Nepean News 17 February 2023

State election focus on small business

By KeRRI e DAVI e S

Many small business owners in Penrith are still in a recovery phase, having had to take out loans to keep them alive throughout the lockdowns and restrictions. a recent Business nSW survey predicted that a staggering 30 per cent face closure.

With the state election looming, over the next few weeks I’m speaking to the Penrith candidates about their plans. Here is the response from Labor Candidate for Penrith, Karen McKeown.

Can you please tell me what Labor will do to help small businesses and provide your thoughts?

“Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. Having run a small business with my husband Brendan, I know just how much hard work small business owners put in,” Ms McKeown said.

“After 12 years in office, Dominic Perrottet and the Liberals are tired, and are more focussed on themselves than on helping local businesses.

“Labor has listened, and we have a plan to help Penrith businesses get ahead. Our Fresh Start Plan will streamline payroll tax, establish a nSW Business Bureau, make outdoor dining permanently available, and support small businesses to sell their goods and services nationally and overseas.

“Our Fresh Start Plan also includes a local supplier element to tender weightings which gives priority to small businesses in the area nearby the projects they are tendering for, increasing the threshold for direct procurement with small business from $150,000 to $250,000, and increasing the proportion of government expenditure through procurement with small business.”

Karen and Brendon McKeown ran a local small business together.

95B Station St, Penrith

By KeRRI e DAVI e S

This week you will notice that our front page features a new local initiative for our Veterans: the st Marys Veterans Wellbeing Program.

The Program is a joint initiative of the two local Ex-service Organisations - the st Marys RsL sub-Branch and the Veterans support Centre. Whilst the latter has been at the forefront in providing a quality Advocacy service to veterans for their military-related medical conditions for 26 years, this particular Wellbeing Program will provide opportunities for current serving, ex-serving and transitioning Veterans and their families, to build camaraderie amongst like-minded people.

i wanted to take this opportunity to recognise and applaud all the great work that the team at “the train” do to ensure our Veterans have the opportunity to live their best life.

The dedication of Tony Fryer and the st Marys Veterans is absolutely commendable. They are the most genuine salt of the earth citizens you’ll ever meet. They not only served our nation with pride and dignity, they have continued providing services as volunteers through the st Marys RsL sub-Branch and st Marys Outpost.

The Wellbeing Program is a superb initiative.

it is important that we ensure our local Veterans have outreach programs, help with post-service issues and an opportunity to develop friendships with other veterans.

During their service, our Veterans were told where to go, what to do and how to do it. Their training had a strong focus on precision. When facing life out of service, everyday things can be a challenge to a person who matured and began their adult life whilst in the defence forces.

Many also saw sights that they will never unsee. The Wellbeing Program is a fabulous initiative to assist in all the needs and challenges for our Veterans as well as provide much-needed support for their mental health.

if you are a Veteran or you know of a Veteran who isn’t involved in postservice activities, i encourage you to reach out to the fabulous team at st Marys.

They will welcome you with open arms, of that i guarantee.

The st Marys Outpost motto pretty much sums up what they are all about: “Honour the dead, but fight like hell for the living.”

Stage 2: $1B Nepean Hospital upgrade underway

By KeRRI e DAVI e S

Penrith and Blue Mountains communities will soon benefit from a new intensive care unit, additional inpatient units, renal services and more, with construction now underway on the second state-ofthe-art clinical services building at nepean hospital.

Premier Dominic Perrottet, Health Minister Brad Hazzard, Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres and Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies have turned the sod on the site of the new building being delivered as part of Stage 2 of the NSW Government’s $1 billion nepean hospital redevelopment.

“Thousands of people in Penrith and the Blue Mountains are already reaping the benefits of the newlyopened 14-storey hospital tower at Nepean Hospital, which now boasts one of the best emergency departments in the State,” Mr Perrottet said.

“Today marks the start of major construction of a second clinical services building, which will take Nepean Hospital to the next level, ensuring it will continue to deliver the very best healthcare for growing Western Sydney communities.”

The new building, which will be connected to the 14-storey tower built under Stage 1, will provide a new adult intensive care unit, more in-patient units, renal services, medical imaging and nuclear medicine services, education and training facilities and an accessible and welcoming front-ofhouse for patients, visitors and staff.

“Nepean Hospital is undergoing a tremendous transformation thanks

to this $1 billion record investment from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government that will ensure Western Sydney communities are provided with world-class health services well into the future,” Mr Hazzard said.

“By 2031, more than 468,800 people are expected to call the Nepean Blue Mountains Health District home – up 21 per cent on the population in 2016 and we have planned ahead to

meet their healthcare needs.”

Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres acknowledged the health staff who had been key to delivering a first-class hospital redevelopment for Western Sydney communities.

“Our fantastic staff at Nepean Hospital have been instrumental in the design of our new facilities, including the second clinical services building that started construction today, to

ensure they can continue to deliver the very best healthcare to their patients,” Mr Ayres said.

“The successful recent opening of the new emergency department is a great example of everyone’s commitment and passion. i am extremely grateful to the hospital staff and everyone working on the redevelopment who have helped get us to this exciting milestone.”

Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies said the ongoing construction at Nepean Hospital was a great boost for the local economy.

“The Nepean Redevelopment is creating more job opportunities and ensuring better health outcomes for local people,” Ms Davies said.

“More than 3,700 contractors and subcontractors worked on Stage 1 of the Nepean Redevelopment during its construction phase, with 73 per cent of the workforce from Western Sydney.”

CPB Constructions has been awarded the tender to build the second clinical services building. Stage 2 of the redevelopment also includes an expansion of communitybased healthcare in the Penrith area. Construction of this community service will begin once the design process has been finalised with hospital staff.

A new Pathology Unit is also being constructed at Nepean Hospital as part of Stage 2, and clinical areas are being repurposed to better co-locate services and improve patient access.

For more information about the nepean hospital redevelopment visit: www.nepeanredevelopment. health.nsw.gov.au/

Greyhounds to service police in new life as ptsd companion animals

RetiRed greyhounds will be retrained to serve as Posttraumatic Stress disorder (PtSd) companion animals for Australia’s Federal Police in a worldfirst initiative announced in Canberra today.

“this is a truly historic announcement, we are talking about a whole new career for our retired greyhound athletes to be trained for duty as a PtSd companion for Australian Federal Police Association members,” said Greyhound Racing NSW Chief Executive Officer Mr Robert Macaulay.

“i could not think of a better match - the most loyal and loving animals in the world side by side with some of the bravest men and women in our country.”

the ground-breaking program is a union between the Australian Federal Police Association (AFPA), Greyhound Racing NSW (GRNSW) and Greyhounds Australasia (GA).

AFPA President Alex Caruana said his Association was “proud and happy” to welcome greyhounds and partner with GRNSW and GA for this innovative initiative.

“The psycho-social benefits of pet ownership in general, and support animals in particular, for people living with Post-traumatic Stress disorder (PTSD) are significant,” Mr Caruana said.

“Police Association members are at a significantly increased risk of acquiring mental health injuries, and also of those injuries developing into PtSd. “the typically busy operational work life of our members, coupled with socially isolating shifts

and on-call rosters, means that they often find it exceedingly difficult to switch off and decompress after traumatic incidents. Highly-trained and decorated police association members invariably become broken and insular through no fault of their own.

“Meeting and bonding with a support animal gives them so much back over time in terms of independence, manageable routines, exercise and social independence. As an animal lover, i am personally thrilled that these wonderful dogs are able to help people in this way, and at the same time “retire” into a loving environment where they will be showered with love, trust, and lots of treats.

“We look forward to this partnership benefitting AFPA members, and other police association members around Australia.”

AFPA members will also be given priority access to adopt greyhounds through Greyhounds As Pets NSW. today’s announcement comes less than three months after GRNSW and

GA announced a partnership to supply greyhounds as pets to the members of the Police Association of NSW. the early success of that program has led to GRNSW and GA creating a new career for greyhounds with the AFPA.

“When we launched the partnership with the PANSW we heard from a former officer that her adopted greyhound had significantly helped her with her struggles as a sufferer of PTSD,” Mr Macaulay said.

“While still in its infancy, that program has already delivered successful adoptions, but importantly it also delivered us the learning that PtSd dogs are in demand.

“Working closely with Greyhounds Australasia Chair Robert Vellar, we realised we had to take this one step further, and we have now been able to enter into an agreement with one of the pre-eminent dog trainers in Australia, Steve Austin, to retrain our retired athletes for a new career as a PtSd companion animal.

“this truly is ground-breaking. We are talking about a whole new career for retired greyhound athletes.

the retraining of greyhounds for a career outside of racing opens the door to re-imagining the industry. it essentially creates a new career for any non-racing greyhound, and this is in addition to the demand for greyhounds as pets.”

GA Chairman Mr Robert Vellar, a former police officer, has driven the union between police and the greyhound industry with expertise on both sides. He knows both the therapeutic benefit of greyhounds as pets and the comfort they can bring those suffering anxiety disorders. Having served as a police officer, he fully understands the mental strain of working on the front line, being exposed on a daily basis to harrowing and traumatic events, which can ultimately lead to officers suffering from PtSd

“it is with great satisfaction that, together with our other stakeholders, we can announce this relationship with the members of the Australian Federal Police Association,” Mr Vellar said.

“the aim is to facilitate the perfect partnership involving the welfare of these beautiful greyhounds, and the welfare of first responders.

“As a former police officer, I fully understand the trauma that police face in their daily workloads. Our experience has been that by adopting a greyhound as a loyal, forever companion, it will assist in the management of Post-traumatic Stress disorder.

“Greyhounds are loyal, loving and low maintenance and we say if you want a great mate, adopt a greyhound.”

Tutoring initiative brings positive change

tHOuSANDS of students across Western Sydney and the rest of NSW will benefit from more catch-up classes this coming school year thanks to a $253 million funding boost from the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.

Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies welcomed the news for students and families, having seen the positive impact of the program so far.

“this program has been overwhelmingly positive for students across the electorate and so it’s fantastic the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government are boosting the funding for this coming school year, so thousands more students continue to benefit.”

Premier dominic Perrottet said the pioneering small group tutoring initiative, started following COVID lockdowns to support school students who fell behind, is being extended to supercharge student learning as education moves beyond the pandemic.

“Making sure every student has the best possible start in life is a priority for the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government, and small group tutoring has been an important part of student growth these last two years,” said Mr Perrottet.

A recent evaluation of the intensive Learning Support Program (iLSP) looked at the impact of the initiative on student learning and engagement from the teachers’ perspective. it showed

student confidence and engagement improved by 80 per cent, and students’ motivation and attitude towards school had improved by 77 per cent and 69 per cent respectively.

Minister for Education and Early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government was seeing benefits for students and early career teachers.

“We are seeing students’ confidence and classroom engagement improve

thanks to the support they’re receiving. At the same time, hundreds of pre-service teachers are gaining invaluable hands-on experience that will only strengthen their teaching over the long term,” Ms Mitchell said.

“it’s fantastic that students across all school sectors in NSW will continue to benefit from this scheme, thanks to the long-term economic plan of the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government.”

A wider evaluation of the program, including academic outcomes of students involved, will be completed by mid-2023 and will inform the approach to embedding small group tuition as part of the school system beyond 2023.

the NSW Liberal and Nationals Government invested more than $700 million in catch up classes for students in 2021 and 2022. Schools have already been provided $80 million in tutoring funding for the start of 2023, which will now be supplemented by a further $173 million.

Labor promises tradie and truck toll relief

By KeRRI e DAVI e S

NSW Labor will slash tolls for tradies and truck drivers along the M5 East and the M8 if elected in March. NSW Labor Leader Chris Minns said the plan would help to ease the burden of increasing tolls crippling small businesses who need to move around Sydney.

“Currently, trucks and vehicles such as some oversize utes are tolled at three times the rate of cars. Labor will reduce the 3 times truck multiplier to 2 times for up to 10 truck trips per week,” Mr Minns said.

Labor’s toll relief plan is expected to cut the average truck toll by $8, saving a truck driver who does two trips a day, five days a week, a total of $3,800 a year. Mr Minns said cheaper tolls will also incentivise trucks off local suburban roads.

A press release stated that Labor’s plan would be in place for two years, commencing on January 1, 2024. This is short term relief while Labor looks at long term, structural reform to the toll network through the Professor Allan Fels AO led review.

“Each day, trucks make around 8,000 trips on the M5 East and M8,

paying $23.95 per trip,” the release stated.

“Trucks are avoiding the newly tolled M5 East and M8, according to an analysis of Transurban trip data.

“Instead, they’re flooding nearby local suburban streets, such as Stoney Creek Road and Forest Road, disrupting local communities and businesses.

“This is a total two year benefit to drivers of $34.1 million.

“Labor’s package gets the balance right between short term, immediate toll relief for truckies and tradies over the next two years and long term reform through a comprehensive review of the tolls network.”

Mr Minns said Labor’s toll relief policy will deliver more toll relief for small businesses, get trucks off local roads and provides a fresh start for our state’s toll network, and the drivers who use them.

“The government’s decision to put a new toll on a 20 year old road is forcing truck drivers to use local roads, causing traffic chaos and congestion and hurting businesses,” Mr Minns said.

“Families have had their lives turned upside down by thousands of B-double trucks hurtling through local roads 24 hours a day because they are now trying to avoid paying the exorbitant tolls caused by Dominic Perrottet and the NSW Liberals.

“It’s also hurting small businesses like tradies who need to move around Sydney for work, that are racking up thousands of dollars in toll bills a year – they can’t afford it anymore.”

Labor Candidate for Badgerys Creek, Garion Thain, said the announcement would be a relief for many tradies.

“As someone with a background in transport, I’ve heard countless times how toll charges squeeze drivers and local businesses,” Mr Thain said.

“I’ve also been hearing from local commuters about the impact the tolls are having on their budgets. Out here we know all too well that Sydney is the most tolled city in the world. This announcement, and the announcement of a $60 weekly cap, is just the start of long term toll reform that Labor will invest in.”

State Election: One Nation Candidate for Penrith

BELINDA McWilliams is the Penrith State Election Candidate for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party.

Ms McWilliams was born in Dandenong Victoria and raised in Mulgrave in Metropolitan area of Victoria.

“I was educated in Noble Park North Primary and later Carwatha Secondary School before completing my education at the Monash University majoring in General Law and began my employment at Freehill Holdingdale and Page law firm,” Ms McWilliams said.

“I continued to develop my law skills conducting legal research for court matters and educated the article clerks in the usage of electronic resource management. In 2000 I took leave to become a mother and support my growing ambitions to raise a family. This saw me attend to home duties for the next seven years before I began to travel around Australia self-schooling my growing family in both general education and life skills.

“In 2011 my family and I purchased a home in Mackay Qld where we resided. My husband at the time was employed in construction at Mackay Hospital. I too gained employment at Mackay Hospital as initially a cleaner and then was successful in gaining a position as a building labourer, I continued in this role until the collapse of the construction industry.

In Mid 2019 Ms McWilliams moved from Brisbane QLD to Kingswood NSW via an employment transfer after a

marriage breakdown.

“I was with this company until COVID hit the country and saw my employment ceased. In 2019,” Ms McWilliams said. .

“I successfully entered politics as a member of Pauline’s One Nation Party and became part of my local Regional Co-coordinating Committee and worked briefly in the NSW Party office in Sydney until the office relocated to Cessnock NSW.

“In 2022 I successfully applied as a candidate and was successful in gaining the endorsement as the NSW State candidate for the Seat of Penrith. Since my endorsement I have endeavoured to support the party’s policies but have also become a strong advocate for the residents of Penrith particularly opposing the relocation of the Penrith Paceway to make way for a new stadium for the local football team.

“While I am not opposed to development in Penrith, I am strongly in support of ensuring adequate representation for the people of Penrith.

“I am acutely aware that Penrith is a growing area however any development requires adequate investment in infrastructure, public consultation whilst ensuring the history of the area is preserved.

“If I am elected in the upcoming state election, I promise to support the interests of the people of Penrith first and foremost. I intend to run my campaign on a basis of truth and integrity.”

Labor Candidate for Badgerys Creek, Garion Thain having a chat with a tradie from St Clair.

Green thumbs at York Public School

Stuart ayreS MP, Member for Penrith visited york Public School to announce funding through the NSW Government’s $10 million Sustainable Schools Grants program.

Stuart ayres said this investment by the NSW Government will deliver hands-on, sustainable focused projects that link to the NSW Curriculum.

“I am thrilled that york Public School are taking part in this project that will encourage kids to get out and have a green thumb,” Stuart ayres said.

“this is a student-led program that’s focused on improving the environment at schools, and this funding will empower students and school communities to implement projects that will benefit the environment by helping to save energy or water, reduce waste, or improve biodiversity.”

the Growing Garden will provide opportunities to develop cognitive, emotional, and social skills. Children will design, plant, nurture, harvest, and eat the produce that they grow, and will be introduced to sustainability, creativity, and physical interaction with the land. the cross-curricular initiative will drive school pride and well-being. Other areas of focus include waste reduction initiatives, such as return and earn collections and vermicomposting, as well as water conservation initiatives including the installation of wicking garden beds.

“I am looking forward to seeing this wonderful project soon come to life at york Public School.”

Minister for education and early Learning

Sarah Mitchell said all NSW public schools and preschools were encouraged to apply for funding of up to $15,000 to deliver practical, sustainability

focused projects for their students.

“I’m proud the NSW Government has made it a priority to help schools create innovative hands-on projects to make our NSW school environments more sustainable,” Ms Mitchell said. the grants are part of a four-year, $10 million program that is designed to help students learn about environmentally sustainable practices. the third round of grants included programs to improve biodiversity and connect students to nature; resource efficiency (energy, water, waste);

environmental education or behavioural change projects; and capacity building projects.

Successful round 4 grant recipients will be announced during term 1 2023.

the NSW Government is investing $8.6 billion in school infrastructure over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 160 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. this builds on the more than $9.1 billion invested in projects delivered since 2017, a program of $17.7 billion in public education infrastructure.

Celebrating hard work and achievement

MeMber for Mulgoa, tanya Davies MP, recently held a morning tea to celebrate the hard work and dedication of Mulgoa’s best and brightest – the 2022 Higher School Certificate (HSC) distinguished achievers.

“to attain an HSC mark of 90 or above in a course of study is an outstanding achievement that demonstrates an incredible work ethic and commitment to study,” tanya Davies said.

131 students in schools across the Mulgoa electorate achieved the status of distinguished achiever, according to the NSW education Standards Authority (NESA).

the schools that produced distinguished achievers include alFaisal College, Caroline Chisholm College, Cecil Hills High School, Christadelphian Heritage College Sydney, emmaus Catholic College, erskine Park High School, Glenmore Park High School, Irfan College, Mamre anglican School, Nepean Christian School, Penrith anglican College, St Narsai assyrian Christian College and thomas Hassall anglican College.

“With over 131 students attaining distinguished achiever status, I would like to acknowledge the dedication and input of teachers, parents and carers that assisted these students,” said tanya Davies.

the principals, staff and teachers of those schools should feel incredibly proud of not only their students but also themselves. tanya Davies said she cannot imagine the challenges these students have endured over the past

two years with the implementing online learning in the face of lockdowns.

“I am confident that as learners they will achieve and accomplish much if they continue to persist in working hard and striving to reach their goals.”

at the morning tea, Mrs Davies had the privilege of engaging with the students, offering her support for all their endeavours and encouraging them to seize every opportunity presented to them.

