Parramatta Times - Edition 29, 2022

Eels prepare for Batte of The West

PARRAMATTA has lit up with the famous Blue and Gold colors as the Eels prepare for their first NRL Grand Final since 2009 against arch enemies Penrith on Sunday night. The Battle of the Wes’ at the Olympic Stadium is a dream grand final for footy fans in Western Sydney and it is the first time the Eels and Panthers have met in the season finale. Eels forward trio Regan Campbell-Gillard, Shaun Lane and Reed Mahoney have been consistently overlooked for rep honors, yet they hold the key to an Eels win on Sunday. They were superb in Friday night’s ‘surprise’ win over the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville. More: page 5

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Rosehill is state’s BEST

DALLAS SHERRINGH

HE Australian Turf Club, Rosehill Gardens has been named the State’s best Function-Convention Centre

Caterer at the 2022 NSW Restaurant & Catering Hostplus Awards for Excel lence.

Just a brisk morning gallop from downtown Parramatta, the management and staff at the popular facility celebrated the big win in true racing tradition.

The Awards for Excellence were held at Royal Randwick’s WINX Stand, also a world-class major large-scale meetings and events function centre

With 25 race meetings each year plus a host of major events, Rosehill Gardens has become one of Western Sydney’s premier entertainment hot spots.

The racing capital of the west is home

to the iconic Longines Golden Slipper in March and the $10M Golden Eagle in November. The specialist track with sweeping turns makes this one of Austra lia’s most engaging racing experiences.

The NSW Hostplus Awards for Excellence recognise hard work, excep tional food and outstanding service in the hospitality industry.

Up against the best of the best and led by award-winning Group Executive Chef Gerry Maher, who oversees the five ATC venues – Royal Randwick, Rosehill Gar dens, Rosehill Bowling Club, Canterbury Park and Warwick Farm, the ATC was recognised for their unwavering commit ment to flawless service and superb food.

ATC Executive General Manager, Commercial Melinda Madigan said the award was “a great win for the team and acknowledges their commitment to excel lent service and hospitality”.

Commercial leasing at the heart of Oran Park Work at the Park

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OctObEr 2022

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Bound for Glory in 2022

PARRAMATTA has lit up with the famous Blue and Gold col ors as the Eels prepare for their first NRL Grand Final since 2009 against arch enemies Penrith on Sunday night.

The Battle of the Wes’ at the Olympic Stadium is a dream grand final for footy fans in Western Sydney and it is the first time the Eels and Panthers have met in the season finale.

Eels forward trio Regan Camp bell-Gillard, Shaun Lane and Reed Mahoney have been consistently overlooked for rep honors, yet they hold the key to an Eels win on Sunday. They were superb in Friday night’s ‘surprise’ win over the North Queensland Cowboys in Townsville.

Apart from the 24-20 win, the best things about that match were the Eels forward domination and their tremen dous defence.

Campbell-Gillard and his front row partner Junior Paulo provide the ‘grunt’ for the Eels, getting them on the front foot with strong charges in the early tackles. This gives Reed, Mitchell Moses and Dylan Brown the time and space to create opportunities on either side of the ruck.

And Lane’s size and mobility is a bonus to the Eels out wide as he breaks tackles and get his arms free for critical offloads.

Penrith have a similar setup with the Panthers props providing great go forward, hooker Api Koroisau and the giant Isaah Yeo acting as the perfect link for Nathan Cleary and James Luai.

Being in a Grand Final is rarefied air for the Eels who last made the decider in 2009 and last won in 1986. However for the mercurial Moses, whatever happens this week, can never match last week’s rollercoaster of emotions.

Mitchell made the ultimate sacrifice for his team on Friday with a spot in the Grand Final on the line. His partner Bri gave birth to a baby daughter and Moses had to make a choice between two “‘once-in-a-lifetime’ events.

The Eels star put the team first as he

opted to miss out on the birth of his first child to line-up alongside his team mates against the Cowboys.

“It has just been a whole roller coaster, I lost my grandmother last week, we laid her to rest on Mon day, and then I am welcoming my first child over Face time,” Moses said to Channel 9.

“Now I am play ing in a grand final.”

Moses was spotted cradling a ball in the change rooms and Broncos legend Gorden Tallis joked it was as if he was pretending to hold a newborn baby.

“When he was holding the footy it looked like he was nursing something already,” Tallis said.

The unsung hero

The Eels have a chance of breaking the longest premiership drought in the NRL, having last won the competition back in 1986 against the Bulldogs 4-2 with names like Sterling. Kenny, Price and Cronin dominating.

The Eels have the wood on the Pan thers this year, beating them 34-20 and

22-10 before losing 27-8 in the first finals match.

Coach Brad Arthur is the unsung hero of the Eels charge to the Grand Fi nal. The man who once captain coached Batemans Bay Tigers from last place to the finals in 1998 and played lower grades for both the Eels and Panthers, has extra incentive to guide Parramatta to victory on Sunday.

