Nepeannews 14september2017

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Thursday, 14 September 2017

ISSUE 209

Your Local Knockdown Rebuild Specialist

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PANTHER POWER Embarrassed 28-12 by Manly just seven days earlier, Penrith’s forward pack led by the likes of James Tamou (pictured) returned serve to produce a stunning 22-10 win over the Sea Eagles at Allianz Stadium.

But in order to make their fourth grand final appearance, Penrith will have to win on the road twice - against Brisbane and if successful, the minor premiers, Melbourne await. Photo: 77 Media.

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Come down to Jamison Park on Saturday 16 September from 9am to 12pm for Council’s free microchipping day to get your free pet microchip and speak to a range of animal services including the Coreen Ave Vet, RSPCA, DogWise and Cat Protection.

Microchipping your dog or cat is important. It helps keep them safe and means you can be reunited much quicker if your pet is lost. If your pet wanders or gets lost, vets, animal shelters and Council can scan their microchip and reunite you.

In NSW all dogs and cats must be microchipped by 12 weeks of age or before being sold or given away (whichever happens first).

Have you checked your pet’s microchip information lately? The easiest way to update your pet’s microchip details is online at

Services Worship and Communion Sunday 9:30am Wednesday Fellowship Wednesday 7:30pm Healing / Revival First Friday of Month 7:30pm Contact: (02) 9673 1009

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petregistry.nsw.gov.au. If the details on the microchip aren’t up to date, it can take a long time to find the pet’s owner, and in some cases pet and owner may never be reunited.

More information about microchipping your pet is available on Council’s website: penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/Services/Animals

Nepean News 14 September 2017 Issue 209

Free microchipping day

3

Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry

Ph: 9833 1122 154 Queen Street, St Marys londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au

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by Kerrie Davies With marriage equality being the hottest debate in town, you can guarantee when the subject gets raised on social media or in social circles, a war of words will break out between the respective Yes and No camps.

But am I the only one who just sees dialogue going round and round in circles aimlessly achieving absolutely zilch?

So many people, in both camps, are perched so high on their own grandstand that they can’t even open their mind to any kind of intelligent debate.

I’ve seen No voters of the Christian elk, who want to cling to the claim that being gay is a sin before God, yet somehow forget that God loves all creatures great and small and would also forgive this supposed sin. Note to over-the-top religious No voters: stopping gay marriage is not going to eradicate gayness. A percentage of the population will still be gay, whether they can marry or not.

I’ve seen Yes voters who think that they can shame and bully the No people into doing what they demand them to do. It just doesn’t work that way. Think Trump victory? Note to over-the-top fire-breathing Yes voters: “When I’m in the privacy of my own space recording my vote, I should heed the threats I received from aggressive people I don’t even know”... said nobody ever.

But stepping away from the extremes of both sides, it seems to me that the most common concern from the No and Undecided camps is the fear that this will be a step towards a gender neutral society; an opening for replacing long-held traditions and the eventual banishing of gender-specific terms.

I think many straight people are not bothered about same sex marriage when it doesn’t personally affect their life - but the fear of an onslaught of safe school programs does; fearing that they’ll have no control over some crazy left-wing ideology being rammed down the throats of their children.

So why not sensibly discuss that theory and question our leaders about it, instead of descending into battles about religious ideologies or abusing people over difference of opinion?

If the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader gave assurances that this is about the right for everyone to be able to marry the person they love regardless of their sex, and that they’d stand against any push to de-gender society, I don’t think we’d have such a divided nation on the topic.

Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

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Fight against cemetery continues

By Keegan Thomson

A STATEMENT from the Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust says they have obtained “consent” for acquiring 44 hectares of land on the Wallacia Golf Club for their cemetery and crematorium despite no State Government agency being named as a supporter.

Released on August 30, the statement says the Trust “has obtained NSW government consent for the acquisition of 44 hectares of land at Wallacia, currently operating as the Wallacia Golf Course, with plans to create 60,000 burial spaces over the next 50 years.”

At the time of going to press the Catholic Metropolitan Cemeteries Trust offered up no government agency or office who had given consent for the development of the cemetery and crematorium, leaving a big question mark over the validity of their statement.

Despite this both local State MPs Stuart Ayres and Tanya Davies have made their voices heard on the issue of the proposed cemeteries and crematorium in the Mulgoa Valley and Wallacia Village.

In a joint statement the pair have come out strongly against any current or future development of a gravesite at Fernhill Estate or the Wallacia Golf Club “We wish to make clear our opposition to both the Fernhill Estate and the Wallacia Golf

Club being used as future sites for cemetery developments,” both Mr Ayres and Mrs Davies said.

“We will continue to advocate within the New South Wales Government for no cemetery developments to take place within the Wallacia and Mulgoa Valley communities.

“Whilst we recognise the need for future work in relation to identifying appropriate cemetery sites under the planning framework, developments such as these do not meet community expectations,” the pair said.

Recently the Penrith Council weighed in on the debate.

Councillors voted unanimously to change laws that would disallow and lock out any potential cemeteries or crematoriums from Wallacia Village and the Mulgoa Valley. This is a notion that is shared by the local MPs. “It is important that the amenity of Wallacia and the Mulgoa Valley be maintained. It was never envisaged by the local community that large-scale cemeteries would be developed on either of these sites,” Mr Ayres and Mrs Davies said.

During the September Policy in Review meeting of Penrith Council, Councillor Bernard Bratusa threw his support behind all those who are fighting to keep the community cemetery free.

“It is a great part of our city,” Cr Bratusa said.

9834 1044 NEPEAN DISTRICT

Stuart Ayres

MP

Member for Penrith

5 Nepean News 14 September 2017 Issue 209

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Nepean Blue Mountains Hawkesbury Regional 2017 Spring Rose Show Rose Society of NSW Inc. With Floral Art/Photographic/African Violets/Vegetable/Flower Competitions to be held at

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Entries close 9.00pm Thursday 19 October and may be mailed, emailed or phoned to: Honorary Show Secretary - Glynis Hayne, 25 Forbes St., Emu Plains NSW 2750 | (P) 02 4735 1730 | (M) 0427 104 944 | africanqueen1@optusnet.com.au Show Manager – Doug Hayne | 02 4735 1730 | africanqueen1@optusnet.com.au The venue will be open to exhibitors for staging from 2pm – 5pm, however, please note different staging and judging times and days.

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Women could be put at risk

By Keegan Thomson

Federal Member for Lindsay, Emma Husar has declared the “ripping out of 75 percent of funding” a disgrace, following news the Turnbull government has allowed the privatisation of rape counselling services to go ahead.

Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia (RDVSA), has been providing trauma counselling to 1800 RESPECT since its inception in 2010. RDVSA has withdrawn from the 1800 RESPECT Trauma Counselling Service.

“The requirements imposed by Medibank Health Solutions, who run the service on behalf of the federal government compromises the trust and confidence of clients who used the service,” Ms Husar said.

Under the new contract, the private health insurance provider Medibank Health Solutions would have a direct impact on the integrity of how professional counsellors worked.

“These demands would have been in direct breach of their professional standards. Requirements to record conversations, hand over historical files and to provide information under

 Emma Husar MP in Parliament House. Photo: Supplied.

subpoena without challenge to a private operator raise serious ethical issues,” Ms Husar said.

Ms Husar met with Jane Gold, Chair of Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia and Manager of Penrith Women’s Health Centre who has declared the changes “grave.”

She said Penrith is in a vulnerable place at the moment and any cuts to services would send shockwaves across the region.

“Penrith Women’s Health Centre unequivocally supports RDVSA in their stand, but are extremely concerned for what this means

for women in general and women in Penrith particularly,’’ Ms Gold said. ‘’There are high and increasing rates of domestic violence in Penrith and very few services that provide the type of high quality, trauma specialist, free and safe support that RDVSA does,” she said.

Labor at both a State and Federal level are united in their condemnation of the privatisation and stand in condemnation of the Turnbull Government.

Federal Assistant Shadow Minister for Preventing Family Violence, Terri

Butler MP said survivors of domestic and family violence would be worse off under the Federal Government’s deal.

“The Turnbull government’s handsoff approach has led to the situation that survivors of violence are now facing: the loss of access to these recognised experts in trauma counselling, who have been providing the service since its inception,” Ms Buttler said.

NSW Shadow Minister for the Prevention of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Ms Jenny Aitchison has thrown NSW Labor’s full support against the privatisation of 1800 RESPECT. She says the Turnbull Government is too committed to business practices.

“This could have been fixed with an injection of a relatively small amount of funding, but with the Turnbull Government’s ideological commitment to competitive tendering, this is where we have landed - a world class service providing trauma counselling, walking away from a contract.