Tanya Davies MP with students at HSC Distinguished Achievers morning tea.

VETERANS WELLBEING PROGRAM

co-conducted by St Marys RSL sub-Branch and St Marys Veterans Support Centre

A new WELLBEING PROGRAM designed for all Veterans and their family launches from 1st March 2023

- YES, here at St Marys!

Are you a Veteran? Are you interested in meeting other Veterans of a like mind in activities of interest to you? Minimal cost involved - maximum gain for you.

The program will commence with a broad range of activities - these will change to reflect feedback from veterans and our capacity for different activities. From coffee chats, to local walks, to computer classes, to guitar lessons, to barefoot bowls, to exercise classes, etc, etc - check the Wellbeing web page for St Marys RSL sub-Branch to scan the full list of activites on offer and who they are for.

Some activites on offer are for your partner too; some for the whole family; age? (young or old) - all welcome!

ALSO, for VETERANS wishing to lodge a claim with DVA ... we offer an ADVOCACY Service that has a very high level of successful outcomes

Veteran Wellbeing Program Launches in St Marys For all Veterans and their Family

Announcing the Launch of a comprehensive WELLBEing PRogRAM in St Marys, aimed at enhancing lifestyle and camaraderie for all local Veterans and their family. Whether a Veteran is still serving (Regular or Reserve), or transitioning back to civilian life, or later in post-Service life, the PRogRAM is here for all.

The WELLBEing PRogRAM is presented as a joint-venture by the two local Ex-Service organisations, St Marys RSL sub-Branch and the St Marys Veterans Support centre (‘The Train’), with primary contact via the Veterans Support centre. Separately, these two organisations have quietly gone about their work of helping veterans in Advocacy and various WELLBEing initiatives in

St Marys for more than 30 years – it is the reason for their existence ... they are now offering those initiatives, and additional ones, in a wider and flexible comprehensive WELLBEing PRogRAM.

in the meantime, the Advocacy Services continue to provide veterans with a high level of satisfaction in their dealings with the DVA. in recent years ‘The Train’s’ Advocates have been able to submit 100+ claims to DVA each month, with a very high rate of successful outcomes. They are available Monday to Friday by appointment for Veteran interviews.

The new WELLBEing PRogRAM is designed to offer a flexible range of lifestyle enhancement opportunities at regular intervals. Some activities will be on offer to Veterans only; some to Partners;

some to both and whole family. The PRogRAM will change from time-to-time, to reflect feedback and ideas from Veterans in the area.

Accompanying this article is a calendar of events/ activities - if any (or some) of these strike a chord with you, let us know now. contact Leanne at the Veterans Support centre (02 9833 4700) or Tony at the RSL sub-Branch (0414 557 692). They will be happy to give you more detail on available or upcoming activities.

come along and be part of a like-minded group … we’d love for you to be part of the Program. We’d also love to hear your ideas about additional activities for which we may be able to attract a group of veterans to participate.

Wellbeing Activities for veterans and Family – Current or Proposed

Activity PA rtici PA nts

Coffee n Chat Veterans

Social Guild Veterans & partner

Descri P tion/t iming

Mon – Fri early mornings – simply just a chat on the Train veranda (Veterans Support Centre)

Occasional social outings local or coach overnight

Hospital Visitations Veterans & partner Teams of 2 visit veterans in local hospitals

Guitars for Vets Veterans Wednesday mornings @ Veterans Support Centre (the Train); learn to play or join a jam session

Monthly BBQ B’fast Veterans & family 8.00am Last Thursday of each month @ Veterans Support Centre (the Train)

Exercise classes White or gold card holders Tue and Fri @ 8.00am @ Ripples, St Marys; occasional walks from/to the Train in lieu; must meet criteria

Walk n Talk Veterans & family Monthly walk on local footpaths from/to the Veterans Support Centre (the Train)

Small bus day-trips Veterans

Occasional, weekday or weekend; greater Sydney area; lodge interest at Veteran Support Centre

Computer Classes Veterans and partner Tuesday mornings @ Veterans Support Cente (Train carriage); for beginners

Merrie Widows Partners of deceased vets Last Wednesday of each month - gathering for lunch @ St Marys Diggers Club

Gov King Day Club Veterans & partner Wednesdays 9.00am @ Mamre House area

Packing Care Boxes Veterans

6-monthly day trip to Randwick to pack care boxes

Barefoot Bowls Veterans and partner 1st Friday of the month - mornings @ St Marys Diggers Club

Wellbeing Activity for mArcH 2023

DAte Activity

Wednesday 1st, 15th, 22nd & 29th March

Gov King Day Club - Guitars for Vets

EVERY THURSDAY Coffee n Chat

Friday 3rd March

Exercise Class - Coffee n chat - Barefoot Bowls

EVERY MONDAY Coffee n Chat

EVERY TUESDAY Exercise Class - Coffee n chat - Computer Intro Class

Wednesday 8th March

Friday 10th, 24th & 31st March

Gov King Day Club - Guitars for Vets - Care Box Packaging

Exercise Class - Coffee n chat

Saturday 11th March Walk n Talk

Thursday 30th March BBQ B’fast

Nominations now open for Westfield 2023 Local Heroes program

Westfield is calling on local communities to help shine a light on our unsung heroes, with nominations now open for the 2023 Westfield Local Heroes program. Returning for the sixth consecutive year, the program aims to discover and celebrate individuals who make a positive impact on their local community or environment, raising awareness of their work and providing a platform for community recognition.

since its inception in 2018, the program has recognised and celebrated more than 600 Westfield Local Heroes, with $6.135 million in grants distributed to the organisations they represent. The grants have been used by Westfield Local Heroes alumni in ways that directly benefit the community or environment.

the program alumni represent a variety of sectors and hold positions such as environmentalists, innovators, community volunteers and leaders, welfare service providers, first responders, essential workers, health and medical experts, educators, social entrepreneurs, and intrapreneurs.

following the success of last year’s format, the 2023 program will see a shortlist of three finalists selected

Westfield Winners 2022

for each Westfield centre, with the community then invited to vote for their local hero. the successful hero of each Westfield centre will be awarded a $20,000 grant for the group or organisation they represent, and the two finalists will receive a $5,000 grant for their group or organisation. Across Australia and New Zealand, Westfield will provide $1.26 million in Westfield Local Hero grants in 2023. Scentre Group National Community Manager, Pam Wilson said: “We’re thrilled to announce the return of the

Westfield Local Heroes program for its sixth consecutive year. Our local communities are full of everyday heroes who go above and beyond for others, and this is our chance to recognise and support them to continue their important work.

Communities across Australia and New Zealand are invited to nominate individuals who support the community in any field, including:

• Family and Youth Support

• Health and Wellbeing

• Inclusion and equity

• Community resilience

• environmental sustainability

“Nominating your Westfield Local Hero is one small act that can have a big impact. If you know a community champion who deserves to be recognised for their outstanding contributions, visit the Westfield website, and nominate them,” Pam said.

Westfield Local Heroes is open to people in a broad range of sectors including emergency services, registered community groups, sporting clubs, not-for-profit, schools, authorities and the local environment. there are no restrictions on previous nominees, finalists or heroes being nominated again and nominees only need one nomination to be considered for the assessment process.

Nominations for Westfield Local Heroes close on 30 March 2023. The community vote will be held between 22 August and 11 September 2023 to determine the Westfield Local Heroes at each centre, with the grant recipients announced on 10 October 2023.

For more information and to nominate your Westfield Local Heroes, visit www.westfield.com.au/ local-heroes

Celebrating seniors’ contributions across Penrith

sTUART AYReS MP, Member for Penrith presented three seniors with Local Achievement Awards as part of the 2023 seniors festival.

Stuart Ayres said Cheryl, Rosalyn and Valda were carefully selected from a high calibre of nominees.

Recipients for the Penrith local Achievement Awards are:

Cheryl devine for service to the community through the emu Plains Lions Club, emu Plains Netball Club and emu Plains Little Athletics Club, Rosalyn towers for service to the community through the Nepean Valley RSL Day Club, Valda Silvy for service to the community through work and advocacy for arts and culture.

“I congratulate today’s recipients who have made our region a diverse, active and inspirational place to live – thank you for your generous and remarkable contributions,” Stuart Ayres said.

The Local Achievement Awards are among an array of events taking place across the state as part of the 2023 NSW Seniors Festival, which enables older people to engage with each other, their community, and services.

The award winners highlight the diverse ways seniors support their families, communities, and society more broadly.

Minister for Seniors Mark Coure said the awards program and festival are key initiatives in the NSW Government’s ongoing commitment to supporting seniors.

“Seniors have and continue to make significant contributions to our society—we would not have the great state we do today without them,” Mr Coure said.

“I for one am incredibly appreciative of seniors and these awards are about recognising those contributions and thanking seniors for all they do.”

the NsW seniors festival runs from 1 – 12 February 2023 and is the largest festival for seniors in the Southern Hemisphere.

For more information about NSW Seniors Festival and the Local Achievement Awards, visit: seniorsfestival.nsw.gov.au

NsW leading digital solutions for working with children checks

tHe NSW Liberal and Nationals Government is utilising digital technology to improve the renewal process for Working with Children Checks by piloting the use of photo verification to offer a new convenient and secure online government service.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said enabling people the option to securely prove who they are online anywhere, anytime will save customers valuable time.

“there are more than 1.8 million customers in New South Wales who currently hold a Working with Children Check, which is required to be renewed every five years. Until now, customers would need to go into a Service NSW Centre to verify who they are in order to renew it,” Mr Dominello said.

“Having the choice to complete a digital photo verification, customers will now be able to complete their Working with Children Check renewal online instead of attending in person, which will save them on average about two hours per check.

