Nepeannews 14july2016

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Thursday, 14 July 2016

ISSUE 179

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of concern for everyone, impacting as they do on our native bushland environment and on the enjoyment of the community,” Cr McKeown said.

Help Council put a stop to these senseless acts of destruction – if you see any suspicious activity, including vandalism, unauthorised vehicles or illegal dumping in our parks, playgrounds and reserves, please contact Police or Council on (02) 4732 7777.

Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

SERVICES

Save our bushland OUR City offers a wide range of parks, playgrounds and reserves, which are free and open to everyone in the community to enjoy.

Council works hard in maintaining the upkeep of these areas for the community and conducts extensive planting programs – so it is concerning for all when acts of vandalism occur.

Unfortunately, a recent inspection of rehabilitation works undertaken by Council at Kingswood Park, North Penrith, revealed that several hundred young plants, which were at a sensitive stage in their growth cycle, had been pulled out of the ground and thrown into bushland, suffering irreversible damage.

Other damage to the bushland environment was also visible, including removal of erosion control logs and destruction of some track areas.

From 2014, a NSW Environmental Trust grant and cash from Council funded these rehabilitation works, which have included reducing erosion on degraded tracks and weed control. Once the eroded areas stabilised, local provenance native tube stock was planted to assist with site recovery and improve the habitat for native birds and animals.

Signage at the entrances to the reserve provides Council’s contact details should anyone want to learn more about this project.

Penrith Mayor Cr Karen McKeown said it was important for members of the community to join together in combating vandalism and the destruction of our environment.

“Clearly, such acts of vandalism should be

3

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Ph: 9833 1122 12/82 Victoria St Werrington Mail: PO Box 4001 Werrington NSW 2747 londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au

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4 Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

From the Editor’s Desk 203 BANKS DRIVE, ST CLAIR OFFICE: (02) 9834 5579 Editor: Sales Manager: Journalist: Journalist: Journalist: Journalist: Sports Journalist: Graphic Design: Photographer: Photographer: Printer: Letters to the Editor: Web:

Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644 Korena Hale 0403 045 880 Greg “Harpo” Martin 0420 655 524 Garion Thain 0430 424 101 Keegan Thomson 0421 382 560 Jarrod McGrouther 0406 826 259 Stewart Moses 0417 680 533 Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Tom Carey 0425 803 180 Kennedi Geyer 0452 455 844 Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown nepeannews@aol.com www.wsnewsgroup.com

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.

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by Kerrie Davies SINCE I last wrote my editor’s column there have certainly been some major changes!

I must admit I would never have picked that Labor’s Emma Husar would claim Lindsay in the Federal Election.

I knew it would be close, but I still thought right up until the last counts that Fiona Scott would nick in.

Congratulations to the new member for Lindsay. It will be a tough gig, and not least because it is the first time in history our local federal seat has not been held by a member of the government.

It will definitely be challenging for the incoming member being in opposition as the promises made during the election campaign are not going to see the light of day unless Labor wins the election in three years time. I’ve noticed that many people don’t understand that’s the way it works, but Malcolm Turnbull is hardly going to honour Labor’s promises as well as his own.

Hopefully Ms Husar can tackle the role in a positive manner and work to continue achieving things for Penrith, and not be tempted to just throw grenades at the government.

I’d like to thank the outgoing member Fiona Scott for her dedication to our electorate over the past three years. Politics is a thankless job, and the spotlight is often focused on the negatives rather than the positives. Definitely not a gig for the faint-hearted!

The other major change in the last fortnight was the banishing of greyhound racing. It was a shock announcement that is certain to take centre-stage and continue to ripple for quite some time.

As an animal lover I can see that, what essentially has been exposed as a blood sport, could not have continued in the manner it did. It’s just a shame that that there couldn’t have been an option that involved more policing of the practices rather than a complete ban. I grew up with greyhound racing, my Dad and my Uncle both raced dogs, but I can tell you the love they had for their dogs was about as polar opposite to cruelty as could be. My father woke at 5 every morning to walk them in Centennial Park and they even had their own bedrooms!

Not all involved in greyhound racing are inhumane or even dismissive of their product. There’s a bucket load of love there too.

Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

6 key points for introducing a new baby to your pet

Nepean

Veterinary REPORT

with Dr Antony Karolis and the team at WellPet Vets phone 1300 WELLPET

Senior Veterinarian and CEO WellPets Vets Mountains, Nepean and St Clair

WellPet Vets would like to congratulate Dr. Jessie on the birth of her little baby girl Rebekah! As we celebrate this wonderful news with you, we take this opportunity to share some helpful tips on how to best introduce a new baby to your pet(s). Here are 6 key points to help you prepare your pet for your new family member…

• Start getting the pet used to a new, realistic schedule that will occur when there is a baby in the house. This may include restricted access to parts of the house, becoming accustomed to the presence of baby gates, a different exercise schedule etc.

• Start walking them with a stroller and if needed obtain additional training if they are difficult to manage, this is best practiced prior to baby arriving.

• Allow your pet to explore the baby’s environment and belongings but do not allow them to take any toys/clothing or claim an area in the room as their new resting place.

If you haven’t already taught your pet to relinquish items to you then now is the time to get started, and to train or reinforce basic sit, stay, come, leave, stop.

• Once the baby is born, have the person looking after your pet bring items with the child’s smell on them home and disperse them around the

house (out of reach) prior to bringing the baby home from hospital.

• Once you arrive home, have someone hold the baby while you greet the pet you have been apart from.

Give them time to calm down, have the person sit on the couch with the baby, have the pet on a leash and allow them to gently approach and sniff the child. Excited behavior should be redirect back to you and the pet told to sit and relax before allowing them to

approach once calmer. A gentle lick to the child is ok, but excited or overzealous licking should be stopped, with a gentle verbal command, in case of accidental injury from excitement.

• Never leave a baby unsupervised with an animal.

Baby gates are great to separate the animals from the baby while still allowing them to be inside and involved with the family.

Alternatively, tethering on a harness to something stable that cannot move or tip over can be done. This may be useful while you are present, in the early stages of introduction.

Any accident can be potentially fatal to a small baby. It is recommended that children up to 8 years old never be left alone with a pet. Children are typically loud, fast, unpredictable and need to be taught acceptable behavior around pets to prevent them hurting or scaring the pet and provoking the animal to defend itself.

For further guidance consider referring to a book called “Tell your dog you’re pregnant!” by Dr. Lewis Kirkham. If you have any further questions or would like help with introducing your new baby to your pet then we can help. Please call our friendly team on 1300 WELLPET for advice, behavioral consultations are available.

Countdown timers in Penrith

9834 1044 NEPEAN DISTRICT

Stuart Ayres

MP

5 Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

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Member for Penrith

STUART Ayres MP, Member for Penrith announced pedestrian countdown timers have been installed at High Street and Station Street, Penrith to inform pedestrians how much time they have to cross the road safely.

The new units installed in Penrith are part of a state-wide rollout of pedestrian countdown timers at 35 intersections announced last year.

“No one is exempt from pedestrian safety; every single one of us is a pedestrian at some point in our lives,” Stuart Ayres said.

“Already this year 37 pedestrians have lost their lives on our roads which shows the importance of programs like this.

“This program puts NSW up there with a long list of countries right across the world using pedestrian countdown timers including New York, Tokyo and Singapore.”

Stuart Ayres said on average 50 pedestrians are killed and more than 1600 injured on NSW

roads each year – and almost a quarter of these casualties take place at intersections with traffic signals.

“The new countdown timers will encourage people to cross the road only when it is safe to do so,” Stuart Ayres said.

“We know these timers work – they’ve been thoroughly tested to check they can effectively boost pedestrian safety at these intersections.

“At the same time, safer roads are only one piece of the puzzle – all road users have a part to play in improving safety.

“Whether you’re walking, driving or riding, make sure you obey the rules and pay attention to the conditions around you.”

Transport for NSW will continue to monitor the program and assess whether pedestrian countdown timers can be effectively implemented at additional locations.

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Greyhound ban felt across western Sydney

By Keegan Thomson

R I C H M O N D Greyhound Racing Club has been left reeling after the Baird government’s shock decision to completely abolish the sport as of July 1, 2017.

Brad Adam, the CEO of Richmond Race Club said the significance of the ban will be felt far and wide across the whole community.

“The impact of the ban on greyhound racing in the area will have a massive hit both financially and socially to our community,” Mr Adam said.

“The club directly employs 30 staff member and then there is all the second and third tier employees touched by the club. Things like the clubs providers, the local butchers and greengrocers.

“As a monetary value, it would be in the hundreds of thousands of dollars that would be directly lost from local businesses and industry,” he said.

Earlier this month Premier Mike Baird announced a total ban on greyhound racing across the state as of July 1 next year after the findings of a 16 month long inquest into animal abuse within the industry were made public.

Shane Gorman, a former spokesperson for the Greens, said this decision finally represents what is happening in animals sport industries across the country.

Brad Adam, CEO of Richmond Race Club, feels let down by the Premier. Photo: Kennedi Geyer

“For quite a long time animal sports have been an integral part of in the betting and sports industry in this country, but it wasn’t until the whistle blowing last year that it showed live baiting and blooding was going on,” Mr Gorman said.

Mr Gorman also said the state government needs to support the greyhound trainers and those affected by the industry cessation.

“What happens next is important.

The state government needs to apologise to both the people involved and the animals involved, and then they should invest in an industry package to help people re-skill into other industries.”

But Mr Adam said the state

government has left the industry and livelihoods of hundreds of families across the state in the dark.

“The state government hasn’t made anything fully clear. I’ve got trainers here who’ve spent up to $200,000 in upgrading their properties after new regulations came in last year. They’ve just left trainers now wondering what their financial future looks like,” Mr Adam said.

Even if the government offers up remuneration packages to trainers there is doubt within the industry that any form of compensation will simply not be enough.

“There is no way the government could make a remuneration package for someone who has spent many

hundreds of thousands of dollars in training dogs, in updating their properties, particularly when some of these trainers have 20, 30 or even 40 dogs,” Mr Adam warned.

In New South Wales alone there is in excess of 10,000 people directly and indirectly employed by businesses involved in greyhound racing, with over $1.1 billion wagered on NSW greyhounds between 2014 and 2015.

There has been no word as yet of what kind of financial help will be offered to greyhound racers and the industry as whole, but with so many affected across the state it is a certain that not all involved will recover as quickly as others.

Climate adapted bus shelter winners picked THE winning concepts in a public design competition focusing on cool and “smart” bus shelters that will improve the comfort of public transport users were decided on 16 June at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre.

The smart shelters provide better shelter from the elements including heat, cool and wind.

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown, who led the judging panel, said the Climate Adapted People Shelter (CAPS) competition’s winning design will be installed opposite Nepean Hospital in Derby Street.

“I’m especially pleased that this bus stop will get the smart shelter as it is a high use stop including many elderly and infirm: those most affected by the elements, especially heat,” said the Mayor.

“The shelter, which fits in perfectly with Council’s Cooling the City strategy, will have built-in smart technology to collect data, which will help us to analyse and refine the design.

“The project is cutting edge and we hope it can provide a blueprint for wider application across our region

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown with the winning team from MM Creative.

and Sydney.

“Well done to all the finalists and congratulations to the winners MM Creative.”

The finalists presented their concepts to a judging panel

comprising Councillor McKeown and representatives from the Greater Sydney Commission, Samsung, Stockland and Macquarie University.

The project is supported through

the NSW Building Resilience to Climate Change program, funded by the Office of Environment and Heritage and NSW Environmental Trust, and supported through Local Government NSW.

7 Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

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Western News 15 July 2016 Issue 14

Combating litter in Penrith STUART Ayres MP, Member for Penrith has announced that Penrith City Council (PCC) will receive a $30,000 NSW Government grant to tackle litter in Penrith.

Stuart Ayres said PCC would receive a share of more than $1.2 million in grant funding for NSW litter initiatives under the government’s round 3 Council Litter Prevention grants program.

