Nepeannews 17november2016

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Thursday, 17 November 2016

ISSUE 188

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NOT AGAIN!

Just when residents got over the fires from a couple of weeks ago, they were back again last weekend, accompanied by a wind so fierce that soon the fires were deemed out of control. Photo: Ben Shepherd

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localnews local experienced the greatest flood in recorded history in June 1867 (150 years ago). The new Nepean Road and Rail bridge was opened the day of the flood after the first two bridges had been washed away in 1857 (160 years ago) and 1860. And now in 2017 a new bridge is emerging from the Nepean River.

The 2017 calendar acknowledges the many local school anniversaries including Penrith Public School in Class 2B, Penrith Public School, 1937. (Len Hutchison Collection, High Street that opened Penrith City Library) 100 years ago on its The 2017 Penrith history calendar is now new site It also commemorates the sacrifice of available and on sale. our local men and women from the First World Penrith Mayor John Thain said the calendar War, remembering the battles of 1917 and our gives residents and visitors a piece of history fallen. that can be used at home.

For more details on the history behind these “The annual calendar showcases the incredible events, please refer to the Council’s history developments that Penrith and its people have Penrith: the makings of a city (2014), by gone through over time,” Cr Thain said.

Lorraine Stacker “It is important to acknowledge and learn All photos are sourced from Penrith City about the history that our great city has to offer,” Library’s photographic collection. he said.

For more information please visit Penrith The cover shows (what is now known as) City Library, Nepean Family History Society or the Victoria bridge being built before Penrith https://penrithhistory.com.

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Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

Get your piece of history

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

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4 Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

From the Editor’s Desk

by Kerrie Davies

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SO it has happened. When he nominated as a candidate many people thought it was some sort of joke. When he won the nomination many people were incredibly surprised. And now that Donald Trump has won the Presidential election, people everywhere are suddenly astounded beyond belief.

I was among the very few, it seems, who smelled a Trump victory long ago. And I was so sure of it I’ve managed to pocket some cash, after having had a wager on him when I saw the great odds on offer on Sportsbet.

“How could this happen,” the people cry. He’s been given every label under the sun: unstable, unpredictable, egotistical, racist, bigoted, unpolished, a misogynist and intolerant.

Here’s my two cents worth on “how this could happen.”

UNSTABLE / UNPREDICTABLE: With social media and a 24 hour news cycle, voters everywhere (here included) are constantly seeing the gaffes, missteps, untruths and outrageous things that come out of many politician’s mouths. It’s not like the Donald was Robinson Crusoe here people are fallible and he’s definitely not the only politician that has said silly things . Nobody is safe from the blowtorch, and a degree of voter disappointment has become the norm. That considered, nothing he said really changed people’s vote if they were already leaning his way.

EGOTISTICAL: You don’t have to watch Trump for long to see that he is his own greatest fan. He really rates himself, and backs himself that he’ll be the romp-home winner of any race. But where that trait might make for the most annoying bloke at your backyard barbie, it’s actually subconsciously seen as a huge plus in a leader. People don’t want an apologist. They don’t want a Nervous Nellie. They want someone who is gutsy and decisive.

RACIST / BIGOTED: Trump aside, this tag annoys me personally on so many levels. Not because I think people should express racist or bigoted commentary, but because the meaning of the tag has been severely misused in recent years. These days it has just become a default catchphrase for anybody who dares to have an opinion on immigration issues or radical Islam. And that reduces the impact that the tag should have on real racists and bigots. So with that off my chest, back to Trump. He earned this tag because of his stance on illegal immigrants, mostly from Mexico, and radical Islam. People scream that he doesn’t care about people, he doesn’t have a heart. But there’s always two sides to a story - clearly these policies come from a place of caring about the American people, and in particular their safety from radicals. Of course not all Muslims are radical, but Trump has floated a blanket ban as a means to stop those who do want to harm Americans from slipping in under the radar. When it comes down to it, everyone cares - those against Trump care about the innocent people who’ll be denied entry, and Trump and his supporters care about the welfare of Americans enough to want a closed border approach for safety reasons.

One person’s cares aren’t necessarily more caring than another’s - they all care. One doesn’t trump the other - pardon the pun. So it was put to a vote to see what people care most about - and the people have spoken.

UNPOLISHED: Many voters are sick of the “polished politician” who is always on message spruiking well-rehearsed mantras. Unpolished and shooting from the hip actually became one of his most electable qualities.

MISOGYNIST: Respect and equality for women is still a work in progress. And in my opinion, just like the misuse of the racist / bigot tag, the overuse of the female card hampers that progress. Many men, especially mature-aged ones, still make mistakes as we travel along the road. We hear gaffes on this issue regularly, and this combined with the fact that examples were coming up from long ago, voters who were already leaning towards Trump were prepared to make allowances. Even those who didn’t want to make allowances really had nowhere to turn, Hillary Clinton was married to a man who made a complete fool of her in front of the nation - the world. And she was apparently okay with that. No believable alternative there.

INTOLERANT: Finally, I think “intolerant” was just another tag bestowed on Trump by those who were never going to vote for him anyway.

I mean, look at the protests and riots going on over there as I write this.

What do they hope to do? They can’t change the verdict, yet they are happy to destabilise the country and put people in danger. Screaming “acceptance and tolerance” while showing absolutely zero acceptance and tolerance of other people’s views and democracy is hypocrisy of the highest level.

Donald Trump could well end up being the worst President in America’s history. But then again he could be the greatest. Who knows at this point?

He hasn’t event taken office yet, but the court of public opinion is in full session. The Australians who are writing all over social media that they are depressed, distressed and devastated need to lighten up and remember we are incredibly fortunate and live in the greatest country in the world.

There’s no need to play the victim-of-Trump card when we are from a country most Americans couldn’t even pinpoint on a world atlas. All the cards are so overplayed. Just live life and love it, it is far too short to spend time worrying about that which cannot be changed.

Your thoughts? (If you don’t agree with me, be kind please) kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

LEASED

5

Investment for water projects in Penrith

9834 1044 NEPEAN DISTRICT

Stuart Ayres

MP

Member for Penrith

STUART Ayres MP, Member for Penrith joined Penrith Councillor Tricia Hitchen to announce two significant grants for Penrith City Council (PCC).

PCC will receive a grant of $55,000 towards construction of a fishing platform for recreational fishers at Emu Plains through the Recreational Fishing Trust Program.

“With the beautiful Nepean River on our doorstep, recreational fishing is an integral part of our local lifestyle with a large percentage of our residents participating in fishing each year, making it one of our most popular outdoor recreational activities,” Stuart Ayres said.

“It is vitally important we invest in infrastructure and programs to support and enhance such a popular and healthy activity as recreational fishing.”

Stuart Ayres said the construction of a fishing platform which will be funded in Penrith in 2016-

17 will help improve the recreational fishing experience for local fishers.

Penrith City Councils “Our River –Regatta Park, Emu Plains” project will include construction of a large fishing platform, pedestrian access and enhancement of riverbank vegetation.

PCC will also receive a $241,000 grant under the NSW Government’s Floodplain Management Program. This grant will be used to undertake a local overland flow flood study for the Peachtree and Lower Surveyors Creeks (Tributaries of the Nepean River) catchment area. The study area consists of the 12.5 square kilometres bound by the M4 Motorway in the south and extend up to the convergence of Peachtree Creek and Nepean River.

For further details visit: www.dpi.nsw.gov.au, w w w. e n v i r o n m e n t . n s w. g o v. a u / c o a s t s / Floodgrants.htm

Phone: 4722 8660 Email: penrith@parliament.nsw.gov.au Shop 23, Tattersalls Centre, 510-534 High Street, Penrith

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Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

‘Roar’ local talent vying for local Lion title

Brittany Reeves

By Jim Devine

THE Lions Club of Australia with the support and sponsorship of the National Australia Bank, has hosted the Youth of the Year Quest for over 20 years, giving contestants the opportunity to be selected as an outstanding youth, to be an ambassador for his/her country

Elayna D’Ermilio

Kiara Auddino

and travel overseas under the auspices of Lions International.

The Lions Youth of the Year Quest is designed to foster, encourage and develop leadership in conjunction with other citizenship qualities of our youth, at the age when they are about to enter the fields of employment or higher education.

Madeleine Bishop

The judging is held over two days; with a preliminary interview and a subsequent evening at a public speaking dinner, where the student is required to prepare and deliver a five-minute speech, as well as provide answers to two impromptu questions.

The Lions Club of Emu Plains have been running their Quest this

Nicola Crabb

week, finishing tonight. This year the contestants are; Madeleine Bishop of St Pauls Grammar School; Kiara Auddino and Elayna D’Ermilio of McCarthy Catholic College; And Nicola Crabb and Brittany Reeves of Penrith Anglican College. The Sponsor for the local event is Jim Aitken + Partners.

Award for hardworking midwife

By Keegan Thomson

MIDWIVES and teachers are two of the most thankless jobs in the world. Often midwives are left to clean up all the gross, messy stuff that comes with child birth and teachers have to deal with troublesome school children, but one mentoring midwife from Nepean hospital has been recognised for her hard work as both a mentor and a midwife.

