Emu + Leonay Gazette March 2024

McIntosh Invites Local Community to Register Interest in Emu Plains ANZAC Service

Each ANZAC Day for many years, locals gathered at the Emu Plains War Memorial (Melrose Park Cenotaph) for the Emu Plains Community ANZAC Day Service.

The service truly was a community event to honour the service of our brave Australian soldiers, run by residents and local groups in Emu Plains, Emu Heights, and Leonay.

Unfortunately, the administrative burden of holding public events, including public liability, made it extremely difficult, and the Emu Plains Community ANZAC Service stopped a few years ago.

But there has been a strong will for the Emu Plains service to start back up again, with many still gathering at the Melrose Park Cenotaph each year to honour our fallen soldiers.

With passionate local groups, they have been working hard together to find a way to bring it back.

In support of all our local veterans, Melissa McIntosh MP (Federal Member for Lindsay) is asking you for your help in this important initiative.

You can register your interest in attending, and/or also helping to bring back the Emu Plains Community ANZAC Day Service by ticking the boxes below. They’ll also keep you on the journey with progress updates on the way.

Thank you for your help in spreading the word, it will mean a lot to many local families.

For more information, visit https://www.melissamcintosh.com. au/emuplainsanzac.

COMMUNITY NOTICEBOARD

Submit your Community Notice on/by 10th of the month, to be included in the following edition. Notices may be edited or omitted due to space limitations. E: info@districtgazette.com.au

Community Groups

Lions Club of Emu Plains Inc

Meets 3rd Thursday of the month from 6.30pm at Emu Sports Club (1 Leonay Parade, Leonay). More Details: Cheryl Devine 0417 234 295.

Hobbies + Interests

Blue Mountains & Penrith Districts Orchid Society (BMPDOS)

Meets on the 4th Friday of the month in Melrose Hall (169 Great Western Hwy, Emu Plains) from 7.30 p.m. More Details: 0493 547 794.

Square Dancer Classes

22 March @ 7:30 pm - 9:30pm. Glenbrook Public School Hall and Surveyors Creek Community Ctre, Glenmore Park. First Lesson is FREE! Square dancing is an art and sport combined into one. Groups of eight with a caller providing all the instructions. No experience is required. Good exercise both physically and mentally. Meet a whole new network of friends! Wear comfortable shoes. No partner required, come alone, as a couple or bring the whole family. All ages are welcome!

Markets

Lower Blue Mountains Rotary Club Markets

Held on the 1st and 3rd Saturday of every month from 8am to 1pm. Glenbrook Infants School (10 Ross Street, Glenbrook). More Details: https://www.facebook.com/ glenbrookrotarymarkets

Support + Wellbeing

Prostate Cancer Support Group

Meets on the 3rd Monday of the month at Emu Sports Club (1 Leonay Parade, Leonay) from 6.30p.m. More Details: www. prostatesupport.org.au or phone the Group’s President David Wilkinson on 1300 13 38 78.

Penrith Womens Walk and Talk

Meets 5pm every Wednesday (for Guest Speaker) and walk from 6pm outside Coffee Club Nepean River (78-88 Tench Ave, Jamisontown). More details: www.facebook.com/ Penrithwomenswalkandtalk

Penrith Mens Walk and Talk

Meets 5pm every Thursday (for Guest Speaker) and walk from 6pm outside Coffee Club Nepean River (78-88 Tench Ave, Jamisontown). More details: www.facebook.com/ PenrithMensWalkAndTalk/

Capturing Hope

For Blaxland photographer Merryl Watkins, capturing the beauty of Australia’s native birds is more than art; it’s a mission to save our most vulnerable wild bird populations.

“Watching and photographing birds brings me so much joy. I think we are so incredibly lucky to have such wonderful creatures living so close by;” said Merryl. “However, luck isn’t enough if we want that to continue. We can all play our part in helping them continue to brighten our world.”

In January, Merryl had the privilege of seeing and photographing the critically endangered Regent Honeyeater in Emu Heights. A small group of enthusiasts had gathered in a spot where the bird was known to frequent, prepared to wait for several hours for a sighting.

“When a Regent Honeyeater finally appeared, it was as if everyone in the group just held their collective breaths. Binoculars and cameras were raised quickly to make the most of the few minutes it was there,” said Merryl.

