscape filled with imposing architecture and spacious parks and gardens lining broad avenues. Visitors crowd these two Victorian cities to retrace the paths of the early pioneers and to immerse in some authentic experiences that reflect the glorious days of the past. In Bendigo, the list includes riding on a vintage tram operating since 1890, exploring the old Central Deborah Gold Mine which stopped digging in 1954 now open to the public to showcase how a real mine looks like, visiting Bendigo Pottery – Australia’s oldest working pottery and sleep at the century-old Shamrock Hotel visited by Prince Charles and Lady Diana in 1983 during their royal tour. Not to be discounted is browsing through some of the key architectural landmarks from the past like the Alexandra Fountain, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Old Post Office, Art Gallery, Capital Theatre and the Town Hall. Ballarat offers a similar line up of architectural marvels, its main thoroughfare Lydiard Street is recognised as one of Australia’s most intact Victoria streetscape, often used as a period setup for films and television. In addition, this city which the state’s largest inland settlement offers Sovereign

Hill which showcase how Ballarat lived during the early years of the gold rush. Today both places are renowned for their fusion of classic with contemporary, strong art and cultural affinity and boutique food scene. The Bendigo Art Gallery is well known for hosting major exhibitions, currently the retrospective exhibition on the iconic British fashion designer Dame Mary Quant is drawing huge nationwide attention. Bendigo is the exclusive Australian venue for this exhibition from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London. In 2019, Bendigo was crowned with

another accolade. Recognising the region's diverse food culture and community's commitment to local, sustainable, delicious and creative produce, it became Australia’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy. It wouldn’t take much time for visitors to appreciate the reasons behind granting this honour.

TRAVEL NOTEBOOK Getting There – While V/Line at www. vline.com.au offers train connections from Melbourne’s Southern Cross Station to Ballarat and Bendigo, all the locations are easily reachable by road.

Stay – Both destinations are easy day trips from Melbourne, however good accommodation is available if an overnight stay is opted. For the best heritage exposure Shamrock Hotel (www.hotelshamrock.com.au) in Bendigo and Provincial Hotel (theprovincialballarat.com.au) in Ballarat recommended Eating – Wine Bank on View (www. winebankonview.com) , Bendigo a top class wine bar and dining venue and restaurant at Provisional Hotel, Ballarat for European inspired meals More Info – Check www.visitvictoria. com.au

Blacktown Business

ISSUE 4 | July 2021

Power of networking and social capital  DR JIM TAGGART OAM HE ability to network and quality of a person’s social capital are valuable assets reflected on the company’s balance sheet. Everybody, directly and indirectly, networks to provide and collect information about people, business and other significant social, economic and political matters. This brief article attempts to provide an overview of a number of paramount issues that stem from, and lead into, the ability to successfully network, especially in what is commonly called formal networks, such as Chambers of Commerce and other business-like associations. Networking is a verb, or doing word, which requires action, and in the context of formal networks is strategic, transparent and tactical. Social network theory (SNT) provides a framework to investigate and analyse the structural and interactional or relational dimensions of networks. Much of SNT owes its origin to the fields of Sociology and Anthropology. The essence of SNT is relationships. Mitchell (1969, p2)1, defines SNT as a “specific set of linkages among a defined set of persons, with the additional property that the characteristics of these linkages as a whole, may be used to interpret the social behaviour of the persons involved”. This operational definition is significant, because it draws reference to the importance of linkages and relationships with people in all social settings and networks. Therefore, business operators are embedded in social relations, which are relational and not atomistic (Gulati et al, 2000)2. Networks become the lenses through which businesses build and enhance relationships (Moore & Manning, 2008)3. While the level and quality of human and financial capital plays a significant role in growing business, it is the level and quality of social capital within and between people that drives and influences the value of relationships in networks, especially formal networks. Social capital in simple terms is the ‘glue’, its strength if you like, that brings people together and holds relationships. Such elements as trust, commitment, reciprocity and reputation are important ingredients of a person’s social capital. Furthermore, social capital is real and dynamic throughout entrepreneurial process of entering, staying or leaving networks, and will by its very nature vary not only between various networks but within them as well (Aldrich & Zimmer, 1986)4. Granovetter’s5 (1973) ground-breaking research highlights the notion that economic transactions are grounded or embedded in their social settings of the network process, implying that the more the connections in the network(s), the greater the social capital (Barr, 1998)6. As previously stated, trust, commitment, reciprocity and reputation are important relational elements associated with networks and a persons’ level of social capital.