“Councils know where their litter hotspots are and they know how to tackle them better than anyone,” Stuart Ayres said.

“This project will aim to reduce the level of food/drink packaging and cigarette butt litter throughout the pedestrian throughways and along the adjacent road verges near key access points surrounding Nepean Hospital.”

The PCC Litter Prevention Project will use Hey Tosser signage and install bins to target passing pedestrian traffic to curb littering behaviour.

Under the first two funding rounds more than $2.5 million was awarded to almost 40 councils. Councils have subsequently reported an average litter reduction of 60 per cent at their projects’ litter hotspots.

Environment Minister Mark Speakman said this antilitter program would continue to help the government achieve one of the Premier’s 12 priorities, being the reduction of litter volume by 40 per cent by 2020.

The Council Litter Prevention grants program is funded under the NSW government’s $465.7 million Waste Less Recycle More initiative.

For more information visit: http://www.epa.nsw.gov.au/wastegrants/litterprevention.htm

Get opal ready now STUART Ayres MP, Member for Penrith reminds the community that from Monday 1 August 2016 remaining paper tickets will no longer be sold or accepted.

“If you don’t have an Opal card already, now is the time to make the switch,” said Stuart Ayres.

“Adult and Child/ Youth Opal cards are available from over 2,100 Opal retailers and Gold Senior/ Pensioner Opal cards can be ordered by calling 13 67 25,” said Stuart Ayres.

You can find your nearest retailer at www. retailers.opal.com.au Customers who don’t have an Opal card can purchase an Opal single trip ticket through top up machines for travel on trains, light rail and ferries. From 1 August an Opal single bus ticket will become available onboard buses. No tickets will be available for purchase on light rail or ferries.

There are now more than 350 Opal top up machines placed at locations that provide

coverage for 99 per cent of all train trips, including Penrith and Kingswood train stations. Locally, machines at Glenbrook, Emu Plains, Penrith and Kingswood sell the last resort Opal single trip ticket.

For more information, customers can visit opal.com.au or phone 13 OPAL (6725).

Since the roll-out of Opal began in December 2012, customers have taken 800 million trips on more than 7.5 million cards using 1 million Gold Senior/Pensioner cards, 700,000 Child/Youth cards and 350,000 School Opal cards.

Police Dog Unit devastated at the loss of PD Chuck

By Kerrie Davies

THE NSW Police Dog Unit has paid tribute to Police Dog, ‘Chuck’, who sadly passed away last week.

PD Chuck was the loyal companion, partner, and best friend to Acting Sergeant Luke Warburton,whom many may remember was shot at Nepean Hospital at the beginning of the year.

Born on Sunday 10 August 2008, PD Chuck was bred by the NSW Police Dog Unit. He commenced training on a general duties basis and was partnered with his handler, A/Sgt Luke Warburton.

PD Chuck, together with A/Sgt Warburton, has been involved in hundreds of jobs throughout his career, including the arrest of one of Australia’s most wanted in March 2012 and being at the front line of the Hyde Park Riots in September 2012.

He was a keen and driven police dog who was responsible for tracking and apprehending many offenders throughout his life PD Chuck’s status as a crime-fighting hero led to him to receive the honour of presenting the game ball at a 2012 State of Origin game in Sydney, where he became very attached to the ball and almost prevented the kick-off.

PD Chuck, along with A/Sgt Warburton’s family and colleagues, has also been a driving force in the officer’s recovery following the shooting early this year.

Between Sunday 3 July and Monday 4 July 2016, PD Chuck passed away from what is

believed to be natural causes.

PD Chuck’s legacy continues, through the three litters he fathered for the NSW Police Dog Unit.

Superintendent Dean Smith, Commander of the NSW Dog Unit, said it was a sad time for the unit.

“Chuck’s death is a loss to the Dog Unit, not only from his contribution to helping fight crime, but the joy he brought to his handler, Acting Sergeant Warburton, and the officers involved in his training and development throughout the years,” Superintendent Smith said.

When A/Sgt Warburton was recovering in Nepean Hspital following the gunshot wound, Chuck was taken for a visit and was so excited to see his handler he wanted to jump up on the bed with him.

“My fondest memory will be of Chuck visiting me in hospital after I was shot in January. Chuck was so excited to see me – and me him.

“Whenever I went to work and had Chuck out with me I knew he always had my back and we could take on any job.

“PD Chuck was a true police dog. He loved nothing more than seeing me walk to the backyard in my overalls as he knew he was going to work to do his favourite thing and chase bad guys.”

Chuck was a fearsome and intimidating Police Dog, but he was also a much loved family dog to the Warburton family.

Chuck will be missed by not only the Dog Unit but the whole of the NSW Community that he worked hard to protect.

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Mama Lana’s needs our help for a warranted boost

By Jarrod McGrouther

WITH temperatures dropping and expense bills rising, the work of charities in the Nepean area is as important as ever. One such foundation doing tremendous work in the Nepean community is Mama Lana’s Community Foundation (MLCF), a not-for-profit organisation that provides assistance to the homeless and underprivileged people in the community to advance their wellbeing and prospects for future independence.

The foundation offers hot meals six nights a week, supplies food and toiletry packs, as well as providing clothing, sleeping bags and swags and blankets to keep the homeless and underprivileged warm during cold penrith nights.

Lana and Roger Borg started the foundation off the back of their assiduous work helping the firefighters during the 2013 bushfires. Later in the year, they were invited to cook for the homeless at Christmas time, where the pair discovered the tremendous need for help in the area, and have been rendering assistance ever since.

MLCF is not just about serving nutritious meals to the local community; the long-term goal is to have their own premises with commercial kitchen, showers, toilets and dining room within the local CBD. The premises would be big enough to store donated clothing, furniture and food stocks, while being a warm, inviting environment for the patrons.

The foundation would also like to increase the number of food vans on the road to reach people in locations further afield.

With these determined objectives in mind, the Lions Club of Emu Plains has recently nominated Mama Lana’s Community Foundation for the Piazza D’oro Local Love Project, which sees five NSW finalists eligible for one of two $5,000 prizes.

The prize would be well deserved, with Lana Borg saying that the prize would be a huge boost to the foundation.

“The money would mean a great deal to MLCF as it would enable us to accomplish one of the much needed items on our wish list to service our patrons better such as fixing our current storage arrangements to save money on monthly fees, cool room/ freezer storage, Improving library facilities and looking into more environmentally friendly serving supplies so

we are making less of a footprint.”

The $5,000 prize is available to the top two State finalists determined by popular vote. Voting closes 11:59pm on July 15, 2016 and the voting is limited to one vote per person per day.

Emu Plains Lions Club President, Ian West, is urging the community to get behind the foundation, saying “Lana and Roger Borg and their group do a marvellous job and the local community can assist them by something as simple as voting once per day on the Piazza D’oro website.”

To vote, visit www.piazzadoro.com.au/locallove, and for more information on where you can leave goods that can be used by the team, visit http:// mamalanas.org.au

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Sleep rough for those doing it tough!

By Kerrie Davies

NOW in its fourth year, SLEEP IN YOUR CAR returns to St Marys on Friday 5 August 2016, at St Marys Railway Station and Veness Place Carpark, Station Street.

Hosted by Fusion Western Sydney and Platform Youth Services as part of National Homelessness Prevention Week, SLEEP IN YOUR CAR is about sleeping rough to raise awareness and funds to support the over 105,000 people without a safe place to sleep each night.

Many people have an image of homelessness that is of older people sleeping rough on the streets. SLEEP IN YOUR CAR aims to raise public awareness about youth homelessness and its causes. The event also aims to celebrate the resilience of young people and to convey a message that young people experiencing homelessness are homeless, but not helpless! With good support and accommodation young people can move forward and live their lives productively.

Kim Horan from Aussie mortgage brokers based in the heart of St Marys was one of the first people to support

the event in 2016 and has registered to SLEEP IN YOUR CAR. Kim is calling on other local businesses to give up their bed for the night and donate to SLEEP IN YOUR CAR. “I think it’s important to get involved in local initiatives such as this. It’s hard not to get overwhelmed with the needs out there in the community but for me, actually participating makes me feel part of the solution. I decided to get involved with SLEEP IN YOUR CAR rather than just turn off from the issue of homelessness.”

Local people of all ages and backgrounds are invited to get involved, by registering to SLEEP IN YOUR CAR, coming along to the Friday evening event from 6pm or sponsoring someone who is

sleeping out. On the night there’ll be interactive activities to focus on some of the causes of homelessness and the impact on individuals, families and communities.

A range of service providers and organisations will be there to talk about what they are doing to support those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. St Marys Rotary are getting right behind the event by running a Coat and Blanket Drive leading up to the night and providing a BBQ dinner and breakfast in the morning for those who stay.

“From the beginning the local business people of St Marys have really got behind this initiative”, shares event organizer, Judy Tweeddale of Fusion. “Some are now into their fourth year of sleeping out including

a team from The Professionals Real Estate St Marys and have shown a deep commitment to making a difference in their own community. We’re keen for others to join them, so that together we can ensure that this often hidden issue is brought into the light.”

Funds raised from SLEEP IN YOUR CAR 2016 will go towards the much needed ongoing support and work of Fusion Western Sydney and Platform Youth Services in the community.

Fusion is a not-for-profit youth and community organisation based in St Marys with a deep, ongoing commitment to developing resilience in young people and families focusing on early intervention and prevention.

Platform Youth Services, a notfor-profit organisation, is a leading provider of services for homeless young people or those “at risk” of being homeless in the Nepean, Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury. Both organisations care for vulnerable young people, their families and community.

For more information go to http:// sleepinyourcar.com.au or call Fusion Western Sydney on 8805 5900.

THIS IS AN ALCOHOL AND DRUG FREE EVENT.

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The three ‘Ps’ – Pioneers – Penrith - Poziers

Reader’s articles - this week’s submission By Bob Starling A PIONEER family of Penrith was the Starlings. Joseph Starling with wife Keziah and children William Henry aged 6 and Sydney aged 9 months migrated from Littlebury Essex England in 1855 on the vessel Constitution. Sydney died during the voyage. After a stay at the North Head Quarantine Station, Joseph moved his family to Parramatta where he worked with the railways. Unfortunately Keziah died in 1857 with Joseph marrying for a third time to Sarah Porter. In 1862 Joseph settled his family in Penrith and later moving to Mittagong where he continued to work for the railways until his death in 1906.

William Henry Starling remained in the Penrith district and married in 1870 Elizabeth Hughes, daughter of James B Hughes and Agnes Mary Butt Gravatt.

William and Elizabeth contributed to the growth in population of Australia through producing 11 children.

William trained as a blacksmith and formed a partnership of Starling & Price. William built a home for his family at 4 Warwick Street Penrith in 1908 which still exists today in a heritage listed area.

The 1st born child to William and Elizabeth was William Brignall Rutter Starling who in turn married Mary Elizabeth Kirkness in 1896. William worked for the Nepean Times for 32 years and Mary was the matron of the Lemongrove Hospital. William and Mary produced six children the eldest being William Joseph James Starling born 1897.

William Joseph James Starling after leaving Penrith Public School was

employed by Penrith Post Office as a telephonist in charge, he was also a member of the Penrith Rifle Club.

William enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force, Private No. 3247 on his 18th birthday, 16 August 1915 and was allocated to the 7th Reinforcements, 19th Battalion. William sailed for the war zone aboard HMAT Suevic on 23 December 1915 landing in Egypt on 21 January 1916 where he transferred to C Company, 4th Battalion as a signaller.

C Company went into action at Pozieres on the Western Front in early May 1916. On 24th July, William was wounded about 7 p.m. and evacuated to the No. 10 General Hospital at Rouen France. A fellow soldier of William, Private Fred Newman of Lemongrove, wrote the following lines to William’s (Bill’s) parents: ’I now have the opportunity of writing you a few lines of consolation in your sad bereavement. First of all, I must tell you how and where Bill met his death, which I can assure you, was a very sad blow to us all. On July 22nd (Saturday night) we moved up into the front line to prepare for the charge, which was to take place somewhere about midnight. When the order came to fix bayonets, Bill came to my side and wished me good luck: we shook hands, but when the order to charge was given we were separated until early on Sunday morning, when someone clasped my hand and said.

