Nepean News 15 August 2019

free Thursday, 15 August 2019

ISSUE 258

Alex McKenzie B Com

Principal Financial Planner T: (02) 4704 8585 E: alex@futurefinancialservices.com.au W: www.futurefinancialservices.com.au A: Suite 9, 488 High St, Penrith NSW 2750

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Vietnam Veterans Day

Sunday August 18 is Vietnam Veterans Day. See inside for details on joining our local Vietnam Veterans for the service to be held at St Marys RSL this Sunday.

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John Ambulance Superintendent, Malcolm Towle is standing down after 23 years servicing the first aid needs of the Penrith community. He leaves the Penrith Division in a position to respond to the community’s needs with fully equipped and clinically trained first aid responders.

During his time in charge, Malcolm has responded to events at the Sydney 2000 Olympics, London 2012 Olympics and most recently, he served as the first aid commander for the 2018 Invictus Games. In total he has contributed over 19000 volunteer hours to the community.

In recognition of his commitment and leadership he was admitted to The Most Venerable Order of the Hospital of St. John of Jerusalem in 2006.

Malcolm has stated the duties that stand out the most are the Olympic Games, and particularly the Invictus Games where he felt incredibly inspired by the athletes and their stories.

His proudest moment was the huge combined efforts of the Division during the 2013 Blue Mountains bushfires. He and his team volunteered around the clock for eight days attending to

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the first aid needs of over 1400 fire fighters and orchestrating the evacuation of two nursing homes utilising the Divisional ambulance fleet.

Malcolm will not be lost to the community.

He will remain as a member of the Division after spending more time with his family and grandchildren.

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From the Editor’s Desk

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

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203 Banks Drive, St Clair Office: (02) 9834 5579 Editor: Sales Manager: Sales: Sales: Sales: Sports Journalist: Sports Journalist: Sports Journalist: Graphic Design: Printer: Letters to the Editor: Web:

Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644 Korena Hale 0403 045 880 Larry Davis 0432 062 643 Dianne Bonello 0418 813 319 David Burnet 0412 448 883 Noel Rowsell 0424 007 202 Conner Lowe 0404 419 346 Stewart Moses 0417 680 533 Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown nepeannews@aol.com issuu.com/nepeannews

By KeRRIE DAVIES

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ocial media has of course brought many positives to our society. Aside from being able to catch up on what is happening in the lives of friends and family we don’t see everyday, it keeps us informed on so many levels. Instant news, raising awareness of an array of topics and it’s a great share tool when a message needs to get out quickly, such as when looking for a missing person.

But there is such a dark, dark side to it also, that is really disappointing and quite frankly, scary. People can be so utterly cruel to others on social media.

For the most part I imagine the most nasty people on facebook don’t ridicule everyone they come across face to face, so why is it that when they have a phone in their their hand they feel it is a licence to horrendously bully and insult people with the words they type?

The treatment of the struggling farmers recently who tried to sell a “rare ooshie” toy makes me embarrassed and really worried about the future of this country. Sure, the price they asked was ridiculous for a collectible toy, but what ever happened to the old lovable Aussie attitude of laughing something off?

I remember years ago when Aussies were putting bags of Bondi sand on Ebay and Americans were buying it at insane prices. We used to have an attitude of “oh well, if people are silly enough to buy it, good luck to those selling it.”

Nepean News is not tossed onto your front lawn. Collect your crisp copy FREE from local newsagents, service stations, libraries, Council and shopping centres.

Call 9834 5579 to find out your nearest outlet.

Messages of luck to the farmers aforementioned were replaced with people telling them to commit suicide, die of thirst or choke on the toy. This new-wave attitude towards others is sickening.

Everything we put on social media immediately exposes us to ridicule. Gone are the days where you could state a political opinion, for instance, without getting smashed from pillar to post from everyone who doesn’t agree. Sensible debate has been replaced with stalking, intimidating and crucifying anyone who happens to state an opinion.

I fear what’s ahead of us, because I don’t see any way of it ever becoming under control.

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What are your thoughts? I’d like to hear them. kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

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Stuart Ayres MP Member for Penrith

By KeRRIE DAVIES

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hanks to Lions Pride Holden Car Club, and sponsors Nostalgia Rodders, Online Hire, and Wholesale Suspension, who have come together to put a smile on the faces of families and children at Nepean Hospital Children’s Ward.

They’ve donated 40 ‘Super Tees’ that are specially designed to help treat little ones while they’re in hospital. The superhero themed tees have a cape that doubles as a bib and has openings at the shoulder down one side to help with dressings, tubes and changing. It is also a lot more exciting than a traditional hospital gown.

This isn’t the first time Lions Pride have

donated, having visited the hospital earlier in the year to donate some of the Super Tees. They hope to return again in September with more supplies.

“The shirts are great. Particularly for our special needs kids who, when they’re quite sick and resistant to moving, are hard to dress, so they work really well,” says Kylie Harris, Children’s Ward Nurse Unit Manager.

Established in 2000 as a non-profit organisation, the Lions Pride Holden Car Club is a family-based group for Holden enthusiasts who are keen to help others and give back to the local community, while also enjoying social outings.

“We wanted to support a local hospital, and this was the obvious place to come. The shirts are a great concept and a great gift for the child to take home,” says Harry Elvin, Club Secretary.

Phone: 4722 8660 Email: penrith@parliament.nsw.gov.au Shop 23, Tattersalls Centre, 510-534 High Street, Penrith

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

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local news

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ew research shows the cellular foot soldiers your body deploys to fight the flu can turn against you and quickly transform a mild bout of influenza into a severe infection that can kill even the fittest person.

The international study led by Nepean Hospital and published in Nature Communications has for the first time revealed a possible explanation why otherwise healthy people sometimes die from the flu.

Lead author and intensive care specialist at Nepean Hospital, Associate Professor Benjamin Tang says key immune cells drive an ‘overreaction’ in some patients’ immune systems which damages their lungs.

“We found the immune system becomes disorganised in patients with severe flu infection. Neutrophils, a specific type of immune cell which should be attacking the virus, started to attack healthy lung tissue and produce massive inflammation.

“This causes breathing difficulty, dangerously dropping blood oxygen levels and sadly, in some cases, causing respiratory failure and death,” says Associate Professor Tang, who performed his research in both Nepean Hospital and the Westmead Institute for Medical Research.

Scientists have long known that the

Associate Benjamin Tang with Dr Maryam Shojaei (left) and Sally Teoh (right) who are also members of the research team

immune system can attack the body but previously this was mostly seen in people with autoimmune disease.

“This is the first time we’ve been able to show the immune system turning against the body in otherwise healthy people who are infected with the flu,” says Associate Professor Tang.

In the 2009 global flu pandemic, Associate Professor Tang and his colleagues in the Nepean Hospital

intensive care unit were treating patients infected with swine flu.

“Healthy people in the prime of their lives were ending up in our intensive care unit with the flu. It didn’t make sense and it inspired us to look deeper.

To look for the mechanism that triggers mild flu to suddenly become severe and potentially deadly,” says Associate Professor Tang.

The Nepean Hospital team reached out to doctors and scientists around

Australia, Germany, Canada, the Czech Republic and the USA to build a cross-disciplinary collaboration of physicians, geneticists and scientists.

From 2009 to 2016, the researchers collected blood and airway samples from 720 patients across 20 hospitals in Australia, Canada and Germany to help map out the activity of hundreds of immune pathways in each patient.

To help zero in on the triggers for the infection turning from mild to severe, the study authors also accounted for the patient’s age, pre-existing health conditions, the strain of influenza and duration of symptoms.

“In the clinical setting, measuring neutrophil-related abnormal changes may improve our ability to identify which patients are at risk of progressing from mild to severe influenza,” says Associate Professor Tang.

“The discovery also identifies a new pathway for potential treatments to be developed to tame the immune system, reduce the collateral damage caused by the body’s defences against the flu virus and save lives.”

Associate Professor Tang also leads a team at Nepean Hospital who have patented a world-leading blood test which can identify which patients are at risk of developing life-threatening complications while infected with influenza.

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

When good cells turn bad: How the flu can turn deadly

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Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

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local news

Nepean Rotary Donates $5,000 to the Panthers on the Prowl “Footy Doubles!!”

Anyone who has ever attended a game at Panthers Stadium is sure to have heard this familiar catchcry from the team at the Nepean Rotary Club. Their familiar faces are found at all the home games – enticing the fans to try their luck in picking the winning ticket for the first try scorers for either side.

As a thankyou to Panthers for allowing them to fundraise at the home games, the Nepean Rotary Club handed a $5,000 cheque to Brad Waugh, General Manager of Panthers on the Prowl to help with their suite of programs aimed at improving the young lives in the Penrith Community.

Brad attended their morning meeting and provided a comprehensive presentation of the Programs that the “Prowl” offers students from Year 3 to young adults. The meeting was very well received by those in attendance.

The Nepean Rotary Club has donated over $40,000 in the past financial year to many organisations both in the local community, and overseas.

Over $10,000 was given to the Drought Relief Program (Buy a Bale).

If you would like to find more about Rotary and maybe even join… please contact Aaron Tyers on 0418 226 679. The club meets on Monday mornings, 7am to 8.30am at the Penrith RSL Club and is always looking for like-minded volunteers to join their ranks. It’s a great way to start the week!!

New Police Station opens at Mount Druitt

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he NSW Liberals & Nationals Government officially opened a new $24.9 million police station in Mount Druitt last week to support police officers in western Sydney.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott said the substantial investment will boost crime fighting abilities in the area.

“The NSW Government continues to deliver on its commitment to invest in policing infrastructure to enhance the vital work of our men and women in blue. The facility provides the extra space and resources needed to support the growing number of police allocated to the region,” Mr Elliott said.

Construction of the Mount Druitt Police Station began in April 2018 with the station fully operational from June 2019. The two-storey facility is more than 3,800m2 and can accommodate more than 200 operational police and administrative staff.

Commissioner Fuller said the station will operate 24 hours, seven days a week.

“This is a major investment into the crime fighting capabilities in Sydney’s west. It gives the police in this command the support they need to drive down crime and keep the community safe,” he said.

Superintendent Trent King, who commenced duties as Commander of Mount Druitt Police Area Command on 28 July 2019, said the new facility provides police with the state of the art resources they deserve.

“This police station has been fitted with the most up to date technology, custody facilities and forensic examination bays. The charging facility includes six docks, three large holding cells, as well as amenities

for detainees,” Superintendent King said.

The NSW Government recently announced 450 additional police positions across the State as part of the first allocation to the Government’s commitment to bolster our frontline policing capacity by 1500

extra officers over four years.

Mount Druitt Police Area Command received seven additional permanent positions in this allocation, including an officer for the Child Protection Register.

Community groups invited to apply for nsw government Infrastructure Grants

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ommunity organisations are invited to apply for funding to support local projects under the NSW Government’s Infrastructure Grants program, Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said.

Tanya Davies said $12.5 million is available in the 2019/20 program for new or upgraded facilities across sport and recreation, arts and culture, disaster readiness and community infrastructure.

“For the first time, grants are available for projects that support youth, mental health, homelessness and domestic violence services as well as droughtaffected communities,” Tanya Davies said.

“I encourage local organisations to consider applying for a project that will help make a real difference to the local community.”

“The 2019/20 program and has been expanded to support projects that build community connections and the application process has been streamlined to make it easier and quicker.”

Tanya Davies said that since 2013, the NSW Government has funded over 320 community projects worth $78 million under the Infrastructure Grants program.

The grants are made possible by the Clubgrants Category 3 Fund which re-invests profits from

gaming machines into community projects. Funding is available for infrastructure projects in three key areas: • Arts & Culture • Disaster Readiness & Community Infrastructure • Sport & Recreation Applications for the first round of funding for 2019/20 are now open until Monday 26 August.

