Nepean News 10 October 2019 by Nepean News

free Thursday, 10 October 2019

ISSUE 262

Alex McKenzie B Com

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

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Thanks Mad Dog

Good-hearted St Clair man, Terry Corbett (Mad Dog) had everyone across our region wanting to shake his hand after he donated his grand final tickets prize to six year old Taylor Ross, who has spent most of his short life battling leukemia. Full story inside.

Photo: Noel Rowsell

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enrith C i t y C o u n c i l ’s draft Local Strategic Planning Statement (LSPS) is now on Public Exhibition. The LSPS describes the vision and priorities for land use across Penrith City for the next 20 years. Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM said the LSPS is the critical step in formalising Penrith’s plans for the future. “The LSPS brings together the priorities identified at state, regional, district and local levels, and provides important local community context to the planning actions and priorities for Penrith’s future,” Cr Fowler said. “This draft report incorporates feedback from recent community engagement including our Community Plan, Community Panel and Customer Service surveys.” “It is important that the community have a voice in helping shape key strategic documents like the LSPS and while on exhibition, we encourage feedback to make sure we are meeting the community’s expectations for the future of Penrith.”

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“The LSPS is an evolving document that will be regularly reviewed and updated as our community’s needs and priorities change,” Cr Fowler concluded. Have your say on shaping the future of Penrith City: Online at penrith.city/LSPS, or by emailing cityplanning@penrith.city In person at our exhibition displays, located at Penrith Civic Centre, Penrith Library and St Marys Library and Customer Service Office. Attend a drop-in session at the following times and locations: • Tuesday 15 Oct: St Marys Memorial Hall 6-8pm • Tuesday 22 Oct: Berkshire Park Hall 6-8pm • Wednesday 30 Oct: Erskine Park Community Centre 6-8pm Comments close 11 November. More information is available at penrith.city/LSPS or by calling 4732 7777.

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Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

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From the Editor’s Desk

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

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

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

By KeRRIE DAVIES

VER the last week or so I’ve seen quite a few posts on social media from people who live outside this area telling those of us who live inside this area that our region basically stinks.

They hear a couple of bad news stories in a row and then love to jump on a platform and bark about how dangerous the Penrith area is. They have this misguided belief that somehow our suburbs are the only ones where people take drugs, have guns and commit crimes. I can tell you, as a journalist who receives many releases a day from police media, that crime happens in every section of our state, not just here. Unfortunately once the bad news stories hit the big media units, some people in the public outside of this area form an opinion that we must be shyte. I really wish the good news stories from our area received coverage also. For instance, last time I looked at the Go Fund Me site, the good people of this region had donated $12,400 to help little Charlotte, a three year old girl fighting cancer. I’m willing to bet we’d be one of the most generous areas in the country when it comes to chipping in and help our own.

Nepean News is not tossed onto your front lawn. Collect your crisp copy FREE from local newsagents, service stations, libraries, Council and shopping centres. Call 9834 5579 to find out your nearest outlet.

How many selfless Terry ‘Mad Dog’ Corbetts do you think there are outside of this area? Again, I’m willing to bet not many. I’m always pleasantly surprised by the massive communal heartbeat of the Nepean region. It continues to be quick to look after our neighbours and it shines far and above that of the shallow spray coming from someone with an ill-informed opinion from the other side of the state, who has probably never even been here. Penrith and proud!

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Stuart Ayres MP Member for Penrith

tuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith joined representatives of Nepean Hospital last Friday to mark a major milestone in the Nepean Hospital redevelopment as the first concrete was poured for the new 14-storey hospital tower. This is the first of eight sectional pours that will form the ground floor slab of the tower. “Once complete, this new tower will include an expanded emergency department, 18 birthing suites, a neo-natal Intensive Care Unit, more than 12 operating theatres and more than 200 additional beds,” said Stuart Ayres “The new multi-story car park opened earlier this year, construction of the new childcare centre is underway and the upgraded Nepean Cancer Care Centre opened up on 16 September,” added Stuart Ayres.

The upgraded Nepean Cancer Care Centre includes a new chemotherapy day ward and third radiation therapy bunker. The NSW Government committed $576 million for Stage 1, which includes the new hospital tower, multi-storey car park, rooftop helipad and an interim expansion of services at Nepean Cancer Care Centre. “We made a promise to upgrade Nepean Hospital to cater for our growing community and we are delivering on that promise,” added Stuart Ayres. In 2018, the Government allocated a further $450 million for Stage 2 to continue the transformation of the Nepean Hospital and community-based health services. Construction for the new tower is scheduled for completion in 2021 and Stage 2 will commence in 2022.

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Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

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he Nepean Blue Mountains Hawkesbury Regional of the Rose Society of NSW Inc. will hold the annual Rose and Flower Spring Show on Sunday, 13 October. The show will begin at 12pm and run through until 3.30pm at St Dominic’s College School Hall, Copeland Road Entrance, Kingswood. The show is unique in the fact that it has an Australian Bred Only Rose Championship Section. These are roses that have been bred by Australian Rose Hybriziders since roses were introduced to Australia. Many roses have Australian icon names however, they may be overseas imports. This year a special Australian Bred exhibition will be displayed by New South Wales breeders Richard and Ruth Walsh. Their roses, 100 Not Out - the Centenary Rose of the NSW Rose Society in 2013 and The Governor’s Wife in 2017 that are planted in the grounds of Government House in Sydney, will feature along with roses from breeders the likes of Dr Bruce Chapman (dec), Paul Hains, Trevor Grant (dec), Eric Welsh (dec), George Thomson, Laurie Newman and many others. Doug Hayne has championed the Australian Bred Rose cause. “Although Australian Bred Roses

have been around for many years they were not very popular,” he said. “Now with some good marketing and advertising via shows such as the FB, NSW Regional Shows, Royal Easter etc. and with these roses

winning many champion ribbons they have not only become very popular with exhibitors but also the general public. “It’s been interesting as many are sold out very quickly once advertised

for sale by nurseries.” The official opening of the show is at 1pm by Kerrie Davies, Editor of the Nepean News. Entry is free to the show and there is access for wheelchairs.

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

The best Australian Bred Roses on Show in Penrith

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

COVER STORY

Little Taylor enjoys a great day out By KeRRIE DAVIES

ou may remember reading recently about good-hearted ‘Mad Dog’ from St Clair (Terry Corbett) who won our footy tipping competition. His prize was grand final tickets for two. When presented with his prize, Terry asked us to find a local child battling cancer or chronic illness so they could enjoy a day out with a parent or carer. Amazed at his generosity, we posted this on facebook: “Hats off to this bloke, Terry Corbett {Mad Dog}. He won the Nepean News Tipping Comp for 2019. He has asked that we find a local child fighting cancer or chronic illness to give his prize to so they can enjoy a day out with a parent or carer.

Mad Doggie you are an absolute legend mate.” The reaction was swift, truckloads of people agreed that Terry was most certainly a legend! The post was liked, loved, shared and commented on by thousands and thousands of people across the region. And, in something that is sadly a rarity on social media, every comment in response to Terry’s kind gesture was one of praise. Filtered through the many posts there were some who’d come across Terry and his generosity before. Hailing from St Clair, ‘Mad Dog’ is a bit of a local icon from his involvement over many, many years with the St Clair Comets. The Children’s Hospital at Westmead were quick to reach out to Nepean News after spotting the post and the lovely Sarah put us in touch with the family of six-year-old Taylor Ross from St Marys, who has spent almost all of his short life battling Leukemia. Taylor is a big footy fan and was super excited to be taking his dad with him to the Grand Final. Terry sent them over two baskets full of goodies the morning of the grand final and Taylor couldn’t get his roosters gear and sunnies on quick enough. Taylor’s basket had a roosters shirt and hat, sunnies, lollies, chips and soft drink and in his dad Darren’s basket there were biscuits, dip, chocolates, chips and a couple of roadies. The wonderful people at Vic’s Maxi Transport drove Taylor and his Dad in to the game and picked them back up when it was finished at no charge. Taylor thoroughly enjoyed the day and of course as we all now know, his Roosters shot to victory.. “I think you’ve made a lifelong roosters supporter out of him,” Taylor’s mum Sandy told us. “Thank you so much to Terry for his generosity. Taylor enjoyed every single minute of it.” Terry said he was thrilled that Taylor and his dad had enjoyed the day, and brushed off any suggestion that he was a legend. “Its not about me, I’m just so happy for him,” Terry said, as he wiped a tear from the corner of his eye. Terry is a cancer survivor himself, and his wife Karen lost her brother at a young age to Leukemia. Just imagine how great the world would be if everyone showed a fraction of the kindness shown by the Mad Doggie.

COVER STORY By KeRRIE DAVIES

F we be really honest, most of us will complain about some trivial thing or another on any given day. Work is boring, there’s nothing on tv, the lines at the checkout are too long, we got overcharged a dollar for something, our takeaway meal wasn’t exactly as ordered, someone went out of turn at the roundabout and so on and so on. Trivial matters that really aren’t a big deal. What is a big deal, is being a six year old who has spent more than four years of life battling Leukemia. Laying in hospital beds attached to a dozen tubes while other kids are out playing in the park. Going through chemo - more than once. Losing every fibre of hair. Developing side effects including kidney stones. Having stents put in. Having a gall bladder removed. Being constantly poked, prodded and needled. Needing a lifesaving transplant of bone marrow to stay alive. That has been every day life for Taylor Ross from St Marys. And he’s faced every battle like an absolute trooper, that gorgeous smile is always on his face.

I met Taylor’s family for the first time recently. There’s mum Sandy, dad Darren and four kids; Cody 7, Taylor 6, Ruby 4 and Lilly 3. It is easy to see where Taylor gets his easy going nature from, the whole family are friendly, happy and appreciative. Taylor was just six weeks shy of his second birthday when the dreaded diagnosis was confirmed. He’d been taken to the doctors several times when Sandy and Darren noticed that he seemed to bruise easily, and then his glands were the size of marbles. A doctor suspected Glandular Fever, and while waiting for the return of his blood tests, pathology called the GP much earlier than expected with some devastating news. Taylor’s blood showed that he had blood cancer. “I will never ever forget that moment for the rest of my life,” Sandy said, and she was 18 weeks pregnant at the time. What followed was a whirlwind

of tests, treatments and long stays in Westmead Childrens Hospital for Taylor. Chemotherapy, blood transfusions, lumbar punctures, every possible treatment was tried to save the little boy’s life. “The hospital staff at The Childrens Hospital are such beautiful people,” Sandy said. “Their care of Taylor, and us, has always been nothing short of exceptional. We really couldn’t have asked for better.” At every turn Taylor was presented with a new challenge, and he has faced every challenge with that smile on his face. He’s had many side effects during treatment, including kidney stones, gall bladder removal and needing stents inserted. In April last year the enormous battle appeared to be conquered and Taylor’s big day to ‘ring the bell’ arrived.

