The Sydney Dragway at eastern Creek is where you will find everything that will fascinate people who enjoy being around big machinery. Every year the earthmoving industry shows off its biggest and best at this event which is now Australia’s largest earthmoving expo.
Open every day from April 21 to 23, there are demonstrations of the latest advances in earthmoving machinery.
If you are in a business that involves digging, trenching, maintaining public spaces, mowing, maintaining equipment, lifting or would you just like to see big machines up close and personal, then this is the place you need to be!
This is Australia’s once in a year opportunity to see all the latest equipment in one place. Not only that; it’s a great place for the whole family where there’s lots of free entertainment, live music, action events and loads of great food stalls.
If you like action, the freestyle kings motorbike team will be performing its death-defying stunts throughout the expo. There’s loads of parking and easy access to this major event which always draws a big crowd.
Free parking
Where else can you go where for just $10 per adult and children under 16 free, you can spend such a great day entertaining the family? There is also plenty of free car parking.
Large crowds of people who come from the earthmoving, construction, grounds maintenance, safety, financial services, asset management, transport
and material handling industries visit the expo to make informed purchasing decisions.
Visitors will be treated to a huge line up of the biggest brands, representing an amazing selection of equipment, vehicles, specialised machinery, attachments, technology and services.
A great Expo site
The Sydney Dragway site guarantees your visit to Diesel Dirt & Turf will be a comfortable and easy experience for you and your family. Whether you visit for one, two or three days, there is loads of free paved car parking, easy access to the exhibits and plenty of places to relax and enjoy a wide variety of food and entertainment.
Mark your calendar
The dates for the 2023 National Diesel Dirt & Turf Expo Friday 21st, Saturday 22nd and Sunday, 23rd April 2023. Entry is just $10.00 per adult and there’s free parking and free entry for children under 16.
You can buy your tickets on line or log in to https://regonsite. eventsair.com/the-national-dieseldirt-and-turf-expo-2023/visitor/ Site/Register. More information at www.dieseldirtandturf.com.au
Penrith’s beloved trees for Mum event is celebrating sixteen years this Mother’s Day. Penrith City Council’s annual trees for Mum community tree planting event returns for its sweet 16 on sunday 14 May at harold Corr Oval in Cambridge Park.
the event will be divided into 30-minute sessions, with the first session starting at 8.30am and the last session at 12pm.
registrations are essential to join the day; Council’s Bushcare team will be using the numbers to ensure they have enough trees and tags for participants to plant and write on. register at penrith.city/events
Penrith Mayor tricia hitchen praised the event for its longevity and how it continues to provide the community with an opportunity to remember and celebrate their mum.
“We’re excited at Council to be celebrating 16 years of trees for Mum in Penrith,” Cr hitchen said.
“Penrith is one of the only local government areas that has continued to host this special event, and our Bushcare team is excited to not only be hosting its 16th year, but to be celebrating such a meaningful day with community members.
“Planting a tree is such a simple gesture to honour your mum, grandmother, aunt or a mother-figure in your life and can be a very positive and meaningful experience to share with family and friends on Mother’s Day.
“trees for Mum is not only a great way to gift Mum something special, but it’s an opportunity to learn about our local environment and help restore
our endangered bushland by planting native trees or shrubs,” Cr hitchen continued.
Participants are encouraged to wear closed-toe shoes and a hat. sunscreen will be available on the day.
the native trees and shrubs available for planting are proudly provided by Council’s nursery. to ensure there are enough trees for everyone to plant and so the Penrith Council Bushcare team can coordinate the 30-minute sessions, please book your
attendance by registering at penrith.city/events trees for Mum is one of many tree planting projects Council is undertaking this year across the Penrith local government area as part of the Greening our City tree planting program. Find out more at yoursaypenrith.com.au/greeningourcity this project is part of the Greening Our City grant program that is proudly funded by the nsW Government in association with Local Government nsW.
By KeRRI e DAVI e S
APRIL is one of my favourite months of the year. The heat has started to fade away, but the cold hasn’t quite set in; the beautiful autumn shades of yellows and oranges are abundant; and then there’s the bunch of public holidays that enable us to take the first breather since Christmas.
It’s also a month of giving thanks. Those who are religious will have already spent a fair chunk of this month giving thanks, and many will give thanks to our defence forces past and present on Anzac Day.
I encourage everybody to head to the Dawn Service at St Marys or Penrith on Anzac Day to show our diggers how much we appreciate the sacrifices they made for our nation and it’s people.
Let’s pause and reflect on the thousands who never made it back.
Even if it is raining and cold and you’re warm in your bed when the alarm goes off, spare a thought for those who crawled through mud and often went with no sleep at all in order to survive.
And so very many young Australians didn’t survive.
As time rolls on more and more who served our country and gave great sacrifice will leave this earth, and each year there will be less of them standing proudly displaying their well-earned medals. Let’s stand by our veterans and roll up in droves this Anzac Day - and as proud Australians let’s salute them now before it is too late.
It is an early start. You’ll need to be up well before dawn in order to find parking, but it will be a service I guarantee you will be glad you attended. Lest We Forget.
Off the back of his hugely successful inaugural walk last year, Royce and his team are back to raise vital funds and awareness for dementia research.
Royce will be walking 313km from 18 - 29 April. from Dubbo to Bathurst and beyond, The Royce is proud to once again support Royce and the Simmons family as a Gold Sponsor.
If you can, the donation link for Royce’s Big Walk is below. Every donation, however big or small, will go a long way in supporting Royce’s mission: https://roycesbigwalk.com.au/donate/
ThEy’ll be following in the footsteps of our 2022 local Celebrations Award Citizen of the year, Steven Green. Steven has dedicated many number of hours to volunteering for numerous community organisations throughout Penrith and NSW. he began his volunteer work with St John Ambulance as a Cadet at age 13 and today continues to provide essential training, mentoring and support to members and numerous organisations.
To nominate someone for the 2023 local Celebration Awards Citizen of the year, visit penrith.city/local-celebration-awards
lIkE many before her, Blacktown hospital Emergency Department (ED) Registered Nurse (RN), Rebecca Manning, was in awe of her mother growing up and loved hearing her work stories.
Unsurprisingly, Rebecca’s mother is also an ED RN, which gave her daughter a front-row seat to the fast-paced ED environment throughout her childhood.
“I loved hearing mum’s stories about working in the ED and have always wanted to care for really sick people,” said Rebecca.
Rebecca is one of 39 registered nurses and midwives recently welcomed to Blacktown Mount Druitt hospital (BMDh).
These new recruits have completed an intense week of orientation, training and clinical skills stations, and will be stationed in various wards
including ED, Intensive Care Unit (ICU), high Dependency Unit (hDU), Newborn Care and General Medicine across both hospitals.
After completing her studies at UTS, Rebecca Manning undertook placements across the Western Sydney local health District (WSlhD), but particularly enjoyed working at Blacktown hospital.
“I chose to work at Blacktown hospital because of great camaraderie and staff support, and the diversity of patients,” said Rebecca.
Another new Blacktown hospital recruit, Registered Midwife fatemah Shafaq, has always valued the women in her life including her mother and sister, who encouraged her to explore a career in midwifery.
“At the end of school, I wasn’t planning on doing midwifery but once I started studying midwifery, I knew I had made the right decision and had no
doubts,” said fatemah.
“I’ve always wanted to work in a profession that cares for people, and I often tell people that midwifery found me.