If community organisations are unsure whether their projects are eligible for a grant, they can contact 9995 0992. To find out more information or to apply, please visit responsiblegambling.nsw. gov.au

local news

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ork on The Northern Road and Bringelly Road upgrades at Bringelly are driving towards the finish line, with traffic to be moved onto a new section of road from tomorrow night. Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said work on the upgrades, funded through the $4.1 billion Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan, was progressing well and would provide easier, faster and safer travel for motorists travelling through Western Sydney.

“Motorists are currently experiencing significant changes along a 35-kilometre section of The Northern Road and a 10-kilometre section of Bringelly Road so it is great to see the upgrades are moving towards completion,” Mr Tudge said.

“These upgrades include the construction of The Northern Road and the Bringelly Road interchange at Bringelly.

“Once this interchange is complete, motorists on The Northern Road will be able to travel underneath the Bringelly Road, busting congestion for the

thousands of motorists using these roads each day.”

New South Wales Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said motorists would be moved onto a new 3.6-kilometre section of Bringelly Road between The Northern Road and Allenby Road.

“As part of this work, traffic will switch onto new eastbound lanes that will form part of the new The Northern Road and Bringelly Road interchange,” Mr Constance said.

Federal Member for Lindsay Melissa McIntosh said both The Northern Road and Bringelly Road were vital arterial links in Western Sydney – one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.

“Currently, more than 15,000 vehicles travel along The Northern Road and around 10,000 vehicles travel along Bringelly Road each day,” Mrs McIntosh said.

“When it opens in 2020, we expect more than 30,000 vehicles will travel along The Northern Road and Bringelly Road interchange each day.”

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

Motorists get moving on new Bringelly interchange

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Final stage of the Northern Road upgrade ramps up

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hovels are in the ground for the sixth and final stage of The Northern Road Upgrade at Luddenham, Eaton Road and Littlefields

Road.

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the new and improved road would support integrated transport in the region and improve access, safety and travel times for road freight in Sydney’s west and southwest.

“The Australian Government has committed $1.2 billion towards The Northern Road Upgrade and we are getting on with the job of delivering new and improved transport for the residents and motorists of Western Sydney,” Mr Tudge said.

New South Wales Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said the works at Luddenham were Stage 6 of the broader upgrade of The Northern Road.

“Once complete, the entire 35-kilometre upgrade of The Northern Road between Narellan and South Penrith will provide a high-quality connection with the M7 and M12 motorways and support Western Sydney’s growing population,” Mr Constance said.

Federal Member for Hume Angus Taylor said all the upgrades were part of the Australian and NSW governments’ $3.6 billion Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan to improve safety, reduce travel times and bust congestion.

“This is just another piece of the massive Western

Sydney Infrastructure Plan, which will support future growth and benefit local communities in southwest Sydney for years to come,” Mr Taylor said.

Federal Member for Lindsay Melissa McIntosh said once Stage 6 was complete, motorists would be able to travel on a four-lane divided road, improving their journeys to and from the new Western Sydney International (Nancy-Bird Walton) Airport at Badgerys Creek.

“More than 15,000 vehicles use these sections of The Northern Road each day and this number is expected to significantly increase once the new

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airport opens in 2026, so it is important to get on with the job now,” Mrs McIntosh said.

Work will also be carried out to install new traffic lights and build a shared path for pedestrians and cyclists.

The 35-kilometre upgrade of The Northern Road between The Old Northern Road and Jamison Road is expected to be completed in 2022, weather permitting.

The Australian Government has committed $1.2 billion towards the $1.6 billion The Northern Road Upgrade project, with the NSW Government committing the remainder.

DESIGN PLANNING ADDITIONS EXTENSIONS RENOVATIONS BATHROOMS KITCHENS GRANNY FLATS MAINTENANCE

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

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local news Western Sydney University launches latest solar car: UNLIMITED 3.0

By CONNER LOWE

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e st e rn S y d n e y University’s Solar Car Team with support from the School of Computing, Engineering and Mathematics has unveiled ‘Unlimited 3.0’ the most technologically advanced car the student-led team has produced to-date.

The car will compete in the 2019 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge, a race across 3,000km of rugged outback terrain from Darwin to Adelaide in October. In 2018, the team was the first non-American team to win the American Solar Challenge, a race of 2,837km from Nebraska to Oregon.

Max Mammone, Team Manager and engineering student said the team is incredibly proud of the car they have built almost entirely on campus from its custom carbon fibre shell through to its bespoke battery pack.

“Together, the team put in over 30,000 gruelling hours to design, build and perfect the new car in time for this year’s challenge. By bringing the production in-house we have been able to push the boundaries of sustainable design even further,” said Max. “Unlimited 3.0 is aerodynamically optimised with highly efficient solar cells that will power the entire 3,000km journey using the same amount of energy as a household kettle.”

Professor Barney Glover AO, Western Sydney University

Vice-Chancellor and President congratulated the team of students on the launch of the car and their tireless dedication to solar power innovation.

“The unveiling of Unlimited 3.0 is a testament to the ingenuity and dedication of the Solar Car Team and reflects Western Sydney University’s commitment to providing real-world learning opportunities in STEM,” said Professor Glover.

The World Solar Challenge is a bi-annual international race, and this year marks the fourth time the Western Sydney University team will compete in the Challenger Class. This is the most competitive class requiring teams to produce a high-quality single-seat car built for sustained endurance and energy efficiency.

Chris Selwood AM, Bridgestone World Solar Challenge Event Director said it was exciting to see how far the team has come since its

inaugural bid in 2013.

“From very humble beginnings, this team has gone from Australian underdog to genuine contender and is one of the spearheads of this year’s Australian charge,” said Mr Selwood.

“Western Sydney University’s considerable investment in homegrown Australian green-tech innovation and young talent is to be commended.”

Western Sydney University’s Solar Car Team is made up of 22 students from the fields of Engineering, Industrial Design, Computer Science and Visual Communications.

The students manage every aspect of the production and design of the vehicle, as well as sponsorship, marketing and the administrative elements of their involvement in the Challenge.

These are a few of my favourite things Our local Chief Executive Officers Gai Hawthorn CEO, Penrith CBD Corporation 1. Favourite food? Italian!

2. Favourite childhood tv show? lol The brady bunch 3. Favourite animal? FROG 4. Favourite country other than Australia?

US 5. Favourite band or singer? ABBA of course!

6. Favourite game? lol watching NRL 7. Favourite holiday destination? Hawaii 8. Favourite sport or hobby? Golf and Gardening 9. Favourite movie? Mamma Mia 10. Favourite famous person?

Oprah for her giving nature

Simon Gould CEO, Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce 1. Favourie food? Burgers! The mushroom burger at High St Social is AWESOME! 2. Favourite childhood tv show? Tom and Jerry (How old does that make me???)

3. Favourite animal? Donkeys. They’re the friendliest animals and so massively exploited.

4. Favourite country other than Australia? USA 5. Favourite band or singer? Queen.

6. Favourite game? Wordscapes (look it up. It’s addictive) 7. Favourite holiday destination? New York 8. Favourte sport or hobby? Photography.

9. Favourite movie? Secret Life of Walter Mitty.

10. Favourite famous person? Jay Shetty. So much clarity and wisdom.

Sue Fryer, CEO, St Marys Town Centre Management 1. Favourie food? Middle Eastern 2. Favourite childhood tv show? Gilligan’s Island 3. Favourite animal? Horse 4. Favourite country other than Australia?

Hungary 5. Favourite band or singer? Crowed House 6. Favourite game? Netball 7. Favourite holiday destination? Tuscany in Italy 8. Favourte sport or hobby? Kyaking/Boating 9. Favourite movie? Coming to America with Eddie Murphy 10. Favourite famous person?

Olivia Newton-John

local news

By KeRRIE DAVIES

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e e d i n g hundreds of homeless people 51 weeks of the year, the Penrith Community Kitchen just barely get by from the kind donations from the public and businesses locally.

So when an opportunity arose to apply for a Suez community grant, the Penrith Community Kitchen Committee submitted their application and were over the moon to be approved for a funding grant of just over $7000.

Cathy Craig from the Kitchen said the funds have not only helped replenish the kitchen supplies, renovate the kitchen and add a sustainable garden for the future to feed the homeless and less fortunate, but also brought together the community and local businesses working together for a great outcome.

“This is the first time in 20 years of the kitchen we have been able to afford change; words can’t express the gratitude the changes have made to the tired rundown kitchen!” Cathy said.

“The project brought together volunteers, local businesses and

schools working together to help improve the kitchen,” Cathy said.

“Building new sustainable garden beds for vegetables, adding herb vertical walls and a compost bin for their waste the kitchen is working towards a more waste free sustainable future, while building awareness and relationships thanks to SUEZ. “The kitchen meal room with

its fresh look has an appealing welcoming feel for all the homeless and less fortunate to enjoy a home cooked meal in the warmth or cool.

The Penrith Community Kitchen feeds approximately 500-800 people a week 51 weeks of the year, so all of their clients will benefit from these changes.

Nice donation, Suez!

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

Grant from Suez transforms Penrith Community Kitchen

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Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

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local news Special delivery to Mulgoa Road upgrade A delicate nighttime operation has been carried out at Penrith to deliver 180 tonne concrete beams Minister for Transport and Roads Andrew Constance said it was part of the $105 million Mulgoa Road upgrade.

“These beams are more than 35 metres long and two metres wide so precision driving is required.

“The beams needed to be fabricated off-site by a Newcastle business. Given the size NSW Police and Transport for NSW assisted crews with the first delivery during the long trip from Redhead to Penrith,” Mr Constance said.

Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said the beams will be used in a new rail bridge as part of the upgrade.

“The existing rail underpass will be widened to provide three lanes in each direction on Castlereagh Road, helping to ease congestion for Western Sydney drivers.”

A 350 tonne crane was on site on last Saturday night to lift the beam and place it in the temporary storage area on site.

Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies said the upgrade would support the growing traffic demands in Western Sydney now and into the future.

“The Mulgoa Road upgrade will provide better road connections to the Penrith city centre, as well as ease congestion at key intersections.”

The NSW and Federal Governments are jointly funding the Mulgoa Road upgrade which is expected to open to traffic in late 2020.

Sydney’s Lockout laws: are they working?

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he Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research (BOSCAR) has updated their evaluation of the Lockout laws on assaults in Sydney for an extended follow up period.

“Over the five years following the Lockout reforms we find non-domestic assaults decreased 53% in the Kings Cross precinct and decreased 4% in the CBD Entertainment precinct,” the Bureau said in a statement.

However, over the same period assaults increased in various displacement sites. Nondomestic assaults rose 18% in a ring of suburbs neighbouring the Lockout zone. Among a group of four alternative nightspots accessible from the city (Newtown, Double Bay, Bondi Beach

and Coogee) non-domestic assaults increased by 30%.

Despite this, BOCSAR estimates the reforms delivered an overall reduction in non-domestic assaults over 5 years, with an estimated net benefit of 395 fewer non-domestic assault incidents (1350 fewer assaults in the Lockout precincts versus 955 additional assaults in the displacement sites).

Commenting on the findings, acting executive director of BOCSAR, Jackie Fitzgerald said that while the Lockout reforms have reduced assaults, their benefit is diminishing over time. “The effect of the reforms in Kings Cross is still strong.

However the positive impact in the CBD has fallen over the longer term.”

Award-winning architect joins Western Sydney University architecture program

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steemed former NSW Government Architect, Peter Poulet has been appointed as Professor of Practice Architecture for Western Sydney University’s School of Built Environment – a key position within the region’s newest and most innovative architecture program.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Barney Glover AO highlighted Professor Poulet’s outstanding contribution to both architecture and the built environment, most recently as District Commissioner at the Greater Sydney Commission.