“the innovative technology relies on customers to use their desktop, laptop or phone camera to verify their real-time photo image against their own government-issued ID, which ensures their identity remains safe, and is not being imitated online by scammers or hackers.”

Minister for Families and Communities, and Minister for Disability Services Natasha MaclarenJones said results of the pilot phase would optimise the final experience for customers as part of the state-wide rollout.

“This pilot will help unlock greater accessibility to government services, particularly for customers

with a disability, those who are time poor or living in rural or regional areas where it can be difficult to access a Service NSW Centre in person,” Mrs Maclaren-Jones said.

“We want to make sure this service delivers for all customers and with the technical foundations in place and tests underway, we look forward to hearing participant feedback and identifying opportunities for further enhancements.”

The NSW Liberal and Nationals Government has allocated $2.1 billion across four years to the Digital Restart Fund to build smart, simple technology solutions for customers across the state.

for more information on the NsW digital Identity and Verifiable Credentials program go to: www.nsw.gov.au/nsw-government/projects-andinitiatives/nsw-digital-id

Roycey seeks sponsors as his Big Walk returns

NRL legend Royce Simmons is hitting the road again for Royce’s Big Walk, with plans to walk more than 300 kilometres from Dubbo to Bathurst, and is seeking new sponsors to help him raise muchneeded funds for dementia research.

Kicking off on Tuesday 18 April, Simmons will be joined by an array of high-profile walking companions during his challenging 12-day journey across Central West NSW.

The 62-year-old was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2021, inspiring the inaugural Royce’s Big Walk event, which last year raised over $1 million to support the work of Dementia Australia.

Former Test and Origin forward Simmons is already in training for this year’s 313-kilometre walk and is calling on new corporate partners to be part of the journey.

“Through my own diagnosis I came to learn the statistics around dementia, and they’re genuinely shocking,” Simmons said.

“It’s a disease that affects almost every family in every community around the country.

“The walk gives us an opportunity to start important conversations and spread awareness, while also raising funds that will make a meaningful

difference.”

Dementia is the leading cause of death for Australian women and the second leading cause of death for all Australians.

It’s estimated there are currently up to 400,000 Australians living with the disease and another 1.5 million people involved in their care.

“On last year’s walk I met and spoke to so many people who had been dealing with dementia in some

way and they were very emotional conversations,” Simmons said.

“I also saw how willing people were to put their hand in their pocket to help fight this disease.

“The job isn’t done so that’s why we’re heading back out again, and looking for new corporate partners to join us in 2023.”

Along with raising funds for dementia research, during each leg of Royce’s Big Walk, Simmons and

his walking companions will attend functions in support of local junior rugby league clubs.

The walk will conclude at Carrington Park in Bathurst on Saturday 29 April, as the Panthers and Wests Tigers NRL sides do battle for the Royce Simmons Cup.

For more information on Royce’s Big Walk and the sponsorship opportunities available, visit roycesbigwalk.com.au

$14 million boost to support victim-survivors of family, domestic and sexual violence

Women and Children across Western Sydney will be further supported as eight new and expanded programs will receive $14 million to enhance safety, health and justice outcomes for those who have experienced family, domestic or sexual violence.

member for mulgoa, Tanya Davies said the newly announced programs continue the nSW Liberal and nationals support for victim-survivors.

“Domestic Violence is a scourge on society and this funding will ensure victim-survivors are better supported when leaving violence and rebuilding their lives,” mrs Davies said.

“The additional support services ensure that women and children across Western Sydney have even more options to seek support when needed.”

Health minister Brad Hazzard said the nSW Government is upholding its promise of prioritising the boosting of supporting services for victimsurvivors of family, domestic and sexual violence.

“This funding will allow us to upskill our clinical workforce to ensure they have the tools and knowledge to respond to the care needs of victimsurvivors,” mr Hazzard said.

minister for Women, Regional Health and mental Health Bronnie Taylor said the initiatives will also be expanded across regional nSW, ensuring the support is there for communities when they need it.

“These initiatives are about providing wraparound support for victim-survivors who have experienced family, domestic and sexual violence so they can feel empowered to make the best

decision for them and their families,” mrs Taylor said.

minister for Women’s Safety and the Prevention of Domestic and Sexual Violence natalie Ward said tragically in this country, one in every six women and one in sixteen men have experienced physical or sexual violence from a current or former partner.

“Prevention is a key support we can provide victim-survivors, which is why our support services are matched with programs that focus on eliminating family, domestic and sexual violence across nSW,” mrs Ward said.

The $14 million investment will deliver eight new and expanded health projects:

• Justice Our Way Expansion: This program supports Aboriginal women in the criminal justice system, many of whom have experienced family, domestic and sexual violence. The expansion will scale up the model developed by Waminda Aboriginal Community Controlled Health organisation (ACCHo) in nowra, to meet increased demand and extend the program to additional locations.

• Medical and Forensic Clinical Placement and Support Program: To support Sexual Assault nurse examiners (SAnes), particularly those in rural, regional and remote nSW to participate in and strengthen their capacity to deliver safe, bestpractice and high-quality medical forensic services in their respective sexual assault services.

• Safety and Support for Children Experiencing Violence, Abuse and Neglect: A state-wide

7TH MaRCH 2023

paediatric violence, abuse and neglect training program will be delivered to assist paediatricians and other medical practitioners to deliver medical and forensic services to children and young people experiencing abuse and neglect, plus provide medico-legal evidence and witness testimony in court.

• Pilot Domestic and Violence Crisis Response Program: A new integrated psychosocial, medical and forensic domestic and family violence (DFV) 24-hour crisis response service.

• Training to improve interagency responses to families experiencing domestic and family violence and child protection concerns: This project will enhance holistic responses across government and non-government sectors, including mental health, drug and alcohol clinicians to provide coordinated services which promote safety for all family members.

• Support to Safety project This project will review sexual, domestic and family violence helplines available in nSW and scope options for a single ‘front door’ triage service.

• NSW Health Domestic Violence Routine Screening program: A review of the DVRS program across mandated health service settings.

• Sex, safety and respect educator training: Full Stop Australia will deliver an experiential program focusing on communication in intimate relationships, sexual ethics, and consent and bystander strategies for young people across nSW.

The Royce Manor celebrates residents’ enduring love stories

Valentine’s Day is a day to celebrate all things ‘love’, and what better way to spend it then with your significant other? the team at the Royce Manor recently came together to host a series of very special lunches for a handful of couples living in the aged Care facility.

a feast for the senses, the residents were treated to a delicious menu

designed by the talented on-site catering team. each couple was given their own individual table, allowing them to enjoy their meal in private and spend quality time together. the room was beautifully decorated with balloons, flowers and pictures designed to spark fond memories.

the highlight of the lunch was the printed wedding photos of each couple, which provided a lovely

opportunity for the residents to reminisce on times gone by and share stories amongst the group. Having all experienced relationships spanning more than three decades, each couple had their own unique stories to tell of how they met and their lives together over the years.

the team at the Royce Manor went above and beyond to make the event a success and ensure each couple felt

special and comfortable. they had even organised activities and games that the couples could participate in, which added to the festive atmosphere of the occasion.

a heart-warming experience for all involved, the Valentine’s Day lunches held at the Royce Manor were a true celebration of enduring love and will be remembered for a long time to come.

Legends of the Nepean EmiLy Smith

By Noel Rowsell

EMIlY Smith is a young woman who is overcoming her own mental health challenges to teach, inspire and encourage other young people through their own personal challenges.

Initially a Friend of lions, Emily is now a member of the Emu Plains lions Club, following in the footsteps of her Great-grandmother, who was also a lions member.

Emily has been exemplary in her ability to overcome the challenges of her own journey and subsequently make a difference in the lives of others.

Recently employed full-time by ReachOut, Emily is a senior peer worker and trains and mentors other Peer Workers.

Born locally and living in Penrith for her 22 years, Emily attended Cambridge Gardens PS, Caroline Chisholm College and McCarthy Trade Training Centre, graduating with a Certificate in Business & Certificate in Accounts and Administration.

She first started experiencing mental health issues in primary school, where she experienced bullying and anxiety. Following her move from primary to high school, she found the transition tough, where the difference between knowing everyone at the school (primary school) and feeling lost among a

much larger gathering of students (high school) proved a tough challenge.

In her late teens, Emily experienced severe anxiety and struggled with her body image and disordered eating but with the help of her family, a coach (Damien Adams from Comp Edge Performance), professional supports and the love and companionship of her English Staffie ‘Jack’, Emily has been able to both understand and be more in control of her environment and health.

“Mental Health needs are as important as other needs at school” said Emily. “I was fortunate enough to be surrounded by supportive teachers at McCarthy Training Centre, where I felt students were treated more as adults.”

She volunteered to work in the mental health environment with headspace, who were after someone who had experienced their own mental health journey, and subsequently worked on their Youth Advisory Committee.

In 2018, Emily was hired by headspace on a part-time basis, advocating for the needs of young people, and in 2019, became a peer worker.

In 2020, she became a Coordinator and first met ReachOut, becoming involved with the Mental Health Commission of New South Wales and the ReachOut Team.

In 2022, Emily was employed full-time by ReachOut, as a Senior Peer Worker, training and mentoring other Peer Workers.

Emily has since been back to McCarthy on one visit to speak to students and has also organised other speakers to address the students.

Emily had the privilege of speaking at the launch of ‘PeerChat’ at Parliament House and said “I was very nervous.”

The event was to showcase the service and consisted of multiple speakers. Emily’s part was a Q & A session which commenced at 7am and went for about 10 minutes, advocating for the needs of Mental Health and building up the service, and Emily even improvised a joke or two.

“In November, I was privileged enough to be able to give a speech at Parliament house advocating for the needs of young people’s mental health and presenting our new service at ReachOut, alongside our CEO, Youth ambassadors and Ian Thorpe,” said Emily.