“for me, midwifery represents the celebration of women and what they are capable of; so, what’s not to love?”
BMDh Director of Nursing & Midwifery, Marie Baxter, is excited to welcome the new cohort of nurses and midwives who selected Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals as their preferred place of employment.
“The new staff will receive a wealth of hands-on experience and be well supported by our teams,” said Marie.
“I’m confident they will enjoy this incredible experience in their new roles – welcome aboard to all – we’re delighted to have you!”
JeFF was a St Marys local before relocating to the Central Coast for work a few years ago. recently returning to the area for a 4-week training course and staying at the holiday inn Sydney St Marys, Jeff decided to renew his membership at his beloved St Marys rugby League Club, right next door.
Commenting about the recent renovations and extension to the Club and the welcoming feeling walking through the doors, made Saints a “home away from home” for Jeff.
that decision turned out to be a wise investment winning the members badge draw on Wednesday evening by turning his $5.50 membership fee into $62,000 over post-training drinks with his colleagues.
While his head is still reeling with his unbelievable luck Jeff was quick to announce that it’s time to make some travel plans. A trip to France to visit his French wife’s family is on the cards, something they only ever dreamed of.
After a generous bar shout Jeff and his work mates “quietly” celebrated his win. According to his mates “it couldn’t have happened to a nicer bloke”.
From the team at St Marys rugby League Club, Congratulations Jeff! it’s been a pleasure having you visit us on a daily basis… We’re quietly confident that you will receive an ecstatic welcome home from your wife and family this weekend.
Saints is all about “making it memorable” and you could be the next winner!
John turner is running from Canberra to Sydney (or equivalent virtual kms) over a 1-week time period for ronald McDonald house (rMh) GWS. he is running to raise money for rMh in its vital day-to-day work of supporting families with children in the neo-natal intensive Care Unit.
“i am doing this as rMh nepean, part of the rMh GWS family, were hugely helpful to my wife and i when our son was born,” said John. “When thomas was born, we were quickly told that his lungs weren’t functioning properly and he had to be placed into a humidicrib. After a few days, we were told he had to be transported to the niCU at nepean, something that was hugely emotional for both of us.
“Fortunately, once we were in the niCU, we were told his condition was not as bad as first thought and we were given a room in the rMh facility, greatly
reducing the stay in the niCU. in our short stay, i saw how important the rooms are for parents and families going through a much harder time than we did.
“i’m asking readers to support me and my run for ronald McDonald house. A small donation can help to reach the goal and provide much needed funds for rMh nepean. Your donations will go toward the daily needs of the house, providing families with food, coffee and other refreshments and most importantly, keep families together.
“My previous efforts have seen me raise over $16000 and also resulted in my being named ‘Blue Mountains Citizen of the Year’ for 2021.
“Donations will be publicly acknowledged in a number of ways, including my event Facebook page and the ronald McDonald house fundraising page.”
For more information, go to gwsfundraising.rmhc. org.au/jtrun
Penrith City Council congratulates Penrith residents for taking their e-waste to the right place at Council’s recent e-waste Drop-off Day on Saturday, 18 March.
Penrith residents diverted 99% of the electronic waste collected from landfill. Penrith Mayor Tricia hitchen congratulated Penrith residents for doing the right thing. “e-waste is growing three times the rate of any other waste, so it’s crucial that we ensure our electronic items are disposed of correctly and safely and are taken to the right place,” Cr hitchen said.
“The day was a success with 902 attendees, filling six 30m3 shipping containers, collecting around 26,000kgs of e-waste. residents complimented the event, acknowledging how efficiently things ran,
with short waiting times while the teams worked tirelessly in the heat,” she said.
86% of attendees were happy with the new location and found it convenient for the event; with people attending from across the region, the most represented postcodes were 2750 and 2474. Both attendance and e-waste collection increased to around 118% from the September event, which is an outstanding effort from the community.
“i would like to congratulate the commitment of Penrith’s residents to ensuring their e-waste is taken to the right place where it can be disposed of correctly.
“it’s essential that we recycle e-waste responsibly rather than send it to landfill. Not only does it take
up a huge amount of unnecessary space, but some items have components that can also be toxic to the environment and local wildlife. Whereas most items can be recycled and turned into new products if taken to the right place for disposal,” Cr hitchen said.
Council is encouraging anyone who missed out on the drop-off day or has accumulated more e-waste after attending the drop-off day to take their e-waste to the Penrith Community recycling Centre. the Community recycling Centre, better known as the CrC, is free and open all year round for residents and accepts most electronic items.
For opening hours and a list of items that the Community recycling Centre accepts, visit penrith.city/CRC
Penrith City Council is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Andrew Moore as the new General Manager.
Andrew has been promoted from his previous role as Director Corporate Services, and was selected by the Council as the successful candidate after a rigorous recruitment process that commenced at the start of this year.
Led by Penrith Mayor tricia hitchen, the selection panel was blown away by the applicants, with many high-calibre candidates putting their hand up for the role from both within and outside the organisation.
Andrew was raised in Penrith and lives locally with his family, meaning he has a strong connection to the Penrith community and an appreciation for the community’s and Council’s aspirations.
Andrew brings a wealth of experience to the position, having climbed the ranks at Council over the past 21 years. his extensive knowledge of the organisation and track record in delivering results across a number of portfolios including Finance, Property Development and Management, iCt and Sustainability and resilience makes him the ideal candidate to lead Penrith City Council through our next growth phase.
Penrith Mayor tricia hitchen expressed her excitement about the appointment, stating, “We’re thrilled to be appointing Andrew Moore as our new General Manager. Andrew’s experience, commercial and financial acumen, leadership skills, and passion for Penrith’s community set him apart.
“We have fantastic, talented people working at Penrith Council, so i’m not surprised that the best candidate has come from within the organisation.
“We’re confident that Andrew will provide strong leadership to our staff and will continue to deliver strong financial stewardship and positive outcomes for our community.”
Andrew is looking forward to starting in the role of General Manager saying, “i’m honoured to have been selected as the next General Manager of Penrith City Council. i am committed to continuing the great work already unfolding across the City and working collaboratively with our stakeholders and the community to ensure that Penrith continues
to be a great place to live, work and visit.
“i’m excited to lead the opportunities i see for Penrith’s future and i am committed to working with the Council to see our shared vision for Penrith delivered.”
“i understand our community’s aspirations; my family lives, works, is being educated and plays sport in our community. Penrith has a strong identity and i want to see that identity grow.”
After a short break, Andrew will commence in the role from 24 April 2023. the recruitment follows the resignation of Warwick Winn in October 2022, with former General Manager Alan Stoneham being appointed during the interim.
Andrew Moore – Bio
Andrew Moore has worked at Penrith City Council since 2002 when he joined as an expenditure Officer in the finance department. Andrew quickly climbed Council’s leadership ranks and has been a member of Council’s senior leadership team since 2016 when he was appointed Director Corporate Services (formerly Chief Financial Officer).
As Director Corporate Services, Andrew led a varied directorate comprising Council’s Financial Services, information and Communications Technology (ICT), Communications, Business transformation, Property Development and Management, and Sustainability and resilience teams.
Andrew’s qualifications include a Masters of Professional Accounting and a Bachelor of Commerce (Economics and Finance). Andrew has also completed the Australian institute of Company Directors’ Foundations of Directorship and he is a Certified Practising Accountant.