“For more than 30 years, Professor Poulet’s work has demonstrated the very best that architecture has to offer the community. We welcome such a high quality appointee to our new architecture program, which will benefit the students of Western Sydney University, who can go on to serve our rapidly developing region.”

As a champion of collaborative practice, Professor Poulet will also be involved in the University’s inaugural Master of Architecture, Urban Transformation Program, bringing his signature design-led approach to the course. This approach has been honed during his time in government, industry and academia.

“The opportunity to help shape and adapt one of Australia’s most exciting architecture programs in Australia’s fastest growing city does not happen often, and I am very pleased to join Western Sydney University at this exciting time in its history,” said Professor Peter Poulet.

Launched this year, Western Sydney University’s Architecture program centres on urban transformation of contemporary cities, preparing architects for global employment alongside technological and intellectual skills to create sustainable, resilient, and well-designed environments.

“With Professor Poulet’s appointment, Western Sydney University will undoubtedly produce award-winning architects capable of responding to 21st century challenges and opportunities that we confront in contemporary cities,” said Professor Kerry London, Interim Dean School of Built Environment.

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Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

Toby shows his ability during NRL inclusion round

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Toby during NRL Inclusion Rounds with the Wests Tigers mascot and some of the legends of the game.

oby is a passionate football fan and barracks for his favourite team, the Wests Tigers. During last week’s NRL Inclusion Round match between Wests Tigers and the Cowboys, Toby, who lives with a mild intellectual disability in an Afford home in Penrith, had the chance to do more than just sit on the sidelines. He was part of the action.

Toby lives in supported accommodation managed by Afford (the Australian Foundation for Disability) in Penrith.

He loves footy and plays a modified game of football every Sunday as part of Try Time, which caters for players with special needs and intellectual disability.

When Toby (42) was asked to be part of the Wests Tigers’ Guard of Honour for the NRL’s Inclusion Round, he was excited. When he was asked to help out in the corporate hospitality suites and match day engagements, he was so thrilled, he left the whole day free to prepare.

Toby’s involvement in the match is part of Afford’s partnership with Wests Tigers to promote inclusivity for people of all abilities.

Afford is a not-for-profit disability service organisation that provides whole-of-life supports to people living with disability across Australia.

The Inclusion Round is held to ensure that people of all abilities and backgrounds feel welcome, included and empowered by the game of rugby league.

As part of the inclusion round, 20 Afford participants went onto the field during warm up and then went on to create a guard of honour for the teams running onto the field.

Afford is one of Australia’s longest serving not-for-profit disability organisations and continuously goes beyond traditional service offerings to deliver new life experiences, work opportunities and lifelong friendships.

For more information about Afford, visit www.afford.com.au or call 1300 233 673.

We currently have a number of roles available, to join our Penrith-based business, with a range of government, commercial, construction & domestic clients throughout the Sydney Metropolitan area & beyond

PLUMBER - PROJECTS / CONSTRUCTION We are seeking a versatile Projects Plumber who enjoys being on the tools, has some experience and seeks to undertake site works on a range of projects. You will work under the direction of our Projects Manager, and Site Supervisor performing a range of site works along with other team members. You will be meticulous with quality, have experience in working both in a team & independently & have strong Work Health & Safety & Environmental Management values. Whilst our company is based in Penrith, work will be throughout the local & Sydney metro area with a focus on Western Sydney. You will have: • Current Plumbing Qualification & Whitecard • Experience in working on projects, particularly commercial and government sites • Current driver’s licence & be flexible to travel the Sydney metro area as required (our office is based in Penrith so you will most likely live within the western Sydney area.

LEADING HAND - SPECIALISED MINOR CIVIL WORKS Are you experienced in carrying out minor specialised Civil works across a range of projects?

Have an ability to deal with Clients on site, providing a high standard of customer service?

Must be able to interpret plans, obtain and apply levels, carry out minor landscaping, formwork and concreting. Must have a clear understanding of and commitment to safe work and compliance and be able to lead the team on site to produce a high standard of workmanship and service to meet clients’ needs.

Will be available to complete out of hours shifts and living away if required. Confident operation of Excavator & Skid Steer machine would be an advantage. Civhix is a division of Hix Group which is a Penrith-based business with work throughout Sydney and a range of locations beyond. We employ a team of skilled tradespeople in electrical, plumbing,fire services and Civil works and offer great conditions and opportunities.

We have 2 positions available for Licensed Electricians: 1. Licensed Electrician - Experienced in electrical maintenance installs & repairs We are seeking an experienced electrician to carry out maintenance, repairs & installations & complete a range of small projects including Domestic & Commercial installations.

You must be meticulous with your work & job records, be able to fault find & carry out a range of maintenance duties, potentially have experience with stoves, hot water & general repairs and have a clear understanding of and commitment to Work Health & Safety.

You may also have carried out small projects and installations in Solar.

(Clean Energy Council Design & Install Accreditation, an advantage but can provide training).

2. Licensed Electrician Small Projects, Repairs & Installation – Commercial Maintenance, Field Lighting, Switchboards, Specialised electrical services Will be willing to learn and to complete a range of small projects including field and specialised lighting, switchboard works, thermoscanning and testing along with some maintenance as required. You will be meticulous with your work and job records and have a clear understanding of and commitment to work health and safety and you may even have qualifications in ASP Level 2 (but this is not essential).

Attractive wages, vehicle, uniforms & Smartphone provided along with a Penrith-based family business which values Safety and Compliance and the importance of its team members.

For Enquiries please contact our office on 4721 7500 or SEND YOUR RESUME TO HR@HIX.COM.AU NOW

local news

Foreign bodies in pets

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

14

L

ike toddlers, pets have a tendency to chew anything they can get into their mouths. This becomes a serious and potentially life-threatening problem if the objects are swallowed. We have seen various ‘foreign bodies’ ingested by pets which include toys, clothing, mango seeds, rocks and socks!

Recently, Rex the Staffordshire cross was presented to the clinic, generally not feeling well. He was not eating and soon began vomiting.

An x-ray revealed a foreign body in his intestine, causing a partial obstruction. After being stabilized

with IV fluids/electrolytes, pain relief and antibiotics, Rex underwent exploratory surgery. Veterinarians removed a corn cob from his inflamed and traumatised intestinal tract.

The digestive tract is essentially a long tube, passing food from the mouth, down the oesophagus, into the stomach, through the lengthy small intestine, then forming stool in the colon and out the rectum. It generally takes the foreign body from 10-24 hours to move through the

entire digestive tract. Some objects, however, can actually remain in the stomach for longer periods of time, even months.

When objects are too large to pass, they usually obstruct at the stomach outflow or within the small intestine itself. With linear foreign bodies, the continual movement of the intestinal tract can literally bunch the intestines into an accordion-like mass.

If the foreign body has managed to move to the colon, it will probably

successfully pass. But, defecating a sharp object may prove painful and may even need veterinary assistance.

Rex remained in intensive care on i/v fluids until he was able to digest a special diet If you suspect that your pet has swallowed a foreign body, call Greencross Ve immediately. The sooner your pet receives medical attention, the better his or her chances of full recovery with fewer complications.

Greencross Vets | Phone 47 313 055 Units 2 & 3/117 Coreen Ave, Penrith NSW 2750

Can you help reunite these pets with their families?

When a pet goes missing it is a particularly distressing time for any owner. And by the look on the faces of some of these local pets who’ve been found, it can be pretty distressing for the pet as well.

Have you seen any of our missing pets?

Do you recognise any of the pets who have been found?

There’s a facebook page called Penrith Area Lost and Found Animals and they are exceptionally good at reuniting lost pets with their owners. If you have any information regarding any of our featured pets, please head to the page and scroll for the owner’s information. Alternatively, if you don’t use facebook feel free to call us on 9834 5579 and we will hook you up!

FOUND Cranebrook

MISSING

Jinxxy from Glenmore Park

FOUND Jamisontown

MISSING

Sasha from Londonderry

FOUND Jordan Springs

MISSING

Kos Kesh from Mount Druitt

local news

P

enrith Anglican College officially opened their new state-of-the-art Performing Arts Centre on Friday evening. The centre was dedicated to the Glory and God and honours Foundation Headmaster (1998-2014) Mr Barry Roots and Mr Geoff Voller, Deputy Headmaster (1999 -2015) for their significant contribution to the College.

The new facility looks to the future enabling students to grow and strive for personal excellence in music, dance and drama.

Encompassing the existing Lighthouse Theatre, the centre features a new 190-seat tiered lecture theatre and recital room, with extensive classroom and rehearsal rooms between the two performance spaces.

The Centre features purpose-built music classrooms, two fully equipped drama studios and a fully sprung dance studio. There are 10 peripatetic rehearsal rooms, with one fully equipped as a recording studio.

The facility also features a large hospitality area with views across to the Blue Mountains.

The new Performing Arts Centre will continue to open new opportunities to all students for study across the performing arts plus some new VET subjects.

Along with Performing Arts, the College has a comprehensive Primary, Secondary and HSC program which helps to nurture and discover each student’s interests and strengths.

The wide range of courses and opportunities available enable the College to help shape individual pathways for students to achieve personal excellence.

On Wednesday 28 August, the College will be hosting an Open Day from 2pm where parents can see classrooms in action, tour the College including the new Performing Arts Centre and speak to teachers and students about life at the College.

For more information and to register for the Open Day, visit their website at www.penrith.nsw.edu.au

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

New Performing Arts Centre opens opportunities

15

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

16

local news

Vintage cars ready to roll at St Marys Spring Festival

By CONNER LOWE

A

blast from the past will be

on show at the St Mary’s Spring Festival this year with a 1928 and 1929 Model A Pheaton rolling with the parade.

The vehicles are owned by Col Bootle and Bernie Learson. The cars are original Model A Pheatons with their bodies unrestored but still running perfectly almost a century on from their release.

These two vehicles will be part of a number of different vehicles from the Model A Ford Club of NSW on display at the St Marys Spring Festival and they will be participating in the parade down Queen Street with passengers from the St Marys Historical Society dressed in period costume.

Robert Brown, President of Model A Ford Club of NSW spoke about how many years they have been at the festival and where the cars will be displayed throughout the day.

“This will be our third year being involved with the St Marys Spring Festival,” he said.

“The vehicles will be displayed in the car park opposite Coachman’s

Col Bootle, Lyn Forde, Alex Karavas, Sue Fryer, Bernie Learson. Photo: Noel Rowsell.

Park. Members of the public are welcome to go and see the vintage cars and have their photo taken standing beside the cars.”

The St Marys Spring Festival is a community event that showcases the CBD and local businesses and performers. Mark the date in your

diary and prepare to be part of the fun and excitement.

The St Marys Spring Festival is the major annual community event held in the CBD of St Marys, and attracts a crowd of approximately 20,000 30,000 people each year.

The Festival will be on the 7th

The G Spot

Today we are going to talk about one of my favourite subjects - The Bonehead.

Now the Bonehead can come in many shapes, sizes and sexes. I have met and endured many a bonehead in my life; however today’s bonehead story is going to be about the drunken bonehead.

As you can all appreciate, being in security for 25 years and of course working in many pubs, clubs and at functions, I have experienced many a drunken bonehead that insists that the planet was developed around them and the rest of us poor humans just have to accept that.

I have also been very blessed to have worked at many a race day, where the fillies in the stables had more decorum than some of the fillies drinking in the bar area. If you think that males are the only people talented enough to attend to toilet practices

vertically , think again kids, I’ve seen it all baby!

So, let me give you a run down on the various types of drunken boneheads that I have experienced.

The Not-so-Intelligent bonehead - This is a person convinced that being a total tool is perfectly okay. I had one so intelligent (cough cough) that he attempted to hit me with a pool cue -however the tip of it stuck in the roof cavity and then pulled the entire roof, tile and lighting down on himself in the process. It is amazing how quickly you can clear a room when there are sparks, flames and dust flying everywhere.