Ms Husar, a strong advocate for domestic violence services, has already raised the issue in Parliament and said Labor will continue fighting for the restoration of the service.

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Creative Embroiderers audio tours A self-guided audio tour of the embroidery works that hang in Council’s Civic Centre and Library has been launched to show off the 15 unique pieces on display.

The Creative Embroiderers of Penrith Valley established by Mavis Reynolds, first started meeting in the Civic Centre library in 1994 to create large fabric works for what was then the new Civic Centre. Over the years, the embroiderers have made many stunning works of textile art.

Penrith Mayor John Thain said the embroideries are a wonderful cultural asset for our community.

“The thing that strikes me most about these works, and their value to Council and our City, is that they are so personal, unique and have such significance,” Cr Thain said.

“The embroideries tell a story of Penrith, its history, environment, creative spirit and of the embroiderers themselves.”

Council and the Library are keen supporters of art and cultural pursuits with Council working with the Embroiderers to ensure their stunning pieces can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.

Anyone wishing to take the self-guided audio tour can do so by enquiring at the Service Desk at Penrith Library (601 High Street, Penrith). Tours are available 7 days a week, with the full tour including access to the Civic Centre limited to business hours – Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm.

Queen of Hearts moves forward

By Keegan Thomson

MICHELE Ellery has rejoined the team at her charity, the Queen of Hearts Community Foundation, after a fortnight of ups and downs.

Last fortnight Michele Ellery announced she had stepped down from her role as CEO at the Queen of Hearts Community Foundation, but she has now assured supporters that she is back in her role and ready to push her charity forward.

“I’m back in my original role and I’m ready to move forward with a brand new team,” Ms Ellery said.

“A lot of the businesses in Penrith have thrown their support behind me and within the next week we will be meeting to organise the ongoing future of Queen of Hearts.”

Initially Ms Ellery resigned from Queen of Hearts only to rescind her resignation a few days later. After deliberation the entire board of the charity decided to step down, allowing Ms Ellery to take back control of the charity she founded.

For Ms Ellery and the Queen of Hearts there is only one way forward. Over the next few months there will be a number of new and ambitious projects launched by the community foundation, all of them aimed at cutting down the wait time for people seeking help.

“We will be getting in an art therapist for children,” Ms Ellery said.

“It is a connective way children can tell their stories through play and expression. It is a lot less clinical

method of sharing experiences and art therapy also helps build up trust.

“We are looking at increasing the hours that our counsellors are available so we can decrease the wait times for people seeking services,” she said.

During the recent time of uncertainty, Ms Ellery said the thing that kept her going is the overarching support from the local community.

“Community support has kept me going,” Ms Ellery said.

“There was such a show of support and love for me and what I’m doing that I decided that I couldn’t give up and I had to keep fighting.

“I couldn’t look at my emails or my social media accounts for a few days because I thought people were saying negative things about me, but when I finally picked up the courage to look I was overwhelmed with the positive words and wishes people were sending,” she said.

As a part of her strategy for moving forward Ms Ellery said she wants to fill her team with people who have as much experience as possible.

“We want to bring in people who want to be included in our team and who want to bring about change,” Ms Ellery said.

“It has always been my aim to bring wait times for services down from 10 weeks to 10 days, and as we move forward I know we can do this.”

Ms Ellery has put the call out to anyone interested in coming on board with Queen of Hearts Community Foundation to contact her on 1300 856 737.

Deadly virus outbreak In reecent years, Sydney saw an outbreak of the deadly feline panleukopenia virus (also known as feline parvovirus - FPV). The once eradicated viral disease has killed many kittens and cats during that period. This disease is caused by a feline parvovirus, it is classically called panleukopenia virus because one of the results of infection is the development of a low white blood cell count (panleukopenia).

Parvoviruses are particularly dangerous as they are able to survive for long periods of time in the environment and are resistant to many disinfectants.

FPV is spread directly via faecal – oral contact but can also be spread indirectly following contamination of the environment or objects – eg on food bowls, grooming equipment, bedding, floors, clothing and even hands. Cats infected with FPV can excrete the virus for 6 weeks following infection.

FPV generally causes a severe gastroenteritis.

Affected cats develop bloody vomiting and diarrhoea. The virus also travels to the blood and bone marrow and causes a depletion of white blood cells. This can lead to life threatening infections. If a pregnant cat is infected with FPV, the virus can travel to the unborn kittens and interfere with the developing brain. Kittens may then be born with a

condition called cerebellar hypoplasia – this is a lack of development of the cerebellum, a part of the brain needed for coordination and movement. This may also happen in very young kittens infected with FPV as the cerebellum still develops up till the age of 4 weeks.

Unfortunately there is no specific treatment for FPV and cats can die despite treatment. Treatment is generally supportive and involves intravenous fluids, antibiotics, anti-nausea medication and sometimes blood transfusions. This disease is highly contagious and infected cats are nursed in isolation.

Feline parvovirus is much better prevented than it

is treated. Highly effective vaccinations are available and all cats and kittens should be vaccinated – this includes indoor only cats. Control of the spread of FPV relies on mass vaccination– once vaccination levels drop below 70% of the population, this creates the perfect opportunity for the emergence of a disease epidemic. The current outbreak of FPV serves as a reminder to continue vaccinations and not to become complacent regarding your pets vaccinations.

We urge all cat owners to contact their local vet and organise a vaccination if there cat is not up to date.

Coreen Avenue Veterinary Clinic Units 2 & 3/117 Coreen Ave, Penrith NSW 2750

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Penrith student to tour key Anzac battlegrounds Stuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith joined Mr Mark Long, Principal of Penrith High School to announce that the school has been selected via a ballot to participate in the 2018 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship.

Stuart Ayres said it was a sensational opportunity for Penrith High School to select a student to represent the community and gain a better understanding of the Anzac legacy.

“The successful student will have a remarkable educational opportunity to walk in the footsteps of the Anzacs and enhance their understanding of a legacy that has shaped Australia’s military story.”

“I encourage Penrith High students in Year 10 and 11 with a keen interest in history to apply,” Stuart Ayres said. “I look forward to meeting the student when successful applicants are announced in 2018.”

Twenty high school students from across the State will embark on a once in a lifetime tour of key Anzac battlegrounds as 2018 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholars.

Students interested in attending the tour will submit a piece of work on a theme or topic that relates to the Centenary of Anzac, which will be judged by a panel selected by

the school. Essays, poems or short stories, video presentations and musical compositions are just some of the formats applications can be submitted in.

The 2018 tour would see students travel to Flanders in Belgium to commemorate the Battle of Hamel

in 1918. The 13-day tour will also take in other significant Australian battlefields including the Ypres Salient, Passchendaele and the Somme.

David Elliott, Minister for Veterans Affairs said honouring veterans who answered the call for service was

imperative during the Centenary of Anzac.

“This tour will bring to life the history of the First World War and offer students new insight into Australia’s wartime history and the birth of the Anzac legend,” Mr Elliott said.

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Local brands win trifecta of gold Local branding studio, White River Design has won a Sydney Design Award for the third time.

Started from her back office almost 15 years ago, founder and Creative Director at White River Design (WRD), Debbie O’Connor wanted to bring exceptional creative services to her clients. As the WRD client base has increased so has the studio’s reputation. Growth resulted in the move from home into their current location at The Creative Fringe, a co-working space on York Road Jamisontown.

“This was an exciting move for us as it has allowed us to meet, network and collaborate on a number of exciting projects”, commented Mrs O’Connor.

Once such collaboration was with hot desker Melinda Leyshon who is a copywriter. Melinda currently runs a successful copywriting business called Write Copy. Over the years she has become the go-to specialist for business awards submissions with an outstanding track record of a 93% success rate for her clients.

Melinda identified a gap in the market, and with so many businesses lacking the expertise or resources to develop quality submissions, Awards Agency was born.

“My first stop was White River Design. Not only do I love their work, but as they are also located at The Creative Fringe, it meant that I had got to know everyone in the team really well, trusted them and had quick and easy access to them during the branding process,” said Ms Leyshon.

Melinda wanted a brand that immediately resonated. A brand that would stand out and be remembered for all the right reasons. One that would convince clients that she was the authority and best person to meet their challenges while delivering results and oozing personality.

During the brief, White River Design discovered

that Ms Leyshon was hung up on a pre-existing concept that was all about the colour blue. To her, the concept of ‘blue ribbon’ represented first place.

Quality. Winning.

The first response that Debbie O’Connor had was that Melinda was playing it safe. Debbie took Melinda through her unique system called Brand Personalities, which helps determine what personality a brand is. This online system has already been used by over 2000 small business owners across the world.