Andrew has been recognised as a leader in his field in local government, receiving the Local Government Managers Australia nSW Young Manager Award in 2007, and has led a number of award-winning initiatives at Council including the 2021 Cooling the City Masterclass and the erskine Park Open Space reinvestment project
Prior to joining Council in 2002, Andrew began his career as an auditor for TAB Limited.
On Tuesday evening, the 4th April, the Zonta Club of nepean Valley celebrated their 30th birthday. Zonta has been around for over 100 years “building a better world for women and girls”. The nepean valley branch has certainly done so much in working towards this goal. From making 2500 breast cushions to 19000 birthing kits as well as awards for female students in STEM, performing arts, public service, TAFE and university as well as donating funds, roughly $450,000 and goods to services such the Penrith Women’s Health Centre, the Haven, Kairos Outside For Women and The Miranda Project. These unsung heroes deserved a night of fun and celebrating their achievements with their family, friends, past members and honorary Zontians. Guests included Member for Penrith Karen McKeown, Clr Marlene Shipley (standing in for Mayor Tricia Hitchen), Clr Robin Cook, Clr Sue Day from Penrith Council, Zonta District 24 Area Director Helen Grimson, Charles Armstrong from Lions Club, also Derek Margerison (former n5 District Governor), President of Penrith Rotary
Joh Dickens, Michael Powe, Johnny Romeo and representatives from Community Restorative Centre, Kairos Outside For Women, Penrith Women’s Health Centre, Penrith Performing & Visual Arts, Friends of the Penrith Regional Gallery and Clover Fields. Certificates were awarded to members who have been in the club
for ten, twenty and thirty years and a slide show ran all night showcasing highlights from the club’s thirty year history. The theme of green and pearls for thirtieth anniversaries was clear in the room’s fashion choices and adorning the walls were images of women the Zonta members admired as well as a guessing competition of
the members when they were thirty. Says President Angela Pezzano “these women are the most admirable, humble, generous and kind human beings you’ll ever meet and they truly deserved a night in celebrating the gifts they are, that they give to women and girls, locally, nationally and internationally.”
Penrith based charity
Our Community Cares have handed over Virtual reality headsets and accessories to the Palliative Care Department at nepean hospital, thanks to money raised from community support for gift wrapping and a golf day.
Our Community Cares charity Co-Founder and Chairperson, Kris Gauci, said the idea came from a story on tV about Virtual reality.
“the idea was taken to the Our Community Cares committee to see what they thought of the idea for Palliative Care patients at nepean hospital,” Kris said.
“it was voted in as a primary recipient of fundraisers for the near future. We had a few fundraisers such as gift wrapping (in 2021), high tea (2022) and Catherine’s Cup (2022).
“We rang a Vr company and were lucky enough to speak to Mike Vasavada, who immediately wanted to come on board and support the program.
“For almost a year now, we have been working together to get the Vr trial through to the patients.
“this week, we handed 3 sets over to nepean hospital, with a further 2 coming, to be trialled in the hospital system. it has given us great hope that this can be used down the track and, if appropriate, in the cancer care centre, cancer wards and aged care facilities in the local area.”
AnzAc DAy, 25 April, is one of Australia’s most important national occasions. It marks the anniversary of the first major military action fought by Australian and new zealand forces during the First World War.
AnzAc stands for Australian and new zealand Army corps. The soldiers in those forces quickly became known as Anzacs, and the pride they took in that name endures to this day.
When war broke out in 1914 Australia had been a federated nation for only 13 years, and its government was eager to establish a reputation among the nations of the world. When Britain declared war in August 1914 Australia was automatically placed on the side of the commonwealth.
In 1915 Australian and new zealand soldiers formed part of the expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies.
Phone 0417 365 313
The ultimate objective was to capture constantinople (now Istanbul), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany.
The Australian and new zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated from the peninsula, with both sides having suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. More than 8,000
Australian soldiers had died in the campaign. Gallipoli had a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who died in the war.
Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the actions of Australian and new zealand forces during the campaign left a powerful legacy. What became known as the “Anzac legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways in which they viewed both their past and their future.
“ We will remember them, today & every day.”
It is often suggested that the Dawn Service observed on Anzac Day has its origins in a military routine still followed by the Australian Army. the half-light of dawn was one of the times favoured for launching an attack. Soldiers in defensive positions were woken in the dark before dawn, so by the time first light crept across the battlefield they were awake, alert, and manning their weapons; this is still known as the “stand-to”. As dusk is equally favourable for battle, the stand-to was repeated at sunset.
After the First World War, returned soldiers sought the comradeship they had felt in those quiet, peaceful moments before dawn. A dawn vigil became the basis for commemoration in several places after the war. It is difficult to say when the first dawn services were held, as many were instigated by veterans,
clergymen, and civilians from all over the country. A dawn requiem mass was held at Albany as early as 1918, and a wreathlaying and commemoration took place at dawn in toowoomba the following year. In 1927 a group of returned men returning at dawn from an Anzac Day function held the night before came upon an elderly woman laying flowers at the as yet unfinished Sydney Cenotaph. Joining her in this private remembrance, the men later resolved to institute a dawn service the following year. Some 150 people gathered at the Cenotaph in 1928 for a wreathlaying and two minutes’ silence. this is generally regarded as the beginning of organised dawn services. Over the years the ceremonies have developed into their modern forms and have seen an increased association with the dawn landings of 25 April 1915.
TRAFFIC NOTICE ANZAC SERVICES
ANZAC MARCH / SERVICE
SUNDAY 16TH APRIL
WOMEN’S VETERANS NETWORK
AUSTRALIA (SERVICE ONLY) 22nd APRIL
CITY OF PENRITH RSL SUB-BRANCH
ANZAC MARCH / DAWN SERVICE
TUESDAY 25TH APRIL
Due to the above events, we have been given permission to close off a number of streets in the Penrith CBD. The full list of street closures appears below.
Traffic NoTice PeNriTH ciTY ceNTre roaD cLoSUreS
aNZac MarcH / SerVice SUNDaY 16TH aPriL
WVNa SerVice SaTUrDaY 22ND aPriL | aNZac MarcH / SerVice 25TH aPriL
High Street (between Station Street & Lawson Street)
Lawson Street (from Traffic Lights on High Street)
Castlereagh Street (between Lethbridge & High Streets)
Tindale Street (between Woodriff & Castlereagh Streets)
Tindale Street (Penrith RSL car park entrance closed)
To enter/exit Penrith RSL during these hours enter via:
Lethbridge Street
Woodriff Street (to Derby St)
Union Lane (between Station & Woodriff Sts during the march)
High Street (between Station & Woodriffe Sts during the march)
The march on both days starts from Castlereagh Street down High Street.
On 16th April, the March begins at 2:45pm and the Official Ceremony commences at 3pm.
On 22nd April, the WVNA Ceremony commences at 10.30am. On ANZAC Day 25th April, the march begins at 4.45am and the Official Ceremony commences at 5am.
Masters Car Park: All access points closed.
Judges Car Park Entrance: Woodriffe Street closed and Astina building driveway closed to all in / out traffic.
Access to Judges Car Park is only via Station Street.
Members of the public are welcome to attend or watch the ANZAC dawn service from 4.45am at Penrith RSL Club. Club sign-in procedures will apply.
For more information phone the City of Penrith Sub-branch on 4728 5227.