Arthur was told by Penrith legend Royce Simmons he would never make first grade, but encouraged him to con centrate on coaching.

Simmons, the former Penrith, NSW and Australian champion, urged Arthur to enter coaching more than 25 years ago after telling the young lock forward he was too small and slow for a sustained first grade career.

Now he is one of the Eels mentor’s strongest supporters.

“It’s embarrassing for the idiots who don’t know what they’re talking about,” Simmons said. “He deserves credit and shouldn’t be getting any of the crap he cops.

Arthur revealed his players made a pact late in the season to turn up for each other every week and the team are now reaping the rewards as they sit on the verge of history.

“We want it and I have seen that in their eyes,” Arthur said.

More images at www.parramattatimes.com.au

Eels in training for the grand final.

PHIVE, our newest landmark opened

THE countdown is over - City of Parramatta’s bold new community, cultural and civic hub PHIVE, at 5 Parramatta Square, is officially open. With its vibrant red and orange tessellated roof, PHIVE is an eye-catch ing architectural icon with world-class facilities for the community to explore and enjoy in the heart of the Parramatta CBD.

Spread across six levels, the $136M centre boasts a new library, maker spaces, tech labs and sound studios for learning, innovating and creating. It also houses community meeting rooms, visitor services and the new Council Chambers.

To celebrate, there will be more than 100 free activities as part of a huge opening weekend program - from First Nations cultural programs, to live perfor mances, kid’s silent disco and an opening exhibition, Green Thumbs Blue Ribbons, to mark 200 years of the Royal Agricul tural Society in Parramatta.

City of Parramatta Lord Mayor Cr Donna Davis said PHIVE is the brilliant, bold centrepiece of Parramatta Square’s $2.7B transformation - a place for com munities to discover and explore.

“We are proud PHIVE has arrived - a landmark addition to our City,” Cr Davis said.

The building was designed by a team led by award-winning French architect Manuelle Gautrand in partnership with Ms Gautrand’s French firm and Aus tralian architecture firms Lacoste+Ste venson and Design Inc, represented by

Richard Does and Thierry Lacoste. Constructed by Australian group Built, the building seamlessly connects with the original heritage-listed Parra matta Town Hall. As part of its state-ofthe art ‘smart’ design, the building in cludes a ventilation system that responds to weather conditions.

About PHIVE:

1. More than 549 unique tessel lated panels in vibrant colours create the striking roof.

2. The new library houses nearly 2 kilometres of bookshelves.

3. Three new sculptural and dig ital artworks celebrating local stories.

4. Bright and welcoming internal colours reflect vibrant colours of Australian flora.

5. Sustainability credentials allow the building to be net zero car bon from day one.

For more information, visit: www.cityofparramatta. nsw.gov.au/PHIVE

Constitution

the resort-style facilities,

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open

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your own bags. Everyone welcome!

Parking. EFTPOS not

Attendees

Opening of the PHIVE.

The Parra Cave podcast is a sports podcast predominantly rugby league and in particular the Parramatta Eels. Interviews with rugby league players current and ex and sports stars and fans and also general rugby league and sports chat. Broadcasting live from the one and only Parra Cave.

NewS

THE TRUE LOOK OF OUR NATION

TV spotlight for choir voices

„ DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

THE Western Sydney choir River City Voices based at Parramatta is star ring in a new national TV campaign produced by a leading online retailer Catch.com.au.

The group with the beautiful sound has made it big on the small screen, starring in the new TV commercials and campaign from the major Aussie online retailer.

The choir is being presented as the true voice and look of Australia in the campaign.

The videos, part of Catch.com.au's 'Because' campaign, show the choir singing to a woman returning home, directing her to her Catch parcel on her doorstep using their voices, all while wearing Crocs.

River City Voices General Manager Inara Molinari said the opportunity with Catch.com.au “came out of the blue”.

“River City Voices' Artistic Director Sarah Penicka-Smith received an email from a colleague who runs a casting agency about the opportunity.”

“Sarah quickly filmed her intro duction and luckily, we had some great footage to showcase the choir from a rehearsal we did at Commbank Stadium as well as a great video of the choir per forming at the ABC's ‘Sing Out Sydney’

event back in 2019 pre-COVID.

"The last two years with strict restric tions on singing during COVID really hit the choir hard. We'd only had our first operational year in 2019 before every thing had to go virtual with performanc es cancelled.

“So having an opportunity like this has been a real boost to our singers' wellbeing and it's such a fun way to share

their vocal and comedic talents of this choir with a broader audience. It's also provided a rare experience for our cho risters to get a first-hand experience of another creative industry," Inara said.

"Everyone is bursting with pride. I believe the ad director was looking for a choir that truly represented the face

NewS

have our voices out there and represent Western Sydney on national television for Catch.com.au.

