Blacktown News - September 2023

WEXPO RETURNS

ƒ Blacktown Workers Club, September 5 2023

ƒ More than 70 exhibitors.

ƒ Three community forums.

ƒ Six workshops in the Redwood Bar.

ƒ Minister Kamper lunch keynote.

ƒ Women In Sport special chamber event.

ƒ FREE entry and FREE barista coffee.

WEXPO the regional connector

„ STEPHEN

BALI

WEXPO Blacktown is growing in strength as a great connector between communities, businesses, government agencies and residents of Western Sydney. This is a people led initiative that allows community and business leaders to gather and discuss real solutions to the challenges facing us today.

Issues from health to cost of living pressures and general policies regarding soft and hard infrastructure required to sustain a liveable environment in one of the fastest growing regions in our country need debate.

Last year’s keynote speaker was Besa Deda, the Chief National Economist for Westpac Business Bank; and this year will be The Hon. Steve Kamper, NSW Minister for Sport, Multiculturalism and Small Business.

The Minister will provide insights on how these three very important portfolios will be addressed by the Minn’s Labor Government over the next few years.

The information sessions provide valuable workshops for those wanting access to industry leaders presenting on important topics to make your business

more competitive in this current challenging economic climate. These sessions are free, but the only catch is limited numbers for each session meaning first in or you’ll miss out!

The Greater Blacktown Business Chamber will host a business after 5 which is a great networking opportunity for existing members and for new businesses to find out what business chambers do and how to benefit from being part of it. The business after five will feature a special presentation by Blacktown FC Chairman, Bob Turner on Women In Sport.

Foundation WEXPO sponsors have also been involved in workshops and coordinating the event. Thank you to Australian Catholic University, Blacktown Work-

ers Club, Novo Nordisk, SydWest Multicultural Services, WentWest Primary Health Network, Blacktown Council and Blacktown News for bringing WEXPO to life.

WEXPO is truly a collaboration of businesses, community organisations and local media.

WEXPO is also the only forum where leading community and business advocates present their findings to the NSW Parliament House with the Premier, Opposition Leader and to the many

ministers and MPs in attendance. Parliament meets Western Sydney where key ideas and policy initiatives are presented with over one hundred locals in attendance demonstrating a strong case for Western Sydney. Congratulations to all those involved as this is becoming the major EXPO for the region.

Stephen

Bali is Member for Blacktown, WEXPO Patron and Parliamentary Secretary for Planning and Public Spaces

GLASS CEILING FOR WOMEN’S Sport has been BROKEN

THE Matildas recent World Cup achievements have pushed women sport through the glass ceiling and galvanised Australia in respect of our female athletes and what (and how) they can achieve.

In a compelling presentation one of Australia’s most successful sports marketers and coaches, Bob Turner, assembles team of local insiders to explore the growing success of women in sports with unique insights and predictions. Held in conjunction with the Greater Blacktown Business Chamber this event is being held as part of WEXPO 2023 at Blacktown.

Some of the issues to be explored include:

• Pay scales.

• Marketing.

• Styles of play.

Leadership.

• Development paths.

• And more…

The panel includes sports administrators, women players, coaches and captains:

Bob Turner is executive chairman of Blacktown FC, winners of 2022 National Premier Leagues NSW Men’s Championship. Bob has been actively engaged as head coach, general manager, managing director and part owner of four NBL teams and in 2010 was the driving force in the resurrection of the Sydney Kings. In 1999 he was honored by Basketball Australia and the NBL as a Hall of Fame inductee. His personal success as a basketball player, coach, marketer, administrator, and businessman is a unique combination in the business world

and he has been actively engaged by corporate associates to present and develop a variety of issues including team building, motivation, success and leadership.

David ‘Dok’ O’Keefe - Head of Women’s Football at Blacktown City and tasked with the goal of reaching NPL 1 status within three years. Dok built the Barker College Football program and achieved a similar role with Sydney University.

Kiara Rochiax – In her second season with Blacktown City, women’s captain Kiara Rochiax is one of the best goalies in the competition, this talented athlete has many scouts watching her games. A former Under 19 All School Australian representative, Kiara is a leader both on and off the field.

Mark Crittenden – Regarded as one of the Premier coaches in NSW, mark has led the organisation both on and off the field to establish an exceptional culture for the club. He has been a main driver in the establish-

ment of the Blacktown City Senior Women’s Team and assisted in building a similar culture.

Matt Lewis - The longest serving player in Blacktown City FC history, men’s captain Matt Lewis, has played a record 376 games for his club. Recognition of his contribution came with the annual Matt Lewis medal. Matt played his youth with Blacktown City before being recruited to the Central Coast Mariners. After leaving CCM, he returned to play for Blacktown Head of Football, Mark Crittenden.

Details

What: WEXPO 2023 - Greater Blacktown Business Chamber Business After 5.

Venue: Blacktown Workers Club.

When: 5.30PM, September 5, 2023, Ballroom level 2.

Tickets: FREE, limited to 100, Book at www.wexpo.com.au Includes: Finger food.

Patron Stephen Bali MP.

Sam Kerr. Bob Turner.

Last year's WEXPO event.

schools

NSW Labor’s promise to Western Sydney residents to get to swim and have relaxing picnics at the iconic Prospect Reservoir near Blacktown is now up for community feedback. “Prospect Reservoir is one of Sydney’s most beautiful public places and it would be a game changer for families in the west if we were able to open it up for swimming and nonmotorised watercraft,” Prospect MP and NSW parliamentary secretary to the Attorney-General, Hugh McDermott said. “Western Sydney’s families getting to the beach means expensive tolls, long hours in a car or public transport and extensive time away from home or work. Opening up Prospect Reservoir would be a huge win for our local community.” More page 3.

• important community announcements

• upcoming events

• transformational projects

• school holiday activities

• community award programs

• competitions

• much, much more...

College adopts Gina Rinehart

Blacktown City

27,247

WHAT’S ON

Upcoming community events

In September, our brand-new Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre (BARC) will be celebrating the playful, loyal and loving breed, the Staffy.

Throughout the month, BARC will be offering residents:

• $150.00 adoption fee for all Staffies

• free socialisation classes for Staffies - every Saturday in September

• free microchipping for Blacktown City residents.

Residents are encouraged to keep an eye out on our website, theBARC.com.au or BARC’s social media, for more information on the offers in September.

If you are looking for a new best friend, visit our friendly staff at BARC at 20 Owen Street, Glendenning.

Bidwill Festival

Saturday 9 September from 10 am to 3 pm

Bidwill Square, Carlisle Avenue, Bidwill

Together with the Bidwill Festival Committee, we would like to invite the local community to the annual Bidwill Festival.

The festival will feature a range of activities and entertainment for the whole family including:

• arts and craft stalls

• food trucks and stalls

• live stage performances by local community groups

• rides and displays.

Residents are encouraged to join us for an exciting family day out!

Doonside Festival

Saturday 23 September from 9 am to 3 pm

Doonside CBD, 1 Hill End Road, Doonside

We have partnered with the Doonside Festival Committee and Blacktown Lions Club to bring you the annual Doonside Festival. Join us for a day of entertainment for the whole family including market stalls, stage performances, kids activities and delicious food trucks.

Willmot Festival

Saturday 30 September from 10 am to 3 pm

Willmot Reserve, Carteret Ave, Willmot

Together with the Willmot Festival Committee, we would like to invite the local community to the annual Willmot Festival!