While trust, commitment, reciprocity and reputation are viewed as complex constructs, meaning different things to different people, it can be observed from the literature they build strategic partnerships, and reduce risk and transaction costs by providing information exchange (Larsen, 1992)7. Sustainable relationships, especially within and between formal networks, can only continue if the relational components of trust, commitment, reciprocity and reputation are nurtured and developed in an open and meaningful network environment. For such outcomes to be achieved, such relational elements discussed above must not only operate at the individual level, but also the organisational level as well. The ability to access ‘knowledge’ reduces or insulates uncertainty, and this is built or dismantled through network involvement and support. What does this all mean to me and my business in practical terms? Firstly, you and your business are not separate; you are your business whether you like it or not. Your involvement, or lack of it with people, especially in formal networks, determines the level of social capital that you bring or take from the network (s). So, in closing, if you want to network more effectively remember all of us are people who share common dreams and desires; the key is to help people achieve those goals both personally and professionally. Good luck networking! Dr Jim Taggart OAM is CEO of the Jim Taggart Consulting. Reach him at jimdtaggart@gmail.com

Just showing up isn’t enough F you think that by simply attending functions you will succeed then you are wrong; networking demands involvement and giving. Positive networking requires several significant features; some of these are listed below:

• Be yourself but be your best self – let people feel comfortable with you and your discussion; it builds relationships. • Practice your questions that you bring to your network event – - How many of your questions are about what you want? - How many of your questions are about what you can learn and give? - Is there a difference? If yes, what is this saying to the other party?

• Never, let me repeat, never treat a person as insignificant for several reasons. Firstly, it’s not appropriate or professional, and secondly, you don’t know who they are connected to by birth, marriage, business, friends, sport, etc. • When you obtain a business card, how is that handled by you? • See networking as an investment not an expense! • Talk to good networkers and ask them to help you develop your networking skills. Remember, networking is learned.

1 Mitchell, J.C. (1969). Social Networks in Urban Situations: Analyses of Personal Relationships in Central African Towns. Manchester: Manchester U.P 2 Gulati, R., Nohria, N. & Zaheer, A. (2000). Introduction to the special issue: strategic networks. Strategic Management Journal, 21(4), 203-215. 3 Moore, S.B. & Manning, S.L. (2008). Strategy development in small and medium sized enterprises for sustainability and increase value creation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 17, 276-282 4 Aldrich, H. & Zimmer, C. (1986). Entrepreneurship through social networks. In R. Smilor & D. Sexton (eds), The Art of Science of Entrepreneurship. New York: Ballinger. 5 Granovetter, M. (1973). The strength of weak ties. American Journal of Sociology, 78(6), 1360–1380. 6 Barr, R.A. (1998). The gender of social capital. Rationality and Society, 19(1), 5-47. 7 Larson, A. (1992). Network dyads in entrepreneurship settings: a study of the governance of exchange relations. Administrative Science Quarterly, 37, 76-104