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Sadly, the elation was to be shortlived. Just one month later he had relapsed. He was swiftly placed back in hospital and Sandy and Darren were given the devastating news that a bone marrow transplant was Taylor’s only chance left. The immediate family members were all tested and a match was found in three year old Ruby. Ruby’s reaction was befitting of the amazing disposition that is in all members of this beautiful family - she suddenly felt very, very important in the knowledge that “she was the only person who could help Taylor.” Sandy and Darren had to prepare themselves for the mammoth journey ahead - with two of their children about to undergo a huge procedure in order to save Taylor. The procedures were thankfully successful, and brave Ruby’s marrow was transferred into Taylor’s little body. It has now been almost a year since the big transplant, and the family is hopeful and enjoying each day as it comes. “It is important that we stay positive every day. The doctors say two years is the magic number that means Tay has been cured, so we are thankful for each day as we head towards that milestone.” You can follow Taylor’s journey on facebook: Little Taylor’s Fight Against Leukemia

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

Taylor smiles his way through a life full of challenges

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Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

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Innovative NDIS Calculator wins WSABE Award

entworth Healthcare, the provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, is proud to be the winner of the Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence (WSABE) in the category of Innovation. Wentworth Healthcare received the award for the development of the NDIS Support Calculator, a free online tool that helps people with disabilities Australia-wide better understand what they could be eligible for under the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS). More than 460,000 people are expected to receive a disability support package from the NDIS by 2020. There are literally hundreds of different options and combinations of support that a person may be eligible for under the NDIS and until recently, calculating how much support someone needed was a manual process, using a 45+ page price guide. Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Lizz Reay said, “In helping clients transition from our Partner in Recovery Program into the NDIS, we saw an opportunity to help make the process of calculating a potential NDIS package easier and more accurate.” “Inaccurate calculations can cause someone to underestimate what funding is needed in a package, and may cause someone to be underfunded. We believed there needed to be a better way of helping people understand how much funding they would need to support themselves, their family members or clients,” she said. Launched in October last year, www. SupportCalculator.com.au was the first tool of its kind to help simplify the process of developing a funding package. The tool calculates the cost of a variety of support services across 15 different

CEO Wentworth Healthcare, Lizz Reay with Wentworth Healthcare staff at the WSABE Awards.

categories and generates a printable report that can be used in discussions with an NDIS planner. It can be used by current or potential NDIS participants, their carers, healthcare and community service professionals. “Our free online tool reduces the time it takes to accurately calculate the costs of a potential

NDIS package to just minutes, simplifying and automating a previously manual process. We are thrilled that this much needed and innovative tool has been recognised by the Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence,” said Ms Reay. Wentworth Healthcare is now a finalist in the NSW Business Chamber Awards, in November.

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By Noel Rowsell

aying it Forward (PIF) have a new batch of faces at the helm in 2019, with founders Rob and Gen Jagt taking a lesser role after setting the charity into being. Craig Smith is the new CEO and has a well-organised committee including David Ryan, Linda Orchard, Tom Smith, Dale Hall, Gabrielle SadelWynne and Madison Ryan, along with more than 30 dedicated volunteers. The weekly gatherings originated under the old Waltons bridge, before moving to Judges Car Park for a short time. PIF is now however firmly entrenched at Jamison Park, where every Sunday night at 5.30pm the volunteers provide a meal and support to an ever-growing legion of homeless and needy people in Penrith. The latest census showed there are in excess of 800 homeless people currently living in the Penrith District. There are usually 8 volunteers working per night, plus a site manager and 3 senior emergency officers. Jamison Park has the advantage of good lighting and well-maintained amenities, which are both essential

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

Some new faces are paying it forward

Volunteers for Paying it Forward. Photos supplied by Craig Smith.

for the safety and well-being of the patrons. “We see people in varied situations including homelessness, mental health, drug problems and other related issues,” Craig said. “Sunday has become a welcome social gathering for our patrons but we can never be sure how many people will turn up on any given night.” “There’s no explanation for the varying numbers each week but we have been busier this winter than ever before – and we are seeing more families turning up.” “There are no other services providing support in Penrith on

Sunday nights.” Fund-raising is conducted with BBQ’s at Bunnings and donations from The Bikers Hand, Rathas Place (a not-for-profit cafe which supplies 3-4 different dishes each week) and Cath’s Cakes in St Marys and Penrith (which provides pies, sausage rolls, quiches and cakes and has been a long-term supporter). All of the main meals are homecooked by the PIF volunteers and brought to Jamison Park ready to serve. “The biggest challenges are to resource correctly each night.” “We need to plan for the maximum

without knowing if we will be quiet or busy,” Craig said. “Many of our volunteers are undertaking the Duke of Edinburgh Program and work with PIF as part of their Community Service requirements, learning humility and people skills working amongst the disadvantaged.” PIF is a registered charity and can be found on Facebook. Donations of clothing, food, toiletries and bedding can also be made at the site. Anyone wishing to contact PIF can email to: pif.homeless@outlook.com or ring 0459 262 637.

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Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

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Saints provide over $1 million dollars for the community

s the official ClubGRANTS year came to an end, St Marys Rugby League Club had time to reflect on the charities and organisations they have been able to assist through their ClubGRANTS program. Over $1 Million dollars of community support has been provided to a wide variety of organisations, sporting groups and community initiatives this year which far exceeded the Club’s legislative requirement. Significant projects and services to receive funding this year under the ClubGrants program included; Variety The Children’s Foundation ($38,500), North St Marys Children’s Centre ($20,160), Christ Mission Possible ($35,000), NADO ($2,500.50), Clontarf Foundation ($8,800), Dragons Abreast Penrith ($8,000), The John Maclean Foundation ($5,000), Holy Family Church Mt Druitt ($10,000) and the Kokoda Youth Leadership Challenge ($13,000). The Club recently took the opportunity to visit

a number of their charitable recipients to find out what difference the Club’s financial support has made over the past year. First cab off the rank was a visit to North St Marys Children’s Centre where the Club has sponsored a Speech Pathology program since 2010 allowing parents to access the services of a Speech Pathologist at no charge. Melissa Fletcher, Director of the Centre said of the Club’s support “The funding for us means that we can give children the best possible start in life”, adding “many families in our community could not afford to access these kinds of services so the children definitely benefit from the Club’s support”. The second organisation to receive a follow up visit was Christ Mission Possible. The Club sponsors their Brown Paper Bag Initiative, a program that packs and delivers freshly made school lunches to kids of local schools that don’t have access to a home-made lunch. Starting with

just one school, the financial support of $35,000 this year from St Marys Rugby League Club allows Christ Mission Possible to now deliver lunches to 24 schools every day. The last visit of the day was to the Holy Family Catholic Church in Mt Druitt where a $10,000 donation by Saints has allowed the Church to renovate a demountable building and create an on-site hub for St Vincent de Paul Society. Father Gregory Jacobs organised a blessing of the new building saying “Having a dedicated space that St Vincent de Paul can work from, helping people in need is vital. We anticipate that this will benefit over 400 people this year and we are extremely grateful to St Marys Rugby League Club for helping us make this possible”. If your organisation could benefit from this kind of support, contact your local council to find out when ClubGRANTS submissions open for the 2019/2020 ClubGRANTS year.

Largest corporate Charity Race sets new record of $1 million

estern Sydney’s leading law firm, Coleman Greig Lawyers, held the Coleman Greig Challenge for the seventh year in a row on Friday 20 September, in Parramatta Park. It is officially Western Sydney’s largest corporate charity race with over 600 people present on the day and $200,000 raised this year. Since the Coleman Greig Challenge started in 2013, the firm has raised over $1 million for children with special needs and newborn care. Former-Olympian and Doctor, Jana Pittman officially started this year’s race and awarded medals at the fundraising breakfast along with Deputy Lord Mayor of Parramatta, Michelle Garrard. Race founder and Principal within Coleman Greig’s Commercial Property team Andrew Grima described the 2019 Coleman Greig Challenge as a terrific success. “We love the way the Coleman Greig Challenge brings the community and businesses together, there is an option for everyone to be part of the Challenge! You can walk, run, cycle or volunteer,” said Mr Grima. “Over the years we have built a wonderful community spirit in Western Sydney which is seen year in, year out, and each year the challenge gets bigger and better. Bring on next year,” said Mr Grima. “Thank you to all our participants,

volunteers, corporate sponsors and everyone who has generously donated and fundraised, together we have raised over $200,000.” “The money raised goes towards the purchase of vital equipment which makes a real difference to the lives of children in need,” Mr Grima said. The funds raised are going towards Westmead Hospital Foundation, St Gabriel’s School Castle Hill and the Royal Institute for Deaf and Blind Children (RIDBC). “Westmead Hospital Foundation plans to use the funds to purchase machinery that allows women to move freely and naturally during labour while ensuring the wellbeing of their baby.” RIDBC plans to put the money towards the Alternative Format

Publishing resources for their students, providing their students with access to the same learning opportunities as their peers.

Similarly, St Gabriel’s School will be using their allocated donations to create learning hubs that will provide the students with a flexible way to engage with their learning. Coleman Greig Lawyers is proud to work with sponsors and participants and takes great pride in fundraising for charitable organisations, who provide much needed assistance to the families of children with special needs and newborn care. The Coleman Greig Challenge GoFundraise page will remain open until 31 October, with all the new donations being added to the overall fundraising total, which will be split evenly between the event’s three charity beneficiaries: https://www.cgchallenge.com.au/ payments/donate/beneficiary/1416

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By KeRRIE DAVIES

UR cover story last week on brave little Charlotte Rochfort saw an amazing amount of love from our readers. Many donated some dollars towards giving little Charlotte and her family some relief from financial stress at this incredibly hard time, and it will also help the family create some very precious moments with Charlotte. In case you missed the story, allow me to introduce you to the beautiful little girl pictured. She’s Charlotte from Mt Riverview. She’s three and she loves chocolate cake. She also has cancer and is very, very ill. Her parents are spending all their time with Charlotte at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead so they can’t go to work. They don’t know how long they’ll have with Charlotte, her prognosis isn’t good. As you can imagine, they want to give her everything they can and make some great memories. But with no income and the household bills chewing up their savings, that’s not an easy thing to do. That’s where we come in! Their lovely friend Karen has started a donation drive for Charlotte. If you can help with even just a few dollars, please do. www.gofundme.com/f/charlottesfightagainstchildhoodcancer Family friend and organiser of the Go Fund Me page, Karen England said she was really touched by the generosity of our community. “Thank you to all who have taken the time to read Charlottes story and reach into your pockets for this little angel and her family,” Karen said. “The love that has poured in has been so amazing. Thankyou Nepean News for helping with everything and to the whole community for showing so much love for this little girl. “Charlotte is a fighter, she is not giving up and neither is her mum and dad. This kid is beyond any sense of the word “strength”.. She is stronger than any three year old I know.. and the bravest person you could ever meet.” Keep fighting little Charlotte, we are all cheering for you!