The Aggressive Bonehead - This is a person who thinks sculling 35 drinks in 10.5 seconds is cool (yippee) and starts to pump up like the hulk on a bad hair day, and take it out on every person and inanimate object in the universe. I had a guy crash tackle a poker machine bay one night - I was going to high-five

September from 9am-3pm and is free for families to attend and attracts people from all over the region. The grand parade will be held at 12:30pm.

If you want to see these vintage cars on display make sure to get down to the St Marys Spring Festival for a great day out and relive some history.

With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security

him for the effort but couldn’t find him under all the bar stools, ashtrays and the other patrons that had just about a gut full of him as well.

The Teary Bonehead - This one thinks that security really need to hear how their life is sooooo bad (over and over again 15 times) they have a three legged dog with fleas, a gold fish that hates them and the 1973 Datsun 120 Y that won’t run unless its clutch started.

The Jive Dancing Drunken Bonehead - This is a person who considers a dance floor that is 15 by 17 metres not big enough and takes out 75 patrons with their dance moves in the process - then wonders why the DJ won’t play gangnam style. I don’t mind the John Travolta moves in the tight lycra pants, but it’s the windmill and hip thrusting dancing that scares me.

The durry bonehead - This is a person that places five burning cigarettes in their mouths (backwards)

at the same time and wonder how we detected that they were drunk ( Opps sorry - intoxicated) Dunno just lucky I guess …sigh The cuddly bonehead - I love these, the ones that hold onto that toilet bowl like it’s gonna spit out a million dollars in the next 10 minutes, and you have to call in the jaws of life to cut them free. Then they cry because you’re pulling them away from their best friend, a dunny bowl?

The “I love you” Bonehead These are people that drink sooo much that the love just oozes out of them (it’s really beautiful..sigh) I wuv u and I wuv efferywon.

So there you have it - the drunken bonehead experiences, and apparently all you have to do is add a large amount of alcohol consumed in a short amount of time with attitude - and membership to the drunken bonehead club is free.

(Tick).

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local news

By KeRRIE DAVIES

W

hile many of us while away the hours at work dreaming about what we will do in retirement, one local man could have retired over a decade ago yet he’s still working and loving every minute of his job!

The man I speak of is Dr Muthukrishnan, who turns 80 years young this week and shows no signs whatsoever of slowing down.

I visited the good Doctor at his medical centre at Kingswood last week to interview him for this story.

I could have sworn I was looking at someone just over half that age. He is fit, youthful and mentally as sharp as a whip; but what’s more you can almost see the passion he has for his work flowing through his veins.

Dr Ramasamy Muthukrishnan was born on August 15, 1939 in Chennai {Madras} India.

The now octogenarian left his home town as a young lad in 1973 and headed for Australia.

“I first developed an interest in coming to Australia after meeting Professor Fred Hollows,” he said.

“I was specialising in ophthalmology, which deals with

THEN the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders, and Fred Hollows said come on over, we’ll get you job.”

After establishing his medical centre in Kingswood later that year, Dr Muthukrishnan soon realised why Prof Hollows was so keen for him to be practicing in Australia.

“I was seeing up to 90 patients in a day. I was the only GP in this entire Kingswood region,” Dr Muthukrishnan laughed.

Dr Muthukrishnan is not just a GP and hypnotherapist, however, he is also an author, with a firm interest in the human consciousness and the role individuals play in conditioning

Kingswood Medical Centre ✓ lose weight ✓ stop drinking ✓ stop gambling ✓ give up marijuana ✓ give up cocaine ✓ give up ice ✓ give up stress, depression, panic and anxiety ✓ regain health and wellbeing ✓ resume sexual health ✓ fix your marriage ✓ enjoy your relationship ✓ work better ✓ study well

NOW their own sub-conscious. He is one of the few GP’s in Australia practicing hypnosis therapy, with patients being referred to him from interstate to undergo his treatment.

The receptionist at his practice, Reshma has been there for 17 years.

“He is an amazing person as well as an awesome doctor,” Reshma said.

“His hypnotherapy has been great for me personally. It is very relaxing and calming. He has been a great person of guidance in my life.”

His therapy treats many, many conditions including obesity, insomnia, smoking, alcoholism,

drug dependence, anxiety, stuttering, gambling, phobias and bed wetting.

The doctor spoke to me about some of the conditions he treats which are driven by addiction.

“Addiction is programming.

Properly done, scientific hypnosis can change this,” he said.

Dr Muthukrishnan says that regrettably the act of hypnosis has earned a sketchy reputation from being practiced as a gag of sorts for entertainment.

“People think of magicians and party games with hypnosis,” he said.

“They think of the guy on stage walking like a chook.

“It doesn’t help that a lot of hypnotherapists don’t practice scientifically,” he continued. “Ideally, hypnosis belongs to the GP.” Dr Muthukrishnan champions his method, the proof of which he says is in the hundreds of fulfilled patients and national recognition.

Patients suffering with cancer have access to his hypnotherapy free of charge.

“I provide this free of charge because the only payment I would want to receive from someone in such pain is the possibility of changing their life,” the doctor said.

“That’s my calling.”

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

Much-loved doctor turns 80 years young

17

Dr Muthukrishnan’s

Kingswood Medical Centre 40 years of uncompromising excellence in family practice

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VIETNAM VETERANS DAY Statistics: Total Australian service casualties in the Vietnam War, 1962–72

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

18

Service

Died

Wounded/injured/ill

Total

Army

478

3,025

3,505

RAN

8

48

56

RAAF

14

56

70

TOTAL

500

3,129

3,629

Note: The total of 500 deaths comprises 426 battle casualties and 74 non-battle casualties.

Australian Army casualties in the Vietnam War, 1962-1972 Battle casualties Australian National Regular servicemen Army

Citizen’s Military Forces

Total

Killed in action

172

143

1

316

Killed accidentally

15

10

0

25

Died of wounds

40

28

0

68

Died of injury/illness 0

3

0

3

Missing presumed dead

0

1

0

1

Drowned

1

0

0

1

Wounded in action

1,140

880

6

2,026

Wounded accidentally

92

87

1

180

Injured/ill in battle

79

63

0

142

SOURCE: AUSTRALIAN WAR MUSEUM

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VIETNAM VETERANS DAY

By Tomas Hamilton

I recall the day I met him, when I went to read my poem About the Anzac spirit, at the district veterans home He was sitting in the corner, medals on his chest But from his haunting memories. He would never rest

He beckoned me to join him and I sat beside his chair In tones he spoke so softly, his eyes a vacant stare He said “I’m grateful for your visit and the way you make words rhyme Having listened to your story, it’s time to tell you mine I was barely nineteen years of age, when I donned my jungle greens I never had a second thought, it was all part of my genes Pop served on the Western Front, Dad Kokoda Track I had no inhibitions, ‘cause they all made it back I found myself at Nui Dat, boarding choppers at first light If I practiced all I’d learned, I thought that I’d be right But all the courses I had done, didn’t seem to count Trudging through the paddy fields and the casualties began to mount After twelve months they sent me home and I saw how life had changed

As if everything I valued, had all been rearranged Friends had turned against me, for going to that war So I embarked on the Vung Tau Ferry and went off for a second tour Tet should have seen a ceasefire, but that was just a con In villages and cities the firefights still dragged on We were from many units, fulfilling our own role We wore different coloured lanyards, but we only had one goal The enemy fell upon us and all that I can say These were no peasant farmers, the were regular NVA They nearly over ran us, at Coral and Balmoral And when we finally drove them off, there was no victors’ laurel

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

A Veteran’s Tears

19

I came home in the dead of night and they sent me on my way I wished I had of joined my mates, laying buried in the clay I drifted as a homeless drunk, no one shed a tear Until the Salvos dried me out and I found myself in here” A nurse observed this tortured soul as he began to cry And said “I think that he has had enough, it is time to say goodbye So thank you for your visit and for listening to what he said” And she wheeled him quietly sobbing, to the sanctuary of his bed

St Marys Outpost & St Marys RSL Sub-Branch

VIETNAM VETERANS DAY All in the local community are warmly invited to join with members of the St Marys Outpost and St Marys RSL Sub-Branch in a service to commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day.

Sunday 18th August, 5pm St Marys RSL Auditorium Special Guest Speaker ~ Retired Major General Jim Molan ALL WELCOME

Legends of the Nepean Mel Spurrier & Kris Gauci feed the homeless, delivered food hampers to struggling young people trying to make it on their own at Christmas, delivered food bags to the needy, delivered large hampers to a few local needy families over Christmas and delivered small personal hygiene packs to both the needy and some local schools.

By Noel Rowsell

O

ur Community Cares Inc. (OCC) is a charity working constantly and tirelessly in the local community and their impact is highlighted by an amazing number of achievements in the past 18 months.

OCC was established by Kris Gauci and Mel Spurrier in 2013, after the two had previously worked for many years with Relay for Life – the last 3 years as co-Chairs of the Penrith branch.

Wanting to ‘do more’ for the elderly, homeless and disadvantaged in the local District, Kris and Mel elected to take on a direct responsibility and

Whilst both ladies are understandably proud of their past achievements, OCC is working tirelessly for future projects, including setting up the CONNECT program, which connects local high school students and aged people in local aged care facilities, with the help of the local high schools.

OCC came into being.

As detailed previously in the Nepean News, OCC recently purchased 11 chemotherapy chairs to improve patient comfort at the Nepean Cancer Care Centre, with the help of businesses and other charities.

In addition, the charity has purchased 2 stem cell chairs to improve patient comfort in the Cancer Ward at Nepean Hospital, negotiating 8 Low-Line beds for the Aged at Nepean Hospital (so the elderly patients do not harm themselves if they have a fall from bed) and purchased and delivered individually around 600 Christmas gifts to the Aged and an extra 80 larger gifts to the lonely at the same Aged Care facilities.

OCC has also purchased food to

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A trial has already started and grant submitted to obtain a bus to transport students to facilities and also transport aged to the schools for special functions.

Kris said “There are so many lonely aged people and the joy in their face when they see a young person coming to visit is priceless.”

Kris and Mel are also setting up the TOOLBOX program, designed to find the really needy through local community centres that need small jobs done.

Kris said “This comes into effect where people may be ill for a few months after chemotherapy, an operation, or simply old age and need assistance to cut their lawn, fix a power-point, fix a fence paling or even replace wood panels on their verandah to make it safe.”

“We have volunteers on our files already willing to help and donate a few hours per week, including a few ‘tradies’ to help out with labour, etc.”

Kris and Mel also set up LUNCHBOX to help with lunches for those without and also provide

personal hygiene items for school students.

“Nothing fancy but just enough to give them the necessities,” said Kris.

“We primarily raise money for OCC by: • Helping to host Christmas Carols at the Leonay Golf course annually • Wrapping thousands of presents in the two weeks prior to Christmas at the St Marys Village Centre for a gold coin donation Wrapping presents 3 days before Mothers day and Fathers day - at the same venue • Hosting a High Tea annually for around 180 guests at St Marys Memorial Hall.

• A large raffle during the year • Return and earn containers (almost enough to pay the $30 per week for OCC’s office/storage area!)

• Catering men’s dinners and breakfasts for a local church group.

• Hosting an afternoon tea/games afternoon We are currently being considered for a community grant, which will allow us to purchase a 25-seater bus for the CONNECT program.

“So that’s it in a nutshell - everything we do is done by volunteers and nobody gets a wage or payment,” said Kris.

“Also, we seem to be working a lot with the Nepean Hospital and Nepean Cancer Care Centre, as there are so many people struggling through treatments in appalling conditions at home, with no or little help.”

Both Kris and Mel have experienced Cancer themselves or within their family group.

Mel is a survivor of Rhabdomyosarcoma (or RMS), which is an aggressive and highly malignant form of cancer that develops from skeletal (striated) muscle cells that have failed to fully differentiate.