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FitnesS

ISSUE 4 | July 2021

My top 10 tips for Fat Loss  ADAM SIMPSON OU may or may not have heard this before, but when it comes to losing body fat. You need to be in a calorie deficit. Essentially, what this means is that you need to be burning off more calories per day than what you consume in your food. This leaves you with a few options, you can either eat less calories per day, burn more calories per day through exercise or for best results you could combine the two. I am a big advocate of improving your daily habits so that you can live a healthier lifestyle autonomously. Below are my top 10 Habits that you can try and adopt which will help you lose body fat, but allow you to keep it off once and for all. 1. Exercise more days than you don’t – This one is super obvious, the more you exercise the more calories you will burn each day which will aid in your fat loss. For best results, combine some strength training with some cardiovascular training. But above all, find exercise that you enjoy so you can stick to it long term. 2. Eat more protein – Foods that are high in protein will help keep you feeling fuller for longer, this should make it easier for you to eat fewer total calories for the day. The extra protein will also help you grow some lean muscle mass. Which will only speed up your metabolism and get you burning more calories each day without any extra effort. 3. Drink Less Calories – It can be really easy to drink too many calories quickly. Try to limit your alcohol intake, the amount of sugary drinks you consume and focus on drinking

Adam Simpson.

more water. Water has 0 calories, so it is a great way to reduce the total amount you consume for the day. 4. Eat More Fruit and Vegetables – Fruit and Vegetables are not only jam packed with nutrients they are also pretty low in calorie density. Meaning you can eat a whole lot of these without really adding too many extra calories to your intake. If you are still hungry after dinner, fill up on a big plate of greens. Or if you have a sweet tooth, choose berries and a bowl of fruit as a dessert option. 5. Choose Lower Calorie Food Swaps – Calories are king when it comes to fat loss. When you are shopping, look

at the nutrition label on the back of the items you are purchasing and see where you can find lower calorie options. A quick google search will give you endless food swap ideas. EG: Fresh fruit over dried, Greek Yoghurt over Sour Cream, Pistachio’s over Walnuts, Olive oil spray over a tablespoon of oil. 6. Reduce your portion sizes – Sometimes it can be easy to just mindlessly eat, even when you are no longer hungry. A simple trick to reduce your portion sizes can be to just use a smaller plate. 7. Watch Less TV – Sitting and watching Tv burns almost no calories. If

you are someone who can watch TV for hours on end, it is going to make your fat loss that little bit harder. Instead limit your TV time and try find other hobbies that you enjoy where you are more active. 8. 10,000 Steps a day – Using technology to track how much you are moving each day is a great way to monitor your movement. Setting a step goal for the day is a great way to ensure you are being active enough. 9. Choose the Stairs – Little things like choosing the stairs over the elevator or parking further away at the shops will mean that you are going to be burning more throughout the day. It may not seem like much, but little decisions we make on a daily basis can add up to a big result at the end of the year. 10. Take Phone calls while you walk – If you have a job where you are at a desk all day, it can be very easy to hardly get off your chair. If you can take phone calls while you walk you can drastically increase how much movement you get in each day. Pacing the hall while you take a 15minute phone call could almost add up to a kilometre walk. When it comes to fat loss, keep things simple so you can stick to the plan. Choose 2-3 of these habits that you can adopt and stick to them for a couple of months. If you are consistent the result will come. Once you have these habits formed, you can adopt another one until you have the results you are after.

Adam Simpson is lead trainer and founder at Repetitions Group fitness and Personal Training. Visit: Gwww.repetitionspt.com.au

