Cover story

MELISSA WU FACES SAS CHALLENGE Olympic diver in the deep end

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

PARRAMATTA’S four-time Olympian Melissa Wu has well and truly dived in the deep end as a contestant on the blockbuster SAS Australia Show on Channel 7 and 7plus.

And the Olympic diver won’t be letting her diminutive size stand in her way as she takes on a hot fi eld of sporting and celebrity contestants in the top rating program.

After all, she won four Commonwealth Games gold medals and was full of determination in an all-new sneak peek of the 2022 season of SAS Australia, which started on February 21 on Channel 7 and 7plus.

“I am the person that won’t give up,” the legendary athlete said.

Melissa’s training base has been the Sydney Olympic Pool at Homebush where she fi rst gazed in wonder as a young spectator at the world’s best divers in the 2000 Olympics

At just over fi ve feet tall or 153cm, Melissa has enjoyed success in her 19-year diving career, including Olympic Silver, Olympic Bronze, Commonwealth Gold and Commonwealth Silver medals.

But in distressing scenes, it seems Melissa may have met her match on the SAS course, as she’s seen slamming headfi rst into the ground while exiting a gassing drill, with Chief Instructor Ant Middleton calling for medical assistance.

“I may not be the tallest or the strongest,” she said. “But what matters is that you keep bouncing back.”

Melissa is one of 17 Aussie celebrities embarking on a life-changing experience – a grueling series of physical and psychological tests from the rest SAS selection process.

Melissa Wu in SAS Australia.

Unforgiving jungle

These Aussie celebrities are cut off from the outside world at a brand-new base in unforgiving jungle terrain, bordered by wild seas, dramatic cliff faces and rugged rocky outcrops.

There, they eat, sleep and train together in punishing conditions, with no allowances or exceptions made for their celebrity status or gender.

Guiding recruits through the most grueling course yet is Ant Middleton and returning DS Ollie Ollerton, joined for the fi rst time by retired US Navy SEAL Clint Emerson and former British Special Forces soldier Dean Stott.

They will push Melissa and her fellow celebrities beyond their limits, subjecting them to extreme physical endurance, sleep deprivation, interrogation and psychological testing. Some recruits will reach breaking point and withdraw.

Melissa started her diving career at Parramatta Diving Club at 10 years of age. She relocated to Brisbane with her family a few years later where she was accepted into the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS).

She begun training under her coach Xiangning Chen and was able to learn a senior list of dives at the age of 13 after just one year in the program.

Melissa defeated the reigning Olympic gold and bronze medalists in her fi rst ever senior competition to claim gold at Australian Open Championships and qualifi ed for her fi rst Commonwealth Games at the age of 13. She teamed up with Alexandra Croak to win a silver medal at the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games, after just one week of training together.

Ten years later after a family tragedy, a return to Sydney and a bout of depression, interspersed with success at all levels, she appeared in her third Olympics in Rio. Then she backed it up with selection for the Tokyo Olympics, making her a rare four times Olympic rep.

Melissa has completed a Certifi cate IV in Business (Fashion) and a Bachelor of Commerce as well as a Certifi cate IV in Fitness.

The star recruits attempting to pass selection on the new season of SAS Australia are: Anna Heinrich, 34 – TV Personality, Barry Hall, 44 – AFL Great, Darius Boyd, 34 – Retired NRL Star, Ebanie Bridges, 35 – Professional Boxer, Ellia Green, 28 – Rugby 7s Olympian, Geoff Huegill, 42 – Olympic Swimming Legend, Locky Gilbert, 32 – Reality TV Star, Melissa Tkautz, 47 – Singer / Actor, Melissa Wu, 29 – Olympic Diver, Michael Zerafa, 29 – Professional Boxer, Millie Boyle, 23 – NRLW Player, Orpheus Pledger, 28 – Actor, Pauly Fenech, 51 – Comedian, Riana Crehan, 34 – Motorsports Presenter, Richard Buttrose, 49 – Convicted Drug Dealer, Simone Holtznagel, 28 – Model, Wayne Carey, 50 – AFL Commentator.

Storms cause spike in claims

 DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

IT doesn’t take much to convince Parramatta’s residents that the area has some of the worst weather in Australia at times.

It might be sweltering summer heat or freezing winter mornings that we dislike the most, but it is the region’s storms that wreak the most havoc.

And the gurus at NRMA Insurance Data agree with us.

They just released details of the record wild weather claims for Spring and it turns out Parramatta near topped the list in Greater Sydney.

Parramatta district made 4 % of all claims and was eighth in the NSW 10, Blacktown LGA made 9% of the claims and Penrith 5.4%, which demonstrates our bad warmer months.

The latest NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker revealed the huge impact of wild weather in eastern Australia recently with the insurer recording its highest number of home claims for weather damage in Spring .