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

Our community digs deep for Charlotte

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he Penrith Civic Centre has been “pinked up” as Penrith City Council shows its support for the Pink Up Penrith campaign during the month of October. During October the McGrath Foundation is asking communities across the state to ‘Pink Up’ their entire town to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer so the McGrath Foundation can place specialist McGrath Breast Care Nurses where they

are needed Australia-wide. Deputy Mayor Karen McKeown OAM ‘flicked the switch’ for the pink lights with the Civic Centre awash of pink. “Council is thrilled to get behind this initiative and offer its support to the McGrath Foundation,” Cr McKeown said. “Last year, Penrith was the first metropolitan area to Pink Up their town and together our community raised

more than $40,000. Already, these funds have made a difference as Nepean Hospital now has a dedicated McGrath Foundation Breast Cancer Care Nurse. “By “pinking up” the Civic Centre again this year, we’re shining a light on the need for more nurses and more research into a cure,” Cr McKeown said. Around one in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer by the age of 85 and 148 men are diagnosed with breast cancer every year.

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

Pinked up civic centre at Penrith Council

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

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Can you help get this important message out? By CONNER LOWE

he third annual White Ribbon Penrith Cup 2019 will be held on Friday 22nd November 2019 at Jamison Park Sports Complex in Penrith. White Ribbon Day is a campaign dedicated to preventing men’s violence against women in Australia and holds an important secondary goal of raising funds. The message is clear: STAND UP, SPEAK OUT AND ACT to prevent violence against women. In 2017, Kingswood High School initiated “White Ribbon Penrith Cup” (WRPC) a sporting gala day to not only help raise awareness of White Ribbon Australia, but to promote anti-domestic violence messages, gender equality and respectful relationships to students in the Western Sydney Region through the unity of sport. Since the first WRPC Gala Day in 2017 where 250 students competed from three schools, the event has increased to a projected 700 students from 10 schools. This year promises to be huge, with special guest speakers from local high schools, White Ribbon Australia Ambassador,

as well as the local community organisations expressing their interest such as Westcare, Barnados, Uniting, McDonalds, NRL, NSW Football, West Connect, Your dreams, Platform for Youth Services and more. Additional to the sporting games played, there will be stalls set up offering important information about mental health, youth services and sporting organisations with two dedicated time slots for students to walk around to these stallholders to gather merchandise or important reading materials. The participating High Schools for the 2019 event are Kingswood High School, Cambridge Park High School,

Cranebrooke High School, Eaglevale High School and Penrith Christian School, Penrith Anglican College, Erskine Park High School, Glenmore Park High School, Richmond High School, Colyton High School and Chifley College Dunheved. The local business that have sponsored the day include; WestCare, NRL - Voice Against Violence Program, NRL - Game Development Officers, Penrith City Council, Ross Haywards Sports (RHS), McDonalds (St Marys North, Cambridge Gardens and North Penrith), Sydney Olympic Park Aquatics Centre and Penrith Light and Sound. The Local Community and Sporting

Community’s assistance is paramount to the overall success of an event of this magnitude, and for future events. The event is solely run to cover costs, and all additional money raised will be donated directly to White Ribbon Australia whereby each participating school will run their own fundraising initiatives. Costs associated with this event include: • T-shirt per student with sponsors name on them - in 2018 these cost @$6 each • Possible alternative as the numbers have increased significantly are bandanas that will cost $1.50 each • AV equipment hire $400 • Sausage sizzle donated for the day (possibly a gold coin donation that will be given directly to White Ribbon Australia) • Mural by Street University - $450 • Totem Skateboards (vans riders) $880 • Water bottle per student • Other option available upon request If you’d like to help sponsor the event or contribute please contact the Project Manager Kaylene Macmorran from Kingswood High School at Kaylene.macmorran@det.nsw.edu.au or call her on 0414 261 279.

‘Life-saving’ breast milk bank passes milestone By CONNER LOWE

undr e ds of premature babies across the Nepean and wider NSW have avoided potential lifethreatening infections and disease, thanks to the first statewide donor human milk bank in NSW. Health Minister Brad Hazzard said as the service nears its first anniversary of operation, almost 700 litres of pasteurised donor human milk has fed at risk infants. “Since the launch of the statewide milk bank, over 350 vulnerable babies in neonatal intensive care units have received disease-fighting donor milk,” Mr Hazzard said. “Without this breast milk from generous women, pre-term infants and those bubs with very low birth weights are more susceptible to potentially serious disease and illness.” Pasteurised donor human milk is recommended by the World Health Organization as a first alternative to infant formula, when there is insufficient mother’s milk available. The contents of breast milk guard against disease-causing bacteria by forming a protective layer on the mucous membranes of a baby’s intestines, nose and throat. Donors undergo rigorous screening, including a blood test, which screens for diseases including HIV and

hepatitis B and C that could be transmitted through breastmilk. Donor milk is collected, tested and pasteurized at a purpose-built facility run by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service and distributed to NSW Health NICUs as required. Neonatal intensive care units at the Royal Hospital for Women, Liverpool, Nepean, Westmead, John Hunter, Royal North Shore, Royal Prince Alfred Hospitals and the two

units located in the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network utilise the milk bank. Royal Hospital for Women lactation specialist, Patty Everitt, said more than 100 babies and their families in the Royal’s NICU have benefitted from the statewide service. “We are the largest NICU in NSW and each year we provide specialised care for close to 1000 babies so this service is invaluable for our families

and carers,” Ms Everitt said. “The milk is fed to babies born at less than 32 weeks or weighing less than 1500 grams, whose mum’s own supply does not meet her baby’s feeding requirements.” The NSW Government is investing $170 million in additional health services for families as part of the 2019-20 NSW Budget. For more information on the milk bank go to www.milkbank.com.au.

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

HEALTH

Ask

Nita A regular column to answer your medical cosmetic queries

any facial wrinkles occur when we use our muscles to form facial expressions such as frowning. The wrinkles formed during facial expression are called dynamic lines. When we are young our skin springs back to its initial position at rest, but as we get older these wrinkles remain in the skin. When striving to remove wrinkles

How and why do wrinkles form? cosmetically, dynamic lines are generally treated with muscle relaxing injections. The wrinkles and folds present at rest are called static wrinkles. These wrinkles are formed because natural substances such as collagen, elastin and hyaluronic acid that provides the supporting structures and volume decreases with age. Often the volume loss of facial fat pads leads to droopy folds and lines such as marrionette lines. Fillers are required to correct the volume loss that is causing the droop. Diet and environmental factors such as sunlight, smoking and stress can also contribute to early onset of wrinkles. If you’re concerned about wrinkles it’s advisable to have a full facial consultation by an experienced professional who could ascertain the causes and the correction of the wrinkles you are concerned about.

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local news

ach year, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation {JDRF} One Walks around the globe bring together around a million people to raise over $85 million for life-changing T1D research. This success is only possible because of the support, commitment and strength of our community. You can make a powerful impact by joining the global leader in T1D research for a fun, FREE family day out with a shared goal. Walk with them, and help turn type one into type none. Why Walk? JDRF is here for 120,000 Australians challenged by type 1 diabetes (T1D) every single day. Their determination to overcome this chronic, lifethreatening disease strengthens JDRF to end it. T1D is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas loses the ability to produce insulin—a hormone that turns food into energy. The disease strikes both children and adults suddenly and is not caused by diet or lifestyle. T1D requires constant blood-glucose testing through painful finger pricks, and a constant supply of insulin by injection or pump, just to stay alive. JDRF is the largest non-government funder of T1D research. They are the right team to drive lifechanging breakthroughs to better treat and, one day, prevent and cure T1D. But they can’t do it without you. By joining a JDRF One Walk, your fundraising means that JDRF can continue funding critical T1D research. On the 20th October you can walk at Jamison Park Penrith or on the 27th October at Olympic Park Homebush so why not have a healthy

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

The world’s biggest type 1 diabetes (T1D) fundraising event

day out and support a great cause. For further details contact Nicola Evans at JDRF on 02 9020 6142 or go to their website at jdrf.org.au Photos: Life Photos

Dr Muthukrishnan’s

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Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

local news

Snakes alive I

tchy the Whippet cross, was rushed to the clinic because she had found a red-bellied black snake. Dr Erin explained to her parents that the snake toxin can cause muscle and red blood cell damage and the pigments released can damage the kidneys. Itchy needed to be placed on intravenous fluids to flush out the toxins and antivenom administered immediately. Snakes are more active in the warmer months and we see a large number of snake bites at this time of year. Snakes are generally timid creatures and stay away from humans and pets. It is often our inquisitive

pets that seek out snakes and tend to lead to problems. Dogs are generally at highest risk of being bitten but cats are also susceptible, especially those that like to hunt. In the Penrith area we tend to see two main types of venomous snakes; either red belly black snakes or brown snakes and both types of snake bites are potentially fatal. Both have been sighted along the Nepean River over the past few weeks. The brown snake tends to cause more neurological symptoms such as collapse and difficulty breathing. The red belly black snake is more likely to cause haemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells). However, either snake can cause both symptoms with disastrous consequences if left untreated. If you suspect that your pet has been bitten by a snake, try to keep your pet calm and relaxed and seek veterinary treatment as soon as possible. The sooner your pet is seen by a vet, the higher the chances of a recovery. Snake venom can transfer onto our

skin and can enter our blood stream, if the bite site is known do not touch the area. If a bite is suspected using gloves can avoid contact with venom. Identifying the snake can help with treatment and prognosis. If possible, taking a photo can be helpful, but never try to catch or kill a snake. If we are unsure if your pet has been bitten or unsure of the snake type, a snake bite detection test can be performed on your pet’s blood or urine. Treatment involves the administration of an antivenom. Antivenom is very expensive and can mean treatment for snake bite is costly. There are combination antivenoms that can be given if the snake species is not known. Other medications and stabilization with IV fluids is also required. Complications including kidney failure and immune mediated disease can occur after a snake bite and animals can die despite treatment. Snake bites can be reduced by minimizing areas where snakes are most likely to hide. These include

wood piles, clutter and long grass. If you have any questions or concerns please call Greencross Coreen Avenue on 4731 3055.

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

Can you help reunite these pets with their families? When a pet goes missing it is a particularly distressing time for any owner. And by the look on the faces of some of these local pets who’ve been found, it can be pretty distressing for the pet as well. Have you seen any of our missing pets? Do you recognise any of the pets who have been found? There’s a facebook page called Penrith Area Lost and Found Animals and they are exceptionally good at reuniting lost pets with their owners. If you have any information regarding any of our featured pets, please head to the page and scroll for the owner’s information. Alternatively, if you don’t use facebook feel free to call us on 9834 5579 and we will hook you up!