‘Thank God, we’re both alive!’ It was Bill. We were together Sunday and Monday. Sunday was very quiet; but Monday – Good God! It was awful.

You cannot imagine what a relief it was

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KENNEDY L JOHNSON NIXON FORD CARTER REAGAN G H W BUSH CLINTON G W BUSH OBAMA

when we got the order to move out into supports on 24th. It was in supports that Bill was hit in the back, just below the shoulder-blade by a piece of shell.

He fell by my side. We quickly bound up his wounds, gave him water, and passed the order along for stretcherbearers, but unfortunately, they were all at work bringing in wounded from the front line. However, after an hour’s spell, Bill felt well enough to walk to the dressing station. I wished him goodbye, and good luck, and, supported by the men in the trench, he went to the dressing station.’ Published in The Nepean Times 23 December 1916.

The 24th July was the worst artillery bombardment that Australian soldiers will ever endure.

By all accounts Bill seemed to be making a recovery from his wound but he may have been subjected to a bacterial infection and without antibiotic treatments, succumbed to his wound and died on 7th August

1916. William Joseph James Starling is buried at the St. Sever Cemetery Rouen, Seine-Maritime, France.

The news of William’s death reported to his parents William Brignall Rutter and Mary Elizabeth Starling and siblings must have been devastating as William had lost a younger brother John as an infant. Sadly William Brignall Rutter Starling died on 5 July 1919 from self inflicted wounds whilst his mind was temporarily deranged.

William senior never recovered from the news of his eldest son’s death at Pozieres.

The 100 year anniversary of the battle for Pozieres which commenced on 22-23 July 1916 reminds us of the price paid by the many soldiers and civilians that lost their lives or were wounded during the Western Front campaign. The Australian Divisions suffered 23,000 casualties and 6,800 killed or died from wounds. The Penrith district lost 28 of its citizens during 1916.

The cost had been very large for both sides and in the words of Australian official historian Charles Bean, the Pozieres ridge “is more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth.”

To the best of my knowledge there are no longer any members of the Starling family carrying the family name that still reside in Penrith, if there is, I would certainly like to hear from them.

Do you have an article to share?

Send to the Editor at nepeannews@aol.com for publication consideration.

Bag a bargain!

THE Baby & Kids Market returning to Penrith on Sunday 17 July!

For Mums in the know who like to buy local, sell local and bag a bargain on quality preloved goods!

PLUS there’ll be a few hand-picked local businesses selling their unique baby and Kids goods. Browse to find everything you need and want from birth to 6 years of age.

The Baby & Kids market will be held on Sunday 17 July and the Penrith Regional Valley Sports Stadium in Cambridge Park will be the place to be with bargain shopping galore!

Come along and join in the fun and bargains from 9am -12noon.

• Sunday 17 July at the Penrith Regional Valley Sports Centre, Herbert St, Cambridge Park.

• The Market runs from 9am – 12 noon.

• Stallholders wanted for more information please visit: www.babykidsmarket.com.au • $4 entry and kids come in for free!

• There will be loads of fun activities for the kids so be sure to bring the whole family along to make the most of this wonderful event!

• All indoor so come rain hail or shine and there is plenty of free off street parking.

This year’s St Marys Spring Festival cancelled

By Kerrie Davies

OVER the past 40 years the annual St Marys Spring Festival has evolved from a small gathering to a street festival attracting well over 20,000 people to the St Marys CBD. The Spring Festival is an important celebration of St Marys and the pride of the local community.

But St Marys Town Centre Manager, Paulette Adams has announced that there will be no festival this year.

“It is with great disappointment and sadness that St Marys Town Centre Management have made the decision to cancel the event for 2016,” Paulette said.

“This decision was not made lightly and many factors were taken into consideration, and alternatives examined.”

The cancellation of this year’s event is due to the safety risks involved with the current streetscape works. These works when completed will result in a renewed and refreshed Queen Street.

“The St Marys Town Centre Corporation believe that the first and foremost priority is the safety of the community at all of our events, and with a risk assessment carried out we feel that the risks associated with the streetscape works are far too high to go ahead with the Festival this year,” Paulette said.

The Corporation continue to work with Council and Hargraves Urban to minimise disruption to the community and businesses during the construction works and our primary focus has been to maintain

St Marys Town Centre Manager, Paulette Adams in Queen St, St Marys. Photo: Kennedi Geyer

the promotion of the St Marys Town Centre as a great place for all of the community with free events and community celebrations.

“As the Town Centre Manager I feel disappointed as the Festival is one of our largest annual events and I understand that our businesses, stall holders, suppliers and community will be disappointed with this outcome, however with thousands of people attending, the safety of everyone on the day is of the highest priority and we don’t want to risk serious

injury,” Paulette added.

“The Festival takes many hundreds of hours to organise with planning stages commencing from January onwards, and we would like to let everyone involved know that the Festival, and Queen Street will be back in 2017 bigger and better than before.

“We believe that everyone who has participated and volunteered their time at past Festivals will continue to support us for next year’s Festival, and we look forward to seeing everyone then.”

13 Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

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localnews local

Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

Getting to know ...

Funding boost for Muru Mittigar

Mark Geyer

By Keegan Thomson

with Jarrod McGrouther

1. What was your first paid job?

Paper boy.

2. What is your guilty pleasure?

Mixed kebabs, with cheese, olives, pineapple, tabouli, chilli and garlic sauce! Yum 3. What is your biggest fear/phobia and why?

Claustrophobia. I got stuck in a lift when I was 11 and have feared enclosed spaces ever since.

4. What is your worst habit?

I swear too much.

5. Best advice you’ve even been given?

It’s better to give than receive.

6. If you only had $50 left in the bank, how would you spend it?

Two bottles of Sam, sauv blanc, or any white wine from Margaret River.

7. Favourite holiday destination and why?

Terrigal or Burleigh. Both close enough to be away but also both near a beach and with great food.

8. Do you have a favourite sporting team?

Aside from the Penrith Panthers I’m a San Antonio Spurs fan in the NBA 9. Name one reason that you love western Sydney Because it’s where I call home.

10. In three words, describe your perfect Sunday Sleep in, kids sport, out for dinner.

THE state government has announced a much needed funding injection for the Muru Mittigar Aboriginal cultural centre.

Announced by NSW state MP for Penrith Stuart Ayres, Muru Mittigar will receive a $25,000 funding boost to help create equality in the workforce.

Peter Chia, the CEO of Muru Mittigar said the funding was very good news.

“This means good things. We will take this money and use it to help empower women in the workplace, particularly Aboriginal women,” he said.

According to Mr Chia, Muru Mittigar’s workforce is made up of 40 per cent women who work in a number of team management, front end and back end roles.

He said the key to having such a female strong workforce is to be flexible and to offer employment that complements home life.

“We try to create flexible work arrangements for all our employees,” he said. “A lot of our workers are single mums and we have some mature age women who want to reengage with the workforce, so by being flexible we are making it possible for women to stay active in the workforce.”

Mr Chia also said the funding would also go

towards helping Aboriginal people better understand their own Indigenous culture, something which he wanted Muru Mittigar to expand on.

“There is always a willingness for Aboriginal people to learn about their culture. It is always assumed Aboriginal people know lots about their culture but this money will help create our capacity to help that,” Mr Chia said.

Stuart Ayres congratulated Muru Mittigar on their successes.

“The NSW Liberals and Nationals are committed to promoting leadership and economic security for women in Penrith and I congratulate Muru Mittigar on its successful application,” Mr Ayres said.

The hidden danger and how to protect against it

By Jarrod McGrouther

WINTER is well and truly here, and with the certainty of cold and wet weather comes an even scarier commodity; house fires.

With the tendency to stay inside, keep warm and cook at home, the winter months are a dangerous time, with Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) urging all residents to be extremely careful this winter.

Recent statistics provided by FRNSW showed that, as at Friday July 1, there had been 211 accidental house fires in NSW since the beginning

on winter (June 1). Note, this is with two winter months remaining. This number represented a significant 14% increase on the same period last year.

Of these fires, 60% originated in the kitchen, which was by far the highest proportion.

It seems that almost nightly, news bulletins are showing the devastation and severity of house fires, emphasizing how important it is to be alert and prepared. This past Sunday alone saw two serious house fires in NSW, both believed to be a result of heaters in the home, something that seems easy to avoid, but which has disastrous outcomes.

An alarming statistic shows that an average of 21 people die from house fires each year in NSW. A change of attitude and behaviour towards home fire safety can be important in reducing this number, with FRNSW Community Engagement Unit manager, Superintendent Mick Ollerenshaw saying that it’s an important time to check what type of smoke alarm you have installed at home.

“This year we’re encouraging residents to replace their outdated alarms with the latest photoelectric smoke alarms, which provide earlier detection and fewer false alarms.”

These handy tips are also great

to keep in mind this winter, each a valuable lesson to pass on to family members or anyone that lives in your home. These include: • Keep clothing and other flammable materials at least one metre from your heater • Clean out the clothes dryer filter after every load • Don’t overload your power boards • Never use wheat bags in bed • Ensure you have a practised home escape plan Remember, if an emergency situation arises, don’t hesitate to call Triple Zero (000) for assistance. Have a safe and warm winter.

Grey Wolf Award

STUART Ayres MP, Member for Penrith, presented Taydim Guy of 1st South Penrith Scouts with the prestigious Grey Wolf Award.

“The Grey Wolf Award is the ultimate badge for Cub Scouts and can only be attained by earning the Bronze, Silver and Gold Boomerangs, completing a certain number of badges from several levels and completing additional challenges” said Stuart Ayres.

“Taydim has shown dedication and commitment to improve skills and to master a number of tasks in order to achieve this award,” said Stuart Ayres.

A major part of Cub Scout training is to develop skills and awareness in self-responsibility, Scouting values and principles, creativity, personal pursuits and interests, and awareness of the Cub Scout’s local and global community.

Darren Drysdale, Group Leader of 1st South Penrith said “I am proud of all the hard work Taydim has put in to reach this goal.”

Maree Jeffs, Cub Leader of 1st South Penrith said “Taydim loved earning all his badges and it has been great to see him grow through his Cub Scout journey.”

Broke the movie - made by Penrith Film maker EVERYONE will be talking about it, so don’t miss out!

One-off Penrith Hoyts screening on July 22

www.tugg.com/events/117352

15 Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

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federalelection electioncoverage

Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

2016 Federal Election How did Labor secure the win?

DEFYING the polls and most major media outlets, the Labor Machine won back Lindsay from the Coalition with a 4.1 per cent swing, but how did they do it?

Most of the statistics and numbers were pointing towards a Liberal win in Lindsay but the results on the day told a very different story.

Cr John Thain, Labor insider, volunteer for Emma Husar and Councillor on the Penrith City Council, gave some insight into how and why the ALP won back Lindsay.

“Early preselection of the candidate and having a team in place from January helped us start the campaign in February,” Cr Thain said.

“The number of volunteers and party members available to give up their time and work for the campaign across every day of the week at various places across the electorate also helped us with Emma Husar’s visibility,” he said.

In terms of political policy and tactics Labor mainly played the health card with their Medicare scare campaign and their proposed $88 million boost to Nepean Hospital, something which Cr Thain says was playing to Labor’s strengths.

Understanding the voters was another big play from the Labor party, according to Cr Thain.

“We understand that younger people are generally healthy and their interests may be in Uni fees and

48.94% SCOTT, Fiona

51.06% HUSAR, Emma

Two candidate preferred (TCP) for Lindsay (NSW) quick NBN, where mature people are interested in their local hospital and medical services,” he said.

