Get into the festive spirit by watching some Christmas classics with family and friends! Join us as we host a doublefeature, The Grinch (2018) and The Santa Clause (1994). Dress up in your best festive outfit - there is free face painting to help complete the look!
Grab some delicious takeaway food from a local restaurant or a sweet treat from a dessert truck. There is free popcorn on offer for the first 200 people.
We have a great line-up of movies that the whole family can enjoy!
The Grinch (2018) Movie will start at 5.30pm.
The Santa Clause (1994) Movie will start at 7.30pm.
Triangle Park is a 5 minute walk from the Civic Centre or Penrith Train Station. Parking is available at Union Road carpark. This event is free and proudly brought to you by Penrith City Council.
Join us for a relaxing, fun and festive night!
Dates & Times
Starts: 10 December 2022 05:00 PM
Ends: 10 December 2022 10:00 PM
Location
Triangle Park 565-567 High Street Penrith NSW 2750
people to find jobs this summer,” Mrs Davies said.
“Summer Skills gives young people meaningful opportunities to get jobs, whether it’s a gig at their local café, operating a forklift or securing work in construction.”
Minister for Skills and Training Alister Henskens said the Summer Skills program will deliver 4,000 fee-free courses, with a focus on school leavers, as part of the NSW Government’s record $3.1 billion investment in skills and training.
“If you’re completing your HSC, now is the perfect time to get skilled for free and jump straight into a well-paid and rewarding job over the summer,” Mr Henskens said.
“This program is helping people boost their budget by slashing course costs, so that young people can get the skills they need for the jobs they want whether that’s to kick start a career or earn money while they study.
“It will also help businesses address labour shortages so that they can employ more people and have a bumper summer.”
Summer Skills courses will be available for people between 16 and 24 who have left school through TAFE NSW and other registered training organisations.
For more information, visit www.skills. education.nsw.gov.au/initiatives/summerskills.
r Image /Article: Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies
Do you love taking photographs of flowers or animals (or both!) you see in Penrith? Enter Penrith City Council’s #WildlifeWednesday photo competition!
All you have to do is:
• Take a photo of an animal or plant local to Penrith.
• Submit your photo by sharing it in a comment to a Wildlife Wednesday Photo Competition Facebook post OR
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 is casual, working across our entire portfolio.
Up to 12 Hours Per Week | 6-Month fixed term contract, possible ongoing for the right candidate.
• 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.
• 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.
Students wrapping up their schooling will be given the opportunity to access fee-free training to help them rapidly gain new skills for summer jobs in industries experiencing labour shortages such as hospitality, construction and early childhood education.
Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies said the NSW Government’s Summer Skills program will help school leavers find their feet as they try to match their early career opportunities with the right training.
“Businesses in my community of Western Sydney and across NSW need workers now and this program will help upskill young
• Email bushcare@penrith.city with the subject “Wildlife Wednesday Photo Competition Entry”
• Keep taking photos until the competition closes!
All entrants will go into the draw for the chance to win one of 10 Nature Packs! All winners will be included in Bushcare’s 2024 Bushcare calendar.
Terms and conditions apply. The competition is open to all budding photographers and closes Wednesday 1 February 2023. Find out more at https:// www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/wasteenvironment/environment/bushland/ things-to-do
• 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)
The District Gazette are proudly locally-owned and operated by industry professionals.
For over twenty-five years, publishing 5 Independent Newspapers that are a fresh, modern monthly publication catering to a growing region, with incredible reach into the community.
Apply
Email CV + Cover letter to info@ districtgazette.com.au
You may have recently noticed some changes happening at HomeCo. Glenmore Park Town Centre, as they commence their $20 million centre development works.
HomeCo. has developed a master plan that includes changes to both sides of the Town Centre precinct in order to provide a retail mix that services the strong family market alongside a centralised services precinct.
On the Coles side of HomeCo. Glenmore Park Town Centre, they will be making way for an exciting new retailer, Best & Less. To accommodate this, some of the existing specialty stores will relocate to new sites within the Town Centre. Works will commence on the new retail space in January 2023, and it is anticipated that Best & Less will open in the following months.
Works will also commence on the redevelopment of the area alongside the Woolworths side of the Centre, on Town Terrace. Fences will be erected, and some minor construction works will commence shortly. During this time there may also be some minor impacts to the nearby car spaces, and they will provide further updates as appropriate. This will be the first stage of the construction of a services centre with Services NSW and a medical precinct including a new look for the existing Medical Centre, plus Flawless Retreat; a unique spa experience. This will also be complemented by food operators with alfresco dining and a community space.
The Town Centre redevelopment represents a $20 million investment in the local community, creating an estimated 150 construction jobs. The redevelopment also aims to achieve a 4 Star Green Star Communities Buildings rating from the Green Building Council of Australia.