ISSUE 4 | July 2021

FilM

In The Heights–5 Stars AN effervescent, bubbly and beautiful musical extravaganza. snavi (Anthony Ramos) is a local bodega owner in Washington Heights – a man who saves every penny as he hopes for a better life back in the Dominican Republic. He is ecstatic about the fact that he has enough to buy back his father’s old bar in that part of the world, a place that holds nothing but good memories for him. Yet his excitement is tempered somewhat as he begins to realise what he’ll leave behind–a home, filled with a collection of exciting and extravagant characters. That feeling isn’t helped by his best friend Nina (Leslie Grace), a Stanford student who is back for the holidays and whose presence not only reignites her old romance with Benny (Corey Hawkins), but also expands on Usnavi’s nostalgia for this place. It’s also not helped by his upcoming date with Vanessa (Melissa Barrera), who Usnavi has longheld feelings for. As the Heights descend into chaos due to a blackout, Usnavi has to decide whether to leave forever and chase his dream across the seas, or to stay and build his dream right here in Washington Heights. In The Heights has an undeniable sense of fun about it. You’ll be hard pressed to resist it’s vitality, and it will breathe a huge sense of joy and relief through your very soul. Written by Lin-Manuel Miranda of Hamilton fame, it brings much of the same lyrical styling, but feels even more connected to it’s latin roots. Anthony Ramos is far and away the standout, delivering a star turn in his first real lead role. With an incredible voice and physicality, and the ability to deliver the required emotion even in the musical numbers, he’s an anchor that holds this piece together. That being said, the supporting cast is uniformly incredible also, with Barrera, Grace and Hawkins all performing admirably alongside Jimmy Smiths, Stephanie Beatriz, Daphne Rubin-Vega, Dascha Polanco and more. Indeed, it may even be the young Gregory Diaz IV as Sonny who stands out the most, certainly delivering the most laughs in our screening. Director John M Chu brings the same bombastic sensibility that he brought to Crazy Rich Asians, and through his eyes this neighbourhood in New York is bursting with colour, sound and music. It’s a tremendously fantastical depiction, but for this content it works. The film occasionally stumbles, particularly when it has to cut elements from the stage version, or shoehorn in updated causes, but for the most part this is an irrepressibly enjoyable time in the theatre. In The Heights will bring you nothing but joy. It’s a gorgeous cinematic experience that you should seek out as soon as you can.

Reviews by Jacob Richardson Creative Director | Film Focus www.filmfocusau.com

2021 LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

Last year's gala awards event

Scenes from last year's gala event.

ISSUE 4 | July 2021

2021 LOCAL BUSINESS AWARDS

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with JOHN MELLOR

Priced from $76,990 + ORCs, Volvo is EV-ready with XC40 Recharge Pure Electric

 CALLUM HUNTER OLVO Car Australia has confirmed local pricing and specifications of its first electric vehicle, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric, revealing the compact family hauler will cost from $76,990 plus on-roads when it arrives here in August. This pitches it head-to-head with the similar-sized Mercedes-Benz EQA 250 that will cost $190 less for more battery range but less performance. A Tesla Model 3 starts from $66,625 before on-road costs for the Standard Range Plus model providing comparable performance to the XC40 but slightly more range. Like the plug-in hybrid version that came before it, the Pure Electric will be sold here in a single, highly specified trim level, cresting the XC40 range in terms of price, equipment, power and performance. Brandishing all the familiar XC40 styling elements plus a unique enclosed front grille, the Pure Electric’s party piece is the dual motor set-up – one on each axle – that develops 300kW of power and 660Nm of torque. Fed by a 78kWh lithium-ion battery pack, Volvo says its inaugural EV will spring from 0-100km/h in a hot hatch-poaching 4.9 seconds and cover up to 418km on a single charge. In terms of sheer firepower, the

XC40 Recharge Pure Electric punches well above its class and price bracket, well and truly taking the fight to much more expensive offerings like the Jaguar I-Pace (294kW/696Nm), Audi E-Tron 55 (300kW/664Nm), Mercedes-Benz EQC (300kW/760Nm) and even the Tesla Model X Long Range (311kW/660Nm) for half the price. The flipside however is range; of all the premium offerings outlined above, the Volvo only betters the Mercedes (353km) and just matches the Audi (“in excess of 400km”).

Google Android Infotainment operating system Pricing of the green Swede positions it between these larger luxury models and mainstream electric SUVs sold in Australia – such as the Hyundai Kona Electric and Kia Niro Electric – with the extra dollars buying both better performance and premium brand perks. However, both mainstream offerings mentioned beat the Volvo on range, the Kona by more than 60km. The more conceptually similar Mercedes EQA 250 also claims to trump the Volvo on range with up to 480km on a single charge, though its 140kW/375Nm outputs are slightly down on the more affordable Hyundai and Kia (a more expensive EQA 350 4Matic will up the ante to 215kW/520Nm).