The festival will feature a range of activities and entertainment for the whole family, including stalls, stage performances, face painting and petting zoo.

For more information, and to view all of our upcoming events, visit blacktown.nsw.gov.au

FEEDBACK ONLINE ON PROSPECT RESERVOIR PLAN

Beach in our own backyard

„ ELIZABETH FRIAS

NSW Labor’s promise to Western Sydney residents to get to swim and have relaxing picnics at iconic Prospect Reservoir near Blacktown is now up for community feedback.

“Prospect Reservoir is one of Sydney’s most beautiful public places and it would be a game changer for families in the west if we were able to open it up for swimming and non-motorised watercraft,” Prospect MP and NSW parliamentary secretary to the Attorney-General, Hugh McDermott said.

“Western Sydney’s families getting to the beach means expensive tolls, long hours in a car or public transport and extensive time away from home or work. Opening up Prospect Reservoir would be a huge win for our local community.”

NSW water minister Rose Jackson said the community consultation was meant to “fast track” the plan going forward since Labor promised it at the last election.

“We promised Western Sydney residents we would prioritise this project and that’s what we’re doing,” Ms Jackson said.

“We’ve been working hard behind the scenes to drive this project forward, we look forward to receiving feedback from the community to help chart our path forward.”

“If it stacks up, it could pave the way for a new spot to swim and relax only a short drive from Blacktown, 20 minutes from Cabramat-

ta and Badgerys Creek and 15 minutes from Parramatta.”

Millions of Sydney’s households rely on 85 percent of its drinking water supply from the reservoir’s water filtration plant.

The reservoir takes water supply from the catchments of Warragamba Dam and Upper Nepean.

The residents are being consulted so that the NSW government’s water policy in Western Sydney “is best managed to balance the opportunities for increased recreation whilst protecting Sydney’s drinking water supply,” Dr McDermott said.

Nearby dams being used for both water supply and public recreation included most

dams across NSW managed by Water NSW, including Chifley Dam at Bathurst in Central West, and Drogo Dam on the South Coast catchments.

The idea was proposed by residents following the COVID lockdowns when nearby eastern suburbs’ residents had less than a few kilometres to get to some of Sydney’s best beaches such as Bondi, Balmoral in Mosman and Watson Bay.

“The COVID lockdowns were a wake-up call, you had eastern suburbs residents who had beaches and pools within 5 kilometres radius but most people in the western suburbs didn’t have any options for taking a dip while travel restrictions were in place,” Ms Jackson said.

Options are now on the table for Western Sydney residents to share ideas how to turn the reservoir into a public space enjoyed for generations to come, Dr McDermott said.

Throughout September, drop-in sessions and webinars will be hosted to reach out to as many residents as possible.

“Getting these feasibility studies right takes time so we won’t have answers overnight, but we are looking at all options,” Dr McDermott said.

A webpage is now live for residents to have their say and get involved by clicking www.dpie.nsw. gov.au/water/plans-and-programs/prospectreservoir

Hugh McDermott with Western Sydney residents discussing the Prospect Reservoir plans.

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ISSUE 30 | September 2023

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Equal pay for women ambos

NSW Ambulance has become the first NSW emergency service to reach gender parity in its ranks, with women now making up more than 50 per cent of the NSW Ambulance workforce.

NSW Health Minister Ryan Park was joined by NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison and Member for Coogee Marjorie O’Neill to mark the milestone at Randwick Ambulance Superstation in Sydney.

“Today is about acknowledging the important contribution women make across all areas of the service,” Mr Park said.

“Dedicated and skilled women work across NSW Ambulance in many roles, including as paramedics, aeromedical crews, nurses, doctors, specialist rescue crews, call takers and dispatchers, and corporate and support staff.

“We are incredibly grateful for their contribution to the health system in New South Wales and thank them for their service to their communities.”

NSW Minister for Women Jodie Harrison said it is important that workforces reflect the people it serves.

“Workplace gender diversity matters and it is pleasing to see NSW Ambulance has achieved this,” Minister Harrison said.

NSW Health Secretary Ms Susan Pearce AM said women now occupied almost 45 per cent of all leadership roles across the organisation, and made up the majority of the executive leadership team.

NSW Ambulance implements a range of support programs to ensure a welcoming and inclusive workplace, including tailored training programs, mentoring initiatives and ongoing professional development opportunities.

Campion College adopts Gina Rinehart

THE philanthropy of mining magnate and Australia’s richest woman Gina Rinehart AO is etched at one of Western Sydney’s leading educational institutions.

Campion College president, Dr Paul Morrissey has announced the Gina Rinehart Library has been officially named after Ms Rinehart and will serve as “sanctuary for scholars” having a collection of more than 25,000 academic books and resources.

As the country’s first college dedicated to liberal arts studies, Dr Morrissey said Mrs Rinehart’s assistance was a “significant contribution” to the future of the college in continuing to provide world class academic experience for young Australians.

“She is a great Australian, committed to our country’s wellbeing and its future and it is fitting this library is named after her,” Dr Morrissey said.

“This library is a magnificent addition to the campus, the highlight in addition to its books, is a superb original stained-glass skylight over the grand staircase.

“This facility combines traditional and modern aesthetics creating an inviting space that nurtures intellectual curiosity and pursuit of knowledge.”

Since taking over as chairman of Hancock Prospecting Group in 1992, following the death of her father, Lang Hancock, Mrs Rinehart has continuously supported numerous medical, sporting, veterans, health and educational institutions.

She is a patron of four Australian Olympic teams and so far, the largest private donor to national teams competing in Olympics and has received an Order of Merit for her philanthropy.

Campion College campus is at Old Toonggabbie and offers undergraduate degrees in history, literature, philosophy, and theology.

Rich listers

Mining magnate Gina Rinehart tops the 2023 Financial Review Rich Women List with an estimated $36.7B fortune, but faces a new competitor for the title as fellow West Australian Nicola Forrest joins for the first time in recognition of her increasing activity within Tattarang. Mrs Forrest debuts in second place with an estimated wealth of $16.5B which represents half the combined fortune she shares with husband Andrew Forrest, who founded Fortescue Metals Group and returned to run the business as executive chairman last August.

The library in Western Sydney’s Old Toonggabbie bears mining magnate Gina Rinehart’s name.

Blacktown City Garden Competition open

GREEN thumbs, busy bees and garden gurus are encouraged to enter their garden in the 2023 Blacktown City Garden Competition.

Entries are now open for the 2023 competition, with residents, businesses, schools and community groups urged to showcase their backyard oasis or slice of garden paradise.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale

OAM said Council was on the hunt for the City’s best gardens, across 12 categories.

“The Blacktown City Garden Competition is a community favourite, and each year, we receive scores of fabulous entries, which highlight the talent and hard work of the City’s green thumbs,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“There is more than $3000 in cash prizes on offer for the City’s best gardens, not to mention the glory of being crowned one of Blacktown City’s top gardening gurus.

“With springtime just around the corner here, there’s no better time for our green thumbs to bring their gardens into bloom and show off their talents in beautifying our City.”

Entries are invited across 12 categories, including: Best Front Garden, Best Back Garden, Best Commercial Garden (Retirement Village or Business), Best Educational Facility Garden, Best Edible Garden, Best Australian Native Garden, Best Sustainable Garden, Best Community Garden, Best Individual Residential Garden (Unit/Townhouse). Best Garden by Senior Citizen (60+ years), Best Themed/Novel Garden and Best Garden by a Person or Group with a Disability.

