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Thursday, 6 March 2014
ISSUE 119
Corner Castlereagh & Peachtree Roads, North Penrith
LEGENDS OF THE NEPEAN: P16-17 | SENIOR’S WEEK FEATURE: P25-29 | CELEBRITY TIPSTERS: P42-43
Sadly Samuel Morris from Cranebrook has lost his battle following a near-drowning in 2006. Story p11.
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3
PAWS will be putting on an amazing show, The Lorax Spectacular, at 10am on the children’s stage at the Pop Up Park area of High street, near Shoe Shed at the CBD festival in Penrith. “This show sold out in minutes when recently on at Panthers and we are pleased to bring this to the community for free,” said CEO Gai Hawthorn of Penrith CBD Corporation. There will also be local dance schools, Tamara Miles Singing School and our other big attractions, including the Smurf 2! “We have been lucky to have the sponsorship of Stuart Ayres MP for the Children’s Stage this year, without his support we wouldn’t have these acts,” Gai said. The festival promises to be loads of fun, there will be so much for everyone of all ages to see and do! You can enter the Best Dressed
Pin up/Vintage competition. It is open to males, females and children! The winners will be on stage before the Street Parade and then they’ll lead the parade with our Mayor of Penrith Ross Fowler. So don’t miss out on the fun! And dress in your best 1950/1960’s gear, register now or on the day! Penrith CBD - Saturday March 22 from 9-3. For more info please call 47 225 556 or visit www.penrithcbdcorp.com.au
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Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
Lorax spectacular!
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From the Editor’s Desk
4 Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
203 BANKS DRIVE, ST CLAIR OFFICE: (02) 9834 5579 Editor: Sales Manager: Advertising Representative: Journalist: Journalist: Graphic Design: Printer: Letters to the Editor: Web:
Kerrie Martin 0422 067 644 Korena Hale 0403 045 880 Raylene Vidler 0478 151 648 Annette Thain 0425 073 331 Greg “Harpo” Martin 0420 655 524 Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown nepeannews@aol.com www.nepeannews.com.au
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by Kerrie Martin THERE’S an old saying that “behind every good man there’s a great woman”, and I’d like to ride on the back of that line of thinking and say that “behind every good thing there’s a great senior.” Our seniors are literally the backbone of our society. They’ve been there, done that and seen it all. Yes, you grandchildren out there who know everything – they actually lived very exciting and colourful young lives long before you were even a thought! And they’ve lived to tell the tale - and are able to pass on some vital lessons to those of us who are still striving to one day get there. They take up the lion’s share of volunteering work, they form the largest group of people who fought for their country and they’re our best-behaved citizens. And they’re often overlooked when it comes to appreciating what is great about our nation. They’ve lived through times that younger generations could never imagine – they’ve survived depressions when sometimes the family meal consisted of bread and dripping. They’ve lived without transport, television, computers, mobile phones, electronic games and facebook. Yet they walked everywhere without whining, made their own fun without crying they were bored and they ate what they were given AND enjoyed it! They rolled with the punches and came out smiling. During Senior’s Week – March 17-23, take some time to talk with a senior. Your mum, dad, grandparent, neighbour or seek out one of the good folk playing bowls or bingo – and ask them about their life. Chances are you’ll find some human qualities that I desperately hope are not disappearing; acceptance, love, consideration and respect. Bless you seniors, you’re our brightest shining light in a changing society. Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au
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Support for airport PENRITH Mayor Councillor Ross Fowler has said that results from a recent community opinion survey indicated that close to three out of five residents in Penrith (57.8%) support the proposal to build a second airport in Sydney. When asked about whether they supported the proposed location for the second airport at Badgerys Creek approximately 52.2% indicated they were supportive of this location. Overall 7 out of 10 local residents (69.1%) indicated that Penrith would be better off with the development of the airport at Badgerys Creek. “The results of this opinion survey indicate that while 52.2% of residents are in favour of a proposed location at Badgerys Creek, 47.8% either oppose it or don’t have an opinion”, said Mayor Fowler. “Council has consistently called for more information on the second Sydney airport proposal and these results are indicative of a community which is awaiting this information.” Mayor Fowler and senior staff met with the
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Warren Truss in Canberra last week to discuss the anticipated announcement of a site for Sydney’s second airport. “During the discussion we put forward Council’s official position of opposition to Badgerys Creek as the site for a second Sydney airport. “When plans were originally proposed for a second airport there were a number of social and environmental concerns, we want to see how they would be addressed in any new proposal. “We also reaffirmed the view that any proposed airport at Badgerys Creek be a catalyst for real economic growth for Penrith as an important regional city and gateway to Western NSW. The benefits would need to flow to the people of Penrith. “When there is more information on a proposed second Sydney airport site Council will be able to inform and engage further with our community’, said Mayor Fowler.
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5 Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
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We are looking for a few more blokes to join our friendly group of music loving friends.
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Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
Free microchipping day By Kerrie Martin
PENRITH City Council is helping families keep track of their pets by offering free microchipping at Jamison Park on March 15 from 10am to 2pm. Circle the day on your calendar and head to the park to ensure your ownership details are easily accessible should your pet stray from your home. Penrith City Mayor Ross Fowler said microchipping was a must for any responsible pet owner and one of the most important things you can do for your family pet. “In NSW, it’s a legal requirement to have dogs and cats microchipped, so this is a great opportunity to have your pet microchipped for free. Having your dog or cat microchipped ensures they can easily be identified and returned to their rightful owners. “Council understands the importance of pets to families and is pleased to be able to offer this free service to help families keep costs down,” Councillor Fowler said. “To further help pet owners, Council’s Companion Animals Officers will be on hand along with Coreen
Avenue Veterinary staff to answer any questions. Dog trainers will also attend.” Local resident and dog-owner, Kurtis Martin is thankful that he decided to have his dog Milo microchipped. Kurtis and his fiance Brooke recently bought a house in St Clair and while they were doing some renovations on the property, their pet Huski found a way out and for the first time in his life, wandered the streets dangerously without a lead. “Brooke and I were driving around all the streets in St Clair calling out to him and couldn’t find him anywhere,” Kurtis said. “Then luckily I received a call from St Clair Vet to say that someone had brought Milo in to the surgery and they were able to call me from the information in the microchip.” Milo is now back with his family, safe and sound behind solid fencing. Unfortunately many pets meet a far worse fate when their owners are unable to be located - they may roam the streets for long periods and get hit by a car or end up at the pound on death row. For more information about Council’s Animal Services, contact 4732 7543.
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▲ Kurtis Martin was thrilled to be reunited with his pet Huski, Milo. Photo: Kieren Tilly.
Great cause with a VIEW to help others AS part of its new year membership drive, Nepean Evening VIEW is looking for newly retired or community-minded women to join their local club. VIEW stands for the Voice, Interests and Education of Women. It is one of Australia’s leading women’s volunteer organisations and supports the education of disadvantaged children through The Smith Family. “VIEW members come from all walks of life,” said Joan Hayward, Publicity Officer. “We meet regularly to provide our members with an outlet to help others, as well as to establish lasting friendships and contribute to the local community. “VIEW supports The Smith Family – a national children’s charity – so that young Australians in need can get the most out of their education and create better futures for themselves. “This membership drive is really important to our VIEW club so we can continue our volunteer work with The Smith Family and support local children and families. “We’re looking for women from all backgrounds and ages. Many of our members are retired teachers who find it very rewarding to remain involved
in the education of young Australians in need,” said Joan. VIEW members contribute significant fundraising and volunteering support to The Smith Family. In 2013, VIEW’s 18,000 members in 354 clubs nationally raised more than $1 million and supported more than 1000 disadvantaged children through The Smith Family’s Learning for Life program. Apart from raising awareness and fundraising, VIEW members volunteer their time and talents in a number of ways. Members read with local children to advance their literacy skills; help children with homework
after school at Smith Family Learning Clubs; act as mentors for students; make library bags; donate school stationery packs for use at home and school and donate funds for toys and books for children in need at Christmas time. “In our area we are involved with sponsoring children under the Learning for Life program, supplying stationery locally for disadvantaged children along with a couple of social events during the year. “VIEW is looking for positive, skilled, motivated women to join the organisation, have fun, make new friends and play their part in educating
the disadvantaged youth of Australia,” said Joan. To find out more about Nepean Evening VIEW Club in Penrith call Colleen McKee on 4735 4982. Come along to the next Nepean Evening VIEW Club meeting on 17 March 2014: WHERE: Penrith Panthers, Mulgoa Road, Penrith WHEN: 17 March 2014 TIME: 7.00 pm CONTACT: Colleen McKee (Club Secretary) To find out more about VIEW visit the website at www.view.org.au or call 1800 805 366.
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7 Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
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Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
WHO AM I?
??? I’ve worn many different outfits over the years, including a hard hat, bright yellow coat and very thick chains around my neck.
?
I’ve been spending Monday nights in the same building for decades When Bobby Darin was clicking his fingers and singing Mack The Knife, I was a student at Penrith High School I share my birthday with the terrorist attack in NYC, 2011
Oh, C’mon Eileen, come trip the light fantastic with me Result on page 31
Mary’s mission CASTLEREAGH Public School’s P & C President Mary Vella has been on a mission - to have flashing lights installed at the school to improve the safety of the students. Her persistence on behalf of her school community has paid off, with Londonderry MP Bart Bassett acting on her concerns. Castlereagh and Llandilo school students will now be safer, thanks to three new sets of flashing lights under the NSW Government’s school flashing lights program. Mr Bassett said flashing lights would be installed outside Xavier College on Terrybrook Rd, Llandilo, and two sets outside Castlereagh Public School on Post Office Rd and Hinxman Rd. The new lights were part of the NSW Government delivery on its commitment to ensure that every school in the state had a set of flashing lights by December 2015. ``I’m delighted Castlereagh Public School and Xavier College will receive flashing lights as they provide extra road safety by slowing motorists down around our children and school communities,’’ Mr Bassett said.
Light us up: Jimmy, Brianna and Corey Mifsud with Mary Vella and Principal Keith Hayman with Bart Bassett MP.
``School zone flashing lights alert drivers they are entering a 40 km/h school zone and to slow down reducing the risk of a crash or the severity of a crash if it occurs. ``Children can be unpredictable and do not always act safely around traffic. They may also take risks in the traffic environment without realising they are doing so. Put simply, flashing lights make the roads around our schools safer. ``The State Budget increased funding for the flashing lights program from $19.5 million to $32.5 million, meaning an additional 1500 schools will get lights by December 2015 that otherwise would have
missed out. ``Every school in the state will have a set of flashing lights by December 2015. The flashing lights at the two school locations will operate automatically when school zone speed limits are in force on gazetted school days, increasing motorists’ awareness of school zones. Trials found flashing lights helped slow motorists by an average of 7 km/hr an hour when they enter a school zone. Roads and Maritime Services will consult with local residents and schools about the timing for the installation of the lights.
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Bullies destroy teenage lives By Kerrie Martin
WHEN you are in high school, your outlook on life is completely different to that of an adult. For that reason, it is often hard for adults to understand the trauma teenagers go through when they are bullied.