FOUND NTH ST MARYS

MISSING

MISSING SKYLAR FROM LLANDILO

PIPPA & LAYLA FROM ORCHARD HILLS

FOUND

ST CLAIR

WERRINGTON

DUNHEVED RD

MISSING TURBO FROM LLANDILO

local news With LUKE SPICER, Skyline Solar

hen we first started supplying and installing solar 10 years ago, the differences between inverters were quite substantial. Some could be installed outside, some couldn’t; conversion efficiencies ranged from 92 per cent to 97 per cent, and most inverters had a transformer in them and were quite heavy to lift – how times have changed! These days your standard string inverters are nearly identical in terms of the claimed feature set. If you took the logo off the top of the spec sheet and sat them side by side you’d be hard pushed to tell the inverters apart. Under the hood, however, it’s a very different story. We know from experience that inverters have vastly different build qualities, leading to variable reliability and performance between brands. Measuring reliability is a highly subjective undertaking and it’s nearly impossible to get accurate numbers out of manufacturers – they all say their failure rate is less than 1 per cent! Industry veterans also have vastly differing views about what makes a good, reliable inverter, and it amazes us how the fantastic experience of one

installer can be equalled by the horrible experience of another. Support from the manufacturer is key for us. We have had good and bad experiences with nearly all the major inverter brands at some point during the last 10 years. However, the most notable aspect is how well the manufacturer supported us when something went wrong. SolarEdge, hands down, are one of the better companies we have dealt with. Their support is one of the reasons we keep supplying their products to our valuable customers and we know, that no matter what the issue, SolarEdge strives to resolve problems promptly and efficiently. That’s one

of the reasons we are happy to give SolarEdge a positive review. While support is the number one factor we consider, there are lots of other things we assess when choosing what products to offer our customers (in order of importance): 1. Technical support 2. Safety 3. Reliability, longevity and quality – these all sort of go together 4. Flexibility of the product, meaning the ability to add a battery or connect a hot water system later 5. Financial stability of the manufacturer 6. Commitment to research and development – how progressive is the

manufacturer and are they investing heavily in innovation 7. Price (note this one comes last for us) No manufacturer gets a perfect score, but the best ones get very close, and SolarEdge is certainly one manufacturer that does this. This is particularly evident in the areas of flexibility, R&D, safety and support. Incremental gains are what this industry was built on. Recently, SolarEdge launched their new inverter, with HD-Wave technology which has a conversion efficiency of 99 per cent – a 1.5 per cent efficiency improvement on its predecessor. These little gains are what has made this industry what it is today. It’s rare to see big leaps in efficiency for any type of electronics. Incremental improvements are what drives innovation and keeps this industry moving forward. Inverter efficiency has been stagnant for some time and to see SolarEdge push the boundaries of what’s possible, and deliver an inverter capable of a record-breaking 99 per cent weighted conversion efficiency is about a close to perfect as you can get. Another reason SolarEdge gets a good review from us.

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

What makes SolarEdge a great solar inverter?

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Legends of Helen Baldwin By Noel Rowsell

Eric & Helen

t 106 years of age, Helen Baldwin is one of Australia’s most significant artists of her era, faithfully capturing the lifestyle of our Indigenous people and the Australian Outback. Helen travelled extensively within the far west of Australia for more than 50 years, capturing beautiful and breathtaking images and stories of our First People. Looking back over her career, Helen’s achievements and exploits are in fact a pictorial and geographical journey into Australia’s heartland. Born in Blayney, NSW in 1912 and later residing in both Gulgong and Mudgee, Helen was fascinated by pictures of Aboriginal people. This interest would become a life passion and Helen would subsequently create her stunning, powerful images of the Outback and the Aboriginal people, in both watercolour and Petit Point. Helen has amazingly strong

recollections from her early childhood, from hearing Dame Nellie Melba sing on the wireless (which had a large pink fluted trumpet out of the side), watching a bullock train traverse the town’s main street and learning (and hating) the piano. Helen’s family moved to Springwood when she was school age and she remembers the Lower Blue Mountains town as a small village, with just a few shops and the Oriental Hotel. Helen’s family lived in a small weatherboard home and she would be schooled in Penrith, which was unfortunately not a fond memory. Helen’s life changed dramatically when commercial artist Wynne Davies asked her to work for him and she left school at 15, just before sitting for her exams. Australian artist Norman Lindsay and his wife Rose were also close family friends and Helen fondly remembers artist Fred Leist describing Rose Lindsay as “the most beautiful thing you could lay your eyes on.” Norman Lindsay was also greatly impressed by Helen’s natural artistic

Helen and Painting

 Girls at a Billabong

 Children’s Book Illustrations

the Nepean

 Petit Point

skill (stating Helen was better than her boss) and suggested she should attend the Art School at East Sydney Tech. Initially placed with second-year students and not settling in at all, a chance conversation with Norman Lindsay resulted in Helen being moved out of her group into the third-year Life Classes for Life Drawing, History of Costume, Stained Glass and Elementary Oil Painting, in addition to Commercial Art Classes. After four years at Art School, Helen won a scholarship and began a course which would ultimately set the standard for future students wishing to do a Commercial and Fine Arts Course. The students were trained to learn all of the body parts, muscles, bones and how the slightest movement of one affected the other. Noted artists Douglas Dundas and Fred Leist were among her teachers, with Dundas teaching Life Form and Leist teaching the Painting Class. Life at that time was tough in Australia and Helen remembers men walking up and down the Great Western Highway looking for work and queues outside the Post Office every week for the weekly food parcels. The ‘Great Depression’ hit during Helen’s fourth year at Tech and without the funds to cover her course, she would leave and take up a commercial artist position with ‘an Englishman named Wishart’. The first two weeks were a disaster, with Helen making a mess of everything involving either a T-Square or a set square. However, the opportunity to sketch faces during week three would change her work status immediately, with a rise in pay and now doing mostly figure work. Suffering a bout with TB would stop Helen working for a short while

 Man of Central Australia (Petit Point)

but she recovered and moved into a flat with a female friend in Kings Cross, living there at the time (1942) the Japanese Mini Subs staged their raid in Sydney Harbour. Helen had previously met husbandto-be Eric Skarrat on ‘The Fish’ commuter train, travelling to and from the Blue Mountains and he would accompany Helen to all the local dances and regularly cycle to her place on weekends. Seven Mile Beach was a popular picnic spot and Helen recalls walking along the base of the headland, almost knee deep in shell grit following a king tide, where “the ocean seemed to rise up out of it’s bed and become angry.” Eric and a couple of friends finished their Architectural Course at Tech and immediately went off to serve in WW11. Helen remembers the men returning on their first leave, just flesh and bones with dark shadows under their eyes. Eric proposed on one trip home and the couple were married in the Church of England, Springwood on 19th May, 1943 - a day in which 7” (17.8cm) of rain fell between 10am and 2.30pm. Cars were bogged, the one taxi in Springwood struggled to cope with numbers of people attending the wedding and Helen was forced to run barefoot in her wedding gown across a small lake (which had been her front yard) just to get to the taxi. Fittingly, at the end of the night, Eric and Helen were forced to travel from Sydney to Manly by tram, as no taxis or ferries were running due to the inclement weather. Once home from the War, Eric and Helen moved into Glenbrook and a new life beckoned for Helen in the Outback. Whilst now officially Helen Skarrat, she would continue to use her maiden name Baldwin for her art. ‘Children of the Dreamtime’

is a chronicle of Helen’s time in Australia’s heart, which is edited by Laura Murray with the photography of Helen’s paintings and Petit Point work taken by her son John Skarrat. The book begins with Helen’s time in Wilcannia with husband Eric, journeying to the junction of the Barwon, Darling, Namoi and Paroo Rivers – once a great meeting place for Aboriginal people. A friendship with Beryl and Dick Cowen led to frequent trips to Yuendumu, a large settlement on the edge of the Tanami Desert. Searing heat, endless flies, brush fires and the lack of water would be trying but Helen described the soil as “the most brilliant red I had ever seen and the country flat,with odd low hills and sparse vegetation.” The Cowens moved on to Beswick Station (near Katherine) and Helen recalls the Aboriginal people were quite different in stature to the ‘Central Australia people’. Helen knew Susan Ellis from Glenbrook and after Susan had married Geoff Lawson and moved inland to Papunya (225kms northwest of Alice Springs), this region also became a regular pilgrimage for Helen’s travels. Helen was subsequently invited

 Helen Baldwin

by Susan’s brother Peter Ellis to visit him at Napperby, a cattle station of over 5,000 square km’s in size and 225 km’s slightly west of North from Alice Springs. Michael Ellis (another of Susan’s brothers) lived at Areyongo, in the MacDonnell Ranges, about 225km’s south-west of Alice Springs. Michael then moved to Mbunghara, consisting of a 2,600 square km cattle station and located yet again about 225km’s from Alice Springs. He later married Lizzie (Markilyi), a full-blood Aboriginal girl from Docker River, who would accompany Helen into many regions and places of Australia which were either off limits or otherwise inaccessible to most travellers. Among other locations Helen frequently visited during her travels were Chambers Pillar, Docker River, Kintore and Maryvale, continuously capturing the beauty of the Aboriginal people, their craft and their lifestyle, along with the local landscapes. ‘Children of the Dreamtime’ is a book well worth reading to capture an even fuller outline of Helen’s travels within the Australian Outback, as she recalls her travels, exploits and experiences in the heart of Australia in even greater detail.

Helen Baldwin was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Dr Anthony Boyden. If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at nepeannews@ aol.com

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

local news

Foodworks: bigger and better than ever By KeRRIE DAVIES

oodworks on Melville Road, St Clair has changed my life. I’m serious. From the time they opened I have been a regular. I have more time up my sleeve, because ‘a quick dash to the shop’ is now literally that. I love the convenience of parking at the door, and the staff are the friendliest bunch of people around. Now their much-awaited expansion is complete and it is even bigger and better than it was before! The renovation has allowed for so much extra space and therefore more stock, so now I can buy just about everything I need. As well as the grocery items they now have an amazing display of fresh fruit and meat. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, now they have hot food! Have you tried the butter chicken? Do yourself a favour and give it a go, it is sensational. For those like me that like their curry a bit on the hot side, their Vindaloo curry is amazing. There are various other non- Indian dishes available as well. It is so good to have another take away food option! Oh and did I mention Foodworks also serves piping hot coffee to start your day with? There’s also cakes, pastries and smoothies. Heaven! If you haven’t checked it out yet, go have a look - you will be impressed. Take advantage of their super specials on their official launch day -12 October - while you are there!