Dr David Burchell is a Senior Political Historian at Western Sydney University, and he said despite the pre-election polls showing a Liberal win in Lindsay there really wasn’t any clear way to predict a winner because it is a marginal seat.

“I don’t think a poll in a seat as close as Lindsay will give you reliable results, particularly when there is so many candidates running,” Dr Burchell said. “Over all this was an election where the

independents and the minor parties had big wins all over the country.”

Cr Thain said at the end of the day it isn’t about what the polls are predicting but it is about the results gained from the teamwork and effort put in by the volunteers and party member.

“Literally hundreds of people helped in the campaign and it was their goodwill and camaraderie that helped us get over the line. It is really amazing because many new friendships are formed over a campaign period,” Cr Thain said.

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Emma Husar steals Lindsay for Labor EMMA Husar may not be sworn into office yet, in fact she doesn’t even have her own office yet, but she is already out and getting to know her electorate.

Ms Husar has already been involved in last week’s caucus meeting, where Opposition Leader Bill Shorten was unanimously re-elected the party’s leader, and she’s met with local women’s groups.

“I’ve spoken to some charities, this morning I met with a local women’s group to understand how we can work together in the future,” she said.

In Opposition Ms Husar said she wants to keep up the fight for Nepean Hospital, a big campaign promise she ran on, by insisting she’ll hold all parties involved accountable.

“I’ll be holding the Liberals, both the federal and the state governments, to account over the decline in our local hospital,” she said. “It is paramount the hospital needs action.”

During the campaign, Ms Husar was able to secure $88 million for upgrades to Nepean Hospital, but

that money would have only been awarded if the ALP won government.

On election night the MP elect exclusively spoke to Nepean News minutes after word came in she had just won the seta.

“Three years ago we were written off entirely and within that short period of time we’ve managed to come back,” she said.

“We were always the underdog, we were always on the back foot. It

was a really tough campaign.”

Even after the historic eight week long campaign Ms Husar proved she was still in for the long fight.

“Somebody said to me that I should keep calm, but I’d rather get active, raise hell and change the world. I’m not going to change the world being the federal member for Lindsay, but I will certainly change Lindsay by being its federal member,” she said.

Fiona Scott concedes Lindsay AFTER being out of the picture for a number of days Fiona Scott, outgoing Liberal MP for Lindsay, spoke to her electorate via facebook, offering up her yield from office.

“I’d like to thank the Lindsay community for the honour and privilege to represent you in the Australian Parliament. This community is my home and I’ll always be grateful of the opportunities that it has given me,” she wrote on facebook.

Ms Scott came to power in 2013 taking the seat from David Bradbury by 3 per cent.

In her post she thanked her team and the community for backing her over the last 3 years.

“Being a Member of Parliament requires 100% dedication and can’t be done alone. I’d like to thank every person who has helped me deliver for our community,” she wrote.

Now she is out of the prying public eyes Ms Scott has said she will be focusing on her family life whilst she continues to fight for the local community.

“I’ll probably take some time off and then continue to work locally with stakeholders to ensure that the Nepean region continues to be reimagined in the right image,” she said.

Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

wrap up

with Keegan Thomson

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localnews local

Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

Fabulous home show THE 7th annual Penrith Spring Home Show will be staged on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th July, utilising the superb Penrith Panthers Leagues Club Pavilion facilities. Free entry and free parking is just the start of the many reasons why visitors will flock to the Expo.

With over 90 indoor and outdoor exhibitors on offer will be products and services for building, renovating, maintenance, decorating, design and lifestyle for the home.

Visitors are encouraged to bring along plans and measurements so that exhibitors can provide quotes on the spot. Exhibitors will also be offering personalised meetings after the Expo to discuss specific needs.

There will be plenty of products on sale at the show so visitors should ensure they have payment facilities and transport ready to take advantage of all the incredible show specials.

Added into the mix will be an amazing array of prizes, competitions and demonstrations to entertain, educate and brighten up the day for those lucky enough to win.

If all that is not enough the seminars presentations will provide a forum for visitors to be well informed and pick up free tips on a vast array of topics.

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Dates: Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th July 2016 Times: Saturday – 9am to 5pm / Sunday 9am to 4pm Venue: Penrith Panthers Leagues Club Pavilion / Mulgoa Road, Penrith www.penrithspringhomeshow.com.au Entry / Parking: Free For additional detailed information including exhibitors, seminar programme and how to get there please visit the show website - www. penrithspringhomeshow.com.au For those suppliers that would like to enquire about exhibiting at the show please contact Norm Lembke at Complete Exhibitions Tel: 02 9662 3136, Mob: 0416 14 7477, E: nclembke@bigpond.com

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20

Legends of the Nepean

By Garion Thain

SOME outsiders may scoff at the notion that Penrith is the birthplace of great artistic talent, let alone the origins of great filmmaking.

Those of us from here, and our diverse neighbourhoods, aren’t so naïve. Sydney’s Greater West has

spawned great minds and award winning talent, (Toni Collette and Joel Edgerton immediately came to mind) and thanks to investment in the arts in the Nepean, and the ever growing popularity of venues like the Joan Sutherland centre, it’s no surprise a picture from a Westie’s mind’s making could garner international acclaim and resonate domestically in 2016.

Director Heath Davis’ first feature film “Broke” was initially conceived during his time as a UWS Nepean student. Still living in the lower mountains, Mr Davis says he has a great affinity for the city of Penrith.

This week’s legend, Heath Davis, was raised in Penrith, and today continues to live in the Nepean region in the lower mountains. He has recently been promoting his first ever feature film, “Broke,” starring Aussie talent such as Steve Le Marquand, Max Cullen, Steve Bastoni, Claire van Der Boom and Brendan Cowell.

The film follows an ex-footballer, played by Le Marquand, who struggles with a gambling addiction. Davis feels strongly about the theme, and while the film isn’t trying to masquerade as a strictly rugby league centric film by any means, the sport serves as an interesting entry point into the story which has seen the film criticallylauded, winning best film at the Las Vegas Independent Film festival, where Davis also scored best director for the film. Davis took the time to talk to me about his time in Penrith and his film.

Mr Davis was recently featured in stories from the most recent Nepean News and Western News, respectively, about Broke. Our editor, Kerrie, saw the film and has only the highest praise for it. Since writing about it herself, Heath was able to fully secure his July 20 screening in his home town’s own

Hoyts. His hopes for a fully seated screening are being realised, with tickets selling fast, and our own Mark Geyer hosting the event.

The prospective Penrith screening holds a lot of value to Mr Davis, he said while reflecting on his upbringing.

“I loved growing up in Penrith,” said Mr Davis.

“I had great mates out here and loved being outdoors whether it was playing rugby league or golf.”

Mr Davis enjoyed the openness and freedom of the city, where he also spent time watching indie films growing up. If there was one thing he enjoyed as much as sport, it was the art of filmmaking.

“If I wasn’t playing sport I was watching movies, so I guess it was fate that I would make a sporting film as my first feature.”

Broke sees the protagonist, a former Rugby League star named Ben Kelly, descend into personal abuse and anonymity, living day-to-day with a crippling gambling addiction. At the peak of his descent, an old fan and his daughter take him in, and try to redeem him.

“The film was inspired by my experiences here,” said Davis.

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HEATH DAVIS “It’s about real people with real issues,” he continued.

“Penrith also had genuine people.

And that hasn’t changed. They were also loyal and supportive and I still find that now.”

Davis said the idea for Broke came to him while he was studying at the University of Western Sydney, in the Nepean District.

“While we didn’t film here, the impetus for the movie certainly evolved from here,” remarked Davis, who continued to say he’d like to ‘rediscover’ the area by filming his next feature, “Book Week,” in Penrith.

“I’ve moved away, travelled and lived in various corners of the world but come back as I have family and good friends here, and again the people are genuine and salt of the Earth.”

Mr Davis is hoping to sell-out his Penrith Hoyts screening, so I asked him to elaborate on the tone of the film and what audiences should expect.

“Broke is a compelling and entertaining movie first and foremost.

It’s hard hitting at times but also very funny,” commented Mr Davis.

“It shines the spotlight on a growing social issue in problem gambling. It’s a complex issue that impacts everyone in

some way, shape or form nowadays,” he continued.

“I hope the film gets people talking about it and also provides a ray of hope for those struggling with the disease.”

Mr Davis is optimistic about the film’s future in Penrith. It is currently scheduled to play in several other theatres domestically in addition to its overseas run.

“Hopefully if we sell out the session

on the July 20 at Penrith Hoyts the audience demand will see the cinema give us a season,” said Mr Davis.

“Penrith residents will really identify with it and enjoy it. Word of mouth is very strong. We all know one of the characters in the film which is why it resonates,” he continued.

The screening can be booked online at https://www.tugg.com/ events/117352

21

Promotional Poster for “Broke,” which just secured a July 20th screening at Penrith Hoyts.

Heath Davis nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Greg Davies.

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

22

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Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

Head to the Paceway for the Floral Extravaganza THE Interconnected Floral Extravaganza that is being held at Penrith Paceway features floral artists from each state in Australia and NZ and is going to give local people the opportunity to visit and view up to 100 entries in the floral art competition that covers 11 classes of different designs.

The public will be able to view the floral exhibits at the following times: Friday 5th August 11am to 4pm Saturday 6th 10am to 4pm Sunday 7th 10am to 3pm Cost is $10 entry and $8 seniors.

On Friday 5th August commencing at 11am people will be able view every half hour a demonstration of the floral art that is being created for each state in Australia.

On the Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th August the Guest demonstrator Andy Djati Utomo will conduct master classes and workshops. You can find out more information and join these if you register at our website www. nswfloralartassociation.org. au or email Kim Baillie secretary@ nswfloralartassociation.org.au Or you can just visit and enjoy all the beautiful flowers on display and get ideas for what you may do with flowers in your home.

Come along and bring a friend.

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Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

Penrith CBD Corporation Three successful years

Mega Games BEFORE

Mega Games AFTER

By Kerrie Davies

WHEN Gai Hawthorn was appointed the role of CEO for Penrith CBD, few could have imagined that Penrith CBD had just been placed into the very capable hands of someone who was going to steer it to a level full of vibe and energy. Working with an extremely experienced and energetic Chairman and Board, Gai came armed with a treasure trove of ideas and the confidence and support to make it happen. On July 1, 2013 the concept of the Penrith CBD Corporation with the assistance of the Penrith City Council commenced and what a journey it has been!

DRIVING REAL CHANGE AND IMPROVEMENTS within the Penrith CBD and UNLOCKING THE OPPORTUNITES through CBD Membership were the motivating factors for giving Penrith a boost.

This complimented by partnering with Western Sydney Business Centre and the membership for the CBD was soon connecting local businesses, helping with referrals for training and education and assisting with BUSINESS IMPROVEMENTS to keep the doors open in Penrith CBD. What an amazing success it has been, the last three years has seen Penrith CBD truly come to life and unleash the potential opportunities that were hiding within.

“It has been a combined community effort with the support of our key stakeholders and especially Penrith City Council it could never have worked,” Gai said.

State Member Stuart Ayres said

the success managed by Gai and the CBD Corp team has been outstanding.

“The passion of the Penrith CBD Corporation Board and team is on display every day in Penrith “ Activate – Penrith CBD Corporation has held three major Penrith CBD Festivals, finalists in the NSW Tourism Awards last year and held over 150 events and activities over the last three years including: • CBD Membership Coffee Catch ups for businesses, Mums and bubs parenting club, school holiday activities, BMT, Casino race night for the Penrith Community Kitchen Christmas Appeal, Good Food Month Illuminate Dinner, Melbourne Cup Tour, Christmas Tree Lighting Event, Cooee March and event day and Property Owners evening Rejuvenate – Penrith CBD Corp has helped over 100 local businesses

and worked with 49 rejuvenation projects over the past three years and worked in conjunction with many property owners and local businesses.