Preliminary judging will take place from early to mid-October, with final

round judging to be done by industry experts in late October.

Each entry will be judged on key elements including design, construction, maintenance and sustainability. Entrants must reside within Blacktown City Council area.

Entries are now open and will close at 5.30pm on Friday, 22 September, 2023. Visit the website for more details: blacktown.nsw.gov.au/Community/ Awards-scholarships-and-competitions/ Blacktown-City-Garden-Competition

Improved housing waiting list data

THE NSW Government is delivering on its promise to improve transparency of the social housing waiting list by providing up-to-date data.

Under the previous Government, information about the number of people on the social housing waiting list was published on an annual basis.

This made it difficult for the community to understand the extent of the crisis as often the data was out

of date by the time it was published.

The current published data is more than a year old. Data covering both the general and priority waiting list will now be published monthly to give stakeholders, the sector and people waiting for social housing a clearer picture of need.

This means the NSW Government to identify trends over time to meet the demand for social housing.

Median waiting times for priority and general appli-

Aboriginal Heritage: Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Flood Evacuation Road Resilience Program

Transport for NSW invites Aboriginal people and Aboriginal groups who hold cultural knowledge relevant to determining the significance of Aboriginal objects and places for Hawkesbury Nepean Valley Flood Evacuation Road Resilience Program to register to be consulted.

Transport for NSW has identified road infrastructure improvements across four Western Sydney Local Government areas: Penrith, Hawkesbury, Blacktown and The Hills.

The improvement projects include road shoulder widening, new culverts and bridge structures to provide flood immunity, road raising where required, pinch point upgrades and drainage improvements. These projects will improve the resilience of the road network so that residents can evacuate from the area safely in the event of a major flood.

The proposal may result in Transport for NSW:

• Applying for an Aboriginal Heritage Impact Permit (AHIP) under Part 6 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974, and/or

• Undertaking investigations in accordance with the Code of practice for archaeological investigations in NSW 2010, and/or

• Undertaking an environmental impact assessment under the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979.

To register your interest, please contact: Noni Ross, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Officer, noni.ross@transport.nsw.gov.au or 0476 813 136. Registrations must be received by phone or in writing by 23 September 2023.

cant households will be published on a quarterly basis to provide an accurate indication of how long applicants can expect to wait for housing in certain areas.

Previously, median waiting times were only published on an annual basis.

This initiative is part of a suite of NSW Government reforms to improve the social and affordable housing sector and address homelessness and housing insecurity.

Volunteering with St Christophorus Aged Care

In NSW, over 2 million people volunteer their time for others, equal to 240 million hours annually with over 60 volunteer organisations.

St Christophorus Aged Care is a Not For Profit organisation based in Croydon and Blacktown. Our volunteers provide companionship to German speaking seniors, living in a nursing home or at home. We also provide support and assistance to those in need of accessing services or when transitioning to Residential Aged Care. In 2021 our Alois was awarded “Senior Volunteer of the Year”. Alois and Helga have been volunteering since 1982. Alois: “We enjoy helping others and it brings smiles and happiness to them.”

Many elderly people are vulnerable and feel lonely and isolated. Covid lockdowns and restrictions acerbated these issues. Some may have no family close by and a have no visitors. Feelings of loneliness and depression are very common among the elderly.

Our Volunteers, through their selflessness, dedication, and generosity of spirit are the backbone of our organisation. Language is no barrier. Join us to bring light into the lives of the elderly and share some of your time via visits or telephone calls. Contact our Volunteer Coordinator on 0493 388 282 or send an email to agedcare@dkg sydney.com

2022 Blacktown City Garden Competition joint winner Geoff Kubbere’s garden.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM with the winners of the 2022 Blacktown City Garden Competition, Fortunato Vella and Geoff Kubbere (third and fourth from left) with Blacktown City Councillors Carol Israel, Julie Griffiths AM and Kathie Collins OAM with gardening expert Graham Ross AM.

AQUATIC CENTRE CELEBRATES 10 YEARS Purpose built success story

CHALLENGING AND SAFE

Students strive for success

BLACKTOW North Public School makes learning challenges, and stimulates students to strive for success.

A challenging yet safe learning environment at Blacktown North Public School stimulates students to aim for success in life.

Students’ responses to teaching practices across the school’s curriculum are innovative, and striving for success becomes their goal in return.

The school promotes a safe, caring, and supportive environment where each student’s self-esteem is fostered by positive and supportive relationships with fellow students and staff.

Aiming to maximise each student’s potential, developing their leadership skills through core values, ensure all students are empowered to meet their learning challenges.

The school believes that when its students learn how to meet these challenges be it in education, work, and life environments, they are ready to embrace their future.

In an ever-changing world of ours, the school strives to have the parents, teachers and community members actively involved in the students’ learning journey.

Together they nurture and create respectful and independent individuals who have gained the knowledge and attitude to be successful in their future endeavours.

Scan the Qr code in our ad to find our extracurricular activities.

Blacktown North Public School is located at 1 Bessemer Road, Blacktown NSW 2148. For enrolment enquiries, call (02) 9622 2968 or email blacktownn-p.school@det.nsw.edu.au

Relationships a key ingredient

STUDENTS at Marayong South Public School learn hands-on to realise their dreams and goals.

As a learning community, Marayong South Public School strives for high expectations and excellence in student achievement, wellbeing, and engagement.

To achieve these visions, school principal Petrina Walker said, their key priority is forming strong partnerships with parents and caregivers to support their students’ learning journeys.

We are a team of highly professional teachers and leaders whose commitment, dedication and passion contribute to an inclusive, positive and productive school environment for our students.

We work with our educational networks, and colleagues across settings, to consistently deliver the best possible educational outcomes for our students.

Our school provides opportunity and success for our students, by knowing and valuing each of them as exceptional individuals.

We feel privileged to be able to support their dreams and goals.

We want to make sure we are moving forward together, as our school’s motto says.

The parents, carers of students, and their friends are always involved in many exciting school events and activities such as our Playgroup, Book Week Parade and Book Fair, Parents and Carers Appreciation Day and interviews, and all our Sports Carnivals.

The school’s official Facebook page contains the students’ latest activities and achievements.

These school activities are just some of the handson ways the students are learning in their classrooms by taking part in a range of activities that supports their growth and development.

If you want to know more about our school, contact us and come for a visit. We look forward to welcoming your family to Marayong South Public School.

“We look forward to welcoming your family to MSPS.”

BRINGING NURSES BACK ON SITE Better care for elderly

„ MICHELLE ROWLAND

THE Albanese Labor Government is focused on delivering better care for older people in Australia, including here in Greenway.

We know that around the clock nursing is needed to properly care for some of our most vulnerable people. Whether you live in a metro, regional or remote area facility, you deserve to be safe and have access to a registered nurse.

Having 24/7 registered nursing was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety – it was ignored by the Coalition.

We took action to legislate this when we came into Government to urgently improve the quality and safety of care in facilities.

24/7 nursing improves the safety and quality of care for residents and prevents unnecessary trips to hospital emergency departments.

The Albanese Labor Government introduced the 24/7 nursing requirement because older Australians deserve

around the clock, clinical, care and this data reveals – now they are.

Earlier in August, Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells released new data showing how the Albanese Government is delivering on our commitment to put nurses back into nursing homes.

It is incredibly pleasing to see that Registered Nurses are now onsite in aged care homes 98 per cent of the time on average.

And, on average, there is a registered nurse onsite in aged care homes for 23.5 hours a day.