“I was given the opportunity to speak about my lived experience of mental health, present our new one-on-one peer support service PeerChat, that I have been apart of since it’s beginning, and advocate for the importance of services like ours for young people.

“I also was fortunate enough to be able to meet with different members of Parliament following the event to continue spreading more awareness around the importance of youth mental health support.

“As many will know, I have a stutter and this is something that has often made me super nervous and hesitant to speak. But I am so glad that I finally worked up the courage to use my voice to advocate for something I am super passionate about. I must say I was super shocked following the event, when people started asking to take a picture with me and now seeing posts about me circling around on social media is so surreal. Seeing the members of Parliament’s reaction to my speech and having them

come up to me afterwards telling me the impact my story had for them was something I will remember for ever.

“If anyone who is reading this feels like there is something they have been putting off because they feel like they won’t be able to do it, I encourage you to face your fears and it give a go.

“I am so happy I finally found my voice and will now never let anything else stop me from advocating for the Youth Mental Health space.

“I have included a link to ReachOut’s new service if you wanna check it out! If anyone is going through a rough time right now I encourage you to seek support, whether this be through family, friends or mental health services. https://au.reachout.com/ peerchat”

Emily won the ‘Australian Defence Force Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork award 2018’, the James and Mary McCarthy Award- (McCarthy Trade Training Centre) 2018, was a Regional

Finalist in VET in schools student of the year 2018, Semi-Finalist for the Channel 7 Young Achiever’s Freemasons of NSW/ACT Community Service Award 2020, Lions Club Young Citizen of the Year 2018.

“I hope for more opportunities to speak about Mental Health,” said Emily. “It helps having the confidence of everyone at work. I have a voice, I’m in a good role and I didn’t want my mental health issues to hold me back.”

Emily’s support group include parents Mandy and Will, sister Malinda and partner Tom, who has been her sweetheart since high school.

Emily Smith was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Jim Devine. If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at nepeannews@aol.com

Lions. Photos courtesy of Emily Smith. Tom & Emily Emily Smith and Ian Thorpe

Valentine’s Day dangers for pets

vomiting, diarrhoea, lack of appetite, stomach pain, depression, difficulty swallowing, kidney damage, kidney failure, multiple organ failure, If you are unsure of the flowers in your bouquet, there are many apps and websites with pictures of common flowers.

may not be a problem, in cats 5 g/kg or more and in dogs 15 g/kg or more of onions has resultant in clinically significant hematologic changes.

By Kellie Tic K ner, Orchard

WhIlST chocolate and flowers are traditionally considered romantic Valentine’s Day traditions, our pets who nibble on their owner’s gifts definitely will not be feeling the love.

Every special day on our calendar can bring a range of dangers for our pets.

Flowers – Roses are certainly the iconic flower of Valentine’s Day, but mixed bouquets are also common. Unfortunately, lilies that can cause acute kidney injury in cats (lillium sp. or hemerocallis sp.) are commonly used in mixed bouquets. Symptoms of lily toxicity include

Chocolate – After Christmas and Easter, Valentine’s Day brings a wave of chocolate toxicities into the clinic. Chocolate is toxic because it contains a chemical called theobromine, as well as caffeine. Theobromine is the predominant toxin in chocolate and is very similar to caffeine. Both chemicals are also used medicinally as a diuretic, heart stimulant, blood vessel dilator, and a smooth muscle relaxant. Dogs cannot metabolize theobromine and caffeine as well as people can. This makes them more sensitive to the chemicals’ effects.

Onion & Garlic – A romantic meal for two sounds like the perfect idea for Valentine’s Day, at least until your cat jumps on the counter and starts eating the diced onion. Whilst one bite

Orchard hills

Veterinary hOspital

Alcohol - What goes better with a good meal than a glass of wine? While the grapes in wine have not proven to be an issue for dogs, the alcohol certainly could cause problems for them.

Chewing Gum – Gum containing xylitol may be a good bad-breath cure, but it’s also one of the most common sources of xylitol toxicity for dogs. For dogs, xylitol ingestion can lead to seizures or even death, so it’s important to contact your vet immediately.

String and Ribbon – Cats love string and ribbon toys to bat around and carry in their mouths but swallowed ribbon and string can get caught in their stomach and intestines, requiring emergency surgery. To avoid this life-threatening situation, always monitor cats when they are playing with these types of toys.

Bath Bombs – Certain scented bath

products like soaps, bath bombs and other objects that smell good enough to eat may encourage your dog to do just that! Whilst scented products are usually deliberately designed to taste bitter and unappealing to keep children from eating them, as anyone who owns a curious puppy will tell you, some dogs eat first and think later. Bath products and soap are unlikely to prove poisonous to your dog, but they will potentially give them a short bout of stomach problems, including diarrhoea and vomiting.

If your dog has not been vaccinated in the last 12 months, we would recommend a visit to your veterinarian. To protect your dog from this deadly disease, call Orchard hills Veterinary hospital on (02) 47 362 027.

Ph 4736 2027

49 Wentworth Road, Orchard Hills

Looking for adoptive parents and forever home

FRIEnDS of hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter seek the “extras” for the dogs and cats in care at hawkesbury Pound. They also visit the pound each week and take photographs and temperament tests of the animals to post online and promote the animals. They upload their images and opinions of

COME AND MEET OUR SENIOR BOY REX

these animals to Facebook, Twitter and PetRescue. To follow them, look them up on facebook and twitter. For any inquires related to these animals at hawkesbury Pound, please contact them directly on (02) 4560 4644.

ERNIE IS WAITING TO MEET YOU TODAY

HOLDEN IS WAITING FOR HIS FOREVER HOME

Rex is a gentle dog with a friendly nature, he would be best suited with a family who have older children. If you are interested in adopting Rex please come to the shelter to meet him.

Cost: $249.45 Age: 9 years

Type: Dog Breed: German Shepherd Sex: Male

All prices include microchipping, lifetime council registration, desexing and 1st Vaccination. R251000145

Ernie is a friendly well behaved boy, he has been friendly with the other dogs playing next to him in the exercise yard and has been friendly towards the staff, Ernie would be best suited with a family who will be able to teach him his basic manners and take him for fun walks. If you feel you can give Ernie a loving home please come to the shelter to meet him.

Cost: $49.00 Age: 2 years

Type: Dog Breed: Sharpei Cross

Sex: Male

All prices include microchipping, lifetime council registration, desexing and 1st Vaccination. R251000145

Holden is a sweet kitten that has been waiting for someone to come and choose him! If you are looking for a fun loving kitten then please come and meet holden!

Cost: $29 Age: 10 weeks

Type: Kitten Breed: Domestic Short hair

Sex: Male

All prices include microchipping, lifetime council registration, desexing and 1st Vaccination. R251000145

PLEASE CHECK OUT MY FRIENDS FOR ADOPTION ASWELL

PETstock Penrith’s National Pet Adoption Month returns to help pets most in need

On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March, PETstock Penrith will play host to its local animal rescue organisation as part of national Pet Adoption Month, an initiative of The Petspiration Foundation (formally PETstock Assist) with support from event partner PetRescue.

With 1 in 5 families acquiring a new dog or cat to add to the family unit in recent years, the Petspiration Foundation is encouraging Australians to Adopt Different this national Pet Adoption Month by considering a pet most in need, with more than 7,400 animals currently looking for a forever home.

Sherralea Cassidy, Petspiration Foundation’s Charity and Events Lead, says the charity is on a mission to have cats, large dogs, adolescent dogs and bonded pairs that can’t be separated, adopted as they remain the most vulnerable in 2023.

“All pets deserve a safe and loving home, and national Pet Adoption Month is the perfect opportunity to meet pets searching for a new family,” says Sherralea.

natural disasters, increasing living costs, inflation and access to housing

are impacting pet ownership and leading to surrenders of pets. PetRescue Founder and Director, Vickie Davy, is seeing great dogs coming into rescue care, ready for a new home, even if some training is needed.

“The fact is that only a small percentage of pets are surrendered due to their behaviour which - like any animal - can be negated through dedicated training,” says Vickie.

Animal Behaviourist, Dr Kate Mornement, says, many rescue pets have been house pets in the past and are already toilet trained, with basic manners so you’re not starting from scratch - it’s about reinforcing the existing desired behaviours and building on these.

“There are so many options when it comes to adoption. Cats are wonderfully intelligent animals,

fantastic for any size home, and can be easily trained (just like dogs) using positive reinforcement,” says Kate.

“I also encourage would-be rescue pet owners not to be put off by a large dog because you think it will need more exercise, as it is very much dependent on the breed, age and individual personality of the dog. For those concerned about being in the office and leaving their pet, a bonded pair could be the answer as they have each other for company.”

The Petspiration Foundation exists to strengthen the rewarding bond between pets and people and has found homes for more than 13,000 rescue pets since its inception in 2007. 6.9 million Australian households currently are pet owners.

Animal lovers are encouraged to visit petstock.com.au in March to find a pet that needs a forever home. On Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March head to selected PETstock stores to meet rescue pets available for adoption or fostering.

SAVE THE DATE

WHAT: PETstock Penrith’s National Pet Adoption Day

WHEn: Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 March 2023

TimE: 10am – 2pm

WHErE: PETstock Penrith, 9/ 72-82 Mulgoa Rd, Jamisontown NSW 2750

WHo: Local partner rescue groups will be available for expert advice, with rescue pets available for adoption or fostering*

WHy: To raise awareness of pet adoption and foster care placement throughout the Month of March by urging Australians to consider a pet most in need of a loving home

* Rescue pets available for adoption or fostering on the actual day varies from store-tostore

Exciting local artist opportunities at Penrith Regional Gallery and Q Theatre

Penrith Performing and Visual Arts is pleased to announce two amazing initiatives for local artists: Ancher Points: emerging Artists intensive at Penrith regional Gallery and Q theatre Lab at the Joan.