"The first thing we knew about the ad was that it featured Crocs, so we were very curious as to how it would all come together? It's a bit of an in-joke for us now, we 'Croc-shuffle' on and off stage And we got to keep the Crocs afterwards too, so now I have a little reminder of the whole experience on my shoe rack."

Catch.com.au launched its new ‘Because’ platform using the choir and encouraging all Aussies to embrace the “thrill of online shopping”.

River City Voices can take you places

of Australia and River City Voices is an organisation that really walks the talk when it comes to inclusivity, diversity and creating a welcoming and genuine community.

“Our mission is to expand horizons closer to home through events that en gage the community and reflect its talent and stories so it's exciting to share that with a national audience.”

Inara said the Croc shuffle in the ad was a big hit with the singers – “they really had some belly laughs during the filming."

"This kind of exposure, not only showcases the choir's talents but also pops it out of the stereotype sometimes attached to what a choir is, who belongs to it and what it does? Being a part of this ad campaign also neatly aligned with our philosophy of engaging in unexpect ed collaborations - which this definitely is.

“We're about to run our annual auditions for the 2023 intake and it's wonderful to be able to say: ‘As seen and heard on the catch.com.au ad’. It gives the choir a unique cache and brings it out from under the radar. Being a part of and supporting River City Voices can take you places"

Choir member Belinda Huang said: "I enjoyed the opportunity to make music in a new context and see a bit of the behind-the-scenes of how ads are made - it's not exactly the kind of performance you expect when you join a symphonic choir, but we really embraced the chance to try something new and had a lot of fun doing it together.

"It was so exciting to be featured in something with such a wide reach. River City Voices is all about different people coming together to make music in an in clusive, collaborative way and I think it's amazing that we had this opportunity to

In support of Catch’s rapid growth plans, ‘Because’ gives power to the purchaser and can be the precursor to any online shop. Conceived by creative agency Sunday Gravy, it reminds us that it can be fun to buy the things we want, “minus the guilt”.

Recently acquired by Wesfarmers, Catch.com.au encompasses a broad range of more than three million products across a host of categories and has “garnered a reputation as Australia’s one-stop shop for both essential and feelgood purchases.”

Marketing Director, for Catch.com.au Peita Golden said: “A great brand is built through persistent and enduring plat forms - and together with the team at Sunday Gravy, we believe we’ve created something truly distinctive around the innate joy of shopping on Catch.com.au.

“We can’t wait to continue evolving this platform into the future.”

The new ads, shot by the Glue Society and produced by the team at Revolver, feature a host of unpredictable and un expected 'Because' moments’.

“Engaging local talent such as River City Voices ensures the entire campaign is a true representation of the Aussie public,” Peita said

“The ‘Because’ platform is now live across Catch.com.au and will act as a permission-giving statement for users on their retail journeys.”

PEMULWUY WAS NAMED AFTER A BRAVE WARRIOR

Our oldest murder mystery

„ DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

MOST residents of Pemulwuy, the suburb to the east of Prospect Reservoir, would not realise the history of the area and the re markable Indigenous man it was named after.

And they would not realise that Pemulwuy, the resistance leader in the Western Sydney area, was the victim of Australia’s oldest murder mystery.

He was a Bidjigal man of the Eora nation born at Botany Bay around 1750 and was to become a brave leader of the Indigenous resistance in the area around Parramatta.

Pemulwuy had a ‘clubbed’ foot which was the result of an Indigenous tradition of inflicting the injury by a club, indicat ing his status as a ‘clever man’ – a man with supernatural powers,

The Eora were the traditional owners of the lands around Sydney Harbor and it had been that way for 30,000 years

They had a complex system of laws that governed social relations, behavior and resource use, a system that the Colo nial occupiers had no appreciation of and they regarded the local mobs as ‘savages’.

Parramatta was selected by Colonial Governor Arthur Phillip for its fertile soils and fresh water supplies which he deemed ideal for farmlands and the first Colonial inland settlement.

However, the area was treasured by Indigenous people because it was rich in natural resources including excellent fish stocks drawn to the nutrients of the inflowing freshwater creeks.

Phillip initially maintained cordial contact, having been instructed to treat ‘the Indians’ well and maintain friendly relations.

The settlement of Parramatta was the last straw for Pemulwuy who had provid ed the struggling Colonial convict town of Sydney with fresh meat.

He was involved in the mortal wounding of John McIntyre in 1790. The unfortunate McIntyre was one of three armed convicts who were sent to hunt ‘game’ to add to the struggling colony’s

meagre supplies of food.

McIntyre was feared and hated by the Eora people at tack was seen as retribution for his breaking if tradi tional laws and his violence towards Indigenous people.

Phillip, who had been tolerant , changed his posi tion and sent 50 armed men out twice chasing ‘heads’ of slain locals.

Pemulwuy reacted quickly to Phillip’s hostile about face.

He led a series of raids from 1792, with the first at Prospect and they spread throughout Pemulwuy’s traditional lands in an attempt to halt farming and drive off the intruding Europeans.