In 1916 the first Anzac Day commemorations were held on 25 April. The day was marked by a wide variety of ceremonies and services across Australia, a march through London, and a sports day in the Australian camp in Egypt. In London more than 2,000 Australian and New Zealand troops marched through the streets; a London newspaper headline dubbed them “the knights of Gallipoli”. Marches were held all over Australia; in the Sydney march convoys of cars carried soldiers wounded on Gallipoli and their nurses. For the remaining years of the war Anzac Day was used as an occasion for patriotic rallies and recruiting campaigns, and parades of serving members of the AIF were held in most cities.
During the 1920s Anzac Day became established as a national day of commemoration for the more than 60,000 Australians who had died during the war. In 1927, for the first time, every state observed some form of public holiday on Anzac Day. By the mid-1930s all the rituals we now associate with the day – dawn vigils, marches, memorial services, reunions, two-up games – were firmly established as part of Anzac Day culture.
Later, Anzac Day also served to commemorate the lives of Australians who died in the Second World War, and in subsequent years the meaning of the day has been further broadened to include those who lost their lives in all the military and peacekeeping operations in which Australia has been involved.
Anzac Day was first commemorated at the
Memorial in 1942. At the time, government orders prohibited large public gatherings in case of a Japanese air attack, so it was a small occasion
with neither a march nor a memorial service. Since then, Anzac Day has been commemorated at the Memorial every year.
In conjunction with its traditional AnZAC Day Dawn Service commemorations, the theme for St Marys RSL sub-Branch service this year will commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the final withdrawal of Australian combat forces from South Vietnam.
Australian support for South Vietnam at that time was in keeping with the policies of other friendly nations, particularly the United States, in their efforts to stem the spread of communism. Australia’s focus principally was Asia.
South Vietnamese president ngo Dinh Diem repeatedly requested security assistance for his country. In July and August 1962 Australia responded by sending 30 military advisors. These advisors were the original members of the Australian Army Training Team Vietnam, (AATTV) or the Team. All were experienced in jungle warfare, having served in the Malayan Emergency. The average age was thirty five. The Team served in all provinces of the country.
By early 1965 it was clear that South Vietnamese forces could not hold off communist Viet Cong and north Vietnamese Army forces. The US responded by committing 200,000 troops to assist. The US also requested further support from allies. Australia committed a battalion, 1 Battalion Royal Australian Regiment of 1100 personnel, which was embedded with 173 Airborne Brigade, at Bien Hoa near Saigon (Ho Chi Minh).
In March 1966 Australia increased its commitment to Task Force level of 4500 troops, and included RAAF helicopters, bombers and fighter pilots. national Service conscripts were part of the increased commitment and women were also included as part of the hospital nursing services. The Task Force was assigned security of Phouc Tuy Province. The main base was located at nui Dat, 30km inland, and the support base was on the coast of the South China Sea at Vung Tau. Phouc Tuy consisted of dense jungle, mountainous terrain, mangroves, arable farmland and an extensive coastline on the South China Sea. The population of the province was 100,000. There were significant levels of pro- and anti-government sympathisers, but most were sullenly neutral, just wanting a peaceful life.
In October 1967 the commitment was again increased to 8000, including Royal Australian navy destroyers operating off the coast. The government
advised the US that its limit of commitment had been reached.
In June 1969 the US announced a policy of “Vietnamisation” of the war, and began a reduction of its forces in the country. Australia responded in kind and began its programme of withdrawal as well.
In October 1970 8RAR was not replaced when its tour of duty ended, but AATTV was increased to 200. In 1971 Australia withdrew another 1000 personnel, the last major withdrawal. Then in 1972 most remaining troops were withdrawn, except AATTV and an Embassy protection platoon, which was ultimately withdrawn in June 1973. The troopship HMAS Sydney made its twenty third and final voyage.
Finally, in January 1973 the Governor General of Australia announced the cessation of hostilities by Australian forces in South Vietnam and withdrawal was completed. A total of 58721 military personnel, including 182 females served. A total of 523 died as a result of the war and almost 2400 were wounded.
In an effort to recognise and reflect on this significant military commitment over such a protracted period, the St Marys RSL sub-Branch invites you, your family and friends, to join us in the Dawn Service which will commence at 5.00am –though we expect the club carpark to fill before 4.30, from when parking will need to be sought nearby. For further information refer to the St Marys RSL sub-Branch website or email the sub-Branch (St-MarysSB@rslnsw.org.au).
Local schools commemorate 50th Anniversary of ANZAC Services.
Photos courtesy of Steve Koen
Sydney Heads came into view, we were finally home so many comrades left behind, to rest ‘neath foreign loam
Yet with all the cheering, the laughter and the toasts our nation shared the burden, of sixty thousand ghosts
Each of us a father, a brother, or a son
Everyone a volunteer, our duty we’d not shun
A tin leg my souvenir, that came at such a price
12 months ago a little group of about 6 widows of Veterans got together for social a meeting, having afternoon tea and a chat. “this is not the sort of club most want to be in, but it is a great club to be a part of if you have to be” one of the ladies who attends has said. It has since doubled in size and new friendships have formed as well as a support network for those who need it.
to mark the occasion a specially made cake, by one of the Veterans who visits the train regularly and with balloons and some lucky door prizes that were graciously donated, the merrie Widows celebrated coming together.
Being married to serving or ex serving member of the ADF is a unique experience. For those who have been married to a Veteran,
they understand that there are things that follow that Veteran home and often their spouse is the one who supports them through some very difficult times. So what happens when that Veteran passes away? Who else could understand what it is like to live with someone who has put their life on the line for their country? this was the premise for the group, those who are able to understand the quirks of living with a Veteran.
If you are the Widow/Widower of a Veteran and would like to come along to our meetings they are held on the last Wednesday of the month at st marys Diggers Club. For further details contact Leanne at st marys outpost Veterans Centre (the train) on 02 9833 4700 or via Email: vietvet@tpg.com.au
For the soldier always loses, when the devil rolls the dice the newspapers sang out our praise. ”heroes of the day!” But the nightmares and the shaking, would never go away though we tried to settle down, some just could not cope
A simple funeral notice, for those who gave up hope
I was soon to realise, my dreams I would forgo
A new suit and a ticket home, were all I had to show With little time to settle down, I was back to planting crops For a one legged farmer, it seems life never stops
We had all bravely faced, the horrors of mankind the memories of the western front, would always haunt my mind We were part of history, victors on the throne
We won the war to end all wars.
WELL - IF onLY WE hAD KnoWn !
represented in the egg and larval stages found in your carpets, furniture, bedding, and garden.
The flea lifecycle
Only 5% of fleas live in the environment as an adult and 95% of fleas live as eggs, larvae, or pupae. For effective flea control, it is essential to break the lifecycle in the environment.
Adult Fleas – jump onto your dog or cat, feed on their blood and then start laying eggs.
Eggs – one female lays an average of 30 eggs per day, which drop off into carpets and bedding before hatching.
By Kellie Tic K ner, Orchard h ills Veterinary
Do you struggle with keeping your pet fleafree? Don’t be alarmed, you’re not the only one. During the past few weeks of rain and humid weather, fleas are particularly common. They make our pets’ lives itchy and uncomfortable. The answer to keeping fleas off your pet is simple – allyear-round-prevention!
What are fleas?
Fleas are tiny, dark brown parasitic insects that infest the coat and skin of pets. They can jump up to 150 times their own length, making the transfer of fleas between your pets difficult to prevent. Their remarkable jumping skills also allow them to transit easily from surrounding environments to your pet.