The G Spot

ave you ever sat at the traffic lights waiting for the green light and thought “Hmmm, Geez some people are really stupid.” Now, if you haven’t, you should try it, it’s extremely invigorating, decluttering and detoxing. Just look left and right the next time you are at the lights, you may see a few nose rubs, staring into space, bopping to music, its all happening at the traffic lights. So, getting back to it, I am not just talking about everyday stupid, as in lack of common sense, I am talking about the lack of thought power, if there is any such term? I will claim it anyway. Thought power! So what exactly is thought power, I hear you say? For example looking at social media and seeing posts about cars being broken into and wallets stolen off the front seat during the night. Now I am no

rocket scientist, however you often wonder why the wallet was left on the front seat of the car in the first place. How could one possibly get on to social media, wondering how they have been so hard done by and what was the expectation and result? … Thought Power! Hang on I am on a roll, grab your coffee kids I am going for it, lets add the word accountability to thought power. I was watching a video from home security cameras in a new estate the other morning and the opportunists went from car to car to car, pulling on handles and bingo!!! Wooooo hoooooooo, found a car unlocked, and boom wallet, laptop (Yep laptop, you read it correctly) stolen. I then saw the comments (Whilst I ate my vegemite toast) “Oh how sad, I am so sorry this has happened to you” and it goes on and on.

With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security

Then, posts declaring “dog missing gate left unlocked and must have had high winds and dog got out” and now society on our beloved social media is looking for the dog, sharing the post, commenting “Omg praying for a safe return” “Hope you find him” when, in in actual fact there was lack of …thought power and that amazing word … accountability. So what I guess I am throwing out there, whilst I ponder my navel and perhaps start picking fluff from it at the red traffic lights waiting for them to turn green and watching other intersections go FIRST! sigh.. When do people become accountable for their own actions and where is the thought power? I know this is probably going to upset and offend half the planet by asking this and perhaps a young lady will start screaming “How dare you” “You have stolen my life” down a

microphone with anger on her face, but seriously when do we actually become accountable and have thought power? Are you sorta getting an idea of what I am talking about? Let me explain, as you are now probably wondering what this has got to do with security? Well in an obscure demented way, it does, because I believe and in my opinion that if we as us humans took the time to actually stop and use thought power and accountability, maybe the wallet would not have been stolen and the car broken into if the wallet was not a draw card? Its amazing, I feel like I have just solved the first world problems. And the lights turn Green, I am off, until I get to the next set of …. Red lights, Hmmm wonder what subject I can solve at these ones? Until next time.

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ENTERTAINMENT

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

Free family fun to be had at the REAL Festival

eal Festival returns to the Nepean River from 1-2 November with fun activities, kid-friendly entertainment and unforgettable experiences for families to enjoy for free. This year’s outstanding program offers unlimited fun with a silent disco, origami garden, rock climbing, UV face painting, a native animal show and a musical plant installation among the highlights for kids. The acclaimed production Splash Test Dummies is the must-see show on both nights. The circus troupe’s brilliant array of catch-your-breath stunt work, acrobatics and side-splitting comedy wowed crowds at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and is sure to be a hit with kids. Families can expect more thrilling entertainment when the spectacular headline show All That We Are gets underway on both nights; and the gallery of illuminated artworks, including a giant inflatable Bilby that comes to life as the sun goes down. Penrith Mayor Councillor Ross Fowler OAM said Real Festival is the perfect family event. “Real Festival is now in its fourth year and continues to grow and get better every year. There is nothing like it in Western Sydney and Council is proud to provide local families with a free event of this calibre,” Cr Fowler said. “Once again a key focus for us is to celebrate and activate the Nepean River for families to enjoy. The river is central to the event program including the headline performance which, for the first time, takes

place over the water. It’s not to be missed. “There’s also free kayaking, stand up paddle boarding and cruises on the beautiful Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler to get families on the water and experiencing the river from a different perspective,” Cr Fowler said. “And all along the riverbank at Tench Reserve there’s non-stop action and entertainment at every corner. As the sun sets families can unwind with delicious food from food trucks, enjoy live music and be amazed in the magical gallery of illuminated artworks.” Head to the Real Festival website http:// www.realfestival.com.au/ to view the full event program, book workshops and plan your trip to the event. Real Festival is proudly produced by Penrith City Council with the support of The Penrith Homemakers Centre, Busways, The Western Weekender, 7News and the NSW Government’s tourism and major events agency, Destination NSW. EVENT DETAILS What: Real Festival When: Friday 1 November, 5pm-10pm and Saturday 2 November, 2pm-10pm Where: Tench Reserve, Tench Avenue, Nepean River Web: realfestival.com.au Socials: Facebook.com/realfestivalpenrith Instagram.com/realfestival #realfestival #visitpenrith

Direct from the UK: The Bootleg Beatles

irect from London, The Bootleg Beatles, the world’s first and finest homage to the Fab Four are returning to Australia by Popular Demand in October-November 2019 to mark the milestone 50th Anniversary of Abbey Road. Now in their 35th year, The Bootleg Beatles have performed over 5,000 shows worldwide. Their stunning authenticity coupled with their musical credibility has seen them perform at some of the world’s best-known venues such as Wembley Stadium, the Royal Albert Hall, Knebworth, Glastonbury Festival and the Budokan Stadium in Tokyo, where The Beatles originally played and recently Sold Out concerts at Liverpool’s Philharmonia Hall. They also performed on “The Graham Norton Show” in London. The legendary English Record Producer/ Arranger/Composer Sir George Martin, sometimes referred to as “the fifth Beatle”, said: “I enjoyed their act enormously”. Formed for the West End cast of the long-running Broadway musical “Beatlemania”, The Bootleg Beatles are truly the world’s No.1 tribute band have shared the Concert with the likes of Rod Stewart, Elton John, David Bowie, Iggy Pop, Seal, Simple Minds, Bon Jovi and they performed

at Queen Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee celebration at Buckingham Palace. Noel and Liam Gallagher of Oasis asked them to be the support act for their record-breaking 1995 Earl’s Court Concerts, culminating with both bands sharing the stage for “I Am The Walrus”. The Bootleg Beatles re-create with precision the hits and image with costumes reflecting The Beatles’ evolution, as well as from note to note using original instruments and with uncannily accurate vocals. Against a stunning video backdrop enabling them

to faithfully re-create many of the songs The Beatles never played live on stage, such as “Eleanor Rigby”, “ Penny Lane” and “All You Need Is Love”. The Australian shows will feature the authentic instrumentation as used on the Original recordings. The Bootleg Beatles are truly one of Britain’s most popular bands, with fans of all ages across the globe greeting their note-perfect performance with scenes of Beatle-like hysteria. The concerts will feature renditions of the greatest songs from the entire Beatles catalogue. They faithfully re-create

many of the hits the Beatles never performed live. All Beatles fanatics since childhood, THE BOOTLEG BEATLES consist of: * TYSON KELLY (John Lennon) Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards * STEVE WHITE (Paul McCartney) - Bass, Vocals * STEPHEN HILL (George Harrison) - Guitar, Vocals * GORDON ELSMORE (Ringo Starr) - Drums, Vocals Friday 1st November, 2019 - EVAN THEATRE PENRITH PANTHERS NSW - Bookings: (02) 4720 5555.

ENTERTAINMENT Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Darren Coggan And Felicity Urquhart

ndividually, Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Darren Coggan and Felicity Urquhart are four of the most recognisable country music artists in the Australian entertainment world. Golden Guitars, Gold records, chart topping albums and countless Number One singles between them… this merely scratches the surface of their combined achievements! 2019 marks the 20th anniversary of these four talented and highly decorated artists forming a tour called The Young Stars Of Country. Of the upcoming 20th anniversary tour Adam Harvey said, “We are all so excited to be reuniting. It seems like yesterday when we all started touring together and we can’t believe it was 20 years ago. We were just kids back then and now we all have kids of our own! We are going to have plenty of laughs and a whole lot of fun at these shows. It’s going to be very special to share the stage again with such great mates”. “Young Stars…when I think of those days touring I see the smiles on our faces, the big belly laughs and the mischievous after gig parties. I think of nursing Ricky while Beccy was on stage not having a clue what to do with a baby. We had stars in our eyes and it

was a quick learn on what touring was all about”, said Felicity Urquhart. “It’s really no surprise that the four of us have remained friends for 20 years, those early days of touring hold the fondest of memories. This reunion is special because not only do we present as four individual enduring artists, but also four dear friends. Get ready for the stories, the secrets and the laughs!”, said Beccy Cole. Darren Coggan said, “I’m so grateful to have Adam, Beccy and Felicity in

my life and I am thrilled to be sharing the stage with them again for this ‘reunion’ tour. I know it’s going to be one of the most rewarding and exciting chapters of my career”. You can expect some very special moments on this show, many laughs and even a few tears but there is no doubting that there will be some breathtaking musical moments. When four artists come together after 20 years of love and respect for each other, the audience is in for a once in

a lifetime treat. Don’t miss Adam Harvey, Beccy Cole, Darren Coggan and Felicity Urquhart… together again in an unforgettable reunion concert 20 years on. The Reunion – Young Stars Of Country….20 Years On is on sale now and the toure kicks off at the Evan Theatre at Penrith Panthers. Thursday November 14th Evan Theatre, Penrith Panthers NSW premier.ticketek.com.au

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

The Reunion: Young Stars of Country …. 20 Years on 2019 Tour

ENTERTAINMENT

ress up, grab a Halloween bag and get ready to pound the pavement as part of the St Marys Trick or Treat Trail. There will be free lollies, entertainment and prizes to keep the whole family entertained. Be part of this year’s amazing Trick or Treat Trail to be held on Saturday 26h October from 10am till 2pm in Coachman’s Park, Cnr Charles Hackett Drive and Queen Street, St Marys. Sue Fryer, Business Development Manager of St Marys Town Centre said “Last year’s Halloween

event was an extremely successful for St Marys Town Centre with numbers breaking records for this event. It was fantastic to see so many people of all ages dress up and parade along the street in their amazing costumes. Business owners saw a lot of new faces coming through their doors. It’s great to see this kind of community support, not to mention people attending this event from outside of the area.” The Halloween trick or treat trail is a FREE family event for the whole family with entertainment,

26th Sept - 13th Oct

airbrush tattoos, balloon bender, jumping castle and our walkaround characters for the kids to meet. The streets will be patrolled with traffic controllers positioned on certain streets making it easier for parents and children to cross safely. There will be prizes for the best dressed on the day so make sure you get creative and join us in Coachman’s Park for the fancy dress parade. To find out the latest information about the St Marys Trick or Treat Trail event please head to www.facebook.com/stmarystowncentre

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Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

St Marys Trick or Treat Trail

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ENTERTAINMENT

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

31st Annual Doll Bear & Craft Fair

n Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th October 2019 the Museum of Fire will be holding its 30th Annual Doll Bear & Craft Fair. The Museum has been running this fair for the past 30 years and it has become one of the premier fairs in New South Wales. With over 110 stalls undercover, all on one level with wheel chair access and plenty of bus/coach parking, it makes for a fun day out for all ages. Stalls this year include, an assortment of dolls, including reborn, porcelain, vintage, and pixie dolls, many handmade and hand dressed teddies, homemade children’s clothes, Christmas decorations, Quilts, Soap, Candles, Doll Cradles & Prams, Dream Catchers, Jewelry, Doll Clothes, as well as fully restored prams and to many more craft stalls to mention. “Many stallholders travel a long distance to be here as it is one of the few two-day indoor fairs still left in Sydney,” said CEO Mark White. The Fair is open to the public from 9am to 4pm

Saturday and 9am to 3pm Sunday and they also have free Doll Valuations being done by a member of the Doll Collectors Club of NSW on Saturday from 10am till 2pm. They have kept the entry prices reasonable at just $6 for Adults, $4 for Concessions and $2 for children aged from 2 – 13 years. The Museum of Fire, located in the old Penrith Power Station, 1 Museum Drive (off Castlereagh Road) opened as Australia’s only dedicated Fire Safety Education Centre in 1986. The Museum is a Registered Charity, dedicated to teaching and promoting Fire Safety and raising awareness of the heroic role fire fighters play in serving the community.