“The wide smiles and looks of sheer delight on all gathered said it all. With only 200 to 350 of this critically endangered species in the wild, this was an awesome experience in the truest sense of the word.”

The Regent Honeyeater, with its brilliant flashes of yellow embroidery, was once seen overhead in flocks of hundreds. Widespread clearance of their woodland habitat and competition for nectar from larger, more aggressive honeyeaters has caused their numbers and range to decline dramatically in the last 30 years. Sadly, since European settlement, Australia has the highest mammal extinction rate in the world.

“In January, I was also lucky enough to see Glossy BlackCockatoos twice in the Lower Mountains. These beautiful birds are now listed as vulnerable in NSW after the impact of bushfires, and as more and more of their habitat is cleared for development,” said Merryl. “Last year, I also saw Gang-gangs in Blaxland. The first I had ever seen. What a delight they are!”.

Merryl is currently running a fundraiser for BirdLife Australia, to help birds like the Regent Honeyeater, Glossy BlackCockatoos and Gang-gangs. Using her own photographs, Merryl is selling a set of three cards and $5 from every set sold will go to BirdLife Australia. These are available through her online store at https://madeit.com.au/collections/photos-andcards-by-merryl.

Enquiries can also be made through her Facebook page: Merryl Watkins Photography.

r Regent Honeyeater in Emu Heights. Two birds were visiting the area, one banded (bred in captivity) and one unbanded (born in the wild). This bird was unbanded | Image: Meryl Watkins Photography. Article: Tanya Nellestein

Celebrating 5 Years of Camaraderie

It’s a simple concept, but one that undoubtedly saves lives. Penrith Men’s Walk and Talk is a self-described bunch of knockabout locals who get together every Thursday evening for a walk and talk.

This March, the group will celebrate their 5th Birthday. Founding member Kevin Canning has helped to plan the event.

“We’ll have a few guest speakers and some light snacks and refreshments to celebrate the occasion,” said Kevin. “We’ll meet at our usual meeting place, The Coffee Club, Nepean River Eastbank, from 5:00pm for a 6:00pm walk on Thursday the 21st of March.”

The group’s tagline is “Physical – Mental – Social”, because all three elements play a pivotal role in bettering men’s health. Men's mental health is a critical issue that has gained increasing attention in recent years. Traditionally, discussions about mental health have often overlooked men's experiences, leading to stigma and barriers to seeking help.

The purpose of Penrith Men’s Walk and Talk is to encourage open conversations about emotions and mental well-being to empower men to prioritise their mental health without feeling ashamed.

“It's a matter of like-minded blokes coming together each week for social interaction, some decent exercise, and above all else it’s very enjoyable,” said Kevin.

The group have recently teamed up with Bro Fit Penrith, a men’s only gym tackling men’s mental health head on. They have a number of events planned, including a huge ‘fight night’ on June 22nd. Bro Fit will also host the group’s annual Tradie Night, thanks to JK Williams, and Gen Z night. Dates for these events are yet to be locked in.

Penrith Men’s Walk and Talk group is open to all men and Kevin encourages everyone to come and check them out for themselves.

“Hearing the success stories of those fellas that weren’t in a good headspace before joining our group, always makes you feel good, knowing we’re making a positive difference in the lives of many men,” said Kevin.

Kevin also sends a massive thank you to all those in the community who have supported the initiative, be it sponsors, guest speakers or words of encouragement on their social media pages.

“We feel very fortunate to belong to a community that can see the benefits of what we do and why we do it.”

For more information, check out Penrith Men's Walk and Talk on Facebook and Instagram.

r Some of Penrith Men’s Walk and Talk weekly participants | Image: Kevin Canning. Article: Tanya Nellestein

SEE YOU AT THE E-WASTE DROP-OFF DAY

The Kingsway Playing Fields, Werrington

Saturday 16 March, 9am-3.30pm

Dispose of your unwanted, broken, or old electronic items correctly at our E-Waste Drop-off Day! If you have any of the items below, it’s your perfect opportunity:

Computers

Monitors

Mice

Keyboards

Cables

Cameras

CD drives

Clock radios

DVD players

TVs

VCR players

Video cameras

MP3 players

For a full list of accepted items and more information, visit penrith.city/e-wasteday

NEVER WASTE A CHANCE TO BE GREAT WITH E-WASTE

2773 Glenbrook Celebrates 10 Years

It seems crazy to be talking about 2773 in Glenbrook being around for 10 years! The much loved local café recently celebrated a decade of business.