How do I know if my pet has fleas?
One of the first signs of a flea infestation in your pet is itching. On inspection of your pet’s coat, you
will likely see one or more fleas moving around on the surface of your pet’s skin. You may also notice tiny black particles that look like dirt; these could be flea droppings. An adult female flea lays an average of 20 to 30 eggs each day.
How do pets get fleas?
Fleas form cocoons which can remain dormant for 9-12 months in your garden, carpet, and bedding until they are able to hitch a ride on your pet. They jump great distances to find a host and bite both pets and humans.
Why is it important to treat and prevent fleas?
Fleas are the number one cause of skin disease in pets and can cause problems ranging from simple itchiness to weeping sores, scaly skin, and infection. Some animals are allergic to flea bites (a condition known as Flea Allergy Dermatitis), where one bite sets off an auto-immune reaction. All skin conditions require veterinary treatment. Fleas breed at an enormous rate. The fleas you see on your dog represent only 5-10% of the fleas within their environment. The rest of the population is
IS it me or are our socks living their best lives somewhere? I know that this is probably a really infinite and pick the fluff from your navel subject and you are possibly thinking, “has this woman been on the happy pills again?“
BUT alas, it is a real dilemma, and I believe that through my security investigative training I have possibly found a loop hole, the answer, the sign?
You see, the other day I placed 6 pairs of socks into my front loader, lovingly drenched the in-tray with softener, lavender of course, washing liquid and some other crap that’s supposed to thicken, soften and keep the colour.
Yes I know, you are saying to yourself, “They are just frigg’n socks for God’s sake,” but wait there’s more. They are not merely just that, they are a piece of clothing that is a vital part of our everyday living, particularly like me if you have ugly toe nails (sorry to those eating).
Now before you throw a chair and burn this news article at the stake, continue reading because
Larvae – the hatched eggs release larvae which move away from light, deeper into carpets and under furniture before developing into pupae. The larvae feed on organic debris and at this stage can consume tapeworm eggs, allowing them to become an intermediate host for the development of tapeworms. This lifecycle can take as little as two to three weeks and as long as 12 months. To rid your pet and household from fleas, you must break this cycle!
How do I protect my pet from fleas?
Prevention is the key to flea control. There are many different flea products available to purchase, so choosing the right one for your pet type and age is essential. Preventatives come as ‘spot on’ applications are easy to use and last three to four weeks or oral tablets that work as an effective birth control for fleas, interrupting the lifecycle. It is sometimes necessary to treat both the pet and the environment.
The team at Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital can assist you in choosing the product most suitable for your pet.
With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security
I think I have found the answer to a century-old question.
So, I was standing and watching the cycle go around and around and around and around and aro… I think you get the drift, and I wondered what actually goes on in the mind of a sock in the washer? Does it think, “holy sh*t balls I hope she hasn’t got this on 155 minutes – with a 1200 spin at the end, as I may spew up a fur ball, or does it think wow this is great finally I get the heel crack skin out of my cavities?
So at the end of the cycle, I pulled the socks out and there it was …. (jaws music) two socks missing!!!!!!!! What the? and not the same colour or set. It’s like the switch internally goes from zero to 100 in 3.2 seconds and you are a crazed person looking for the socks, second guessing, did I or didn’t I? You are almost calling a lost pussy cat, “here socky socky sockeeeeee.” Pulling a rubber thingy from every area of the washer.
Then I realised, there must be a secret sock
pipe that the socks escape from, end up in Sydney Harbour and they swim to the Maldives to an island where, of course, other socks are, roaming aimlessly.
The great news is that, no sock is the same, you have stinky footy socks and holey socks, all drinking at a bar with the gym socks, short socks, fluro, stripped and of course the pilates rubber bottomed socks (apparently they are not that approachable) so I have heard.
I finally realised that the 30 something years of security and investigative training that I have endured, had finally answered and conquered, the why and where of socks.
Yes folks they are at the Maldives on an island, bouncing around and drinking cocktails on the beach.
Now I do realise that this is probably 2 and bit minutes that you won’t get back of your life, but you can say you read here first …at the Geespot! Bottoms up, or should I say feet up!
Manfred died in March this year (2023). In the Sydney Morning Herald in 2003, a reporter wrote that after almost three decades Manfred was invited back to help with the draw for the World Cup a most prestigious public appearance a former Socceroo player could make. He dominated the media coverage of the Socceroos’ only World Cup appearance in 1974. In 1973 it was the year that australia would be facing World Cup eliminators, so the australian Soccer federation arranged for the Bulgarian national side to tour for three games as a warm-up for these matches. The Bulgarians were the first European national teams in australia since 1969 and provided the australians with high class opposition from which coach rasic was able to build up his team. The first game was played midweek in Sydney but still drew a large crowd to the Sports Ground. Manfred dominated media attention for australia at the 1974 fIfa World Cup in Germany, not only because he was an excellent defender but because he was competing in the country of his birth. Born in the former
east Germany, Manfred became a resident of australia from the age of 10. The fact that the aussies played both east and West Germany also caught the public’s attention. His homecoming was the main point of focus as the world’s press reported on the Socceroos’ historic campaign. He was asked by the world governing body fIfa, to return to frankfurt as part of a select group of former players who were to assist then President Sepp Blatter with the draw for the qualifying rounds of the 2006 World Cup to be held in Germany. Manfred admitted he was “blown away” as he digested the significance of becoming the first Australian to be invited to take part in the official draw. He said “It’s unbelievable, totally unbelievable and his first reaction was that someone was pulling his leg, his second question was who’s paying? The more he thought about it the more he realised what a big thing it was, and it brought back a lot of memories. He said just to be sitting next to some of those people was a huge honour and it came totally out of the blue.” He was required to be in Germany for a rehearsal for the ceremony that was broadcast around the world. asked if he was going to have to buy a new suit, the assistant
coach of Parramatta Power said: “I might wear the club suit and give them some exposure.” It is the first time the World Cup was hosted by Germany since 1974, when Manfred was a member of the only australian team to reach the finals. Manfred’s German background dominated media coverage of the Socceroos. Two German TV crews travelled to Sydney to produce documentaries in the lead-up to the World Cup, and he had a weekly column in the Hamburg newspaper Bild Zeitung before and during the tournament. He returned to Germany for holidays and said that “every time I go back there is a small story in the local papers, and when people start talking, they usually remember me, but this is something else. after all these years you don’t expect something like this and to me personally, nothing will ever beat playing in the World Cup finals, but this was probably the next best thing.” Manfred’s former Socceroo roommate Johnny Warren said “it was a fantastic honour and they absolutely loved Manfred at the time, especially the bit about him being a milkman by night and a footballer during the day, so obviously he hadn’t been forgotten and I always remember one of the
headlines in the German papers that was a huge compliment about how they would have swapped him for Hans-Jorg Schwarzenbeck. Manfred played all three games for australia and Gerd Muller was one of the few players he marked who got a goal against him”. Manfred retired from playing after helping St George win the NSW grand final a few months after returning home from the World Cup. In 1974 he became a coach in the australian national League managing over 300 matches between 1977 and 1999 and in 2003 he was assistant coach at Parramatta Power. Love goes out to Hanna, Kim and Peter. rest in Peace Manfred you will never be forgotten.