Sandra Lyness, a resident midwife at Nepean hospital, has been crowned the 2016 University of Technology Sydney Mentor of the Year for her teaching and mentoring work with young student midwives.

She beat out a competition of 58 other mentors to be crowned Mentor of the Year, and says mentoring is all about having an open heart.

“You have to be supportive because you’re dealing with people from lots of different backgrounds,” Ms Lyness said. “A lot of empathy goes into it.”

After being in the industry for the last 20 odd years, Ms Lyness says there’s been a lot of changes in the ways in which midwifery has been taught.

Nasho calendar dates PENRITH National Servicemen’s Association will be holding our monthly meeting on Sunday 20th November at Penrith RSL Club starting at 10.30am free morning tea provided. We will be also holding our Christmas Party on Friday 2nd December at Penrith RSL Club. Commencing at 6pm Cost is $40 includes a 2 course dinner, all welcome. Further details contact Maureen on 0448 983 399.

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“I trained in the hospital based system, these girls are coming up through a university based system and they don’t become a RN [Registered Nurse] first they just do a midwifery course, so things change and we have to change with that,” she said.

“As a mentor we need to go through a lot of the basics, general skills of an RN, because they’re not learning everything with the midwifery course,” she said. “I need to work harder to teach them, so they get the most out of the mentor-ship.”

Ms Lyness said she’s proudly been a

mentor because she wants to share her own life experiences in hospitals with the students so they can become better midwives themselves.

“I’ve been working in nursing for a really long time, in my heart I look back and see the people who were really kind to me when I was first doing my training, and want them to get a similar experience,” Ms Lyness said.

“I just really enjoy fostering their learning. I have all this information and experience I want to pass it on to them so they can use it,” she said.

WITH 100,000 Australians expected to turn to The Salvos for help this Christmas, Penrith Valley locals are encouraged to assist the organisation that gives much needed support and hope to people in need.

During November and December, The Salvos will be visiting their local Bunnings to raise much needed funds through fundraising activities like tin shaking, as well spreading some festive cheer with carolling and band performances. During November and December you can catch them at Minchinbury, Penrith and North Penrith stores.

Visit our showroom or view the catalogue online today at choicesflooring.com.au Valid from 9 October – 3 December 2016, prices as marked in-store.

7 Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

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Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

Getting to know ...

Carols by the Candle light in Castlereagh

Councillor

Jim Aitken with Conner Lowe

1. What was your first paid job?

Starting out as an entrepreneur at the age of 14 opening my own kiosk at Penrith Station. Always wanted my own business. Made many mistakes but all is forgiven for those who keep the dream alive.

2. What is your guilty pleasure?

Being politically incorrect. We seem to be in a ‘kissing up’ generation, I don’t like being told what to think or say.

3. What is your biggest fear/phobia and why?

I side with former Prime Minister of England, William Gladstone, when he said the country was so prosperous, the people forget the need for God. A man by himself has no chance in this world.

4. What is your worst habit?

Sometimes the thoughts in my head get bored and go for a stroll out through my mouth. This is never a good thing.

5. Best advice you have ever been given?

When the record book of life is finished – let it show your wins and losses – but don’t let it show you didn’t try.

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

A book for my mind and some flowers. The book would be the Bible. All books inform but the Bible transforms. Flowers for beauty.

7. Favourite holiday destination and why?

Back to your roots. In my case Scotland. John Aitken was hanged there for not believing in God. Whatever causes my death; it won’t be that.

8. Do you have a favourite sporting team?

Don Bradman’s invincibles of 1948. They won every time they hit the field.

The Don was a great leader whose religious beliefs led him not to play on Sunday. (I wonder if he would be selected today?)

9. Name one reason that you love Western Sydney?

It’s a family place. Families are still looking for homes as against the penthouse lifestyle of the city dwellers. No country yet has found a better environment than a family oriented society.

10. In three words, describe your perfect Sunday?

Plagiarise – from the Bible – on Sunday we should – Rest, Worship, Give Thanks.

By Conner Lowe

WE are getting to that time of year where the Christmas tree comes out, we decorate our houses in lights and get together with family to celebrate Christmas. Christmas carols are also starting and on December the 3rd, Christmas Carols and Pageant will be held at Castlereagh Uniting Church and Castlereagh Christian Conference Centre at 297-305 Old Castlereagh Road.

Sue Maude, an elder from the Castlereagh uniting church spoke about the pageant and the members of the church and conference centre that are participating.

“The carols and pageant will involve members from Penrith uniting church, Castlereagh Conference Centre and the Castlereagh uniting church and friends.

“The pageant is a story of Christmas and the birth of Christ. The story will involve Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus, as well as the prophet, the three wise men, six angels and the shepherd while singing carols and animating the story,” she said.

The carols will be held at the Castlereagh uniting church as this is a very historic church as they celebrated the 200-year congregation anniversary last year and will celebrate the 200-year anniversary of the church next year on October 8th.

Sue encouraged the public to join in on the event and celebrate the birth of Christ.

“This year the carols and pageant will be

outside as we hope more people will join in. The last couple of years we have had the carols inside the church, but we wanted to host the carols for the public as well. We want the public to join in and sing along to all the carols and really enjoy a wonderful night,” she said.

Food and drinks will be supplied at the event with a sausage sizzle sandwich $2.50 and drinks will be $1.50 for water and coffee will be free. Glow light candles will also be sold at the event for $2 and families are encouraged to bring their own chairs and rugs for the night.

The Castlereagh Uniting Church and the Castlereagh Conference Centre are working together to put on a great event for the public.

The event is an alcohol and drug free event with gates open 5pm on the night with carols starting at 6:30pm.

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Firebugs: why on earth do they do this?

By Keegan Thomson

ALTHOUGH we’re only on the cusp of Summer, there has already been a series of emergencylevel bushfires in the local region, with at least one of them being deliberately lit by an arsonist.

A few weeks ago a 16 year old boy was arrested in connection with a large bushfire in Llandilo that damaged a number of properties and threatened livestock.

This last fire in Llandilo is part of an increasing trend in which young people, mainly boys, have been allegedly caught deliberately lighting bushfires on hot, dry and windy days.

Professor Michael Kennedy, a former Detective in the NSW Police force who now lectures at Western Sydney University, investigated firebugs for more than 20 years and says the profile of an arsonist is always hard to define.

“It is difficult to profile an arsonist because the reasons why they do it can vary,” Professor Kennedy said.

“It could be someone who has an obsession or ostracised, they might get some sort of buzz from lighting a fire, but then again you get desperate people who have a business and they

Photo: Ben Shepherd

set it on fire because they want some kind of financial gain from it,” he said.

“There are a whole range of reasons.”

“Most of the time lighting a bushfire is apart of a much bigger mental health or social problem,” he said.

According to Professor Kennedy, one of the most ‘traditional’ stories is of a firefighter who lights a bushfire being called to help put it out.

“Those types of people usually have very little social status and lighting a fire gives them recognition in their community and social groups,” he said.

After someone is arrested in connection with a fire, the next challenge comes with convicting them, but according to Professor Kennedy, this can be easier said than done.

“It is an art form rather than a science,” he said. “You’ve got to try a lot of things and you need to rely on a large amount of evidence.”

“These days there are things like CCTV, information from the public, watching who turns up as the emergency services show up on the scene.

“Fire services and emergency services all have applied knowledge that they learn whilst on the job. They know what signs to look out for in connection to a fire,” he said.

Bushfires can trigger specific emotions and quite often after an arsonist lights a fire the public calls for the culprit to be dragged through the courts and ‘locked up for good’ but Professor Kennedy says that isn’t always the best method of punishment.

“You can’t have one size fits all, you have to go into these things with a very open mind. There are a whole range of factors that come into it. Check up on their medical records, see if there is abuse in the family and understand what their home-life is like, because usually when someone lights a fire it is the result of a much bigger issue,” he said.

If you see anyone lighting a fire you can call emergency services on 000 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

9 Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

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Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

An inspirational life

By Keegan Thomson

WAR, famine and genocide are things we only see on the six o’clock news but for Deng Adut these things shaped him into the man he is today and have helped in his journey to become the NSW Australian of the Year.

Growing up in Sudan, Deng Adut was stolen from his family and forced to take up arms as a child soldier, he escaped and was fostered into the western Sydney household of Bob and Christine Harrison.

After teaching himself English, and some rough Australian colloquialisms, Deng studied law at Western Sydney University.

His story was broadcast into the homes of millions of Australians after the university used it in a memorable and emotive advertising campaign, watched by 2.5 million people online.

Upon graduating Deng Adut could have worked anywhere with his expertise in human rights law, but he decided to take up an offer of a law firm based in wester Sydney, his adopted

community.

Last week, Deng Adut received national recognition after he was named the NSW Australian of the Year by the Premier at a special function in Sydney.

The other finalists for the award were Indigenous journalist Stan Grant, Turia Pitt, and refugee and lawyer and Dr Jordan Nguuyen.

During the ceremony Deng Adut said he now feels accepted into the country and he finally feels like an Australian.

“I am an Australian for the rest of my life,” he said.

Recently Deng Adut published a book on his life story called, Songs of a War Boy.

Locals warned of dangers

By Keegan Thomson

NOVEMBER is National Asbestos Awareness Month and the Penrith Council is urging locals to keep an eye out for the hidden dangers of asbestos.