Glenmore Park is a family-oriented suburb with 73% of the population being families. The Town Centre is a social hub for multiple generations, from local mums connecting over a coffee, teenagers grabbing a bite after a football match, or families dropping in to pick up the weekly groceries the centre is a constant hive of activity. HDN CEO, Sid Sharma said “We are excited to further develop this much-loved Glenmore Park destination by bringing more restaurants, an outdoor eating precinct, a new medical centre, office suites and services to the centre while reinvigorating the community space.”
During the works, HomeCo. will endeavour to ensure that customers can still shop in a comfortable and convenient environment. They will provide ongoing, up to date information of the works and ongoing announcements of new tenants. Visit https://homeco. com.au/glenmore-park for more details or check the HomeCo. Glenmore Park Town Centre Facebook page for further details.
r Artist’s impression | Image/Article: HomeCo.
• Downloading our Penrith Waste Champion app where you can get real-time notifications in the palm of your hand
• Downloading a copy of the calendar from... penrith.city /bincalendars
• Requesting a printed copy to be sent to you by visiting The Waste Spot at penrith.city/thewastespot
We’re providing extra bin collections to help with the additional waste and recycling produced over Christmas and New Year’s.
During the weeks highlighted, place all bins on the kerbside the night before your normal collection day. Collections may run early in the morning and late into the night, so please do not bring your bins in until they have been emptied.
Have a lot of recycling that won’t fit into your yellow-lidded recycling bin?
Bring it to our free recycling drop-off point from Monday 19 December to Friday 30 December 2022* between 3pm and 6pm at Jamison Park.
We’re accepting items such as wrapping paper, cardboard boxes and other household recyclables.
Please remember that polystyrene can’t be dropped off, but it can be placed in your red-lidded residual bin or taken to Penrith’s Community Recycling Centre.
*Event excludes public holidays and the weekend.
We’re collecting real Christmas trees for free on Saturday 7 January 2023. Bring your real tree to Jamison Park between 10am and 2pm and we’ll turn it into mulch. Please make sure to remove all decorations from your trees before bringing them down on the day. Artificial trees can be disposed of by booking a bulky waste collection at The Waste Spot or by breaking it down and placing it in your red-lidded residual bin.
Learn more at penrith.city/christmaswaste penrith.city
There’s something truly magical about the festive season. Colourful Christmas lights illuminate our neighbourhood streets at night, with many passers-by wanting to catch a glimpse of the amazing displays. One such display that captures your attention is ‘Christmas at Kiber Drive’ in Glenmore Park.
Christmas at Kiber Drive was created by local resident Matt Blinman and his family in 2020. Once again, it returns this year and promises to be bigger and better.
“There will be lots of Disney and universal character cut-outs, and many multi-coloured lights that will include a giant star and Christmas tree” said Matt to the Glenmore Gazette.
The local community will be treated to the Christmas at Kiber Drive Lights Display throughout December, giving families lots of time to marvel at the awesome spectacle.
“Our display will be ready to go and up from December 1st until December 26th from 6:30pm till 10:00pm. During the week of Christmas, it will be up from 6:30pm till midnight” he smiled.
Mr Blinman loves everything about Christmas and the joy that it brings for all.
“The part that I love the most about Christmas is the opportunity to spend time with my family and friends, enjoying good food with one another. This includes turning on our favourite Carols and, of course, going together to look at all the Christmas lights in our community” Matt stated.
For those who are on social media, you can find out more and follow the popular display on Facebook.
“I have a Facebook page dedicated to my display, which will have the dates the lights will be up and times as well as updates on how it is progressing. It can be found by searching on Christmas at Kiber Drive” he ended.
r The amazing Kiber Drive display | Image: Matt Blinman
Starting its humble beginnings locally, SOLiD MEN is a group whose mission is ‘to strengthen and equip a growing number of communities of like-minded men with the goal of promoting physical, spiritual, emotional and mental health’.
Back in 2017, a group of women including the wives of their founders, started a 2 week fitness challenge. The men thought it might be good to do a similar challenge… except they kept going for over 5 years! The group was started by two friends, Nik Fe'ao and Suaia Matagi. Suaia was playing NRL for the Parramatta Eels at the time, bringing his fitness knowledge to the group.
“We run free; peer led exercise sessions twice a week. Sessions are always outdoors and include bodyweight training, cardio and often we use concrete bricks to increase the intensity” said Lance Rogers, Treasurer and Public Officer of SOLiD MEN.
“After each session, the men get together and grab a coffee and chat. Men are free to share as much or as little as they like knowing it is a safe space to speak. We also have a run club twice per week, again with a well-earned coffee and chat afterwards!” he continued.