“The clarity that Brand Personalities gives our clients and our designers, is priceless. The personality of the brand determines what colours, fonts, shapes, language and tone gets used for the

brand,” stated Mrs O’Connor.

“We are able to create brands that have a much stronger connection with their clients, and it was this connection and message in the brand that we developed for Awards Agency that resulted in us winning our third Sydney Design Award.”

“I just love my brand and so do my clients!” exclaimed Ms Leyshon. “I launched Awards Agency at CopyCon, Australia’s first copywriting conference. In less than a day I was able to secure a huge list of copywriters keen to write for Awards Agency, and within the first week two multinational corporates engaged us for their submissions. This is proof that great branding works, and I’m stoked that my winning streak for awards continues.”

Children building the future parks

 Students from Oxley Park and Cambridge Park public schools join Penrith Mayor John Thain in the Council Chambers.

By Keegan Thomson

THE FUTURE of an exciting program at Council that allows children to design their own park has been locked in.

The Penrith Mayoral Challenge, a project that puts children in the driver’s seat of designing and budgeting a park in the local government area (LGA), has been green lit for the next five years and will see the rejuvenation of many of the region’s ailing parks.

Currently there are two playgrounds in the LGA under redevelopment by students from two local schools.

Both Lincoln Park in Cambridge Park and a

reserve on the corner of Sydney and Brisbane streets in Oxley Park are being redesigned by students from Cambridge Park and Oxley Park Public Schools.

During the development of these parks, the students from the schools undergo five workshops all giving students hands on experience about leadership, decision making, budgeting and civic and community engagement.

On top of that the Mayor and Deputy Mayor even visit the schools to get a better understanding as to how the progress is being made.

The Mayor, Councillor John Thain, was very enthusiastic when the schools came to visit the Council Chambers, last month.

He said he was very excited about the student’s

plans and was keen to see how their vision for the playgrounds would materialise.

“My fellow Councillors and I are very proud of the students,” Cr Thain said.

“The designs they’ve created are fantastic and the leadership they’ve shown makes me feel even more excited about the future of our city.”

The students have created places that are inclusive and accessible for all children and grown ups, even people who are bound to a wheel chair.

This broadly inclusive strategy impressed Cr Thain, saying he was particularly impressed that the students had planned play spaces that were accessible to all.

“Council is dedicated to providing services and amenities that can be used and enjoyed by all our residents,” Cr Thain said.

One of the student, who worked on the project, told Council they were always considering everyone in the community when they designed the park.

“We learnt that when we design a park we need to consider everyone in the community,” the student said.

It was acknowledged at the September 2017 Policy in Review meeting that these types of projects help children build a sense of community and foster a “pay it forward” mentality.

It is expected the new playgrounds at Lincoln Park and the reserve on the corner of Brisbane and Sydney streets, Oxley Park will be complete by the end of 2017.

Help those who fought for us

By Keegan Thomson

VETERANS from the Penrith RSL Sub-branch are calling out for donations for their 2018 Anzac and Remembrance services.

Peter Todd, the Vice President of Events at the Penrith RSL Sub-branch, said they need the funds because their events are getting bigger each year and more people are coming to pay their respects.

“A few years ago we had the centenary of Anzac, next year will be the centenary of Armistice Day, so more people are becoming engaged with our programs across the year,” Mr Todd said.

Each year the Sub-branch puts on four main events to commemorate and remember past conflicts and those who gave the ultimate sacrifice during war time including a Remembrance Day service and three separate Anzac services.

These four community events cost more than $50,000 to put on and all of the money for these events need to come from the RSL Sub-branch and their fundraising avenues.

Brian Cartwright, Vice President of

sponsor a bus.

“Each bus costs $250 and for some businesses that isn’t a lot of money,” Mr Cartwright said.

“If a business sponsors a bus they’ll receive their name and logo printed in our service program, a shout out on our Facebook page and they’ll have their name and branded logo on our website.

“They’ll also receive an invite to our annual appreciation morning tea, so that we can thank everyone who has helped us,” he said.

Mr Todd said these events are crucial to the children’s education of Australia’s military history.

“The kids now days are switched on about Afghanistan and Iraq but some of them have grandfathers who fought in World War II or the Vietnam War, so there is always conversation happening about our history and our conflicts,” Mr Todd said.

“It is important for the students to understand why we pause on days like Anzac.”

If you are a business or a community group and you wish to donate to the Penrith RSL Sub-branch’s sponsor a bus campaign you can contact them on 4728 5225.

 An empty coffin represents the cenotaph during the Anzac service. Photo: Supplied.

Marketing at the Sub-branch, says the costs keep going up.

“At these events everyone wants to be able to see and hear the proceedings but with more and more people coming each year we’re needing to get bigger screens and better sound systems, and that all costs more and more money,” Mr Cartwright said.

One of the biggest and most costly events the Sub-branch organises is the all schools Anzac service, which has

been running since 1956.

The schools service draws in some 2000 school children from public and private primary and secondary schools from around the region, with the Sub-branch contracting buses to pick up and drop off the children to and from the event.

The cost from the bus service alone is $12,500, and that is why the Sub-branch is encouraging local community groups and businesses to

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Nepean News 14 September 2017 Issue 209

Behind ‘The Professional Cleaners Handbook’

By Kym Wiseman

In the late 1980’s, while delivering training to groups of cleaners working in a large Australian hospital, I heard a story. It was about, “The best floor cleaning chemical around”. It related to a senior cleaner who bragged about his ‘magic floor cleaning formula’ that he had ‘created’.

I discovered from the senior cleaner the ‘magic formula’ contained a mixture of methylated spirits, kerosene, a detergent, a disinfectant, turpentine, and some polish stripping chemical – very dangerous. I heard about a number of staff in the area of that ward who felt dizzy when they smelled the fumes coming off this preparation in their work area.

This is one of dozens of similar scary stories one hears when training cleaners. Learning on-the-job is a wonderful way to learn a trade

however, only when the trainers and mentors are formally trained and experienced experts. If the cleaners are not trained by a trained expert then, the knowledge that is passed on to them can be often be incorrect, hear-say, salesman’s stories, or a combination of all of these. These wrong, and sometimes dangerous stories end up becoming ‘the way it’s done’ in the organisation.

When I started delivering the Cleaning Training Package courses back in the 80’s, the package offered everything but the learning resource for cleaners to learn from.

In 2010, there was still nothing of consequence available. There was a need for a training manual that covers the basic elements of the subject. This is so that anyone entering the cleaning trade can learn the correct way to do things, using the same basic processes and knowledge that can be developed into workplace best practice to suit

the workplace tasks.

I published The Professional Cleaners Handbook in 2010. It has sold over 3,000 copies just purchased off the web site: www. procleanershandbook.com.

The book contains over 400 pages with many pictures and diagrams, and covers 18 cleaning subjects.

These include hard floor and carpet maintenance, window cleaning, food service and preparation area cleaning, rest room maintenance, carpet stain removal, and lots more.

The content: • is written in Plain English, but does not avoid the language of the trade with meanings for these included • is focussed on good cleaning practice methods and principles, most of which have been around for many years. This book won’t be outdated just because a manufacture makes a new polisher or wiping cloth. These new things are learned

about in the workplace. It deals with the fundamentals of a large range of cleaning processes and associated tools, equipment, chemicals, and personal protective equipment • it does not try to sell you products, so is not sponsored • it is a first stop learning resource, so that all entrants into the industry, as well as those already in it, are learning the same thing to start with. This makes both training and assessment fair, and the cleaner’s skills easily transferable.

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localnews

By Kerrie Davies

I WAS a teenager when five loathsome monsters took the life of beautiful Anita Cobby, and like everyone else old enough to remember this horrific crime, it is etched in my mind forever as a stark reminder that unspeakable evil does exist.

A young nurse in the prime of her life, Anita was snatched from the side of a Blacktown road by a carload of despicable animals before being raped, tortured and murdered.

The brutality and torture the 26-yearold endured at the hands of the five men devastated her family, reduced the most hardened police officers to tears and broke the heart of a nation.

It has now been 31 years since the crime that shocked Australia stole our innocence.

The horror of Anita’s murder will live in the mind of retired Chief Inspector Gary Raymond forever.

He believes the memory of her tragic death delivers a strong message.

“Anita’s tragic passing serves as a message against violence. It has also served as a reminder to women in particular, on safety and security. It has become somewhat of a catch-cry

from mothers all over the country, ‘don’t walk home alone, remember Anita Cobby.’

Mr Raymond has an analogy that he keeps close to heart all these years later.