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

ENTERTAINMENT

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CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Hindered (8) 5 An Asian temple (6) 9 Strive (8) 10 A coarse cloth with a bright print (6) 12 Hoods (5) 13 In a futile manner (9) 14 Senility (6) 16 Fleck (7) 19 Aged (7) 21 Not the top (6) 23 A pronunciation mark (9) 25 Prefix meaning “Hand” (5) 26 Cerumen (6) 27 Feathers (8) 28 Most rational (6) 29 Traitorous (8)

DOWN 1 From that place (6) 2 The state of having lost one’s husband (9) 3 Absorbs written material (5) 4 Speak clearly (7) 6 A reprieve in intensity (9) 7 Leaves out (5) 8 Liturgical assistants (8) 11 Focussing glass (4) 15 Farmers (9) 17 Wittingly (9) 18 Door-to-door salesmen (8) 20 Abominable snowman (4) 21 Rod-shaped bacteria (7) 22 Small amount of food (6) 24 Bib (5) 25 Desert animal (5)

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ENTERTAINMENT

he all-singing, all-dancing, sidesplittingly funny solution to all the world’s problems returns for another year of satirical genius with the 2019 instalment of The Wharf Revue, showing at The Joan on Thursday 31 October at 7.30pm through till Saturday 2 November at 2:00pm & 7.30pm. The West is crumbling, democracy is besieged, and the world is run by peeps with funny hair. You have to laugh. And that’s exactly what The Wharf Revue delivers. The indefatigable team is back once more to dig through the year’s political dirt and unearth comedy gold. Stalwart performer Drew Forsythe returns with special triple-threat guests including new addition to the gang, the hilarious Simon Burke. From the movers to the shakers, from

the winners to the losers, the stage will be filled with uncanny impressions of the year’s most memorable political characters and the moments they’d prefer to forget. The choreography is tight, the wigs are loose, the punchlines are loaded. Everything is ready for a big night of laughter and mayhem. Don’t miss The Wharf Revue when it heads to Penrith over three big nights at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre from Thursday 31 October to Saturday 2 November. SHOWS Thursday 31 October 7.30pm Friday 1 November 7.30pm Saturday 2 November 2pm, 7.30pm TICKETS: Standard $70, Concession $65, Under 30s $30. To book please visit: www.thejoan.com.au/ events/the-wharf-revue-2019/

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

The Wharf Revue 2019

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NEPEAN HISTORY

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

enry Charles Lennox Anderson was born at sea in 1853 as his parents Robert & Margaret (née Hewson) sailed to Sydney on the “Empire” from Aberdeenshire in Scotland. Henry was educated at Sydney Grammar School and on a scholarship at the University of Sydney (B.A., 1873; M.A., 1878), he won the University Prize in 1872, the Belmore Medal for agricultural chemistry in 1873 and the Hercules Robinson prize for Shakespearian scholarship and literature in 1877. From 1873 he taught at Sydney Grammar School and that year he was promoted Honorary Lieutenant in the Sydney Grammar School Cadet Corps and resigned in 1880, and in March that year at the Macquarie Street Presbyterian Church he married Harriet Lily Lloyd. Two years later he became the Director of the Intelligence Department of Public Instruction and the Principal Librarian & Secretary of the Public Library of NSW, including the Registrar of Copyright from 1882. In 1885 he was commissioned into the 1st Regiment Volunteer Infantry. His younger brother Robert was commissioned into the 2nd Infantry Regiment in 1886. Henry became a Captain in 1888 and resigned as a Captain after serving 17 years. His brother later resigned his commission but remained in the reserves. Both Henry and Robert were founding members of the United Service Institution in 1889. For over twenty years as a hobby and recreation, Henry carried out analysis and other work in agricultural chemistry and invested every shilling he had in a farm and orchard near Penrith. In February 1890, Henry was appointed NSW’s first Director of Agriculture, but found this department haphazardly formed as a branch of the Department of Mines. The first Agricultural College in NSW was founded in 1890 in Richmond by Sydney Smith, who was born in Colyton and Minister for Mines & Agriculture at that time. Poor Henry had to contend with catastrophic wheat losses from rust, widespread disease in plants and animals, pests such as rabbits, prickly pear, phylloxera and water hyacinth, and grossly inefficient farming methods. Henry edited and largely wrote the first issue of the Agricultural Gazette of NSW and soon gathered the nucleus of a departmental scientific staff. In 1891 he had the College on a sound scientific and practical foundation. The next year Henry established the Wagga Wagga Experiment Farm. He acquired land for other agricultural colleges and farms for demonstration purposes, and made elaborate plans for free distribution of seeds, plants and cuttings and for a travelling demonstration unit to show farmers efficient dairying methods. Plants, trees, shrubs, seeds and insects of all types were to be botanically identified or entomologically classified and catalogued, but in August 1893 Henry’s department was closed down and in September he was appointed Principal Librarian of the Free Public Library at a reduced salary, a position in which he had ‘no desire’. Continuing questions in parliament about his evidence to the royal commission into

the civil service on ‘political appointments’ in the Department of Mines, culminated in a select committee and a whispering campaign about his maladministration of the library. Hampered by an inadequate building and an outdated catalogue, he instituted annual stocktaking in 1894 (the first since 1885), helped country students by lending them small parcels of reference books and became internationally known for 101 rules of cataloguing with the use of subject headings. He was made a Fellow of the Senate of the University of Sydney in 1895, and the library’s name was changed at his instigation to the Public Library of NSW. In 1896 he published Guide to the Catalogues of the Reference Library and he also ran classes for his staff and employed women for the first time. In 1897 he attended the Second International Library Conference in London and acquired for New South Wales, Governor King’s manuscript journal of his voyage to Sydney as a Lieutenant in the Sirius. He later received an introduction to David Scott Mitchell from Rose Scott that proved beneficial to him because he acted out-ofhours as his secretary. In 1898 he became a Trustee of St Andrew’s College when David Mitchell told him of his intended bequest of his unique collection to the library. Henry voluntarily moved out of his house attached to the library to accommodate the 10,000 volumes that was transferred over. From 1901 Henry introduced the Dewey system of cataloguing. Henry believed in ‘a National and not a Municipal Library’ and emphasized the need to have books which reflect and give a history of the morals of certain ages and finally in 1905, when the bequest seemed to be slipping away, work started on the Mitchell wing with Henry responsible for its basic design. From 1907 he became Director of the State’s new Intelligence Department and Government statistician and in 1908 he became Acting Under-Secretary and Director of the new independent and stronger Department of Agriculture and helped to establish the faculties of agriculture and veterinary science in 1910. At the first Dry Farming Conference in Australia held in Adelaide in 1911, he was impressed by the extension of wheat growing in South Australia and the advantages of superphosphate and fallowing in winter. Although he had been a brilliant organizer, Henry reflected on ‘the futility of much of his labour’ in his reminiscences written soon after his retirement in April 1914. He died of heart failure in 1924 at his home on Shirley Rd, Wollstonecraft and was buried in the Presbyterian section of Rookwood cemetery. His estate was valued for probate at £13,688. Photo of Henry courtesy of NSW State Library.

Nepean News 26 September 2019 Issue 261

From Penrith’s Earth

Sources: J. R. Tyrrell, “Old Books, Old Friends, Old Sydney”, Votes and Proceedings (Legislative Assembly, NSW Relating to Proposed Mitchell Library 1905, Sydney Morning Herald, Rose Scott’s correspondence (State Library of NSW), Government Gazette, C. J. King, “Henry Anderson, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, NSW Public Servants List, Index of Deceased Estate Files, Ancestry, Find a Grave URL, Permanent Trustee P/L.

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Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

FINANCE AND REAL ESTATE MATTERS

Ask the Expert - Spring Starts Strong, For Some historically mean a slight shift in power from sellers to buyers. However, since mid-year there have been several market adjustments that will hold vendors in good stead and work to their advantage. In May, the introduction of the Morrison government temporarily put to rest concerns about further investigation into negative gearing and capital gains tax adjustments. This was a win for the property investors in the market who had cooled their heels under the weight of concern as to how tax changes could affect them. With that out of the way, this demographic of buyers was back to the market in full force. In July, the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) amended their guidance to lenders, initiating several key banks to now set Sharon Mudiman Licensee and Principal of Bespoke Realty Group has been negotiating the sale of property for over twenty-five years in the Greater Penrith Region

pring has sprung into action, with our region seeing an increase in properties coming onto the market, yet still not meeting this yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s comparable increase in qualified buyers. Buyer interest remained strong throughout winter, but low stock levels struggled to keep up leaving many buyers competing intensely for the few homes on offer. The traditional market trend of more homes for sale in spring has arrived on cue, which would

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their own minimum interest rate to determine serviceability. The previous guideline of a overall 7.25% interest rate has now been amended to 2.5% over a loanâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s interest rate, causing a chain reaction that has trickled directly down to buyers. These more attainable rates have reopened lending for many buyers previously restricted by serviceability criteria. Buyers are borrowing again, which has reactivated a great deal of qualified buyers once restricted by tight lending requirements. Then in recent weeks, the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) cut to the cash rate again, lowering it by 25 basis points from 1.00% to 0.75%. While not all banks have chosen to relay this reduction to their customers, it does bode well for bringing more buyers to the market, and may help more first time buyers secure their first ever home. Yet, the amount of homes for sale still lags behind demand of buyers. With considerably less homes for sale this year, spring is still a great time for those contemplating a sale.