RMS is generally considered to be a disease of childhood, as the vast majority of cases occur in those below the age of 18.

Mel was the first Australian adult to contract this cancer and is known as one of the few survivors in Australia.

Kris lost both of her parents, two brothers and a brother-in-law to cancer, along with her husband Paul’s

mother and countless friends.

“Another brother has fought (and hopefully) beaten Prostate Cancer,” said Kris.

“I must say my husband Paul is really my unsung hero of this organisation in many ways,” said Kris. “He has always supported me enormously and I am truly grateful for him.”

“Unfortunately, the Charity (OCC) is currently balancing precariously between not being much and being fantastic and it’s great to now have a famous face to the brand.”

“Actor Les Hill from ‘Home and Away’, ‘Rescue Special Ops’ and the original ‘Underbelly’ television series has come on board and he will be the promotional ‘face’ of OCC.” Mel Spurrier & Kris Gauci were nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Ross Hutchison.

If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at nepeannews@aol.com

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Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

22

NEPEAN HISTORY

A Remarkable Penrith Woman

By Lyn Forde, President/Research Officer of the St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.

D

eborah Frances Levey (known as Frances) was born in November 1831 at Penrith to Barnett Levey, a Jewish watchmaker, theatre director (owner of the “Theatre Royal”) and his wife Sarah Emma, née Wilson. Both parents came free to the colony. In June 1825 at St John’s Church at Parramatta, they were married by Special Licence. Sarah was the daughter of Mrs Josephson of Pitt Street in Sydney.

From 1825 to 1835 Barnett was granted a total of 1,280 acres. These grants covered a large portion of what is now Glenbrook. He built a house on this estate calling it “Mount Zion”, known today as the site of the Pilgrim’s Inn at Blaxland. In around 1830, “Ralph Rashleigh”, a convict named James Tucker, wrote a book including names of the early convicts at Emu Plains who sowed the seeds of the drama in Australia. At that time free people in Sydney were denied the pleasure of the drama because Governor Darling refused to grant Barnett a licence to conduct plays in the Royal Hotel so he built a theatre, but as late as 1831 no licence could be squeezed out of the Governor. When the journalists of Sydney heard of the theatre at Emu Plains there was a violent outburst. Soon the clamour became so loud that the stage was set for the opening of drama in Sydney. Newspapermen of the time recognised that the convicts of Emu Plains were the pioneers of the Australian drama.

Barnett died in 1837 and was buried in the old Devonshire Street Cemetery. His widow Sarah did not receive any benefit from her husband’s estate but managed to educate her children. A sister of Frances named Emma, married Dr George Thomas Clarke of “Hill View” Penrith in 1847. In November 1873 after her mother died, Frances changed her surname to Levvy. When George Clarke died in 1874, Emma and Frances moved to Newtown in Sydney. Later, Frances lived at Woollahra until she purchased “Yulah Cottage” at Waverley. In January 1884 she became involved with the cause that was to shape and fill the rest of her life. Frances and Emma help found Australia’s first “Bands of Mercy” (BOM) to teach children kindness to animals. The BOM in Australia was the result of a movement that began in England for the purpose of preventing cruelty by helping members to study the nature and habits of animals and showing the affection and devotion that animals were capable of, and by gathering children together for pleasant recitations and songs illustrating mercy and benevolence and to train them into the practice of kindness. BOM’s were often formed in schools with the permission of the Minister for Public Instruction and the local schoolteachers who sought to initiate the values of kindness and care towards those of the animal kingdom. In December 1886, she was Honorary Secretary of a women’s branch of the “Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” (RSPCA) that she also helped found. Initially, the women’s branch of the RSPCA did not use the prefix ‘Royal’ in its title but did so shortly after its formation when it sought, and believed, it was granted affiliation with the parent body in Britain. In 1896 a question was raised as to the right of the Committee to use the prefix ‘Royal’ and its use was discontinued.

Her greatest capacity was for writing, and her major achievement was her editorship of the “Bands of Mercy and Humane Journal of NSW”. Each month from July 1887 until August 1923 she presented a publication for both children and adults. Her belief in woman’s superior innate morality led her to resist an amalgamation with the “Animals’ Protection Society of New South Wales” in 1902, a decision that may also have been influenced by the humiliating public rejection of her society by the RSPCA and the APS in 1896, following the conviction of one of her inspectors for extortion. After the rejection by the British RSPCA her organization became the “Women’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals” (WSPCA). Her magazine reported the activities of the Bands and the (WSPCA) on behalf of animals, such as deputations for a lethal chamber where stray dogs could be destroyed painlessly, for fixed stops for horse-drawn buses, free water for horse troughs, the provision of sand to prevent slipping on wet roads, and a horse ambulance. Submitted articles were subjected to her energetic editorial comment and she wrote many of the poems and stories herself. Full of passionate concern for animals and reflecting her deeply held religious convictions, the magazine was a rare record of a moderate animal protectionist’s personal philosophy and life. Frances was aiming to make children more alert and to stop stone-throwing at old people and stop men from being cruel to the dumb animals they owned. By 1897 she claimed 446 Bands with membership numbering 26,000. Permitted to establish Bands within NSW public schools she was paid £50 a year by the Department of Public Instruction. Each year she visited up to sixty schools, organizing and judging an essay competition that saw hundreds of entries. She also engaged in voluminous correspondence with leaders of Bands outside Sydney. While the WSPCA consisted only of women, there was a male Honorary Secretary who was also the paid secretary of the APS. His membership was obviously at the invitation of the women and was presumably because the WSPCA saw the need for his knowledge and experience as well as being their direct link to the APS and its activities, and the male APS was involved in the investigation and prosecution of those who showed cruelty to animals, but the WSPCA had a different function. It was not a ladies Committee of the male APS but was independent from it and primarily concerned with educating children about animals so they would not engage in cruel behaviour towards them. Frances also belonged to the “Girls’ Friendly Society” and the “Church of England Temperance Society”. She donated money to the “London Society”, an organization for promoting Christianity among Jews.

Sadly, in her later years she went blind, bedridden and almost deaf but she continued her magazine. She died in November 1924 at Waverley and is buried in the Anglican cemetery at Randwick. She asked in her will to be buried with an oil painting of her beloved sister Emma. Photo shows Queen Victoria 1897 Band of Mercy Medal.

Sources: H. Radi (ed), 200 Australian Women, Band of Mercy and Humane Journal of NSW online, RSPCA Journal, Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph, Jennifer MacCulloch – “Levvy Frances Deborah (1831–1924)” & “Creatures of Culture: The Animal Protection and Preservation Movements in Sydney”, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University website, Colonialgivers.com website, Sydney Gazette & NSW Adviser, Nepean Times, The Monitor, Family Search Mormon website, loststory.net/australianwomen/frances-levvy.

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ANTHERS is celebrating Father’s Day in style this year with their very own Car Show in The Backyard!

“Come on down on Sunday 1st September 2019 from 12pm for one of our famous Backyard Carnivals with all your favourite activities, from carnival rides to delicious savoury and sweet food stalls,” a Panthers Spokesperson said.

“The star of the carnival will be our awesome Car Show, showcasing vintage and contemporary cars that will sure to impress Dads, kids and Mums alike!

“We have so much happening, so make sure you head down to Panthers to spoil Dad this Father’s Day! Don’t miss out on activities that the whole family will enjoy.

“From 12pm to 5pm in The Backyard we’ve got: Car Show with classic vintage and modern contemporary cars from Mustang Owners Club Australia • FREE Carnival Rides • Food Vendors – Savoury and Sweet!

• Live Entertainment • Penny & Scratch • and MUCH MORE!

There will be plenty to do around the club this Father’s Day, with entertainment, food and drink specials and plenty more.

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

Spoil dad this Father’s Day at Panthers!

27

Panthers Penrith is the place to be on Sunday 1st September, so don’t miss out and give Dad the extra special day he deserves!

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Father’s Day 1st September

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Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

28

local news

Penrith got their 70s groove on last weekend to raise much-needed funds for the Haven, Nepean Women’s Shelter. A great night!

Social Butterfly

176th

Penrith show Saturday 24th & Sunday 25th August 2019 Paceway (Penrith Showground) Station St, Penrith

Live Music | Fireworks | Stilt Walkers | Food Vans Showmo - Lawn Mowing Racing | Sydney Bricks Lego Display FMX – Freestyle Motor Cross | Rexie The Interactive TRex Team D-MAX Precision Driving Demonstrations | Demolition Derby

ENTERTAINMENT

T

he polished precision driving demonstrations of Team Isuzu D-MAX will have some extra glitz at the 2019 Penrith District Show with the addition of two Hollywood stunt drivers.

This year, Paul Goodwin and Eugene Arendsen, join Dave Shannon, Michael Long, and Laurence Cripps, expanding the four-car team to five cars.

Goodwin will lead the team from the car one position while Arendsen is tasked with the teams most difficult stunt, driving on two wheels.

Having first driven for the team some 20 years ago during their Holden era, Goodwin is no stranger to the precision driving team.

Goodwin’s career behind the steering wheel has taken him all over Australia and further afield to exotic locations such as the deserts of

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Namibia in southern Africa to drive custom cars on movie sets.

His movie portfolio includes Hollywood blockbusters Mad Max: Fury Road and the Maze Runner: The Death Cure.

For his work on Mad Max: Fury Road, Goodwin was named on the list of honourees at the Screen

Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Action Performances by Film Stunt Ensembles.

Arendsen who also boasts Hollywood credentials worked alongside Goodwin on the set of Mad Max: Fury Road as the stunt double for the lead character “NUX”.

Arendsen’s was propelled into the

world of stunt driving after he was recruited for his talent as a worldclass champion drifter.

His first big break was as a full-time cast member of the Hollywood Stunt Show at Movie World on the Gold Coast.

Attendees of the Penrith District Show can look forward to witnessing an incredible variety of precision driving manoeuvers from the team including a 15-meter ramp to ramp jump, two-wheel driving, high-speed drifting, handbrake turns, reverse flicks and hair-raising crossovers.

The team’s performance times are:

Saturday 24th August 2019 Team Isuzu D-MAX for Sinclair Isuzu UTE - 4:00 pm Team Isuzu D-MAX for Sinclair Isuzu UTE- 6:30 pm

Sunday 25th August 2019 Team Isuzu D-MAX for Sinclair Isuzu UTE - 3:00 pm

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

A double dose of Hollywood for Team Isuzu D-MAX at 2019 Penrith District Show

31

What’s on at the Henry Sports

Bookings Essential T: 9623 2119 E: sharont@hlclub.com.au

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ENTERTAINMENT

SUDOKU: MEDIUM

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

SUDOKU: EASY

33

SOLUTIONS: 1 August

INSTRUCTIONS Fill the grid so that every column, every row & every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 with no duplicates

easy

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Church building (9) 6 Islamic jurist (5) 9 Quip (7) 10 Baseboard (7) 11 City in Tennessee (7) 12 A military unit (7) 13 Imposed loss due to one’s

beliefs (9) 15 Dance bar (5) 16 Wordless performers (5) 19 Breeziness (9) 22 Colliding (7) 23 Ails (7) 25 Kerchief (7) 26 Relating to marriage (7) 27 Long period of time (5) 28 Provide details (9)

DOWN 1 Whipping, clotted or ice (5) 2 Leaner (7) 3 Not heavenly (7) 4 Inclines (5) 5 Timber workers (9) 6 Covered with a layer of leaves

or wet straw (7) 7 Idiosyncrasies (7) 8 Clever (9) 13 Notable (9) 14 Drop down in level or rank (9) 17 Souvenir (7) 18 What Popeye eats (7) 20 Conflagration (7) 21 A daughter of Agamemnon

(Greek mythology) (7) 23 A group of south Pacific

islands (5) 24 Figure out (5)

solution 1/8/19

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

34

ENTERTAINMENT

Remembering Sir Charles Kingsford Smith

By Noel Rowsell

J

onnie Russell has been in the Entertainment Industry for 50 years and is widely recognised as a gifted and talented singer and songwriter.