Mayor John Thain warned there is no known safe level of exposure to asbestos fibres and the safety of Penrith’s residents is a priority of the council “Those affected by asbestos-related diseases will continue to increase unless we all take the warnings about asbestos in homes and on properties seriously and learn how to manage these materials and dispose of them safely,” Mayor Thain said.

Asbestos has been used in the manufacture of a wide range of household products and can be found in many sections of a home.

Some of the most common places asbestos can be found is in products like carpets, wall and floor tiles, cement floors, internal and external walls, ceilings, around hot water pipes, fences, farm structures, chook sheds and even dog kennels.

Australia has one of the highest rates of illnesses from asbestos like mesothelioma, according to Mayor Thain.

“According to a report published by the Australian Mesothelioma Register, Australia has one of the highest incidence rates of malignant mesothelioma in the

Always use professionals to remove any asbestos from your house safely. Photo: Supplied

world,” he said.

National Asbestos Awareness Month is an initiative from the Asbestos Education Committee working in partnership with the Asbestos Diseases Research Institute. The campaign aims to educates homeowners, renovators, handymen and tradespeople about the dangers of asbestos and how to manage it safely.

“I encourage residents to visit asbestosawareness.com.au to search and identify the sorts of products to look for, locations where they might be found and learn how to manage and dispose of asbestos safely,” Mayor Thain said.

Anyone looking for more information can visit www.asbestosawareness.com. au to learn how to identify and safely manage asbestos.

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Penrith: western Sydney’s trendiest destination

By Keegan Thomson

TRENDY is not a word you would have used to describe Penrith ten years ago, but with the rising population and the access to affordable housing the CBD is moving with the times and a lot of people are saying the swing is back in Penrith.

Across the last 18 months Penrith has been reinvigorated by a number of trendy, city-style cafes, restaurants and bars setting up shop around High and Henry streets in the CBD. Gai Hawthorn, CEO of Penrith CBD Corporation, said it has been a breath of fresh air for the community.

“People are really noticing a difference around Penrith,” Ms Hawthorn said. “It is great to know you don’t have to go all the way into the city to get fantastic food at great cafes.”

According to Ms Hawthorn the council has been the biggest help with the promotion of the local area.

“Through Penrith council promoting ‘invest in the west’ we have been able to bring a lot of business into the CBD,” she said.

“The whole process is really putting

Noreen Bryan and Hanna Vella from the High Street Depot. Photo: Keegan Thomson

Penrith on the map and people are starting to take notice, there is a sense of pride around the area.”

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city-style cafes to open up in Penrith is the High Street Depot.

Noreen Bryan and her husband Tim opened the High Street Depot around

three years ago and said they’ve really noticed a difference in the area.

“We’re now getting in more and more businesspeople, there are mums and bubs coming in, you’ve got a lot of elderly customers as well,” she said. “The place is really growing.

Mrs Bryan said the businesses out west need to be progressive so they can keep up with the area.

“Being out west means you have to move with the times, you have to progress, because the growth in the area is bringing more people into Penrith,” she said. “The place is really becoming a lot trendier.”

According to a population forecast study commissioned by Penrith council, the population of Penrith is expected to rise from just over 200,000 in 2016 to 256,000 in 2036.

Across the Penrith skyline there are currently 13 cranes all bringing new infrastructure to the city and Ms Hawthorn says the future growth depends on this new infrastructure.

“We’re looking at cranes in the CBD for the first time in a long time,” she said. “We have to be ready and open to the new trends and the big changes because in the future the new infrastructure will bring businesses and people to Penrith.”

11 Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

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Legends of the Nepean

By Garion Thain

I THINK a lot of us are rediscovering our love of the ‘cheeky.’

The mischievous, the practical, not so much ‘rudeness,’ more taking the ‘mickey’ out of something.

A simple pleasure of mine, a very Australian one, is being able to head down to the pub after a long week’s work and have a laugh with friends over a few beers. People are working hard,

and humour is a great outlet despite its subjectiveness. Observational humour is thriving out here right now, where many of us are feeling laid back enough to have a laugh at the expense of ourselves, a mate, or a guy on stage.

Bobby and Mary Bradford understand this, and they understand how to make you laugh. The two manage The Major Oak in St Marys, Sydney’s ‘Best Kept Secret,’ a Fryers Club of sorts or best described as a Theatre Restaurant, the last in Sydney and the longest

The Major Oak in St Marys is host to sell out shows by Mr Bradford on an almost weekly basis.

running in Australia. Bobby Bradford, a longtime entertainer who has been involved with the club for over 33 years, brings his ‘English Humour’ of self deprivation to the stage weekly with knockout punchlines, a laidback persona and warmth, with the support of his wife Mary who’s also been involved with the club since the 80s’ and has helped cultivate its environment to where it stands today – very successful.

Bobby and Mary were nominated as local legends for more than just being successful local business owners for such a long time. They were nominated for their passion, love for humour and understanding of how to entertain.

Mr Bradford gets on stage to sing, dance, tell stand-up comedy, occasionally strip, and make fun of himself and his group every week to sell-out crowds. He says aside from warmth; the key is earning the authority to make fun of things from the audience.

“I actually never swear on stage,” said Mr Bradford.

“I take the mickey out of myself, then others, then I have the license to go after people and things,” he continued.

Ms Bradford said the Theatre Restaurant’s popularity is entirely from word of mouth. Mr Bradford mentioned a recent example.

“One bloke came in with a party, he was head of an engineering company.

He came back, and booked his entire company in,” relayed Mr Bradford.

“We’re even beginning to see second generation hen’s nights, which is quite lovely,” he continued.

Ms Bradford elaborated, “There are women having their hen’s nights here whose mothers did the same thing 2030 years ago.”

The Major Oak has already taken many bookings to Christmas. Mr Bradford expanded on the appeal.

“Society’s getting sick of being told what to do,” he said.

“I wouldn’t say it’s offensive humour on the stage, but I’m reminded of a great quote – ‘I find it funny, you find it offensive. That’s why I’m happier than you.’ – You can never please everyone.

“It isn’t harsh though. It’s risqué and cheeky vs actually rude.

Mr Bradford, who just welcomed the birth of his second grandson last week, explained that the Major Oak began as an effort from a man named Gordon Roberts to bring entertainment

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BOBBY AND MARY BRADFORD to the west. The Major Oak’s name is sourced from the famous tree in Sherwood Forest under which Robin Hood and his Merry Men supposedly used to sit. The club was Robin Hood themed. Mr Bradford, himself from Northern England, was scouted by management entertaining guests at the Rooty Hill RSL. “Mary was a Buxom Wench,” said Mr Bradford.

“She came back to the Major Oak when it got a new owner and we started dating,” he said.

“We bought into the club in 1998,” Ms Bradford said.

“We rethemed it to a comedy jail.

We had bars up and everything. About four years ago though, we rethemed it to a comedy cruise on land.”

Mr Bradford has experience performing on P&O cruises before coming to Australia.

The Restaurant boasts 30 casual staff and a 4-piece live band, and Ms Bradford said the shared bond of the Major Oak creates a true familial atmosphere. She referred to working at the Major Oak as a liberating path.

“It’s freedom,” Ms Bradford said.

“We’re not stuck in an office, which we don’t like.”

Bobby and Mary Bradford have a combined experience of over 60 years with The Major Oak, the last theatre restaurant in Sydney.

“I come from accounting and Bobby comes from marketing, and even though this is in my head seven days a week I love it so much more.”

The Major Oak continues to open its

doors week after week in St Marys for audacious laughter, a drink and a meal and entertainment. The dedication of Mary and Bobby Bradford sees to that.

Bobby and Mary Bradford are nominated as a Legend of the Nepean

by Kerrie Davies.

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

13

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Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

Cat Adoption Program COREEN Avenue Veterinary Clinic has a long history of finding new homes for abandoned cats.

In fact, over the years we are proud to have rehomed over 750 orphaned cats and kittens with the help of our dedicated cat lovers and pet owners in our local area. Our kitten adoption program assists the community by housing, caring for and rehoming orphaned kittens.

All of our kittens that are looking for new homes come fully vaccinated with the highest cover available (F5 + cat AIDs vaccines), microchipping,

flea treatment, worming as well as being desexed.

We usually have about 10 cats available at any one time that we care for until we are able to find them forever homes.

Before deciding to adopt a kitten, make sure that a cat will suit your lifestyle. Cats are wonderful pets that are very intelligent and playful. They are generally less active than dogs and enjoy sleeping for a large portion of the day.

They do not usually need or even tolerate walks and are well suited to a family with a less active lifestyle.

Cats can be happily kept indoors when provided with litter trays and plenty of environmental

enrichment. This is generally advisable especially if you live near busy roads. Keeping cats indoors avoids injuries such as dog attacks, motor vehicle accidents and also avoids cats hunting our precious wildlife.

Of course our adoption program would not be available without the help of our wonderful veterinary nurses. Often we are left with abandoned kittens that are only a few days old. Almost each day, our wonderful nurses take home these kittens and bottle feed them every few hours until they are old enough to eat on their own.

If you are interested in getting a new beautiful kitten, please contact us on 4731 3055.