Paul Gittany was a victim of bullying over a six year period, and to him, it was the worst time in his life and it didn’t seem to matter what he did, nothing was going to stop it. The subject of mainly verbal and sometimes physical torment from a bully who was in several of his classes, Paul was often reduced to tears and was forced to endure it for his entire high school years. “The senior years of school were by far the worst,” Paul remembered. “Kids can be mean, and when they reach the age of “I know everything” the bullying becomes a lot more sophisticated. “He was in a lot of my classes and was definitely not the brightest tool in the shed. Looking back now, he clearly had a lot of problems.” Paul said the bullying was constant and was every single day of his school life. On the occasions where it turned physical, he was carted off to the principal’s office and dealt the same punishment as the perpetrator. “I wasn’t the only one that it happened to,” Paul said. “It is the worst time in a kid’s life for this to happen. These years of emotional
and mental development are fragile. The unfortunate thing is, some people take the bullying that hard that they end up in absolute dire straits.” For the first few years, Paul did not tell his parents. “Looking back now, I can’t remember why I didn’t. Perhaps it was fear that I was causing a problem for my parents, or perhaps it was that I couldn’t find the strength to face my parents and tell them I had a problem,” Paul said. “My self-image of being responsible enough to handle expectations I believed my parents had on me would have been shattered. I was so wrong - as this was not the case at all.” Although his parents complained to the school when Paul eventually confided his unhappiness, the bullying only stopped temporarily. “The teachers organised that this student would remain on the other side of the play ground that I was in. Classes that this student and I shared would be reviewed so that we no longer shared the same classes. It was an administrative nightmare.” But unfortunately despite the efforts of the adults, the bullying
never stopped. Since leaving school and the bullying behind him, Paul feels a strong pull towards helping others that are in the situation he lived for half a dozen years. His way of dealing with his traumatic years is through Martial Arts. “Martial arts, no matter what style or discipline, is about affirmation of self and building character. Leave aside the skills of hand to hand combat, the student facing the bullying would be wise to employ what they’ve learnt in the gym or dojo in the school yard,” Paul said. “Just because you know martial arts it doesn’t mean you use it. You should respond with intelligent deployment of what you have learned, equal to the level of threat. That means, you just don’t go and punch someone in the head because the bully looked at you with a funny face. You ignore him or her. But from the moment he or she touches you, you use whatever you learned from your trainer to keep yourself safe.” Paul has spent the past year developing a program especially designed for victims of bullying. More about that next issue.
9 Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
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Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
Rotary Leads in Mental Health Prevention By Cheryl Deguara
ST MARYS Rotary Club along with other Rotary Clubs does not just support our local communities but also projects that will do the greater good for Australians. Mental disorders have become the main source of disability burden in Australia. In response, funding from the Australian Government has supported an increase in treatment services. However, as the percentage of people seeking treatment has risen from 37% to 46%, the prevalence of mental disorders in Australia appears to be unchanged. So the question remains: how do we reduce the impact of mental health on the Australian community? Australian Rotary Health (ARH) has become one of the first research organizations to commit funding into finding preventions for mental disorders. At an ARH Symposium held last year, which brought together 25 of Australia’s top experts in Mental Health prevention, evidence showed that prevention is particularly promising for common mental disorders such as depression and anxiety. In conjunction with Rotary Clubs,
they will also run health forums around Australia bringing information to the community of how they can prevent the development mental disorders in their own lives. Finally, a third program to put them ahead of the pack is the launch of an electronic newsletter spotlighting the latest research findings of mental health prevention across the lifespan. Five new research projects will be funded this year in the area of mental health prevention: • A Multi-tiered approach to suicide prevention in young Australians Tonelle Handley, National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre, NSW. • The prevention of mental health difficulties in adolescents using an emotion-focussed parenting program - Sophie Havighurst, University of Melbourne, Vic. • Effective suicide prevention campaign material for young people: A randomised controlled trial - Jane Pirkis, University of Melbourne, Vic. • Phase II study of an online population-based intervention to improve the mental health of young people who are unemployed - Vanessa Rose, University of New South Wales, NSW • Helping young Australians to
“Look for Good”: A school-based trial of positive attention training to increase children’s emotional well-being and prevent anxiety and depression - Allison Waters, Griffith University, Vic.
For more information about these programs, or to sign up to receive the prevention email newsletter, please contact Australian Rotary Health on (02) 8837 1900 or email admin@ australianrotaryhealth.org.au
A true emergency – gastric bloating
Nepean
Veterinary REPORT with Dr Tony Karolis phone 4733 3456
SENIOR VETERINARIAN NEPEAN & MOUNTAINS ANIMAL HOSPITAL
By Dr Claire Petterson
EVEN the pets of veterinary staff get sick! This week we meet our vet nurse Steph’s dog Roxy, a seven year old female German Shepherd. Roxy came in to us drooling and retching, and her abdomen seemed bloated. We performed an X-ray on arrival which showed Roxy’s stomach was massively dilated and had twisted over on itself – a condition known as Gastric Dilation and Volvulus (GDV).
This is a true emergency condition. When the stomach is twisted like this, both entry and exit to the stomach are blocked, causing the stomach to dilate with gas. This slows the return of blood to the heart from the abdomen, and puts pressure on the diaphragm, stopping the lungs expanding normally. Without prompt treatment, this condition quickly becomes fatal. We commenced emergency treatment straight away. First we gave pain relief and high volumes of intravenous fluids as Roxy was in shock. Next, a stomach tube was passed to deflate and empty and stomach of gas and fluid. Surgery was then commenced to untwist the stomach. Once the stomach was rotated back into normal position, the rest of the organs were inspected for damage. Blockage of blood supply to the spleen and stomach can cause sections of these organs to die, which requires partial or total removal. To prevent the condition occurring again, the stomach was sutured to the right body wall to keep it in its correct position (known as a gastropexy). The period immediately after surgery is very risky. Despite the high risk of complications, Roxy made a full recovery, thanks to the expertise care given by our dedicated team. So how does this condition occur? The stomach can twist secondary to
Massively dilated stomach on X-ray
gas or food stretching the stomach. Risk factors for GDV include feeding large amounts of dry food followed by exercise, sudden changes in diet, drinking large amounts of water after eating, and gulping of food. Large breeds with deeps chests such as German Shepherds, Great Danes, Dobermans, Weimeraners, Irish Wolfhounds, Irish Setters and Saint Bernards are more likely to get a GDV. However, any dog can potentially get this condition. If you have an at risk breed, feed two to three small meals per day instead of one large meal. Do not feed two hours before or after vigorous activity. Try to stop rapid gulping of food and air by feeding dogs separately. Food bowls should be on the ground, not elevated. Diet changes should be made over one week. Signs of gastric bloating include restlessness, panting, retching
1. Roxy recovered at home
without producing anything, drooling, standing and stretching and a bloated, hard abdomen, progressing to collapse. If your dog is showing any of these signs, do not delay in seeking veterinary assistance. The earlier this condition is identified the better the chance of survival. We are always available.
AFTER almost eight years of struggling with a hypoxic brain injury following a near drowning incident, little local hero, Samuel Morris has sadly lost his hard-fought battle. Samuel was just 10 years old when he passed at Bear Cottage surrounded by his loving family on February 22. A celebration of his life is being held today at St Marys Band Club. As a journalist I’ve written quite a lot about little Samuel’s journey over the years, and I’ve also covered many calls for pool regulations by his parents and stories on behalf of the Samuel Morris Foundation. A few years ago, the GM at Ripples invited my fiancé Greg and I to a fundraiser for the foundation held at Hawkesbury races. A short film was played on the big screen taking us on a journey through Samuel’s life. Even though I knew the details of the tragedy, nothing could have prepared me for what the pictures revealed. There were photos of two-year-old Samuel prior to that tragic day – laughing, playing and smiling at the camera. He looked so much like my own son Billy at that age – blonde, bright-eyed and cuddly. What followed were the most heart-breaking pictures of Samuel after he’d been pulled out of the pool and taken to hospital. The blood drained from my face and my heart literally broke as I looked
at the images of this tiny gorgeous little boy, lying on a hospital bed in his little nappy – with tubes everywhere and those beautiful bright eyes no longer focusing. The tears flowed and I looked across at Samuel’s mum, Jo-ann – who at that point I had never met. I felt an instant love for her, from one mother to another, feeling a heartbreak that every mother dreads but most of us are lucky enough to never experience. My heart ached for her, and still does – the sheer enormity of what she has been through. No mother should ever have to live through something so utterly devastating. How she has managed to cope, I’ll never know. Having such a devoted husband in Michael, I’m sure has played a major part in it. After all, it has been just as devastating a journey for him to see his only son go from a happy-go-lucky toddler to a severely disabled child in a shocking instant. But every single moment I have spent with Michael over the years, whether it be interviewing him or just chatting at a function, it has always been clear that one of his utmost priorities is protecting and looking out for Jo-ann’s wellbeing. Samuel, Penrith’s greatest little champion was not supposed to survive the dreadful incident. But, showing more courage than an entire army, he went on to battle his way through eight years of dreadful pain fearlessly. Our little fighter must have decided it was time to leave this place, and with his loving family around him he finally let go. “As I held his hand and stroked his hair, surrounded by the love of Jo-Ann, Tanja and Taylor, Samuel took his last breath and peacefully let go of this life,” said Samuel’s dad Michael. “Samuel has faced significant battles with amazing strength and tenacity over the last almost eight years. “We are grateful that we were able to share our last moments with Samuel at Bear Cottage as we had all planned and hoped we would be able to, even though this occurred so quickly.” The events of that horrifying day in the family’s backyard pool in Cranebrook back in April 2006 are permanently etched onto Jo-Ann’s mind. “I woke that day not realising that it would end up being the worst day of my life,” Jo-Ann said. Little Samuel managed to get through a faulty panel of pool fencing and had been underwater for five minutes when his mum discovered him and pulled him out. “He was in the deep end, face down, hovering just centimetres under the water right at the edge of the deep end. I didn’t even get wet until after I scooped Samuel into my arms,” Jo-Ann remembers. “I rolled him onto his back in my arms, he was heavy, lifeless, swollen, his eyes were bulging and starey, he was foaming at the mouth, blue around his lips and his nose and his skin was a strange pale yellow colour. “He did not look like my son. I will never no
matter how hard I try, get the picture out of my head how my son was. The look, the taste, the smells, the sounds and the feeling will be with me forever. I ran back through the self latching gate. I laid Samuel down at the back door, I had felt a heart beat on my hand while carrying Samuel,” Jo-Ann said. Through the extraordinary efforts of Samuel’s mum, their neighbours Les and Shirley, an unknown passerby, a platoon from Cranebrook Fire Station, Maggie and Haydon from the NSW Ambulance Service and the Emergency Department team at Nepean Hospital, Samuel survived the tragic accident. Devastatingly as a result, Samuel experienced a severe hypoxic brain injury and was left with a range of severe disabilities. He was also never able to walk or talk again. Samuel’s disabilities meant that he required a range of equipment, ongoing therapy and roundthe-clock care. His condition resulted in some very painful experiences for him; twisting of his arms, hands, feet and legs, breathing difficulties and seizures and many other agonising problems. But Jo-Ann, Michael and their daughters Tanja and Taylor always ensured Samuel lived life to the absolute fullest that a child in his condition could. There was never a time that at least one parent wasn’t with him. They devoted themselves entirely to Samuel, and to doing their best to stop the same thing from happening to other families; through the Samuel Morris Foundation. In Australia and other developed nations drowning is one of the three leading causes of accidental death in 0-4 year olds. In some jurisdictions drowning is in fact the leading cause of injury related death in this age group. Sadly the death toll from drowning is only part of the picture. Every year hundreds of Australian children aged 0-4 are admitted to hospital following a near drowning. Tragically an average of 33 children in this age group will lose their lives and almost one quarter of those admitted to hospital following a nonfatal drowning will suffer a hypoxic brain injury due to lack of oxygen that will result in disabilities for life. The Samuel Morris Foundation, established in March 2007, is Australia’s only charity supporting children disabled by near drowning (or other hypoxic brain injuries), supporting their families, and preventing future drowning deaths and disabilities through drowning prevention education and awareness. You can donate to the Samuel Morris foundation by visiting www.samuelmorrisfoundation.org.au Through the tears we shed for the cruel life you had to live, sweet Samuel, we will smile at the thought of you now being able to run free, laugh and roll in the grass – and enjoy all the things that little boys should. Bless your dear little heart.
Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
By Kerrie Martin
cover story
Fly free sweet angel
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Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
Spread a little sunshine Little Wings wins award CIRCLE April 5 as the day to spread a little sunshine for local cancer sufferers by heading to the Emu Plains Community Centre for Sunshine Day. The day is put on by Penrith Valley/Blue Mountains Cancer Help, a not for profit organisation who help people living with cancer, their carers and families. Speakers, therapists and volunteers will be there on the day offering half an hour massage, reflexology, Reiiki, plus meditation and Qigong. Speakers will be available to answer any questions you may have as well as representatives from support and recreational groups to let everyone know what is available in the community. Carers can have a neck and shoulder massage for free as well. Refreshments are available all day and a wholesome lunch will be served. Sunshine day has been going for four years now, and every year it gets bigger with approximately 100 people attending each time. “The generosity of the wider community has been overwhelming,” said Frances Nicholson, Publicity Officer. “From donating prizes for raffles to helping with funds, Penrith Valley/Blue Mountains Cancer Help can make this a great time for all to have some much needed respite, gain
KEVIN Robinson, founder of Little Wings, the charitable foundation which flies, free of charge, ill children and their families from outback NSW to and from Sydney for medical treatment, has been awarded a coveted CALI Award. The award, presented by the group Five Point Five, is presented to a person who fills the criteria of Community, Action, Leadership and Inspiration (CALI). Kevin proudly accepted the award “on behalf of everyone associated with Little Wings”. Little Wings started as an idea in 2011, with the goal of completing “one to two flights a week” to help families during cancer treatment at The Childrens Hospital Westmead. A successful businessman, Kevin was prepared to set aside two days per week to “put something back into the community”. The success of Little Wings however has resulted in Kevin working full-time on the project, “Using my spare time as a pilot, and hiring aircraft, I hoped to help a small number of families across NSW,” he said. “What I didn’t anticipate is the huge personal reward that is felt when helping kids with cancer and
information and make new friends.” “Raffles will be held on the day so don’t forget your small change.” Reservations are essential to secure your spot so please call Blue Mountains Cancer Help on 47 824866 or email events@cancerhelp.net.au
Fleur Michel and Melissa Spurrier are going through the effects of their rare and different cancers but are looking forward to Sunshine Day.
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their families. “The inspiration I received from not only helping these kids, but also the very tangible way in which we help the entire family at a time of their greatest need, is today my driving force to succeed.” Helping these people has been the inspiration for Little Wings to establish a professional flight and ground support service, reaching to the borders of NSW. “Our goal now is to complete 180 flights in the year ahead, increasing to 300 flights in 2015 – a significant difference to the 30-40 flights a year I was thinking about in the beginning!” The name Five Point Five was inspired by Narayanan Krishnan, an award-winning chef in India who quit his job to care for the destitute and mentally ill on the streets of India.
Do you like reading the history pages featured in Nepean News? Now you can purchase a LIMITED EDITION book featuring our history pages and more for just $10 plus postage and handling.
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Action man! Little Wings pilot and CEO, Kevin Robinson
Yippi-i-yo - singing his Hayley’s ‘go’ By Greg Martin
NOW let’s get this straight from the very outset – I am no fan of Country and Western music.
Hayley Langley belts out her song during the production of the film clip of Milbrodale Mountain Ride.
In fact, I’d rather spend time alone on an island with Boring Bernie Fraser or self-flagellate with a cat o’ nine tails than listen to that country twang. Well, that was before my heart recently softened a wee bit after listening to 15-year-old Hayley Langley belt out a tune she co-wrote with “Australia’s Queen of Country”, Gina Jeffreys. That song, Milbrodale Mountain Ride, is about off-road buggy racing held at Milbrodale, near Singleton (the things these C&W people sing about!) After watching her brother, Kurt, the navigator aboard Darrin Hedges’ buggy, crash into trees, the then 14-year-old was inspired to write a song about it – she wrote the tune and co-wrote the lyrics with Gina. By the way no bugsters (or whatever they’re called) were harmed in the making of this story and Hayley’s song – both young men emerged from the decimated vehicle, shaken but unscathed. You can purchase Milbrodale Mountain Ride on iTunes, order a copy of her film clip or keep a look out for the film clip on Country Music Channel. Hayley, a Year 10 student at Nepean Performing Arts High School, lives in Freeman’s Reach with her parents, Kerrie and Steve, brother Kurt and a menagerie of animals - 11kg Murray the Cod. Don Duck, Brittany Rabbit, Sydney Snake (a python) and two dogs, Luke and Tilly. Her love of C&W was inspired by Kerrie and Steve who have always had a passion for that particular musical genre. “Country and Western was always heard at our
house - other styles of music rarely got a look in,” Hayley laughed. “Mum and Dad admit they have no musical talent so it was my brother Kurt who inspired me to get into the music. “He learned the guitar with Nick Woodford at Blake’s Music in Windsor and when I was 11 I had to give away my dancing because of an injured ankle and so I started getting lessons off Nick too. “Nick also gave singing lessons and I started doing that as well.” Kerrie Langley says her daughter has “always had a love of performing”. “The whole family has always attended the Tamworth Country Music Festival and one year, when she was just four, she noticed the street buskers performing and she just took off her hat and started dancing. “She was just so cute and soon enough there was plenty of coins and notes in her little hat. “Ever since it has been her aim to have a career in music in whatever capacity she can find – performing, teaching – whatever!” You can catch Hayley performing at the upcoming Hawkesbury Show, occasionally busking in Windsor and also at monthly concerts conducted by Nick Woodford’s students at The Royal Exchange in Windsor. Hayley will also be performing at the Maureen Wagner Memorial Awards held annually at Windsor RSL on May 31. Yee-haaa!
Vale Roger Nethercote ROGER Nethercote, a great servant to the people of the Nepean and the Blue Mountains for 35 years, will be laid to rest tomorrow at Leura Memorial Gardens. Mr Nethercote, 61, passed away last Thursday after a short illness. The Sydney-born- Mr Nethercote studied architecture and town and country planning and spent 12 years with Blue Mountains City Council before joining Penrith City Council in February, 1990. He commenced his duties at Penrith as a Senior Environmental Planner but his obvious knowledge and work ethic soon resulted in him being promoted to more senior positions; Supervisor Rural Residential Branch and Environmental Planning Branch Supervisor. Mr Nethercote was promoted to the position of Environmental Planning Manager in December, 1994 and held that position until April, 2009 when he was appointed to the role of Group Manager People and Places. A position he held until taking long service leave and retirement last year. Throughout his career Mr
Then deputy mayor, Jim Aitken (r) presents Roger Nethercote with a Certificate of Recognition for his 20 years of service to Penrith City Council in 2010.
Nethercote attended many professional courses to ensure contemporary standards were being met, represented PCC in his professional capacity at conferences. He has played an important role in engaging with the public and encouraging dialogue about the range of issues affecting the built
environment. He has played a significant role in the local and wider community through chairing the WSROC Environmental and Strategic Planners Committee, and representing the General Manager on the Penrith City Children’s Services Board and the Penrith Performing and Visual Arts
Board. Mr Nethercote led teams which achieved significant outcomes for PCC including conserving 1500 hectares of bushland for future generations, and planning and delivering 10 new urban communities which will provide 18,000 new homes based on an innovative sustainability blueprint. He introduced a place management focus to PCC’s major employment and city centres and was a strong advocate for the Neighbourhood Renewal program for established communities to provide equitable access and opportunities to council services. Other career highlights include developing a strong business focus for Children’s Services, formulating Urban, Rural, Employment and City Health strategies, and planning major developments such as UWS buildings, the Harvey Norman Supercentre and the Homemaker Centre. The funeral service for Mr Nethercote will be held at 11am. Mr Nethercote is survived by his wife, Jen, and children Christie and Andy.
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local news
I AM not sure if I was lucky or just drew the short straw, however I was very blessed to have worked on a job that allowed me to contemplate my navel for 12 hours. It’s amazing how you can go into a coma when required to sit in a car for 12 hours and just watch. I played I spy with my little eye, but knew the answer cause it was only me in the car, and played flick the biro off the dash and catch it ya mouth without stabbing yourself in the eye. Seriously it is great fun, I assure you. The best part is playing with the seat height adjuster, now that’s living the dream, I give you the drum! So here I am in a suburban street, parked outside a house up the road from a site I was watching, and what’s astounding is nobody noticed. I saw number 22 come out for a smoke 3 times a night, number 32 walk the dog at 9.30 nightly and talk on the mobile
about how useless her hubby was in the bedroom, 26 must be a baker because he left at 1.13am each morning with 2GB blaring at 600 decibels and amazingly enough the only creature that froze and spotted me was a stray cat. The actual owners of the house drove in the driveway and did not even wonder why a strange car was parked outside their own house. Like seriously, are we really that busy or just stupid? The amazing thing about it is that they are the first people to scream, “OMG! I’ve been broken into! Where are the bloody cops when you need them?” Sigh….. So here I am on the 8th hour wondering, “How do some people actually perceive security?” Bouncers, do they have more hair than a baboon at Taronga Zoo? And just drag their knuckles? Grunt three times and then
With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security
pound you into next year to eject you from a pub? The guard at a site, the so-called plastic cop or wanna be cop? The gatehouse guard that reads a newspaper all day and does nothing? On the contrary folks. Security funnily enough is a regulated industry and controlled by a department called SLED (Security Licensing Enforcement Directorate) which is the NSW Police. All security personnel are required to be trained, finger printed, compliant and licensed. All security companies require a Master Licence, so hiring unlicensed uncle Joe to do security at your party is a no no. Alarm installers (cough cough don’t get me started) have to be security licensed, kids. Basically anything that includes a security activity should display a Master Licence. Advertising a security activity? Must have a Master Licence in the ad, I could play pick the breach (just for fun times) in most
newspapers and websites. We are so regulated that we are even told the font size to have our Master Licence details displayed or worn or cop a $550 on the spot fine for failure to do so. The list goes on, paperwork, incident registers, first aid, responsible service of alcohol. We have more licenses hanging around our necks than an RTA (opps sorry RMS) inspector. So as I drift back it’s the 12th hour and time to head home. The cat is still staring at me, number 28 is going on her morning jog, wearing more fluro Lyrica than boy George at a bad 80’s concert, 22 is back out the front with his first smoke for that day, 36 has more kids than a child care centre and is screaming at them just to let the entire planet earth know….ahhhh life is good aint it? As I write in my security report 0600 hours S/O Field off duty, Nothing further to Report.
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Calling for tenders Perfect posture ROADS Minister Duncan Gay visited Old Wallgrove Road with local MPs Andy Rohan (Smithfield) and Tanya Davies (Mulgoa) to announce the major upgrade of the road is now open to tenders. Minister Gay, Mr Rohan and Ms Davies said it was an important milestone in getting the project to construction later this year. “The NSW Government is delivering vital infrastructure around employment areas in Western Sydney as we deliver bigger roads budgets than any other time in our state’s history, of more than $5 billion each financial year,” Minister Gay said. “Old Wallgrove Road is a key project for motorists travelling to the Western Sydney Employment Area and in this year’s State Budget we outlined our $70 million upgrade plan. “Today I’m delighted to invite qualified contractors to submit bids to upgrade the 1.5 kilometre length of Old Wallgrove Road, build a new 400 metre section of linking road and widen a one kilometre section of Wallgrove Road at the M7 interchange. “Old Wallgrove Road will link up with Erskine Park Link Road which the NSW Government started in October 2011 and completed in July 2013, unlocking thousands of hectares
of land for new employment within the area,” Minister Gay said. “The work we are doing now should have started a decade ago, for a party that claims to be grounded in Western Sydney, Labor had thrown their hands up and didn’t even make a start,” Mrs Davies said. “This is another project that’s building for the future of Western Sydney, boosting productivity and growing our economy. “Tenders need to be submitted by Friday 4 April with the successful proponent expected to be awarded the tender by the middle of this year,” Ms Davies said. Tenders are to be lodged in the tender box at Roads and Maritime, Level 9, 101 Miller Street, North Sydney. For future information visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/roadprojects
NEPEAN Office Furniture located in Penrith is a family run business that has been in business since 1987. We welcome you to visit our showroom where you can view the extensive range of Australian made office furniture and ergonomic office chairs on display. Our showroom also features a large dedicated area especially for Ergonomic Solutions, where we offer advice on ergonomic solutions and demonstrate the latest in products including sit stand desks which are all available for you to touch and try before making your next Ergonomic purchase. Our next Ergonomic Workshop feature guest speakers Gary Martin form Therapod and Mark Hawkins Ergonomic Sales at Nepean Office Furniture, shall discuss the important elements which contribute towards creating an optimum working environment with sit stand solutions as well as highlighting current seating trends. Why Therapod? The Therapod posture support chairs are made in Australia developed locally by healthcare and engineering specialist, the Therapod seating system is the only GST Free office Seating brand in Australia certified by the Australian
Government as medical aid / appliance. Therapod has been at the forefront of seating technologies for over twenty years. In that time we have developed our Healthcare Range of chairs and Intensive and Bariatric Seating offering technology such as VTeq and comfort plus ergonomic seat cushions. In 2013 we have released Gel Teq cushion the next generation in seating technology. In this era of health conscious living, your body deserves the best back support solution available; to hear more about the Therapod Seating and the Sit Stand Solutions, please join us on the 18th March 2014.
Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
THE G SPOT
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16 Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
Legends of the Nepean By Greg Martin
Diane Langmack proudly wears her OAM after the presentation ceremony at Government House.
I PRESUME you would agree to anything if someone said he could save your life on the proviso…. The proviso offered Diane Langmack by Royal Prince Alfred Hospital’s world-acclaimed clinical haematologist and physicianscientist, Professor John Rasko, was that if she survived Non – Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, she would help him with his charitable work. Fortunately for our own and the wider community, Professor Rasko’s treatment was successful and an obviously very much relieved and appreciative Diane never gave any thought to reneging on her promise. Already established as a “go to person” if funds were required by charitable organisations such as the Victor Chang Foundation and The Children’s Hospital, Diane became a member of Professor Rasko’s Cure the Future Foundation in 2009. Cure the Future is an organisation which helps fund vital medical research into cell and gene therapies to find cures for diseases such as cancer, one of 4000 diseases
known to the medical world. Diane, Community and Public Relations Manager at Panthers, like everything else she does, put her heart and soul into the foundation and in 2010 became a deputy chair and in 2011, its current chairperson. Over the past few years Diane has been recognised for her tireless charitable work, receiving a Premier’s Award for Outstanding Community Service in 2012 and last year she was justly honoured with an Order of Australia Medal, again for her charitable work and deeds within our community. Diane puts in the hard yakka for various other charities including the Panthers on the Prowl Community Foundation and the Panthers Women in League charity. “I didn’t have any hesitation in agreeing to Professor Rasko’s ultimatum – and of course I am delighted that I have been able to fulfil the undertaking I gave him,” Diane said. But it was a long, hard road to where Professor Rasko and Diane commenced working together. Diane spent most of 2007 in and out of hospital where she
underwent regular chemotherapy sessions which reduced a “mangosized” stomach tumour to nothing. Regular check-ups since keep coming up “all clear” with no reappearance of the cancer. Which permits her to live a very full life, what being a wife and mother, fund raising and holding down her job at Panthers. Which she says, she “absolutely loves”. “I have always loved my rugby league and to work in that environment is a dream come true,” Diane said. On the job front, Diane first linked with the Panthers around 2000 when she was contracted to work on club publications. In 2001 she accepted an offer to become full-time editor of Panthers Magazine, a position she held until her year of ill health after which the Panthers board decided to can the magazine due to falling revenue. But one door closes and another opens and for Diane that door led to her current appointment. Diane has had a long association with Penrith and the Panthers. “My older brother, Peter, lived at Emu Plains and played for the
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DIANE LANGMACK “Under Peter Moore (long-time secretary) Canterbury developed a reputation as a club where everyone felt part of a family,” Diane said. “I made many friendships while Peter played there and they have lasted to this day. “I went over for the World Cup last year with my husband Vincent (Morizzi), brother, Paul and his son Alex, and while in London we linked with a group of ex-Canterbury players and officials – we had a wonderful time reminiscing about the old days,” Dianesaid. Neither of Diane’s sons ventured into big-time rugby league but both, being of the Langmack bloodline, are keen followers of the game. It is a little harder for 26-year old Andrew to get to a match – he is currently in his fourth year in Los Angeles where he is successfully seeking a variety of acting roles. Year-older brother, Edward, is a successful Sydney-based lawyer. The Langmack clan, the people of the Nepean and the wider community have a lot to be thankful that Professor Rasko was able to successfully treat Diane Langmack and she, not to renege on her pact.
Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
Panthers from 1973 to 1976 and as a teenager I would come out from our home at Cabramatta to stay with him and watch him play footy,” Diane said. “Did you know that Peter holds the match try-scoring record for the Panthers? He scored five tries against St George in 1974.” Well, we certainly do now! Rugby League has always been one of Diane’s passions. One of her mother’s uncles, Tom Fitzpatrick played 75 matches for Easts (1924-30) and younger brother, Paul, was a 1986 Kangaroo tourist and NSW representative who gave distinguished service to Canterbury (1983-90), Wests (1991-98) and Sydney City Roosters (1999). Peter Langmack joined the Panthers after three seasons at Parramatta and returned to the Eels to play out the final two years of his career in 1977-78. Because of Paul’s long association with the “family club” at Canterbury, Diane still has a soft spot for the Bulldogs but is adamant that whenever the Penrith plays Canterbury, she cheers for the mighty Panthers.
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Diane Langmack was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Mark Geyer. If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at greg@nepeannews.com.au
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local news
Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
Mirror, mirror on the wall… By Annette Thain
A CENTURY ago, to wear make-up or colour your hair was considered vulgar and red nail polish was positively scandalous! Oh, how times haves changed. Today, men and women regularly indulge in treatments to enhance their appearance such as facials, waxing, tanning, manicures/pedicures and a range of services from the hair salon. Aside from the more traditional beauty treatments mentioned above there are now a whole range of options that were once the province of the rich and famous. Modern cosmetic procedures have evolved to become safer, less expensive and more effective since the original face-lift was introduced. I asked our regular columnist, Nita McHugh of Rejuven8 Cosmetic Clinic, about the latest trends in cosmetic treatment, how much do they cost and who can benefit from them? Injectables are the most popular treatment for women and men; they add volume, lift and reduce wrinkles. The range of injectables includes Botox, dermal fillers, Sculptra and
Nita
Ask
A regular column to answer your medical cosmetic queries
ROSACEA is a common skin disorder that causes red patches, pimples, bumps and burst capillaries on the face. In some cases it can also affect the eyes. Rosacea can occur at any age but is most likely to start in fair skinned people in their 30s and 40s. It can also affect people with skin of colour. The first symptoms of rosacea are
plasma therapy. Botox is still very popular and the most affordable, with facial treatments ranging from $150-$600 - depending on the amount of product used. Aside from the ‘ole frown lines and number 11’s there are many other neat little tricks that Botox can achieve to lift and reduce wrinkles all over the face. It can relax the muscles around the chin and alleviate that ‘pointy chin’ look or turn your frown upside down by relaxing those muscles that pull the corners of the mouth down. Botox does not add volume to the face, its effects last 6-12 months. Dermal fillers add volume to the face. There are many to choose from, permanent and temporary. Temporary fillers are naturally broken down by the body and require topping up whereas permanent fillers may last up to 8 years. Dermal fillers are a “liquid facelift”; they fill out the wrinkles from the inside and in doing so relieve sagging skin. The most popular are those that consist of a gel made from hyaluronic acid, a protein found in the body. These fillers are well tolerated by the body and also boost the natural production of elastin and collagen. Hyaluronic acid dermal fillers are
temporary; the benefits last up to 12 months. Prices vary depending on the brand and the quantity required, eg. dermal filling to add volume to the cheek area will generally cost between $800-1,500. The “Vampire Facelift” or PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma) made popular by Kim Kardashian is an injectable treatment using a person’s own blood cells. The treatment involves the clinician taking blood, separating the plasma via a centrifugal separator and injecting the plasma into areas for treatment. The treatment costs $500 per session with 3 sessions recommended for optimal results. PRP is a bio-stimulator designed to increase collagen and thicken the skin for firmer, younger looking skin. It is highly effective in rejuvenating crepey neck, eye area, décolletage and the back of hands. Sculptra is an injectable product that adds volume to the face discreetly; results will show after 4 weeks and continue to improve for up to 2 years. Sculptra is particularly suited to clients with very fine wrinkled skin, persons with signs of lipotrophy (wasting of fat from face and body) due to illness or rapid weight loss, and persons
Nita McHugh
with a high metabolism. Sculptra is popular with body builders as their high metabolic rate breaks down other dermal fillers at an accelerated rate. The disco facial (light and sound) is becoming increasingly popular; it involves an ultrasonic peel, antioxidant infusion, micro current therapy and LED red and near-infrared light therapy. There are two treatments, one with anti-aging properties and another effective acne treatment. Our columnist, Nita McHugh is an expert on all of these modern-day makeovers. Her contact details are listed on the ad below and she’s more than happy to answer any questions.
What is Rosacea? a tendency to blush (facial flushing) which becomes more frequent and more noticeable. Some things such as alcohol, which causes redness in most people, are likely to cause a more rapid and prolonged flushing or redness in people with rosacea. Eventually the redness of the face becomes constant, only changing in intensity. The area’s most likely to be effected are over the nose and cheeks, but it can affect the whole face, ears and neck. With more intense than usual skin redness there may also appear, small, dilated blood vessels known as telangiectases. Sometimes referred to as burst capillaries, these telangiectases are seen as a fine red pattern just below the surface
of the skin. Inflamed red bumps, often appearing with yellow heads, in a pattern similar to the redness can develop. As individual bumps go away new ones appear and the overall appearance can be similar to teenage acne. Skin may become more sensitive and easily irritated. Some people who are more severely affected may find the texture of the skin changes and thickens in some areas, developing an orange peel feel. Localised lumpy swelling may form, particularly over the nose causing a disfigurement known as rhynophyma. What causes Rosacea? Frustrating for skin experts and rosacea sufferers alike, the cause of
rosacea remains unknown a theory is that it’s caused by an overabundance of the demodex mites – microscopic bugs that live within the skins follicles. This may play a role but case studies have proven that when the demodex was treated only a small percentage of improvement was found. It may be that the demodex flourish and multiply when the skin is inflamed. Treatments for Rosacea • Dermasound facial • IPL Intense pulsed light • Enerpeel Mandelic • Rejuven8’s skincare Call Rejuven8 for your FREE consultation on 02 47324009. Ask us about our Rosacea packages for huge savings!
BODY STUDIO
www.rejuven8.com.au Shop 1/344 High St, Penrith Tel (02) 4732 4009
• Formostar Body Wraps • Ultrasonic Fat Blasting • Weight & Cellulite Reduction • Nutritionist • Liposculpture • Vibrosaun
John Cram Place, Penrith
4732 4006
Nepean News 8 August 2013 Issue 105
3
24 MONTHS INTEREST FREE‡ WITH NO DEPOSIT • Reverts to the cash advance rate • $59 Annual Fee • Min Purchase $500 • Offer Valid From 01/03/14 to 31/03/14 ‡
Terms and conditions apply
20 Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
I’ve just met a girl named Maria HOT stuff! Maria stands proudly behind what mouth-watering meats are sold at the hot food counter. I’VE just met a girl named Maria – don’t know whether she can hike in the mountains or sing but tell ya what, she can certainly whet the appetite for some really good tucker. Maria has recently joined Joe’s Fresh Kitchen at Jordan Springs as the Delicatessen and Hot Food Manager. What Maria doesn’t know about delis could fit on the edge of a thin slice of corned beef! She has been in the business for 26 years, the past 19 as a valued member of the Joe’s Fresh Kitchen group of franchises - previously she worked at the Mt Druitt and Wetherill Park shops. Maria is putting in a lot of work to ensure the hot food section of the shop does brisk business. “If you love your meat, we have it fully covered - we sell beef, pork and lamb roasts, barbecued chickens and ribs, crumbed cutlets, chicken snitzels, and a wide range of baked vegies,” Maria said. “With the cooler months approaching we will be extending our menu to include pastas and arincinis which are rice balls with meat fillings - they’re delicious!” Joe’s Fresh Kitchen is a new concept store in retail – an absolute food lover’s paradise. The outlet is being managed Peter Nicholas whose task in providing quality produce to a burgeoning list of satisfied customers has been made easier with the vastly experienced Maria joining the Jordan Springs ranks. The shop has a full-service butchery department
So much to see! So much to eat! The Deli at Joe’s Fresh Kitchen.
which sources the finest produce from some of Australia’s most respected producers. The deli meats are carved as you order so you know it is freshly sliced for you and cut just the way you like it. Joe’s in-house chefs also create and cook a full range of mouth-watering salads which are produced
daily in-store – they are always fresh and change with the seasons. Joe’s also markets a full range of gourmet cheeses as well as freshly prepared yoghurts, sandwiches and rolls. So put a spring in your step and head to Joe’s Fresh Kitchen at Jordan Springs.