Jonnie’s festival performances around Australia include the Gympie Muster, Mildura and Kempsey (among others), including Australia’s premier country music event at Tamworth, where he was inducted into the “Hands of Fame” in 1985.

Jonnie said “In 1930, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith used to run Joy Flights in Werrington, just where the Cobham Children’s Court is located”.

“They were huge events, with hundreds of people coming from all around the surrounding districts to participate in the event.”

Jonnie is a keen historian of Sir Charles Kingsford Smith and penned a CD in the great Australian’s honour titled ‘The Immortal Southern Cross’ some 15 years ago.

There is also a proposed movie ‘The Life of Charles Kingsford Smith’ in early development and Jonnie’s music will be featured in the background tracks.

Now, on 22nd September, Jonnie is bringing the Sir Charles Kingsford Smith Commemoration Concert to the Gaels

Club in Kingswood.

The ‘Jonnie Russell All Star Show’ will honour that era, with the band members comprising Lance Smith (Double Bass), Daniel O’Dell (Lead Guitar), Rob Spark (Drummer), Nick O’Neill (Pedal Steel Guitar / Singer) and of course Singer / Songwriter Jonnie Russell.

O’Neill is also a noted Irish singer and will also perform solos on the night, whilst guest performers include talented songbird Roz Webb and ever-popular Bobby Silk, novelty entertainer Johnny Givens.

Cnr Glebe Place & Richmond Road Kingswood NSW Ph: (02) 4722 8180 www.penrithgaels.com.au

22nd Anniversary Cocktail Night

Wrestle Strong Dojo Fighters Against Child Abuse Australia

SATURDAY 24 AUGUST The Club is celebrating its 22nd Anniversary with a cocktail night. A range of cocktails will be available to purchase from the bar. Come along and join us for a great evening, enjoy entertainment by the Lloyd Bowen Duo and be in the running for your chance to win a TV in our special anniversary draw on the night!

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ENTERTAINMENT

F

ind out about exceptional masterpieces and explore the stories behind artists, composers and musicians who created these famous works in the new Art + Music Insights series; Elevenses at The Joan.

Lecturer of Music Dr Paul Smith (University of New England); and Penrith Regional Gallery Director Sheona White will guide you through four enlightening mornings of insight and discovery. Sessions begin at 11am with refreshments and a light morning tea, and finish at 12.30pm with a short break in the middle. Each talk will incorporate a short Q&A at the end.

Monday 9 September 11am Romanticism in Music: The Composer’s Voice (Dr Paul Smith, University of New England) The turn of the 19th century marked an important shift, where music started to become a direct expression of the composer. This talk will offer insights into the large number of new compositional techniques, instruments,

and performance styles which developed during this transition.

Monday 23 September 11am Romantic Landscape: A Conversation with Nature (Sheona White, Penrith Regional Gallery Director) Who are some of the famous Romantic landscape painters and how did they develop their sublime visions?

We are drawn to landscape paintings because they evoke emotions and remind us how beautiful the world can be. Landscape painting is a constant influence in our popular visual culture through film, photography and even social media.

SCHEDULE 9 & 23 September 11am TICKET PRICES Standard (One talk) $15 (includes light refreshments) Two talks $25 (includes light refreshments).

Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre 4723 7611.

There’s no such thing as fun for the whole family...

T

old over the course of one weekend in a suburban Australian family home, Spencer tells the story of a tight-knit family led by single-mum matriarch Marilyn and her three adult children – wayward daughter Jules, mouthy coulda- been Ben and AFL goldenboy Scott.

About to meet the young son – Spencer – he never knew he had, Scott and the family have returned home to help mark the occasion.

With the surprise appearance of Ian, the father they barely remember, the entire family is forced to work together to clean up both the house and their own fractured relationships as the clock ticks down to Spencer’s arrival.

Starring Jane Clifton (Prisoner)

and Roger Oakley (Home & Away) and supported by Lyall Brooks (A Prudent Man), Jamieson Caldwell and Fiona Harris, Spencer employs classic Australian vernacular, lashings of humour, and recognisable characters that ask us to consider how much our family defines who we are, if we can exist without them and whether we ever really grow up.

Audience advice: Strong language.

Adult themes PERFORMANCE TIMES Wednesday 11 September 7.30pm Thursday 12 September 2pm & 7.30pm TICKET PRICES Standard $60, Concession $55, Under 30s $30, Seniors Matinee $30.

Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre 4723 7611.

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

Elevenses - Art + Music Insights

37

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

38

FINANCE AND REAL ESTATE MATTERS

Ask the Expert - The Pros and Cons of a Spring Sale the natural beauty and buzz in the air.

Gardens surround homes with seasonal colour and texture, while insufficiencies, such as low natural light or drainage issues draw less attention.

Additionally, in spring, it is perceived that more buyers are active and happy to venture out on a sunny weekend to inspect properties for sale. So with a potentially winning mix of perfect presentation and busy buyers, spring seems the ideal time to sell.

On the flip side, listing a home for sale in cooler months is more likely to generate a key component of a successful sale – competition between buyers.

Sharon Mudiman Licensee and Principal of Bespoke Realty Group has been negotiating the sale of property for over twenty-five years in the Greater Penrith Region

W

ith warmer weather on the horizon, many homeowners will be contemplating a spring sale. Seemingly a tradition in the market, it presents as the natural time to make a move. But as with any big decision, there are pros and cons to a spring sale that are well worth consideration.

Spring is a sublime time to sell because of

With fewer properties for sale in winter, this can translate directly to more competition thus creating potentially better financial outcomes for vendors.

So while a garden may not be in full bloom or it’s a rainy open day, buyers may be able to overlook these deficiencies with fewer homes to choose from.

Regardless of the season, another paramount consideration is to have a property expert whose values align with yours and excels in negotiation. A good agent will use their expertise to guide a vendor through the sales process and help them achieve the best outcome possible.

All things considered, the ultimate time to sell a property is when the homeowners are ready.

Regardless of the market, if a property is well presented and inviting, it is always a good time to sell. Penrith enjoys a desirable location and lifestyle combination that will appeal to buyers year-round.

Penrith | Glenmore Park www.bespokerg.com.au 02 4737 9977

Is debt stopping you from achieving your saving goals?

With Steve Beard Select Mortgage Broker

I

n my last article in June I wrote about increasing consumer confidence due to Liberals and National Parties winning the Federal Election.

It looks like the honeymoon is now over and consumer confidence is decreasing again.

Many consumers are doing it tough. Wages continue to stagnate and are rising less than the rate of inflation and the cost of living.

SAVINGS - Overall savings has increased slightly recently to around 2.8 percent of income. This increase is probably mainly due to people on higher incomes savings more. The average savings rate over the last 60 years is 9.5 percent so we are a long way from that smarter rate.

A survey by ME Bank in December 2018 found 49 percent of households have less than $10,000 in savings and 25 percent have less than $1,000. This survey also found 40 percent couldn’t always pay their bills on time due to a lack of savings.

The main reason why some people can’t save any money or increase their savings is too much debt.

There are generally two types of debt but I say there are three.

GOOD DEBT - loans for assets that appreciate in value over time, ie your home, investment property

and shares etc. These loans come with very low interest rates and can contribute towards a healthy economic situation.

BAD DEBT - loans for consumer items that depreciate in value, like cars, furniture and televisions etc.

REALLY BAD DEBT - loans and credit cards used for items that have no value and can’t be sold.

These include holidays, weddings, cars and boats etc that you don’t even have anymore. These items should always be paid for from your savings.

If you have any ongoing bad debts and you don’t have savings, then the smartest option is not to incur any more debt for holidays and weddings. Instead of the annual overseas holiday, drive to visit some relatives or friend in the country or interstate.

Both these BAD DEBTS come with very high interest rates and consequently, high interest accumulating each month. Your priority should be to pay down these bad debts to reduce and remove the monthly interest. At the same time, you must not incur any more bad debt. If you haven’t got the savings then don’t buy that new TV etc that is not essential.

If you are incurring interest each month on credit cards, best to destroy all or most of them to remove the temptation of further debt.

Home Loan Interest Rates In June and July, the Reserve Bank of Australia

SELECT MORTGAGE FINANCE

(RBA) reduced the official cash rate by 0.50 percent.

All lenders have recently reduced their variable interest rates and most lenders also decreased their fixed rates as well.

Most economists and the market are predicting that the RBA will reduce the official cash rate by 0.25 percent before Christmas and maybe further reduction/s next year.

This is fantastic for all of us with home and investment property loans but the interest rates on personal loans and credits cards has not been reduced.

Also, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) has allowed lenders to reduce the interest rate that they use to calculate your borrowing capacity for a home loan. This means that most people can now borrow 10 to 20 percent more than what they could last month.

Some lenders are offering great interest rates and cash bonuses of up to $2,000 if you switch your home loan. If you are paying over 4 percent on your home loan, you should be contacting your lender or myself as soon as possible to see how we can probably save you many thousands of dollars per year, depending on the size of your home loan/s.

Please do not hesitate to contact me on 4739 4500, 0403 166207 or beards@selectgrp.com.au if you what to discuss your situation, any financial matters or have any home finance questions that I can assist you with.

Phone: 4739 4500 Mobile: 0403 166 207 Email: beards@selectgrp.com.au Award winning mortgage broker

SPORT

39

By CONNER LOWE

M

t Druitt T o w n Rangers have narrowly missed out on a place in the National Premier Leagues NSW Mens finals series despite a brilliant 2-1 upset win against APIA Leichhardt at Popondetta Park on Sunday.

With finals football on the line in a must win match Mt Druitt Town were exceptional from kick-off to full-time.

It didn’t take long for Rangers to take the lead inside the opening ten minutes. A pass from Fabricio Fernandez found Toufic Alameddine in the box and his clinical diagonal finish was too much for goalkeeper Ivan Necevski to handle giving Mt Druitt the lead.

Mt Druitt Town continued to apply pressure and were unlucky on multiple occasions not to double their lead with a Fernandez free-kick causing trouble inside the APIA Leichardt box and a Gould header cleared off the line half way through the first stanza.

It was APIA who pounced on the very next play as they raced up field to equalise much to the dismay of the home support.

Corey Biczo played a delightful ball from the right across to an unmarked Chris Payne who had no trouble slotting home as Mt Druitt’s defence

were left waiting for an offside call which would never arrive.

Mt Druitt continued to apply the pressure and Mirjan Pavlovic almost

GOLF SALE DAD’S

provided a second with a great shot from the left but Necevski made a wonderful save anticipating a galloping Fernandez.

Both sides ended the first half with chances, however both were unable to capitalise to put their sides up at halftime.

It was Mt Druitt though that regained the lead in the 57th minute with a delightful goal when Cooper Coskerie fed the ball to Pavlovic who made no mistake from close range and chipped an out-coming Necevski.

Mt Druitt pushed for a third and came close in the 76th minute when a brilliant cross by John Roberts on the right found Fernandez in the middle, but his great diving header was very well saved by Necevski who managed to turn the ball around the post for a corner.

In the 83rd minute Fernandez had the ball in the back of the net, but the offside flag was raised and Mt Druitt didn’t get their third despite the celebrations from the home supporters until they realised that the goal wouldn’t stand.

Mt Druitt desperately clung onto win in the final seconds but as news filtered in from other results the victory proved to be a bittersweet end to the season.

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

Rangers marginally miss out on finals

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Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

40

SPORT McIntosh welcomes 2019 ibsa goalball Youth World Championships

T

he Federal Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh MP attended the 2019 IBSA Goalball Youth World Championships at the Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre.