“Compost is rotten, but you put it on the garden to make the flowers grow.

This putrid crime has helped get the message out about violence against women.”

Community outrage at the criminals responsible for Anita’s death rose to a level never seen before in this country.

All five men were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, never to be released.

It was on February 2 1986 when Anita took that fateful walk from Blacktown station to her home. She usually called her father to pick her up,

but on this night, the phone box was broken.

The five criminals stopped and she was pulled into the car After torturing her in what must have been the most terrifying car ride, Anita taken to a field in Prospect where she was systematically raped and tortured further, before finally having her throat cut by the ring-leader and left to die a lonely death.

News first broadcast into our lounge-rooms that the young nurse was missing. Then, the devastating news that she’d been found so brutally murdered.

Australia’s collective heart broke all the more when we saw Anita’s parents, Gary and Grace Lynch, who were so lovely and showed so much dignity throughout their ordeal. It hurt to see

such normal, everyday sweet parents in unimaginable pain.

The Lynch family endured a nightmare that was so utterly unbearable, yet they focused their time in the subsequent years reaching out to other families struggling to cope with homicide.

They established the Homicide Victims Support Group with Christine and Peter Simpson, parents of Ebony Simpson. Grace’s Place will be named after the late Grace Lynch.

A Charity Dinner will be held on September 19 in the Diamond Showroom at Blacktown Workers Club to raise funds to assist the Homicide Victims Support Group in building “Grace’s Place” a residential trauma centre for young people and their families affected by the murder of someone they love.

A world first, Grace’s Place will be a residential trauma recovery centre for children after homicide.

Grace’s Place will be there to provide support in a safe place where children, teenagers and their families grieving the death of someone they love through homicide, can share their experiences, receive counselling, be involved in therapeutic programs and learn life skills on how to survive the trauma without their loved one.

Nepean News 14 September 2017 Issue 209

Anita Cobby - 31 years on but never forgotten

13

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Legends of the Nepean

By Keegan Thomson

THE ST MARYS Citizen of the Year has been named as humble community man and former police officer, Phil Martin.

During a glitzy ceremony organised by the St Marys Town Centre, Phil was surrounded by friends and family when it was announced that he was the 2017 St Marys Citizen of the Year.

There are too many reasons why Phil was named as the Citizen of the Year so I’ll just go through a few. He was a Police Officer serving for 38 and a half years, he is a committed member of Rotary and South Creek Probus clubs, he has co-organised the St Marys Spring Festival for a number of years and he has lived in St Marys for 68 years.

Clearly a man with a heart that centres around the community, Phil is an active member of two groups in St Marys, the Probus club of South Creek and the local Rotary. Proudly he served as the former President of the local Rotary club and is the current Director of New Generation. He also hold the title of Tours and Trips Officer at South Creek Probus club.

When he was President of the local Rotary, together with the Principal of Erskine Park High, Phil set up an initiative that aims to help give high school students more courage and experience in public speaking.

“As President of Rotary I worked with the Principal to initiate a public speaking competition with Erskine Park High, something which has become an annual event,” Phil said.

“It is something that still continues today, albeit that the high school now does most of the organising.

“St Marys Rotary is involved in the final judging and provides the prizes for the winner and place-getters,” he said.

Phil’s current position at Rotary includes the task of recruiting young people into leadership roles through Rotary’s many leadership programs.

Earlier this year, in recognition of Phil’s efforts in this position Rotary made him a Paul Harris Fellow, a special award for people who contribute more than $1000 annually to Rotary fundraising.

“We have our youth enrichment program, which is for 14 to 17 year olds, and we have a leadership award program, which is for 18 to 26 year

olds,” Phil said.

“Part of my job is to go around to find suitable people and put them into these programs so we can empower the next generation of leaders,” he said.

Being a local family man, Phil is proud to say he has a big family, something which continues to inspire his sense of community.

“I have nine children, 15 grand children and one great grand child,” Phil said.

“It is a big family,” he said.

Joining the Police Force in 1964, Phil spent a lot of time working with the people of western Sydney, including spending three years in the early 1990s as an officer in Penrith Police Station.

One thing Phil said he hasn’t been able to relinquish since leaving his job is the ability of constantly identifying risks in all manner of situations.

“As a Police Officer you look at a situation and you assess the likely hood of something happening and the seriousness of the consequences,” Phil said.

“I’ve taken that into my roles in other organisations and I think it has helped me work to my best ability.

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Phil Martin “It has given me the skills to work out the best situations and organisation processes for the St Marys Spring Festival,” he said.

Through his work as a Police Officer, and his passion for community work, he worked with St Marys Development Committee to organise the St Marys Spring Festival from 2011 until 2013.

“We got everything down into a tight formula and it was quite an enjoyable experience,” Phil said.

Phil now volunteers his time to assist with the festival where needed.

After working in and around the community for nearly 50 years, Phil said there is a certain feeling you get when you come together with people to achieve a specific outcome for the betterment of the community.

“There is a satisfaction you get when you work with people for positive outcomes,” Phil said.

“You get a lot of satisfaction when you see the look on someones face when they’ve been able to achieve something for themselves as well.

“For example, I take people away for trips with Probus. These people are aged in their sixties, seventies and eighties and Probus is often the only way that these people can get out and

community.

“It is recognition for what I’ve done,” Phil said.

This year during his beloved St Marys Spring Festival, Phil got the treat of a lifetime after he was given the chance to ride on one of the original Bennett Wagons from South Creek Park.

“Being a bit of a history buff, I’ve always wanted the chance to get up there and ride on one of the Bennett Wagons down Queen Street St Marys on Spring Festival day,” Phil said.

“Lucky for me, the winner of Citizen of the Year gets to ride on one of the wagons during the Spring Festival.

“It was a great experience that I could sit up on a bale of hay and have the wagon pulled down the street by 4 Clydesdale horses.

“As silly as it sounds that was the thing about being named Citizen of the Year that I found most exciting,” he said.

travel. You see their enormous sense of enjoyment when they’re on holidays and they’re able to get outside of their

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daily lives,” he said.

Phil said the award is great acknowledgment of his place in the

Phil Martin was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by St Marys Town Centre board.

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

15

16

localnews

Nepean News 14 September 2017 Issue 209

Our local veteran cloaked in a quilt of valour

By Maureen Gildart

I was thrilled to receive a phone call from Stan Allen from Quilts of Valour asking me to nominate one our Nasho members who meets their criteria. Jack Ezbery’s name came up as a worthy recipient as he ticked all the boxes so the prestigious garment was awarded with love in a ceremony at Penrith RSL Club at our August National Service Meeting.

Jack was surprised and delighted to receive his quilt.

The quilts are presented with a covering letter and certificate and wrapped around the recipient.

Jack became emotional during the ceremonial experience.

John (Jack) Ezbery hereafter will be refered to as Jack as he prefers to be known as. At 94 years old, Jack is a proud member of Penrith National Servicemen’s Association and was born in 1923.

He is one of our few proud World War II Veterans. Jack enlisted on the 12 October 1941 at Paddington as part of the National Service call up. Jack was posted overseas as a driver with 2/101 Australian Transport Platoon Army in the South West Pacific Region of New Guinea then was returned home.

In March 1944 Jack returned to active service after a short spell in Australia and served in the Borneo Campaign.

Photo: Kennedi Geyer

Jack escaped being captured and taken prisoner of war. Jack was awarded a total of six military medals for his service and was transported home by plane with ex prisoners of war who built the Burma Railway in September 1945 after the war had ended.

Jack was surprised to learn that he was the only soilder that wasn’t a Prisoner of War. When Jack’s National Service had finished he decided to stay on with the army and was transferred when the Australian Military Forces became

the Australian Regular Army on 20th September 1947. He remained as a driver with 146 General Transport Company until discharge from the regular army years later, then decided to join the CMF now known as the Reserves.

Quilts of Valour Australia was formed in Victoria in February 2012, with the first meeting of the Victorian Quilters Guild and the Berwick RSL Club with the support from the American Organisation.

The son of a Victorian resident was wounded in a Black Hawk helicopter incident in Afghanistan in September 2010 along with three of his mates that were killed and a further six were wounded.

He returned to Australia and told his mother about the quilt he had been given while he was recovering in hospital that the nurses had put on his bed.

Upon discharge from hospital in Germany, he went to return the quilt only to be told by nursing staff that the quilt was his to keep and was gifted by the American Quilts of Courage Association. and would it be possible to have something like this in Australia? Quilts of Valour was then born.

Quilts of Valour are made by volunteers, for members who were injured or traumatised as a result of conflict or war.