86 per cent of facilities now have a nurse on site 24/7- with the majority of the remaining homes very close to 24/7 coverage.

We can now see Australia’s older generations – our mums and dads, grandparents and loved ones who live in aged care homes receiving the high-quality care and safety they deserve.

Michelle Rowland is Minister for Communications and Federal Member for Greenway.

Visit www. michellerowland.com.au

with Michelle Rowland

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HOW AN AIRPORT SELFIE CAN RUIN YOUR HOLIDAY How to share the SAFE WAY

„ DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

THE simple pleasure of posting a selfie of your boarding pass on social media as you depart on your holiday could lead to a major hacking of your identity and finances.

A recent survey shows that almost 85% of travellers are worried about being hacked while traveling. Cybersecurity experts from NordVPN said the risks of being hacked increased drastically for those who share too much information about their holiday online.

An “airport selfie,” or photo of a traveller’s boarding pass and a passport, is a popular way to let social media followers know they are going abroad. However, a boarding pass contains personal information that can help hackers to ruin the big trip.

“Even if only the barcode of your flight ticket is visible in the picture, hackers can scan it and find out such information as a traveller’s full name, reservation number, passenger name record and sometimes even contact information,” Adrianus Warmenhoven, a cybersecurity expert at NordVPN, said “This data can later be used by the hacker to ruin a traveller’s holiday by cancelling their return flights, stealing money from their payment cards, or even stealing their identity.”

So, what can a hacker do with the information from your boarding pass?

Well, after scanning the barcode, hackers can use the data to get into a passenger’s airline account, steal their mileage points or change details for upcoming flights.

And if the passenger is not a frequent traveller and they have not collected many mileage points for criminals to steal, the hacker might call a traveller up during their trip pretending to be the airline representative and ask for credit card details to confirm a return flight.

Cybercriminals can also gather more information about their victim on social

media and then try to call the airline, pretending to be a traveller. Boarding pass information and other valuable details they may find online can help criminals trick even the most secure travel agency or airline company into sharing their customer’s information.

After collecting this huge amount of data about their victim, criminals can proceed to sell this data on the dark web or even worse, steal the victim’s identity, enabling the hacker to commit fraud like opening credit card accounts or making unauthorized purchases.

The good news is, there is a safe way to share vacation photos online.

“While posting your boarding pass is never safe, there are ways to share your vacation with your followers and

stay secure online at the same time,” Mr Warmenhoven said.

1. Always post photos after you are back from holiday. It’s better to hold off posting photos or information that indicates you’re vacationing while you’re away. Don’t let your followers know your home is empty at the moment.

2. Make sure your account settings are set to private. One of the most important pieces of information to know before you post anything online is who you’re sharing your information with. Make sure that your account settings are set to private and your posts are visible to your friends only instead of everyone on the internet.

3. Never share personal information on social media. Remove personal details, such as your home address and telephone

number, from your profile pages because there, they are easily accessible by anyone. Don’t make status updates sharing your location. And never ever post photos of your passport, plane tickets or any other documents.

4. Be careful with free public Wi-Fi. If you eventually decide to post anything online while abroad, ensure your connection is secure. Cafes, shops and even hotels offer unsecured Wi-Fi networks. Users need to be especially cautious when connecting to these networks because they are easily monitored. Hackers may position themselves as a Wi-Fi hotspot or use special software to steal data from unprotected networks. One of the best ways to safely use public Wi-Fi is by installing a VPN.

at Blacktown Workers Club

WHERE AUSSIES ARE REALLY TRAVELLING Forget the pretentious lists

„ DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

HAVE you ever read one of those lists of the best places to go next year in the flash, glossy travel magazines?

And have you ever shaken your head in disbelief as you realise you’ve never heard of most of them and the rest you wouldn’t want to go to anyway?

You know the kind of thing – yak herding in Outer Mongolia, kayak paddling at the North Pole or watching the moon come up over Palestine.

Some travel writers are, shall we say, a little bit pretentious and they seem out of step with the ordinary Aussie traveller who goes overseas more for a holiday or to see the ‘rellos’ than go on a expensive time consuming slog across some little known area.

True, there are adventurers amongst us and it is a ‘given’ you will find Aussies at every corner of the earth.

However travel habits die hard in Australia and the top 10 places to visit are mostly still at their pre covid place on the list.

There were 968,490 international departures from Australia in September, a monthly increase of 87,630 from June, according to new data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

New Zealand was the most popular spot for a visit, with 96,180 arrivals recorded by Australia’s closest Pacific neighbor.

Indonesia -mostly Bali- and the UK were the second and third most visited places, with 86,160 and 66,480 arrivals returning from each country respectively.

Overseas visitors coming here

USA, Fiji, India, Singapore, Thailand, Italy and Vietnam rounded out the top 10.

All of these countries had more Australians return from them than they did in June.

During the 2021-2022 financial year, New Zealand continued to be the leading destination country for Australians travelling overseas, accounting for 195,370 trips in total.

And despite the allure of the yak herds in full flight, the most popular reason for travel – accounting for almost half of all trips – was “visiting friends and or relatives”.

The average trip was 19 days long. The stats from the ABS take into account the number of international border crossings rather than the exact number of travellers.

So, what about overseas visitors coming here? Well, A total of 325,680 short-term trips of visitors in Australia were recorded in July, an increase of 306,960 compared with the corresponding month of the previous year

In fact, the number of trips for July was lower than in July 2019, before the Covid-19 pandemic halted international travel in and out of the country.

New Zealand was the largest source country for visitors to Australia, accounting for 24% of all arrivals in July this year.

The USA and UK took out second and third place, respectively sending 27,040 and 25,340 visitors to Australia.

There’s one giant omission in a new top-10 of countries whose travellers plan to visit Australia now our borders are open - China.

China was once Australia’s largest inbound tourist market for both arrivals and spending. There were more than 1.4 million visitors from China pre-pandemic, contributing a combined total of $12 billion to the Australian economy.

This was more than one quarter of the entire international tourism spend - according to data provided by Australia’s peak tourism body, the Tourism and Transport Forum.

Now, that huge Chinese spend has fallen off a cliff, plunging 99.4% to just $76m in 2021, TTF figures show. Tourism generates $94 billion in spending and contributes nearly $34 billion to Australia’s GDP, directly employs over 500,000 people and earns nearly 10% of our total export earnings, according to Tourism Australia data.

Sources: Escape, ABS, MSN, Tourism Australia

Urgent Care On Your Doorstep:

Western Sydney Opens Six Urgent Care Facilities

Western Sydney is now home to six urgent care facilities to help you access local, quality care for minor injuries and illnesses that might normally require a visit to a hospital emergency department. This means over 15,000 of you could receive free care for non-lifethreatening conditions at an urgent care local practice per year.

Built within local general practices, these six centres are able to treat health concerns such as minor fractures, sprains, wound management, mild burns and cuts requiring stitches. Each urgent care facility is staffed by highly-skilled health professionals, with referral pathways to onsite additional services such as pathology, mobile imaging (x-rays and ultrasound) and, in some cases, dental care.

Our Western Sydney urgent care initiatives are free to access and located across the region to offer you the best care when you need it.

Urgent care facilities are currently available in:

Wentworthville

Healthy Western Sydney is delivered by WentWest, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network.

Auburn

Castle Hill

Marsden Park

Rouse Hill

Rooty Hill

Not Sure Where to Go For Care?