“It’s fantastic that Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre is hosting the Goalball Youth World Championships. Welcome to our international athletes from eleven different countries and good luck to all the young people representing Australia.”

“From August 5 to August 9 the

Championships will be held in Penrith, with 130 athletes and coaching staff from 11 different countries. This is something that our community should be incredibly proud of. Penrith has a great international reputation as a city that hosts world-class sporting events.”

“Goalball is the original team sports for low vision and blind athletes in the Paralympic Games. In NSW over 4,500 students participate across 154 schools and we’re showcasing this talent right here in Penrith.” said Ms McIntosh.

Pennants Golf in full swing

Glenmore Heritage Valley GC, Wallacia GC and Penrith GC represent the district in Super Seniors. Photos courtesy of Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

By Noel Rowsell

T

hree annual Pennant Golf series commenced in August, with the cream of NSW male players over 65 competing in the Super Seniors, whilst the T.L. Warren (B Grade) and W. Gibson (C Grade) competitions feature equally enthusiastic but perhaps not as richly talented players.

Super Seniors Pennants features 58 Clubs broken up into 9 divisions (5 from the Sydney Metropolitan Area and 4 from the Central Coast,

Hunter, Newcastle and mid-North Coast districts respectively.

The draws feature a Central Venue for each round, with each Club in the division alternately hosting a round through the season.

The full list of Clubs can be viewed at w w w. d o c s . w i x s t a t i c . c o m / u g d / e 4 3 9 c f _ dc2e6adba9f04e9b83657031177d63c7.pdf The respective draws can be found at: www.superseniorpennant.com/draws Division 4 features Twin Creeks CC, Stonecutters Ridge GC, Penrith GC, Wallacia CC, Glenmore Heritage Valley GC, Springwood CC and Richmond

OFFER ENDS 31 August 2019

Offer ends 31/8/2019. See in Store for Terms and Conditions.

GC, with the first round hosted at Glenmore and the second at Wallacia.

Key players in Division 4 include: Laurie Cupples (Glenmore Heritage Valley), Dave Limbach (Springwood), Colin Neil (Penrith), Denis Dale (Twin Creeks).

Leonay GC, Penrith GC, Wallacia CC and Springwood CC are all competing in the Warren Pennants, whilst Lynwood CC replaces Springwood in the Gibson Pennants.

Both the Warren and Gibson divisions are played on a home and away basis.

PENRITH PANTHERS

SPORT

By STEWART MOSES

P

@TheRiffMarn

anther rookie Liam Martin doesn’t mind admitting that his game has been built around hard-hitting defence.

Just ask former NSW Origin prop Matt Prior, who was forced from the field with a rib injury not long after copping a bone-rattler from the Temora-raised and Penrith produced back-rower in just the sixth minute of play in Penrith’s 26-20 upset win over Cronulla last Friday night.

At 183cm and 98kg, Martin isn’t exactly the biggest forward in the game but his defence has earned plenty of rave reviews and inevitably for Penrith fans in particular, comparisons to other noted “hit-men” in more recent times, Nigel Plum and Adam Docker.

But the 22-year old rookie forward says that while he watched Penrith’s former “Bash Brothers,” he admits that despite being a country boy, that unlike Plum, he didn’t feel the need to hone his defensive skills by tackling sheep.

Instead it was all about tackling big brother for Martin.

“I was never a big kid. I was always that little short stocky kid that could get under people so (my defence) has been a part of my game for quite a while now,” Martin explained to Nepean News.

“I used to watch Nigel Plum and Adam Docker play and remember thinking that’s how I’d like to play.

“But I did nothing like that (tackle sheep). I had a brother who was six years older than me and was 50kg heavier so I was pretty much resorted to practising tackling him.”

Having played 12 NRL games since making

or edge), as long as I’m playing.

“I’d even play on the wing if they wanted me to. I’m just happy getting my chance to play in the NRL.” In fact, Martin’s debut has been the catalyst for a season where the Panthers have handed out more NRL debuts out than any other team in the NRL in 2019 (eight) and it is a significant factor as to why coach Ivan Cleary has used more players than any other club (32).

It was all on show last Friday night when seven of the eight debutants (Jed Cartwright, being the only exception having played earlier that night in the Canterbury Cup) lined up against a virtual full-strength Cronulla Sharks side that had more than double Penrith’s overall NRL experience.

But as Martin explained, coming off a disappointing loss against Canterbury meant Penrith rookie Liam Martin has raised plenty of eyebrows with his there was plenty of motivation to step up NRL performances to date in 2019. Credit: NRL Photos. against Cronulla despite the challenges of debuting three players – Matt Burton, Stephen his debut in Bathurst back in Round 3 against the Crichton and Spencer Leniu.

“We’ve been a bit disappointing the last two Melbourne Storm, the Panthers forward who is under contract until the end of 2021, says it is still weeks prior to tonight, in how we have played so a surreal feeling to be playing NRL on a regular going into this week, we knew it was do or die basis, admitting that he would have been happy just and knew it would be a really hard-fought game,” to play anywhere if it meant making his debut at Martin said.

“Obviously a few people would be a bit nervous some point doing the season.

“I was hoping this year would be my year to about having three debutants.”

“But we just had faith especially in the young debut in the NRl, but certainly not by Round 3,” boys coming through and we all knew they would Martin replied.

“I’ve played my 12th game now and it’s still an get the job done.”

“Having seven rookies and three of them as incredible feeling.

“I love the fans, the atmosphere and the quality of debutants just shows the character of the boys that we’ve got and there is some incredible talent footy is just unreal.

“I’m loving every minute of it even though the here.

“It was a big reason why we were able to really body’s certainly feeling it but.

“I don’t even care where Ivan plays me (middle dig deep and luckily we got the two points.”

Time to shine in Maloney’s absence: Cleary

By STEWART MOSES

T

@TheRiffMarn

he suspension of James Maloney for the second time in 2018 was seen by many as the final nail in the coffin for a Penrith side that had disappointed greatly in their 16-8 loss to 15th placed Canterbury Bulldogs.

After all, the loss, their second in successive weeks meant that the Panthers, were once again in the red for losses versus wins (9-10) and were back outside the top eight again.

The attack, which had shown signs of improvement in recent times, spluttered again against the Bulldogs, conjuring just the one first half try despite having nearly 50 tackles in the opposition’s 20.

In fact the Panthers were ranked second last for tries scored per tackle in the red zone (16.3) coming into last Friday night’s game and it’s been no secret that Nathan Cleary has worn the brunt of the criticisms concerning Penrith’s inability to score points at key moments throughout season 2019.

But Maloney’s absence coupled with injury, suspension and form just might have provided the spark the NSW Origin half was looking for, leading a vastly inexperienced Penrith outfit to an upset win over Cronulla.

Cleary had a hand in at least three of Penrith’s four tries scored including a solo try from close range just before the siren that put Penrith 20-4 in front.

That was proceeded by a right foot step to break the line from just over halfway that set up Edwards’ first try.

Nathan Cleary led from the front in Friday’s shock win over Cronulla. Credit: NRL Photos.

Cleary also played a hand in the fullback’s second try early in the second half that gave Penrith a handy 26-4 lead.

It was no surprise that Nathan admitted after the game that it was his best game of the season and that while he enjoys playing with James, he also relished the opportunity to take over the playmaking responsibilities in the Catalan Dragons bound half’s absence.

“I’d say so. It was probably my most complete performance. Obviously there are a few areas I would like to still work on but I just need to keep setting the bar high and keeping working hard at it,” Cleary told Nepean News following the win.

“I love playing with Jimmy but (this week) just meant that without his experience I had to kind of use my experience.

“I had to step up a bit more and take control of the team and take as much pressure off Burto (Panthers debutant Matt Burton) and Dyl (Edwards) as I could.”

“It was cool playing alongside Burto tonight and see him on debut play the way he did was pretty special.”

Nathan also admitted that confidence in the camp was high despite a loss against Canterbury that saw the Panthers written off by most against a side that they had not defeated in seven encounters since 2015.

But the Origin half also conceded that they could ill-afford too many more second half phase outs that saw the Sharks almost snatch victory for a second time this season.

“Obviously last week was pretty disappointing but we knew as a team what we needed to do,” Cleary declared.

“It was a good scenario as everyone was writing us off and that’s when people at Penrith tend to stick up for themselves and play their best footy.

“It kind of felt like history repeating for a bit there but the boys did well to hold on as the Sharks are a dynamite side with a lot of strike all over the park.

“Obviously there were a few lapses in that second half and we want to fix that up but as we can’t be doing that too often.

“I thought the first half was probably the best 40 minutes we played all year and it’s something we can really build off.”

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

Martin: Tackling big brother developed my defensive game

41 41

Celebrity ROUND 22

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Aug 25 2.00pm

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TIPSTERS ROUND 22

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Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

44

SPORT

PENRITH PANTHERS

Repeat Sets with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

PENRITH CONTINUES TO WALK THE FINALS TIGHTROPE The Panthers’ are back in the top eight but perhaps not as how everyone expected it to pan out over the past fortnight.

In front of nearly 11,000 fans who braved the icy elements at Panthers Stadium last Friday night, the Panthers finally recorded their first win over Cronulla since 2015, with an against-the-odds 26-20 win over a Sharks side missing just Matt Moylan.

In contrast Penrith minus James Maloney (suspension). Jarome Luai (eye), Wayde Egan (shoulder) and Dean Whare (dropped) blooded three rookies – Matt Burton, Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu, in a side that featured seven NRL rookies in total.

While the rookies played their part, it was Nathan Cleary who in the absence of Maloney, led Penrith to victory with easily his best performance of the season to date, scoring one try and having a hand in two others, which allowed the Panthers to lead at one point 26-4 before the Sharks mustered a comeback that nearly emulated their comeback win earlier in the season.

Panthers coach Ivan Cleary could not hide his delight at the performances of his NRL rookies postmatch.

“I’m very proud. It’s a huge night for the club, seven rookies, six started and three debutantes against a very-experienced Sharks team. It’s a great night,’’ Cleary said.

“The clock was certainly moving slowly (towards the end). But we found something and showed a fair bit of character.

“All three boys who debuted have a good temperament.

“Whenever you debut anybody, they’ll be talented, but I was really confident the three of those boys had good temperaments.

“Stephen showed that at the end of the game, Matt Burton was good in that sense as well and when Spencer came on he had to defend five or six sets in a row.

“It was a bit of an eye to the future for our team and club. I hope the fans enjoyed it.”

The win was in stark contrast to the previous Saturday when Penrith turned in one of this most insipid performances of 2019 when they were held scoreless in the second half by 15th placed Canterbury despite having possession inside the opposition’s 20 for 47 tackles, ultimately going

Back to back losses against Canterbury (26-22) and Newtown (28-18) now sees former Canterbury Cup leaders Penrith, battling to maintain their spot in the top four with just three rounds remaining.

Next up for the fourth-placed Panthers is a clash with eighth-placed Western Suburbs at Panthers Stadium this Sunday followed by a trip down to North Sydney Oval to take on the fifth-placed Bears in a match that could determine whether Penrith seals that all important top-four post or not.

Dylan Edwards’ recent form surge continued against Cronulla, scoring two tries. Credit: NRL Photos.

down to the Bulldogs 16-8 at Bankwest Stadium.

The loss ensured the Panthers would drop out of the top eight for the first time in a month with coach Ivan Cleary conceding the side’s attack, which has so often been an issue in 2019, yet again failed to fire when it mattered most despite preparing well leading into the game.

“Yeah, I think we lacked a bit of polish and under pressure we weren’t able to execute,” Cleary said post-game.

“I wasn’t happy with the first half. We let them out of their end and couldn’t build enough pressure.

“First half we invited them into a scrap and they were good enough to win the scrap.