“I guess that the success of a business can be defined by many things, but we think that longevity and the way that 2773 has been embraced is remarkable. It is something that we have never, nor ever will take for granted, so reaching a milestone like 10 years is something that we are really proud of and grateful for” said Shane and Belinda Simpson of 2773 Glenbrook.

In early 2013, they were made aware that the former Café Mash was for sale.

“Our businesses (Billy Baxter’s, My Café and Mr Brightside) prior to this all operated in Westfield. So, the opportunity to be part of a real community, in a beautiful little village with a cottage, lawns, greenspace and locals was impossible to resist” they explained.

There was no blueprint, and they just tried to imagine what a local café hub might look like. What would the locals want?

“We decided on the name 2773 to reflect this, and to allow the community to feel ownership. We felt that the name had to be identifiable and unique to Glenbrook, and our customers really embraced the concept”.

Never in their wildest dreams did they expect it to be the destination that it is today.

“There have been so many changes, so many tweaks, so many visits. There have also been enormous challenges (who’ll ever forget the lockdowns). Glenbrook has changed so much in the last 10 years. It is now a bustling village with a diverse offering of food, coffee, specialty retail and services, with a confidence reflected by visitors and operators alike, and we love being a part of it” Shane and Belinda replied.

“We would sincerely like to thank everybody that has visited us, whether it be once or hundreds of times. We have met some amazing people and your loyalty to our businesses means the world to us.

“To the hundreds of staff members that have passed through – thank you for your contributions. To our current staff (across all venues) – thank you so much. You make 2773 what it is and hopefully what it continues to be.

“Exciting to think of what’s in store, moving forward. We will continue to evolve, and there’ll be plenty more challenges, but one thing is for certain – we’re looking forward to the next 10 years of being your ‘go to’ place” they ended.

Nepean Food Services – Regional Distribution Program

Nepean Food Services provides Meals on Wheels and social support services to eligible people over 65 and people living with a disability across the Nepean Local Government Area, including the Warragamba and Silverdale regions. Its support services are aimed to provide nourishment and social connections to sustain valued, healthy, and vibrant communities.

One of its core service provisions is the Regional Distribution Program (RDP), which was established in 2014. It involves partnering with various meal suppliers to enable smaller and regionalbased Meals on Wheels organisations access to a broader range of meals that are otherwise beyond the capacity of their local area.

Nepean Food Services acts as a hub, utilising the services of Food Boss to store meals from approved suppliers all across Australia. Meals are then distributed in the Nepean Food Services’ freezer ute to Meals on Wheels locations across Greater Sydney and the South Coast including Blue Mountains, Camden, Hawkesbury, Kiama, North Shoalhaven, Randwick, and Parramatta.

The RDP gives clients in these areas an expanded selection of meals to choose from, so that specific dietary needs and individual preferences can be suitably accommodated.

The RDP relies on the support of volunteer delivery drivers to deliver and assist with loading meals that are boxed into the freezer ute at Nepean Food Services’ site, and unloading boxes upon arrival at each distribution location. Volunteer delivery drivers are also required to liaise with staff and volunteers at each location when completing deliveries. On occasions, RDP volunteers collect meals from local meal suppliers.

Volunteers are essential to the overall success of Nepean Food Services and the RDP. Without the tireless effort from volunteers, the program would become immobile and collapse.

As the RDP enters its tenth year, it continues to grow exponentially with new partnerships formed every year with both meal suppliers and other Meals on Wheels organisations. Product and transport costs are kept competitively low, and funds are used to further the mission of Nepean Food Services, by being streamed back into the community.

rArticle: Nepean Food Services

r Feature Article [Cover + Above] Celebrations marking the amazing milestone | Image: Aisha Hume. Article: Shane and Belinda Simpson/Supplied by Kelly Berriman

PARENTS CORNER

Article Written + Submitted by: Sussan Omar | Parenting Facilitator

Nepean Community & Neighbourhood Services

W: www.nepeancommunity.org.au

E: info@nepeancommunity.org.au

Back to School: Creating a Study Routine That Works

As children start a new school year it can be challenging after such a long holiday, for both carers and children, to get back into the school routine. We have some suggestions here for you about the hard part – setting up a good study routine.