Ancher Points: emerging Artists intensive is the inaugural professional development program designed specifically to support emerging artists from Greater Western Sydney in a contemporary regional gallery setting.

the program will take place in the Gallery’s Ancher house, an architectural collaboration between Margo Lewers and renowned midcentury Architect, Sydney Ancher. it builds on the experimental, artistic and intellectual legacy of the original inhabitants, Gerald and Margo Lewers, who realised their creative vision at emu Plains.

the program’s focus is to provide an in-depth industry and peer-to-peer experience that promotes skills and knowledge exchange, while offering dynamic opportunities for artists to connect across the Greater Western Sydney region.

Penrith regional Gallery invites applications from emerging artists who live, work or has a connection to Greater Western Sydney, are in their first five years of their practice and are 18 years old and above. this unique

opportunity is limited to 12 with two positions assigned for First nations artists.

Q theatre Lab is Q theatre’s residency program that champions the creation of new work that is for, with or by Western Sydney artists. it’s designed to make creative space and time for developing a dynamic project in the ideas or early stages of development.

Q theatre Lab aims to offer artistic freedom to develop ideas, new work, or artform, and puts the artist’s needs at the centre of the process. the program is artist-led, allowing artists to set their parameters best for their personal

Western Sydney artists and stories, this platform is for any Western Sydney artist with a performance-based practice.

Q theatre offers two residencies with $2,500 each in financial assistance. Further residencies may be considered budget pending. the successful applicant/s will receive financial aid, space to develop the work and technical and dramaturgical support for dedicated creative development.

Ancher Points: emerging Artists intensive applications close on tuesday 28 February - www. penrithregionalgallery.com.au/ ancher-points/

Q theatre Lab expressions of interest close on Monday 6 March - www.qtheatre.com.au/q-theatrelab-2023/

The Cavalcade of History and Fashion presents

Art of the Cut: 1930s Evening Gowns”

Sunday 26th March 2023

2pm presentation followed by afternoon tea at 3pm

The Gallery, 86 River Rd, Emu Plains

Cost: $35

Bookings and payment essential before Monday 20th March. Pay by cash or credit card Ph 4735 1100 10am-3:30pm or online www.penrithregionalgallery.com.au

Delight in the elegance of these original 1930s glamorous evening gowns and accessories.

Hear the stories of the real women who wore these gowns as history is brought to life.

Wear your 1930s outfit and have your photograph taken with a 1930s motor car between 3pm-4pm!

A Cavalcade presentation includes examples from the collection with commentary. The Cavalcade of History and Fashion is an organisation with a collection of original historic gowns and accessories with provenance, dating from the 1700s preserving Australia’s social and fashion history.

www.thecavalcade.org

approach to creating. Supporting Penrith and Greater

Photo: Document Photography

Bernadette Fam and Monika Pieprzyk for tutaj (here/there), Q Theatre Lab 2019. Image by Phyllis Photography.

THE FRIENDS OF

“The

Powerhouse Toni Childs

By KeRRI e DAVI e S

Her distinctive voice is as powerful as it is soulful; once heard it is never forgotten. We’ve been lucky enough to enjoy the pleasure of listening to it for many decades. It belongs to the fabulous Toni Childs, and you can hear it live at the Joan on March 18.

Toni Childs spoke with me last week about her multi-state tour that includes here in Penrith.

“It will be a bit like a feast of music, with dessert first,” Toni replied when I asked her what fans could expect.

Toni’s big voice was evident as a child growing up in the United States and she says she “grew into it.”

Growing up in a family that wouldn’t be classed as musical, Toni discovered she had a unique gift early in her life.

“I was a storyteller; I sang to express my feelings,” Toni said.

And here’s some exciting news, we can now claim her as our own as she recently became an Australian Citizen!

“I’m absolutely over the moon to be an Australian Citizen,” she said.

“It took me four days to open the notification because I was afraid I’d be told no. When it was yes I just burst into tears.

“Australians just get in and roll their sleeves up and help each other. I feel very welcome.”

Join the legendary Toni Childs for a special two-hour performance as she celebrates her life’s musical works.

Toni will be performing hits and fan favourites from Union, House of Hope, the Woman’s Boat and Keep the Faith in the first hour of her show then the second hour will be an introduction to Toni’s new music, from two very special albums It’s All a Beautiful Noise and Citizens of the Planet.

emmy Winner and three-time Grammy nominated recording artist, Toni is a celebrated singer/ songwriter known for her powerful voice, inspiring independent spirit and crafted storytelling.

Not to be missed! 18 Mar 2023

7:30pm. Phone (02) 4723 7600

Email boxoffice@penrith.city

St Marys Town Centre’s Coffee Catch Up made a grand return for 2023 with an outstanding turn out. February’s event was hosted by Ray White Diamantidis Group St Marys. Next coffee catch up will be held in March with location to be announced at a later date.

Penrith Community Kitchen celebrated our fabulous volunteers with a morning tea this week.

Labor candidate for Penrith, Karen McKeown said “Thank you to you all, we couldn’t function without you.”

Stallholders, food vendors and creatives - there’s still time to send through your Expression of Interest to be part of our Penrith Producers event series! ��

Penrith Producers returns with a series of four events in 2023 featuring culinary delights, local makers, live music, workshops and more. They are expanding the annual Triangle Park event with road closures along Riley Street and High Street in the Penrith City Centre to showcase more of our local talent, creatives and makers. Would you like to join? Send through your Expression of Interest via https://bit.ly/3He8tud and complete by Monday 20 February, 11.59pm.

Penrith Producers will be held on the following dates:

• Friday 31 March, 5-9pm

• Friday 23 June, 5-9pm

• Friday 29 September, 5-9pm

• Friday 1 December, 5-9pm

GROW Café Co GROWing fast with three exciting new locations in Penrith!

GROW Café Co GROWing fast with Three Exciting new Locations in Penrith!

GROW Café Co, the new cafe chain has just announced the grand opening of three new cafes in the Penrith district– Kingswood, Lemongrove and Leonay. With a focus on wholefoods and a commitment to avoiding toxic ingredients, GROW Café Co (GROW meaning Green Regional Organic (where possible) Wholefoods) is dedicated to providing customers with delicious and healthy meals including products sourced from local farms and artisans , including eggs, honey, and bakeries, to support the surrounding community and minimise our environmental impact - even growing their own herbs, edible flowers, and garnishes in the venues.

Led by passionate Aboriginal entrepreneur Zachariah Buckley, GROW Café Co is on a mission to give back to the indigenous community and local community as a whole whilst caring for the land. Bush tucker items even make an appearance on the menu including Lemon Myrtle Tea, Bush Spice Dukkah, and Kakadu Plum Jam incorporating traditional bush tucker ingredients.

Zachariah’s passion shines through as he speaks about his excitement for opening cafes in Penrith, saying “There’s a rich aboriginal cultural history in Penrith of the Dharug people, I’m really excited to be opening cafes on this land and contributing back to the community wherever I can, I am especially excited to include traditional Bush Tucker elements into our menu, adding a unique twist to your common café favourites with items like Kakadu Plum Jam and Bush Spice Dukkah. I’m working on another new creation, the Kanga-dilla, my take on the Mexican Quesadilla, served with finger lime. Trust me, it tastes amazing! Keep an eye out for it.”

The most popular menu items so far include Summer Fruit Pancake Stack, Crispy Chicken Bao Buns, Classic Fish and Chips, Aussie Beef Burger and Strawberry Fields French Toast! Whilst these menu items may not sound healthy, they are made from wholefood ingredients and cooked with no industrial oils.

“At our cafes, we strive to create a welcoming atmosphere for all. Our menu offers a diverse range of options to cater to kids, adults, and all dietary needs, but above all, we prioritise taste and deliciousness in every dish. All served with a smile” Says

Zachariah.

In addition to his cafe locations, Zachariah also owns a pasta business that specialises in making fresh pasta from 100% Australian Durum Wheat. The pasta also features on the menus of the cafes, offering customers a complete dining experience with both delicious Campos Coffee and fresh, wholesome food.

For Leonay Manager Prisana Senior, GROW Café Co is a dream come true. “I love making coffees, I love talking to customers, and I love serving nice food,” she says.

“This place gives me the opportunity to combine my passions and manage the café as if it’s my

own, while helping my team do what they’re good at and giving our customers an enjoyable and healthy café experience.”

Visit GROW Café Co today and try for yourself!

GROW Café Co is now open at 30 Leonay Parade, Leonay

Monday - Friday 6:30am - 3pm

Sat - Sun 7am - 2pm

GROW Café Co Lemongrove is open at 12 The Crescent, Lemongrove

Monday - Friday 6am - 2pm

Sat - Sun 7am - 2pm

Grow Cafe Co Kingswood is open at 48 Derby Street, Kingswood

Monday - Friday 7am - 3pm

Penrith City Children’s Choir – Singing Day 2023

BOyS and girls aged 7 – 13 years are invited to come to Penrith City Children’s Choir Singing Day – the first of three projects for 2023, directed by Lucy McAlary.

For a fun-filled afternoon of song join us on Sunday 26 February from 3-5pm at St Finbar’s Church Hall, Glenbrook. Add your voice to the energetic ‘Freedom Train’ from America, the mysterious ‘Camel Driver’ and the beautiful harmony of the German folksong ‘Music alone shall live’. Through wide-ranging and colourful repertoire, we develop vocal technique, musicianship and

part-singing skills in an encouraging and joyful learning environment supported by experienced adult and teenage mentors. A great introductory ‘taster’ for new members with an informal performance at the end of the workshop for families and friends. If you love to sing, please join us!

For full details of our 2023 program go to www.penrithcitychoir.com.au/ penrith-city-childrens-choir

For more information plus Singing Day Information Packs and Application Forms, contact the Administrator, Suzanne Armstrong by email pccc@penrithcitychoir.com. au or phone 0450 091 367.