SPORT

Hans Schneider and Gill Gordon (Leonay GC) in action at Dunheved GC. Photos courtesy of Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au) By Noel Rowsell

142 players greeted the starter at Dunheved GC on Tuesday 1st October, in the latest round of the 2019 Western Sydney Region Veteran Golfers Association (WSRVGA) Inter-Club competition. Dunheved’s top-scoring members would take full advantage of their course knowledge to finish with 154 points, edging out Richmond GC on 152 and Penrith 147. Dunheved (1,018 points) now hold a 4-point advantage over Penrith (1,014) in the race to win the Club of the Year trophy, ahead of reigning Club of the Year Richmond (1,008) and Wallacia (1,002). The members of Dunheved’s winning team were

Elaine Williams, Bruce Beechey, Robert Ayre and Di Bowen. Williams and Bowen had a day to remember, also winning the Medley 2BBB with a huge 52-point haul, ahead of Leonay husband and wife Ken & Gill Gordon with 45 c/b. Williams also took out the Women’s Singles with 40 points, ahead of Kris Douglas (Richmond) with 37. The Men’s 2BBB winners were Gary Muscat and Graham Sprouster (Richmond) with 46 c/b, ahead of Phil Johnston and Bob Jenson (Penrith) with 46 c/b. The individual winners were: A Grade - Neil Johnston (Penrith) 40 c/b, runner-up Ken Powell (Richmond) 40; B Grade - Robert Ayre (Dunheved) 38 c/b, runner-up Graham Sprouster (Richmond) 38 c/b; C Grade - Ray Foster (Penrith) 37, runner-up

Kim Stockbridge (Stonecutters Ridge) 36. There was one unwelcome visitor on the course, when an enormous brown snake crossed the 15th fairway at it’s leisure but the greater majority of players had already completed their round and been heading back to the clubhouse. Greg Williams (Dunheved) leads the Player of the Year rankings on 113, ahead of Peter Green (Dunheved) 111, Peter Cromer (Wallacia) 111, Stephen Cromer (Leonay) 111, Russell Cruikshank (Penrith) 110 and Garry Smith (Richmond) 110. In the women’s Player of the Year, Judy Loader (Stonecutters Ridge) leads on 108, ahead of Elaine Williams (Dunheved) 100, Sue Evers (Springwood) 100, Carol Carter (Richmond) 99 and Carol Lozier (Richmond) 98. The next Inter-Club will be held at Leonay GC on 29th October.

Evers wins Inaugural NSWVGA State Medal By Noel Rowsell

he Western Sydney Region Veteran Golfers Association (WSRVGA) sent four players to the inaugural NSWVGA State Medal, which was held in Port Macquarie from 30/9-1/10. The State Medal was the brainchild of the NSWVGA, inviting all 16 active participating groups/regions in NSW to send their leading players to Port Macquarie to compete for the Medal. WSRVGA is Group 20 and nominated Sue Evers (Springwood CC) and Carol Carter (Richmond GC) in the Ladies Division, along with brothers Peter Cromer (Wallacia CC) and Steve Cromer (Leonay GC) in the Men’s Division. Evers won the Ladies Division by a whopping 7-shot margin, also finishing first on both days but only receiving one major prize, as per the NSWVGA recommendations on prize sharing. Carter would take out first place on Day 2, finishing 6th overall in the Medal. Peter Cromer finished third in the Men’s Division of the Medal, whilst brother Steve finished out of the placings.

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

Dunheved GC wins October WSRVGA Inter-Club

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

SPORT

Aussie racing car talent tackles first Bathurst race By CONNER LOWE

t’s almost time for the greatest weekend in V8 Super Car Racing when the Bathurst 1000 kicks off on Thursday 10 October. Josh Anderson, currently third in the Aussie Racing Car Championship, the Penrith local will be looking to impress when he gears up to race in the Super Ute Series at Bathurst 1000 for the first time. “I’m really excited to have a go at Bathurst. It’s one of those difficult tracks and you have to respect it. It’s going to be a challenge, but it’s something I’m looking forward to,” Anderson said. Anderson will consider his maiden Bathurst outing a success if he can make a competitive appearance.

“If I can finish up the weekend having competed at this level and been competitive at this track, I will have a learnt a lot, and that would be a great outcome for me.” Having tested the Toyota Hilux he’ll be competing in at Eastern Creek and Wakefield Park, Anderson is feeling confident. “I’ve been enjoying the car and have taken to it quite well. My training runs to date have gone

pretty nicely, so I’m hoping for a good showing on the day.” “I’m grateful for the opportunity that arose through Sieders Racing to be able to have a crack at such an iconic track as Bathurst.” Racing since 2017, Penrith based Josh Anderson is a talented young driver perusing his dream of one day racing in the Virgin Australia V8 Super Car Championships.

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SPORT

By CONNER LOWE

he Penrith Valley Sports Foundation has awarded Kate Pelle from Erskine Park the Junior Sportsperson Award for the month of September for her development and skill in cricket, soccer and futsal. Kate has played cricket from the age of 6 years old, beginning with the Milo cricket program. She started playing soccer at 8 years of age and began playing futsal in 2018. Kate spoke of how honoured she felt to receive the award from Penrith Valley Sports Foundation and to be recognised with so many talented sporting juniors. “I am very happy to have been nominated as sports person of the month for September! I really love playing all my sports and the recognition is exciting and also very much appreciated,” she said. “I’m pleased and honoured to be receiving this award. There are so many other talented sports persons who are also worthy to be receiving such an award.” Kate’s greatest achievements in cricket are being selected to represent NSW school cricket and winning the 2018 National championships, Captaining the 2017 Mollie Dive Team (PJCA), Selection in the U/13, U/14 and U/15 NSW Academy teams in consecutive years. However, her most exciting achievement was scoring her first 100 runs. In soccer, playing with the Marconi Stallions U/14 girls youth competition, winning the minor premiership and championship 2019. Kate spoke about what she enjoys most about her sports and her dreams of playing sport professionally in the future. “I love batting and wicket keeping and being a part of the team, playing a game of cricket is a great contest,” she said. “I’m a goalkeeper in soccer and I love diving to

saving goals. I also enjoy playing futsal as it is a very fast and exciting game. “My plans for the future are to keep training and playing to the best of my ability in the hope that one day I will be able to have a career as a professional

sports person.” We would like to congratulate Kate on her award from Penrith Valley Sports Foundation and to continue striding for success in cricket and futsal for the future.

Hula Girls shake up the competition G

lenmore Park’s 12C Netball team, the Hula Girls, were undefeated during the latest Penrith District Netball Association regular season, winning 14 games out of 14 played. In the regular season they scored 318 goals for with only 92 against. In the finals’ series, they won a closefought major semi-final 18-15 against Cambridge Park, the 2nd placed team, but were matched up against Emmaus in the Grand Final. The Hula Girls’ team coach, Erin Vicary was proud of the team. “As everyone knows in sport anything is possible and anyone can win on the day. Unfortunately, the Glenmore Park team encountered a fast-opening Emmaus side that never let them recover, going down 13-26 in

the decider,” Erin said. “Teams were divided at start of the year to ‘build’ sides. It was so good to see the friendships girls made so quickly, which I think is one of the reasons the girls did so well this year. I always enjoyed training days and seeing the girls each week. I look forward to next season and what their skills and team bond can achieve for them.” Erin added,” the girls were a pleasure to coach and although they didn’t win the GF, they never gave up and made me very proud as were the families and supporters. Congratulations to Emmaus who were the better team on the day.” The Hula Girls consisted of Kyla Devine, Sophie Folkes, Mia Hepi, Kaetlyn, Emily Klimek, Mischa Partridge, Imogen Pettit and Hannah Vicary.

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

PVSF Junior Sportsperson Award

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

local news

BEHIND THE STUMPS

with Stew Moses @TheRiffMarn

Gordon presents bigger challenge after big win over Northern Districts The Black Cats may have started their 2019-20 season in spectacular fashion following an eight wicket over Northern Districts that enabled the defending premiers to claim a bonus point. But Gordon present a much bigger challenge following their ability to finish day one of their two-day match against Penrith at Howell Oval with a very competitive total, having reached 9-361. The visitors won the toss and elected to bat first, but looked to be in real trouble at 5/90, thanks to an early burst of wickets from the skipper, Ryan Smith, before recovering to finish the day with a total that will test Penrith’s mettle this Saturday. The Penrith skipper who finished with 4/64, was the pick of the bowlers, supported by Luke Hodges (2/94), Brent Williams (1/32) and Ryan Fletcher (1/52). Penrith came into their first two-day round of the season following a bonuspoint win over Northern Districts the previous Saturday at Mark Taylor Oval. Despite having lost the toss, Penrith’s bowling attack made light work of Northern Districts’ batting line-up, led by the three wicket efforts of Henry Railz, Brent Williams and Ryan Fletcher. Despite the early set back of losing both the “Two Ryans,” openers Ryan Hackney and Ryan Gibson for 0 and 12 respectively, an unbeaten 113 run 3rd wicket partnership between Brent Atherton (53 no) and Cameron Weir (51 no off just 53 balls including two sixes), enabled the Black Cats to pass the home side’s total of just 137, in the 28th over to claim the win and the extra bonus point. Skipper Ryan Smith was pleased with his team’s first up performance but was mindful that the opposition wasn’t one of the strongest they would come across as they look to win backto-back premierships. “We played really well but I don’t think their sides was one of the strongest side that we will come across this season,” Smith told Nepean News. “I think they might be relying a lot on their captain Scott Rodgie to supply the bulk of their runs this season.

he is fairly happy playing that sort of role.” Speaking of the skipper, congratulations to he and his wife Sarah, who welcomed the birth of their second child last Tuesday week, Jude Ralph.

Penrith skipper Ryan Smith already has five wickets to his name thus far in season 2019-20, Credit: 77 Media.