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

THE G SPOT

PREMATURE Decoration! Here we are in November and its happening, the dreaded Christmas decorations.

Just when you thought it was safe to leave your homes and venture out into the vulnerable world of the shopping centre, there you have it, just like your mother slapping you across the face after coming home drunk for the first time. The premature decorators!!!!!

The PD club (Why am I hearing jaws music)?

Have you ever watched Crime Stoppers and thought I never knew that he or she was capable of that?

The neighbours are interviewed about a PD’er and they say, “he was a quite person, lovely family, I never knew that this street could house people like that,” and then look shocked.

Well the PD club are like that, they just look like meek and mild people, harmless and quiet, but deep down

that are hiding a secret, perhaps even hiding tinsel in the wardrobe, who knows? But once they are out together, anything is possible. Similar to the zombie apocalypse?

Scientists still can’t work out the chemical imbalance in the PD’ers brains that gives them to urge to pull out the odd Santa and tree before December.

Statistics have shown that most grow up and run shopping centres, department stores, kid’s warehouses and the most hardened PD’s usually run department stores in the city where they can PD in about August.

Thankfully they are testing drugs at the moment that may stabilise the chemical imbalance to make PD’s actually want to start decorating in December. Trials have begun.

So as a security professional I am not really sure how to stop the PD club,

Phone 47 313 055

With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security

however I can tell you that Christmas time is a great time for the baddies to come out and play. Last year a business across from our business office left the gate unlocked, left for the Xmas shut down and boom the opportunist struck.

All over Christmas in fact!

Hey the buildings were alarmed but all the stuff in the yard (worth mega dollars) was laying there in all its glory, saying take me, pick me!!!!

There was a very well-executed clean out that lasted the entire weekend, because the baddies knew that this business was closed for business. Why? Because it had a sign on it saying, back on what-ever date.

“Yippee,” the baddies screamed and happily cleaned them out of all the stock in the yard - 30 grand of crafted sandstone, to be exact.

Thankfully, good old NRS (my security company) was across the road

and with the use of our cameras, the offenders were tracked down, caught and some stock returned. The other stuff was sold, oh and of course they burnt a truck out as well.

So let me ask you this? How would losing 30 grand from your business affect your operations? How would losing 30 grand from your house affect you?

So while you may say, “nah we will be right mate!” think about your security needs over Chrissy. Alarms, cameras, patrols, guards or whatever!

There are some things I can help you with and some things that I can’t, such as shopping and listening to “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” in Coles on a 36 degree day in November.

So there you have it, the PD club will overrun us one day, think about your security and may your Christmas shopping begin!

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ANZ welcomes ex-Panther Nigel Plum

By Stewart Moses

@TheRiffMarn

HAVING carved out a reputation as being one of the game’s hardest hitters, retired Penrith Panther Nigel Plum, has swapped that world of crunching tackles, running at opposing defences and endless hours of training, for that of tapping keyboards, clicking mouses and one-onone conversations with customers, in his new role with the ANZ Bank in Glenmore Park and the new Westfield Penrith branch,

opening 23rd November 2016.

And despite the twelve months being best described by Plum as being a “rollercoaster ride”, he couldn’t be happier with how everything has panned out, as he transitions from the sporting world to what he calls “the real world”.

Having drawn to a close a NRL career that spanned across three clubs; Sydney Roosters, Canberra and Penrith, Nigel (33), wife Nicole and their three children; daughters Miller and Evie and son Levi, are more than happy to continue calling Glenmore Park home.

But had it not been for a combination of injury and illness, Plum was set to back-flip on a decision made at the beginning of the 2015 season to retire at season’s end, admitting to Nepean News that he was set to accept an offer from St George-Illawarra to play again in 2016, before planning to head back home to the bush to play for his junior club, Wagga Kangaroos.

“I actually had a verbal offer on the table from the Dragons to play (in 2016) and I was close to accepting it especially when it was so close to me finishing (at Penrith),” Plum confirmed.

“The carrot was certainly there dangling in front of me to play again and I was pretty close to accepting the offer.”

But Plum was heavily concussed in a game against the Canberra Raiders, causing memory-loss issues which ultimately led to his earlier-than expected retirement, but not before he got to play his 150th NRL game, despite the risks involved in doing so.

“After the memory-loss following that (Raiders game) I was close to stopping straight away but then my last game was my 150th (NRL game),” Plum said.

“But I look back on it now and if something had of happened in that game, I would have regretted playing but it was a milestone I really wanted to get to.”

Plum also played the latter half of 2015 with a rare

But illness in the end proved to be a silver lining, enabling the plasterer by trade to pursue a job opportunity in a different industry; Banking.

“I was looking at jobs available and saw a home and investment lending manager role with the ANZ Bank advertised on LinkedIn,” Plum explained.

“I came into the Glenmore Park branch to enquire about the role and the woman I had spoken to put a call into the branch manager at Penrith and it all went from there.”

Eight months on and it’s fair to say Retired Panther, Nigel Plum aims to be as big a hit with ANZ as he was Plum is excited and humbled to have been on the playing field. Photo: 77 Media. given the opportunity to work with such an organisation. “grass-bug” infection in his elbow, which finally got “The biggest thing I love about the role is getting the better of him when it forced the retiring Panther to help people,” Plum explained. into hospital on the eve on what was meant to be a “I get to lend people money to buy property farewell appearance at the NRL Grand Final. and seeing the excitement they get in being able The infection according to Plum was made worse to purchase their house it gives me a great feeling by the fact he was taking strong medication for his knowing that I got to help them do that. on-going battle with Crohn’s disease (since he was “It’s a similar feeling to when I was playing diagnosed with in 2003), which impacted his body’s footy getting to see the smiles on kids’ faces when immune system. they got to meet a NRL footballer.

“After we played Souths on a Friday night, I woke “I’ve also learnt that ANZ is committed up next morning and my elbow was all swollen,” to protecting our clients for any unforeseen Plum stated. circumstances that could jeopardise their assets, “The test results came back saying there was no Something which I was lacking in my situation infection but all the signs were there and I played when I retired. It’s a whole new world of learning the rest of the season with this massive elbow, that I can now share with the Penrith community. which was painful.

“I love working with numbers and I love having “It was unfortunate that I was on a drug that a chat to people and here I get to do both every day. suppresses the effects of Crohn’s disease but knocks “I can’t thank ANZ enough for this opportunity the body’s immune system around. and how good they’ve been in accepting me for “My understanding is that there were just two who I am. or three people in Australia with this particular “For them to employ someone who had no infection and my doctors said to me it could take up previous experience it’s massive. to two years to fully clear.”

“There’s still a lot of learning ahead for me and Having had his remaining playing days I’m really enjoying it” I have a great team working scuppered by concussion, the grass-bug infection along side of me with many years experience to added further frustration to Plum’s career prospects help guide me to make the best decisions for our outside of football, having already seen a potential customers future. post-football job opportunity in sponsorship with “The best part I’m learning is it empowers me Penrith fall through. to make a better life for all of us in the Penrith “Come November 1, I was going to be community unemployed but with the infection I was in hospital “It’s just a whole new ball game. almost full time between October and November, “I would love the opportunity to sit down with having been admitted four times,” Plum said. you to discuss your home loan needs, Give me a call “I was under strict order to sit on the lounge all or send me an email to arrange an appointment.” day every day, so I wasn’t allowed to work.

Phone: 0466 344 911 “Even if I had a job I couldn’t do that anyway.”

Email: nigel.plum@anz.com

15 Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

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“I own a galvanic electrolysis hair removal business. It’s a very specific niche and a rare one,” Linley explains.

“I discovered this form of hair removal when I discovered some unwanted hairs growing on my face and wasn’t getting the permanent results I wanted with other popular forms of hair reduction.

“After a lot of searching I found someone who offered galvanic electrolysis in the city. The hairs were removed in two treatments and never came back! It was then I realised how badly the west and the Hills needed this. Getting to the city after work was a bit of a nightmare!”

Linley is keen to point out that this is not just a cosmetic service.

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Linley operates from a flexible salon in Richmond and is focusing her attention on educating clients about the service and growing the business.

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17 Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

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Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

A day in the life of... A Minister

By Keegan Thomson

RELIGION often goes hand in hand with charity work and Minister Martin Beckett knows this better than anyone else.

“Christianity, religion, and charity, it all works together and it is all about love,” Minister Beckett said. “For me you can’t have Christianity and charity without love, so naturally they both go together to create a better community.”

Minister Beckett is a man with a big heart and a big career. He is the founder of the Rock Church, one of Penrith’s most popular local churches, and the CEO of Christ Mission Possible, an all encompassing charity based in western Sydney.

“My main vocation is a minister of a local church, but that is just an introduction into everything else that I do here,” Minister Beckett said. “A few years ago I looked at what we’re doing as a church and thought, who is this impacting, how are we helping the community and what impact do we have on it?”

Not being your typical Minister, Martin Beckett runs the The Rock as a fairly nontraditional church.

Inside the church is a fully functioning cafe run by volunteers and disadvantaged people, there is a music hall with light and sound equipment good enough to put on a rock concert and his charity, Christ Mission Possible is run out the back of the premises.