The NRMA Insurance data reveals there were around 10,000 home claims for weather damage in spring across NSW, QLD and the ACT — which is 35% above average. Hail accounted for almost half of these claims after supercell storms hit.

The Tracker monitors severe weather claims received by NRMA Insurance in communities across NSW, QLD and the ACT and is released after every season to help people prepare and protect themselves from wild weather.

The data showed that in a typical Spring, wild weather accounts for 55% of all NRMA Insurance home claims, however in spring 2021, two-thirds of all home claims in NSW were caused by wild weather.

The research also found residents are increasingly worried about the link between climate change and wild weather, and want more done to help reduce the impacts of climate change and natural disasters on our communities. Key fi ndings in the research include: • More than three-quarters of those surveyed recognised that climate change was behind the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters; • 82% think more needs to be done to help reduce the impact of climate change and wild weather on our community and • When asked who should be doing more, Australians nominated the

Federal Government 67%, State governments 55% and individuals 45% as all having a critical role to play.

Storm damage in Parramatta.

Download the NRMA Insurance Wild Weather Tracker from: https://www.iag.com.au/ newsroom/community/record-wild-weatherclaims-spring-kickstarts-ominous-storm-seasonnrma-insurance

Swim teachers take the plunge

HUNDREDS of prospective swim teachers will be eligible for free instructor training to help meet demand of the NSW Government’s First Lap voucher program, aimed at pre-school water safety.

Minister for Sport Stuart Ayres said up to 750 more accredited swim instructors will receive training to support the program.

“Whether you’re enjoying a splash at the local pool, heading to the beach or going for a dip in a river, it is important that children have the skills and confi dence in and around water,” Mr Ayres said.

The First Lap voucher program provides $100 vouchers to parents, guardians and carers of children aged 3-6 years who are not yet enrolled in school, or kindergarten children who missed out on swimming lessons due to the pandemic.

Australian Swimming Coaches and Teachers Association Ltd and AUSTSWIM Ltd have been off ered a Smart and Skilled contract, joining Royal Life Saving Society of Australia (New South Wales Branch) in delivering the new swim instructor places.

Royal Life Saving swim instructor Nora Moeke recently completed her free instructor-training course, after rethinking her corporate career during the pandemic.

“I wanted a more community-based career and this is an incredible opportunity for others wanting to take the plunge and become a swimming instructor,” Ms Moeke said.

For more information, visit https://www.sport. nsw.gov.au/firstlap.

Parramatta Square’s unique collection

ASPECIALLY commissioned art collection has been created for Walker Corporation’s 6 & 8 Parramatta Square lobbies, reflecting on the Indigenous and European history of Parramatta as part of the city’s evolution as a modern and diverse urban centre.

The collection starts with an intricate heritage display embedded into the architecture of the 6 Parramatta Square lobby which follows the changing patterns of use of the rich landscape and ancient wetlands around Parramatta Square.

It has been co-designed with the local Darug community and tells the story of both Aboriginal and European connections to this site.

The collection includes a complete working replica of the Rose Hill Packet boat known as ‘the lump’ by fi rst fl eet convicts and is permanently positioned in the lobby of 6 Parramatta Square.

The Rose Hill Packet was the fi rst European boat built in Australia, specifi cally designed to take supplies from Sydney Cove to Rose Hill, now modern-day Parramatta.

Extensive research has enabled the design of the Rose Hill Packet to refl ect certain elements of construction known to be common at the time, as well as allowing interpretation where needed.

Walker Corporation Chairman Lang Walker AO said the new display in the lobbies of 6 & 8 Parramatta Square paid tribute to the large role Parramatta has played in Australia’s rich history.

“Art and heritage are so important in all our developments and Parramatta has an amazing story to be told,” Mr Walker said.

The heritage interpretation display, designed by GML in collaboration with the Darug Specialist Panel is the centrepiece of the 6 Parramatta Square lobby.

The work draws on archaeological data excavated from 6 & 8 Parramatta Square and links stories of Parramatta Square with the site’s ancient creek line and wetland pools.

Sharon Veale, CEO of GML Heritage said alongside artefacts, Aboriginal symbols etched into travertine and hand-crafted sculptures are visual cues for the audience to move through a timeline of changing lifeways.

Also hanging in the lobby of the newest commercial offi ce building of the $3.2 billion precinct, is a super canvas by Indigenous artist Yaritji Young called Honey Ant Dreaming.

See video of how the boast was made at www.parramattatimes.com.au

Historic pumping station repurposed

THE redevelopment of heritage-listed Ryde Pumping Station and surrounding lands into community buildings, green spaces and cycle paths is a step closer thanks to a new agreement between the NSW Government and Sydney Water.

Minister for Enterprise, Investment and Trade, Stuart Ayres, said the two parties had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to progress options for developing unused areas of the site for community use.