From Lyn Forde a Family Friend
GLAD y S Fornari (nee
John) is turning 100 today (14th April) and will be celebrating the momentous occasion with family and friends on Saturday the 15th April at Dunheved Golf Club.
Born in 1923, just 4 weeks after her family moved to Australia, Gladys originally lived in Kurri Kurri, before moving to the Wollembi/yango area for the next 14 years.
Gladys attended yango PS, frequently driving her 3 younger siblings to school in the family sulky, after having completed the early morning chores of fetching fresh water from the creek and milking the cows.
She did not have a high school education, instead working as a housemaid after leaving primary school, before working at the Dunheved Munitions Factory during WW11, where she survived
a potentially fatal electrocution on a production line.
Gladys married Silvio Fornari in 1946 at Our Lady of the Rosary Church, St Marys and they would live on a farm on Gipps Street, where Silvio worked as a market gardener on their own property until 1974, then built a home in Carpenter Street, St Marys. Sivio passed away in 1985.
Gladys was a member of the St Marys Band Club Social Golf Club, and also an A grade Tennis Player, before joining Dunheved Golf Club in 1969 as an Associate (Lady) member.
Over the ensuing 50 years, Gladys would win the Members Cup in 1988, the Associates (Ladies) Foursomes with Betty Mcnee in 1989, the Gold Medal in 1998, the Captain’s Cup in 2000 and score a hole-in-one on the 8th hole in 2005 (at 82 years of age).
She got down to a handicap of 17, and played both Ladies Pennants and Mixed Pennants, winning the Mixed Pennants 5 years in a row with Dunheved GC.
Sylvio & Gladys FornariGladys loved Dunheved GC and spent so much time at the club, her family once commented ‘Gladys is down at the Club so often, one day she will meet herself coming home’.
Whilst in her 80s, Gladys also took a strong fancy to dancing and a typical busy sport day would involve golf in the morning, home for a shower and fix her hair, then off to dancing in the night.
The onset of Covid in 2020, along with her deteriorating eyesight, late onset of rheumatics and the insertion of a pacemaker have been the final hurdles for Glady’s golf career, but
she remains a devoted fan of the game and even has a practice putting mat in her kitchen.
Gladys has two children, Sandra and Paul (deceased), 7 grandchildren, 19 great grandchildren and 1 greatgreat grandchild.
Gladys Fornari was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Peter Watson.
If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at nepeannews@aol.com
Family Group. Photos supplied by family
Gladys & Sandy
Westcare’s Andrew Paech said, “some news stories seem too good to be true – but thanks to Good360 Australia and Philips this story is true!”
“We have just received fifty four Philips Avent 4-in-1 Steamer Blenders valued at over $16,000 for our Penrith City CareKits program.
“We are distributing these to new, financially challenged Mum’s across Penrith to easily prepare healthy and economic meals for their young ones.
“And through Speech Pathologist & Dietician referrals we are providing them to low socio-economic elderly people undergoing head and neck radiation treatment that has affected their tongue and swallowing capabilities.
“Can you believe that!”
at The
-
How far would you go for a friend?
A coming of age story for our times, this funny and poignant new Australian play by awardwinning writer Suzanne Hawley is both a comedy and a tragedy.
A tale of sea eagles and pole dancing, of children and childhood dreams, of religion and rock ‘n’ roll. Most of all, this is a tale of friendships that have stood the test of time – until they are put to the ultimate test. Until now.
Jackie, Elizabeth, Frances and Susan become besties at high school and find freedom in Swinging London a decade later. After that they carve out very different lives for themselves
and don’t see each other as often, but always meet up once a year for the ‘Musketeer’s dinner’.
But this year is different.
Past sixty, older but no wiser, the most radical member of the group is in crisis. To offer their support, the ‘Musketeers’ take Jackie back to her country home for a weekend–to relax and let their hair down. what could possibly go wrong? what follows tests their friendship, their morals and their courage as never before.
And a final twist will change their lives forever.
“this play has a beating heart; this play will remind you of your own pulse under your skin, steady and true but not forever, not promised.”
Friday 14 April 7.30pm
Join us for a special Q&A session after the show on Friday 14 April!
Saturday 15 April 2pm*
Saturday 15 April 7.30pm
TICKET PRICES
Standard $45, Concession $40
Seniors Matinee $30*
A booking fee of $5 applies to all transactions.
See more and save! In 2023, we are offering a pick-and-mix package discount of between 10 and 20% depending on how many shows you select from our 2023 Season.
VENUE
Q Theatre - The Joan, Penrith
Book tickets to see Wild Thing on Friday 14 April 7.30pm and enjoy a Ladies Night Out! Table at The Joan will be serving a free glass of sparkling and a Baileys chocolate truffle ball for the first 50 customers who show their tickets to Wild Thing at the Borland Bar!
They are also running a special offer for all Wild Thing ticket holders on 14 and 15 April!
Take your friends and treat yourselves to a delicious grazing board and 2 glasses of wine from the Borland Bar at just $40 before the show.
Nobody seemed to know much about him except that he was generally considered by all those who knew of him in the squadron to be a “cold-foot” and his nickname was appropriately “Icy”. Not that the others had any particular cause to call him that but whenever “beach bill” came screeching overhead he would involuntarily duck and then smile in that peculiar manner of his as much as to say “I can’t help it!”. beechy wasn’t his worst enemy though, for if there was anything that he dreaded it was those Turkish “75’s” (taken from the French in the Balkan War). It used to make us feel as if we could shake him when we saw how he would double himself up, and yet one never liked to attempt anything of the kind whenever he used that smile, moreover as he was over six feet in height and correspondingly strong and it would not have been polite. His was a baffling smile, recalling the peculiar smile of the “Monna Lisa” (sic) and like it, unfathomable. He was a very quiet kind of chap and when it was his turn to do fatigues he would go and perform whatever was required of him without ever grumbling. His mates used to take a mean advantage of his good nature and would shunt all the work such as sweeping out the “Possie” (latrine) or trenches onto him. At the time of which I am writing we had noticed that Abdul was sapping somewhere down the gully, sometimes we could distinguish dark shapes moving about and no amount of sniping on our part would stop them. They worked only during the night and each morning we found that the pile of new earth down the gully had grown higher. At last, we understood his plan and it come to our turn to make a counter move. one evening I was told off among others to go out and dig a new trench in front of Abdul’s new sap. We had to block him from getting to a certain place on the little ride which hitherto had been in “No-Man’s Land”. I noticed that Icy had also been told off, but he was to be one of the covering party. All that night we worked hard, digging ourselves in and filling sandbags which we threw up in front of us. At first, we were undisturbed but suddenly the bullets began to ping-ping over our heads and we knew that Abdul had tumbled. Still, as he was himself intent on digging he did not come out at us but contented himself by sniping thinking to drive us off in that way. However, it was a bit late in the day for that, and since by the time he found us out we had already several good sandbags filled and these protected us as long as we kept well down. Several of our chaps were winged but as none of the wounds were very serious, we didn’t mind that. When it had struck five in the morning we knocked off and retired to sleep away the day. Half a dozen bomb-throwers who had volunteered for the job then took our places, bringing with them a few bombs, their rifles, ammunition, water bottles and a supply of bully beef and biscuits. There they spent the whole day lying low under cover of the sandbags and Abdul troubled them not!. Next night we went out again to resume work and then it was that certain things happened which made us look upon “Icy” in a different light. We had no sooner started work than rat-a-tat went a machine-gun somewhere out to the left and the bullets came pinging round hot and close winging three and killing two on the first discharge. John Turk had stolen a march on us by placing a machine-gun away out on the extreme flank where he could to a certain extent enfilade us. That sort of thing could not be allowed to last as we had to bury our noses in the ground each time the
confounded gun opened up. our covering party being out ahead of us escaped the hail of bullets better than we did. The place was becoming too hot to stay in so the order came along to retire independently to our trenches until something could be done to stop the machine-gun. When we mustered again in the trenches, we found that one man of the covering party was missing. That man was “Icy”. As we were talking about him, wondering who should go back to look for him there came the noise of a commotion from the direction of the Turkish machinegun. bang, bang went a couple of bombs followed by cries and shouts from Abdul and above it all we were certain we heard fragments of language in the category known as Australian “bullocky”. In our trenches everyone had mechanically sprung to arms and stood there wondering, while for fifteen minutes the Turks fired without ceasing. Gradually the noise subsided, and we noticed that for some reason the machine-gun away on the left was strangely quiet. An hour later we were stealing out again to have another attempt to completing our new trenches when I stumbled over the form of a man lying prone. bending over to see him I found it was “Icy”. His clothes were wet and sticky with blood and half underneath his body there showed the muzzle of a machine-gun. As we lifted him up, we saw that the gun was there complete, tripod and all. We took him into the lines and handed him over to the dressing station and just before we came away, he opened his eyes and told enough for us to realise that “Icy” had sneaked over and stolen that Turkish gun. To this day we don’t quite know how he did it as he never will talk about it but before they took him onto the hospital ship next day with his sixteen bullet wounds and scratches, a crowd went down to see him off, along with me amongst the foremost who apologised to “Icy” very humbly. And do you know, he only smiled back at us in that funny old way of his. E. A. M. W. Australian WW1 War Poster from the internet.