22 Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
COMMUNITY WHAT’S ON... Meeting in Penrith for M people affected by adoption Anyone living in Penrith and surrounding areas affected by adoption, is invited to attend an information session to find out more about searching for and reuniting with family. The meeting in Penrith is one of a number of sessions facilitated by The Benevolent Society‛s, Post Adoption Resource Centre (PARC). PARC provides advice on how to search for family members, and acts as an intermediary service for reunions and counselling support. What: Adoption Connections Meeting, Penrith When: Thursday, 27 March Where: The Benevolent Society, 54 Henry Street, Penrith Time: 6 – 8.30 pm (please arrive a little earlier to register) Cost: Free (coffee, tea and snacks provided) RSVP: by Thursday, 13 March 2014 on 1300 659 814 or at parc@benevolent.org.au For more information about The Benevolent Society, visit: www.benevolent.org.au
The 2014 World Day of Prayer service for the St Marys area will be held this year at St Marys Baptist Church on Friday 7 March at 10am. Each year the focus is on a different country and this year it is Egypt. More than 3 million people in over 170 countries will join in a service on this day to recognize and pray for the complex needs of this country. All local churches have been invited and everyone is welcome to attend. A morning tea will follow the service. The address is 253 Great Western Highway St Marys. Enquiries: 0421 681 529.
The h next meeting of the Nepean / Blue Mountains Prostate Cancer Support Group will be held at 6.30pm on Monday the 17th March in Lecture Room 1, Learning & Development Unit, now located in the SWAHS 2 building Nepean Public Hospital Tonight our guest speaker will be Dr Amy Hayden, Radiation Oncologist, who visits the Nepean Cancer Care Centre on Wednesday‛s. Dr Hayden will speak on “New developments in radiotherapy for prostate cancer and understanding Clinical Trials”. All meetings are available to males and their partners who are seeking information on this cancer, and who live in the Blacktown, Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Penrith areas. Come along and experience the caring and benefits offered by our Support Group whose motto is YOU ARE NOT ALONE. Enquiries: Visit our website www.prostatesupport.org.au or Alan Moran OAM, Immediate Past President 1300 13 38 78.
CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Villains (6) 4 Huge (8) 10 Indeterminate (9) 11 Hindu loincloth (5) 12 Locations (5) 13 Bursting inward (9) 14 Congested (7) 16 Accomplishes (4) 19 A Sicilian volcano (4) 21 A deadly poison (7) 24 Unqualified (9) 25 Fixes (5) 26 Female domestics (5) 27 Immobile (9) 28 An equestrian sport (8) 29 Stellar (6)
DOWN 1 Backpack (8) 2 Strong drive for success (8) 3 Boundaries (5) 5 Flavorless (7) 6 A nearby galaxy (9) 7 Hot and humid (6) 8 Cower (6) 9 Incarnate (6) 15 Certain posts in a fence (9) 17 A vivid red (8) 18 Conch or clam (8) 20 Walking leisurely (7) 21 Ointments (6) 22 Darkened (6) 23 Not idle (6) 25 Relocates (5)
solution 20/2/14
Catholic
schools week
Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
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Quality learning MCCARTHY Catholic College offers quality learning, with a highly qualified experienced staff, in a coeducational environment where students are challenged to strive for personal excellence and development of the whole person. The College offers a wide range of elective subjects in both the Senior and Junior School. All aspects of the Board of Studies curriculum are taught within the context of schooling in the Catholic tradition. The importance of fostering a positive learning environment and providing a breadth of curricular and co-curricular
activities is paramount at McCarthy. One of the specialised pathways the college offers students in Years 11 and 12 is through the Trade Training Centre (TTC), which was established in 2010, to benefit all students in the Penrith region. The TTC offers students the opportunity to complete the first year of an apprenticeship and gain their Higher School Certificate, with no external examinations, with the assistance of teacher mentors. Students complete training towards Certificate III in the trades currently offered at the TTC including; Automotive, Brick and Block, Beauty, Childcare, Carpentry, Electrician, Hairdressing, Hospitality and Metal Fabrication. A new initiative of the College in 2014 is a flexible learning model for Year 11 students, where they are not timetabled face to face class lessons, one day each week, but are engaged in specific study patterns, some of which occur off site. McCarthy is committed to providing quality academic, spiritual and pastoral care to our students and is witnessed through the school motto: Integrity, Justice and Peace.
McCarthy Catholic College
EMU PLAINS
Co-educational 7 -12
Est. 1986
Incorporating the Trade Training Centre
OPEN DAY
SUNDAY 23 MARCH 2014 9.30am to 11.30am • Meet the Principal • Tours of the College Facilities • Meet the students and staff • Trade Training Centre Information • Enrolment packages will be available
ENROLLING NOW FOR 2015 Enquiries - Mrs Sharon Clarke - 4735 3211 Principal: Ms Robyn Meddows 75 Mackellar Street, Emu Plains NSW 2750
Phone: (02) 4735 3211 Fax: (02) 4735 6249 Email: mccarthy@parra.catholic.edu.au
www.mccarthyemuplains.catholic.edu.au
Have a cuppa! PENRITH CBD Corporation together with Penrith City Council will be holding a “Senior cuppa of experience” event in the new pop up park area on Tuesday 11th March: 10-12noon. We will have MC Brett Thomas singing a few songs, Vintage FM –
week
fabulous Wayne Wilmington working on “name that tune”, Golden Zumba exercises, free morning tea and goodies bags for the first 100 people. This is our 2nd year at this lovely community information event and hope you will join us. Thanks, Gai Hawthorn.
Nepean Centre for Spinal Health Dr Frank Portelli DC ~ Chiropractor • Neck Pain • Headaches • Lower Back Pain • Sports Injuries • Arm & Leg Pain • Sciatica • Workers Compensation • Third Party Accident • Accredited with Department of Veterans Affairs 36 Doonmore Street, Penrith | 4731 6893 | 4731 2300
186 SMITH ST, PENRITH | P. 4721 5764
Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
Seniors
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Seniors
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Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
week
The importance of planning ahead...
WE plan for the years to come; in fact the Egyptians were doing it thousands of years ago. These days we look after our health and take the time to write a will without realising that we’re overlooking one very important aspect. Often, there are no preparations for arranging a funeral. Taking the time to clearly and calmly plan a service that reflects your personality is important, and with Guardian Funerals we believe that every goodbye is different. You can add any special request you may have so the service meets all your cultural, emotional, spiritual and personal needs. You’ll help your family by noting your choice of funeral service, what venue you would like, music or hymns, flowers, life symbols, or any other special requests. Funeral Director at Guardian Funerals Pinegrove, Fiona Boulous, says there are many benefits to planning ahead. “Prepaying a funeral is the final gift you can give to your family,” she said. “It helps greatly with the financial and the emotional stress that sometimes follows the death of a loved one, and it ensures there will be someone caring and experienced to look after family members when you’re gone.” Prepaying a funeral with Guardian Funerals,
gives you the protection of purchasing the funeral you want, fixing it in at today’s prices, and protecting your family against inflation. Prepaying with Guardian Funerals also helps cushion your family from confusion and difficult emotions because your wishes are known, recorded and paid for. It is a wonderful thing to want to protect your family and friends from having to make and pay for funeral arrangements when the need arises and quite often at such short notice. Guardian Funerals will assist you every step of the way to make sure that the funeral you are planning meets all of your requirements. All our team are active Justices of the Peace and you can ask them for their professional advice, or speak to friends about what you may like. Located within the picturesque grounds of Pinegrove Cemetery, our Pinegrove team shares over 70 years’ experience within the funeral industry … more than any other funeral business across Western Sydney. That’s why more families choose Guardian Funerals Pinegrove to care for their loved ones; 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week. To make a no obligation appointment to meet with Fiona or one of her experienced and caring team, either in our offices or in the comfort of your home, please call us on 9625 8500.
nepean history
Those Amazing Slab Huts
by Paul Wheeldon NDHS Member
OUR earliest pioneers became renowned for their building expertise in the construction of their dwellings. The Australian outback settler was also famous for his versatile use of the closest materials at hand. If he had easily quarried stone and little timber, even if he had only the most elementary idea of masonry, he would probably build his habitation in stone, either in perhaps a two room hut or, if his family requirements called for greater accommodation, he would construct a cottage of several rooms. If he was somewhat of a tradesman at all he would build a pitched roof and if it were to be a better class dwelling he would roof it in split shingles in preference to perhaps a bark roof. By comparison the majority of outback huts or small cottages were of wooden or slab construction. The The photo shown is the Coble family home at Yass in the 1860s (my paternal grandmother’s family). Often they built the new house beside the older one and the other was utilised for other early settler learnt quickly that the old English ‘wattle purposes. Note the variety in building construction. and daub’ construction was not in any way suitable for the Australian climate. The most common early constructions were of the ‘vertical slab’ Possibly among the greater skills was the selection and preparation type. There were of course a considerable number of variations of the materials. Stringy bark was the preferred timber for split slabs, in their construction in this type alone. Primarily the frame of the or was it because there was a greater abundance of that timber? building was erected, commencing with the corner posts, good solid Not only did it split straight but it was among the most durable of logs of the desired height were let into the ground at least a half timber. The discriminating timber worker was particularly fussy metre. According to the degree of performance required they were about selecting his trees. It was generally accepted that either the either left round or adzed or broad axed into square shape. Door white or red stringy bark was suitable, but the tree that grew in the openings and window outlets were generally indicated by posts. In valley or creek beds was the best to split. A chip would be struck the more permanent buildings a base and top plate were prepared, off a tree under selection and if the chip split readily in the hand it again not necessarily squared, by cutting a channel of perhaps 1 followed the tree would be a splitter. Trees off the higher ground ½ inches wide and two inches deep in which to set the adzed and were generally the last choice, and if possible were to be avoided squared ends of the split up-right slabs. Very often the based ends for this purpose. of the slabs were merely let into the ground, where, of course, they The bark would be used for the roof and again called for some ultimately rotted. The discriminating builder always used a good skill in its preparation. The length would be cut around the top and base plate set up off the ground on a foundation of stones and lime bottom and then a zig-zag cut would be made from top to bottom mortar to prevent rotting. The split edges of the slabs were nearly and the whole sheet of bark peeled off in one piece. The art of always adzed or squared off to ensure the best possible fit between preparing the bark for the roof so that it would not split was often slabs. a guarded secret by some. It consisted of keeping it rolled up and The roof frame was constructed from round timber ‘saplings’ almost immediately stood over a small fire so that it was virtually a (small young trees). It was a pitched roof often with ‘hip’ ends. In chimney. According to the condition of the bark it would be roasted, an ordinary dwelling it was invariably roofed with stringy bark, or so to speak, for perhaps half-an-hour and then probably turned end perhaps, if it was a fair size better class cottage, it may have used for end to complete the process. The sheets were then carefully laid a wooden shingle roof requiring very much more roofing battens out on the ground and weighted down flat before being placed on which had to be sawn. Hence we do not find any real early primitive the roof. It was generally conceded that this heating process also huts or houses with shingle roofs. The early settler only had modest increased its waterproof qualities. When the bark was placed in tools and labour so he built in the first instance the most modest position it was generally held down by further timber placed on top dwelling. The average settler’s tool consisted of perhaps an adze, of it and dowel pegged to keep it together. Later, of course, both wire several sizes of augurs and the like, a hand-made driving maul and and nails were often used. a set of splitting wedges, an axe, a broad or squaring axe, several hammers, a crosscut saw and possibly a shovel, crowbar and pick TO BE CONTINUED NEXT ISSUE... or mattock.
Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
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13TH ANNUAL HISTORY CONFERENCE - 8TH MARCH 2014 THE MAKINGS OF A CITY:
BUILDING A NATION -FROM COX TO CAMPAIGNS Penrith City Council & Library will be holding its 13th Makings of a City History Conference on Saturday 8 March 2014 in the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, Richard Bonynge Concert Hall, 597 High Street Penrith. 8.30am for a 9am start. Conference ends at afternoon tea at 4pm. Programme: • Introduction by Lorraine Stacker • Keynote Address - Dr Anne-Maree Whitaker - Building a Nation & William Cox, the man • John Brock – Surveyor George Evans • Associate Professor Carol Liston – Building and maintenance of roads in Colonial times and the records that can assist local researchers • Richard Cox – tales from his upcoming book on the early colonial landed gentry - ’an unruly … collection of adventurers’ • Lorraine Stacker – Patriotic Penrith and the impact of the War on the local area. Cost: $40 payable to Penrith City Library. Includes all presentations, conference pack, refreshments on arrival, lunch and morning and afternoon teas.
The grand parade down High Street on 18 July 1914 to mark the Centenary of the Western Road (Penrith City Library)
To purchase tickets phone 4732 8040 or email researchservices@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au
28 Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
Seniors week
An ounce of prevention… AS we age our health and medical issues change. It can be frustrating and frightening for many Senior Citizens to confront these new challenges in life, yet the old adage “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure” may make a marked difference to quality of life. Many people 65 years and over may feel unsteady on their feet, fear having a fall and restrict their activities accordingly. Others may feel their memory is letting them down, resulting in feelings of isolation and withdrawal. The health issues of aging are varied and complex. The Blue Mountains Geriatric Clinic is the private practice of Professor Gustavo Duque and services patients from the Blue Mountains, Penrith and the wider Sydney area. The Clinic has relocated to Suite 5, Level 2, 565 High Street, Penrith and offers the following services:- General Geriatric assessment, Memory assessment, Falls and fracture prevention, Gait and balance assessment, Chronic and complex cases. Professor Gustavo Duque is
a Geriatrician affiliated with the University of Sydney. The Professor attended medical school at the University of Caldas, Columbia, after which he completed an internal medicine residency at Javeriana University, Bogota, Columbia. He completed a two year fellowship in Geriatric Medicine at McGill University, Montreal Canada and also obtained a Macy Scholarship in Medical Education at Harvard University. The Blue Mountains Geriatric Clinic also includes the Gait and Balance Gym which incorporates state-of-the-art balance training, and gentle exercise. The aim of the programme is to decrease the incidence of falls by engaging clients and their families in strategies that will: Increase awareness and education regarding fall prevention, Increase focus on functional balance training activities, Provide balance and strengthening exercises which are tailored to individual needs, Teach clients how to react if a fall is expected.
Seniors
week
Celebrating seniors week
The wonderfully talented Victor Valdes will be performing at the free Seniors Concert at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre on March 20.
SENIORS Week will be celebrated by young and old in Penrith City from 17 March. Penrith City Library will host numerous free events throughout the week. Community groups will also hold morning teas and a luncheon to toast seniors. Festivities will culminate in a free concert at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre on Thursday 20 March, which is hosted annually by Penrith City Council. The concert will showcase musical and dance performances from a variety of performers, including harpist Victor Valdes. Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM said it was important to recognise the contribution seniors make to the community. “While seniors are always on our radar here in Penrith, it is important to acknowledge their contribution for this one week every year,” Cr Fowler said. “The free events are one way to say thank you for all that seniors do for their families and community.” For a full list of activities visit: www.penrithcity.nsw.gov.au and go to Senior’s week activities.
ve a
a We now h
Kids Play Area
Wednesday’s From 10.30am, Friday’s 6.30pm & Sunday 11.30am
Showground Markets Every Wednesday From 8.30am-1.30pm
$2.50 Morning Tea from 10.30am to 11.30am. Plus mini raf es, strips of 10 numbers for only @ $2. Mothers Groups more than welcome
Club Paceway 4721 2375 Cnr Station & Ransley Sts, Penrith
www.clubpacewaypenrith.com.au
GRACE FUNERALS D E D I C AT E D T O E X C E L L E N C E Locally owned and operated, Grace Funerals offers the following with understanding and compassion: • funeral services • bereavement care and support • pre-arranged funeral plans
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Contact us on 4735 6900 61 Great Western Highway Emu Plains www.gracefunerals.com.au
Authentic Irish venue, good food, and winner of multi Guinness awards for pouring “THE PERFECT PINT”
ENTERTAINMENT ALL DAY Main Bar 9am PATRICK BRADY 1pm 3 RAMS 5.30pm Lenny Puff JA Room 1.30pm Brendan & Hughie 5.30pm Blackwater PENRITH GAELS CLUB THANKS THE FOLLOWING SPONSORS FOR THEIR GENEROUS SUPPORT FOR OUR ANNUAL CHARITY GOLF DAY TO BE HELD ON FRIDAY 14TH MARCH, IN SUPPORT OF NEPEAN HOSPITAL FAMILY ROOM • BYRNES CIVIL ENGINEERING • INDEPENDENT GAMING • ULTIMATE POKER TOUR • THE BEAN DOCTOR • @PRINT • CFI • UPHIRE • MELBROOK PTY LTD • LUMINATE CORPORATE ADVISORS
• PRIME FIRE PROTECTION • MCGRATHS HOLDEN LIVERPOOL • THE WESTERN WEEKENDER • TASTE IRELAND • ASMAC CONSTRUCTIONS • ABCOE • SWRCC • CHARITY PAINTBALL • NORWEST BUILDING SERVICES
St PATRICK’s DAY
RAFFLE 1st Prize $5000 2nd Prize $1000 Tickets $10 each - Drawn 8pm on the 17th March Winner notified by phone
E N T E R T A I N M E N T RUBY Productions is presenting a not-to-be-missed romantic comedy adapted by Jon Jory and directed by Anthony Brown: Pride and Prejudice. The village of Longbourn, home to the Bennet family, is excited by the news that a wealthy young man named Bingley has rented the nearby manor at Netherfield. After all, the five unmarried Bennet sisters know “it is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife” Mr. Bingley brings his good friend Mr. Darcy with him, who is as rude as Bingley is kind. Darcy gets off on the wrong foot with Elizabeth, the clever but plain-looking Bennet daughter. They engage in several verbal spars, and as Elizabeth tries in vain to speak for women, Darcy cannot help but fall in love with her quick wit—and her. Meanwhile, Mr. Bingley and Jane are growing closer, despite the Bennet family’s modest social status, a deterrent that nearly pries them apart forever. The pompous Mr. Collins is in town to make arrangements to inherit the Bennet home (as only men could), and plans on marrying any one of the sisters while he is visiting Longbourn. Mr. Wickham, a dashing young soldier, is in town, too, and he’s got
WEEKEND
Breakfast B kf t EVERY SATURDAY AND SUNDAY STARTING SATURDAY MARCH 22 8AM
WHO AM I? from page 8
I am Councillor Kevin Crameri
his eyes on more than one of the Bennet sisters... Who does he charm, and what transpired between he and Mr. Darcy years ago? Mrs. Bennet is constantly troubled byas she attempts to see all five of her daughters married and secure, a feat that often seems impossible. The joys are romantic, but the troubles bring heartache as these young women struggle for a place behind their husbands, or perhaps, beside. Suitable for all ages, tickets are just $25 per adult, or $20 concession or for a group of 10 or more. 47355422.
BIG Steakk & Seafood S f RA R A F F LE LE 7PM PM FRIDAY PM R DA AY YA APRIL PR L 18 PR 18 GOOD FRIDAY
NEPEAN ROWING CLUB’S
Sunday Entertainment ‘Simple Dreams’ 12.30PM SUNDAY MARCH 9
Easter t Egg E
86th Birthday
12.30PM 27 12.30PMSUNDAY SUNDAYOCTOBER MARCH 23
RA FFL E RAFFL
PROMOTION
6PM M SUNDAY SU S UND NDA AY YA APRIL PR RL1 13 + MEAT TRAYS
BIG G 7PM P RA RAFFLE R FFLE E FRIDAY APRIL 11
BIG
Jamie Galea DUO
Ukulele BAND 12.30PM SUNDAY MARCH 16 TALENT Nepean High School SHOWCASE
THANK YOU Lord Jesus for all the blessings given to my family. May the name of sacred heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and praised throughout the world for ever. Amen. RDS.
31 Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
Pride and Prejudice
NOVENA
E N T E R T A I N M E N T 34
SUDOKU: EASY
Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
Heavens Above with Reverend Ross Hutchison
Scientists have now revealed another 1,000 planets they have discovered, in a small segment of yet another universe. A huge majority are apparently habitable by mankind. The mind boggles! If they are habitable by mankind, are they already lived on? And would such inhabitants be as good looking as us? Or as yucky as those science fiction writers conjure up! How often have we witnessed how science fiction becomes “fact” As a very much younger man, when my Ministry journey began, I would often ponder if there really was another “Earth Type” world out there somewhere in space - inhabited by humans just like us. Would the Lord/ Prophet Jesus have to go there and go through the same things He went through on Earth to save that lot from their sins? And now have another 1,000 inhabitable “Earths”? Struth! (There is nothing like knowledge to push our minds further.) Furthermore, would they have their own bibles and even more rules? Keep it simple friend!
SOLUTION: 19th December
INSTRUCTIONS Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 with no duplicates
(1). Your mind and your heart are just like a parachute. They won’t work unless they are open! (2). Don’t die wondering. (If it’s ethical and you want to do it, don’t let anyone steal your dreams!) (3). Always do unto others as you would have them do unto you (I have added the word “always” to this ancient proverb, because it is essential to “always” - not just when it is convenient. Cheers Your Mate Rossco
E N T E R T A I N M E N T Send your letters to the editor: nepeannews@aol.com or 203 Banks Drive St Clair 2759
A special thank you Would you please pass on to the citizens of Penrith and St.Marys our heartfelt thanks for making our 8th, National Servicemen’s Memorial, in Victoria Park St.Marys an outstanding success on February 2nd, 2014. Our Distinguished guests included His Worship the Mayor of Penrith, Councillor Ross Fowler, Miss Fiona Scott MP Federal member for Lindsay, Stuart Ayres MP, State MP for Penrith, Mrs. Tania Davies MP, State MP for Mulgoa, Inspector Rick Cox, NSW Police Dept., and the Hon. David Bradbury, Jim Aitken OAM, Mr. Neville Barnier President – Penrith City RSL Sub-Branch, Mr. Greg Cant, President of Vietnam Veterans St.Marys outpost SubBranch, Mr. Tony Fryer, Secretary of St.Marys RSL Sub-Branch, Mrs. Coleen Towle, President of the Penrith RSL Ladies Auxiliary, Mr. Ron Brown OAM, State President of the National Servicemen’s Association NSW Branch, many other National Servicemen from all over , some World War 2 Veterans and Vietnam Veterans.
We had the assistance of the 21 Army Cadet Unit. We also had the Sunset Station Singers from the Vietnam Veterans, St.Marys outpost, whose lovely voices added to the solemnity of the occasion. Our Patron and very good friend Jim Aitken OAM supplied the BBQ and food for the day. Victoria Park was in pristine condition and our thanks must go to the Landscape and Urban Department of the Penrith Council. They did a fantastic job. Once again thanks to all that made our day the great success that it was. Yours very truly, Harry Morfoot JP President NSAA Penrith City Sub-Branch Inc. ****************************** Farewell from Kieren Tilly It is with a mix of sadness and delight that I have to advise friends and fans of Nepean News that I will be finishing up as Photographer in the coming fortnight. I received a call while working in Port Macquarie this week my application as a full time Photographer
JOKES
Chris Rock is an American comedian, actor, screenwriter, television producer, film producer and director. After working as a stand-up comic and appearing in small film roles, Rock came to wider prominence as a cast member of Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s. He was voted the fifth greatest stand-up comedian of all time by Comedy Central.