“Traditionally when a church is set up they do churchy things and they often don’t commit and get

involved in the community. So we thought if a church packs up and leaves town does the community really miss it?” Minister Beckett said. “We want to help impact the community so that if The Rock leaves town tomorrow people will miss it.”

Working with his ‘charity man hat’ on Minister Beckett has been able to build Christ Mission

Possible into a charity that positively affects tens of thousands of households across the state.

“We took on Christ Mission Possible a few years ago and began feeding about 100 people a week,” he said. “We’ve been able to build that up and right now we’re feeding around 15 to 20 thousand households a week.”

Minister Beckett said homelessness is a massive issue across western Sydney and he wants to curb the problem any way he can.

“We run a number of programs to help in as many ways as we can. We run debt help, we have job clubs to help people get into employment, we’ve got around 100 people across the west in emergency housing and we’re even helping with drug and alcohol rehabilitation,” he said.

To help him totally understand homelessness, Minister Beckett left his job and worked without income for 18 months to set up Christ Mission Possible. He said it inspired his charity work further.

“I left my job and went on Centrelink, within that time I received three payments, I had to go look for work like everyone else but my wife and I went for 18 months without making money so we could set up Christ Mission Possible and what it is today,” he said.

It has to be said that Christ Mission Possible wouldn’t be the charity it is today without the selfless and thankless efforts of Minister Beckett.

They’ll be hosting a Christmas dinner for the disadvantaged at The Rock with more details announced soon via their facebook page.

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Annual virus (9) 6 Full of flavor (5) 9 On the beach (7) 10 Boat in Venice (7) 11 Deletion (7) 12 Imperial ruler (7) 13 Steals from stores (9) 15 Entice (5) 16 Modelled (5) 19 Stunt plane (9) 22 Instructions on food preparation (7) 23 A distant settlement (7) 25 Mediterranean sailing ship (7) 26 Choking or retching (7) 27 Is concerned for (5) 28 Prediction (9)

solution 3/11/16

DOWN 1 Silly (5) 2 Melange or hodgepodge (7) 3 Not normal (7) 4 Gentle push (5) 5 Attacker (9) 6 Storm on the sun (7) 7 TV show (7) 8 A pronunciation mark (9) 13 A drug that induces sleep (9) 14 Flagpole (9) 17 Not religious (7) 18 Portrays (7) 20 Double crosses (7) 21 Equipping (7) 23 Different (5) 24 Taut (5)

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Peace love and mung beans with TP I DON’T know about you but I prefer my Greens to be of the great unwashed variety. I’m not talking about zucchini or spinach; I’m talking about the political kind. I once respected these guys based on the fact that they would have joined up on the premise that they had a great love of the environment and they wanted to save it. They were passionate, principled and genuinely cared about something. That ideology made sense to me and it came from a very earthy place where peace, love and mung beans reigned supreme. It was disestablishment and you could tell the authenticity of a member according to the amount of patchouli oil wafting through the air or dreadlocks adorning their chilled out head.

Fast forward to the 21st Century and it’s difficult to pick a Green in a lineup at a media conference as they could easily be mistaken for Liberal party members. There they are wearing suits, fake pearls and trying their best to establish themselves as being mainstream in an attempt to capture more of the vote. It grieves me that this is where the so-called champions of the environment have ended up. So desperate are they to create this slick new image that they have a Dr as their leader. Why are they trying so hard

to fit into this mould that the original members would have been repulsed at.

Why are they aspiring for materialistic achievement which one would have thought flies in the face of the original intent of this Party?

This brings me to another name for this type of Green. The elitist Green if you like. Once, being a student of the world would have been valued, now academic snobbery seems to

have formed part of the new wave of elitist Green repertoire. Now it’s all about where they or their children have studied, travelled or are currently working. They can be seen unashamedly dining at 5 star hotels in Canberra, driving expensive cars and wearing expensive clothes.

They believe in equality but only as it applies to people who share their opinion and so social justice is

limited to like-minded people as their ideology does not extend to all. How many refugees have they actually hosted in their own homes? Not many I venture and the Nimby (Not in my backyard) attitudes are often borne out of hypocritical racist attitudes. If you’re going to talk the talk you have to walk the walk.

Many of this type of Green has made their money through “raping and pillaging” the resources of the earth to then grow a conscience and want to prevent others from doing the same. They happily tell everyone else what to do and then hypocritically do exactly the opposite. There’s a distinct whiff of oxymoron about it.

I wish we could still tell a Green from 10 paces due to the whiff in the air which indicated that they found sustenance in a vegetarian diet, dabbed themselves liberally with patchouli oil or reeked of a particular scent of smoke. Where you could tell due to their attire an attitude which said “I don’t give a damn what you think, I’m not changing for you thanks!” Come on guys I’m sure there are still some of you left. I just can’t see the dreadlocks for all of the suits.

21 Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

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

Former Australian Arms Inn/ Emu Plains Post Office

by Patsy Moppett | Editor of the Heritage Newsletter of the Blue Mountains | Association of Cultural Heritage Organisations Inc

Old Post Office, Emu Plains, front, left and back, right.

T

HE land is on the corner of the Great Western Highway and the Old Bathurst Road, at Emu Plains. The township of Emu was renamed Emu Plains in 1882. The date of construction of the original building is unknown. However it was the rival of several other inns along the road to Bathurst between the Nepean River and the foot of Lapstone Hill.

Little is known about the building before 1850. Maps of the periods show no buildings before 1845, although Grant advertised an inn for lease on the land in 1844, and it was possibly on the site as early as 1841. Prior to 1850 the owner was Charles Smith, who bought the property in 1833. Ten months later Smith sold it to John Grant in 1834. The Grants did not live there but leased it out.

Neither Smith nor Grant had a publican’s license.

In 1844 it was known as the Travellers Inn, and was leased by a John Mortimer, rented from John Grant of “Lowther Park”, Hartley.

It is not to be confused with the Arms of Australia Inn (now a museum) built by John Mortimer in 1841, and leased by Robert Beatson from 1850, at the corner of the Great Western Highway and Gardenia Avenue. The original name was the Australian Arms, and when Beatson left he went down the road to the old post office building and it is suggested he took the name and license with him in 1855. A railway map of about 1863 shows both inns.

Beatson leased the second inn from Grant until 1859. He died

in 1869 and the inn closed. His family lived on in the building. It was operated as an inn for at least 17 years. There remains some conjecture in regard to the early licensing and operation of the two inns.

The owner of the building, John Grant, was the son of an Irish Catholic tenant farmer. He was convicted of attempted murder in 1810 in Ireland and transported on the ship “Providence” for life to New South Wales in 1811.

He married Jane O’Brien in 1814 and they had three children. He worked for William Redfern, and in 1820 he received his pardon.

He commenced applications for land grants, first at Minto and then at the Vale of Clwydd near Mount York. He acquired land on the Cox’s River at Hartley and built his “Moyne” dwelling there in 1823. Sadly Jane died in 1826. That commenced an extraordinary accumulation of land by Grant across the colony, with abundant increases in land, stock and capital over the next few years.

By 1828 he had more assets that any other Irish Catholic in the colony. During 1833 he began to apply for land to be put up for auction at Emu, Springwood and Blackheath. At Emu he bought allotments 3 and 7, the nearest to the Pilgrim Inn. Grant was recorded as having half an acre at Emu. During this period he would have purchased the property from Charles Smith.

Continued next issue....

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23 Nepean News1719 February 2016 2015 Issue 143 Nepean News November 188

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realestate real

Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

THE SMART LINE with Steve Roddick

Is it possible to predict property growth cycles when investing?

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I am pleased to advise that we have successfully negotiated private access to Asciential Property Group’s services. Part of that access is to invite you to participate in our special

evening of enquiry, education and discovery.

Peter Ward, Managing Director of Asciential Property Group, is one of few qualified property investment advisors in Australia and will be presenting an investment education workshop on 25 October, 2016. By the end of the workshop you will have identified much of what you need to know to be a successful property investor. As the workshop is a service that is designed to provide enough education for you to begin your own journey, you will be free to pursue your wealth goals on your own by applying what you learn, or to engage Smartline and Asciential Property Group to support and assist you in your endeavours. It is entirely up to you.

During the workshop, the following will be discussed: • How to KNOW when a market is about to go into growth • How to determine what makes a good investment • How to maximise your investments, capital growth and cash flow • How to extract the most value out of leveraging and depreciation • How to safely use the financial system to your advantage (and avoid the traps!)

• Understanding property growth cycles and what drives them.

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m 0420 289 381 f 02 4786 1242 e sroddick@smartline.com.au

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• Built-in wardrobes in all bedrooms • Energy efficient Downlights throughout • Remote controlled garage • Low maintenance yard

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FIRST HOME BUYERS QUALIFY FOR A FULL FIRST HOME BUYERS GRANT. INVESTORS RECEIVE $5000 TOWARDS STAMP DUTY. These are just a few of the many features these stunning townhouses have to offer, be sure to book an appointment with A PLUS PROEPRTY GROUP on 02 9833 4002 OR 0416 922 477.

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Western Sydney is one of the fasted growing economies in Australia, creating new benchmarks in building-infrastructure, construction and technology. The Western Sydney Airport will be the first new international airport built in Australia in over 50 years and is set to bring major infrastructure upgrades, skilled jobs and economic growth. Penrith Council is setting the pace as a City of the Future’.

