Nepeannews 19thmarch2015

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FREE Candidate Prue CAR Labor for Londonderry

Thursday, 19 March 2015

ISSUE 145

Phone 0450 659 811 Email prue.car@nswlabor.org.au

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2015 STATE ELECTION COVERAGE - Q & A WITH LOCAL CANDIDATES

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Penrith Women Make It Happen

JACKIE KELLY VOTE 1

3 Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

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THIS ELECTION MAKE YOUR VOTE COUNT Send a messsage PENRITH’S International Women’s Day celebration was a tremendous success with more than 160 women from all walks of life coming together to share stories and friendship at a free event on Wednesday, March 4.

International Women’s Day (marked around the world on March 8) honors the achievements of women past and present, while remembering that equality is still a work in progress.

Penrith Councillor Tricia Hitchen, representing Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM, welcomed participants to the event and described this year’s theme ‘Make It Happen’ as extremely motivational.

“As a woman, it’s all too easy to get caught up in the day to day struggle to get things done and forget the broader issues,” Cr Hitchen said.

The event also included recognition of the 100 year anniversary of women

in policing, a milestone close to Cr Hitchen’s heart.

“I was part of the Police Force for 25 years,” Cr Hitchen said. “In my early days there weren’t many women on the force and I often felt isolated and alone.”

The event was organised by Penrith Women’s Health Centre, local community organisations, service providers and Council.

Celebrations featured a number of performers including a Chinese Women’s Group, a young opera singer Angela Adruca and motivational speakers Dr Elaine K Harding and Mele Parmenter.

“This was Penrith’s most successful International Womens Day yet” Cr Hitchen said. “Women enjoyed the learning experience and valued the opportunities to meet with other women from across our City.”

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4 Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

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

Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644 Korena Hale 0403 045 880 Sergio Carrasco 0413 461 017 Greg “Harpo” Martin 0420 655 524 Garion Thain 0430 424 101 Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Steve Koen 0408 795 928 Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown nepeannews@aol.com www.nepeannews.com.au

Nepean News is not tossed onto your front lawn. Collect your crisp copy FREE from local newsagents, service stations, libraries, Council and shopping centres.

Call 9834 5579 to find out your nearest outlet.

by Kerrie Davies

Why Emma Husar was missing from all our reporting YOU’D have to be living under a rock not to know that there is a State Election on March 28.

Over the last few editions we’ve reported on and ran Q & A’s with each of the candidates across the three electorates (Penrith, Londonderry and Mulgoa).

But there is one candidate who has been missing from all our reporting and the Q & A section; Labor’s Candidate for Penrith, Emma Husar.

The reason why Ms Husar has not featured in Nepean News is due to correspondence we received from her just prior to the federal election.

To give some background, in the week before the election I had written in the Editor’s column that the polls indicated that the next time I’d be writing the name Fiona Scott, I’d be putting MP after her name. This was apparently enough for Ms Husar to unleash a tirade not just at Nepean News, but to all the wonderful Penrith and surrounding area businesses who advertise in this publication.

Here is her letter:

Check www.nepeannews.com.au for complete list of distribution outlets

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The team here at Nepean News has put in an enormous amount of effort to produce a local publication that praises the achievements of our local people and champions our local area as the best place to work, live and play.

We had very humble beginnings - the sum total of $35 in the bank account and a crew of people who’d lost their jobs when another publication went into receivership - but who had the drive to take a leap of faith during the global financial crisis.

It was a challenge to say the least but we found the key to success was in promoting all that is fabulous about our community and thankfully that resulted in local businesses embracing us.

To receive our first ever complaint after four years of publishing - and to be called “disgusting” - was disheartening.

But to hear that someone would vent their rage further by saying they would not support any business who supported us was the part that really upset us - these are the people who have made us successful.

That Ms Husar then nominated herself as a candidate to represent our area in state parliament is nothing short of astounding.