Reputation for bravery

They burnt huts, stole crops and attacked travellers. By 1794, the violence between the Indigenous people and the farmers was frequent and extensive.

Pemulwuy’s reputation for bravery grew rapidly and part of that fame was the result of him exposing himself to the armed intruders and being seemingly unaffected by their firepower.

The Battle of Toongabbie led to the British severing the heads of slain war riors to take back to Phillip as evidence.

This in led to the most substantial confrontation in the Sydney area, known as the Battle of Parramatta. Pemulwuy

Community Migrant

is

CMRC

not-for-profit,

led an army of 100 Indigenous warriors into Parramatta and threatened to spear anyone who tied to stop them.

Soldiers finally opened fire, killing at least five warriors and wounding Pemul wuy in the head and body with buckshot, He survived his wounds and escaped a few days later.

Pemulwuy had become a hero to his people but he was named as an outlaw who could be shot on sight by the newly instated Governor King, who had been Phillip’s compatriot.

In fact, King had ordered that Aborig inals, as they had become known, could be shot on sight near Parramatta, Georges River and Prospect.

Rewards were offered for Pemulwuy dead or alive including a free pardon and fare back to England for any convict or settler who was successful in tracking him down.

The reward proved to be a success. In June 1802, the brave resistance leader was shot dead and his head cut off and pre

served in spirits. It was sent to Sir Joseph Banks in England to add to his collection.

A dispatch from Lord Hobart to Gov ernor King lamented the settlers ‘treat ment of Pemulwuy and the Aboriginal population’.

“Be it clearly understood, that on future occasions, any instance of injustice or wanton cruelty towards the natives will be punished with the utmost severity of the law,” his proclamation read.

He was a good shot

Just who shot Pemulwuy is a mystery. It was generally believed to be Henry Hacking, but this is disputed to this day. Hacking was a seaman and later explorer who was renowned as ‘a good shot’.

Hacking was a murderer who even attempted to kill his former mistress and ended up being transported to Van Die men’s Land where he died in 1831.

As researcher Doug Kohlhoff noted: “knowing who fired the fatal shot, does not affect Pemulwuy’s place in history. Pemulwuy was, as King recognised him, ‘a brave and independent character’.”

“He inspired others fought hard and died for his land and his people. For that we can all admire him.”

Pemulwuy’s son Tedbury took up the fight and managed to evade capture until he was killed in 1810. nd what about Pemulwuy’s preserved head? Sadly, it disappeared and is still missing.

Prince William announced in 2010 he would return Pemulwuy’s skull to Syd ney’s Aboriginal people and Pemulwuy’s relations.

However the Natural History Muse um in London had no record of he skull amongst its Aboriginal collection.

Pemulwuy inspired the Redgum recording ‘Water and Stone’ and the novel ‘Pemulwuy: The Rainbow Warrior’. The choral piece “Pemulwuy’ has become a standard performance piece in concerts nationwide,

And the list of Pemulwuy inspired groups and names continues today,. The Sydney Harbor ferry Pemulwuy is just one example.

CMRC

Sources: National Museum of Australia, Wikipedia

Melissa Wu OLYMPIAN

Besa Deda CHIEF ECONOMIST WESTPAC

Work starts on Peninsula Park

DEIVERY of the Wentworth Point precinct is moving forward with work beginning on stage one of the Peninsula Park.

Member for Parramatta Geoff Lee said residents and visitors will soon take a leisurely stroll, test out their training wheels, or simply enjoy prime har bourside views when stage one of the four-hectare peninsula park opens in 2023.

“The Peninsula Park will have some thing for everyone, including a shareduse pathway, green open space and even tually a children’s playground, barbeque facilities, and exercise stations,” Mr Lee said.

“Being surrounded by open space and water will provide the community with access to a range of recreational activities and enhance the amenity for everyone.”

Minister for Planning and Minister for Homes, Anthony Roberts MP said Wentworth Point is booming and the Peninsula Park will become a treasured public space, designed to complement its stunning harbour scenery.

“This is the first new park to open in Wentworth Point and unlocks a previ ously inaccessible area for the local com munity that will be enjoyed for many years to come,” Mr Roberts said.

“The open space will be one of the final pieces of the puzzle which turns Wentworth Point into a vibrant commu nity, close to transport, jobs, and homes.

Landcom CEO Alex Wendler ac knowledged the delays to the Peninsula Park but reassured residents the wait will be worth it.

“Wentworth Point was a former in dustrial site, and this presented complex challenges, including the remediation of around two hectares of contaminated land,” Mr Wendler said.

“Once completed, the area will be replaced by an inviting open space for community recreation and sport, making it a great setting for locals and visitors alike.”

To give the community access to open space as soon as possible, work will be delivered progressively. Stage one work will involve:

construction of the shared-use pathway,

• earthwork and landscaping,

• additional remediation, temporary play facilities,

• building a sea wall, and

revegetation of the saltmarsh.