More features include: • Timber flooring in living and dining areas • Main bedroom with En-suite and Walk-in robe • Daikin Ducted reverse cycle Air-Conditioning • 2.5 Bathrooms • Quality building materials used throughout

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This full turn Key Home package is sure to impress with a large walk in robe and en-suite to the master bedroom plus built ins to the other good sized bedrooms.

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26

realestate real

Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

Ask

LATTS

If you’d like to find more about the pros and cons of buying off the plan, join us in person on 29 November to have all your questions answered.

This pop up pre-launch is focused on the Home on High development, but the presentation will be relevant to anyone thinking of buying in Penrith – particularly first home buyers, investors and downsizers.

Email me darren@prd.net.au or call 0416 373 144 to book your place!

Strengthen your weakness with Scott Lewis THIS week we are going to take a look at some false misconceptions that many people have been made to believe to be true from widespread media, or ill- informed sources, that in turn may be restricting not only your fitness goals but in turn your lifestyle and overall health.

Let’s look at a few 4 of the biggest myths that exist in the health and fitness world, especially pertaining to food, and decipher what’s right from wrong: EATING CARBS AT NIGHT WILL MAKE YOU FAT: Simply put, eating Carbohydrates at night will NOT make you fat, in fact, research published from a Study in Israel put this notion to bed quick fast.

What the researchers did was put people on a calorically restricted diet for six months and split them into two groups, a (controlled) group and an (experimental) group. Each group consumed the same amount of calories, protein, carbohydrates, and fat. Yet carbohydrate intake was dispersed very differently. The (Control) ate carbs throughout the day, whereas the (Experimental) group consumed the majority of their carbohydrate intake at night time.

What they found after six months was significant.

Not only did the (experimental) group of whom were consuming the majority of their carbs at night lose significantly more weight and body fat than the (control) group, they also experienced better satiety and less hunger! The take away from this, eat your Carbohydrates at night, no matter the time!

HIGH PROTEIN INTAKE IS HARMFUL TO YOUR KIDNEYS: Back in the mid 1980’s, scientists found that eating high protein diets increased your GFR (Glomerular Filtration Rate,) which is essentially in basic terms, the level of your overall Kidney Function/ how well your kidneys are functioning. From the findings, those scientists came to the conclusion that an increased GFR therefore placed your kidneys under a greater amount of stress.

Current research shows that yes, protein rich meals and diets do increase GFR levels, yet it didn’t have any adverse effect on your overall kidney functions.

To date, there is no data published whatsoever showing that eating diets high in protein, within reason, (1.2 -1.5g per pound of bodyweight) damages healthy kidneys. In saying that, those with diagnosed and impaired kidney function are suggested to eat a lower protein diet.

SALT CAUSES HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE AND SHOULD BE AVOIDED AT ALL COST Early in the 19th Century, a researcher from Duke University became renowned for using salt restriction as a means to treat people with High Blood Pressure.

Years later research confirmed that reducing salt intake could help reduce hypertension (High Blood Pressure.)

Fast forward to today and the advances that have been made in the medical and research fields, and you will find an abundance of reputable scientific reviews, which have shown that for people with normal blood pressure, I will say it again, normal blood pressure, there is no reason for them to restrict their (sodium) salt intake.

For those whom have high blood pressure (of whom could be ‘salt sensitive’,) reducing the amount of salt is useful, but for those with high blood pressure whom don’t want to lower their salt intake significantly, they can simply offset this to an extent by consuming a higher potassium diet consisting of higher potassium foods. Reason being what it comes down to is the balance of the salt and potassium levels in your body. In fact, current research has found that a low potassium diet, hence levels, will have relatively the same impact on your blood pressure as does high salt consumption. **Persons whom have high blood pressure should always consult and take advice from their medical physician.

EATING FAT MAKES YOU FAT: This is a pretty simple one. EATING FAT DOES NOT MAKE YOU FAT! What makes you fat, may you ask? We’ll this one is even simpler, EXCESS CALORIES MAKE YOU FAT! Eating more calories than you expend on a day to day basis will put the unwanted kilos on and in turn increase your body fat levels faster than incorporating healthy fats into your diet ever will!

Fat is not the enemy, it’s the type that you consume, and by this we are talking about trans-fats.

Choose heart healthy fats such as the monounsaturated and polyunsaturated kind to incorporate into your diet, with foods such as fish, nuts, avocadoes, poultry, just to name a few.

Eating the right fats are essential to your overall health. Omega – 3 fatty acids, a type of polyunsaturated fat, play a vital role in cognitive function as well as emotional health. They have also been found to reduce the risk of heart disease, certain cancers, ease arthritis and inflammation, plus many other conditions. If this is not a reason to incorporate more fat into your diet, I don’t know what will.

Follow ‘Wild Panther Fitness’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (@wildpantherfit.) For any enquiries: info@wildpantherfitness.com.au Until next time “STRENGTHEN YOUR WEAKNESS!”

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CRUCIAL HOME GAMES LOOM AS BLACK CATS SUFFER BACK-TO-BACK AWAY LOSSES strengthened for this week’s Penrith has fallen outside the top game. six after slumping to their second “We hope with bated breath that consecutive loss away from home, losing Josh Lalor will be back sooner rather by three wickets to Randwick-Petersham than later and I guess Pat’s availability at Petersham Oval last Saturday. is in the hands of Cricket Australia.

Penrith batted first and after a bright “But we look forward to having opening stand of 69 between John Di both of those boys back on the Bartolo (50) and Ryan Hackney (31), paddock at some stage.” the Black Cats slumped to 7/147 before Michael Collins, who top scored with Speaking of Cummins and Lalor, 65 and Matthew Halse (43) enabled the both had their moments despite the away team to post a respectable total of NSW Blues Futures League loss to 251.

Tasmania at Blacktown.

Hampered by the late withdrawal of Cummins bowled 21 overs for Pat Cummins and Josh Lalor due to the game, taking 1/25 and 1/10 “representative workload issues”, 251 respectively and contributed a was never likely enough to be defendable handy 38 not out with the bat in despite the best efforts of Ryan Smith and Jake Wholohan was in fine form with both bat and ball in Penrith’s big win over the first innings, while Lalor toiled Collins, according to club coach Michael St George last Sunday in Poidevin-Gray. Credit 77 Media away, returning the figures of 0/57 Wholohan.

“We’ve been disappointing of late particularly last whether the modern day approach to managing and 1/63 respectively. week when we probably didn’t score enough runs,” player workloads is in Australian cricket’s best interests, especially give the plight of the test team.

As suggested last edition, Ryan Gibson became Wholohan declared.

“It wasn’t a great surprise but in saying that it’s the latest Black Cat to play Sheffield Shield for New “250 was probably never going to be enough and although we competed and played well all day 2, we still very frustrating and very disappointing from South Wales when the Blues defeated WA in a thriller were just those few runs short and unfortunately it was a club perspective with two very talented bowlers at the SCG. who form our opening bowling combination but Unfortunately for Gibson, he missed out with the one that got away.

“Our pace attack particularly Ryan Smith and that’s the decision that’s been made by the powers bat in both innings, scoring 0 and 5 but hopefully the to be,” Wholohan stated. selectors will show enough faith to give the prodigious Michael Collins were outstanding.

“We always had a sneaking suspicion that their batsman a second opportunity in their next game.

“They both bowled superbly, bowling 22 overs in very trying conditions and were both very unavailability was going to be the case.

“Unfortunately when they’ve bowled a certain After Round Five, the Black Cats retain third unlucky. Ryan took three and Michael one (wicket) number of overs (at representative level), at grade position in the club championship despite the respectively.” mixed results.

While batsmen such as Michael Hopkins and highly- level we don’t always get to see them.

“But as hard as it is to swallow sometimes, we’ll Apart from losses in firsts and seconds regarded UK import, Tom Kohler-Cadmore have failed (fourteenth), thirds remain on top despite their tied to fire with the bat, Wholohan says it isn’t time to hit certainly respect that decision.

“There’s no doubt that in a perfect world that result, while fourths (fourth) won and fifths (first) the panic button just yet but hinted that Hackney’s strong form, backing up last week’s effort with another test players play Sheffield Shield on a more regular having secured first innings points, lost outright. half-century in second grade last Saturday, would be basis and Sheffield Shield cricketers play grade Penrith maintained their unbeaten start in the hard to hold back should any of the top grade batsmen cricket on a more regular basis but unfortunately in the modern game that’s not the case and I’m not Poidevin-Gray Shield U/21s competition with wins continue to fail. over Mosman and St George placing the Black Cats “It’s a sign of a strong club when there is pressure exactly that’s a good thing or a bad thing.” in fourth position, heading into this Sunday’s clash coming from second grade and we pride ourselves on It doesn’t get any easier for the ninth-placed Black against Hawkesbury at Owen Earle Oval. our depth at Penrith,” Wholohan said.