Sleep

All children need good quality sleep to function and get through the school day. Increasingly children are on devices just before bedtime. Many, especially teens, have devices overnight in their rooms.

Children aged 6-12 years need 9-12 hours of sleep every night, and for teens, 8-10 hours is recommended.

It is important to note the stimulation caused by blue light can interfere with sleep patterns, as it can interfere with melatonin, the hormone that regulates sleep. Children should therefore not use devices just before bed. Instead, encourage children to read, do puzzles or meditate before bed.

Physical Activities

Physical activity should be incorporated into your child’s everyday routine. Research has shown that physical activity helps with memory, concentration, and processing of information, all of which help with study.

Furthermore, regular exercise reduces stress levels by releasing endorphins, thus promoting better mood. Another benefit to exercise is the increase in energy levels which can help with study.

Space, Time, And Organisation

A regular study time helps children to incorporate study into their routine. Often after school, after a break, or after exercise, will work best.

Can you dedicate a quiet, well-lit and distraction free place for study? New stationery, a plant or a new planner can help children start the year fresh. Make the homework area as calm and inviting as possible. If you don’t have the space, check out your local library or homework club. Most schools and public libraries offer free homework spaces.

Take the opportunity to help your child to organise their time effectively. A visual planner can easily be printed out and filled out to include assignments, tests, and scheduled events. Bigger tasks can be broken down into manageable tasks and assigned a time frame to help children stay on track.

Depending on the age of your child, you may find an app or electronic diary with built in reminders and alarms work best.

There really is no magic formula when considering a study routine, but a good place to start is to consider your surroundings, sleep quality, organisation tools and exercise.

Book Review your

local Synagogue in 1967, at the time of the Six Day War, he dreamt two prophetic dreams. In his first dream he witnessed a bushfire type disaster on the escarpment of the Blue Mountains. The following night he dreamt that he saw earthquakes occurring around the world.

In 1994, Rod received a cryptic message where if A = 1, B = 2, C = 3, up to Z = 26, the gematria of his message added to 287, which was the combined gematria of Jesus Christ (151) and Virgin Mary (136). I.e. 151 + 136 added to 287

In 1995 he recorded these two 1967 dreams and his message in his 1st book Bow in the Cloud

On Xmas Day 2001 Rod’s house and Plant Nursery were destroyed in a bushfire.

On the following day (Boxing Day) Rod heard on the news that an earthquake had occurred in Asia. The following Boxing Day (2002) an earthquake occurred in Hawaii. On Boxing Day 2003 an earthquake occurred in Bam, Iraq killing 30,000 people. The following Boxing Day (2004) the Boxing Day Tsunami occurred killing 210,000 people. On October 8 2005, 287 days after the Boxing Day Tsunami an earthquake occurred in Pakistan/ Kashmir, killing 80,000 people. This was followed 287 days after by an earthquake in China.

In this remarkable book, the author, Roderick Luckett, documents the evidence for a numerical code in the Bible. In fact, this book is full of numerical codes that will enlighten the reader to an angle of the Bible that they may never have experienced before. Four Bible Codes offers both skeptics and believers a gold mine of information that will prompt much thinking about the origins of the Bible.

r Book Review by: Jimmy Fardouly

Back to Dance

Sally K Dance is a much loved dance studio that has been offering classes to locals for over three decades!

“I love being able to see students and other family members in the local area at the shops or going for a walk. It gives us a chance to connect and chat outside the dance space” explained Sally Foster, Lead Dance Teacher, and Principal of Sally K Dance.

“I also adore the special community feel that we are able to create within the studio. The dance school offers students who, despite living so close, may not have otherwise met each other, and then they have a chance to dance together and develop lifelong friendships” she continued.

Sally K Dance began in 1993, when Sally Foster was approached by students she had taught, the year before the previous dance schools closed its doors, “I was young, studying Dance as part of my Uni degree and incredibly passionate about teaching. This was a wonderful opportunity for me to combine my skills of dance with my passion for teaching”. Sally felt honoured that so many people were keen to have her teach their children when she was so young. She said, “They took a chance on me, and over the years my dance school has blossomed”.