“We didn’t really feel that lift in intensity from the opposition last Saturday but we do know that obviously sides are going to see us as being more of a challenge this season. “They always knew what we were capable of doing but now they know the cricket that we can play, they are having to take a little more caution or interest in how we are playing. “But nonetheless we were able to put in a really strong performance to come away with seven points which is a good start to our season. “We bowled really well and fielded just as well, taking all our chances and the wicket certainly played a little bit like Howell.” Smith says he was particularly pleased with the all-round bowling performance of his team. “Henry came on and found his length pretty quickly and was able to bowl his cutters and put them on a spot where the batsmen had to play them.” “He did a few no balls so if you take them out, his bowling figures would have been even better. “But he certainly did a job for us taking three crucial wickets before Fletch came back on at the end to take 3 for not many to clean up the tail.” Smith also acknowledged the efforts of his spinners, with part-timer Brent Williams showing his worth with the ball yet again, taking three wickets while Luke Hodges kept the pressure

on the Northern Districts batsmen despite finishing wicketless. “Even the spinners bowled really well. Hodgey bowled well in his ten overs for not many without taking a wicket but kept the pressure on for Williams to then take his wickets,” Smith declared. “He hasn’t been shy to let everyone know that he got three wickets in the first game of the season. “But it was one of those wickets that favoured the spinners with a bit of variable bounce.” Brent Atherton scored just his second fifty in the top grade for the Black Cats but Smith says his sheet anchor role in holding an innings together while others around him play more aggressively, compliments the team. “I think Atherton batted really well to see us home and put on a 100 plus run partnership,” Smith replied. “He does love the red ink against his name and was telling everyone that he had settled himself in for it but it’s good to see Athers finally get some runs in the top grade. “He works really hard on his batting and is prepared to occupy the crease for a long time which our team needs. “We are a fairly aggressive side with the bat but Athers is one of those guys who doesn’t really care how many balls he faces but as long as he is doing his job staying at the crease, I think

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In lower grades news, mixed results to date for the Black Cats: 2s: Round One: Penrith 3/203 (T Sargeant 83, A Bayliss 72 no) def. Northern Districts 6/202 (B Loudon 2/15, K Balgowan 2/56); Round Two: No Play v Gordon 3s: Round One: Penrith 68 def. by Northern Districts 2/69; Round Two: Penrith 101 v Gordon 2/97 4s: Round One: Penrith 6/149 def. Northern Districts 148 (B Tracey 3/37, B Balgowan 3/47); Round Two: Gordon 9/261 v Penrith. 5s: Round One: Penrith 127 def. by Northern Districts 1/128; Round Two: Gordon 9/185 v Penrith In a major announcement, the Sydney Cricket Association released its new Mandatory Helmet Policy which becomes active in all Men’s and Women’s Premier and Shires Cricket effective from November 30. The mandatory use of helmets whether facing fast or medium paced bowling, keeping up to the stumps or fielding close to the batter has been introduced to better manage the risk of injury and to promote better health and safety across all formats of the game. Meanwhile Penrith’s three members of the NSW Metro Under 17s squad, Ryley Smith, Liam Doddrell and Jordan Watson have all featured thus far at the Under 17 Male National Championships currently taking place in Mackay, Queensland. Smith top scored for NSW Metro (53) in their Round Two loss against Queensland despite Doddrell taking 3/28, before once more top scoring in their win over Cricket Australia XI (61). Watson top scored with 70 not out in the NSW win over Victoria Country. #LoveTheCats

PENRITH PANTHERS

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with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

Injured Panthers racing the clock to return for pre-season Pre-season training may not commence until November 11 for most Panthers, but Penrith’s rehab team have plenty of players to nurse back to full health ahead of their first trial of the season, to be played in February 2020. Nathan Cleary heads a list of players who have required surgery in recent times. A toe complaint will see the Panthers half restricted to rehab preChristmas before resuming normal training postChristmas. Three Panthers also had shoulder operations recently. Isaah Yeo is hopeful of being ready for the first trial as is Jed Cartwright and Wayde Egan. Another two Panthers are recovering from ACL injuries. Shawn Blore is hopeful of being back for pre-season training which is due to commence for most players on November 11, while Brayden McGrady is hopeful of being back on deck in time for the trials. Other Panthers due back on the training paddock for pre-season include Caleb Aekins (foot), Jack Hetherington (sternum – set to start pre-season with modified contact) and Mitch Kenny (elbow). Long term Panthers major sponsor, Oak, has extended its partnership with the club for a further two years from 2020. The extension will see the OAK Plus logo feature prominently on Panthers apparel and the market-leading OAK Plus dairy protein beverage will continue to fuel Panthers players for at least the next two seasons. Panthers Chairman Dave O’Neill said the club was thrilled to continue its close relationship with OAK. “With this extension, the partnership between OAK and Panthers will enter its tenth season in 2021,” he said. “We wish to express our sincere gratitude as the loyal support of a major partner like OAK underpins everything we do as a club. “We look forward to working closely with them and achieving great things together in the coming years.” Mal Carseldine, General Manager of Beverages for Lactalis Australia, said OAK was similarly delighted to extend the long-standing partnership. “OAK originated in NSW and this partnership

memberships will also be available again next year. There is even a Baby Members option available for the club’s youngest fans while the Panthers Pet Membership also returns in 2020. For further information see the Panthers website, www.penrithpanthers.com.au.

Isaah Yeo is one of many Panthers racing the clock to be ready for pre-season training on Nov 11. Credit: NRL Photos.

tells the story of our brand and its heritage,” he said. “Our partnership has been built upon shared values based on teamwork, innovation, high quality performances and of course, a focus on our community. “We are proud to continue powering the Panthers into 2020 and beyond.” Panthers Memberships, now available on sale, have undergone some changes ahead of the 2020 season. While membership prices have increased somewhat and the repayment options aren’t quite as generous as seasons past, Panthers members can look forward to more invite-only events and exclusive opportunities to interact with Panthers players than ever before. Despite the slight increase in pricing, Panthers members are still able to access some of the most affordable membership packages in the NRL, with a family of four able to experience a game at Panthers Stadium in 2020 from less than $34 per game. However the ability to auto-renew memberships is no longer available with existing members required to renew their membership by Friday 8 November to maintain their current seating, otherwise all reserved seats will be available for new members to select. Panthers VIP Members in 2020 will get the chance to be front and centre in the Panthers team photo, to join the guard of honour as the Panthers take the field and to visit the sheds after the game, while for those who live interstate or overseas, they can enjoy the benefits of a QLD Panther Membership or Proud Panther Membership and the Bathurst Panther

Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

GOLDEN POINTS There was a visible lack of acknowledgment in the broader rugby league community either in the way of end-of-season awards or representative selection for the Panthers following their less than impressive 2019 season. Penrith only had the departing Reagan Campbell-Gillard, inaugural winner of the Interchange Player of the Year award back in 2017, nominated for the same positional award in 2019, but missed out to Melbourne’s Brandon Smith. No Panther was named in the Kangaroos / Junior Kangaroos squads nor in the Prime Minister’s XIII either. But Viliame Kikau is set to be available for Fijian Prime Minister’s XIII match against Australian PM XIII at ANZ Stadium, Suva on October 11. Meanwhile St Helens Academy centre Nico Rizzelli has named Panthers Alexander Myles and John Trimboli (Penrith Panthers) in Italy’s train-on squad for the 2021 World Cup European qualifiers this autumn, as they look to qualify for their third World Cup. Congratulations to NRL rookie and Penrith’s NSW Cup Player of the Year, Billy Burns, who was named as starting back-rower in the Canterbury Cup Team of the Year. James Maloney was among 27 departing / retiring players honoured at last Sunday’s grand final won in controversial circumstances by the Sydney Roosters 14-8 over a gallant Canberra side to nonetheless become the first side since Brisbane 1992-93 side to claim back-to-back titles. Jared Waerea-Hargreaves, who played a starring role in the Roosters’ grand final win, continues to be linked with a move to the Panthers in 2020. #PantherPride

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Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

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Coach’s Corner

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

NRL Grand Final Review

hat a coaching performance from Trent Robinson to steer his team to a gritty Grand Final win and as a result back to back Premierships. The Roosters become the first team since the Broncos in 1992-1993 to win consecutive Grand Finals. I was lucky enough to see the Roosters live in person in their final two matches of the season against the Storm and in the Grand Final against the Raiders. And my take away was that they were not as sharp, energetic, fast and aggressive as the team we saw late in September of 2018. In the 2018 Grand Final they blew the Storm off the park.

This team was different... not less of a team but a different make up and structure. The Roosters in 2019 were however more mature, measured and tough. Man were they tough. Watching them in person defensively is a sight to behold. They truly look as though they have 15 players on the field, a gap appears and almost immediately it is closed. A tackle is missed or an offload is created and a player immediately shuts it down. The greatest compliment that I can give Trent Robinson is that I believe the Roosters improved each week across the 30 weeks of the Premiership. And in my opinion the only other team to do that was the Raiders.

There were controversial takes post match. The 6 again call was the right decision manufactured incorrectly. But it was the right decision. Cooper Cronk’s sin binning was consistent with the 2019 interpretation. I do not believe that a non intentional penalty should result in a sin binning due to the proximity of the foul to the try line. But again thats a discussion for the offseason. Jack Wighton after watching the replay of the game twice was probably the best player on the field despite the hammering that decision has copped. Heading into 2020 I will be very interested to see how these two teams bounce back after a very entertaining and close Grand Final.

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Controversy reigned in the 2019 grand final

 Controversy reigned in the 2019 GF

ell didn’t the 2019 footy season finish with one big almighty bang? What a grand final we witnessed. One of the best over the past decade. Let’s get the controversy out of the way first. Roosters trainer on the field gets hit with the ball when Raiders charged down a Cooper Cronk kick 3 minutes in, Roosters young hooker scores from the ensuing set of 6. Ok so it’s the right ruling that a scrum be packed with the Roosters to get the feed but the rule needs to change! No way in the world should the Roosters have been advantaged by that occurrence. Cooper Cronk being sin-binned. Refs got this right. If Cronk didn’t interfere with a rampaging Papalii he would have been trampled once the barnstorming Raider took the ball and a four pointer would have most likely ensued. The ‘6 to go’ thunderstorm! Again refs made the right call, but in the complete wrong way.

 But the better team won!

The ball looked to have been repelled by a Raider player so no ‘6 again’ should have been given in the first place, but Jack Wighton (the Raider player in procession of the ball) would have changed his decision if he knew it was the last. Did that decision cost the Raiders the grand final? No it didn’t. It wasn’t at all helpful but it wasn’t the reason the Raiders lost the comp. They had a chance to ice it when BJ Leilua had an opportunity to put Jordan Rapana away in the north east corner but decided to dummy and instead go himself before trying to force a ball that went forward. That was critical for the Raiders. A 14-8 scoreline in a grand final often depicts a dire defensive struggle. And that’s exact what we got! Desperation is what you need and it’s what we got from the two best teams this year. Did Jack Wighton deserve man of the match in a losing team? No. My belief when awarding the Clive Churchill

medal to a player on the losing team is that if that player has performed so well then their team should have won. Wighton was good but so was JWH, and the Roosters wingers Morris and Tupou. Wighton joins a select few who have been given the gong from a losing grand final team. Finally a bon voyage to one of the games greats Cooper Cronk. It was only fitting that he was offered the honour to leave the way in which he did. Winning a grand final in your last game doesn’t happen often but when it does it’s even more engrossing, ask our little mate Royce Simmons. Good blokes deserve great endings, and Cooper Cronk (and Royce) are both. Well that’s it for another action packed, eventful, controversial, but bloody fantastic year of rugby league. It’s why we call it the greatest game of all! Bring on season 2020! See you at the game.

MG (random Westie) OAM

47 47 Nepean News 10 October 2019 Issue 262

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