The Western Sydney Urgent Care Line, 1800 371 372 , is a free phone line staffed by a clinical team who can assess your symptoms and direct you to the right point of care. This includes referral to a hospital, community-based service, or to an urgent care initiative.

The Urgent Care Line is available Monday to Friday from 8am to 8pm, except on public holidays.

FOUR STARS

Haunted Mansion feels like a lovely throwback to the family fun Disney films of old

BEN Matthias (LaKeith Stanfield), a scientist struggling with the death of ghost-obsessed wife, is hired by Gabbie (Rosario Dawson) to help take photos of ghosts in the haunted mansion she inhabits.

What he doesn’t realise is that upon arrival, the ghosts latch onto him, and now he is stuck trying to rid the house of its ghostly presence.

Gabbie has already brought in a crack team to help her in this endeavour though, all similarly tricked into the task. Between them, Ben, Gabbie, Father Kent (Owen Wilson), medium Harriet (Tiffany Haddish), lecturer Bruce (Danny DeVito) and young Travis (Chase Dillon) will have to discover what has these ghosts worked up, and how they can save them

Directed by Justin Simien, Haunted Mansion is a pleasant little throwback film that feels like it has stepped straight out of the early 2000’s. Its mild humour bubbles along nicely, briefly interspersed with the occasional jump scare and the brief flash of heart.

Owen Wilson and Danny DeVito

standout in the comedy sphere, both bringing their respective zany schtick’s to the piece. But it’s Lakeith Stanfield in the lead that really anchors the movie. He’s able to change it up so quickly between heartbreaking backstory complete with tears, and crazy ghost action antics, and funny asides, that it seems nearly miraculous.

Visually, the film is suitably gorgeous from a set design, and if the animation on the ghosts never quite reaches the heights you would expect, it’s not a major detractor from the film.

For fans of the Disney ride, the soundtrack will be a welcome addition, consistently playing on the ‘Grim Grinning Ghosts’ refrain.

PAST LIVES - FIVE STARS

Ultimately, the film probably drags on a little longer than needed. But there is a moment where Stanfield’s Ben recalls his grief that really cuts so quickly to the heart that you’re left a little shell shocked. This is a completely inoffensive, fun time in the theatre, but it also has a sneaky little bit of emotional warmth that will suck you in as unsuspectingly as our lead gets sucked into the Haunted Mansion itself. It makes it feel like a much older movie; something closer to ET than the modern dearth of overly animated kids films.

Ben may have resurrected the dead in this film, but with it, Simien resurrects a dead art form; that of the entirely watchable, completely enjoyable, limited ambition family action comedy, and it absolutely works.

Haunted Mansion is a joyful little surprise.

Past Lives is a superb take on human connection, tugging at the heartstrings and leaving audiences contemplating their own pasts and futures

IN their debut major film, Past Lives, Celine Song takes audiences on an introspective journey that delves into the intricacies of identity, longing, and the immigrant experience.

As both the writer and director, Song crafts a narrative that resonates deeply, leaving a lasting impression of heartfelt emotion.

The film, characterised by its poignant exploration of human connection, introduces us to a world where the past and present intertwine, revealing layers of emotions that remain hidden beneath the surface.

The story opens with two childhood friends, Na Young and Hae Sung who’s deep connection is drawn apart when Na Young parents decide to emigrate from South Korea to Canada.

A span of twelve years pass and we see Na Young, now going by her western monika Nora, looking up old friends from her childhood online. As it turns out Hae Sung has been looking for her too.

Their rekindled connection sparks anew but as is often the issue with modern romance the timing just isn’t right. Years passing again between these two are reunited, with changes to their individual lives, loves and identities.

This poignant exploration of human connection, introduces us to a world where the past and present intertwine, revealing layers of emotions that remain hidden beneath the surface. One of the film’s most compelling aspects is its ability to connect with the audience on a personal level. The theme of identity,

particularly in the context of immigrants or the children of immigrants, will strike a chord for many.

The film captures the complex journey of reconciling one’s heritage with the environment they now call home.

The struggle between the Western society they inhabit and the heritage they carry becomes a palpable presence throughout the film. Greta Lee (Nora) and Tae Yoo’s (Hae Sung) performances are nothing short of exceptional, breathing life into characters grappling with the complexities of self-discovery and belonging.

Their on-screen chemistry not only enhances the storytelling but also evokes a profound sense of empathy from the audience.

Lee and Yoo navigate the delicate balance between their characters’ cultur-

al roots and the demands of the worlds around them, creating a poignant portrayal that resonates authentically. John Magaro skillfully plays Arthur, Nora’s husband who enters in the latter act.

His ability to play a secondary man in this story of missed connection is not lost to the audience. Unlike conventional narratives he is not projected as an obstacle but rather a differential connection that was there at the right time.

Celine Song showcases a remarkable understanding of the human psyche, pulling viewers into a realm of infinite and relatable longing.

This debut venture into the world of major cinema is a testament to Song’s talent as a storyteller, leaving audiences no doubt eagerly awaiting her future

endeavours. The visual aesthetics of the film only adds to the story.

The camera work and cinematography seamlessly complement and enhance the emotional depth of each scene. The film’s visual appeal is matched by its impeccable sound design, which adds a definitive and unique layer to the storytelling. Every sound, from intimate footsteps to a closing gate, is captured with meticulous attention, amplifying the audience’s immersion in the film’s world.

One of the film’s standout strengths is its ability to convey emotions through silence. Awkward pauses and unspoken words are harnessed with precision, allowing the characters’ inner struggles to speak volumes.

This emphasis on the unspoken adds depth to the relationships portrayed and invites the audience to reflect on their own experiences of missed opportunities and unexpressed emotions.

Past Lives is a refreshing departure from the often-explored narrative of lust, instead choosing to focus on the nuances of love, friendship, and the intricate emotions that accompany them.

The narrative weaves stories of missed chances and unfulfilled desires, leaving viewers with a lingering sense of melancholy and yearning that resonates for days on end.

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

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

FIVE THINGS YOU NEED TO Know about fitness trackers

MOST modern fitness trackers are electronic devices you wear on your wrist to track steps, overall physical activity, sedentary behaviour and sleep. They typically work with a smartphone app or website that allow you to track your progress over time using graphs and figures. Advanced fitness trackers can also record heart rate and GPS related outcomes, like your route, speed and distance.

People can be active without using fitness trackers, but their self-monitoring features help you set realistic goals and track your progress. Self-monitoring is an effective behaviour change technique.

So let’s have a look at the evidence about these trackers.

1. Fitness trackers work in the short term

Basic pedometers (mechanical step counters) have been around for a long time and when people use them their activity levels increase. Today’s fitness trackers are essentially fancy pedometers. So, there’s little reason to believe their added features and functionality makes them less effective.

You can trust this article because it’s written by academics.

Of the few rigorous randomised controlled trials of advanced fitness trackers, most found positive short-term outcomes. For example, a study comparing people using pedometers to those using Fitbits found Fitbit users were 62

minutes more physically active a week. Other studies also found people using fitness trackers took significantly more steps compared with those in a control group, but only measured outcomes over a short period.

2. For long-term outcomes fitness trackers work best with other strategies

Too few studies have looked at how people use fitness trackers beyond three months to say if they work in the long term. Numerous reports suggest many people soon stop using them. Reasons include the need to repeatedly recharge and sync the device with an app or website.

More importantly, fitness trackers need to be part of an overall behaviour change strategy to promote a lifelong fitness habit. But this mostly doesn’t happen.