Run Club is a lap of the Nepean River Bridge to Bridge, meeting at 5:00am near The Coffee Club. Wednesday workouts are at 5:00am at Jamison Park Netball Courts. Their main session is every Saturday at 5:45am at Western Sydney University (Werrington Campus), followed by coffee at The Valley Junction in Caddens from 7:10am. They also have a seasonal basketball session at Ropes Crossing Basketball Courts, which is due to start again in January 2023.
Lance enjoys being a part of SOLiD MEN, “The accountability aspect has been fantastic to help myself grow as an individual both physically and mentally. If I don't show up for a few workouts or go AWOL on our weekly "Check In Tuesday" post, I know there'll be someone out there texting or calling. I'm fitter than I have ever been in my adult life and have an amazing circle of friends that has all come from being a part of SOLiD MEN”.
He believes that it’s important to have groups like this in the local community.
“One of our values is ‘Check 6’ representing the need to watch out for each other, keep an eye on that vulnerable area of life and ensure we're checking in with each other and also know a man out there has my back.
“We hear the stats that men too often don't speak up and reach out if they need help, but when you've pushed your body through a tough workout alongside another bloke it breaks down that barrier opening up that real, vulnerable conversation. When it comes to getting men connected with each other I don't think there can ever be enough groups like this out there”.
r Group photo after the workout. If there's no photo it didn't happen!
Image: Lance Rogers
Penrith City Council has unveiled the restored historic Police Cottage at Emu Plains. The $3.2 million upgrade means more residents and visitors to our City will be able to enjoy the riverfront, with the café set to open in January 2023.
Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen said it’s fantastic to see Council’s innovative idea and the joint vision of Council and the NSW Government to bring the former Police Cottage back to life as a restaurant coming to fruition.
“Both Council and the NSW Government wanted to celebrate and conserve the City’s heritage, while also ensuring the community can enjoy this historically significant site for many years to come,” Cr Hitchen said.
“The Police Cottage was originally constructed in 1908 as a purpose-built police station and residence for Emu Plains until the 1950s, then later served as a private residence until 2015.
I am proud to announce that I was successfully endorsed as the Liberal Candidate for Badgerys Creek (formerly Mulgoa) electorate.
I want to first and foremost thank the people of my electorate for their support over the years and for giving me the honour of serving as their local member in the NSW Parliament.
Since I was first elected in 2011 as part of the Liberal and Nationals Government, we have secured significant investments for our community. Some of the projects I am proud to have helped deliver include the:
• $1.0B Nepean Hospital Redevelopment
• More than $700m Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospital Redevelopment
• The $4.4B Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan [1] that has rebuilt The Northern Road, Bringelly Road, Werrington Arterial Road and more,
• New Fernhill School in Glenmore Park and the under construction Nangamay Public School in Mulgoa Rise
• $248m Mamre Road Upgrade Stage 1 commitment
• M4 Roper Road westbound onramp
• $500m Cooler Classrooms Program to deliver air conditioning in many Western Sydney learning environments
• $13m Performing Arts and Learning Centre at Glenmore Park High School
• $27m purchase of historic Fernhill Estate in Mulgoa for parklands and recreation, and
• More than 70 cost of living support programs to ease the pressure on household budgets.
These achievements are evidence of a strong Government delivering for the interests of its citizens. I am excited by the opportunity to continue delivering projects like these to help build a brighter future for every family in Western Sydney.
If given the honour to represent you as the Member for Badgerys Creek in March 2023, I will continue to fight for you and what is rightfully ours in western Sydney. If elected in a Liberal and Nationals Government I will fight to:
• Deliver the Elizabeth Drive upgrade,
• Complete the Mamre Road upgrade,
• Accelerate the delivery of more affordable housing,
• Cut the ribbon on the Palliative Care Unit at Nepean Hospital,
• And more Together, with a re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government we can build a brighter future.
“Now refurbishment and enhancements are completed inside and out, I’m thrilled to see the Police Cottage reopen to the public for the first time in over 70 years, with the new restaurant soon to offer a memorable dining experience alongside the beautiful Nepean River,” Cr Hitchen said.
The refurbishment of the Police Cottage was proudly funded by the NSW Government and Penrith Council, with $1.5 million stimulus funding from Crown Land and a further $1.7 million from Council.
Stuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith said the restoration of the Police Cottage showcases a great adaptive reuse of this beautiful heritage building.
“Bringing this building back to life has given it a bright future and offers locals and visitors the opportunity to experience its history while enjoying a coffee or a meal right on the banks of the Nepean.”
Minister for Lands and Water Kevin Anderson said the Police Cottage had been sensitively refurbished to restore its façade with upgrades to services, roof and verandas, internal areas, and outdoor privy.