Source: Original Anzac Book published in 1916 all contributions were from the original diggers on the Anzac Peninsular at that time in 1915.
The hancock Prospecting Australian Women’s National Training Squad (hPWNTC) have all been in Western Australia for the National Championships, each representing their own state.
“This year, we released all the hPWNTC athletes back to their clubs for the National Champs,” said National Women’s head Coach John Keogh. “That said, they mostly raced with each other and, across the events, we had the following medals:
Women’s single scull: Gold – Tara Rigney, Silver – Amanda Bateman, Bronze – harriet hudson
U23 Women’s single scull: Gold –Laura Gourley
Women’s Pair: Gold – Lucy Stephan and Katrina Werry, Silver – Molly Goodman and Jessica Morrison, Bronze – Georgie Rowe and Sarah hawe
Lightweight single: Silver –Anneka Reardon, Bronze – Lucy Coleman
Women’s double scull: Gold / Silver / Bronze – all WNTC athletes. Also medals also in most other events, including Women’s eight / women’s quad.
“Of note, Lucy Stephan OAM, representing Victoria in the Queens Cup (interstate race on the Sunday), won the event for a record 10th time.”
LOCAL junior Coby Carruthers (Jordan Springs / Concord GC) has finished in a tie for 3rd position in the 2023 ACT Amateur Golf Championships, which were held at Royal Canberra GC over 8th-10th April.
Coby shot scores of 71/71/75 for a total of 217, finishing 9 shots behind the runaway winner, Angelo Bourandanis (Royal Canberra GC) on 208.
Will hoven (Glenmore heritage Valley GC) shot 75/75/80 = 230 to finish in 16th spot, whilst Andrew Carruthers (Dunheved GC) shot 81/82/82 = 245 to finish 41st.
This weekend’s golf action revolves around the 2023 JNJG Illawarra Junior Masters and the 2023 JNJG U12 Illawarra Tour events, which will be held concurrently at both Kiama and Links Shell Cove.
The Penrith Whitewater Stadium has been a hive of activity this week, with an All-States Development Camp being run from 11th-13th April, to be followed by the 2023 Paddle Australia Canoe Slalom Championships from 14th – 16th of April.
The All-States camps are fun and canoe slalomfocused camps, with the aim of developing slalom skills for all levels of canoe slalom paddlers.
Club paddlers with a strong live roll and grade II+ white-water skills, of all ages, were welcome to attend the camp. Paddling sessions focussed on maximising learning opportunities for all slalom skills, including white-water skills, stroke effectiveness and slalom gate skills - all of the fundamentals.
The development camp program is run by the sport through volunteers from slalom clubs across Australia, with the support of Paddle Australia’s Canoe Slalom Technical Committee (PACSLTC).
The Canoe Slalom National Championships begin
today (Friday 14th April), featuring heats in both men’s and women’s Kayak and Canoe.
Saturday’s semi-finals and Finals of both Kayak and Canoe action begins at 8:00am and runs through to 1pm.
Sunday’s action features Kayak Cross heats, semifinals and finals, beginning at 10:30am and running through to 1:30pm.
By Noel Rowsell
There was a feast of international Polo at Windsor Polo Club on easter Sunday, beginning with a junior game between NSW and South Island NZ, followed by Australia vs england Women, then Australia vs Argentina Men.
The last international Polo event held at Windsor Polo Club was in 2019 and after a series of hard years, organisers described it as an incredible feeling to be able to host this year’s International and for it to be such a wonderful success.
Crowd numbers were anticipated at 1,000 but quickly surpassed that number, as both locals and distant travellers flocked to the picturesque Polo grounds in Windsor.
The 2023 Men’s International was won by Argentina (rauli Laplacette (c), Paco O’Dwyer, Manuel Llorente, Pilu O’Dwyer - reserves Guy Gibrat, Bautista Panelo) 11-5 over Australia (ruki Ballieu (c), Alec White, Dirk Gould, Lachie Gilmore – reserve Jack Archibald).
The 2023 Women’s International was won Australia ( Indi Bennetto (c), Shannon Booth, Ashley Glennie, Phillipa Fitz-henry – reserve Anna Dowling) 9-6 over england ( Sarah Wiseman, emma Sanderson, Lottie Lamacraft, Lucy Bowman – reserve Bryony Taylor).
The 2023 Junior International was won by NSW (Tom Parry-Okeden, Archie Dowling, Cody Grimes (c), Blake Grimes – reserve Toby Dowling) over South Island NZ (Skye Turner, Max Dormer, Tom Turner, ed Davidson – reserve James reid).
The off-field action included a visit from the easter bunny, Fashions on the Field and a well-place golden horse shoe.
Thank you to our sponsors who made this day possible, including the Classic Safari Company and the royal richmond hotel, which are both long time supporters of polo and Windsor Polo Club, and to Bannaby Angus Polo & Vivaldi Flora for their support of the event.
The day would not be complete without thanking the many volunteers who made the international possible, WPC President Julie McIntosh for her tireless dedication to putting it together, and everyone who supported at the ground or watched from home, thanks to Polocamtv - games are
available to re-watch at any time, simply head to polocam to catch up.
The Polo action continues this weekend, with the staging of the royal richmond hotel Gold Cup over 15th16th April. entry for spectators is free. The Morton Cup Finals is also being played at Windsor on 16th April.
General admission tickets are now on sale for the 2023 Hawkesbury Cup race day, scheduled for Saturday 22 april 2023.
In what is shaping as the Club’s biggest Cup Day yet, early shoppers will be able to secure a 20 percent discount on General admission tickets, with prices starting from $20.
racegoers are encouraged to purchase their tickets early to avoid queues on Cup Day.