For example, one workplace study showed physical activity increased after 12 months when fitness trackers were combined with organisational support in the first three months. Support included educational information, goal setting, social support and team challenges.

A high-profile study showed that when people were financially rewarded for using fitness trackers, this didn’t improve their health in the long term. However, such external rewards are not a strong behaviour change strategy, as they don’t increase the motivation needed

to keep going after the incentives are removed.

So behavioural support is needed with fitness trackers to form healthy lifelong activity habits.

3. Basic fitness tracker functions are accurate

Several reviews indicate most fitness trackers provide valid and reliable measures of physical activity, for instance counting steps and activity minutes. Most users consider step counting as the most important function of fitness trackers.

But these reviews also indicate energy expenditure, calorie counts and sleep measures are less accurate. This isn’t necessarily a problem for recreational users as the measurement error tends to be consistent. This means you still can accurately assess whether you are making progress as the device always over- or under-estimates the same way.

4. Fitness trackers affect your mood

Some people report feeling guilty or naked when not wearing their fitness tracker; others suggest it may damage their relationship with their doctor.

But there are many studies demonstrating the strong positive effects of regular physical activity on mental health, including improved mood, quality of life, stress, anxiety and depression. While there is no direct evidence, it is likely the positive mental health effects of being active outweigh the potential negative

mental health effects of wearing fitness trackers.

5. Fitness trackers are here to stay, despite media reports

A recent article highlighted the financial troubles for market leader Fitbit and others such as Jawbone. Sales are slowing and profits are down. This has many believing fitness trackers are a temporary fad.

We don’t think this will happen; the global wearables market is forecast to grow to more than US$34 billion a year by 2019. More importantly, fitness trackers are still evolving rapidly, with different brands developing new models boasting improved features and performance. It is difficult to stay on top as market leader in a dynamic and quickly changing environment.

Health professionals are also willing to use fitness trackers for specific patient groups, like people recovering from breast cancer or having haemodialysis. This demonstrates the potential for trackers to be integrated into the health care system.

Authors: Corneel Vandelanotte: Professorial Research Fellow: Physical Activity and Health, CQUniversity Australia. Stephanie Alley: Postdoctoral research fellow, CQUniversity Australia.www. theconversation..com.au

SPORTS QUIZ

1. Which other WNBL team did Shyla Heal join midseason after leaving the Sydney Flames?

2. How many WNBA Most Valuable Player Awards has Lauren Jackson won?

3. Which Australian Baseball League team did the Adelaide Giants defeat to win the 2022-23 ABL

4. Australian skier Danielle Scott competed in the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup season in which discipline?

5. Which US state hosted the 2023 NHL All-Star Game?

6. Australian skier Matt Graham competed in the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup season in which discipline?

Travis Kelce plays for which NFL team?

NBA basketballer Kyrie Irving was born in which Australian state capital?

Jason Kelce plays for which NFL team?

10. Cooper Connolly plays for which Big Bash League team?

11. In February, which WNBL team hosted a match that had a leaguerecord attendance of 7,681?

Jack Wighton plays for which NRL team?

13. Perth Scorchers batter Nick Hobson also works as what profession for his day job?

14. Olympic gold medalist Jakara Anthony was born in which Australian state?

15. How many tests did the Australian cricket team play on their tour of India in February and March?

16. How many Big Bash League titles have the Perth Scorchers won?

17. How many NBA teams has LeBron James played for?

18. Who coached St Kilda in the 2023 AFL season?

19. How many games do teams play during the regular season of Major League Baseball?

20. Who did the new NRL team Dolphins play in their inaugural match?

21. The 2023 NRL season has how many more rounds than the 2022 season?

22. Which two teams played the first game of the 2023 AFL season?

23. Sandown racecourse is located in which state?

24. Are the World Table Tennis Championship team events held on even or odd numbered years?

25. What does the position GA in netball stand for?

26. Played with a ball and net, Sepak Takraw is similar to which other sport?

27. In February, Kyrie Irving was traded to which NBA team?

28. The Sydney Kings basketball team logo is typically what colour?

29. Kabaddi, a contact team sport, is which country’s national sport?

30. Earlier this year, a shortage of alpine ash in Victoria affected what sport?

puzzles

QUICK CROSSWORD

7 Coach (7)

8 Part of a play (5)

14 Injured player carrier (9)

16 Preceding day (9)

18 US state (7)

19 On the sheltered side (7)

21 Great (7)

22 Attempts (7)

SUDOKU

23 Cuts (wood) (5)

24 Land measures (5)

9-LETTER WORD No. 033

Using the nine letters in the grid, how many words of four letters or more can you list? The centre letter must be included, and each letter may only be used once. No colloquial or foreign words. No capitalised nouns, apostrophes or plural words ending in “s”.

1 The Hoysala Empire ruled in the south of what country between the 10th and 14th centuries?

2 In the children’s cartoon Tom and Jerry, what sort of animal was Jerry?

3 US singer/songwriter Henry John Deutschendorf, Jr was better known by what name?

4 True or false: elephant seal bulls can grow to 7m long?

5 The Scandinavian Peninsula covers which three countries?

6 Which Australian band released a remix of the ABC News theme song in 2010?

7 Before Mick Malthouse, who was the coach of the Collingwood Football Club?

8 In Roman mythology, who was the god of love?

9 In what year did Frank Sinatra (pictured) release the song My Way?

10 Not including Australia, how many countries have a flag that is only red, white and blue?

ACROSS

1 Hot springs (4)

5 State of comfort (4)

6 Operatic melody (4)

7 Flesh (4)

DOWN

1 Edge line (4)

2 Trim (4)

3 Eastern continent (4)

4 Chair (4)

WORD FIND No. 033

The leftover letters will spell out a secret message.

Secret message:

ENTERTAINMENT CROSSWORD

No. 042

15 The voice of King Julien XIII in the Madagascar films, Sacha Baron – (5)

16 Jim Carrey’s 1997 fantasy comedy (4,4)

18 2013 drama starring Naomi Watts and Xavier Samuel (9)

20 Action movie starring Bruce Willis and his daughter Rumer (7)

21 Actor (pictured) who plays old school tycoon Reuben Tishkoff in the Ocean’s film series, –Gould (7)

23 Debate forum hosted by Jenny Brockie (7)

24 Star of the title role in Scott Pilgrim vs. the World, Michael – (4)

25 See 11-across

ACROSS

2 Big-budget adventure starring Alexander Skarsgård as the title character, The Legend of – (6)

4 2014 British drama starring Max Irons, – –Club (3,4)

9 John Ford classic starring John Wayne and Maureen O’Hara (3,5,3)

11, 25-down British actor and comedian behind fictional radio and TV star Alan Partridge (5,6)

Each number corresponds to a letter. Can you crack the code?

12 Dystopian series based on the novel by Margaret Atwood, The – – (9,4)

29 Actor who plays Neil Armstrong in the 2018 bio First Man (4,7)

30 Actor who portrays Dryden Vos in Solo: A Star Wars Story, Paul – (7)

31 Superhero played by Paul Rudd (3-3)

DOWN

1 US reality series looking at plastic surgeries gone wrong (7)

ADMIRED

27 Actor who played Harvey Dent in The Dark Knight – Eckhart (5)

HIDDEN WORD

Solve all the clues and an eight-letter word will be spelled out.

Insert each number from 1 to 9 in the shaded squares to solve all the horizontal and vertical equations.