“The restoration has preserved a gem of local history on a Crown reserve adjacent to the $24 million Regatta Park redevelopment at Emu Plains, giving it a new lease of life for generations to come,” Mr Anderson said.
Glenmore Park Doctors is a new friendly bulk-billing GP practice located in Glenmore Park, across from Glenmore Park Public School. This brand new, purpose-built centre offers the highest standard of medical care with state-of-the-art facilities. They are open 5 days a week for appointments and walk-in consultations.
They pride themselves in offering a friendly, convenient, accessible, and professional service to all their patients. Their RACGP accredited team of Doctors, Practice Nurse, and friendly reception staff, have the overall vision to provide quality medical care to individuals and families within the local community.
They take great pride in providing outstanding service while still bulk-billing. Such services include General and Family Medicine, Women’s, Men’s, and Children’s Health, Geriatrics, Chronic Disease Management, Mental Health, Family Planning and Sexual Health and Travel Vaccination/Immunisation.
They offer bulk billing to all patients holding a Medicare card, so there is no out-of-pocket cost for most GP services. Fees apply to those patients who do not hold a Medicare card and for some consultation types such as pre-employment medicals, work-
related injuries, iron infusions, IUD contraception insertions and where no Medicare item number applies.
Come and see them if you require further information.
You can make a booking online at any time via their booking portal, powered by HotDoc on their website: glenmoreparkdoctors.com.au or alternatively, you may call the clinic directly to speak to one of their friendly reception team members.
Dr Hania Pordeli (speaks Dari) and Dr Shahram Mirhosseini (speaks Farsi) are the Doctors at the new practice. They look forward to seeing you soon.
Glenmore Park Doctors is located at 46 The Lakes Drive in Glenmore Park. Their phone number is 4708 3272, fax is 4761 0433 and email is admin@glenmoreparkdoctors.com.au.
This month, I was excited to finally visit The Blind Chef Café and Dessert Bar in Penrith for lunch.
Michelle and I were impressed with the service and quality of the food there. When I first walked into the Café, Craig greeted me, and I immediately noticed how welcoming he and his team were and the warm atmosphere within. Craig and I had a chat, and I was excited by how easy it was to navigate the Café. There was plenty of room to walk, and no obstacles in my way. The tables were spread out, so people were able to walk by and the seating was comfortable.
Michelle ordered the Halloumi Salad This salad consisted of oven roasted halloumi, chickpeas, pumpkin, cauliflower, spinach, confit cherry tomato and harissa yoghurt dressing.
Michelle really enjoyed her salad and said it was exceptional and very filling.
I ordered the menu item called the Fat Boy, which consisted of schnitzel, prawns, prosciutto garlic sauce and chips.
The Fat Boy was outstanding, and I found the flavours exceptional. The schnitzel was tender, the prawns were succulent and the garlic sauce on top gave this dish a ten out of ten.
I ordered a mug of flat white, along with a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice. I really enjoyed how fresh this juice was and the coffee was creamy and had plenty of flavour. What also impressed me was when my coffee arrived, the Waitress told me that the handle of the mug was on my right.
Overall, the Blind Chef Café and Dessert Bar receives a ten out of ten.
The service was outstanding, and the staff were really engaging and friendly. Craig has put so much time and effort into his Café. If you have not visited the Blind Chef Café and Dessert Bar, you really need to visit and experience the warm and inviting atmosphere and the top-quality cuisine Craig has to offer.
Thank you so much team for making my visit welcoming and a pleasant encounter.
**Restaurants
Glenmore Park’s Debbie O’Connor has been awarded the Business Person of the Year at the 2022 Penrith City Local Business Awards recently.
The prestigious awards were held at Evan Theatre in Panthers Penrith in late October.
Debbie is the CEO of The Creative Fringe in Jamisontown. She is also the Creative Director of White River Design (WRD), the inventor of Brand Personalities, the author of a number of books and the ‘creative genius’ behind The Creative Fringe.
“I feel so very honoured to receive the Business Person of the Year award for 2022 in the Penrith City Local Business Awards, considering the calibre of business owners and finalists in this category” said Debbie to the Glenmore Gazette.
She won this award back in 2012 and again in 2017 for The Creative Fringe. Not one to sit idle, Debbie has also just stepped down from her position as Vice President of the Penrith Chamber of Commerce and is currently working on her newest business start-up “Brand Magic”. She has now published her new book “Brand Magic, How to Build a Brand with Personality” launching on Amazon last month on November 23rd.
In 2014, Debbie opened her beautiful wrought iron gates on what was once a dirty, greasy old mechanic workshop that was transformed into a trendy, inspiring co-working space that harnesses a creative, industrial look. The Creative Fringe is Western Sydney’s most dynamic co-working space.