Spring has sprung in St Marys

By Conner Lowe

This year’s 42nd St Marys Spring Festival was a huge success.

The festival had a great turnout from the local community as they came together to celebrate the beginning of Spring.

Early estimates put the crowd surpassing 2015 numbers on the day, and it is easy to see why. Queen Street was bustling with 220 stalls, a wide range of food and diverse cuisines, amusements like jumping castle and bungee jumping, rides such as spinning teacups, vintage vehicle displays, a special appearance and two performances by Poppy and Branch from The Trolls movie.

The DreamWorks Trolls, alongside local organisations and community groups, drew a huge crowd to Coachman’s Park to watch and dance along with their magical shows.

The Grand Parade was one of the highlights of the Festival, with the historic horse-drawn Bennett Wagon leading over 30 local community enthusiasts and groups along Queen Street, including vintage fire trucks courtesy of the Museum of Fire, lovingly restored vintage vehicles from the Model a Fords Club, and walking groups from all around the area. Mayor of Penrith John Thain and Citizen of the Year Phillip Martin took pride of place at the head of the parade on the Bennett Wagon.

Genevieve Fonti of St Marys Town Centre spoke about the amazing turnout and the success of this year’s spring festival.

“This year’s Spring Festival was one of the best yet, with a wide range of stalls, entertainment and displays that appealed to all ages and members of our community,” she said.

“St Marys prides itself on providing quality family-friendly events for free and we are proud to have delivered another successful Spring Festival event for the area.”

This event was proudly brought to you by St Marys Town Centre, Penrith City Council, Vintage 87.6 FM, St Marys Leagues Club, St Marys Village and St Marys Band Club.

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The G Spot

THIS month we are going to enlighten ourselves with car security tips. The almighty car can mean many different things to people, and at times I have often wondered why some males have married their wives and not the beloved car.

That hunk of metal that you have cashed yourself up to your eyeballs in, that sits (quietly) on the driveway is also the bearer of many of your darkest secrets such as the odd scratch, the odd nose pick at traffic lights, singing Mariah Carey in high C and thinking that you sound great and body gas that could wipe out the state forest.

Hint one - Nothing quite spells please smash my window and grab me like an iPad, iPhone, navigator, laptop and any other electronic contraption on the planet left on show in your car.

Really good idea to take all that crap

with you, because nobody (except the baddies) really care that you own a laptop bigger than Sydney airport’s flight command centre equipment.

Hint two - The 11th commandment - Locketh thy car. You would be soooo surprised how many boneheads leave the car unlocked in car parks or driveways and wonder why it got stolen or broken into. We have all been guilty of this - rushed, kids screaming, bottle’o calling your name in 3D - however it is imperative (my big word for the day) to lock your car each and every time you get out of it.

(Copy that, Roger Wilco).

Hint three - Car alarm systems, most new makes and models come with all that crap in them, however many don’t squeal like a pigeon having its feet pulled. They quite often don’t have all the bells and whistles (Unless it’s a $400,000 sports whatever car

With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security

with a coffee maker), I am still a firm believer of the beloved extra car alarm, beep, beep, immobiliser etc, that just does what is designed to do.

And get it installed by someone who knows what that hell they are doing not Uncle Harry who has a world title in macramé.

Hint Four - Okay hands up who leaves car keys in the ignition while getting fuel (don’t lie)? This deserves the Chuck Norris upper cut award in bronze, because yes folks cars have been stolen from servos. Take your keys with you, sorry yeah I know it will add 3 seconds to the fuel up time …but? This is a big tut tut tut with an index finger wave.

Hint five - Parking the machine in a dark place, now unless you are doing a stick up, drug transaction or some other activity, it is a great idea to park in well-lit areas and where

people are around.

Hint Six - Pimping da ride- love the $10,000 tyre rims with the Swarovski crystals on each nut? Well so do the baddies. If you are going to beef up the bad boy, it may be a good idea to have it as the Sunday ride only, fully garaged ( you thought I was going to say fully sick didn’t you?) and also have a very hungry Pit Bull stapled to the driver’s side door. It’s great that you are spending a mortgage on your car, however be aware that it will draw as much attention as a state of origin match. Just be aware that it is high on the Richter scale of car theft.

So there you have it, Gina’s handy tips on car security, your car will be safe (tick) we won’t laugh at your gr8 number plates (tick)no animals were injured during the writing of this article (tick) and the bottle’o is still calling your name (tick).

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CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Annoyed (8) 5 Cigarettes (slang) (6) 9 Holiness (8) 10 Pal (6) 12 Box or jar (9) 13 Coincides in their

characteristics (5) 14 Moves (4) 16 Not cognizant of (7) 19 Collision (7) 21 University square (4) 24 A trademarked nickel-iron

alloy (5) 25 Hard-hitting (9) 27 Attack (6) 28 Lose an unborn baby (8) 29 Resulted (6) 30 Ahead in development (8)

DOWN 1 Cut in two (6) 2 Calibrating an instrument (6) 3 Additional (5) 4 Prolongs (7) 6 Pot or grass (9) 7 A large covered flat-bottomed

boat (8) 8 Avoid (8) 11 German for “Mrs” (4) 15 In another manner (9) 17 Guess (8) 18 Reaps (8) 20 Holes (4) 21 Asked (7) 22 Cloth (6) 23 Remained (6) 26 Hot chocolate (5)

solution 31/8/17

21 Nepean News 14 September 2017 Issue 209

localnews

22

e n t e r t a i n m e n t

Nepean News 14 September 2017 Issue 209

Emu Island – Modernism in place

Love garden talk? Here’s a great opportunity to learn more about the heritage garden created by Margo and Gerald Lewers on Saturday 17 September 11- 3pm at Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest.

Between 1950 and 1978, the Penrith Regional Gallery site was the family home of artists Margo and Gerald Lewers. The garden played an important role in their lives, being a focal point for relaxation, entertainment and creativity as family,

close friends, architects, intellectuals, authors and artists all came together to enjoy the company of like minds and to argue the forward movement of contemporary art and society.

The garden is based on Margo’s interest in Asian art and design, evident in the series of connected outdoor rooms planted with wisteria, bamboo magnolia and azaleas. Under-plantings of perennials, a central vegetable garden and artwork complement both the garden and home.

Originally a farmyard and orchard transformed by Margo – planting most of the trees herself – today the garden is maintained in accordance with the Landscape Conservation Management Plan. Join Heritage garden expert, Shayne Roberts and curator, Dr Shirley Daborn for a stroll around the garden and an informative talk.

Learn more about the indigenous plant species, the cats claw creeper, the succulent garden, magnificent magnolia and even the heritage

weeds! Shayne will also answer your gardening questions and Shirley is on hand to point out and talk about the artworks in the garden.

A delightful way to spend an hour outside after a coffee at the café and visiting the Spring exhibition – Emu Island – Modernism in Place.

Potted cuttings from the garden and flowers will also be on sale on the day.

To reserve a spot on one of the FREE garden tours please call 4735 1100 or email the gallery gallery@penith.city

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e n t e r t a i n m e n t

Nepean News 14 September 2017 Issue 209

A Short History of the Penrith Gaels Club

 Club President Mr Noel Donohoe welcoming guests to the dinner

Penrith Gaels had its humble beginnings in the early 70’s with the formation of a gaelic football team.

A few dedicated people decided to run dances to fund this team. It went from strength to strength with the establishment of a hurling side and by the early 80’s a very successful school of Irish Dancing has been formed, as well as a social Golf Club, Soccer teams and a Drama School. Penrith Gaels also boasted a travel club, which helped their members save for a trip home to Ireland. Around about this time Penrith Gaels changed its name to ‘Penrith Gaels Cultural and Sporting Association Limited’.

Even way back then, the Penrith Gaels Committee and their members had high aspirations of building club premises in the area. Fund raising dances were held on a monthly basis in local halls. Through the 80’s and 90’s the above sub clubs maintained a very competitive standard in their fields. The social and fund raising dances continued and we also held

our very successful biannual ‘Ireland Over Here’ Festivals at Penrith football Stadium. These festivals were attended by the Penrith community and people from all over NSW. It wasn’t until the mid 90’s that the current premises became available.

At that time they were known as the ‘Kingswood Squash Courts’. The committee, with the support of the Mt Isa Irish Association decided to purchase the building. Renovations began in early 1997 and to the credit of all our voluntary labour, both men and women, who gave up their weekends and evenings, our beautiful club was finally opened in August 1997.

Our club was built from the pure persistence of the committee and members and we are wonderfully proud of our achievements. Since then, with the help of management and staff, our club has been thriving and we now have over 4000 members.

Last month we celebrated our 20th Anniversary and look forward to many more successful years ahead.