INSTRUCTIONS

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

CROSS WORD

ACROSS

9 Tedium (7)

10 Referees (7)

11 To kindle (7)

12 Army reserves (7)

13 Adolescents (9)

15 Spots (5)

16 Style of music (7)

19 Inebriated (7)

20 Genus of hemlock spruce (5)

21 Pernicious (9)

25 No longer alive (7)

26 Overthrown (7)

28 Type of light (7)

29 Breed of cat (7)

dOwn

1 Showing submissiveness (6)

2 Increase threefold (6)

3 Concept (4)

4 Unit of electrical current (6)

5 Suspected (8)

6 Bewitched (10)

7 Lath (8)

8 Killer (8)

14 Familiar with (10)

16 In a resentful manner (8)

17 Forcing out of bed (8)

18 Giving off (light, heat, radiation) (8)

22 Pleasure from causing pain (6)

23 A marine mollusk (6)

24 Turfed (6)

27 A juicy gritty-textured fruit (4)

The Wood House

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

Harry Seidler (aC, OBE) was one of the greatest architects of any era to work in the southern hemisphere and earned a special place in the history of Modern architecture. Partly trained in an engineering school, his personal technical mastery of reinforced concrete was rare amongst his generation of designers and he laid the foundation for the baroque forms he produced that characterized his later work. Matching technical competence with sculptural flair, he was one of those few designers of his age capable of fulfilling the Modernist dream of the integration of art and modern technology. Harry was born in Vienna in 1923 of Austrian Romanian Jewish ancestry. He fled to England when Nazi Germany occupied austria in 1938. In 1940 he was interned by the British due to his Jewish heritage and the British authorities suspecting he was an enemy alien from an axis country before being shipped off to another wartime camp in Canada. after his release in 1941 he began studying architecture at the University of Manitoba with some of the greatest architectural figures of the 20th century, such as Bauhaus founder Walter Gropius and the painter Josef albers who instilled in him his appreciation of Modernism, a cultural movement embracing the realities of 20th century industrial design and offering rational solutions to old problems. Once he completed his studies with honours he worked in New York City before eventually moving to Sydney in 1948. His mother rose had migrated there in 1946 and he continued to present concepts of early 20th century, also along with a house for his mother later known as “rose Seidler House” in Wahroonga that has two-storeys and includes 12 rooms. It sits on a 2.5-hectare site and has a noteworthy garden and floor plan. The result was the house still stands as one of this country’s most exquisite examples of mid-century designs. Its popularity saw Harry eventually settling in australia and becoming besieged with offers. after gaining his australian Citizenship, ten years later he married Penelope Evatt who was 15 years his junior and they had two children, Polly and Timothy. He was a founding member of the australian architecture association and in 1984 he became the first Australian to be elected a member of the Académie d’architecture in Paris and in 1987 he was made a Companion of the Order of australia, an honour which he accepted in his trademark suit and bowtie. In 1992 he was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire and he consistently won architectural awards across the varied categories and every decade throughout his australian career lasting almost 58 years up until his death in 2006. He was also awarded five times (1951-1991) the Sir John Sulman Medals by the royal australian Institute of architects as well as their gold medal in 1976 and the royal gold medal by the royal Institute of British architects in 1996. For 50 years Harry played a vital role in international architecture. His work is widely recognised as an original and intensely creative contribution to the architecture of the second half of the 20th century. He often publicly criticised planning authorities and the planning system in Sydney and his own building designs were the subject of much derision. Many credit to Harry

for introducing high-rise living to Australia, his Blues Point Tower a monolithic apartment block on the shores of Sydney Harbour has been one of the most polarising buildings in the city. The infamously prickly Harry told The Sydney Morning Herald in 2002 that “it didn’t worry him that people had criticised it and what do you expect from illiterate people, they are insensitive and uneducated so why should I take that seriously?” Now, at this stage you are probably wondering why I decided to write about Harry, well, there is a house in Nepean Avenue in Penrith that is not mentioned much, but is a heritage home called the “Wood House” completed in 1961 and privately owned. This house is of state historical significance having been designed by Harry. Wood House, built located on the top of the Nepean River embankment with views extending to the Blue Mountains in the distance to the northwest and is rare as it is the only house to be designed by Harry in the Penrith LGA. This dwelling was specifically designed and orientated to take advantage of the Nepean River embankment setting. The house is distinguished by the long linear stone wall fronting the street and set well back from the neighbouring residences with an expansive lawn forecourt. The use of the blonde brickwork, long wall planes, perforated screen walls and with a streetscape presentation is the characteristic design elements of Harry Seidler’s style of residential architecture in the post war period.

Source: First mentioned in the History Page 15/4/2021 on the Torin Building, Seidler.net.au, Paul Davies Pty Ltd -Penrith HeritageState Heritage Study review 17/6/2008.

Tupaea signs with Panthers for NBL1 East

By Noel Rowsell

In the latest breaking news regarding the Penrith Panthers entry to the nBL1 East Basketball competition in 2023, former Penrith junior representative and Women’s national Basketball League (WnBL) veteran Tahlia Tupaea has signed up for the 2023 nBL1 season.

Tahlia made her WnBL debut at just 15 years and 133 days, the second-youngest debutante in WnBL history. She played eight seasons for the Sydney Uni Flames (2012-2020, then played for the Canberra Capitals during the 2020 WnBL hub season in Queensland, the 2021-22 WnBL season and then re-signed with the Capitals in 2022, before being granted personal leave for the remainder of the WnBL season.

In April 2017, Tahlia was drafted by the Minnesota Lynx, with the 36th and final pick of the 2017 WNBA draft.

Tahlia was most recently voted the ‘Most Valuable Player’ in the Tauihi Basketball Aotearoa (nZ Women’s semi-professional League), where she averaged 18.5 points, 3.3 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 2.7 steals per game.

Tahlia is one of the WnBL’s sharpshooters, averaging 44% from beyond the arc throughout the 21/22 WnBL season.

“There’s no point guard like her in Australia, with her size, her strength, her skill-set, her shot and how she reads and sees the game, so I’d like to see her take a bit more of a leadership role on and off the court this year,” said her WnBL head coach Kristen Veal.

“I think it’s her time to step into a little bit more responsibility, a little bit more leadership and I think she’s ready for that and she wants it, which is the sign of an elite mindset and a talented basketball player.”

Tupaea represented Australia at the 2013 FIBA Oceania U16 Championships, the 2013 FIBA U19 World Championships, the 2014 FIBA Oceania U18 Championships, the 2014 FIBA U17 World Championships and the 2015 FIBA U19 World Championships.

Tahlia also played in other Australian leagues

below the WnBL, including for the Panthers (WBL) in 2013 and 2015, the Centre of Excellence in 2016 (SEABL), then the Sydney Uni Sparks (SEABL) in 2017 and 2018, before joining the USC Rip City in the QBL in 2019.

In 2021, Tahlia returned to the Waratah League to play for the Bankstown Bruins, winning league MVP.

In 2022, Tahlia joined the Northern Kāhu for the inaugural season of new Zealand’s Tauhi Basketball Aotearoa, where she also won the League MVP.

Stonecutters juniors shine in Stonecutters Cup

By Noel Rowsell

129 golfers teed off in the 2023 Stonecutters Cup (an annual Vardon event) at Stonecutters Ridge GC on Saturday 11th February.

The depth and quality of junior players in the Stonecutters Ridge’s Golf Academy was immediately evident, with two members among the major prize winners, including the outright winner, Kade Webber.

Kade has been impressive from the outset of 2023, having marked himself as a player of the future with strong performances in the nSW Medal and the nSW Amateur Championships.

Kade shot an impressive 4-under par round of 67 on Saturday, to record a convincing 2-shot victory over Luke Shahmatov (Long Reef GC), with another of Stonecutters impressive juniors Darcy Mackay a further shot back on 70, in a tie with Sean Ryan (Avondale GC).

The club also holds the Ashlar Bowl, in conjunction with the Stonecutters Cup, which commemorates the club’s origins in the heart of Blacktown, prior to the move to Stonecutters Ridge.

Josh Bousfield (5) Kooindah Waters won the Bowl with a nett score of 67.

The Stonecutters Cup was also a good warm-up for the Stonecutter’s Major Pennant team, which hosted Camden (Studleigh Park) on Sunday

and recorded a good 4.5-2.5 win.

In other news from Major Pennant, Glenmore Heritage Valley maintained its unbeaten start to the season, drawing 3.5-3.5 with The Coast; Twin Creeks defeated Long Reef 5-2, Dunheved defeated Manly 5-2, Springwood drew 3.5-3.5 with Brighton Lakes, new South Wales defeated Penrith 6-1, Macquarie

Links defeated Richmond 5.5-1.5, Palm Beach defeated Wallacia 5.5-1.5 and Leonay had a bye.

In Round 2 of mixed Pennant, Bardwell Valley GC defeated Springwood CC 3-2 and Richmond GC defeated Camden GC (Studleigh Park) 3.5-1.5, whilst in Women’s Grade Pennant, Penrith GC scored a powerful 4-1 win over Royal Sydney.

Tahlia Tupaea in action for the Panthers in 2015. File photos by Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

Kade Webber with the 2023 Stonecutters Cup. Photo supplied.

Action from the 2023 Stonecutters Cup Vardon event, which was held on Saturday 11th February - photos by Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

Thunder Girls Cricket League

If the first match on 3rd February is any indication, the Thunder Girls’ T20 Cricket competition in Penrith and featuring teams from both the Nepean and Hawkesbury districts provides not only a platform for girls in the region to play fun and friendly cricket, but also charges up Friday night at Jamison Park with a great atmosphere. The four teams participating in the competition, Glenbrook-Blaxland Cricket Club, Cranebrook Cricket Club, Freeman’s Reach Cricket Club and North Richmond Cricket Club will all play T20 Matches every Friday night until March 17.