It provides a space in which commuters, business owners, freelancers, start-ups, consultants, and creatives alike can work without the overheads of having their own office space. They are not only a co-work space, but a destination for many businesses that call them home on a daily basis. A venue space that can be hired out, they have an onsite training room, showers, meeting rooms, a content area, and creative makers space from Fridays to Sundays running workshops.
r Debbie O’Connor with her inspiring
W: www.nepeancommunity.org.au
E: info@nepeancommunity.org.au
With Summer holidays fast approaching and families gathering at local beaches and swimming pools, it is a timely reminder to keep watch whenever children are near water. Unfortunately, around 22 children lose their lives to drowning in Australia each year. These deaths are preventable with active adult supervision.
Toddlers aged 1-4 years are most at risk because they are fast moving, adventurous and do not understand water safety. Parents think that children will splash and yell when they are struggling but drowning occurs quickly and silently. A child’s airway can fill with water in less than 20 seconds, preventing capacity to call out.
Active supervision requires you to have your full attention on your child when they are near, around or in water. Avoid distractions like smart phones. Always ensure you are within an arm’s length of toddlers, so you can intervene quickly. Flotation devices or leaving small children in the care of older children does not replace adult supervision. Older children also require your full attention when near, in or around water.
Other steps you can take to ensure your children’s safety around water:
1. Restrict children’s access to water. Ensure gates to pools or spas are securely closed and meet NSW Standards (visit swimmingpoolregister.nsw.gov.au for more information). Make sure there are no chairs or pot plants nearby for children to climb and gain entry. Empty all buckets, containers, and wading pools immediately after use as young children can drown in as little as 5cm depth.
2. Learn and regularly refresh your cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) skills. You can access a free online course at kidshealth.schn.health.nsw.gov.au/cpr-resuscitation. You can also download, print, and display resuscitation posters to keep as a reminder around pools and spas.
3. Enrol your children in water familiarisation or swimming lessons so they can start to develop their understanding of water safety from an early age.
For more information on water safety, visit kidsafensw.org or royallifesaving.com.au. Keep safe this Summer. Keep watch.
It's that time of year again and Regentville Rural Fire Brigade are making this time bigger than last!
Their firefighters have been busy in meetings with Santa to ensure that they can get him out and about in our local community to see all the good boys and girls. They are so excited to say that he is coming! Santa will be making his rounds through 6 days of December in the locations of Emu Heights, Glenmore Park, Leonay, Regentville, and Jamisontown.
Due to popular success (and so others don't miss out), Santa will also be doing a day at their very own station where you can come down and get a photo with him in front of one of their big red fire trucks, that he calls a sleigh!
All dates are locked in, so be sure to follow "NSW RFS Regentville Brigade" on Facebook and you will know when your visit is happening, including live updates on where he is during his visits.
“Our volunteers at Regentville Rural Fire Brigade love doing the Santa run. To be able to give back to a community that supports us when we need it most, is great. So don't be shy, come say "G'day" to the jolly round guy in the big red suit rising in the big red truck” said Jordan Jobson of Regentville Fire Brigade.
If you've ever thought about getting involved with the NSW Rural Fire Service, why not make it your New Year's plan? Come and see them at the station at 20 Jeanette Street in Regentville on Tuesday nights from 7pm. They can help you find a place whether it be front line firefighting, logistical support, operational communications or even public relations and community engagement. There is a place for everyone!
Glenmore Park author Jody Crossley has published her first book, The Bear Project, holding a book launch last month.
The successful launch was held at Nepean Rowing Club on Wednesday 16th November and was attended by 40 people. The day commenced with an opening speech in an interview format. Attendees enjoyed canapes, with sponsor speeches, and luck door prizes before wrapping up with photos and a book signing.
The Bear Project is a book about grief associated with pet loss. It is an inspirational story of great love about an amazing bond between a human and a little Jack Russell named Bear. Bear was small in stature but had a larger-than-life personality and an even bigger heart.
“Grief is very debilitating and currently there is not enough resources and awareness on pet loss. Hopefully this book will help raise awareness” explained Jody to the Glenmore Gazette.
It is hoped that Jody’s book will create awareness, particularly in workplaces and that she can become an advocate for pets and pet parents and the experiences that take place when losing a pet. She highlights the importance of veterinary practices as unsung heroes who save our pets lives and deal with pet loss daily.
Jody would like to thank her amazing sponsors who helped bring her first book, The Bear Project to life. This includes Physio Inq (South Comfort
Vicky Nonas
House Veterinary Bovercon Pty Ltd and Rotary.
“Thank you to everyone who has helped and supported me throughout
There has already been interest in Jody’s book internationally, with copies States of
The Bear Project is available now and can be purchased online at Amazon. It can also be purchased directly by emailing Jody at price is $35
Chocolate is delicious for humans, but can be fatal if our pets ingest it. Chocolate contains theobromine and caffeine, which causes vomiting, diarrhoea, hyperactivity, increased heart rate, restlessness, muscle twitching, increased urination, excessive panting and if left untreated can be rapidly fatal.