“It just means that our first grade batsmen need to Cats despite returning home to Howell Oval for the In other news, the Lady Cats’ first grade side perform if they want to hold their spot in the top grade. four next Saturdays against the top two teams in “In saying that a few of those boys have been the competition, a point not lost on the Penrith club remain in sixth position having not played over coach, who concedes he isn’t certain whether Lalor or the past fortnight, but will look to improve on that unlucky with dismissals. position when they play two home games at Howell “I wouldn’t say anyone is out of form by any means Cummins will return.

“We’ve got a couple of tough games in Northern Oval in a row over the next fortnight against but sometimes the scoreboard doesn’t always tell Universities and St George. the full story, so we’ve got faith in our batsmen and Districts and Gordon,” Wholohan said.

“But its two home matches and we always set The women’s second grade team scored their hopefully they’ll come off sooner rather than later.” ourselves a goal of winning all our home games. fourth win in a row, defeating Sydney to remain in “We are certainly hoping that if we can turn at third position, as they prepare to take on St George Wholohan also echoed Steve Small’s comments last edition that the club continues to be frustrated Christmas in a position without giving up too much of and Bankstown over the next fortnight. by the late withdrawals of Pat Cummins and Josh a lead that we can make the playoffs again.

“We’re not quite sure whether we will be #LoveTheCats Lalor for the second game in succession, questioning

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Panthers continue to build for the future

By Stewart Moses

@TheRiffMarn

THE Panthers’ build-up to 2017 and beyond, continues to gather momentum with the re-signing of prop Moses Leota and outside-back, Waqa Blake, coupled with the recruitment of an exciting young talented back-rower from the Gold Coast, whose surname is synonymous with Penrith, Jed Cartwright.

All three players have committed to the club until the end of the 2019 season.

The retention of Waqa Blake represents the fifteenth Panther to commit to the club beyond 2018, which bucks the trend for most clubs whose players are reluctant to commit past 2017, until the salary cap position post 2017 has been confirmed.

In fact Penrith’s retention program means that just four key players in their top 25; Dean Whare, Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Sitaleki Akauola and Sione Katoa remain unsigned past 2017.

For Blake, the new deal caps a great 2016 whereby the centre from Perth, was one of Penrith’s most improved players, having endured a difficult first season in the NRL after making his first grade debut in Round Five, 2015.

With thirteen tries from 39 NRL games to date, Blake is humbled by the fact he has extended his tenure at the club.

“I am truly blessed to have the opportunity to stay with the Panthers,” Blake said.

“I loved this club from the moment I first arrived and the direction we’re heading now is really exciting.

Blake, who joined the Panthers at the end of 2012 after being scouted playing SG Ball with the West Coast Pirates, will only get better and is destined for further representative honours, according to Panthers Executive General Manager Phil Gould AM. “Waqa’s best football is still ahead of him. He is an outstanding athlete and I believe he is a high level representative player of the future.”

Equally, Moses Leota, Panthers Holden Cup Player of the Year in their premiership-winning 2015 season, before making his NRL debut this season against Manly in Round 14, is relieved to be staying at Penrith, adding he couldn’t see himself playing for any other club.

The latest Cartwright to don Panther colours, Jed, joins his team-mates for Penrith’s first official day of pre-season training on Monday. Credit: Jeff Lambert, Penrith Panthers.

“I’m really grateful for the chance to stay at the Panthers,” Leota said.

“There’s a special bunch of players here, the club has a great culture and I couldn’t see myself playing anywhere else.

“Now I want to focus on playing consistent footy and strive for my goal of being a regular NRL player.”

Gould is also excited by the prospect of having Jed Cartwright, son of former Panther legend, John and grandson of the late Merv Cartwright, at the club adding that it just feels right that another Cartwright should be playing for Penrith, having been released from the final year of his contract with the Titans.

“We are absolutely delighted to have another

Cartwright representing our club,” Gould said.

“Jed has shown tremendous potential coming through age-group football and is now ready to commence the next stage of his development.

“We believe he is an NRL player of the future.

“It’s only natural that Jed should be playing here with the Panthers.”

The retention drive alongside that of a recruitment process that has netted the likes of James Tamou, Tim Browne and Mitch Rein among others, has resulted in some recent departures.

Popular prop and 2015 Ken Stephens Medal nominee, Jeremy Latimore has been immediately released from the remainder of his contract to sign with the Cronulla Sharks.

Having played 75 NRL games for the Panthers since joining the club in 2013, Gould described the anguish in letting the 29-year-old prop leave.

“It’s too easy sometimes to say that Rugby League is a business and we just have to make decisions and move on,” Gould said.

“But some decisions really do suck. This one sucks.

“We are really disappointed to be losing Jeremy.”

Another prop, Suaia Matagi recently confirmed he was leaving the club to join Parramatta for the next two years, after a reported deal with Manly fell through.

And there has been a spate of departures from the second-tier squad too, with confirmation that utility back Andrew Heffernan (Hull Kingston Rovers), AFL convert Josh Hall (most likely Townsville Blackhawks) and the Albert brothers, Wellington and Stanton (expected to sign with the PNG Hunters) have left the club recently.

PANTHERS IN FOR THE LONG HAUL 2019: Waqa Blake, Tim Browne, Jed Cartwright, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Nathan Cleary, James Fisher-Harris, Moses Leota, Sam McKendry, Tyrone Peachey, Isaah Yeo 2020: Leilani Latu, Trent Merrin, James Tamou 2021: Bryce Cartwright, Matt Moylan

Penrith basketball prepares for 2017

By Noel Rowsell

THE Penrith Basketball Association will again run Youth League as it’s senior representative program in 2017, with two men’s and one women’s team entered in that age group.

PBA general manager Leonie Moore said “We (PBA) have decided to go ahead and enter two Youth League Men’s teams again (in 2017), as the numbers at trials were good”.

“There was a push for SLM (State League Men) or higher but with (a) lack of commitment from key players, we thought against this for 2017”.

“The Association is committed to an early review and forum in 2017, between potential key players, directors, coaches, etc regarding the 2018 program and which

Dominika Offner will have a dual role in 2017 - Playing Youth League and coaching Under 16 Girls. Photo courtesy of Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

Senior League is best suited for our Association - both Men and Women”.

Moore said “There will be some player movement out of my YLW (Youth League Women) which will

impact greatly on us for 2017”.

“We (PBA) have lost Rhiannon Pope, who has aged out and Eliza (Jurd) and Jaimee (Clark) are not playing in 2017”.

“Ella (Tofaeono) will be recruited to a higher league and not all of the Under 18 girls will double-up again”.

“All still very difficult at the moment and all Associations are feeling the strain of player movement, or lack of players in their Women’s programs”.

“We will battle on and then reassess for 2018” said Moore.

In other news from the Association, Development Manager Jarrod Moore has been appointed as an assistant in the State Under 18 Women’s program.

Due to a shortage of courts at the Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre (PVRSC), the PBA is now also playing at the St Clair Leisure centre on

Saturdays for Under 10’s and Under 12’s in some grades.

The PBA is struggling for space, referees and coaches and would welcome all enquiries for assistance.

The full list of representative coaches for 2017 is: Women: Under 12 - Jenna Weekes, Jaidyn Fisher; Under 14 - Rod Miskell, Christine Blacklock; Under 16 Dominika Offner, Brian Lawrie; Under 18 - Neil Offner, Adam Reid; Youth League - Leonie Moore Men: Under 12 - Matt Porter, Cassandra Reid; Under 14 - Jarrod Moore, Blake MacFarlane; Under 16 - Curtis Sardi, Kurt Watts; Under 18 Jeff Cooper, Luke Hepburn; Youth League - Steve Sardi, Adam Peterson

COACH’S CORNER

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

ATHLETIC INTELLIGENCE ATHLETIC Intelligence is defined as: ‘Increasing the capacity for learning and understanding various physical skills and techniques and how they relate to game or performance scenarios’. Working as both a teacher and a coach places me in a fortunate position to see the benefits of both education and sport. Let me make perfectly clear that formal education is the greatest gift any young person can receive. I also believe athletes and their level of intelligence separates the elite from the rest.

The disassociation between intelligence and athletes comes from our misperceptions of sport and games in general. When we watch a great athlete perform we see things such as physical dominance, speed, strength, power and agility. We then recognise the performed feats to be those of an athlete with an abundance of talent or natural gifts.

The success the athlete achieves is often attributed to his or her muscles not the brain.

These judgements are all based on our visual perception of an athlete or a performance. It is the invisible aspects of a performance that occur in

the brain that we ignore unless we have a special appreciation for the visual motor skills (Ability to take advantage of what an athlete can see with the correct execution of skill) and cognitive perception skills (Ability to look at a scenario and understand what is happening through perception) an athlete possesses. This is built through several years of training and game play under pressure along with an abundance of errors and failures.

Instances during games when there is an example of brilliant perception skills demonstrated we attempt to then give that execution of a cognitive skill a physical quality. Commentators will often refer to players as ‘freaks’ or ‘masters’ as that is the best description of a skill that has been executed that the audience cannot visually witness.

We discount those invisible skills such as the ability of a player to anticipate a movement of a fellow team mate, opposition defender or the different patterns of play in the opposition attack or defensive structure. How the player then breaks the opposition down with different responses to the various stimuli. We see the physical representation

of this and perceive it as a physical gift or skill.