Sally K offers the opportunity for students of all ages and stages, different dance classes. They have the Award-Winning program READY SET DANCE that they offer for children aged 2 to 5 years old. For school aged children, they offer Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Modern (Lyrical & Contemporary) Hip Hop, Musical Theatre, Technique classes and Acrobatics. They also have dedicated adults’ classes that cater for dancers of all ages and abilities.

One of Sallys’ favourite things each week has included watching some of her younger students sit down after class, eat and snack together and have lovely relationships develop, “I know of a group of dancers who arrange to go to the park to catch up for play dates outside of the dance school. Some of our older graduated dancers still catch up a few times a week, even though they are now in very different phases of life. All these relationships were developed from being local and starting dance classes together”.

The dance studio is a family oriented, fun, and safe learning environment conveniently located in Emu Plains, adjacent to the train station. They have smaller class sizes - where each student is valued, and raw talent and passion for dance and technique is encouraged and nurtured.

Sally K Dance Term 1 has just started, and they work with school terms. Term 1 continues until Saturday 13th April.

Sally would love to welcome you to the studio, You can learn more by visiting www.sallykdance.com.au.

r Miss Sophie and Ivy | Image: Sally Foster/Sally K Dance . Article: Julie Lobel

• Catering for 2-3 year old Children

• Situated in Quiet and Safe Street

• Preschool and School Readiness Specialty Program

• Qualified Early Childhood Sta

• Operational Hours 8am till 5pm Monday till Friday

• Large Outdoor Play Area

Easter Weekend: A Time of Celebration

Turning a few pages into my diary, when I see ‘GOOD FRIDAY,’ and ‘EASTER SUNDAY’, it instantly conjures up a memory of my childhood home, and a small cup with a hollow chocolate egg in it, brought to me and my brother by the Easter Bunny.

As the years went by, the Easter Weekend became our family camping time, the weather usually beautiful, the fishing good. We met the same families every year, looked forward to fish and chips wrapped in newspaper, and we all played together outside as night fell, watching the sky and embers of the campfire.

But for Christians around the world, Easter is one of the most important celebrations in the holy calendar. Christians come together on this weekend to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday. Churches hold special services, and there are celebratory foods of significance: eggs, to symbolise rebirth, and hot cross buns with the cross representing the cross on which Christ died.

Easter Sunday itself is the first Sunday after the full moon that occurs on or next after March 21. It changes every year, and the date is set by religious leaders in accordance with the lunar calendar. Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate a different date from Western Christians, because of differing lunar calculations.

May of the other world’s most popular religions also base their important holy celebrations on the lunar calendar – Buddha’s birthday depends on lunar calculations, Ramadan and the pilgrimage to Mecca doesn’t start until the new moon is visible –if it is overcast, they wait.

Although each religion teaches its own beliefs, in the everevolving movement of people, religions and cultures across our world, we still choose to look to our planet to influence the time and tides of our religious celebrations.

For many of us who were not raised in accordance with a religious calendar, we still took those annual days and made them our celebration of family, and community. For my family, they were also a time to reconnect with nature, a time to take a breather from the rat race, a moment to slow down and take stock.

We all celebrate in our own way. Rather than answering emails and messages, we hope all our readers can find some time to relax and enjoy family, community, nature, God, or whatever it is that brings you peace and joy.

r Article: Kate Neill

International Women’s Day: 131 Years to Go

When I decided to draft an article about International Women’s Day, I checked a few statistics and found it easy to become despondent very quickly with Australia’s progress to parity. It’s slow.

International Women’s Day (IWD) will be celebrated this year on Friday 8 March, with the theme “Inspire Inclusion”. IWD is a day of collective global activism and celebration committed to forging women’s equality. It is a day for women across the world to lobby for gender equality, reproductive rights, an end to violence and abuse against them, equal participation and leadership opportunities, and the myriad of other issues women find themselves below parity with men.

IWD was borne of women’s oppression and inequality, spurring them to campaign for change. In New York City, 1908, thirteen thousand women marched to demand shorter hours, better pay and voting rights. Women across the world joined in, and finally International Women’s Day was marked for the first time by the United Nations in 1975, 67 years later.

It is fact that women are paid less than their male counterparts, they are not present in equal numbers in business or politics. Globally, it is estimated it will take 131 years to reach full parity between men and women, and no country has achieved it so far. It is not only about money. Women fall behind in opportunities for education, leadership, rights, healthcare, and violence against them. They face gender discrimination at every turn.