If your dog does accidentally eat some chocolate, it is vitally important that they are seen within 30 minutes to an hour by your local veterinarian. The veterinarian will give a medication to make your pet vomit, which removes most of the toxins from the body. Sometimes, your pet will be hospitalised, where intravenous fluids may be used, an enema or stomach pump may be required, and we may also need to use muscles relaxants and activated charcoal.
Ensure all chocolate is kept out of reach from your pets.
With the warmer weather upon us, snakes are coming out of hibernation.
Signs of snake envenomation includes: muscular weakness, wobbliness or paralysis, increased respiratory effort, trembling, salivation, vomiting, slower blood clotting time, bruising, blood in the urine, and abnormal neurological signs (including collapse, seizure, tremors, pupil enlargement).
The sooner the snake anti venom is given, the higher the chance of survival.
If you see a snake, please keep your distance, do not try to touch it or try to contain it and call WIRES on 1300 094 737.
Ticks are bloodsucking, external parasites. High humidity is necessary for all stages of the tick to survive and ticks are commonly found in a 20 kilometre band on the eastern coastline of Australia, from Lakes Entrance, Victoria to Cape York Peninsula, Queensland. Ticks are also found in the Lower Blue Mountains.
The tick toxin is injected into the host whilst the tick is feeding. The neurotoxin causes a rapidly progressive, ascending lower motor neuron paresis to flaccid paralysis. Pain sensation is preserved.
Some clinical signs include:
1. Loss of coordination in the hind limbs.
2. Change in voice or bark.
3. Retching, vomiting, coughing
4. Loss of appetite.
5. Difficulty breathing or increased respiratory rate.
6. Large and poorly responsive pupils
7. Progressive paralysis to the forelimbs and respiratory muscle paralysis in a few hours.
Treatment of tick paralysis is aimed to preserve life while the antitoxin has time to work and neutralize the tick toxin. The tick is removed as soon as possible, tick antiserum is administered and supportive care is provided. Some cases may require 24 hour specialist care with a ventilator.
There are many products on the market that provide some protection against ticks, including: Bravecto, Nexgard, Simparica, Comfortis, The Big Five, Credelio, Revolution Plus, Frontline and many other products.
Perform daily body searches on your pet for ticks when visiting tick infested areas.
The typical history of a canine patient that is diagnosed with pancreatitis is one in which the dog ate a high-fat meal or got into the garbage. Pancreatitis in dogs is an inflammatory reaction within the pancreas that can result in abdominal pain, inappetence, and vomiting. The inflammation results from the inappropriate, early activation of an enzyme within the pancreas, which causes the pancreas to digest itself. Avoid feeding fatty foods to your pets, including the fat from the Christmas hams.
Raisins and grapes are toxic to dogs. Grape and raisin toxicity in dogs can cause serious kidney damage that can lead to acute (sudden) kidney failure, which can be fatal. Do not give your dog raisins or raisin products, including the Christmas cake.
With the weather warming up it is important to look after your pets:
• Provide shelter for your pets, so they get away from direct sunlight.
• Provide plenty of water. Animals do not sweat like humans and they rely on the evaporation of the water in their mouths to cool themselves down. So they need extra water so they do not overheat.
• Provide extra water sources in case they are spilled.
• Provide kiddy pools so your pet can lay in the water.
• Bring your pets indoors with air conditioning, if possible.
• Consider day boarding in air conditioning.
• Avoid exercising your pets during the heat of the day. Walk them in the early morning, or later at night when it is cooler.
• Do not leave pets in a car or vehicle.
Please feel free to pop in anytime and meet the team at Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital.
It’s summertime! Traditionally, this is the time of year that exercise shoes are dusted off and sandals retrieved from the back of the closet as the weather warms up and the outdoors seems much more appealing once again. Here are our top tips for keeping feet healthy this summer:*
1)
When starting to get back into exercise, particularly after a long break, the temptation is to pick up the intensity where you left off. This can over-stress muscles and joints, causing pain to develop. Instead, gradually build up the intensity to give foot and ankle structures time to gain strength.
2)
Replacing worn out shoes and wearing supportive footwear when exercising is essential. Different shoes are appropriate for different foot mechanics, and a podiatrist can advise on the best styles of footwear and fit for all foot types. Always
3)
4)
wear footwear around public pools to protect feet from infections like the wart virus.
Regular stretching helps to decrease the risk of injury during activity. Only 5-10 min of stretching per day, particularly before exercise, can save on months of pain and rehab!
Changing to fresh socks when they get sweaty can help prevent infections such as tinea and fungal nails, and help stop blisters from occurring.