Populate – Penrith CBD Corp has marketed and worked with many local business and events to ensure awareness and promotion is brought

to business in CBD. • IPHONE APP – • Website update • FaceBook • Welcome Pack for new businesses coming into town – shop local, build local and connect local when opening a new business.

celebrates third birthday unleashing Penrith’s CBD potential What’s happening next…

“The board and I are looking forward to being able to continue to unlock the opportunities collaboratively with our local businesses and property owners. We will be working towards building a stronger economy for our CBD businesses.”

CEO Penrith CBD Corp Gai Hawthorn

BOARD MEMBERS

Chairman Owen Rogers

Vice Chairman Darren Latty

Treasurer Barclay Judge

Secretary Vanessa Graydon

Council Rep Cr Tricia Hitchens

Local Business Owners on our board working towards continually improvements and economic growth for Penrith CBD

Vic Shipley Akira Tepinyaki & Powersmart Electrical

Ian Hicks Hix Group

Paul Stonebridge Westfield

Michael Todd Western Sydney Business Centre

For more information call 4722 5556 or visit:

www.penrithcbdcorp.com.au

25 Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

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William Cox Historical Festival & Open Day Displays & activities include: NSW Corps of Marines re-enactments Merry-go-round and jumping castle Old Fashioned School Room Horse drawn Wagon rides Light Horse Regiment Animals & Pony rides Nuts & Balls Displays

MUSIC

FOOD

STALLS

The Arms of Australia Inn Museum CNR GREAT WESTERN HIGHWAY & GARDENIA AVE, EMU PLAINS

For more information contact Museum 4735 4394 email info@armsofaustraliainn.org.au

2016 William Cox Historical Festival and Open Day THE Nepean District Historical Society will be holding their annual William Cox Historical Festival and Open Day at the Arms of Australia Inn Museum on July 17 at Emu Plains, NSW from 9am to 3pm. Admission is free.

The William Cox Festival celebrates one of the most important achievements in our early colonial history – the building of a road across the Blue Mountains in 1814.

William Cox built the road and construction started on 7 July 1814 at Emu Plains and finished on 14 January 1815. With a working party of 30 convicts and a handful of guards, Cox completed the 101-mile (163km) road in six months! The road opened up inland New South Wales to European settlement. Cox’s bullock cart was the first wheeled vehicle to pass over the Blue Mountains and down over Mt. York.

The Arms of Australia Inn Museum, which is administered by the Nepean District Historical Society, is nestled at the foot of the Blue Mountains and was an old coaching inn built in 1826. It was the last stop before starting up the mountain road and the trail west to Bathurst, Orange and the gold diggings. The inn operates as a-handson museum and displays artifacts from the area, a number of which are in working order.

The NSW Corp of Marines, who recreates the lives and times of the First Fleet Marines, will be at the festival and will be in charge of keeping law and order, helped by members of the 5th Light Horse Regiment from Windsor. The marines will have displays, drills, and floggings of miscreants and re-enactments from the life and times of the early colony.

As in previous years, the festival will have a host of activities for young and old - including wagon rides, animal farm, pony rides, the old fashioned school room where you can write on slates, merry-goround and jumping castle, plus plenty of stalls and food. Entertainment will include the Tall Timbre Country and Western Band.

The Arms of Australia Inn Museum is on the corner of Great Western Highway and Gardenia Avenue, Emu Plains, NSW. For more information call 4735 4394 on open days.

27 Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Recipe for success LOCAL Mount Druitt chefs – Patricia Dacayo (22) and Chelsea Williams (18) who both work at Amora Hotel Jamison Sydney – had their cooking skills recognised last week when they went hatto-hat at TAFE NSW (Ryde Campus) in the 2016 Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award cook-off challenge and took home a bronze medal.

Australia’s longest running culinary competition saw the regions best upand-coming young chefs step up to the plate over two days (Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd), going all out to deliver their best dishes.

Patricia and Chelsea’s bronze winning menu included; main course of pan fried chateaubriand, carpaccio of short ribs with ricotta, mushroom sphere, miniature legumes and thyme port jus and dessert course of caramel flan, crushed almond praline, coconut parfait, grapefruit gel and rhubarb coulis.

The pair who entered the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award to see how they would stack up against other young chefs said, “It was a great

Heavens Above with Reverend Ross Hutchison

Do you think Jesus knew how to rock and roll?

experience and an opportunity for us to showcase our passion for cooking as well as our skills and talent in the kitchen.”

Australian Culinary Federation Competition Director, Deb Foreman said, “We applaud all the young chefs that competed. Putting yourself up to be judged on your culinary talent amongst your peers is tough and we know that they will all take a lot from the experience of competing, in honing their skills and gaining more knowledge.”

Taking part in the Nestlé Golden Chef’s Hat Award offers a great learning experience for young chefs looking to push themselves to the next level and advance their culinary careers by being judged to globally recognised standards on the presentation and overall taste of the dishes they create.

In actual fact, he didn’t need to know how.

When you look at what he achieved and look at what he could do.

He did it all without microphones, public address systems, massive amplifiers and speakers.

Had no need for recording studios, advertising agencies, Media Managers, lobbyists, Tour Managers, Lighting and Sound Directors, Camera Operators or Publicists.....OR...television and radio!

What an amazing man.

But! Can you imagine what he could have done with all of the above mentioned factors in place? The mind boggles!

I am further staggered by the millions of personnel and the amount of literature that his life has inspired over the past two thousand-odd years and continues to do so!

He was an amazing person that was unwavering in His life’s journey. He could not be compromised in what he taught and the way He led His life!

If only we could could have the sweetness and follow His leadership and....

“ALWAYS” Do unto others as we would have them do unto us!

Cheers for now Your Mate Rossco

Fire, ice, love, sorrow, piano and didgeridoo!

FROM the most delicate and sensual to the most vibrant and vivid rhythms, colours and energy, Elements will take you on a journey of discovery like no other. The elements of fire, ice, earth, dance, love, and sorrow are all explored in this captivating performance of piano and didgeridoo.

The highly talented trio of Bonnie Brown, Louisa Breen and Russell Smith will come together for this special recital involving two pianos and didgeridoo. The performance will feature the world premiere of Bird Morning, a new Ross Edwards composition written especially for this accomplished trio.

Bonnie Brown has performed to critical acclaim across Europe, Asia and Australia in prominent music festivals and performance venues, as well as with Australia’s leading orchestras and on Australian radio. She received numerous internationally competitive scholarships from France and Australia to support her performance research in Paris, including the highly prestigious Winston Churchill Memorial Trust Fellowship.

Louisa Breen, too, has been the recipient of a vast number of accolades, including the Chappell Gold Medal in 1999 at the Royal College of Music in London, their highest prize for piano.

She has toured Australasia as a member of the RCM Premiere ensemble and performed regularly throughout the UK, including at Wigmore Hall, the

Purcell Room, Queen Elizabeth Hall, St Martin-in-the-Fields and Winchester Cathedral.

The multi-talented Russell Smith, a Pitjantjatjarra man from the Central Desert region of Australia, plays didgeridoo, acoustic and electric guitar.

Russell is a founding member of the award-winning and highly sought after Manta trio, which fuses indigenous, classical and folk traditions with didgeridoo, acoustic guitar and classical cello.

The program will also include Sculthorpe – Island Songs for two pianos and didgeridoo: 1. Songs of Home (dedicated to the Brown & Breen Piano Duo); Rachmaninoff – Symphonic Dances op. 45 for two pianos, four hands: 1. Non allegro; Piazzolla – Selected Tangos for two pianos; Lutosławski – Paganini Variations for two pianos; Brahms – Selected Waltzes for piano duet; and Ravel – La Valse.

Be amongst the first to experience and meet these renowned artists at the world premiere of Elements.

The Concert starts at 8pm on Saturday, 13 August 2016.

TICKETS – $50 ADULT / $45 CONCESSION All tickets include complimentary wine, cheese and crackers at a postshow reception, offering the opportunity to meet the artists.

To book call The Joan’s Box Office on 4723-7600 or online at www.thejoan. com.au

29 Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

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Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

Confronting art at Lewers Gallery

By Keegan Thomson

AT a time when conflict is raging across many countries of the world the Penrith Regional Gallery is hosting a new exhibition that is forcing us to think about the human impacts of war.

The Lewers Gallery and the Penrith Regional Gallery is hosting the last leg of the national touring exhibition of work from George Gittoes called I Witness.

The exhibition displays some of Gittoes’ work including documentary film, photographs, paintings and visual arts sketches, all playing on the theme of war, violence and protest.

Krissie Scudds from the Penrith Region Gallery said even with the graphic nature of the artwork there are many elements to it.

“It has been really well received. There are some quite confronting and difficult themes within the works but the main element in the art is of shock,” she said.

“The most interesting thing about Gittoes is that he forces us to face international conflicts and the violent and difficult themes around,” Ms Scudds said.

“Some of those more prominent themes in the works includes power and humanity.”

George Gittoes has spent many years as an artist covering conflicts across Africa, Iraq, Afghanistan and Asia and the I Witness exhibition brings together his 45 years of experiences into one room.

Marion Simpson, the Exhibition Manager at the Penrith Region Gallery said George Gittoes sees

himself himself as the audience’s perspective of hope.

“The titling of the exhibition very much speaks to the idea that we have him as the lone and pivotal viewer of violence and conflict, but in a way that creates an opportunity for hope,” Ms Simpson said.

Across the exhibition the upsetting and brutal themes in the art are contrasted by the violent and bold colours used to paint the works, which leaves

the art up to personal thought and representation.

“Gittoes leaves a lot of his work up to personal representation and because the artworks are so accessible anyone can walk up and make their own mind up about what the artworks have to say,” Ms Simpson said.

I Witness will be on display at the Penrith Regional Gallery until August 21.

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32

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Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

Lord Almighty, feel the temperature rising!

By Keegan Thomson

MAX Pellicano was born in Monte Carlo, raised in New York and was educated in California, and today he performs under a very famous name, Elvis Presley.

Elvis to the Max is the name of Max Pellicano’s stage show tribute to the King of Rock ’n’ Roll and it will be coming to the Rooty Hill RSL on August 12 before heading off on a national tour.

On the phone from Detroit, Michigan Mr Pellicano said he works hard to ensure he can be as true to character as possible.

“I see myself almost as a method actor,” he said. “It takes me about an hour to get into character. I’ll start talking like him, singing like him. I try to become him as he would be himself. I think, what was he thinking, what was he doing?”

Max said.

Elvis to the Max has been touring Australia for the last 25 years and his new production called The King In Concert will feature music from three of the King’s best know concerts.

“I’ll be doing performances from some of his greatest concerts. We’ll do the show in three stages, Elvis on tour, That’s the Way it is, and Aloha from Hawaii via Satellite,” he said.

“It is going to be a real live concert show, people will be dancing,” Mr Pellicano promised.

Reflecting on his personal favourite song from the extensive Elvis catalogue, Mr Pellicano said his favourite Elvis song was Burning Love.

“When I was studying, I was working my way through uni with a rock band, and Burning Love was always on the radio at the time. When we’d play everyone kept requesting that we play Burning Love, so that was the first Elvis song I performed live on stage,” he said.

The King in Concert tour will also be a special performance for Max Pellicano because it will be

his 25th anniversary of touring around Australia, something which Max said he very much enjoys.

“I’ve come to Australia so many times, for me, it feels like my second home,” he said.

Tickets are available for The King in Concert show on August 12 at the Rooty Hill RSL through www.rootyhillrsl.com.au/elvis-to-the-max-2016.

Hurry they’re sure to sell out!