While IWD calls for positive change in advancing women and accelerating gender parity, it is also a day to celebrate our achievements so far. There is great strength in women celebrating women, and this year’s IWD theme, Inspire Inclusion, recognises that when women themselves are inspired to be included, there is a sense of belonging, relevance, and empowerment.

A short but measurable note to end with, is Equal Pay Day. It has not yet been announced for 2024, so we look at the Government Website Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA) date for last year: August 25.

Equal Pay Day is the last day women work after the end of the financial year, to have earned the same amount as men did in the past financial year (on average). In 2023, this was August 25. Women in Australia had to work an extra 56 days to make the same pay as men. This is the gender pay gap. Women in Australia won the right to equal pay back in 1969.

r Article: Kate Neill

PAWS A WHILE

Article Written + Submitted by: Kellie Tickner from Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital

A: 49 Wentworth Rd, Orchard Hills P: 4736 2027

Celebrating Senior Pets

Our homes are enriched by the comforting presence of our furry companions, who, over the years, have given us a profound gift – a lifetime of unwavering love. As our pets gracefully transition into their golden years, it’s our opportunity to repay their loyalty with the care and consideration that they deserve.

The first step in honouring our senior pets is understanding their unique needs and challenges. As our faithful friends age, they often encounter a range of health issues that necessitate tailored care. Arthritis, dental problems, vision and hearing impairments, and organ-related ailments are common companions of old age. Regular veterinary check-ups become crucial to identify and address these issues early on, allowing us to provide timely interventions and ensure our pets' continued well-being.

Creating a comfortable environment is paramount to the happiness of senior pets. Soft, orthopaedic bedding aids in alleviating joint pain, while maintaining a warm and draft-free living space is essential for their overall comfort. Accessible water bowls and litter boxes accommodate any mobility issues, making daily routines more manageable.

One prevalent concern in older pets is arthritis, a condition that can severely impact their mobility. Gentle exercises, such as short walks or moderate play sessions, can help manage arthritis symptoms. Moreover, the market offers a variety of joint supplements and medications that, when prescribed by a veterinarian, can enhance our pets' quality of life by easing pain

CONSULTING HOURS

Services provided include:

•

•

•

•

•

•

•

and inflammation.

Dental care is another critical aspect of senior pet health. Dental diseases can lead to discomfort, difficulty eating, and even systemic health issues. Regular dental check-ups and professional cleanings, combined with dental-friendly treats and toys, contribute to maintaining good oral hygiene.

Emotional well-being is equally vital for senior pets. Spending quality time together, engaging in low-impact activities, and providing mental stimulation through toys or puzzles can counteract feelings of loneliness or anxiety. Our pets thrive on routine, and maintaining a consistent schedule helps reduce stress and fosters a sense of security.

Celebrating senior pets goes beyond meeting their physical needs; it involves a genuine commitment to their holistic health and happiness. These remarkable companions, who have given us a lifetime of unconditional love, deserve nothing less than our unwavering devotion as they navigate the golden years of their lives. By understanding their unique requirements and embracing a proactive approach to their care, we can ensure that our senior pets continue to be cherished members of our families, leaving an indelible mark on our hearts.

For more information check out our Facebook, website www.orchardhillsvet.com.au, instagram @orchardhillsvethospitalgrooms or call 02 4736 2027

FOOD 4 THOUGHT

CREA

Shop 4A, Oran Park Podium

351 Oran Park Drive, Oran Park

Only a hop, skip and jump away!

CREA is an Italian restaurant and Pizzeria, located at Oran Park Podium. The staff were delightful and greeted us as soon as we arrived. Seated in a small room towards the back of the restaurant, it was as if we had been transported back to Italy. The ambience, including the décor and music was authentically Italian. Soft drinks were ordered to quench our thirst, before the amazing food arrived. The entrée was Mozzarella Balls, consisting of four pieces of mozzarella coated in a crispy crumb. The mozzarella had that classic stretch, and the taste did not disappoint.

My favourite Italian food is pizza, so how could I pass up the opportunity of trying it? My main meal was BBQ Meat 2.0. A BBQ sauce base with mozzarella, ham, salami, bacon, Italian sausage, pepperoni, nduja (spicy, spreadable pork sausage), extra virgin olive oil and oregano. It was cooked to perfection and the combination of meats was great. Each meat had its own flavour, and my favourite was the nduja. Just the right amount of spice to add to this meaty treat.