“This incentive offers an opportunity for patrons to secure discounted general admission tickets for this great event, without having to worry about lining up on the day,” stated Hawkesbury race Club CeO James Heddo.
“Hawkesbury Cup Day is always a special and memorable event to share with family and friends and we are offering packages to suit every taste and budget.”
“The massive 10 race program offers $1.6 million in prizemoney, highlighted by the Group 3 $200,000 richmond Club Hawkesbury Gold Cup over 1600m.
“Off the track, we have plenty of musical entertainment planned for the
day, plus Fashions on the Field which will have a change of format to make it easier and less time consuming for patrons who wish to take part.
“We will encourage fashionistas to enter our Fashions on the Field Competition by uploading their photos taken from our “Fashion Chute” area on the day to the Hawkesbury race Club Instagram and Facebook pages,” stated Heddo.
“We will have some great prizes on offer and will provide further details closer to the event.”
For more information or to book hospitality and ticketing visit www.hawkesburyraceclub.com.au
THe 6-race 2023 Sydney Harbour Women’s Keelboat Series concluded on 26 March, with four of the six races completed and two abandoned.
a total of twelve yachts competed in division 1 and six yachts in division 2, with the locally-owned racing yacht ‘It Happens’ the only Division 1 entrant racing without the benefit of a spinnaker.
“We had a higher handicap than 8 of the other Division 1 boats in the last race, due to winning the Series the previous year,” part-owner David Chesters said.
“Our skipper Bridget Canham and the crew (from Penrith / richmond) did a great job to get us on the podium, in third place, at Series end.”
The full crew list over the 6-race series was Bridget Canham (helm), Kelly Jeffs, romi Titanti, Charlotte Palmer, Chloe Young, David Chesters, Craig Young, robert Speedy, Char Vella, Steve Thompson, Brian Flood, Mitchell Young.
In my last column I listed 1 to 5 of the most important lessons I learnt as a young coach. This is part two and below I have listed 6 to 10. This is intended to be a resource for those coaches who are about to embark on a season coaching a junior team.
6. Teach your players the rules and supply them all with a rule book (available from your Junior League or downloadable from the internet). If players know the rules they understand their environment. How often do you see nRL players not tap the ball on the dash in the middle of the field at a 20m restart? How often do you see players tap the ball while several of their own players are in an offside position? We are creating an environment where our players are not made accountable for breaking the simplest of rules.
7. There are so many junior coaches who treat game day like an nRL match….. How much control do you have over the result once kids run out onto a football field? Not much. With that said and as hard as it can be, you need to place zero emphasis and importance on the results of your team regardless of the result they achieve each weekend. The competition needs to be created internally, which takes the emphasis off winning and losing. If all junior coaches ever worried about was results each weekend then we would have a large percentage of coaches, players and parents who are discontented in the results and achievements of the team at the end of each season. At this level it is the growth of individual players which will naturally improve each team.
Place a large emphasis on how the players train and their willingness to listen and learn. If that notion can be instilled into players from a young age they
are set up for the best possible future both in football and in life. As a coach measure yourself on the development and improvement of players. Too often I witness coaches pulling their hair out after their team has been defeated by a team which has a clear physical advantage (bigger, faster, stronger) and at the Mod level as crazy as it may sound the team who were defeated were clearly the better ‘skilled’ and ‘coached’ team. Size, strength and speed will not last forever, good coaching will shine through eventually.
8. Traditional fitness should play no part in a coaching program for a team at the junior level. Fitness can easily be implemented into the coaching program through ‘less talk more action’ from a coaching perspective, get the players moving as much as possible for as long as possible. In a one-hour session players should be moving for a minimum of 50 minutes. Fitness will be achieved during the games and drills which you create and set up to be competitive, fun and challenging. The best part of having games achieve your fitness outcomes is that the players do not associate fitness with any element of the session.
9. Ignore what you see on television. I know personally I struggle to watch probably half the teams in the nRL because their styles all look the same and they are often trying to mimic a team or a specific structure which has been successful for another team in a previous season or period of time. This type of coaching is unproductive. Coaches often say I need to implement my “structures and processes” which is fine but the million-dollar question is: Do the structures and processes you’re implementing suit the players you have on your roster? Or are you just
copying a style from another team which is perceived to be effective?
As a coach never fix players to one specific position, let them try a variety of positions and roles within the team. Ensure that players are given equal game time or as close as possible to equal game time. Finally, never pigeon hole a player to a specific side of the field, the number of players who come into representative systems and tell coaches they are exclusively a left or right edge player is scary! Look at it from this perspective if players can play multiple positions, have a broad skill set and can play anywhere on the field they are giving themselves the best possible chance to be the best individual version of themselves.
10. There is not enough respect shown within junior sport, the mentality and focus are often ‘win now’ and ‘win at all costs’. Respect often goes out the window when the whistle is blown. Firstly, players should be taught at a young age to respect themselves, understand how their behaviour both positive and negative reflects on them individually and the impact that it can have on their team. Players need to be taught to respect their team mates and coaching staff regardless of whether they agree with their choices or decisions. But most importantly players need to show respect for officials. Referee numbers particularly at the junior levels are dwindling but yet our behaviour has not changed. As coach you need to lead that mentality and not abuse referees, blame referees or disrespect them in any way (monkey see… monkey do). Always shake their hand at the end of each and every match and try to build relationships and rapport with referees.
I’m honestly starting to sound like a broken record when I say “How bloody good is this years’ NRL competition!”
The last two times that I’ve written for the NN my delight in what I’ve been witnessing is uncontainable. A competition when quite honestly, any team can win any game, has never been played. Not that I can remember anyway. And if you remove the poor Tigers from that statement it becomes even more profound.
To prove my point, let’s quickly go through the games just played in round 6. Round 6 already? OmG.
Storm v Roosters, could have gone either way with Harry Grant and munster magic the difference.
Dogs v Rabbits. Sure Dogs were depleted but NOBODY saw Souths winning by 40. Cowboys v Dolphins. 90% of tipsters leant towards the Cowboys at home being too strong, the Dolphins pulled down the Cow’s pants in a major upset. Or was it in the context of this season?
Panthers v manly. Sure, the Panthers started the game as faves but no-one predicted the Panthers by 30. Dylan Edwards, wow what a player.
In perhaps the biggest upset of the season in the Broncos v Raiders game the Raiders without their two best players in Wighton and Tapine, beat the undefeated
Broncos 20 to 12. On the Broncos home deck!
Titans v Dragons, another game that could have went either way; in the end the Titans, who currently sit 6th, hung on for a morale boosting 20-18 win. Same goes with the impressive Knights and Warriors, ANOTHER game harder to pick than a broken nose but it was the resilient Knights prevailing.
Even the final game of the long Easter weekend between the hapless Tiges up against the struggling Eels was anybody’s with 10 to go.
The unpredictability of the 2023 season is the reason it’s got so many eyes, and ears on it. Throw in a bit of controversy (forward passes.. and don’t get me started on the hip drop tackle! How does one even train to perform such an appalling act on the footy field?!) you throw it all in the melting pot and you have the perfect ingredients for a more than appealing rugby league season that everyone is talking about.
I’ve just had a sneak peak at the upcoming round 7 draw, honestly EVERY game can go either way. Good luck with your tipping this week….
See you at the game...