Stage one is planned to open to the community in late 2023.

This approach will allow the commu nity to use completed areas of open space while the detailed design for permanent fixtures, such as playgrounds and ame nities is completed, and approvals are obtained.

The community will have opportuni ty to comment on the planning proposal when it is placed on public exhibition by Parramatta Council as part of the formal assessment process.

For more information visit www.landcom.nsw.gov. au/wentworthpoint.

Artict impression nof thje park.

CONVERTING TRASH TO TREASURE

$8B success of Return and Earn

„ SASWATI MUKHERJEE

IN what could be called a pleasing mile stone for the state, a whopping eight billion bottles, cans and drink cartons have now been returned through the ‘NSW Return and Earn’ network. The state touched the high figure in mid-Sep tember.

Western Sydney had a significant role to play in helping NSW reach its record numbers. Blacktown City Council resi dents have returned over 455.3 million containers through their 29 local return points since the commencement of this program in 2017, thereby claiming the top spot in the state.

City of Parramatta Council residents have returned over 64.7 million contain ers through their 12 local return points in the same period of time.

Significantly, Greater Western Sydney residents together have returned a mas sive 2.4 billion containers so far.

In overall second spot is Central Coast Council, who have recycled 387.2 million containers through their 27 local return points.

Essentially, the Return and Earn pro gram has fundamentally shifted people’s behavior and become an integral part of people’s life in NSW. As many as 78% of adults have participated in it so far and two-thirds do so at least once in a month.

Lauding the effort, Minister for En vironment James Griffin has praised the community for transforming the recycle process.

“Return and Earn is a highly success ful NSW Government initiative that has well and truly changed the way we think about recycling and litter by turning trash into treasure,” said Mr Griffin. The Minister believes that what was once

seen as waste has now been able to be converted into a valuable resource for the recycling industry, bringing in huge refunds to the community.

“Since it began in 2017, eight billion containers have now been returned, delivering $800 million in refunds to the people of NSW, and helping us reduce drink container litter by a massive 52%, certainly a huge win for our environ ment,” added Mr Griffin.

As a result of this effective recycling, all returned plastic containers and glass bottles are being able to be given a new life, turned back into new food and drink containers and stocked back at the supermarket shelves within a span of few weeks.

Return and Earn has contributed more than $35 million to community groups and charities since 2017.

Significantly, Vinnies has seven Re turn and Earn depots across NSW where around 30 people have been successfully able to process 95 million containers in the last financial year.

At a glance

Blacktown City Council locals have claimed top spot in NSW returning 455.3 million contain ers.

In second place is Central Coast Council where residents have re turned 387.2 million containers.

• City of Canterbury Bankstown residents are at the third spot in NSW having returned 328.7 mil lion containers.

• Greater Western Sydney resi dents together have returned 2.4 billion containers.

• There are over 620 return points located across the state, from self-service machines to staffed automated depots for bulk re turns.

• The current state-wide dona tion partner of the Return and Earn program is Animal Welfare League, NSW. They have already raised more than $75,000 since April 2022.

WEXPO coming soon to Blacktown Workers

Parramatta is a standout in the Return and Earn game.

During Mental Health Month Reach out

Mental health refers to our state of wellbeing and enables us to learn and work well, contribute to our communities, cope with stress, and realise our abilities.

October is Mental Health Month. This month encourages all of us to think about our mental health and wellbeing, regardless of if we have experienced mental illness or not. It gives us the chance to understand the importance of good mental health and encourages people to reach out for help when needed. Research shows that positive mental health is associated with increased learning, creativity and productivity, more positive relationships, and improved physical health and life expectancy.

Last year, 16,989 people in Western Sydney were diagnosed with a mental health condition.2

Over 3,000 people die by suicide in Australia each year, which is an average of nine lives lost per day. 3

Mental Health in Western Sydney

Building strong social and personal relationships and feeling part of a community are crucial to preserving good mental health and contributing to people’s recovery. However, if you are experiencing a mental health condition, it’s important to remember that there are additional support services available. The earlier you seek support, the sooner you’ll start to feel better.

Western Sydney is one of the most diverse communities in Australia, so WentWest, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network, works with partners across the region to provide culturally appropriate, timely and affordable services.

1. ABS 2022, National Study of Mental Health and Wellbeing

2. WentWest Health Information Unit, Mental Health GP Diagnostics data

3. Australian Bureau of Statistics 2021, Causes of Death, Australia

Over two in five Australians aged 16-85 years will experience a mental illness during their lifetime.1

If you are experiencing any of these signs, please reach out to your GP or health professional for support.

For immediate crisis support call Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Mental Health Line on 1800 011 511 and in an emergency, always call triple zero (000)

Head to Health - The Right Care, at The Right Time

Head to Health is a free phone line connecting community members to local services, including Head to Health hubs, for quality, timely care. Head to Health hubs are staffed by trained mental health professionals and peer workers who have been on similar mental health journeys.