Applying cream can help reduce calluses (hard skin) and cracking on the feet which increases the risk of infection and pain. Moisturised feet also look much better in summer footwear!
6)
We can help with any concerns of the feet, ankles and lower legs.
* For general information only – a healthcare professional must be seen for tailored advice. See our ad on the front cover.
Many animal models for studying colitis exist. Most use rectal instillation of irritants such as acetic acid, ethanol, trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid, formalin, and hydrogen peroxide, or oral ingestion of sulphated polysaccharides to generate colon inflammation. These animal models don’t resemble human ulcerative colitis either in terms of causation, at the tissue level appearance, or how human UC develops over time. The real clues, to what may cause human UC came from observations of a nutritional form of colitis in pigs.
Last month’s article suggested that a compound called “Co enzyme-A” may play a key role in Ulcerative Colitis (UC) in humans.
Co enzyme-A is made in the body of all mammals from Vitamin B5 (pantothenic acid). Vitamin B5 is an essential nutrient which must be gotten from the diet.
Vitamin B5 deficiency often develops in animals (particularly pigs) fed corn, because corn/soybean meal is deficient in pantothenic acid. Dietary deficiency of Vitamin B5 causes Ulcerative Colitis (among other problems) in pigs.
This was first illustrated in the early last century. Dietary Vitamin B5 deficiency leads first to a low free CoA level in pig colon cells, then severe colonic inflammation, wall thickening, oedema, excessive mucus discharge and bloody diarrhoea. In fact, this
Colitis in pigs exactly resembles UC in humans:
1. Free Co enzyme-A concentration in pig colonic mucosal cells and UC patients are both low
2. Colitis appears first at the rectum, then spreads toward the caecum as disease worsens in pigs and human UC
3. Similar tissue inflammatory changes occur with appearance of crypt abscesses, and mucus cell depletion.
In pigs, the chain of events is: Low dietary Vitamin B5 low Vitamin B5 levels in colonic cells low free CoA levels in colon cells Colitis.
Vitamin B5 supplementation easily reverses this chain of events, and the pig Colitis heals, commencing at the caecum and progressing toward the rectum.
While simple Vitamin B5 deficiency isn’t sufficient to induce UC in man, it was:
1. The clear similarity of Vitamin B5 deficiency Colitis in pigs to UC in humans, and
2. The similarly low free Co enzyme-A levels in human and pig colonic cells during Colitis that first lead medical scientists to suspect that low free Co enzyme-A may also lead to UC in humans.
Local resident Belinda was all set and prepared for gastric sleeve surgery, when she began losing weight during the pre-operation diet, but she was starving.
She decided to start herself on Lite n’ Easy and ended up feeling so great and never had to go through with the surgery. “After the ‘pre-op’ diet, it made me realise I didn’t have to starve myself to lose weight” explained Belinda.
Belinda kick started her weight loss with Jump Start. Jump Start is a two week program designed to kick weight loss into high gear. Based on the science of calories in versus calories burnt, it combines five days of normal, healthy eating (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks) with two days of intermittent fasting. Results from 1,600 survey participants revealed that 88% of people lost weight.
“This helps to increase your weekly calorie deficit which may accelerate your weight loss in those first two weeks, giving Australians the motivation, they need to continue,” said Accredited Practising Dietitian for Lite n’ Easy Ashleigh Jones.
“On intermittent fasting days, breakfast and morning snacks are removed. This reduces the weekly calorie intake by approximately 600 to 800 calories. For optimum results increasing water intake and exercise will assist further along with avoiding alcohol,” Ashleigh said.
A recent study by Torrens University shed light on the sad state of Australia’s obesity epidemic. The number of Australians who are overweight and obese is now the highest on record.
“What the current science indicates is that weight loss really comes down to eating less and moving more. The problem is that this isn’t always easy to do. People need help putting these principles into practice, and a program such as Jump Start may be the key to helping people lose weight,” Ashleigh added.
Belinda has now lost 35kgs without the need to go under the knife, “I know my dear (late) Mum would not have wanted me to go through with surgery, and I feel like somewhere, somehow, deep down she played a hand in helping me come to this realisation” she said.
Even her own Doctor was shocked by the results. “My doctor was even pleased I didn’t go ahead with the surgery, convincing me I didn’t owe the surgeon anything” she ended.
At Christmas, it is easy to feel just how much our world is in a mess. Just think about the wars, sickness, car accidents and death that still happen at Christmas. It just feels so wrong. Surely for just one day the world can take a break from all the evil, violence and pain that exists the other 364 days! We spend billions of dollars trying to remove pain, eliminate sickness and prevent death, but we don’t succeed, not even for a day. We can delay and reduce the bad things we see, but not stop them. Surely God could do something about this?