1. You know the world is going crazy when the best rapper is a white guy, the best golfer is a black guy, the tallest guy in the NBA (National Basketball Association) is Chinese, the Swiss hold the America‛s Cup, France is accusing the US of arrogance, Germany doesn‛t want to go to war and the three most powerful men in America are named, Bush, Dick and Colon. Need I say more? 2. Sex with me when I‛m really drunk is like being at the dentist – you can tell something‛s going on but you don‛t exactly who what it is. 3. If a woman tells you she is 20 and looks 16, she‛s 12. If she tells you she‛s 26 and looks 26, she‛s damn near 40. 4. Yeah, I tried to see it from your point of view but I couldn‛t get my head that far up my backside. 5. I live in a neighbourhood so bad that you can get shot while getting shot. 6. We were so poor my daddy unplugged the clocks when we went to bed. 7. Yeah, I love being famous. It‛s almost like being white, y‛know! 8. My girlfriend came home from a shopping trip with five white toy bears. I‛m afraid she may have buy polar disorder. 9. My wife will buy anything marked down. Last week she bought an escalator...
with The Daily Advertiser in Wagga Wagga was successful. I would like to thank the people I had the privilege of photographing in my time at Nepean, thanks for your time and your patience. Whilst the majority of work done celebrated success and the good times of our community inevitably sadder stories have to be done and I appreciate those families who helped me to create images that I hope brought credit to your particular story. My public thanks to Kerrie and Korena and my colleagues at Nepean News. Thanks for allowing me to “see” things my way, your professional and emotional support have been greatly appreciated by my family and I. I will be catching up with you all very soon, personally. To the readers of The Nepean News please keep supporting your independent media publications with the ongoing changes in media in Australia independent news organisations role in providing news and views is more important than ever. Thank-you. Kieren Tilly
****************************** Dear Kerrie, I just picked up the Nepean News in the doctors surgery and would like to say a huge THANK YOU for your Editorial being a rare voice of reason speaking out for a fair go for Shapelle and any other unfortunate who should be unlucky enough in her position. It is rare to read a column that is from the heart and rings a bell of truth in today’s media. Should any person or Australian be in her position it should be cause for national outcry not the cruel lambasting she has received from judgemental and ignorant countrymen. Should this country follow America in just one good facet of our many copy-cat moves it would be to decriminalise marijuana and quit stoking the fire for a two-tier economy where the poor and disadvantaged are legislated as nothing but fodder for the elite class. A very refreshing read from a humanist and new Nepean resident! Best regards, Emma Sputnik
Step back in time EVENTS
1521 - Ferdinand Magellan arrives at Guam. 1788 - The First Fleet arrives at Norfolk Island in order to found a convict settlement. 1836 - Texas Revolution: Battle of the Alamo – After a 13 day siege by an army of 3000 Mexican troops, the 187 Texas volunteers, including frontiersman Davy Crockett and colonel Jim Bowie, defending the Alamo are killed and the fort is captured. 1946 - Ho Chi Minh signs an agreement with France which recognizes Vietnam as an autonomous state in the Indochinese Federation and the French Union. 1975 - Ghana becomes the first Sub-Saharan country to gain independence from the British. 1981 - After 19 years of presenting the CBS Evening News, Walter Cronkite signs off for the last time.
BIRTHS 1475 1619 1806 1849 1906 1959 1972
-
Michelangelo, Italian painter and sculptor (d. 1564). Cyrano de Bergerac, French soldier and playwright (d. 1655). Elizabeth Barrett Browning, English poet (d. 1861). Georg Luger, Austrian gun designer, designed the Luger pistol (d. 1923). Lou Costello, American actor and comedian (d. 1959). Tom Arnold, American actor, screenwriter, and producer. Shaquille O’Neal, American basketball player, actor, and rapper.
DEATHS 1836 - Deaths at the Battle of the Alamo: Davy Crockett, American soldier and politician (b. 1786), Jim Bowie American colonel (b. 1796). 1888 - Louisa May Alcott, American author (b. 1832). 1900 - Gottlieb Daimler, German businessman, co-founded Daimler-MotorenGesellschaft (b. 1834). 1932 - John Philip Sousa, American conductor and composer (b. 1854). 1965 - Margaret Dumont, American actress (b. 1889). 1967 - Nelson Eddy, American actor and singer (b. 1901). 1982 - Ayn Rand, Russian-American author (b. 1905).
Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
35
Dukes welcomes Mitchell Angel as our newest Team member, adding a wealth of talent, knowledge & passion to our Business For a confidential discussion about your property requirements: Contact Mitchell on 0402 520 047 or mitchell@dukesestateagents.com.au After successfully beginning his real estate career working for another local agency, Mitchell has made the move to Dukes Estate Agents and is excited to be working for one of the most respected brands in the region. Born and bred in the Penrith area, Mitchell has a natural ability to tune in to his client’s property needs and his honesty and integrity has ensured his first year has been a very successful one. Having handled a large number of property transactions in a short time, Mitchell has carved a name for himself locally that buyers and vendors can identify with when it comes to realising their real estate dreams. In a short space of time Mitchell has racked up an overflowing album of testimonials from happy clients - showing that he has played a vital role in ensuring that his clients receive warm, friendly and professional service throughout their real estate transactions. 7/12 Tindale St, Penrith NSW 2750 T. 02 4722 2626 F. 02 4722 2929 281 Great Western Hwy, Emu Plains NSW 2750 T. 02 4735 6600 F. 02 4735 6633
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Nepean News 10 October 2013 Issue 110
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BRAND NEW 3 BEDROOM HOME - $539,700 Settlers Estate
The wait is over, this perfect house and land package is simply ideal for today’s modern family. This brand new designer home features three large bedrooms with ensuite and walk-in to main, modern Kitchen with the latest appliances and stone Benchtops, large living and dining area, designer alfresco area for all your entertaining needs, double remote control garage with two remotes all set on a 352sqm (approx) block in Penrith’s newest land release Settlers Estate. These packages have already seen a lot of attention so be sure to get in fast. To secure your dream home and receive a full list of inclusions please call Parker and Partners Real Estate on 4722 6933 or visit the Settlers Site office on the corner of French and George street opening Saturday 10am (site office Hours 10am5pm).
BRAND NEW 4 BEDROOM HOME - $614,990 Settlers Estate Combing modern design and elegance with the perfect location, this brand new, large, four bedroom home with a large open plan dining and living area, full designer Kitchen with 900 mm stainless steel appliances, high 2590mm ceilings and all set on a 450 (approx) square meter block in the highly sought after Settlers estate located in close proximity to local shops, public transport, health facilities ,schools and tranquil parklands. A House and land package like this will not last long so be sure to secure this once in a life time marvel today. For further information please call Parker and partners real estate on (02) 4722 6933.
BRAND NEW 4 BEDROOM HOUSE AND LAND PACKAGE - $561,650 Settlers Estate
This brand new double story designer home features four large bedrooms with ensuite and walk-in to main, modern Kitchen with the latest appliances and stone Benchtops, large living and dining area, designer alfresco area for all your entertaining needs, single remote control garage with two remotes all set on a large 450sqm (approx) block in Penrith’s newest land release Settlers Estate. This package offers a spacious graceful and modern way of living and is situated in close proximity to schools, local shops, medical facilities and parklands. These packages have already seen a lot of attention so be sure to get in fast. To secure your dream home and receive a full list of inclusions please call Parker and Partners Real Estate on 4722 6933 or visit the Settlers Site office on the corner of French and George street opening Saturday 10am (site office Hours 10am-5pm).
PERFECT LOTS IN PERFECT LOCATION - $289,750
BRAND NEW 4 BEDROOM HOME IN IDEAL LOCATION - $529,990 Jordan Springs Yes it’s true you can now be the owner of a brand new four bedroom home with a large open plan dining and living area, full designer Kitchen with 900 mm stainless steel appliances, high 2590mm ceilings and much, much more. This ideal family home is set in the highly sought after Jordan Springs estate located in close proximity to local shops, public transport, health and fitness centres, and schools. A House and land package like this will not last long so be sure to secure this once in a life time marvel today. For further information and a full inclusions list please call Parker and partners real estate on (02) 4722 6933
PERFECT LOT SIZE - $319,750 Settlers Estate
Have you been searching for the ideal family community, an estate that offers a large variety of vacant lots as well as modern and spacious house and land packages? Well let me welcome you to SETTLERS Penrith’s newest estate. The Settlers Estate offers easy access to the M4 motorway and Great Western Highway and is located in close proximity to schools, the University of Western Sydney, Nepean Hospital, local shops, places of worship and public transport. Another feature to the estate is the central parkland within the development, with wide open spaces to encourage community interaction and recreation. This 450 sqm block is set on the high side of the estate, ensuring for the best views that settlers has to offer, the blocks are set opposite the settlers parkland, which means that the perfect, peaceful, playful family picnic is just metres away from your doorstep. The settlers estate features a marvellous, picturesque surrounding with mature trees and native vegetation that promote its natural setting. To Register interest today call (02) 4722 6933 to ensure that you can secure your dream lot today
NEW LONDONDERRY LAND RELEASE – FROM $279,990 Londonderry Estate Fantastic vacant land in the heart of Londonderry. If you have been looking for vacant land in a sought after area this is it, located in the Heart of Londonderry Village and, in close proximity to shops, local parks and schools yet only minutes from Richmond or Penrith. Properties such as this are hard to find if you are looking at large lots don’t miss out. Contact Parker & Partners Real estate on (02) 4722 6933.
BRAND NEW HOUSE AND LAND PACKAGE IN MULGOA RISE – $649,990
Settlers Estate
Mulgoa Rise
Welcome to the ideal family community, an estate that offers a large variety of vacant lots as well as modern and spacious house and land packages. The Settlers Estate offers easy access to the M4 motorway and Great Western Highway and is located in close proximity to schools, the University of Western Sydney, Nepean Hospital, local shops, places of worship and public transport. Another feature to the estate is the central parkland within the development, with wide open spaces to encourage community interaction and recreation. These 350+ sqm blocks feature the perfect dimensions to accommodate houses to suite any budget, the blocks are also ideally located to enjoy the best of what settlers has to offer. The settlers estate features a marvellous, picturesque surrounding with mature trees and native vegetation that promote its natural setting. To Register interest today call (02) 4722 6933 to ensure that you can secure your dream lot today.
Be sure to get in quick because this, large, double story brand new four bedroom 29 Square (approx) home will not last long, this home includes; a large open plan dining and living areas, full designer Kitchen with Caesarstone kitchen benchtop 900 mm stainless steel appliances, alarm system, split system air conditioner, package also includes driveway path and fencing. This marvel is set on a fantastic block in the highly sought after Mulgoa Rise estates situated in close proximity to shops public transport and schools. As mentioned House and land package like this will not last long so be sure to secure this once in a life time opportunity today. For further information and a full list of inclusions please call parker and partners real estate on (02) 4722 6933.
Going into bat for Little Wings By Greg Martin
THAT proud westie, Mark Geyer OAM, and his fellow host on 2MMM’s Grill Team, Gus Worland, will headline a celebrity team at this Sunday’s Little Wings gala fundraising Twenty20 cricket tournament at Dukes Oval, Emu Plains. Eight teams will do battle. with the first game getting underway at 8am. MG and his cricketing cronies will be at the ground from midday to meet fans, sign autographs and be part of all the fun And what fun! The All Stars, who take to the field at 1pm for their match, will , thanks to the generosity of Wilston Ranawake at Kingsgrove Sports Penrith, look resplendent in a spanking new full cricket kit. MG is also auctioning two places on his team! So if you would like to play on the MG All Stars team you will be able to bid on eBay for a chance to play with all proceeds going to Little Wings. You can bid on the two places via a link on the Little Wings website: http://www.littlewings.org.au/our-journey/mgallstars-twenty-20-cricket-day-march-9th-dukesoval. The action out on the pitch will be fast and furious – and from all reports, what with bribing umpires to overturn ‘outs’, it will be hilarious. The indoor cricket format to be used on the day allows for players of any skill level or age to play
and enjoy the game. The rules? • 5 pairs batting x 4 overs • Lose 5 runs if dismissed • 10 players bowl 2 overs each • Wides and no-balls = 2 runs (no re-bowl) • Double play = 10 runs • Classic catch or run out = 10 runs As well as the fast-paced cricket matches, there plenty else to entertain and help raise funds Little Wings. There will be lots of entertainment for the entire family - BBQ, music, face-painting, jumping castle, raffles and auction. Among the prizes up for auction are a cricket bat signed by the great Steve Waugh and a Grill Team Experience in which the winner can sit in on one of the Grill Team’s morning programs. Little Wings CEO, Kevin Robinson, and his hard-working team have done a wonderful job in garnering support from local businesses and individuals to provide a host of prizes for the giant raffle. LITTLE Wings is the remarkable charitable organisation which flies, free of charge, young patients and their families from remote areas of NSW to and out of Sydney for expert medical treatment. NB: If the Dukes Oval pitch is ruled unplayable due to inclement weather, don’t worry, there’ll still be plenty of action with the teams competing in a touch footy tournament instead.