If you need support, call Head to Health on 1800 595 212

I’m on my recovery journey now, so I can meet clients where they’re at because I’ve been there. It really helps them to know they’re not alone, there is someone who’s been through what they’re experiencing who can help guide them through.

– Rebecca Yu, Head to Health Peer Worker.

Know the Signs

If you think you or someone you know may be struggling, it’s important to remember that there is support available. The following are signs that you or your loved one may benefit from speaking to a medical or mental health professional:

9

Feeling anxious or worried

Feeling depressed or unhappy

Emotional outbursts

Sleep problems

Appetite or weight changes

Being quiet or withdrawn

Substance abuse

Feeling guilty or worthless

Sudden changes in behaviours or feelings

Find out more about mental health services available in Western Sydney: wentwest.com.au/MentalHealth

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

BINARY

square in the puzzle

No more than two adjacent squares may contain

same digit, ie you cannot have three adjacent squares in a

or column of the same digit.

Each row and each column must contain the same

CROSSWORD

Home out on a limb

season

Bar buys

Campers' burdens

"It's ___ a pleasure"

Resembling

Mark with a branding

Showing sincerity

Surgeon's request

Bounder

Vehement speech

More miffed

Tennis champ Demen tieva

Bundle in the field

"Tosca" solo

Induce, in a way

Brown-skinned

Expresses curiosity

"Bonny" belle

Call for attention

ACROSS

1. Peat sources

Weak and wan

Meadow

Capital of Germany?

Hardly, if ever

Most junk mail

Clay-pigeon launcher

Fantasies

Aesop's thistle-eater

Feds like Ness

Moulin Rouge attraction

Closet collection

Venus and Serena, e.g.

Grinders, of a sort

Game with a jackpot

Put on a pedestal

Evil's root, it's said

Budgetary excess

Check for letters?

Perfectly clear

Spice

Book's last word

Aleutian attire

Buddhist concept

Uses a pacifier

Fall foliage shade

Pungent relish

Florentine poet

What mechanics do

Crooned

Put away the dishes?

Imploring

Glazed unit

Solidly behind

Batter's position

Sum for a hand

Like Oz's woodman

Got nervous

Divas often have big ones DOWN

Shared between us 3. Savanna or prairie 4. Drench to the bone

Prepares to paint

Name in chair design

Ireland's ___ Islands 8. Brewery item 9. Educed 10. Ming, for one 11. Sharp weapon 12. Award honoring Poe 13. Some sports orgs. 19. Really liking, informally 21. Civil wrong, in law 24. Drill sergeant's order 25. Braga of Hollywood 26. Hardly worth men tioning

27. Burly bovines 28. Places for oars 30. Like swamp water 31. Having better than 20/20 vision 32. Cartoon mail-order company 33. An udder thing 35. Mangle 36. Spar on a yacht 38. Least robust 39. ___ fu 40. Paparazzi target 41. Covered ground 42. Moved like rush-hour traffic 43. French artist Matisse 44. Sinclair with a Pulitzer 45. Cap of yore 47. Gluttony and lust 49. Chorister's voice 50. Driver's gizmos 52. Beachgoers often get one 53. Initials of a noted "Wizard"

TAKE YOUR TIME HEADING NORTH

Forget Byron Bay or Bust

„ DALLAS SHERRINGHAM

RATHER than charging up the M1 to Byron Bay or Queensland next time you go on holidays, take your time and do it over a week.

There are treasures to found along the Coast if you dare to get off the beaten track.

I recommend you slow down and embrace the opportunity to savor the journey on a road trip from Sydney up to the buzzing and busy beach town of Byron Bay on the far North Coast. Leave the Pacific Hwy behind to explore picturesque coastal towns on the 800km journey, including these key stops.

Ease into holiday mode on the Cen tral Coast

Feel enlivened by the power of the waves crashing against the golden sandstone cliffs of Bouddi National Park as you take an invigorating coastal walk on the Central Coast, just an hour’s drive north of Sydney.

When you’ve worked up an appetite, you’ll be pleased to find a smorgasbord of new foodie treats to try on the first leg of your journey. Take your taste buds on a detour to Latin America at Chica Chica in Ettalong or Tango on The Entrance waterfront, or indulge in a long, mod ern Australian meal by the sea at Swells Terrigal.

Slip between the sheets at a romantic getaway like Kim’s Beachside Retreat at Toowoon Bay, and dive into the ocean for a refreshing morning swim before you hit the road again.

Pair nature with fine food in Port Stephens

Immersing yourself in nature is easy in Port Stephens, two-and-a half hours’ drive north from Sydney, whether you find joy in watching wild dolphins frolic in the Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park on a cruise with Moonshadow-TQC Cruises or lap up the dramatic coastal views on the 2.2km-return Tomaree Head Summit walk in Tomaree National Park.