SUDOKU: EASY SOLUTION: 30th June

33 Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

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

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Reverend (8) 5 Delegate (6) 9 Width of a circle (8) 10 Makes angry (6) 12 Accumulation (9) 13 Verbalize (5) 14 Fee (4) 16 Vigilant (7) 19 Floating mass of frozen water (7) 21 The founder of a family (4) 24 Hindu loincloth (5) 25 Apparently (9) 27 Blanks at the start of a new paragraph (6) 28 Inherent aptitude (8) 29 Contraptions (6) 30 Simile (8)

DOWN 1 Lunatic (6) 2 Subtlety (6) 3 Vista (5) 4 Old Testament prophet (7) 6 Woodpecker (9) 7 Recognize or name (8) 8 Holes in the nose (8) 11 Chew (4) 15 Submissive behavior (9) 17 What Nero was doing (8) 18 Recharged a weapon (8) 20 Mirth (4) 21 The systematic study of things (7) 22 Odor (6) 23 A marine mollusk (6) 26 Additional (5)

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In fact, you can follow this trend back to the start

of the year. Our latest research figures show that there were 40% fewer properties listed in Q1 of 2016 than there were in Q1 of 2015.

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very little competition from others, so your home is primed to get maximum exposure to potential buyers. Appearing high up on those realestate.com. au searches makes a real difference! Come Spring the market is likely to be flooded with homes and it will be considerably harder to stand out.

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36 Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

Robin Hood Inn/Hotel Blacktown

Early Photo of Robin Hood Inn

L

OCAL talk suggests that the ‘Robin Hood Inn’ ceased to exist on the eve of receiving Heritage Listing. In a shock move, the demolishers moved in overnight and took down the entire building in 1985. People familiar with the Robin Hood Inn could not believe their eyes. The building, which replaced the old Royal Hotel, had stood on the site, opposite Blacktown Station, for fifty-eight years.

The building was the work of well-known architect Cyril Christian Ruwald (1895-1959), who designed hotels for Tooth & Co. during the 1930s and 1940s. Ruwald designed the ‘Bull and Bush’ hotel, located at Baulkham Hills, along the same lines as the ‘Robin Hood.’ It is clear that Ruwald’s time spent abroad heavily influence the English style design of both buildings and is reminiscent of what has been termed Inter-War Old English style architecture.

In October 1936, Ruwald signed over the contract for the erection of the ‘Robin Hood’ to the building firm Hutcheson Bros, who were located at Hunter Street, Sydney. A newspaper announcement of the time stated the contractors were rebuilding a ‘residential hotel at Blacktown to be called the ‘Robin Hood Inn.’ The Construction and Real Estate Journal announced that it was pleasing to see hotels (like the Bull and Bush Inn and Robin Hood Inn) of such high quality erected in country centres of New South Wales.

Newspapers in July 1937 also revealed that quite a fanfare surrounded the official opening performed by the president of Blacktown Shire Council, Councillor A.L. Francis. He congratulated Mrs Ada Green on the enterprise that realised a building, which was a great credit to the district, and one that marked a ‘definite step in the progress of Blacktown.’

Councillor Francis added that Mrs Green and her family, who conducted the former Royal Hotel for a decade, had many friends in the district.

Responding, on behalf of his mother, Eric Green said the building design would provide an atmosphere of rest and comfort commonly found in European hotels.

Sunken gardens graced the entrance to the inn, while the foyer contained arched doorways leading into a private bar furnished with sumptuous leather chairs. Tiles adorned the floor of the public bar that had a ‘rubber inlaid counter.’ The colour scheme for these rooms, and the

Early example of Tooth’s bottled beer

private lounges and dining room on the ground floor, was ‘brown, fawn and green.’

A carpeted stairway led to an upper storey containing nine bedrooms with toilet facilities. The colour scheme on the second floor was a ‘pleasing shade of brown’ with cream coloured tiles in the toilets. Guests had the advantage of running hot and cold water in every room as well as the use of ‘delightful sun balconies.’ The cellar featured the latest lowpressure gas system for delivering beer to the bar, a refrigerating plant, as well as ‘the only revolving bottle washer of its kind in the State.’

During the 1950s, the Robin Hood Inn was the centre of controversy when the establishment was ‘black banned’ by a resident group called the Liquor Reform League. The ban was imposed because the League did not agree with Saturday trading hours or the distribution of bottle beer (by ticket) imposed by the licensee. The latter was common in other hotels at the time and created a black market in bottled beer.

According to the Tribune newspaper, the situation improved at the hotel after the licensee and the resident group reached an agreement. The former agreed to having a minimum of six barrels of beer for Saturday mornings (instead of just three or four); to issue new bottle tickets to requalified patrons; to improve washing of glasses and the number of staff on taps. He also agreed to call for tenders for the beer garden and toilet in accordance with the Licensing Court instructions. The last point of the agreement stated that drinkers involved in the ban were not to receive unfair treatment.

Stories abound about the unpleasant nature of the 6 o’clock swill, a situation created after Australia introduced early closing in hotels as part of its austerity measures during the First World War. It was no different at the Robin Hood Inn. A common sight saw workers leap off the train at Blacktown and rush over to the hotel for a quick beer or two before re-boarding the train. Early closing ended in New South Wales in 1955.

Over the years, newspapers reported instances of illegal gambling on the premises, fines for the serving of liquor out of hours and fines given to desperate men who tried to pass themselves off as travellers. However, the once grand hotel still lives on in the memory of Blacktown residents.

Supplied by Blacktown & District Historical Society

Panthers headed for busy week in Waratah League

MY STORY

By Noel Rowsell

MY name is Nathan Pentecost and I am the captain of the Panther’s Wheelchair Rugby League team. I’ve created this page because I want to make a difference.

I’m inspired by the work of Wheelchair Rugby League Australia Incorporated and want to support them by raising money. Men of League have kindly offered to support my event so I would also like to raise awareness of Men of League as they are a great organisation.

The money raised will go towards the purchase of 5 Wheelchair Rugby League sports chairs so that people in Western Sydney are able to play Wheelchair Rugby League.

Each Wheelchair Rugby League chair is worth $5000.

To raise money I will push my wheelchair 100km around the Sydney International Regatta Centre (near Penrith) on the 29th and 30th of July.

Please help me help them by giving whatever you can using the ‘Give Now’ button.

All donations are tax deductible. The more people that know about Wheelchair Rugby League Australia Incorporated, the greater their impact, so please also spread the word by sharing my page with your friends and family.

Thank you in advance for your generosity, it means a lot! https://give.everydayhero.com/au/pentecosts-men-of-league-pushathon

in Average Points per Game and 4th in Total Rebounds.

Panthers team-mate Tatiana THE NSW Under 16 Beaumont averaged 4.3 points Metropolitan Women’s team and 5.5 rebounds per game reached the grand final of the during the tournament.

Australian U16 Championships Penrith’s Ruvall James last week, only to fall 64-38 to (RJ) Estacio was a member Victoria Metro in the battle for of the NSW Metro Men’s the Gold and Silver medals. team, which finished in The Blues started the ninth position in the Men’s tournament poorly, suffering Division. two big losses in their first two The Penrith Panthers three games but won the remainder of Youth League teams face a their games in the preliminary busy schedule for Round 19 rounds to reach the playoffs. of the 2016 Waratah Youth NSW Metro subsequently League competition. defeated Victoria Country 66The Division One Men 57 in the quarter final and South play the Blacktown Storm Australia Metro 70-55 in the on Thursday night in Mt semi-final to reach the grand Druitt, then face the Northern final, where they faced the Meg Jefferson in action for the Penrith Suburbs Bears in Crows Nest imposing Victoria Metro.

Panthers Youth League Women’s team. on Saturday, before returning The Victorians were the hot Photo courtesy of Noel Rowsell home on Sunday to host the favourites to take the title and (www.photoexcellence.com.au) Maitland Mustangs at 3pm subsequently crushed NSW Metro by 37 points to take the Gold Medal, with on Sunday at the Penrith Valley Regional Sports NSW winning Silver in a what was still a great Centre, Cambridge Park.

The Panthers have no chance of reaching this comeback performance.

Penrith’s Meg Jefferson was the catalyst for NSW year’s playoffs but will be looking to go out in style recovery in the preliminary rounds and continued to with a couple of upset victories.

The Division One Women had an upset 71-70 loss play superbly in the playoffs.

Jefferson impressed in all three playoff games, to third-placed Hills District Hornets on Saturday scoring 10 points / 14 boards against Vic Country and will be looking to get back into form against the in the quarter final, 9 points / 13 boards against SA Bears on Saturday.

The Division Two Men had an 85-76 loss to the Metro in the semi-final and 12 points / 12 boards in Sydney Uni Lions on Saturday but should return the grand final.

Jefferson also finished the tournaments highly- to winning form when they host the Springwood placed in the national player rankings, finishing 7th Scorchers at 1pm on Sunday.

#SIDELINE-EYE

with Jarrod with Jarrod McGrouther McGrouther

‘KEEPING YOU UP TO SPEED WITH LOCAL SPORTS IN THE NEPEAN AREA’ @J_MCGROUTHER RUGBY

It was a tough weekend for the Penrith Emus, with the side facing tough opposition in the way of Southern Districts, away from home. In first grade, Districts were too strong, with Penrith going down gallantly 64-13. Second grade didn’t fair much better, losing 55-6. With the regular season competition almost over, the boys need everyone’s support as they host West Harbour this weekend.

NETBALL

AFL

After having a 2-2 record after the first month of the 2016 season, the Penrith Rams recorded their ninth consecutive win with a 108 victory over Sydney University on Saturday at Greygums Oval. The win saw them retain second spot on the ladder. The match was played on a soft ground but a six goal to zero first quarter paved the way for the big victory. Jake Pianta was outstanding along with Brayden Wilson, whilst the power forward duo of Phil Aumann and Mitch Stevens provided a haul of four goals each.

The Ramettes, on the back of a two game losing streak, accounted for the Wollondilly Knights by 45 points. Jessie Burnham booted three, with Georgina White and Bek Boyes providing the spark during the game. On Saturday, Firsts and the girls head to Manly to take on the Giants, whilst Reserves and Thirds battle it out with Pennant Hills Demons at Greygums Oval on Sunday with the first match commencing at 10am.

In an exciting weekend of Netball for the Panthers, two thrilling fixtures played out against the Central Coast Hearts. The U20’s girls went down 47-41 in a tight affair, and to quote Panthers Netball twitter, the Opens gave Central Coast a ‘heart’ attack, finishing the game tied at 53 all.

WHEELCHAIR RUGBY LEAGUE

Following last weeks story on Nathan Pentecost and his tremendous work, we’ve got our hands on Nathan’s fundraising page for his upcoming fundraising effort. The money raised will go towards the purchase of five Wheelchair Rugby League sports chairs so that people in western Sydney are able to play Wheelchair Rugby League. Each Wheelchair Rugby League chair is worth $5000. Visit https://give.everydayhero.com/au/pentecost-s-menof-league-pushathon for more information.

Read his story above.

37 Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

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penrith panthers celebrating 50 years

Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

Zak prepared to put in the hard yakka

By Stewart Moses @TheRiffMarn

PENRITH’S newest recruit, Zak Hardaker has achieved it all in the English Super League with Leeds Rhinos.

Two Super League titles, a Challenge Cup and a World Club Championship, culminating with Man of Steel honours in 2015 (the official Super League player of the year award).

But having moved to the NRL in search of a new challenge, Hardaker told Nepean News that he has hardly been more nervous as he bided his time on the bench awaiting that moment when he would debut against the Wests Tigers.

“I get nervous before every game but I had a few more nerves tumbling around in my tummy before Wests Tigers playing in this stadium,” the English international admitted.

“Sitting on the bench I was getting pretty nervous as the clock started ticking on, knowing that I was going on at some point.

“It was a big occasion being my first time on the other side of the world with a new team in a new league and

Zak Hardaker on debut against the Wests Tigers. Credit: 77 Media

you don’t get to play in many stadiums like this back home.”

But despite playing left centre instead of his preferred position at fullback, Hardaker was pleased to get through the game despite the loss.

“It was just great to get out there and get the chance to earn some respect and show my new team-mates what I’ve got to offer,” Hardaker said.

“When I finally got out there I treated it like any other game and really enjoyed it.

“It’s what I’ve always wanted to do

since I was a child so to play my first NRL game was special.”