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41 Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
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Little Wings CEO Kevin Robinson and the Wizard of the West, Mark Geyer, try on their pads in preparation for Sunday’s Twenty20 fundraising cricket day at Dukes Oval
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43 Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
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44 Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
Tony’s
TRIAL TIPS FIRSTLY, let’s have a look at last month’s egg-flips. A fair few of them still haven’t sported silks but one of them did get to the track, the Peter Snowdentrained Ghibellines. She resumed from a spell with a very solid third behind the smart Fighting Sun in the Canonbury Stakes at Rosehill on February 15. This staying bred youngster, like all Snowden gallopers, will be vastly improved by the hit-out. Anyways, let’s move onto our next set of selections out of the barrier trials! AEROBATICS: Very effective fresh and Peter Snowden will have her ready to go after a very easy trial.
DALSHAMAR: This unraced Shamardal colt from the Paul Perry stable won a Wyong trial by seven panels. And he still hasn’t been let go! IT’S A DUNDEEL: At his best he’s one of the best horses in training – world-wide. Flew in his Randwick trial win. MEMORIAL: Unbeaten at this stage of her career and out for just a look when unplaced in a Randwick barrier trial. This is one very serious racehorse. MING: A chunky miss by Lohnro, she showed courage winning a Randwick heat for Gai Waterhouse. SENTA DE NOCHE: Kris Lees has tuned
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LEAGUE BOSS IS COMING GOOD
DAVID Smith’s initiation into rugby league was in a word “intense”. The ex-Welsh rugby union player and successful banker with Lloyd’s was hit head on when he took on one of the nation’s toughest gigs, that as the National Rugby League CEO. While his predecessor, David Gallop, had a polar opposite transition to his new job (CEO of soccer Australia) there weren’t many that thought Smith would be around the game of rugby league all that long. His first boo-boo was when announcing the Dally M winner of 2012 he called Ben Barba “Benji Barba”, an honest enough mistake but non-the-less a cross next to his name from loyal league diehards. Smith then had to stand amongst every head of Australian sport while our Prime Minister and her loyal subjects explained to all that we were about to enter into “our darkest days ever” in Australian sport with the pending ASADA investigation tipped to derail all. But that was then! Any lesser man or woman would have said “stuff this, I’m heading for the hills – no-one needs this”. But not our Mr Smith! In fact while most thought he was already missing his days in banking, Smith was busy putting the bit between the teeth and advancing. So much so that the game of rugby league under his short but action-packed tenure finished the financial year $49.6 million richer. But for mine the most pleasing aspect about where the money will head under Dave Smith’s watch is this short but sweet paragraph. “More than $22m will be allocated to support GRASSROOTS competitions and Rugby League-based SCHOOL activities! About bloody time! Well done Dave Smith, well done.
NEVER before has the fight against bullying been so rabid. The emotional passing of TV personality Charlotte Dawson, who herself was a victim of bullying, has thrust the topic into the public domain where it should be here to stay. We as a nation should have zero tolerance for anybody who preys upon the weak. NRL’s One Community team is part of a nation-wide “tackle bullying” campaign which every club is a part of. Mark Bohan, who is a Game Development Officer for the outer-west takes up the story. “Last Monday the Penrith Panthers gave us access to their top 40 players. There were 11 cars of NRL Game Development staff that went to 44 different schools across Penrith from the Lower Mountains, out to Hawkesbury and as far as Blacktown.
“The NRL One Community team program has developed a Tackle Bullying program which targets bullying in schools and in our community. Assembly visits were 30-40 minutes long and each car rocked up to four schools each. “The school students watch a DVD that shows a variety of bullying types that commonly occur. Players often share their experiences’ either currently as parents or as they were growing up. “Explaining the strategies students may use to overcome such problems. A big part of the presentation is about being a bystander versus helping out a friend. “We saw 12,800 students across 44 schools and made an undeniable impact”. Indeed they did! My six-year-old daughter, Rafferti, who is in first class, came home last Monday with two pieces of news. “Daddy the Panthers came to our school today to talk about bullies”, she told me. Then this pearl of wisdom. “Daddy it wouldn’t be nice for someone to be a bully, I think bullies should be sent to the principal’s office”, my little girl said. Rafferti’s on the right track but with everyone’s help let’s stamp out bullying in our schools (where it all starts) once and for all!
I’M really looking forward to wielding the willow and rolling over my arm on Sunday when my MG All Stars tam competes in the Little Wings Twenty20 cricket tournament at Dukes Oval. It has been a long, long time since I played competitive cricket – and even though it will be a fun hit-out – I’m really looking for to the game. I did have some ability as a flannelled-fool as a young bloke and was good enough to play a season of Green Shield – that’s under 16 rep cricket – with Petersham back when I didn’t have any hair on…..my lip! I’m bringing along one of my 2MMM Grill Team co-hosts to help me open the batting – big, burly Gus Worland. Gus has also been adept at the game and has played lower grades in the Sydney Grade Cricket competition. There’s a yarn elsewhere in this fine publication outlining Sunday’s activities but I’ll also give it a big plug here. All the funds raised on the day go to Little Wings which flies children, free of charge from isolated country areas to and from Sydney for expert medical treatment. I’m asking you all to rock up to Dukes Oval, Emu Plains on Sunday to help support this most worthy cause. There’ll be plenty of tucker and refreshments, face-painting, jumping castle, auction and raffles and lots and lots of fun to be had by all ages.
45 Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
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46 Nepean News 6 March 2014 Issue 119
Successful selections By Noel Rowsell
PENRITH Panthers junior representative basketball star, Kellie Sims, has returned from the Australian Under 20 Basketball Championships with a silver medal, as a member of the NSW Women’s team. NSW defeated Tasmania 10771, ACT 98-36 and Queensland 75-56 in the preliminary rounds to qualify at the top of Pool B. The Blues then defeated NZ 8949 in the quarter finals and Western Australia 67-47 in the semi-finals to qualify for the grand final against hot favourites Victoria.
A strong performance from NSW was commendable but simply not enough to stop the unbeaten Victorians, who powered home 8764 to claim the gold medal. Penrith club-mate, Nic Pozoglou, returned with a bronze medal as a member of the NSW Men’s team, following a 108-71 win over South Australia in the 3rd/4th playoff. Pozoglou finished with 48 points for the tournament, at an average of 8 points per game. Congratulations on both athletes for their selections and their performances at the national titles.
Co-captains announced PANTHERS NRL Coach Ivan Cleary has named Kevin Kingston and Peter Wallace as co-captains for the 2014 season. Kevin will continue in the role after a successful year as leader in 2013. Peter, who played out his junior years in Penrith, has very quickly earned the respect of his peers after returning to the club in January. Coach Cleary says he’s
confident both players will lead the team in the right direction. “Kev and Pete are natural leaders and they have the combined respect of all the boys in the squad,” Cleary said. They will be exceptional mentors for our younger players, and they agree with the direction we want to take the team into the future.”
ON THE MAT With Col Crossingham
THE Nepean District State Pairs was a repeat of the 2013 Final with Gavin Holburn and Greg Jeans turning the tables on Troy Rodgers and Trent Whittingham. The President’s Reserve Pairs Final was won by Terry Hooper and George Bevan from Austral WHO DEFEATED ‘diehards’ Kevin Smith and David Hoy who were playing for their new club Windsor following the closure of Riverstone. The Senior Pairs Final was won by Les Hickey and Ron Pittaway from Penrith who tossed Rick Perry and Mal Cameron from St Marys RSL. All of the Zone Pairs Finals will be played at Blacktown City BC on June 12-13. THE State Singles was won by Trent Whittingham from Penrith who beat Matt Lovett-Jeans from Glenbrook Panthers in the final. The President’s Reserve Singles was won by junior bowler, Luke Millican from Wisemans Ferry, who proved a shade too strong for Austral’s Matt Dunn, winning the final 31-26.
The Senior Singles Final was won by Jim Lord from Penrith, defeating Rick Perry from St Marys RSL. STATE, President’s Reserve and Senior Singles events are underway at present and the semi -finals and finals will be held at Wallacia on Saturday February 22. THE 2014 Pennant season started off badly with all but one game washed out last Saturday. The only game played was between Austral and Wisemans Ferry in Grade 5.2 and it was a win to the Ferry boys 64 - 5 points to Austral 51 - 1 point. The remaining games will be played on next Sunday at 1pm at the original venues. NEPEAN District has been fortunate enough to secure sponsorship for the 2014 Pennant season from the Bendigo Bank. John Chandler from the bank visited Penrith BC to deliver a couple of banners for display at clubs hosting games.
Colyton/Mt Druitt Junior Rugby League Registration 2014 PLAYERS WANTED FROM UNDER 6’S THROUGH TO A GRADE Registrations are every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 5.30-7.30pm Ridge Park, corner Woodland Ave and Great Western Highway
PLAYERS FOR ALL AGES WANTED
For Registration Enquiries please contact
Kirsty on 0402 315 179
All new Players must provide original birth certificate, passport or drivers licence
Trials for 6’s through to A Grade 15th March at Ridge Park Trials for 6’s through to 15’s 22nd March at Ridge Park Trials 16’s to A Grade 23rd March at Ridge Park All enquiries please contact
Peter Martin on 0411 278 746 Or visit our Facebook Page or website for training times or more information
www.colytonmtdruitt.leaguenet.com.au www.facebook.com.au/www.colytonmtdruitt.leaguenet.com.au
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Thursday, 6 March 2014
sport
HARPO’S MARKS
H HOW good was that! I’m writing a about the NSW Commonwealth Games Boxing Selection Trials held at Richmond Greyhound Club on February 22-23. All 22 fights - selection trial semifinals and matched events – had the joint rocking on the Saturday Fight Night and it was the same scenario on the Sunday afternoon when the boxers fought to earn the right to progress to the national selection trials in Perth in April. Eleven bouts were scheduled on Sunday with nine of them finals to determine who would go to Perth. The action on Saturday was fast and furious and even more so on the Sunday with the chance to represent Australia at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games in July on the line. Every bout on the program was a beauty, highlighted by local lad, Daniel Lewis (Londonderry), the raging hot favourite, putting in yet another devastating performance in trouncing Joe Taylor. Lewis is rated by the great Johnny Lewis, as good enough to become the
first Australian to win an Olympic or World Championship gold medal as a senior. The 20-year-old is from the old school of boxing – “let’s bring it on”. And bring it on his does! The previous evening, the tall Taylor used his long reach advantage in posting a split decision points win over the rugged Troy O’Meley. O’Meley, who put up a solid performance in a points loss to Lewis at the 2013 NSW titles, fights in similar style to his vanquisher – likes to get up close and personal and hammer away to head and body with both hands. Whereas O’Meley struggled to get inside Taylor’s snaking left hand, Lewis had no trouble. He just brushed aside Taylor’s leads and gave him the old biffo. Time and again Taylor was forced to hold on for dear life and was repeatedly warned by the referee to stop and desist. Indeed Taylor was a deducted a point during the second stanza, such was his desire to give Lewis a cuddle. One fully expected him to ask Daniel for the last dance and the opportunity to walk him home!
Another highlight of the tournament was the appearance on Saturday night of the outstanding junior, Nikita Tszyu, who showed all the skills of his famous father, Kostya. Nikita though had to work hard from go to whoa to beat Coonabarabran’s Shannon Doole. The young Aboriginal didn’t go hiding and courageously stood up to everything Nikita threw at him, whilst occasionally getting in a few good ‘uns himself. Promoters, Jason Lewis and Mark Hardman will stage another tournament at Richmond on March 22. Be there or be square! LOW MARKS: The television commentary on the Sochi Winter Olympics. Still they persevere with the small-town mentality. And a special mention of Torah Torah Torah “Fangs” Bright – now there’s a dolt when you want one. HIGH MARKS: Just one more sleep before the start of the new NRL season. 2014 promises to be a humdinger with any number of clubs capable of winning the premiership.