Toast to a day well spent with a craft brew at Murray’s Brewing Company at Bobs Farm, or get a gourmet taste of local produce at Restaurant William, the brewery’s recently opened fine-dining restaurant.

Unleash your appetite for freshly caught seafood at Nelson Bay’s Little Beach Boathouse before retiring for the night in luxury at The Anchorage in Corlette or Bannisters Port Stephens

in Soldiers Point, both of which have fine-dining restaurants showcasing local produce and seafood that may tempt you to stay longer.

Kick back with koalas in Port Macquarie

Soak up the superb coastal scenery on the drive through the Great Lakes region to riverside Port Macquarie, four hours’ north of Sydney, via The Lakes Way. This is koala country, and here you can support the incredible work of wildlife carers while cooing over furry icons at Port Macquarie Koala Hospital, which rehabilitates sick and injured koalas for release back into the wild.

You may also be lucky enough to experience the visceral thrill of spotting a koala in the wild along the 1.3km rain forest boardwalk in Sea Acres National Park.

You’ll soon discover more great reasons to pause in Port Macquarie, from the simple pleasure of slurping down freshly shucked local oysters at the likes of Bills Fishhouse and Bar to the fun of sipping local wines at Cassegrain Wines and Bago Maze and Wine, which is home to one of the world’s largest hedge mazes.

Or feel emotion wash over you as you spot kangaroos and wallabies while relaxing in the outdoor tub of a studio cottage at Telegraph Retreat, just 15 min utes north of town.

Have fun in the sun on the Coffs Coast

Surrender to the laidback beach holiday vibe of the Coffs Coast, five-anda-half hours’ drive (or 530km) north of Sydney, where the azure Pacific Ocean meets the banana plantations and national parks dotting the region’s lush hinterland.

Marvel at the majesty of humpback whales up close during a life-changing swimming encounter with Jetty Dive during the winter months. Or come in summer to feel the sun warm your face as you laze on the region’s gorgeous beaches.

Feel revived by the mix of salty sea air and coastal scenery as you stretch your legs on part of the 60km Solitary Islands coastal walk or take an Indige nous-guided stand-up paddle boarding tour on a coastal creek with Wajaana Yaam Gumbaynggirr Adventure Tours, which will leave you with a whole new

perspective on this sublime corner of the North Coast.

Then relax and recharge in the trop ical gardens at Sensom Luxury Bed and Breakfast, 15 minutes north of central Coffs Harbour, the perfect adults-only escape for the night.

Breeze into Byron Bay

Slowly become aware the landscape whizzing past your window is taking on a new level of lushness as you continue from Coffs Harbour to Byron Bay, 2.5 hours’ drive (or 230km) further north. Harness the restorative benefits of cocooning yourself in nature during a night’s camping at the seaside towns such as Angourie and Evans Head on the way, or farewell the Pacific Highway at Ballina to enjoy a wholesome lunch perched above the beach at Shelly Beach Cafe.

Or, if you had a late start, you might enjoy a signature cocktail and an oyster mushroom bao at Hey Lady, one of Bal lina’s more recently opened bars, before blazing a trail to Byron Bay. Here awaits a slew of new places to eat and drink – an other adventure perhaps best begun with a glass of natural wine at cosy watering hole Dusty’s bar. Cheers!

JUST 75 EXAMPLES OF LAND ROVER’S

75th Limited Edition headed to Australia

„ PETER BARNWELL

LAND ROVER is marking the 75th an niversary of the company with spe cially equipped Defender 75th Limit ed Editions priced from $152,077 plus on-road costs for the short wheelbase 90 P400, and $156,157 plus on-road costs for the long wheelbase 110 P400.

Just 75 examples will be available in Australia, 25 of which will be the 90 and the remaining 50 to be the 110, with deliveries expected in April 2023.

Both variants have an exclusive exterior design theme with specific detailing and, in a nod to the very first Land Rover vehicle, are finished in icon ic Grasmere Green paint with comple menting wheels and interior finishes.

Land Rover came about after severe labour shortages and the general need for a utilitarian vehicle in the UK just after World War II.

British car-maker Rover embarked on creating a simple-to-manufacture, multi-purpose vehicle with four-wheel drive capability that could fulfil a num ber of roles in post-war Britain.

It led to the formation of the Land-Rover company in 1948 when the Series I vehicle was introduced at the Amsterdam Motor Show.

The design for the original ‘Landy’ was started in 1947 by Maurice Wilks who was then chief designer at Rover. He saw the need for a utility 4x4 while working at his farm in Newborough, Anglesey, developing the vehicle in con junction with his brother Spencer who was the managing director of Rover.

Said to have been inspired by WWII Jeep vehicles and the prototype, later nicknamed ’Centre Steer’, was built on a Jeep chassis and axles.

The hues of green colour on early models was dictated by military surplus supplies of aircraft cockpit paint, so those early vehicles only came in vari ous shades of light green. Land-Rover became Land Rover Limited in 1978, losing the hyphen.