At Christmas, we remember how God has done something and will do something about it. The Bible says that the root of our problems is our sin, that is our rejection of God. It teaches that Jesus came once to ‘take away the sins’ of people, and that he will appear a second time to establish his Kingdom, bring salvation to all those who are waiting for him and put everything in the world to right. The good news is that God hasn’t forgotten us. He will act to fix up the world and the most important thing for each one of us is to come back into a relationship with God through Jesus. Christmas is a time when we can remember what God has done for us in Jesus and what he will do. God hasn’t forgotten you.
One version of Christmas is driven by what we see in the shops. But Christmas originated from a different version that we can find in the Bible, and the shop version often makes little connection with the Bible’s version.
I’m not saying there aren’t wonderful aspects to the earthly version. Who doesn’t love a good baked dinner? And there is something wonderful about the sounds, gifts, music, and decorations that link us into wonderful memories from our childhood. I’m sure these release some sort of ‘wellbeing endorphins’ in our bodies. Nonetheless they are all part of the earthly version.
The coming of Jesus Christ, God’s Son was a divine intervention that changed the trajectory of human history. It fundamentally shaped the destiny of human beings. That is why we express time historically in terms of ‘before Christ’ (BC) and ‘after the death of Christ’ (AD). It’s a new era of time, a new spiritual deal. When Jesus Christ came, died, and was resurrected, the basic shape of human existence was altered for our good. Light shone into the dark caverns of the universe and eternity to re-establish life and well-being for the human soul forever. The evil and death that causes humans to cry and endure pain was given an end date. We should not be fooled by the baby in the manger. A better clue is the “good news of great joy for all people” the angels brought the shepherds (Luke 2:10). Yes, the innocence of a baby, but the authority and commission to alter existence and reality to change the strings pulling at and defining our existence. A cosmic ‘yes’ to Life! Hey, who doesn’t like some ‘wellbeing endorphins’ from the tinsel and carols? But we must be intentional about connecting with the Bible’s perspective on the Christmas event if Christmas is to bless us with a deeper soul-liberating sense of well-being the Bible calls ‘joy’.
Have a wonderful Christmas, and I hope you enjoy some closeness with God and a sense of his love for you.
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‘This year, I lost, won, failed, cried, laughed, loved, but I didn’t fold.’
A relevant quote that not only echoes the year many have experienced, but ironically also here at the District Gazette.
We’re proud to still be delivering local news across our portfolio of 5 publications, reaching 28,000 letterboxes spanning 20 suburbs and a readership of 83,000.
Anglican Church
Cnr William Howell Dr Pritchard Pl 4733 1635
Catholic Church William Howell Drive 4737 9735
Uniting Church Cnr Mulgoa Rd & Stuart Rd Penrith 4721 1295
Foothills Church Jct Factory Rd & Loftus St, Regentville 4732 3139
Penrith Church 52 Taylor Rd Cranebrook 4577 6555
Salvation Army 48 Luttrell St 4733 1133
Elevation Church Penrith 4 Production Place, Penrith 4722 8489
Embroiderers Guild Nepean 0466 457 594 Community Health 4732 9400 Glenmore Park Guides 0400 546 772
Probus Club Glenmore Pk 0412 629 945
Probus Club Penrith Sth 4732 1885
Penrith Suicide Bereavement Support Group 0402 627 696 Community Centre 4733 1499
Scouts 1800 SCOUTS (1800 726 887)
AFL 0425 202 038 Baseball Club Penrith 0434 116 940 Basketball glenmoreparkbasketball@hotmail.com
BMX 0407 497 606 Cricket 0410 416 692 Hockey 4737 8420 Junior Rugby Union 0425 351 715 Karate Goshin Ryu 0432 615 836 Netball 0407 234 360 Rugby League 0430 049 189 Football (Soccer) 0447 001 107 Softball glenmorephantoms@hotmail.com
Swimming Club Nepean 0416 311 453 Triathlon Club Panthers ptcmembership@hotmail.com
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Unlike some, we have not ‘folded’ but stand stronger than ever.
We wouldn’t be here without all of our supporters, both readers, contributors and advertisers. Not to mention all of the people who’ve taken time out of their busy lives to chat with us, to tell their stories and keep us up to date with what’s happening right here; and let’s not forget those who walked the streets delivering papers be it rain, hail or shine in 2022.
Remember to support local, small business and especially those that you see advertising within these pages. Without their support we wouldn’t be able to deliver ‘your community news’ to you.
We wish you a wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year. Cherish friends and family, those both here and in our hearts. Stay safe and well. We’ll be back from February next year!
Due to the impact of COVID-19 on local businesses, and with the health and safety of our extended team in mind, copies at pick up points during this uncertain period may vary.
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