 Dinner with guests and band, Blackwater

 Club Manager and Board of Directors

 President & Mrs Donohoe presenting flowers to the Irish Consul, Ms Jane Connolly

 winner of car raffle being congratulated by Club Manager Mr Tom Gallagher Photos: Amy Cassim Photography

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nepeanhistory

26 Nepean News 14 September 2017 Issue 209

Hadley Park, Castlereagh – future in the balance

by Paul Wheeldon

C

harles Hadley arrived in Sydney as a convict in 1791. He received an absolute pardon and returned to England. He came back in 1806 as a free settler. He became a farmer and leased a portion of 80 acres of land granted to Martin Mintz by Governor King in 1803.

By 1811 Hadleyhad acquired the whole 80 acres. He had erected the present two-storey brick house by this date.

The timber kitchen wing was considered an earlier dwelling, possibly dating from 1806 when Hadley first leased the land.

Hadley prospered and by the 1822 muster, he and  Hadley Park. Photo: Penrith City Library his wife Sarah had seven children, held 400 acres – 230 of which were cleared – quantities the place is to be conserved is being actively pondered by the PLDC. of livestock and wheat, plus the licence for a nearby inn, the ‘First The Penrith Lakes Parkland Draft Vision Plan (2014) gave and Last’. little detail of proposals for Hadley Park. Meanwhile the NSW Charles died in 1828 aged 60 and the property passed to his son Government is considering the ‘merits of urban development’. (also Charles). It remained a productive farm latterly a dairy farm Hadley Park is not listed on the State Heritage Register and, in the ownership of Hadley’s descendants until it was purchased for even more worryingly, the State Government pushed through an quarry purposes in 1972. It continued to be lived in by the Hadley amendment to the Penrith Lakes Scheme’s State Environmental family until 2010, although in a barely habitable state.

Planning Policy just before Christmas last year which appears to The condition of the house today is delicate, but the owners, weaken protection of the site’s heritage values and particularly its Penrith Lakes Development Corporation, have carried out careful historic surrounding area. stabilisation work. The place remains fragile and vulnerable – Hadley Park’s status as one of the earliest surviving houses in certainly it is not suitable for living in at the moment. the country with an intact setting on its original land grant makes Since the closure of gravel pit operations, PLDC have created its future treatment worthy of the most careful consideration. Its a lake, Middle Lake, between Hadley Park and Castlereagh Road inclusion on the State Heritage Register is, without doubt, essential. and have also created flood barriers and gone to a lot of trouble to Reference: National Trust Magazine, Autumn edition, April-June maintain important historic views of the place from the road. How 2017. Sean Johnson, author.

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Nathan hopes to play against boyhood idol Benji

By Stewart Moses @TheRiffMarn

Panthers halfback Nathan Cleary says this Friday’s clash hopefully will finally represent the chance to play against one of his boyhood idols, Benji Marshall.

Despite being named at halfback, Marshall is no certainty given his indifferent form for the Broncos in last week’s qualifying clash against the Roosters, with Brisbane coach Wayne Bennett under pressure to change things up, especially with key fullback Darius Boyd (hamstring) still in doubt despite being named in the 21-man squad.

Cleary believes Benji showed enough last Friday night to warrant another chance as Anthony Milford’s halves partner, given the way his game evolved from when Cleary grew up watching the former Tiger tearing opposition defences to pieces.

“I’ve never played against him (Benji) but I think any young guy around my age coming up through the ranks has always kind of watched Benji, he’s a freak,” Cleary declared.

“I wouldn’t say I modelled my game too much off him because some of the stuff he can do I can only dream of that.

“I was kind of thinking about it last night, even his defence has really sharpened up.

“He was great in defence last night and I thought his kicking game was good and his game continues to evolve.

“We’ll have to be on our toes with him.”

Cleary concedes that, despite the strong bounce back against Manly that has allowed them the opportunity to play Brisbane for the right to

 Nathan Cleary on fire yet again for the Panthers last Saturday night. Photo: 77 Media.

oppose Melbourne for a grand final berth, his team will need to play better against a side that showed plenty of resilience despite being outplayed for much of their clash last Friday night with the Roosters.

“That was a massive win for us especially being able to turn around last week which we can take a lot of confidence out of,” Cleary replied.

“We put a lot into our start in the first twenty minutes.

“Last week we kind of got ambushed and we were on the back foot for the rest of the game.

“We got off to a better start tonight and we dominated the game.

“But in the finals we’ve got to improve each week and while there was some good things (against Manly)

there were some scrappy things too that hopefully we can clean up before Friday night.”

“Brisbane are a really resilient team. I think the Roosters kind of had all the running in that first half and for them to come back in that second half, it was a pretty impressive effort.

“It will be kind of difficult to find the technical things wrong during the week but we can’t take a backward step with them.”

The Broncos are expecting a crowd of between 40 and 50,000 for the clash.

But Cleary believes that, having now played finals at some daunting venues including last year’s finals clash with Canberra that featured the Viking Clap, will hold him in good

stead for the cauldron-like atmosphere Suncorp will provide.

“I played last year down in Canberra and that was pretty daunting with the Viking clap but playing up at Suncorp, it’s on a whole another level,” Cleary admitted.

“We played there earlier this year and it was an awesome atmosphere but in finals I think it will be ten times better again.

“Definitely not easier to prepare for.

Manly was my third one (final) and all of them have been the toughest games I have played and I think up at Suncorp it won’t be any different.

“But I’m the halfback of the team and I think if I can control the game early then the boys can gain some confidence for the rest of the game.”

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Whare relieved to be back at centre

By Stewart Moses @TheRiffMarn

Spare a thought for Dean Whare.

Having missed a large chunk of 2015 and almost the entire 2016 season to injury after injury, the Kiwi international was just starting to reassert himself in his favoured position at right centre when Whare faced further time off the field having suffered a facial fracture in Penrith’s loss to Souths back in Round 17.

The centre, having earlier in the season re-signed with the club for four more years with an option for a fifth, could do no more then watch on as that loss sparked his team-mates to go on a seven-match winning streak to secure another finals spot.

Even when cleared to play again coach, Anthony Griffin had little choice but to play Whare in the Intrust Super Premiership, where he bided his time for a month waiting for an opportunity.

As so often happens that opportunity came in the form of an injury to fullback Dylan Edwards that ruled him out of the final round of the regular season, before Blake’s cruel shoulder injury opened the door for Whare to resume at right centre last Saturday night.

But before these turn of events, Whare conceded he was concerned he would not be able to force his way

back given the form of outside backs, Blake, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Tyrone Peachey and Josh Mansour.

“Yeah definitely, the boys were going so well and I was injured and they didn’t look like losing and I knew I had to play really well in the ISP and get some form again,” Whare told Nepean News.

“I did that and got the opportunity last week to play with the boys again and this week with the unfortunate injury to Waqa come straight back into the centres.”

For the first time in over four years, Whare played the first of two back-toback games against his former club at fullback in Penrith’s 28-12 loss and says that while he doesn’t mind playing in that position, he was more than relieved when the opportunity came to return to the centres in Penrith’s 22-10 elimination final win.

“I don’t mind filling in here and there at fullback but it’s a big ask, you sort of get the lungs blown out there trying to push up with every play,” Whare replied.

“I love defending at the line and tackling but it’s a bit harder from the back there when you know you’ve got to direct the boys around and still do those one on one tackles.

“I’m definitely more comfortable playing out on that right edge with Nathan (Cleary), Dal (WateneZelezniak) and Corey (HarawiraNaera).”

 Whare was back to his defensive best against his former club. Photo: 77 Media.

Whare said the loss a week earlier to Manly was the wake-up call the team needed going into the finals, having become the first Penrith side to limp into the finals on the back of two consecutive losses, adding it was vital the team more than matched Manly’s intensity in the opening twenty minutes.

“I think we learnt a lot from those two losses, the way we play the ball, the way we defend, it helped us going into this week,” Whare responded.

“I think from that first game against Manly we sort of knew we were in the top eight and we knew we didn’t want to get pumped by them.

“But as soon as the finals series came round it’s a whole different game and definitely helps us knowing it’s a do or die match. “(The key was) just sticking with them in that first twenty minutes as we knew they were going to come out strong again.

“We sort of changed our game plan a bit and it worked out well (given) we finish well in those last twenty minutes which is a key advantage for us.”

Penrith’s path to a grand final spot doesn’t get any easier however with a Friday night clash in front of up to 50,000 Broncos fans at Suncorp Stadium.

Win that and the Panthers face another interstate trip a week later to square up against overwhelming premiership favourites, Melbourne.