Having arrived less than five days before the Tigers clash, Hardaker admitted he didn’t think he would debut until last Sunday’s clash against the Sharks, in order to get to know his new team-mates and learn how they play as a team, while adding he already feels at home at Penrith.

“I was surprised to play to be honest,” Hardaker declared.

“I only had two sessions (that week) and I thought I might have my first game (against the Sharks) once I got some more training under my belt and understood the different plays and calls.

“I’ve also got about thirty guys where I just need a little time for their names to sink in.”

“But the club’s been fantastic since I’ve been here and has looked after me really well.

“On that first training session on the Wednesday, I feel like I have fitted in straight away and all the boys and staff are brilliant so I feel pretty relaxed and at home.

Hardaker’s early life in the NRL has been interesting to say the least.

Against the Tigers, Hardaker felt he was unlucky not to score on debut,

despite having an unmarked Isaah Yeo on his outside.

“Yeah I saw (Yeo) on the outside but I wanted to see what the outside defender did and he went outside so I thought well it’s got to be on for me but then all three of them swarmed me,” Hardaker said.

“I thought I was a bit unlucky as I felt they stripped the ball but the referees didn’t agree.

“So close but so far on that one.”

A week later and a starting debut at home against competition leaders, Cronulla in his preferred position at fullback, was no doubt a tough affair, highlighted just how much more physical the NRL is but it’s a challenge that Hardaker won’t back away from.

“The NRL is quite different. In Super League you seem to have more time with the ball when you attack the line but the physicality here is different,” Hardaker confirmed.

“I found that out playing last year in the test series against the Kiwis, so before I came over I was half expecting the NRL to be very physical anyway.

“But I like it physical. I like it when it’s a bit rough.

“I’m accustomed to it back home so it’s not a total shock to my system.”

penrith panthers celebrating 50 years

Sports Scenes

(With Thanks to 77 Media)

The cameras of 77 Media were on hand for what was an emotional and extra-ordinary afternoon of footy that offered something for everyone as Penrith hosted the competition leaders, Cronulla

Jamie Soward says farewell to the Penrith faithful

As a youngster in the crowd listened intently.

While the heroes of tomorrow from Milton-Ulladulla Under 7’s led out their heroes of today.

One would think it was raining dogs

.....or a Black Cat!

But despite DWZ’s and the Panthers’ best efforts the Sharks were just too strong on the night

COACH’S CORNER When is the best time to specialise?

BROCK SHEPPERD

NRL Level 3 High Performance Rugby League Coach Masters of Coach Education, Sydney University Listen in to the Fifth and Last NRL Podcast, available every Wednesday in the Podcast App, iTunes and on audioBoom b.shepperd@hotmail.com

IN my last column I addressed the issues surrounding early specialisation and the negative consequences it can cause. I am now going to expand on the issue of specialisation and look at the optimal time to consider it after the development and sampling phase from 6 to 15 years of age.

Athletes who are exposed to an enjoyable sporting experience in a variety of different sports and environments with different coaches and team mates will be ready for specialisation at an earlier age. This does not mean we should push young athletes into playing multiple sports in short periods of time to expedite the process, we let this process take its natural course and the athlete will more often than not exhibit signs which tell you when it is time to focus and specialise on one particular sport.

This timing is critical and is suggested to always be after the age of 15 years due to both the physical changes during puberty in both genders which can affect their ability to become successful and elite in a particular sport and also to give the athlete ample time to sample and experience a variety of sports.

Studies show that athletes who associate fun and

enjoyment with sports are more likely to continue to participate into their teenage and adult years.

This relaxed approach creates a well-rounded and balanced athlete best prepared to narrow their focus into one particular sport after having a long and sustained period of mixed sports and environments during their youth sports development.

Studies also clearly show that athletes who specialise early when compared with those whom specialise late are not as successful in their progression into the elite levels of their chosen sport and overall their performance is of a lower standard compared to the athletes who specialise later as more balanced athletes with a multifaceted experience base to draw on.

The most important element in this argument which is often overlooked is the fact that to narrow a young mind and specialise in one sport is a huge challenge from a mental perspective. Young athletes need to be constantly stimulated and challenged mentally, and placing them in multiple sports and different environments under the tutelage of various coaches will ensure they are always having to think

their way through situations to problem solve in order to succeed within each sport. To narrow their focus onto one sport will often turn that mental challenge and stimulation into boredom and mental fatigue which will begin the process of resentment and a lack of enjoyment within their chosen sport.

The most important aspects we must consider and address are that athletes need to experience a variety of sports. As a general rule it is always best to specialise late rather than early. And we need to look at the long term development of athletes in order to give them the best chance to succeed at the elite level of their chosen sport. We need to ensure as coaches we are producing players who can make intelligent decisions and problem solve while under pressure and fatigue. Junior coaches should aim to educate their players to have the ability to selfcoach during games and difficult aspects within their sport, not to produce one dimensional robots.

In the coming weeks I will address both long term athlete development and also the notion that coaches should stop trying to produce robots and teach their players to think for themselves.

39 Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

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40

penrith panthers celebrating 50 years

Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

MG ON THE MARK

WITH MARK GEYER

IT’S ALL ABOUT THOSE DEFINING MOMENTS

Ben Barba - too good

Madness in Macquarie

THERE are defining moments in a rugby league season that either catapult or puncture.

The Penrith Panthers have had lots of highs this season, the debuts of a handful of rookies being amongst the tip. But conversely there have been three games in particular this year that the mighty Mountain Men may look back and rue as we round the bend and make that final run for September (finals) action.

Round 4 away against the Dragons is one, going down 14-12 in the 77th minute to a Dugan try and Widdop goal. Round 11 is another going down at home to the Gold Coast Titans after leading by 10 points with only 8 minutes remaining on the clock. But tries to Ash Taylor and Anthony Don plus a goal to Taylor saw the Titans come from nowhere to snatch victory.

Defining.

And finally ‘THAT GAME’ that may just have ended any hope of a real tilt at the top 4 was the one last Sunday against the high flying Sharks. With 5 of their players out through origin selection the boys from the Shire looked ripe for picking, only problem was nobody told them. In a masterclass they handed Anthony Griffins men one of their bigger losses of the year. How? Panthers had more ball and completed more sets than their counterparts, they even had the penalties go their way 10-6. Both teams made and missed close to the same amount of tackles, Penrith even off-loaded the ball 14 times compared to the undermanned Cronulla 14-9. I think if we judge this game on the stats it dished up two stand out that went against the Panthers. Both teams had almost the exact same runs in the game ( 172-169) but it’s the metres made that is cause for concern. Of their 172 runs Penrith made 1412 metres. The Sharks on the other hand ran 1578 with their 169 efforts. Quick calculations sees an average

Town Beach Port Macquarie

Just couldn’t escape the jaws of the Sharks

of just over a metre each player ran the ball. Doesn’t seem much but stretch it out over 80 minutes and it’s profound.

The other stat way against the Panthers was their kicking game, or lack there of. Both teams kicked the ball 17 times in the game. Penrith made 365 metres with their kicking game the Sharks a whopping 525, nearly 200 metres more.

That’s a lot of starting sets of your own line. But hey, that’s the statistical side of the game. Anyone who has played or watched footy know that games are won on effort and desire alone,not stats. This Sunday against our arch rivals the Eels is the perfect chance to atone on what was a game to forget for Panther fans last Sunday.

And another thing...

Lots has happened in the last two weeks since I last wrote for this fine publication. For a start I was on a two week holiday where we spent the first week in Port Macquarie and the second catching up on some taped tv.

Meanwhile a lot has occurred in that space so let’s try and quickly catch up. England is on its Pat Malone. We don’t know as a nation if we should vote for Martha or Arthur hence we are continually confused when it comes to Australian politics. Oscar Pistorius gets 6 years for taking a beautiful soul’s life.

The Hayne Plane has been grounded in going any further in the Fiji Olympic union 7’s team hinting at a return to his beloved Eels. And everyone’s second team the Cronulla Sharks have won 13 games straight!! Try predicting any of that 6 months ago....

Take care and I’ll see ya at the game.

MG (random Westie) OAM

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44

penrith panthers celebrating 50 years

Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

GOLDEN POINTS WITH STEW MOSES

@THERIFFMARN

PEACHEY DEFINITELY NOT ON THE OUTER AT PENRITH DESPITE BEING DROPPED AGAIN IT was surprising to say the least to see Tyrone Peachey arrive to play last Saturday in the Intrust Super Premiership at North Sydney Oval.

But before any suggestions that Peachey was on the outer could take hold, Phil Gould confirmed via Twitter that he was dropped for disciplinary reasons and is still very important to the club.

Anthony Griffin further alluded after the Panthers loss to Cronulla that Peachey was dropped for missing a rehab session before confirming that he would be available for first grade this week.

As we went to press last edition, news emerged that Jamie Soward had secured a release from the Panthers to taken up an opportunity to play with the London Broncos for the remainder of 2016.

Whilst many questioned the club’s decision to allow him to leave early, it was a selfless act on Soward’s part given it’s believed he has taken a significant cut as part of his settlement.

His departure no doubt has also enabled the club to re-sign Mansour and possibly Peter Wallace.

Once Soward’s playing days are done (expected to be at the end of 2018 if he can secure a deal with either London, Widnes, St Helens or Leeds) it’s likely he will return to Penrith in a coaching capacity.

It was also fitting that Soward was afforded a very public farewell in front of his home crowd last Sunday prior to flying out for the UK the next night.

Meanwhile former Panther, James Segeyaro has revealed to the UK media he is in fact contracted to Leeds until the end of 2018, although he still has that option in his favour to return to the NRL. In some bad news for the club, Anthony Griffin confirmed Sam McKendry faces at least seven months recovery after doing both his ACL and MCL against the Tigers.

Griffin described the knee injury as being similar to that suffered by fellow Kiwi Peta Hiku.

The news is much brighter in relation to Te Maire Martin with Griffin confirming that Martin, who received medical clearance to resume full training, is three weeks away and will likely comeback via the Intrust Super Premiership to gain some confidence before being considered for first grade.

Coffee Club near the Nepean River.

Also congratulations to Penrith’s Oliver Clark who has being selected to start at prop for the Under 20’s clash with Queensland.

Blacktown Workers have linked up with Manly to become their main feeder club in NSWRL competitions.

The deal will see Manly will play Intrust Super Premiership games at HE Laybutt Reserve and Blacktown will make their contracted players available to Manly instead of Penrith, with immediate effect.

There’s a very important reason why Panthers RL CEO, Corey Payne was not at last Sunday’s game. He was already committed to undertaking further studies at Tsinghua University, in Beijing China, prior to taking up the CEO role.

Tyrone Peachey set to return this week for Penrith against Parramatta. Credit 77 Media

Both Will Smith and George Jennings both confirmed on Hawkesbury Radio that their playing futures were far from resolved.

Smith said while he hasn’t heard from the club, he loves the area and would prefer to stay at the club.

George hosed down suggestions that he and younger brother Robert are signed, sealed and delivered to South Sydney but one still gets the feeling neither will be at Penrith next year.

Speaking of player movements, the CourierMail reports that the Panthers are interested in signing exciting Gold Coast Titans and NSW Under 20s centre Brian Kelly.

The news comes after the same paper recently reported that the Titans are set to pursue Dallin Watene-Zelezniak as their new fullback.

It’s pleasing to see Matt Moylan back in the 17man squad for Origin Three replacing injured half, Adam Reynolds.

Moylan, who has been named on the bench, confirmed that NSW coach Laurie Daley paid him a personal visit last Sunday week to inform him of his initial decision to replace him with James Tedesco, which in part explains why Daley was seen at the

ootcamps, ate in our B ip ic rt a p to like reas! who would rrounding a from those err, in Penrith and su st re te in . g kin ssion ttemb We are see egin in Sep er 1 hour se m.au 0 people p which will b 1 to d rfitness.co e it th be lim wildpan e @ fo in t: Groups will a e now ase enquir rested, ple te in e ’r u If yo

Congratulations to prop Moses Leota and his partner, who are expecting their first child possibly on New Years’ Day. The little furry black cat that appeared on the field last Sunday against the Sharks has proved to be a winner for Panthers media, who engaged plenty of fans to come up with a name.