Volvo says the XC40’s battery can be charged from 0-80 per cent in 40 minutes when using a DC fast charger. Unlike other EVs, the Pure Electric has not been fitted with a distinct start/ stop button – drivers and occupants simply unlock the car, get in, fasten their seatbelts and pull away. Minimalist in design but not in nature, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric will come loaded with gear when it arrives in local showrooms with the whole package rolling on unique 20-inch alloy wheels Standard equipment highlights include a Harman/Kardon premium sound system accessed via a 9.0-inch Google Android infotainment and operating system with DAB digital radio, wireless smartphone integration and mirroring, speech recognition, inductive phone charging, 360-degree camera, keyless entry and hands-free tailgate, electronic folding exterior mirrors, auto-dimming mirrors, LED headlights, dual-zone climate control, leather accented seats with heating function and power folding rear headrests. Safety features are headlined by Volvo’s City Safety autonomous emergency braking system, front and rear collision warning and mitigation, camera-based front and rear park assist, blind spot information system with cross traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, pilot assist, lane keeping aid, hill start assist and hill descent control as well as parking sensors front and rear.

“The XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is Volvo's first all-electric vehicle and reinforces the Swedish company's commitment to electrifying its entire car range by 2025, with full electric or plug-in hybrid variants,” the brand said in a statement. “The Volvo XC40 Recharge Pure Electric is the first vehicle in Australia to come with a fully integrated Google Android Infotainment operating system, with Google Assistant, Google Maps and Google Play Store built in.” Like every other Volvo currently offered here, the XC40 Recharge Pure Electric will be covered by a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, three-year 100,000km service wear and tear plan which (wiper blades, brake pads and rotors), eight-year roadside assistance plan and an eight-year battery warranty. The Swedish-founded, Chinese-owned brand has sold 1881 XC40s in Australia to the end of May this year, enough to make it one of the dominant forces within the $40,000-plus compact SUV segment with its 19.2 per cent share being second only to the Audi Q3 (2616/26.8 per cent).

2021 Volvo XC40 pricing* T4 Momentum (a) T4 Inscription (a) T5 R-Design (a) Recharge Plug-In (a) Recharge Pure Electric (a)

$46,990 $51,990 $56,990 $64,990 $76,990

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ISSUE 4 | July 2021

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ISSUE 4 | July 2021

Go Become a Coach! There’s no letter I in the word TEAM

 BOB TURNER FEW weeks ago I was asked to participate in an Executive Mentoring Programme for the School of Business at Western Sydney University. The Dean of the Business School, Professor Amir Mahmood, made an interesting statement in his opening address that stuck with me – “Education is Learning to Learn”! So simple but yet so true. It started me thinking that this is also a key in coaching and the importance to not only learn but learn to teach at the same time. Coaching, especially at the junior levels, is vital to sports development at the grass roots level of our communities. It also exemplifies societal education. If education is the ‘Silver Bullet’ then Coaching/Teaching is a key component and attribute. My high school basketball coach was the most influential person in not only my coaching career but in life lessons as well. Stricken by polio at an early age, his determination, ability to communicate and insight into getting the best out of his players were hallmarks of the respect he received from his players and the community in general. Winning was a by-product of making his players better people with respect for the team above self and he was not afraid to set that example when required. My last year of high school was a game changer in my life. He almost dropped me from the team believing I was heading

towards a me approach rather than the we approach he so firmly followed. I never gave him the chance to follow through and my change back to the “no letter I’ In the word team’ philosophy led me to the career I wanted. It was a turning point in my life that taught me valuable lessons of humbleness, humility and confidence over cockiness. My father could preach the same words but when my coach not only said it but acted on it the impression was lasting. As former Raiders Coach, Don Furner, used to tell me, the threat not to play is a main motivator and control mechanism of a coach. At the professional level coach education is fundamental. If you do not learn and improve you will not last. At this level it reinforces coaching is as much about psychology as it is movement of players on a field or court.