“I guess we were just behind the eight-ball for the rest of the game. They scrambled well and did enough to stop us.

“I think a lot of those opportunities in the second half we didn’t capitalise on because we lost a bit of connection. We ended up getting frustrated I thought.”

“I think deep down we knew it was going to be a tough game so complacency certainly wasn’t an issue.

“I thought our preparation was the best it has been for some time.

“We’re not in a position to be complacent. I thought they spoiled really well.

“We didn’t play well and that’s disappointing.”

The indifferent results also continued for Penrith’s Jersey Flegg side, having yet again conceded a big lead to record their second draw in consecutive weeks, this time a 28-all draw with the Bulldogs, after having led 18-nil at one point.

Then a weakened Penrith side succumbed at home last Friday to Cronulla 24-4.

The fourth-placed Panthers now turn their attention to this Sunday’s clash with tenth-placed Wests Tigers at Panthers Stadium before heading to North Sydney Oval the following Sunday to take on the lowly Bears.

Coach Ivan Cleary welcomes back James Maloney from suspension for the first of consecutive crucial away games in Queensland when seventh-placed Penrith takes on eighth-placed Brisbane this Friday night.

Jarome Luai (eye) and Wayde Egan (shoulder) remain unavailable for the clash.

The club has named the following 21-man squad for the Broncos clash which kicks off at 7:55pm at Suncorp Stadium.

1. Dylan EDWARDS 2. Josh MANSOUR 3.

Stephen CRICHTON 4. Brent NADEN 5. Brian TO’O 6. James MALONEY 7. Nathan CLEARY 8. James TAMOU (C) 9. Mitch KENNY 10. James FISHER-HARRIS 11. Liam MARTIN 12. Viliame KIKAU 13. Isaah YEO 14. Sione KATOA 15. Spencer LENIU 16. Moses LEOTA 17. Reagan CAMPBELL-GILLARD 18. Dean WHARE 19. Billy BURNS 20. Kaide ELLIS 21. Hame SELE The following Friday, Penrith head up to Townsville, where they will take on North Queensland, kicking off at 6pm.

Make your support count and show your #PantherPride at the game.

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PENRITH PANTHERS

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45 45

with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

Burton debut one for the ages as Panthers reboot finals campaign This time last year, Panthers five eighth, Matt Burton was on the verge of completing his HSC at St Johns, Dubbo alongside another rookie who would later have a big impact on another Penrith sporting landscape, Penrith Cricket Club’s premiershipwinning all-rounder Henry Railz.

Railz rose from the obscurity of commencing his Sydney Grade Cricket career in third grade and by season’s end not only made his first grade debut but played a pivotal part in Penrith’s first top grade premiership win since 1982-83.

Whilst his schoolmate Matt Burton hasn’t made similar achievements just yet, his rise from obscurity is similarly impressive.

The Dubbo youngster, having won the National Championships with Penrith’s SG Ball side, was this time last season playing local football for Dubbo CYMS. Fast forward 12 months and the five-eighth has commenced the season in Jersey Flegg, quickly made his debut in the club’s Canterbury Cup side, and with his subsequent NRL debut coming not long after a man of the match performance for NSW Under 20’s recently, becomes the first player since Caleb Aekins to make his Canterbury Cup / NRL debut in the same season.

Maloney’s suspension ultimately provided Burton not only with the opportunity to make his NRL debut but also honour his late mate, Sam Fraser by scribbling his name on his wrist and wearing his headgear and like his other two fellow NRL debutants, Stephen Crichton and Spencer Leniu, brought well over 100 friends and family to the game as support.

That support was rewarded early on laying on a 15th minute try for fellow 2019 NRL rookie Brent Naden, which set the platform for Penrith’s upset 26-20 win over the Sharks.

Halves partner Nathan Cleary was in awe of what Burton achieved when speaking to Nepean News post-match given Burton was a virtual unknown to the rest of the playing group until attending training last Thursday.

“I was just saying to the boys before that it was pretty crazy. We watched this video of Burto playing Flegg or SG Ball at the start of this year scoring this mad try and I thought who is this kid? I never even heard of him,” Cleary said.

“Then I kind of saw him make the 20s Origin and I was watching and he killed it in that game and

Panthers five-eighth Matt Burton had plenty of support on hand for his NRL debut. Credit: NRL Photos.

I’ve seen him play Canterbury Cup and did a few opposed sessions against him.

“But I properly met him at training for the first time this week and its an amazing effort for him.

“He’s had one training session with first grade and then he goes out there and did some things that 300 game veterans don’t even do.

“He has such a cool head for a young kid and stepped up pretty well. You don’t need to tell him too much he has some pretty good footy instincts that we all saw tonight.”

Whilst equally elated for Stephen Crichton, the younger brother of former Panther, Christian and Spencer Leniu, Cleary felt for Dean Whare, with the Kiwi international paying the price for some indifferent form by being dropped to the Canterbury Cup side.

“It is tough. Everyone loves Deano around the club and I’m sure he will play some good footy down there and be banging down the door to get back into first grade,” Cleary admitted.

“It is hard to see but at the same time it is good to see young guys get their opportunity too.”

Speaking of Maloney’s suspension for one-match after being found guilty of tripping last Tuesday night by the NRL judiciary, the decision prompted an angry response from Panthers RL CEO Brian Fletcher, saying that the entire NRL judiciary process should be “thrown in the garbage” after South Sydney’s Sam Burgess had his ugly high tackle on Cronulla’s Matt Moylan downgraded to free him to play last weekend.

“Jimmy’s was innocuous, whether it was a trip or not,” Fletcher told News Limited.

“He gets a week, whereas Moylan was unconscious before he hit the ground and is out of this week’s game, while Burgess gets off. That’s what we can’t understand.

“If there was a fine attributable then that should go to Maloney, not Burgess. I don’t think you’d have an argument there in the rugby league world.”

The decision to suspend Maloney followed an equally controversial decision to suspend Viliame Kikau last month.

Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

GOLDEN POINTS

Meanwhile in some better news for the club, coach Ivan Cleary was cleared of any wrongdoing

by NRL following an NRL investigation found claims he acted improperly at half-time in the recent game against Canberra at Panthers Stadium, could not be substantiated.

The NRL investigation uncovered “a number of conflicting versions” of what actually occurred and importantly confirmed that no referees conversed with Cleary at half-time and as such it was confirmed that no breach notice would be issued under the circumstances.

Not only were key injuries suffered in the Canterbury game to Jarome Luai (eye) and Wayde Egan (shoulder) but the Panthers received some shocking news last week that Caleb Aekins’ season is over after the fullback fractured his foot, which requires surgery.

Nic Lui Toso also failed to play after concussion protocols ruled him out last Friday night.

Panthers forward Frank Winterstein’s contributions to local community initiatives, have been recognised with a nomination for the 2019 Ken Stephen Medal, with the winner to be announced during Grand Final week.

Winterstein is an official ambassador with the NRL State of Mind initiative and Voice Against Violence program as well as supporting various Juvenile Justice System programs and other youth programs. #PantherPride

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Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

46

SPORT

PENRITH PANTHERS

Coach’s Corner

Brock Shepperd Wests Harold Matthews Coach Fifth and Last NRL Podcast b.shepperd@hotmail.com

State of the Game

A

fter running the City2Surf on Sunday in ice like conditions and crawling post-race to the nearest watering hole to watch a top four double header, I needed to remind myself that these ice like conditions are about to cease and the sun will reappear as the NRL season comes to a conclusion. And as the teams narrow their focus in the run home let’s have a look at where I expect teams to finish…

I have split the teams into four categories relevant to Premiership success and whether it is realistic or a fallacy. 1 - Contenders: Storm, Roosters, Raiders and Rabbitohs. All four proved this on Sunday, I would be surprised if our Premiers came from outside this group. 2 - Part Time Contenders: Sea Eagles and

Eels. They can at times challenge the best sides, but on other occasions can be blown away by them. 3 - Fools Gold: Panthers, Sharks, Broncos and Tigers. Are struggling to decide whether they would like to participate in Finals football. At this stage none of them have the consistency to win 3 straight against quality opposition in September to make a Grand Final.

4 - Transit Lounge: Titans, Bulldogs, Dragons, Cowboys, Knights and Warriors. Waiting on plane tickets for their end of season trips.

The two really interesting battles remaining for the final month of the season lie in whether the Rabbitohs can hold onto a Top 4 position or whether another team can jump them.

Eels and Sea Eagles seem the only two realistically a chance to do so.

The other battle is for 7th and 8th position with a host of teams pushing for a spot but none really able to string together some consistent form worthy of cementing a position to play Finals.

I have some concerns around the competition administration and the focus and direction of the match officials heading into the critical stage of the season as every teams ambitions go on the line and all teams want is for the games to be decided by the players in a fair manner.

The judiciary decisions recently have been horrendous. How Sam Burgess got off on a Grade 1 High Tackle on Matt Moylan still has me really concerned considering that is the lowest grade possible given to a player for a high tackle. Severity realistically a 1/10… No one could

possibly look at that tackle and think it is the lowest on the spectrum of severity in terms of a high tackle.

Burgess escapes with a $1900 fine.

Yet in the same week we have Michael Gordon from the Titans fined $2000 for walking off the field slowly after he was sin binned!!!

Match officials seem to be trying to insert themselves too often and are disrupting the flow of the game which is stifling and ruining some games as a spectacle. I would like to see them narrow their focus and control the elements of the game that allow both teams to have flow within the rules but with some discretion applied which does not consist of a penalty every three minutes which is currently where the average is in each game.

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mark with MARK GEYER

Panthers Cubs Purring T here’s nothing quite like seeing a young footballer make their first grade debut. It’s one of my fondest memories as a former player yet I still feel goosebumps when it happens, especially to a young fella from my old club.

Last Friday night against the Sharks, Ivan Cleary blooded not 1, not 2, but 3 debutantes!

How good! Matt Burton, Stephen Crichton, and Spencer Leniu all realised a childhood dream.

It’s something that can never ever be taken away from them. And what a start to their individual first grade careers they each made.

Burton 19, was as cool as a cucumber filling in for suspended origin star Jimmy Maloney in turn solving the issue of who to replace Maloney with next season once he escapes to the south France. The kid simply has it!

Stephen Crichton, at only 18 was sublime in the centres looking born to be there. Tall, strong, and athletic the kid has a prosperous career in front of him.

And Spencer ‘the Tank’ Leniu was sharp coming off the bench for his first foray in the top grade.

Earlier this year coach Cleary gave Liam Martin, Mitch Kenny, Brent Naden, and Brian To’o their turn in the top grade and they haven’t disappointed. The youthful exuberance at the foot of the mountains is simply breathtaking.

When we won the comp in 91 we had 8 or 9 local juniors, the exact same with Johnny Lang’s men in 2003 when they won.

With four rounds remaining, the Panthers face the Broncos away, the Cowboys away, the Roosters away, then to finish of the season proper they play Newcastle at home.

Currently sitting in 7th spot on 22 points, you’d think they’d have to win at least 2 maybe 3 of these games to guarantee semi final action.

And with the Broncos, Tigers, and Sharks all hovering the race is on. Whatever may happen though, you feel something really special brewing in the Riff. You also feel it will be on the back of the young Panther cubs that Ivan Cleary has made dreams come true for.

And another thing.

The 5th installment of the Mark Geyer cup took place last Sunday at Hickeys lane. 36 u/8 teams from right across the land took part with St Marys overcoming Glenmore Park in the grand final. St Clair were too good for Wentworthville in the Vince Lebreton cup. A big thanks to Troy from Brothers and all his crew for another top day. Also to the parents and carers of the kids playing thank you.

Finally to every one of the kids who took part, a great big bravo, you did your clubs proud.

See you at the game.

MG (random Westie) OAM

47 47 Nepean News 15 August 2019 Issue 258

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