13 Actor who plays Dominic Toretto in the Fast and the Furious franchise, Vin – (6)

15 Star of Shopgirl and Stardust, – Danes (6)

16 Gerard Butler action thriller, – Has Fallen (6)

17 Star of Steven Soderbergh’s Logan Lucky, – Swank (6)

2 Robert De Niro and Anne Hathaway’s (pictured) 2015 comedy (3,6)

Multiplication and division are performed before addition and subtraction.

3 Acting siblings Patricia, David, Richmond, Rosanna and –Arquette (6)

5 Series starring Esme Creed-Miles, based on the film of the same name (5)

6 English comedian, actor and author, – Brand (7)

19 Star of 8-down, –Judd (6)

A e

26 Black comedy starring Edward Norton as identical twin brothers (6,2,5)

A e K

28 Japanese actor who plays Hogun in the Thor movies, Tadanobu – (5)

7 Nigerian-born star of cop show Shades of Blue, Dayo – (7)

O U

22 Australian TV presenter and sports commentator, – Meadows (6)

S A L

Insert the missing letters to make 10 words –five reading across the grid and five reading down.

8 Musical biopic based on the life of Cole Porter and starring 19-across (2-6)

1. In which year was Cumberbatch born?

A. 1980

B. 1982

C. 1976

D. 1972

3. For which series did Cumberbatch win an Emmy Award?

A. Sherlock

B. Parade’s End

C. Patrick Melrose

D. None

10 Johnny Depp and Benedict Cumberbatch’s crime drama, Black – (4)

8 L e TT e RS DEFERRAL INFLATES SCRAPPED SECLUDED S O Y

NOTe: more than one solution may be possible

14 American musician who plays Cinna the stylist in the first two Hunger Games films, – Kravitz (5)

2. Which prestigious school did Cumberbatch attend?

A. Harrow

B. Eton

C. Westminster

D. None

4. Which animated character did he voice on film?

A. Simba

B. Buzz Lightyear

C. The Grinch

D. Mowgli

LOOKING BACK ON A SUCCESSFUL SEASON Blacktown City finishes third

BLAKTOWN City FC finished the 2023 season on August 27 earning an away win over second place finishers, Rockdale, 2-1.

The win was the twelfth game in a row for Blacktown without a loss to end the year in third place with a 17-win -6 draw -7 loss season. Apia Leichhardt took out the Premiership with a 20-5-5 record while Rockdale finished in third with an 18-5-7 record.

Blacktown City was the form team in the second half of the season with Head of Football, Mark Crittenden, building momentum to peak at the right time of the year.

His commitment to defense was once again on show as his team held their opponents to only 32 goals in the 30-game season to finish on top in goals allowed.

Unfortunately for Blacktown, the decision was made by Football NSW at the start of the season to determine the Premiership Champion by first past the post and not a playoff series as in previous seasons.

The Final Four would have made for a thrilling series and given their form in the second half of the season, Blacktown would have given Apia, Rockdale and Marconi a real test if Playoffs were to determine the Championship.

After being robbed of the Premiership in 2022 through Covid, Blacktown bounced back to record their 9th Championship in 2022. 2023 would have marked three years in a row where Blacktown were primed to once again be a threat for the trophy.

The win over Rockdale marked the last game for Blacktown City veteran and captain Matt Lewis as he announced his retirement.

Matt has been at Blacktown since Under 12’s and has been a stalwart for Blacktown throughout his career.

A veteran of 378 games playing in the red and black at the senior

level, there is little doubt that feat will ever be topped.

Blacktown City demonstrated appreciation for their captain by naming the season MVP as the Matt Lewis Medal recipient. In his last game for his beloved club against Rockdale, Matt earned a point in the MVP game voting to show he still has what it takes.

The future of Blacktown City is in good hands as the club continues to take pride in its junior development and commitment to give its young players opportunity.

Goalie Cayden Henderson was the 507th player to represent Blacktown at the senior level three weeks ago as he filled in for the injured Tristen Prendergast.

The 17-year-old took full advantage of the faith shown in him by Coach Crittenden earning MVP honours in only his second game two weeks ago against Wollongong.

19-year-old Caleb Jackson-Brown also stood up against Rockdale last week earning Man of the Match honors and scoring an impressive goal. Due to key injuries at the start of the season, athletic youngster Jak O’Brien moved to the striker position and finished up second in the NPL 1 Golden Boot award with 17 goals on the season.

Blacktown City Women had a 5-1 win over Inter Lions last week and face a huge challenge this week when they play the number one team UNSW FC.

UNSW has yet to lose a game this season with a 20-5-0 record but Head of Women’s Football, David ‘Dok’ O’Keefe, is confident his side will be ready to play.

Blacktown City FC will celebrate the 2023 season this Friday at Hudson’s Hotel for their annual Presentation Night.

The Black-tie event will feature honours for the senior men, senior women, under 20 men, under 20 women and under 18 Men. It will also highlight the winner of the Matt Lewis Medal.

Enjoy life while staying connected to your Blacktown community, your local sports, your family and friends... every day.

Exclusively for over 55’s and located next to Workers Sports Club, Parkside Lifestyle Community will commence construction soon.

To receive progress updates and an invitation to events, register your interest at parksidelifestyle.com.au

Images are for illustrative purposes only. J006858

Cost of Living – how community and government can respond

Experience first hand as an audience member - FREE

This important forum addresses the cost of living pressures that so many of us are experiencing. With an almost 7% inflation rate, essential things like food, electricity and housing are becoming high price items – individually and collectively we need to explore options and address the growing inequality that cost of living is causing in our society.

With specialist guest speakers, this session will promise insights, solutions, and recommendations to government on how to take the crisis out of cost of living. Limited

Special Workshops & Keynote Speaker

September 5

Blacktown Workers Club

Opens - 9am BLACKTOWN

FREE General Entry

Doesn’t require registration

LEE USSHER – 9.30AM

FREE Workshops

Require registration

FREE - REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Creating Attraction Marketing

Effective marketing has a lot to do with being attractive. Marketing guru Lee Ussher explains the concepts that create attractive marketing and techniques to achieve it.

FARID ZAKI – 10.30AM

FREE - REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Recipe for Sales and Marketing Success

What exactly is the recipe for sales and business success? Respected accountant Farid Zaki dons his chef’s hat to take his audience through an a session of insights and entertainment.

KATHERINE HAWES – 11.30AM

FREE - REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Law for Non-Lawyers

The principal at Digital Age Lawyers unpacks legal concepts for small businesspeople and individuals. In this engaging session Katherine will lead her audience through key principles for creative solutions to everyday problems.

MARCUS WHELAN – 1.30PM

FREE - REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Succeed: Barriers to Authentic Success

With mental health playing a part in everyone’s life this presentation from life coach and and psychologist Marcus Whelan is designed to refresh self-limiting beliefs and chart a path to the authentic you.

Scan QR code for more information and to register

Lunch $33 per head

Requires registration

EMMANUEL MARTIN – 2.30PM

FREE - REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Creating Meaningful Transformation

Attention all thinkers! Emmanuel Martin taps into his executive experience in the corporate sector and running BREED Australia to guide his audience through the steps and processes to create meaningful transformation in small and medium sized enterprises.

TOM DAWKINS – 3.30PM

5FREE - REGISTRATION REQUIRED

Introducing Social Enterprise : what it is, why it matters, how to get involved

There’s a lot of excitement about using businesses that do-good, but also a lot of confusion. This session, led by ACU Co-Lab member Tom Dawkins, will cut through the jargon and address what’s really going on.