But it’s a challenge that Whare is looking forward to despite the enormity of the task.

“It’s going to be a big ask for us again to play in front of 40-50,000 people,” Whare admitted.

“It will be just us trying to keep together and play as a team as we did against Manly.

“It’s not the easiest run for us but pretty much every game is do or die so we are going to go up there and do the best we can for the 80 minutes.”

Sports Scenes

(With Thanks to 77 Media)

The cameras of 77 Media were on hand to capture all the excitement that was in Penrith’s remarkable 22-10 win over the Manly Sea Eagles in last Saturday’s Elimination Final.

Plenty of excited Panther fans made the trek.....

So too did the Pantherettes despite Manly’s displeasure in doing so

As the rise and rise of Nathan Cleary continues...

Skipper Peter Wallace is forced to lay down the law after Penrith concede a try...

But cometh the moment, cometh the return to form of Bryce Cartwright

Two community leaders reflect on a mighty Panthers performance. Next stop BrisVegas Panther fans!

31 Nepean News 14 September 2017 Issue 209

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Nepean News 14 September 2017 Issue 209

GOLDEN POINTS with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

DYLAN EDWARDS REMARKABLE COMEBACK RESTORES BACKLINE BALANCE No doubt Dean Whare was the most relieved person of all to see Dylan Edwards return from a knee injury that according to coach Anthony Griffin was meant to keep the rookie fullback out until at least week two if not week three of the finals.

“He got out of the (knee brace) on the Wednesday and had his first run at Captain’s run (last Friday),” Griffin confirmed.

“It was a really great effort from him and I’m really pleased in the way he’s rehabbed himself and for our staff to be able to get a key player back so quickly.

“I saw him run last Wednesday. He and he got straight out of the brace and got back up to top speed. He pulled up okay and didn’t have soreness, so probably Thursday I knew he would play.”

Speaking of Edwards, both he and Nathan Cleary were among the final nominees for key RLPA player awards. Edwards is up against hot favourite Nick Cotric for Rookie of the Year while the season’s top point-scorer Nathan Cleary is among seven finalists for the Players Champion Award.

Plenty made about some of the 50/50 calls against Manly last Saturday but how did Matthew Wright escape censure for throwing a punch that looked to have connected with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak given the facial cut he was sporting after the game.

Penrith’s progress to week two of the finals means ISP coach Garth Brennan may not see the likes of Tyrone May, Moses Leota, Sione Katoa until at least Grand Final day next Sunday.

Whilst on Brennan, the ISP coach says that contrary to a media report that suggested he had a secret meeting with the Gold Coast Titans regarding their vacant NRL coaching role and promised to bring an unsettled Matt Moylan to the club, he hasn’t even heard from the club as yet and senses that he will be overlooked for a NRL experienced coach.

Not often Trent Merrin plays just nine minutes in the second half, but that’s exactly what happened as Griffin rolled the dice at ten-all, bringing back Bryce Cartwright onto the field.

“Obviously he is going through a bit of a tough time at the moment so to see him come out and still support us is a credit to him.”

Hot on the heels of last week’s successful Captains’ run fan day, the Panthers will host a similar event again this Thursday morning at the Panthers Academy.

 Dylan Edwards caps a remarkable early comeback from injury with another strong game. Photo: 77 Media.

And didn’t Cartwright deliver, setting up Peachey’s try before putting the game beyond doubt with his second try of the night.

To top it off, Triple M managed to speak to Bryce briefly after the game on the field, despite still being on a media ban.

Whilst no one likes to see players out injured, injuries to Waqa Blake (shoulder – season) and Tim Browne (hand – indefinite) might prove to be a blessing in disguise with both Dean Whare and Moses Leota performing admirably in their absence and giving the Panthers a different outlook in both attack and defence.

And what about Manly? Not only had a first class spray about the referees’ performance after last Saturday night’s game but proceeded to claim about lack of home ground advantage playing at Allianz Stadium to the extent where chairman, Scott Penn expressed his disappointment over the appearance of the Pantherettes cheerleading squad.

Despite Trent Barrett’s post-match spat, at least the Manly coach showed plenty of class to jump on the Panthers team bus to congratulate his former club and wish them well for this week.

It appears new Warrington Wolves recruit, Sitaleki Akauola won’t be playing alongside exPanther Peta Hiku, with the Kiwi international gaining a release to return home and sign with the NZ Warriors.

Congratulations to Panthers Wayde Egan and Reed Izzard, named in the Holden Cup Team of the Year last week.

Spotted One: Panthers RL CEO Brian Fletcher, coach Anthony Griffin and Matt Moylan in deep conversation outside Allianz Stadium after the Panthers win last Saturday night.

In further good news, Egan along with Jarome Luai have recently signed new two-year deals which will see the pair remain with the club until the end of 2019.

Spotted Two: Sitaleki Akauola sprinting up and down the training fields last Saturday looking to tackle a stray kangaroo – needless to say the kangaroo won that encounter!

Stat of the week – the last time Penrith won two finals games in succession? 2003. The Panthers have since lost their last four second finals games – in 2004, 2010, 2014 and 2016.

Hopefully this is one stat the Panthers can overcome this Friday night. In one previous finals appearance, it was Penrith who prevailed in 1990, in what was the club’s first ever finals victory.

Speaking of Matt Moylan, Nathan Cleary postgame said his appearance pre-game at the team hotel was the perfect tonic heading into a crucial finals game.

“It was awesome. I haven’t seen him all week but I sent him a text to see if he was alright,” Cleary said.

“To see him in the hotel foyer before we left, I got a real boost from it and I’m sure all the other boys did too.

Rumours continue to persist that current Manly assistant coach and Panther legend, John CartwrIght is returning home in 2018 to take up a role on Anthony Griffin’s coaching staff.

See you at the game. #PantherPride

Check out what the blokes are up to at the Men’s Shed

By Keegan Thomson

THE refuge for men of all age and persuasion, the Nepean Men’s Shed is opening its doors to the public for their annual open day.

Locals can come along on Wednesday September 27 to check out the great range of activities that the Men’s Shed has to offer.

Recently the Men’s Shed started to open up for a third day each week, extending their opening days from Monday and Wednesday to now include Friday.

The popularity for the camaraderie offered to men in the group setting has skyrocketed since the Nepean shed opened a few years ago.

Helping each other out, the Nepean Men’s Shed

is always looking out for their members in any way they possibly can.

Earlier this year the Nepean Men’s Shed shone a light on mental health issues facing men of the region, holding information sessions on dealing with the black dog.

This community-driven and locally-minded bunch of males offer up a range of activities to any bloke looking for some new mates. There is a model train club, a few blokes who make wooden toys, a gardening brigade and a slew of activities on offer for any man who has a little inner handyman just busting to get out.

Come along to the open day at 9 am on Wednesday September 27 no matter if you’re a bloke or a sheila

you’ll be treated to a tour of the great facilities at the Nepean Men’s Shed.

The massive green shed is at 18 Simeon Road, Orchard Hills. You can’t miss it.

Repeat Sets with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

PANTHERS FACE NEAR “MISSION IMPOSSIBLE” TO SECURE GRAND FINAL SPOT Penrith’s reward for defeating Manly 22-10 last Saturday night is the near impossible task of having to defeat Brisbane in Brisbane in front of what is expected to be at least 40,000 fans.

If successful there, the Panthers will again jet off interstate, this time to play next Friday night at a venue they have yet to win at in seven attempts – AAMI Park, home of imposing premiership favourites the Melbourne Storm.

It’s a tough task for a side still coming to terms with skipper Matt Moylan’s leave of absence coupled with injuries to Waqa Blake (shoulder – season) and Tim Browne (hand).

But the return of Dean Whare in Blake’s place coupled with the early return from injury of Dylan Edwards (knew) in Penrith’s win last Saturday night gives the Panthers new found confidence they might just be able to achieve the near impossible.

The Panthers stay alive courtesy of an amazing form reversal from the Round 26 clash that saw Manly run out easy winners 28-12, to defeat the “home finals side” 22-10 in a game where the 50/50 calls favoured (correctly) the away team, including a contentious try dubbed by many as “the hand of Peachey” try as replays failed to prove a deflected Bryce Cartwright kick touched the hand of the Panthers centre before grounding the boy for the match-turning try.

Decisions aside, the Panthers were the better side as they rewarded for their high intensity especially in the opening twenty minutes, a fact not lost on coach Anthony Griffin who was proud of the manner in which his young side turned around their season in seven days.

“I haven’t seen a more disappointed shed in my time at the club than after last weekend’s game,” Griffin declared.

“But as it worked out last week it was pretty good dress rehearsal for them when we went over there as a group.