We are often guilty of ignoring the player’s intellect. When we think of intellectual development we think of classrooms and books not the sporting field. Research which has been conducted in recent years points to the benefit of sports participation in gaining skills which improve academic performance.

Our perceptions of elite athletes need to change. We should embrace the learning and skill development that occurs through playing sports and encourage children to engage in outdoor activity to complement their academic pursuits.

The physical feats are our visual perception of a genius intellect solving thousands of problems throughout a game under fatigue and pressure.

These problems enhance the athlete’s cognitive perceptual skills. When coaches allow athletes to make decisions freely rather than following structured plays or game plans it builds the athletes ability to be flexible and become creative. This intelligence transfers off the field and into other aspects of the athletes lives.

29 Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

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Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

MG ON THE MARK

WITH MARK GEYER

2016 WILL GO DOWN IN HISTORY AS THE YEAR OF THE UNDERDOG AS Christmas looms (I know, didn’t that jump upon us) and we near the end of the year 2016, history will look back upon this year as “the year of the underdog”. It started with Leicester City winning the English Premier League in soccer at the incredible odds of 5000-1.

The Lebron James-inspired Cleveland Cavaliers then took home the bacon in the American Basketball taking out the NBA title which was 50 years in the making.

We then turned to politics in particular Great Britain. From afar it’s still quite confusing on exactly what went down over there but what I do know it that the ‘Brexit’ saw Britain leave the EU in a stunning come-from-nowhere vote from the people Year of the Underdog of England.

We then headed back closer to home to witness yet another ‘underdog’ victory. This time the Western Bulldogs in the AFL. 62 years after tasting the sweet taste of premiership glory.

The Cronulla Sharks maintained the rage of the perennial upset by winning their very first Rugby League premiership after entering the NRL in 1967, that’s a 50 year hiatus.

Just when you thought you’d seen it all the Chicago Cubs baseball team broke sports longest ever drought in winning the World Series 108 years after winning their last in 1908! Extraordinary.

Recently we’ve watched Ireland beat the mighty All Blacks rugby union team for the first time ever, and watched perhaps the biggest upset of them all, Donald Trump becoming the leader of the free world in a major upset to year period, quite remarkable.

The day will be MC’d by the Sheppard brothers Brock (Our Coach Corner become the American President!

Makes sense though if you ask me, it is the year of the Monkey and quite columnist) and Lewis, and the auctioneer will be Troy ‘TK’ Kennedy.

There are only a few tables left so give the Pioneer Tavern a buzz on 47364466 clearly the sporting and political world has gone bananas... and book your table now. Not only is it a late starting luncheon (3-6pm) straight And another thing.....

On Friday the the 25th of November I’m hosting a cricket lunch at the Pioneer after at 630 the Angels cover band ‘No Secrets’ with Charlie Sheen and his Tavern in which ex cricketers Mike Whitney and Doug Walters will be special crew performing from 630-10pm. What a way to celebrate a year well done with your work colleagues and mates. See you there... guest speakers.

Once again funds raised on the day will go towards the Great Walk Foundation who are nearing the magical 1 million dollars raised for local charities over a 10 MG (random Westie) OAM

GOLDEN POINTS WITH STEW MOSES

@THERIFFMARN

MANSOUR’S FREAK INJURY ENDS SPECULATION ON DWZ, WHARE FUTURES….FOR NOW Penrith’s premiership credentials for Meanwhile Ivan’s former assistant 2017 have taken a hit after Josh Mansour’s coach, David Fairleigh has a new recent freak knee injury that will see the coaching gig, signing with North Origin and Test winger ruled out for at Queensland Cowboys as a replacement least six months. for David Furner, who joins Michael The swelling suffered as a result of the Maguire at Souths. innocuous collision with team-mate Josh Dugan during training nearly two weeks Speaking of Cameron Ciraldo, ago was such that Mansour was given the congratulations are in order as the all clear to travel home last weekend with NRL assistant coach guided Italy to the Dally M Winger of the Year booked in an emphatic 76-0 win over Russia for surgery this week. last Friday week, to secure the final The injury has seen the joint premiership spot in next year’s World Cup. favourite ease a little in betting markets given that Mansour could miss over half Finally all three Panthers in the the season should recovery take longer New Zealand squad were given the Dean Whare modelling the new jerseys with Chris Grevsmuhl (left) is unlikely to be than expected. opportunity to play in the 18-all draw moving elsewhere in 2017, while Peta Hiku (right) is the early favourite to replace the As it stands a mid-May return (six with Scotland that enabled debutants, injured Josh Mansour on the wing. Credit: Jeff Lambert, Penrith Panthers. months after surgery) means Mansour James Fisher-Harris and Te Maire is set to miss the the opening eight-ten Martin, to become Penrith’s 11th and games of the season. the media in 2017, but is not expected to return 12th Kiwi internationals respectively.

The injury also means that speculation to Penrith to work in a coaching or commercial Team-mate Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, also made linking Dean Whare and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak capacity until 2018 at the earliest. a welcome return to the Kiwi side. Playing in his with pre-season moves to Manly will remain just preferred position at fullback, Watene-Zelezniak that.

The club recently released a video introducing didn’t disappoint, having a hand in two tries and Peta Hiku shapes as the likely candidate to replace some of the staff changes or promotions that have running for 132 metres.

Mansour, leaving Whare, Tyrone Peachey and Waqa taken place in recent months.

The emphatic win over England by Trent Merrin’s Blake to battle it out for the two remaining outside With David Boyle, Ronnie Palmer, Alex Melville Kangaroos ensures New Zealand will play Australia back spots. and Kieran Morgan all moving on, they have been in the decider and in a further twist, a broken jaw to replaced respectively by the likes Tony Guilfoyle, first-choice five-eighth, Thomas Leuluai, could open Within days of our last edition reporting that Lee Hopkins, Cameron Ciraldo and Krystal Sharp the door for Te Maire Martin to take his place.

Jeremy Latimore was set to join the Sharks, respectively.

Penrith confirmed the popular prop had indeed With its 2017 jerseys now released, don’t been released after some eagle eyes spotted With Ciraldo now NRL assistant coach to expect Penrith to bring out jerseys for ANZAC a quote from Sharks coach Shane Flanagan Anthony Griffin, expect the club to confirm a / Indigenous / Heritage rounds at this stage, as confirming Latimore’s signing that was buried reshuffle within the coaching ranks shortly. the club looks to consolidate the 1991 inspiredat the bottom of a News Limited story on the With Steve Georgallis moving on, former NRL jerseys as the preferred colours of the club, after defending premiers. assistant coach Garth Brennan, reprises his role many years of chopping and changing their as Intrust Super Premiership coach, with Holden colours and jersey designs.

Meanwhile Suaia Matagi’s move to Parramatta, Cup assistant coach Guy Missio his new off-sider. along with that of Will Smith and George Jennings, Voting for the Indigenous All-Stars has Current Intrust Super Premiership assistant and the signing of one-time Panther, Frank Pritchard coach David Tangata-Toa, takes over the reigns as commenced with Panthers, Tyrone Peachey, from Hull FC, ensures the Eels will boast five ex- Holden Cup coach while former Roosters hooker, Chris Grevsmuhl and Leilani Latu set to feature Panthers in 2017, more than any other NRL club, Wade Humphreys, is the surprise appointment as prominently in the squad. To have your say, go to adding considerable spice to what is always a fiery Tangata-Toa’s assistant coach. www.nrl.com.au and follow the prompts. local derby.

Finally News Limited leaked details of the 2017 SPOTTED: Sam McKendry and former Congratulations are in order for another Panthers NRL coach Ivan Cleary helping out at Round One draw, which if correct sees Penrith former Panther, Jamie Soward, who last week Emu Plains Junior Rugby League Club’s annual host Newcastle at home in the opening round of announced his retirement from the game. presentation day last Saturday week at Leonay the season for the third time since 2011, this time Soward, is expected to continue working in Oval. on a Sunday night.

OFFER ENDS 30TH NOVEMBER 2016

Offer ends 30/11/2016. See in Store for Terms and Conditions.

31 Nepean News 17 November 2016 Issue 188

penrith panthers

Thursday, 17 November 2016

sport

Leonay shines in Encourage Shield debut

By Noel Rowsell

LEONAY Golf Club moved back into the representative arena with Junior Golf in 2016, competing in the Jack Newton Junior Golf Encourage Shield competition.

It was the first time in ten years the Leonay Club have been in a position to do so, thanks to the ever-growing ranks of junior talent.

Leonay’s Encourage Shield team played five rounds in the round robin qualifiers, qualifying for the playoffs without loss.

The quarter finals were played on Sunday at the Cumberland Golf Club and the youngsters from Leonay were edged out four games to two by Camden GC, thus ending their otherwise fantastic debut season.

Leonay Committe Member and team manager John Kennedy said “The team has been eagerly followed by the Leonay members”.

“It has been a great experience for these young members and we are all looking forward to their continued development as golfers and fine young men”.

“Expect to see more of these faces as Junior pennants players for some years to come” said a delighted Kennedy.

Members of the Leonay Encourage Shield Golf Team.

Photo supplied.

Back Row: Zach Lange, Eric Summers, Kyle Homan Front Row: Coby Carruthers, Tyler Nesci, Ben Crilley