Kobhi had the pasta, and he chose the Crab Linguini. It was made up of crab meat, garlic, parsley and rosa sauce. It normally comes with zucchini, but he ordered without it. The pasta was al dente and nice and firm. The rosa sauce was rich and delicious, with the right balance of tomato and cream. The crab complimented this well, with a nice sweetness to the meat.

All servings were generous. We left with full bellies and smiles on our faces. Overall, a wonderful experience of Italian cuisine right here in our local community.

Cim

Emu Plains Cricket Club: A Tradition of Excellence Continues

Emu Plains Cricket Club has had a stellar 2023/2024 season, with a record number of players and teams registered. With 114 junior players and 112 senior players, the club boasts a total of nine junior teams and six senior teams, making it the only club in the district with senior grades filled from one through to six.

“This season, our club continues its great history dating back to 1848,” said Emu Plains Cricket Club’s Pat Anderson. “Our playing numbers are very strong, we have highly committed coaches and managers, and our seniors have been able to share the field with some of our junior players who have stepped up into senior cricket for the very first time this season across the grades.”

To honour their efforts, senior players who made their debut in senior cricket were presented with a special red Emu cricket cap embroidered with '1st Senior Match', a tradition that highlights the club's commitment to nurturing young talent.

One of the highlights of the season was the success of the club's B Grade team in the Nepean District Cricket Association T20 competition.

“The team took out the Premiership,” said Pat. “This group of players were a good mix from across a few different grades in our club, they all enjoyed their time together and played very well.”

The club's Cricket Blast Program, aimed at introducing young children to cricket, has also seen significant growth in participation this year. With senior players taking on coaching roles for the program, the club is fostering a culture of mentorship and development from within.

Emu Plains Cricket Club is also excited about the return of the Under 9's fixture in their district, allowing young players to take their first steps into organised cricket from the Cricket Blast Program.

As the season draws to a close, Emu Plains Cricket Club is gearing up for an exciting finish, with the entire club rallying behind their teams and players. All their teams are still in contention for finals, both junior and senior, showcasing the strong competitiveness and depth of talent within the club.

Finals for juniors and seniors are set to commence on Saturday, 24th of February, running through till the first weekend of March. The NDCA 1st Grade Competition Grand Final will take place on Saturday, 9th, and Sunday, 10th of March at Dukes Oval in Emu Plains.

“Go The Bird!”

**Restaurants are not privy to reviews taking place, and all meals are fully paid by us.

MeatBBQ2.0

Mozzarella Balls

r Emu Plains Cricket Club’s 'B Grade' NDCA T20 Premiers

Emu Plains Cricket Club. Article: Tanya Nellestein

HEALTH MATTERS

Article Written + Submitted by: Andreas Klein Nutritionist + Remedial Therapist from Beautiful Health + Wellness P: 0418 166 269

Structural Scoliosis – You Can Get Some Pain Relief

Unlike functional scoliosis, structural scoliosis is not a simple lateral curve of the spine. It involves a more complex three-dimensional deformity of vertebrae. Thus, the side to side curvature we see is normally a product of two abnormalities.

1. Increased lordosis (like the bend in your lower back)

2. Abnormal rotation of individual vertebrae with respect to one another

Structural scoliosis is actually very common. Normal children have neither straight nor symmetrical spines. Fifteen per cent of children show evidence of a lateral curvature on a visual examination and as many as 30 per cent with a more accurate measurement. Anatomists two centuries ago clearly demonstrated that everyone had a scoliosis, albeit of small magnitude (Dickson 1984). Structural scoliosis is also 7 times more common in women.

It can be classified by the type of curve that is seen or by the age it develops i.e.

• Infantile,

• juvenile,

• adolescent

The majority of cases are adolescent onset. Screening of children allows early intervention to minimise progression.

Doctors measure the size of the curve from X-rays using the Cobb technique (see below). A curvature of 20 degrees or more is considered significant, but this is rare (2-5/1000 cases).

Most structural scoliosis cases (80%) are ‘idiopathic’ (no known cause).