“We were nowhere near where we needed to be finals intensity wise and it really prepared them for tonight.

“I think we all felt we let ourselves down and you could feel from the first training session it was going to be different from us.

“The game slipped away from us a bit in the middle of that second half through our own errors at our end and some penalties so we had to defend it out

“Just everything that they did for sixty minutes was fast and quicker and harder than what we were unfortunately.

“That first half in particular we just got rolled.

“But we’ll have a look at that and regroup tomorrow and see where we are next week.

“I’m sure that obviously the players, will be better than that next week.”

 Coach Anthony Griffin will have to make do without Matt Moylan for this Friday’s grudge clash against former club Brisbane. Photo: 77 Media.

for long periods.

“I thought the last fifteen minutes we steadied really well after being under all that pressure and we were prepared to earn our field position off the kick and chase and eventually that turned it around for us.

“The road hasn’t been real easy at times but I think our whole club shown a lot of resilience this year.

“I haven’t thought too much about Brisbane.

Obviously that’s a big ask going to Brisbane and playing them in a final, but (tonight) it’s just a great win for Penrith and the whole community.”

A week earlier a Penrith side still coming to grips with speculation skipper Matt Moylan wanted out of the club and without fullback Dylan Edwards, were ambushed at Lottoland by a Manly side playing for their season.

Manly dominated the opening sixty minutes to lead 28-0, which suddenly had the Panthers playing for their season defending just a 9 point differential that could have seen them slip out of the finals had the Dragons defeated the Bulldogs the next week.

But they didn’t and much to the relief of fans, two late tries ensured the Panthers were playing finals footy in consecutive seasons for the first time since 2003-04.

Despite qualifying for the finals, coach Anthony Griffin was not happy with the manner in which his side will take two consecutive losses with them.

“We just got out-enthused. They were more physical and energetic for most of the night and we paid the price,” Griffin conceded.

“We had a really good week at training but it was just a performance that we weren’t proud of.

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A well-rested Penrith, led by Jarome Luai and Tony Satini, are just one win away from a grand final spot after easily accounting for the NZ Warriors 3620.

Garth Brennan will be looking for his second Grand Final appearance at this level when his team takes on Canterbury this Sunday at Leichhardt Oval (3pm), having been defeated by the Bulldogs in both rounds earlier this year.

A win will see the Panthers square off in the big one the following Sunday evening at the same venue against the winner of Wyong and NZ Warriors.

David Tangata-Toa’s Holden Cup side faces a sudden-death path to the Grand Final despite being finishing second after 26 rounds courtesy of their win over Manly.

For the third time in as many attempts, the Panthers were defeated by the Dragons last Saturday 18-14 despite both sides scoring three tries a piece.

The Panthers as with the first grade side, will now travel to Brisbane to also take on the Broncos with the winner to meet Parramatta for a place in the Holden Cup grand final.

In NRL team news, Penrith have named the same 17 that accounted for Manly despite speculation that Matt Moylan could make a shock return from his leave of absence.

The 21-man squad is as follows in numeric order: Edwards, Mansour, Peachey, Whare, D WateneZelezniak, May, Cleary, Tamou, Wallace (C), Campbell-Gillard, Harawira-Naera, Yeo, Merrin.

Interchange: Katoa, B Cartwright, Leota, FisherHarris, Luai, Kikau, Akauola, J Cartwright Hopefully a big contingent of Queensland-based Panther supporters will be on hand for what promises to be an exciting clash between two sides meeting in their first final since 1990.

See you at the game. #PantherPride

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Coach’s Corner

Short And Sharp Opinions

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Criticism Of Match Officials Trent Barrett and Shane Flanagan made waves last weekend for their scathing and later unproven and misinformed criticism of the referees in their respective games from the first week of the finals series. Did their teams have some calls go against them? Yes! As do all teams in every game. However the Sea Eagles missed 36 tackles, made 13 errors and conceded 8 penalties while the Sharks missed 34 tackles, made 17 errors and conceded 11 penalties.

Todd Greenberg’s comments were spot on when he lamented the coaches behaviour and suggested the game grow up. There are too many junior league games currently without referees due to declining numbers. The last thing we need is the elite coaches modelling a deflection and blame culture that has unfortunately spread through all levels of our game.

opening week of the finals but they now have a huge advantage with a weeks extra rest and preparation prior to their Grand Final qualifiers. The Panthers proved that a week is a very long time in football and reversed the hammering they received from Manly in Round 26 by ending their season in the first elimination final. I am of the opinion the Panthers are a better team in their current situation without Matt Moylan as the form and cohesiveness of Dylan Edwards, Tyrone May and Nathan Cleary to me looks their most dangerous combination. The Cowboys have been so tough and disciplined since losing Jonathan Thurston and Matt Scott, they are very well coached and thoroughly deserved their victory over the Sharks in the second elimination final. The Sharks proved again to be their own worst enemy.

Finals Week 1 The Roosters and the Storm did enough to earn themselves the week off, but not without some stiff opposition from the Broncos and the Eels. Both the Storm and Roosters were below their best in the

Finals Week 2 and 3 I give the Panthers a huge chance to defeat the Broncos this weekend but it won’t be easy travelling to Suncorp Stadium in front of a full house. The Broncos cannot seem to settle on a spine combination

due to injury and a lack of form in the key positions and their middle forwards can be exposed by a big dynamic pack as the Eels have proved recently with two big wins over them. The Panthers should take this blueprint to Suncorp Stadium this Friday night.

I expect the Eels to take care of the Cowboys purely based on a class and player availability perspective.

For the Cowboys to be in the final six teams is a massive overachievement considering their luck with injury this season. Whoever progresses from the Panthers and Broncos match for me cannot defeat the Storm with all things equal and will need a heap to fall their way to upset the Minor Premiers in the first Grand Final qualifier. But the Roosters and Eels match looks a potential head ache. It will be a case of who can settle in the match earliest and take advantage of their opportunities. The Eels will be under dogs but I think they have the ability to disrupt the Roosters fluency and they can match them in the middle of the park. With all things equal I think the Roosters get the result but don’t count out an Eels upset!

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And now we are all set for finals fever It’s not often you get a second chance as swiftly as the Penrith Panthers did over the course of the past two weekends.

Traveling to Lottoland to take on the Manly Sea Eagles, there was a hell of a lot at stake, Manly lose they’re out of the semi final race, Penrith lose they have to hope other results are favourable. The latter happened, and it happened in emphatic fashion with the Sea Eagles trouncing Penrith at the same time rubbing their noses in the loss.

But as ‘luck’ would have it, the rugby league Gods were shining on Anthony Griffin’s men and they were afforded redemption a mere 7 days later.

How good!

There was no way the game was going to go the way it did on Manly’s home deck a week  Panthers ‘X’ factor this semi final campaign Bryce Cartwright prior, it just doesn’t work that way.

So at Allianz last Saturday night not only did we see a different Penrith team teammates. The jury was well and truly out on whether the Panthers could win from the week before, we also saw a different result with the Panthers reversing the comp with just the sole playmaker, that being Cleary. But now there is a vital the 28-12 defeat with a 22-10 victory. Knocking Manly out of the finals race and option, one that on its day can scare the crap out of any team. setting up a do or die match up with the Brisbane Broncos this Friday night in Great win Panthers, now you must play with the same ferocity and flamboyance Brisbane. that saw you take victory away from your counterparts last weekend.

Again the plot twists, with coach Griffin taking on the club that sacked him after And another thing. the 2014 season, adding further intrigue to an already voluptuous semi final series.

I love my job on the radio with the Triple M Grill Team (weekdays 6-9am) for There were loads of prime performers for the Mountain Men last Saturday night. lots of reasons. But the main one is the places it has taken me. As I’ve mentioned Again, Cleary was more than solid, up front Tamou and Campbell-Gillard were in this column regularly I’m a north coast Terrigal/Burleigh sort of guy for my great, as was Yeo, Peachey, and Pete Wallace, who tackled himself to a standstill holidays but who can say no when you go to places like Istanbul, New York and with 43 tackles slotted in his stats column. now Hawaii!!

But the standout performance, and one the Panther faithful have been waiting all In early October we are doing our show from Hawaii and this time we’re taking year to see was that of Bryce Cartwright. He’s back! a listener and 7 of his mates!! Should be a great trip and one I’m more than grateful And what a time for the play maker to signal his resurgence. for. Talk in a couple of weeks. Aloha.

In a year in which he would want to forget both on and off the field, Bryce exercised several demons against the Eagles with the main beneficiaries being his MG (random Westie) OAM

35 Nepean News 14 September 2017 Issue 209

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