Register for workshops by scanning the QR code below or go to: www.wexpo.com.au | Events 2023 - Blacktown

KEYNOTE SPEAKER

STEVE KAMPER – 12.30PM

Lunch - $33 per head (includes lunch)

Connecting Multi Culturalism and Business

Steve Kamper is NSW Minister for Small Business, Minister for Lands and Property, Minister for Multiculturalism and Minister for Sport. Steve ran a successful accounting firm and raised a family of five with his wife, Magda. He is a former President of Sydney Olympic Football Club. Steve was sworn in as a Minister in the NSW Minns Labor Government on April 5, 2023.

Viridian provides financial advice that empowers Australians to live the life they choose. Working with you to develop and execute financial strategies for all stages of life – wealth and retirement planning, superannuation, self-managed super funds, cash flow, insurance, Centrelink, aged care, and estate planning –a Viridian advisor is here to help you achieve your life goals.

At the heart of Viridian Advisory are over 100 financial advisors across 27offices in Australia. The Australia-wide network of professional advisors provides wealth and retirement planning, cash flow and income strategies, lending and borrowing, and investment management services.

11.30 AM: Katherine Hawes workshop.

12:00 PM: Lunch entry commences.

12.30PM: Lunch commences.

Tuesday September

9:00AM: Expo opens.

9.15AM: WentWest Community Leaders Forum.

9.30AM: Lee Usher workshop.

Overview of Timings for the day

Overview of Timings for the day

10.30AM: Farid Zaki workshop.

1:00PM: Minister Stephen Kamper speaks.

1.30PM: Marcus Whelan workshop.

Tue sday September 5 | Blacktown Workers Club

2.00PM: Lunch concludes.

11:00 AM: Workplace Wellbeing Community Leaders Forum.

11.30 AM: Katherine Hawes workshop.

55 Campbell Street, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia

Tue sday September 5 | Blacktown Workers Club

12:00 PM: Lunch entry commences.

55 Campbell Street, Blacktown, New South Wales, Australia

12.30PM: Lunch commences.

2.30PM: Emmanuel Martin workshop.

Monday September 4 – 6PM Bump In.

Tuesday September 5 – 8AM Bump In.

3.00PM: SydWest Community Forum.

Monday September 4 – 6PM Bump In.

9:00AM: Expo opens.

3.30PM: Tom Dawkins workshop.

9.15AM: WentWest Community Leaders Forum.

Tuesday September 5 – 8AM Bump In.

5:00PM: Expo Finishes. Bump out.

9.30AM: Lee Usher workshop.

9:00AM: Expo opens.

10.30AM: Farid Zaki workshop.

1:00PM: Minister Stephen Kamper speaks.

1.30PM: Marcus Whelan workshop.

2.00PM: Lunch concludes.

2.30PM: Emmanuel Martin workshop.

3.00PM: SydWest Community Forum.

5.30PM: Greater Blacktown Chamber Business After Five.

3.30PM: Tom Dawkins workshop.

9.15AM: WentWest Community Leaders Forum.

11:00 AM: Workplace Wellbeing Community Leaders Forum.

7.15PM: Bump out. WEXPO concludes.

11.30 AM: Katherine Hawes workshop.

9.30AM: Lee Usher workshop.

12:00 PM: Lunch entry commences.

5:00PM: Expo Finishes. Bump out.

5.30PM: Greater Blacktown Chamber Business After Five.

* Workshops held in the Redwood Bar, Forums held in the Ballroom, lunch in the Eucalyptus Restaurant. Level 2.

7.15PM: Bump out. WEXPO concludes.

10.30AM: Farid Zaki workshop.

12.30PM: Lunch commences.

1:00PM: Minister Stephen Kamper speaks.

11:00 AM: Workplace Wellbeing Community Leaders Forum.

* Workshops held in the Redwood Bar, Forums held in the Ballroom, lunch in the Eucalyptus Restaurant. Level 2.

1.30PM: Marcus Whelan workshop.

11.30 AM: Katherine Hawes workshop.

2.00PM: Lunch concludes.

Stephen Bali MP Member for Blacktown Event Patron

12:00 PM: Lunch entry commences.

2.30PM: Emmanuel Martin workshop.

3.00PM: SydWest Community Forum.

12.30PM: Lunch commences.

3.30PM: Tom Dawkins workshop.

1:00PM: Minister Stephen Kamper speaks.

5:00PM: Expo Finishes. Bump out.

1.30PM: Marcus Whelan workshop.

5.30PM: Greater Blacktown Chamber Business After Five.

7.15PM: Bump out. WEXPO concludes.

2.00PM: Lunch concludes.

* Workshops held in the Redwood Bar, Forums held in the Ballroom, lunch in the Eucalyptus Restaurant. Level 2.

2.30PM: Emmanuel Martin workshop.

3.00PM: SydWest Community Forum.

3.30PM: Tom Dawkins workshop.

Carevan Blacktown is a non-remunerated local charity operating in the Blacktown LGA since 2011, serving the community’s most socially and financially vulnerable, without question, criteria, or cost. Run by a group of dedicated volunteers, Carevan Blacktown provides a welcoming weekly meal and food support service at the Lalor Park community hall every Tuesday night. We create a welcoming environment for all to attend, facilitating a connection between a benevolent community and an ever-growing number of people experiencing poverty, loneliness and other social challenges, people most in need of this kindness and care. Visit us at exhibitor space C13 in the diamond Room.

5:00PM: Expo Finishes. Bump out.

5.30PM: Greater Blacktown Chamber Business After Five.

7.15PM: Bump out. WEXPO concludes.

* Workshops held in the Redwood Bar, Forums held in the Ballroom, lunch in the Eucalyptus Restaurant. Level 2.

www.carevanblacktown.org.au

Stephen Bali MP Member for Blacktown

Event Patron

Stephen Bali MP Member for Blacktown Event Patron

Stephen Bali MP Member for Blacktown

Event Patron

Community Juries in Western Sydney | 9.15am to 10.45am

Experience first hand as an audience member - FREE

The people of Western Sydney have spoken!

As part of a drive to understand the well-informed views of the people of Western Sydney, WentWest is ruining two citizen juries (Community Panels) in Western Sydney asking the question “Should we the people of Western Sydney continue to invest in hospitals in the same way we have in the past?”

This forum promises to deliver never before revealed insights from Western Sydney’s inaugural community jury program addressing issues that affect us all.

Limited to 60 places. Scan

A healthy and happy workforce is good for business.

Expert Supporting optimal health at work | 11am to 12.30pm Experience first hand as an audience member - FREE

experiences

discuss challenges

aspirations

Club

Blacktown Cit

We are proud to be participating in

For 20 years, WentWest has been part of the Western Sydney communit y, delivering suppor t and education to primary care health professionals such as general practitioners, practice nurses and allied health providers, working with key partners to progress the region’s health system. Our mission is to lead better system integration and coordination, strengthening equity and empowerment for Western Sydney communities and the people who care for them.

Be sure to stop by stall number 4 to meet us and get involved.

Live a better life in Western Sydney

Since 1985, SydWest Multicultural Services has supported diverse refugee and migrant communities across the Greater Western Sydney. We support people of all ages and cultures, with a focus on the vulnerable and most in need.

Specialising in the provision of culturally responsive care, we recognise culture and language is key to building community connections and empowering people to reach their full potential.

From our youth and family services, including domestic violence support, settlement and housing support services, employment and training, to our home care and disability services, there is a program or service for every member of the family.

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