Individual must pursue learning During my coaching days in Canberra, I was fortunate to be in a city with two of the greats in their game, Johnny Warren and Don Furner. Add in the emerging presence of the Australian Institute of Sport and their assembled array of coaches, administrators and sports science specialists, we all benefitted from one of the best learning environments for sport. The key for me was the sharing of information and Don, Johnny and I would get together on a regular basis to talk coaching. Each of us were passionate about our own sport but also ardent about coach

education with an interest to learn and constantly improve. We were all intuitive to the fact that coaching was as much about psychology as any plays we might run to create opportunities on the field. These days were invaluable to my continued development as a coach/person and broadened my belief in how coaching could be a key learning tool for all. Education for the coach at the junior and amateur level is not as easy. Sports Clubs and Associations provide some coaching programs but in my view limited for the novice coach/parent eager to do their best for their team. I was watching my son-in-law coach his Under 7 girls football team recently. I could not help but think how do you handle the player who does not want to participate, does not want to pass, has trouble staying sport focussed instead of dancing on the field, or is just not that athletic at such an early stage of development. He was impressive in his tolerance and patience with the girls which at that level is also about teaching through sport. With coach education not a high priority in a number of sports it is up to the individual to chase learning. Reading and observing others in your sport are immediate sources of education. Former Australian and NBL Coach, Rob Beveridge, told me while attending college in Canberra, he would walk to the AIS to attend daily practice sessions and watch Adrian Hurley and the basketball coaching staff to stimulate his interest and education. He has now written a book with his sports science associate, Stephen Bird,

“When Winning Matters” to help guide the coach eager to learn like he was all those years ago. One of the many factors that attracted me to Blacktown City FC was our Head of Football, Mark Crittenden. A veteran of over 300 games with the club, his tactics are sound but it is his ability to get the best out of his players that makes him and the club a winner. Historically known for player development, Blacktown City has lost a number of players over the years to more financial clubs yet is always competitive and currently on top of the competition table. The culture Coach Crittenden has built over the years is about Team and giving your best. Winning is a by-product of his efforts as the culture and selfless commitment he has established with his players has led to success on the field. I believe every business should encourage staff to go out and Coach, preferably a team sport and at the grass roots level. The Learning curve will be steep because players at the Junior level will put you to the test and force you to learn, adopt and adapt. Speaking with a mate the other day who was feeling a bit anxious about his business, I suggested he go out and find a team to coach. That would settle him down, offer an opportunity to help others, and most likely re-stimulate his business to put a focus back on what his team at work might be needing. Bob Turner is Executive Chairman at Blacktown FC. www.bcfc.com.au

Cleary out for four to six weeks RL team Penrith Panthers have lost their halves Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai through injury. The pair are also sidelined from the NSW State of Origin game for the Blues versus Queensland, third and final game of the 2021 series, on Wednesday, July 14. NSW lead the series, 2-0, and have regained the shield from the Maroons, they lost in 2020. NSW are aiming for a 3-0 series win, which the Blues last achieved in 2000. Star halfback Cleary partially dislocat-

ed his right shoulder in the second game in Brisbane, after 10 minutes. He refused the urgings of NSW coach Brad Fittler and team medical staff and played on. Cleary was in rousing club form for the Panthers and for NSW this year. After medical consultation post origin, Cleary was ruled out, for between four to six weeks. He has started rehabilitation and intends to return well before the finals. A decision on possible surgery will be made at the end of the season.

Luai, the livewire five eighth, damaged a knee medial ligament, in last Friday's 13 to 12 win over Parramatta. This injury ruled him out of NSW selection, after starring in the opening two NSW victories over Queensland. Nathan Cleary NSW coach Brad Fittler named Blues, including Brian To'o, lock Isaah Yeo, Parramatta no.7, Mitchell Moses as the and hooker Apia Korosiau, on the interreplacement for Cleary. change bench. Luai has been replaced by Canberra The Panthers are second in the NRL no.6, Jack Whighton. race and have the bye this weekend. Penrith has a strong selection for the

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