“The pandemic has shown that access to green open spaces is crucial for communities to thrive, and this site presents a unique opportunity to provide more land for recreation and community facilities,” Mr Ayres said.

“This is a commitment to give the public more access to quality areas to relax, ride a bike, have a picnic and catch up with friends and family.

“An important part of this agreement is determining how we can repurpose Ryde Pumping Station into a site for community use while still respecting its heritage.”

The land currently owned by Sydney Water surrounding the Ryde Pumping Station forms part of the area of the new Meadowbank Education and Employment Precinct.

Under the MoU signed between Investment NSW and Sydney Water, land not required for Sydney Water’s operations can be preserved for community use, including pedestrian and cycle paths, green spaces and food and beverage facilities.

Member for Ryde, Victor Dominello, said the commitment shows NSW can cater for increased population growth and still deliver on essential community spaces.

Further information on the work underway and the vision for the in the Precinct can be found at https://

www.greater.sydney/project/meadowbank. The Ryde pumping station.

Light rail initiatives for small business

SMALL businesses along the Parramatta Light Rail will receive an additional boost of support with free giveaways to attract local customers as part of NSW Small Business Month throughout March.

Minister for Transport and Veterans David Elliott said the local campaign celebrates the diversity of businesses across the 12-kilometre alignment, following the challenges of COVID.

“This is the second year the project has supported NSW Small Business Month, and it is now more important than ever to back small businesses and local jobs across Greater Parramatta,” Mr Elliott said.

“With more than 95 per cent of track installed, the $2.4B Parramatta Light Rail project continues to enhance local culture, drive foot traffi c, and promote businesses through these customer-focused initiatives.

“The latest campaign is one of the project’s many initiatives as part of ‘Activate Parramatta’ – a plan to support and promote businesses before and during Parramatta Light Rail construction,” Mr Elliott said.

“More than 200 local businesses have already received free business support, expert guidance and resources through Realise Business, Transport for NSW’s business advisory partner,” Mr Elliott said.

The new campaign will involve free giveaways at participating businesses – shoppers simply need to check the Parramatta Light Rail Facebook page regularly to take advantage of the off ers up until the end of March.

Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail, which will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD, is expected to operate services for customers in 2023.

More information about how we are supporting businesses can be found at parramattalightrail. nsw.gov.au/businesses

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PARRAMATTA LIGHT RAIL Green track being rolled out

Workers kay the green track and middle, artist impression of he competed project.

WORK on the $2.4B Stage 1 Parramatta Light Rail continues, with Australia’s longest stretch of green track currently being laid along the

line.

Minister for Transport and Minister for Veterans David Elliott said the unique green track had been rolled out alongside Robin Thomas Reserve, bringing the project a step closer to completion.

“In a New South Wales fi rst we have designed and integrated green track beautifully, with wire-free technology, within heritage sensitive environments along the Parramatta Light Rail alignment,” Mr Elliott said.

“As a sustainable alternative to concrete, this green track will use 81 per cent less concrete in its construction and deliver environmental and health benefi ts.

“There will be 1.3 kilometres of green track laid across the 12-kilometre alignment, with grass to be planted at Cumberland Precinct and Tramway Avenue too.”

Green track involves planting grass or groundcovers between and beside light rail tracks. The Zoysia ‘Nara’ grass species was selected after a 12-month testing process in Rosehill to assess growth rate and durability in Western Sydney conditions.

“As an Australian native species, Zoysia ‘Nara’ turf is highly durable and wellequipped to tolerate Parramatta’s unique soil and climatic conditions,” Mr Elliott said.

“Its key advantage is the species’ slow growth rate, which makes it low maintenance. The community will also benefi t from the reduced urban heat and greener spaces.”

Stage 1 of the Parramatta Light Rail, which will connect Westmead to Carlingford via the Parramatta CBD, is expected to operate services for customers in 2023.

Free solar - savings up to $600 on electricity bills

The NSW Government is trialling a new way to assist people on low incomes with their power bills by installing free solar systems for up to 3,000 eligible households in place of their Low Income Household Rebate. This program aims to improve energy this means you will no longer receive the $285 annual rebate on your electricity bill, you could receive up to $600 in savings per year from your new solar system!

The program is only available to a limited number of households that live in the region and meet the eligibility criteria. When participating in this program households will receive a free,

SAE Group are the approved provider, designing and installing solar systems to eligible homes in your region.

To be eligible you must: - Currently be receiving the Low Income Household Rebate - Agree not to receive the rebate for ten years - Own your own home - Not already have a solar PV system Gold Card - If you are not the registered homeowner, but your spouse is, you may be considered eligible collectively as a household

electricity savings depending on each household’s energy consumption. Managing Director ease the pressure on low income households.”

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