Grasmere Green is introduced to the Defender line-up for the first time on the 75th Limited Edition and is, for now, exclusive to this commemorative model.

Also in Grasmere Green are its 20inch alloy wheels with matching centre caps. Further ensuring recognition are specially designed 75 Years graphics, Ceres Silver bumpers and privacy glass.

Similar treatment has been applied to the interior, with the dashboard

beam finished in brushed Grasmere Green powder coat and laser-etched detailing on its end caps.

The seats are in a colour called Resist Ebony, with the ‘hockey stick’ on the centre console featuring Robustec material – said to be the toughest fabric available on a Defender.

Defender lifecycle chief engineer Stuart Frith said: “Since revealing the new Defender, customers around the globe have fallen in love with it and demand remains extremely strong. This new Limited Edition captures the spirit of the past 75 years, with its colour and detailing, and fuses it with innovative, configurable terrain response, software over the air updates and unrivalled all-terrain capability.”

The Limited Edition is based on the high-specification HSE, with compre hensive standard equipment.

Technology fitted includes a 3D surround camera, configurable terrain response, Meridian premium sound sys tem, Matrix LED front lighting, 11.4-inch Pivi Pro infotainment system, head-up display and wireless device charger.

All 75th Limited Edition models feature a sliding panoramic roof, 14-way driver and passenger electric memory seats with heating, a heated steering wheel and three-zone climate control. The vehicle is also equipped as standard with a tow bar.

All Australian delivered 75th Lim ited Edition Defenders use the straight six cylinder P400 3.0L straight-six

294kW Ingenium mild-hybrid petrol engine.

Land Rover says: “The uniqueness of the Limited Edition ensures its place as a highly collectible Defender, it is revealed alongside a new range of Land Rover lifestyle goods celebrating this historic moment.”

The ‘Lifestyle Collection’ shares the Grasmere Green colour theme of the vehicle and features a comprehensive range of goods including a minimalist watch featuring two straps, a functional backpack and clothing with 75 Years graphics and detail.

The latest Defender has won more than 50 global awards since introduc tion two years ago, scoring a five star ANCAP safety rating along the way.

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1) We deliver

and

services

Venues are near capacity

ZACHARY COLWELL

MORE than 250,000 fans will attend a spring festival of elite sporting events in Western Syd ney over the next 10 days – driv ing the visitor economy and providing a significant boost to businesses across the region.

Hotel operators have reported high demand for accommodation throughout Sydney, with Sydney Olympic Park and Parramatta at near capacity. The events have attracted thousands of regional, interstate and international visitors to NSW.

The amazing run of events includes:

• 22 Sep-1 Oct: The 2022 FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup, with 12 nations playing 38 games at two of Sydney Olympic Park’s

signature indoor venues, the Sydney SuperDome (Qudos Bank Arena) and the State Sports Cen tre (Quaycentre).

• Sat 24 Sep: Chandon Golden Rose Day at Rosehill Gardens;

• Sat 24 Sep: NRL Preliminary Final – Panthers v Rabbitohs at

Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park.

• Sun 25 Sep: NSWRL Grand Fi nals Day at CommBank Stadium, Parramatta– three Grand Finals in one day. President’s Cup: Maitland Pickers v RMC Hills Bulls; Jersey Flegg: Newcastle

Knights v Penrith Panthers; Knock on Effect Cup: Penrith Panthers v Canterbury-Bank stown Bulldogs.

Wed 28 Sep: Big Sports Breakfast Race Day, Rosehill Gardens

Continued from page 22

• Sat 1 Oct: FIBA Women’s World Cup Final at Sydney Superdome, Sydney Olympic Park

• Sat 1 Oct: Australia Cup 2022 Final – Sydney United 58 FC v Macarthur Bulls FC at Com mBank Stadium, Parramatta.

• Sun 2 Oct: NRL Telstra Pre miership Grand Final Sydney at Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park.

The largest attendances will be at Accor Stadium for the NRL Prelim Final (50,000-plus) and NRL Grand Final (80,000-plus), while Golden Rose Day (15,000), the Women’s Basketball World Cup Final (17,000), and Australia Cup Final (15,000) will all draw large crowds.

More than 100,000 fans are antici pated to attend games at the World Cup.

With such large numbers of sports fans attending multiple events, organ isers are strongly recommending fans take advantage of the fact Train Travel is included in all tickets to the Women’s Basketball World Cup and to the NRL

Prelim Final and Grand Final at Accor Stadium.

The spring festival of sport in West ern Sydney continues the amazing run of events in NSW on the back of the global pandemic.

CommBank Stadium in Parramatta was the first venue in NSW to host sport

ing events after the lockdown last spring and has hosted more major sporting events than any other venue in the State over the past 12 months.

The festival also showcases the power of Western Sydney as a region capable of hosting multiple events and massive crowds.