From the short list, fans voted that the cat, known on Twitter as @penrithcat should be renamed “Ryan Purrdler” in honour of Panthers legend, Ryan Girdler.

There’s no truth in rumours the Panthers will be fined for having 14 on the field either.

Our own Mark MG Geyer has been confirmed as host of a special screening of fellow Penrith local Heath Davis’ film, “Broke” at Hoyts Penrith next Wednesday night at 6:30pm and will partake in a Q & A session after the screening.

For tickets, go to www.tugg.com/events/117352 After a three-week hiatus, be sure to catch up with Episode Ten of “The Sin Bin” with Mark “MG” Geyer and myself, available now on https://soundcloud.com/user-127982816 .

Of course if you have any Panthers news you wish to share, email me stewart@nepeannews.com.au See you at the game!

REPEAT SETS WITH STEW MOSES

@THERIFFMARN

WILL THE PANTHERS PICK UP THE FINALS PACE AS THE PACK TURNS FOR HOME? TO say the last fortnight has been a disappointment in Pantherland would be an understatement.

Even though the Panthers have only lost two in a row, it’s the manner of the losses that have left many fans scratching their heads.

First up the Panthers lost a very winnable game against the Tigers. Early on, the Panthers gave every indication they were on track for an impressive win, jumping out to a 14-2 lead midway through the first half, despite the early loss of Sam McKendry to a season-ending knee injury.

But a combination of uncharacteristic errors from the likes of Matt Moylan and the ability of James Tedesco to exploit Bryce Cartwright’s defensive frailties defending three in, allowed the Tigers to roar back into the game to lead 22-14.

That lead stretchered out to 20 points but the Panthers had numerous opportunities of their own to bridge the gap throughout the half but only managed to score two late consolation tries to add some respectability to a 34-26 score that left coach Anthony Griffin bitterly disappointed.

A week later the Panthers on paper were presented with the opportunity to end Cronulla’s winning streak at twelve, after the Sharks were missing five due to Origin.

Sadly, while most pundits jumped to the conclusion of making Penrith false favourites when in fact the Panthers already missing two of their own to Origin were also missing four other key players, while one other was demoted for disciplinary reasons.

The warning lights should have been flashing when Phil Gould revealed the Panthers 17 with just 820 NRL games experience between them, were the most inexperienced side to represent Penrith for seven years (to the day).

In contrast the Sharks, who had used just 19 players all season and still had over 2,000 NRL games experience coming into this clash were far better placed to cover their losses and should never have been the rank outsiders going into this clash.

The Panthers threw everything but the kitchen sink at Cronulla in the first half but couldn’t find the plug to make the sink work as they conjured up just six points at half-time despite enjoying 58% possession and a generous 7-1 penalty count that enabled the Panthers to have 27-2 tackles inside the opposition 20.

Having weathered the storm and regaining an even flow of possession, the Sharks capitalised on a terrible five minute lapse from the Panthers to record

Burgess powered back into the game to tail by just 28-22 before Josh Hall scored a 90m intercept try to seal the win for the Panthers.

Hall’s haul of two tries and five goals for eighteen points sees the AFL convert take the lead as the competition’s top point-scorer.

This week the Panthers return to take on competition high-flyers, the Illawarra Cutters before enjoying the bye the following week.

Will Peter Wallace (Elbow) play this Sunday?

If not who will? Credit: 77 Media

an effortless 26-10 win that sees them become just one of five teams to win thirteen straight.

Penrith, having been elevated to the top eight courtesy of Parramatta’s twelve point penalty becoming official, slipped to tenth, two points outside the eight with that loss to Cronulla.

IN Intrust Super Premiership action, it’s been an up and down fortnight (but not in that order) for the Panthers.

Coming off their 60-6 demolition job on Newtown, Penrith were heavily backed to continue their fivegame winning streak against a Wentworthville side, who were looking to end a nine-game losing streak.

Despite a powerhouse performance from Viliame Kikau, who broke his season-long style try-scoring drought with a double, the Magpies led by the experienced Jeff Robson, were able to hold off a finishing Penrith to win 28-24.

Cue to last Saturday where the Panthers came up against fellow top eight side, North Sydney at a ground that has troubled the Panthers more than most over recent times.

Boosted by the inclusion of Tyrone Peachey and led once again by Kikau, who scored one and set up another, Penrith jumped out to a 22-nil lead.

But the Bears on the back of late inclusion, George

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IN Holden Cup, the Panthers continue to lead the competition by five points and remain unbeaten in 14 games despite having their winning streak ended in last Sunday’s 34-34 draw against the Sharks.

A week earlier, the Panthers despite again fielding a similarly weakened side managed to beat another top eight side in the Wests Tigers 24-16.

The Panthers next face second placed Parramatta this Sunday before travelling to Brisbane to take on the Broncos who are just outside the eight.

WITH Origin all over for another year, this fortnight represents the start of the run in for the finals and with the Panthers outside the top eight, can ill-afford losses against the Eels at home this Sunday along with the Broncos five days later in Brisbane.

Penrith have named a 20-man squad for this Sunday’s clash as they hope to welcome back Matt Moylan and Josh Mansour from Origin duty, while Zak Hardaker returns to the centres.

Importantly despite Phil Gould stating on twitter that Peter Wallace’s scan results on his injured elbow don’t look good and was seeing the surgeon on Tuesday, he has nonetheless been named to start at hooker.

Tyrone Peachey returns from his one-week demotion on a seven-man bench that also includes Dylan Edwards, Will Smith and Sitaleki Akauola, as Griffin once again plays mind games with his team (it doesn’t help either when you say one thing release another as was the case last Sunday Hook!).

Losses against both the Eels and Broncos would push Penrith’s winless streak to four games and possibly two wins out of the eight with just six rounds remaining hence they need to get something out of the next fortnight to remain in the finals race.

Let’s Gone Panthers! #PantherPride

45 Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

penrith panthers celebrating 50 years

46

penrith panthers celebrating 50 years

Nepean News 14 July 2016 Issue 179

Garth Brennan faces uncertain future at Penrith

By Stewart Moses @TheRiffMarn

THE coaching future of Garth Brennan beyond 2016 remains unclear, but the offcontract Panthers assistant coach has played down recent comments made by head coach Anthony Griffin that his aspiration is to coach in the English Super League.

Brennan’s response comes after Griffin stated at a recent media session that his assistant coach aspired to coach in the UK, when asked whether he would want to retain Brennan’s services for next season.

The question came in the wake of rumours that had linked Penrith’s most successful lower grades coach to vacant roles at Hull KR and Huddersfield.

“Garth’s put his hand up for some roles in the UK,” Griffin stated.

“It’s all a business. If he happens to get a job there we’d be really happy for him.

“Garth’s a very good coach and I know he’s got aspirations to go to the UK and hopefully take up a Super League role.”

When approached by Nepean News, Brennan said that while he wants to coach at the highest level, that didn’t

The future of Panthers NRL assistant coach Garth Brennan is far from settled.

Credit 77 Media.

mean he needed to coach in the UK in order to do so, but stopped short of ruling out that option altogether.

“I have aspirations to coach at the highest level. You wouldn’t be coaching if you didn’t have those aspirations,” Brennan declared.

“It’s like anything you want to do in your career, you always want to try and do it at the highest level and achieve as best you can.

“But it’s a tough industry and there’s

only a limited amount of jobs available unfortunately. “(Yet) there’s a lot of coaches who haven’t gone to Super League and still got coaching jobs.

“It’s a case of if the right job came along that suited me and suited my family I’d certainly look at it but I’m not desperate to go to England and coach in the Super League either.”

Brennan admits that any decision to coach in the UK would be further complicated by the impact it would have on his family especially his wife, who enjoys a successful legal career in the Hunter region.

“That’s right she does (still successfully work in the legal profession) so that wouldn’t be an easy decision but if an opportunity came up I’d obviously consider it,” Brennan confirmed.

“I’d talk to my wife and we’d discuss it at length.

“But (in any case) there’s nothing in the pipeline at the moment.

“Rule a line through the current clubs I’m linked to.

“The Huddersfield job I think has recently been filled by Rick Stone, so as far as I’m aware there’s no vacancies over there (in the UK) at the moment.”

Having won the Holden Cup in 2013 and the then NSW Cup a year later,

Brennan also said while he was open to the idea of remaining with Penrith next season, he added there had been no concrete discussions in regards to a new deal.

“I’m off contract at Penrith at the end of this year. The exact role for me going forward I’m still a little uncertain of at the moment,” Brennan said.

“I’m just trying to do the best I can for Penrith for the remainder of this year.

“I’ll wait and see what jobs are available and make a decision that suits me and my family at the time.”

But apart from those title wins, Brennan says he can take considerable pride in playing an integral part of the club’s progress should he move on at season’s end.

“This is my fifth year at Penrith, whether I’m still at the club beyond this year that’s yet to be determined,” Brennan said.

“But the young guys that have progressed, that’s one thing I will be proud of if I do leave Penrith at the end of the year.

“I can look back and be very proud of the state the club is in.

“The place is in a better position then what it was when I arrived here and it’s probably one of my greatest achievements.”

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Thursday, 14 July 2016

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“A Dream Come True”: Dylan Edwards

By Stewart Moses @TheRiffMarn

20 year old Dylan Edwards, has capped what has already been a stellar 2016 by making his NRL debut in Penrith’s 26-10 loss to Cronulla last Sunday.

Since making the switch from wing to fullback for this year’s Holden Cup side, the Bellingen-Dorrigo Magpies junior had already earned Junior Kangaroos selection before being promoted to the Intrust Super Premiership side.

But despite having played just five games at Intrust Super Premiership level, Tyrone Peachey’s shock demotion from first grade opened the door for the young fullback’s selection against the competition leaders.

Edwards became Panther no. 564 after he was told of his selection last Thursday and was understandably elated to have achieved his dream.

“It’s unreal, just a dream come true really,” Edwards declared.

“It’s just pure happiness (to be told).

It’s something you aspire to as a kid.”

Edwards, who is under contract until 2018 and was presented with his jersey before the game by Ryan Girdler, wasn’t concerned that he was selected on the wing instead of his preferred position at fullback, adding that it was extra special to debut at home despite not getting the getting the win.

“I wasn’t really fussed (not playing fullback). I was just grateful for the opportunity to make my NRL debut,” Edwards explained.

“I just was thankful to debut in front of such a friendly crowd.

“I would have hated to have debuted in front of an opposition crowd.

“It was a good experience. It was very physical game, but we just didn’t come away with the result we would have liked.”

Coach Anthony Griffin was happy with Edwards’ first-up performance.

“I was happy with the way he went.

It was a tough night for him,” Griffin said.

“He came up with that try-saver

Dylan Edwards on debut against the Cronulla Sharks. Credit: 77 Media

early (on Valentine Holmes) and threw himself into the game early on.”

Edwards came close to making his debut against Melbourne earlier this season, when placed on standby for Josh Mansour.

But despite missing out, Edwards said he took plenty out of the

experience.

“It was good to see what training was like and spend time with the first graders and ask them for a few tips and tricks,” Edwards said.

“Matt Moylan especially was helpful, but anyone I asked gave me a hand, identifying little chinks in my armour and that’s helped me get to this level.”

Edwards’ 2016 goal was to simply play a game in the Intrust Super Premiership but admits he has to reevaluate those goals, even though the youngster could well find himself back in the Intrust Super Premiership with Matt Moylan and Josh Mansour set to return from Origin duties for this Sunday’s home game against Parramatta.

“My goal was just to play a game in the Intrust Super Premiership and get the opportunity to play against men,” Edwards declared.

“But I guess I have re-evaluate those goals now after today.

“I’ve just got to play it week by week at the moment and see where we go from here.”