Known causes include:

• Congenital (bone abnormalities present at birth)

• Neuromuscular conditions such as

* Cerebral palsy

* Muscular dystrophy

• Connective tissue disorders

* Marfan’s syndrome

* Rheumatoid arthritis

* Certain dwarves

• Trauma

* Fractures

* Irradiation

* Surgery

Orthopaedic or neurosurgeon treatment in severe cases may include ‘Harrington’ metal rods, or bone grafts for spinal stabilization.

People with structural scoliosis are often afflicted with great back pain. The tremendous ongoing workload placed on muscles trying to stabilise a bent spine eventually causes cell damage. Muscle cells release inflammatory chemicals which cause fluid accumulation, muscle swelling/shortening, and pain.

Physical therapy can help relieve pain for people with structural scoliosis, however the treatment needs to be regular and ongoing to be beneficial because the back muscles are continually over worked. If you have structural scoliosis and would like some advice, please come see us at the clinic.

r **Refer to: www.districtgazette.com.au for expanded version. Images supplied

FAITH - EMU PLAINS ANGLICAN

The Little-Known Link Between Easter And Feet

How do you feel about washing someone else’s feet? I think I know the answer, so I’ll spare painting the picture in any more detail!

Now imagine yourself back with Jesus the night before Good Friday, the night before he died, the night before the first Easter weekend. You’re one of his disciples, and after three years of being gripped by his teaching, growing to love him, and pinning your hopes on him, he does the most extraordinary thing: he takes a bowl of water and a towel, and starts washing your feet (it’s in John 13:1-17).

This is the job for the lowliest of the low, and you’re convinced he is God’s chosen king, God himself. It is beneath him, so why would he do such a thing?

Then Jesus says to you “Do you understand what I have done for you?”.

He is not just talking about your clean feet. He is giving you a living picture of what his death means. He is the greatest among the disciples, the greatest one who has ever walked the earth, and yet he is using his greatness in loving service of we who need it.

Jesus’ death and resurrection is the greatest act of service in history – and the most important! He died so our death need not be the final word on our broken lives. He rose so that all who would accept this great act of service would rise to life with God forever.

Next time you’re washing your feet, remember the one who washed his disciple’s feet to show all of us the heart of Easter.

And we’d love you to join us to celebrate – this Easter!

ART CLASSES

4733 0792

editor@districtgazette.com.au www.districtgazette.com.au

PO Box 8254

Glenmore Park NSW 2745

General Enquiries info@districtgazette.com.au

Advertising Enquiries advertise@districtgazette.com.au

Account Information + Enquiries accounts@districtgazette.com.au

Artwork Submissions + Approval design@districtgazette.com.au

Distribution Enquiries wedeliver@districtgazette.com.au

NEXT ISSUE DEADLINE

13th March 2024

NEXT ISSUE DISTRIBUTION

Online: 1st April 2024

Letterboxes: 2 + 3 April 2024

ABN: 65 601 734 472 trading as:

And just like that we're back to school, back to work, taking on new challenges, climbing new mountains and ticking off our list of new year resolutions!

For those of us that have set our minds to ticking off some major milestones or putting in a serious effort to focus on that BIG bucket list - GO YOU! If not now, when?

We're thrilled to bits here at the Gazette, we've been receiving masses of emails and feedback from YOU our loyal readers, thanking us for delivering local news directly to your letterbox. We are one of the very few (if not only) that continues to land in the letterbox of loyal readers, so THANK YOU for inviting us into your homes!

If given the chance, thank our advertisers - the small, medium and major businesses within these pages, they're the ones that help us continue doing what we love. Tell them you saw them in 'the Gazette' when you next book their services.

You can always make more money, but you only have a set number of days to make more memories. Make the moments count! Enjoy Your Community News.

Belinda

facebook.com/districtgazette

facebook.com/emuleonaygazette

PICK

Advertising Policy... Payment on booking secures your space. The Business Directory offers cost effective advertising to businesses in an alphabetical format. Premium Placement may be available, at an extra charge. An editorial focus on a local business may be included if space permits, at the Editor’s discretion.

Community News... The Emu+Leonay Gazette welcomes community news and events, local achievements, births, deaths, obituaries, weddings, engagements and anniversaries (published free of charge) Articles of interest will be accepted at the Editor’s discretion. Articles do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Editor. Letters to the Editor...may be printed and edited as necessary. Names must be submitted but can be withheld from publication at the writer’s request. Every effort is made to print correct information but no responsibility can be taken for errors or omissions.

www.emuleonaygazette.com.au