The Friday night T20 competition came together when Cricket NSW, with the help of the local associations,

took the initiative to create a great opportunity to have girls practice their cricket skills together, bringing together those girls who were already playing cricket and those beginning their cricketing journey.

The competition is organised and administered by a female cricket committee, comprising cricket club volunteers, Cricket NSW and members of the Penrith Junior Cricket Association Executive Committee.

In particular, a local volunteer, Catherine Pratt, contributed immensely with her time and ideas to reviving the competition. Pratt, who is the event lead for the matches, has been instrumental for the last few years in supporting girls’ cricket at Glenbrook Blaxland CC and also in the representative space with the Penrith women’s teams.

There are two matches every

Provincial-Midway Championship Qualifier at Hawkesbury

Race Club

By Noel Rowsell

HAWkESBuRy Race Club will host the $150,000 Provincial-Midway Championships Qualifier (1400m) on Saturday 3rd March, with the first two place-getters guaranteed a spot in the $500,000 final at Randwick on Saturday 8th April 2023.

Six Hawkesbury horses have been entered for their home track event, with Jason Attard and Lucy keegan-Attard nominating ‘Reiby’s Regent’, ‘Munich’ and ‘Moinda’, Daniel Robinson has ‘karmazone’, Matt Vella has ‘I’m A Legend’ and Edward Cummings has ‘Gin Runner’.

Twenty-four horses in total have been entered, with 16 permitted to start and provision for four emergencies if required.

There will be 8 races on the card, which will coincide with racing at Royal Randwick on the same day.

There will be live entertainment, great food and racing excitement, Tickets are available for purchase on the day or via the Club’s website www.hawkesburyraceclub.com.au. An all-inclusive hospitality package is also available in the Signature Event Room, priced at $149pp.

Friday night, starting at 5.30 pm and wrapping up in two hours just before it gets dark.

Players can sign up to play at https://www.playhq.com/cricketaustralia/register/b89a70 or through any of the current individual clubs.

Results of the matches are being posted on the ‘Thunder Girls Cricket League’ Facebook page and are also available on PlayHQ and MyCricket sites. The chief aim of the competition is inclusion and participation. Everyone gets a chance to bat and bowl, and have fun playing the game.

Martin Gleeson, General Manager, Community Cricket Experience, Cricket NSW, said “The Thunder Girls’ Competition in Penrith and Nepean-Hawkesbury services an identified gap in the local cricketing landscape and will be a significant

game changer for girls playing cricket in the region, as an opportunity to create pathways for them.”

By Noel Rowsell

Action from Jamison Park on Friday afternoon. Photos by Noel Rowsell.

Hawkesbury race-goers love the chance to dress up for the big events.

ASBK season launch at SMSP

By Noel Rowsell

The mi-bike Motorcycle Insurance Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul, (ASBK) Official Test event was run at Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP) on the 1st -2nd February, featuring Alpinestars Superbike, Michelin Supersport, Supersport 300 and the bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup.

The test uncovered some new gems, reaffirmed the talent of others and set the stage perfectly for the 2023 season of racing. The two days of testing

confirmed Josh Waters is going to be a major contender in 2023 and not just at SMSP. he’s a multi-time champion, with the fastest bike in the paddock, and is backed by a team that has multiple championship wins.

The bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup had been the first on track on both days; the first to do their track walk with coach Garry McCoy and the first onto the track proper aboard their Yamaha R15s.

In 2023, the OJC has a combination of new and returning riders, so the early sessions at a track which many have never turned a lap at was simply

familiarisation and ensuring they stayed rubber side down for the whole session.

It was newcomer Riley Nauta who showed out in the early session, with a P1 in session one and P3 in session two in a fine debut, whilst Rikki henry stole the overall riding honours from the two days.

Alpinestars Superbike Top 5Combined times: 21 Josh Waters (VIC), 65 Cru Halliday (NSW), 1 Mike Jones (QLD), 17 Troy herfoss (QLD), 4 Broc Pearson (QLD).

Michelin Supersport Top 5 – Combined times: 29 harrison

Voight (QLD), 26 Sean Condon (NSW), 1 John Lytras (QLD), 49 Jake Farnsworth (NSW), 44 Tom BRAMICh (VIC).

Supersport 300 Top 5 - Combined times: 13 Marcus Hamod (NSW), 11 Brandon Demmery (NSW), 26 Cameron Swain (QLD), 51 Sam Pezzeta (SA), 25 Brodie Gawith (VIC)

bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup Top 5 - Combined times: 36 Rikki henry (SA), 74 Bodie Paige (QLD), 40 hunter Corney (QLD), 42 Riley Nauta (QLD), 7 Sam Drane (NSW).

Hockey on a High in Penrith

By Noel Rowsell

The Nepean hockey Association’s Men’s Masters team has won a Silver Medal in Division 1 at the 2023 Indoor hockey Championships, falling 3-2 to home team Goulburn in a hard-fought Final.

Nepean were the reigning champions (4 consecutive years) but were down on numbers for the weekend, fielding just 2 substitutes. They defeated hockey New england 6-2, hockey Coffs Coast 6-1, lost 3-7 to Goulburn & Districts then lost 6-7 to Illawarra South Coast in

the preliminary rounds, then defeated Illawarra South Coast 6-4 in the semifinals to advance to the Final against Goulburn & Districts.

The NhA also sent three women’s teams to the Women’s Masters, with all 3 missing out on the playoffs.

In other major local hockey news,

Addison Wilson has been selected in the NSW U15 Blues Girls team, which will contest the Australian Field hockey Championships in Darwin, NT in April.

Addison had previously captained the NSW Blues Girls Indoor team in January.

ASBK action from Sydney Motorsport Park. Photos by Noel Rowsell

The Nepean Hockey Association Men’s Masters Team. Photos supplied. Back row L-R - Ken Knowles (manager) Jeremy Walzak, Michael Hogan, Blake Sandford.

Front Row: Kieran Knowles, Darren Baxter, Ryan Knowles(C), Josh Poulton, Terrence Bowden Addison Wilson in action at the 2023 U15 Indoor Championships. Photos supplied.

Fox wins triple Gold in Canoe Slalom Penrith Open

Jessica Fox has stamped her authority in this year’s canoe slalom Penrith Open, winning Gold in Kayak, canoe and Kayak cross.

it’s a triumphant result for Jessica and the perfect lead-in to this weekend’s australian Open, which will also be held at the Penrith Whitewater stadium.

each of the women’s events would be a dual Fox celebration, with Noemie finishing with the Bronze

medal in both the Kayak and canoe, before moving up a position to claim silver in the Kayak cross. camille Prigent (France) won silver in the Women’s Kayak, evy Liebfarth (Usa) silver in Canoe and Bronze in Kayak Cross.

Lucien Tinkler (aUs) won the Gold in the Men’s Kayak, ahead of Tim anderson (aUs) with silver and Mathieu Biazozzo (FRA) with Bronze.

Brodie Crawford (AUS) won the Men’s Canoe Final, ahead of Jake Cochrane (IRL) with Silver and Lachlan Bassett (AUS) with Bronze.

The Men’s Kayak cross was won by Joshua

The australian Open commences at 8am on Friday 17th Feb with heats for all disciplines, followed by Kayak semi-finals, final and Freestyle on Saturday, then Canoe semi-finals and finals on Sunday, along with Kayak cross.

all results from the Penrith Open can be found at https://paddlepenrith.com.au/2023-penrith-open/

The schedule for the australian Open can be viewed at https://paddlepenrith.com.au/2023penrith-open/

Joseph (USA), ahead of Ben Pope (AUS) and Finn Butcher (AUS).

By Noel Rowsell

Jessica Fox and Lucien Delfour during their gold medal-winning runs in the Kayak Finals at the Penrith Open - photos by Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

Panthers players visit former high school

There was a big warm welcome for Old Boys, Nathan Cleary, Mavrik Geyer and Kurt Falls, along with Penrith Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, when they

returned to St Dom’s for a training run with the school’s First Grade rugby League Team.

“Our First Grade Team were thankful for this amazing opportunity

to meet and train with the calibre of these sporting legends,” it states on the St Dom’s Facebook page, along with some fabulous photos.

“We thank you gentlemen for

visiting your old stomping ground and inspiring our young athletes to hopefully, one day, walk in your shoes!”

“We hope to see you back soon!”

Inaugural PRLW season edging closer

By Panthers Media

The Panthers Rugby League Women’s (PRLW) competition is edging closer to its first ever season and with over 80 participants already set to take part, the program is shaping nicely.

The new under-20s competition will provide local female players (aged 18, 19 and 20 in 2023) the opportunity to participate in a competitive program before progressing to open-aged and professional competitions.

With PrLW training kicking off on 6th March, it’s vital to register

to secure your place in the historic competition. There are still places available for players, coaches and trainers.

All you have to do is follow this simple four-step process to get involved:

1. Complete either the player or coach Cognito form and register your interest

• Player Information Form

• Coach Trainer & Manager Form

2. Players must choose a Panthers Junior rugby League club to register with. There are 24 fantastic Junior League clubs in the district who are eager to help. If you are unsure as to how to register, contact the Panthers Junior League office

on info@panthersjuniors.com.au or via www.pantherjuniors.com website to find your nearest club. Coaches who register an interest will be contacted to discuss their options

3. Attend the compulsory player induction evening on 28th February in the ron Mulock room at Panthers Leagues club from 7-8pm. Staff induction will also be on the 28th of February in the ron Mulock room from 6-7pm

4. Prepare for training to begin on the 6th March.

It’s an exciting time for the women’s game in Penrith, and Panthers is hopeful this competition gives young women, aged 18-20, an opportunity to explore rugby league in a safe and competitive environment.

To access the online forms please visit www.penrithpanthers.com.au/