A Love Like No Other

Long-time local residents Mal and Barb Castledine recently celebrated an amazing milestone, 60 years of marriage! The devoted couple shared a love of dance and met on the dance floor, whilst square dancing together at Parramatta Town Hall.

They were married on 28th December 1962 at the Presbyterian Church at Carlingford. They now call Emu Plains home, after living in Leonay for many years. The Castledines have two daughters. “Family means absolutely everything. It’s our purpose of being on the planet and the sharing of our love,” said Mal.

Mal enjoys singing with a barbershop quartet and writing poetry, whilst Barb enjoys storytelling. Laughing with one another is a part of life. Now, Mal’s Australian sense of humour may be different to Barb’s English sense of humour, but together they connect. It just works.

The secret ingredient to a long and happy marriage is, two ingredients, according to Mal.

“The first is love. The second is respect for each other. We have a great partnership that is always equal. Our thinking is parallel, and we even speak about the same things at the same time”.

Congratulations on six decades of wedded bliss. We take our hats off to you both and thank you for sharing your wonderful story with the local community.

The month of love has returned, with Valentine’s Day taking place on Tuesday 14th February. Will you be sharing a romantic dinner, a quiet stroll by the Nepean River, or dancing the night away with one another?

v ‘Love Is’: Mal and Barb Castledine | Image: Mal and Barb Castledine

Female Focused Projects Score Funding Through NSW Football Legacy Fund

Stuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith has announced that local football clubs and players have scored funding as part of a program that will ensure the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023TM will leave a lasting legacy on NSW.

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has kicked off the year in winning style by awarding more than $3.1 million for 100 projects that will benefit football at all levels.

Stuart Ayres said "Nepean Football Association and Emu Plains Football Club (EPFC) will receive funding that will go towards participation initiatives, inspiring the next generation of footballers, particularly females across our local community. "

Emu Plains Football Club will receive $10,000 towards their Females in Football Initiative and Nepean Football Association will receive $8,100 towards a program aimed at increasing female coach participation.

Briege McAuley of EPFC said "Our club will definitely benefit from this grant as we try to get more junior females involved and it will help us run some programs and purchase new equipment for them to train with."

Stuart Ayres said "From girls and boys lacing up their boots for the first time to participants in our elite development programs, local players and their sports clubs will benefit from projects funded through the NSW Football Legacy Program. Sport is such an important part of the Penrith community. This funding is a great example of how the Liberal Government is committed to giving more opportunities to local women and girls to enjoy football.”

Minister for Sport Alister Henskens said these projects and programs will ensure the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 leaves a lasting legacy for football across the State.

“Having the World Cup on home soil is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that will inspire young girls and boys to lace up the boots an emulate their football heroes,” Mr Henskens said.

“With six months to go before the tournament kicks off, there is already an enormous buzz around football and this program will help local clubs capitalise on excitement by running programs that will boost participation in the sport.

“It will also deliver funding to improve infrastructure, creating more modern and accessible facilities for communities across NSW.”

The FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 will feature 32 teams competing in 64 matches across Australia and New Zealand during

July and August with seven games at Allianz Stadium and four at Accor Stadium, including a Semi Final and the Final.

For further information on fixtures and ticketing, visit the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023TM website.

r Article: Stuart Ayres MP

New Footpath A Safety Win For Emu Plains School Students

Students at the Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School will have a spring in their step on the way to class following the NSW Government’s decision to build a new footpath.

Stuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith said safety of the school students was a priority which is why the NSW Government agreed to deliver a pedestrian connection from the new Emu Plains Commuter Car Park through to the Great Western Highway.

The footpath is fully funded by the NSW Government.

“The new footpath will be delivered as part of the Emu Plains Commuter Car Park project, where more than 750 new parking spaces are being provided on the northern side of the railway line,” Stuart Ayres said.

“With the station precinct being upgraded with new parking facilities and better access, we have listened to the community and improved pedestrian connectivity between the school and the railway station,” Stuart Ayres said.

“The new 220-metre pedestrian pathway with new lighting and fencing provides a safer alternative for students and the community to cross the road at the intersection of Old Bathurst Road and the Great Western Highway.

“Emu Plains has become an important interchange for customers wanting to transfer to public transport, it is expected the commuter car park will be available for public use in early 2023”.

Melissa McIntosh, Member for Lindsay said after hearing from our local school community and working hard alongside Stuart, I’m pleased to see this safety measure funded by the NSW State Government.

A representative from the Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School welcomed this fantastic new development is it ensured students were able to travel safely to and from the station and thanked all those who had been involved in delivering the pedestrian path.

The new footpath is expected to be completed by mid-2023.

Position Vacant

In this position, you will prospect for new customers by cold calling, using leads, or other means of generating interest from potential customers. Developing and maintaining relationships with current customers across several publications both in an inbound and outbound capacity is critical.

The ideal candidate will have strong ties to the area and a knowledge of local business. A willingness to support our communities and highlight the value of local newspapers to our region’s future is essential.

The Role

The role is casual, working across our entire portfolio.

Up to 12 Hours Per Week | 6-Month fixed term contract, possible ongoing for the right candidate.

Responsibilities

• Calling customers for advertising needs and advocate our products (Warm and Cold Calls)

• Assist advertisers with their advertising solutions in innovative ways.

• Deliver the revenue targets.

Skills and Experience

• You are easy to talk to and have a professional telephone manner.

• Sound Microsoft Office skills and the ability to learn new systems.

• Excellent oral and written communication.

• Accuracy and excellent attention to detail.

• Effective time management skills and the ability to meet deadlines.

• A positive work ethic and strong drive for results, with an ability to work well in a team.

• The ability to use initiative to solve a problem.

• An understanding and keen interest in local business and news

• You have gained work experience in sales or customer service in the media industry (ideal but not essential)

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