To be a successful and honest advocate for our community, an important criteria, if not the most important criteria, is to support and believe in the community you are asking to represent. And that support needs to extend to all walks of life - not just those who agree with everything the representative thinks.

I was contacted several months ago by a senior Labor figure whom I have much admiration for. He was hoping to mend the bridge between Ms Husar and our publication.

My response was that if Ms Husar would like to speak with me regarding her correspondence, she needed to pick up the phone and contact me direct, rather than through a third party, but that I would be willing to talk to her.

I am still waiting for that call.

In light of this it is my opinion that Ms Husar needs to mature and build on her attitude before expecting to effectively represent our community.

It is important for candidates, elected members and local newspapers to have a professional relationship in order to ensure the best outcomes for the community. Glass jaws and enraged venting don’t fit into that partnership. I’m not directing this at Labor - Ms Husar’s fellow Labor Candidates, Prue Car and Todd Carney have always displayed the utmost professionalism in all dealings with our publication.

We have a very good local member in Stuart Ayres. It would be a shame to see him lose his seat to someone who pens off threats of boycotting local businesses who are indirectly linked to someone who just happened to express a point of view that she didn’t agree with.

Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

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The group excelled themselves last month distributing patchwork quilts to Nepean, Hawkesbury Springwood and Blue Mountains hospitals for their palliative care wards. These colourful quilts bring care and support for people nearing the end of their lives, not only the physical symptoms such as pain, but also the emotional, spiritual and social needs of the

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Donations of fabric and UFOs are always welcomed. There will be a cost of $5 to see the quilts For info call Margaret 4735 2058.

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5 Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

Sunday 22 March 9am to 12noon

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Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

A rally good story or what!

By Greg Martin

WELL, when the email arrived at the Nepean News office, all of us immediately thought: “Ha, this should be a good yarn”.

But how to refer to it in deference to our legion of readers?

The Faeces Rally? The Poo Rally?

The Dump Rally? The Edgar Britt Rally?

But in the end (pardon the pun) we decided to call it what as it has been referred to over the past eight years, the - uh um - Shitbox Rally.

The Shitbox Rally, so called because all of the 200 cars participating in this annual, long distance rally to raise funds for the Cancer Council, are valued at $1000 or less.

Which should make for an interesting journey for all crews aboard the vehicles!

Two neighbours from Werrington County – Broderick Spears and Jason Quinton - will be among the intrepid drivers-navigators taking part in the 2015 rally which takes crews 3500km from Canberra to Townsville via the Birdsville Track and the Simpson Desert.

The rally kicks off in Canberra on

Ready to roll! Broderick Spears and Jason Quinton with the ’97 Commodore.

May 9 and will take seven days for the competitors to reach their destination.

“We purchased a , well to put it mildly, well-used 1997 VT Commodore from Jason’s brother in Victoria, brought it up here and Jason, who is a mechanic, and I worked on it to ensure – well, hopefully, that it can get us all the way to Townsville,” Broderick said.

Funds for the Cancer Council are raised through sponsorships and an auction at the end of the arduous trek of all the cars which manage to complete the journey.

“Through a variety of sponsors we have so far raised $5500 which will be boosted by the auction of the

The convoy cross a bush river on the 2014 rally.

Commodore – fingers crossed - when we get to Townsville,’ said Broderick, a driver for Star Track.

Advertising naming sponsors are the Ettamogah Pub, Sydney Suspension Penrith, Watermatic Irrigation, TBA Firefly, Hobbyland, Girraween Exhaust and Mechanical and Wholesale Suspensions.

Other sponsors contributing to the coffers are Wrigley, Shockwave Signs, Equipped Outdoors, RMG Offroad and Auto Parts World Richmond.

Broderick said he and Jason would share the driving and navigation but for all the participants, there will be no driving at night after a long day in the cabin.

Twenty-five teams of eight-cars will set off at intervals daily and travel together to support any team-mates which incur any problems.

“There are also 15 support vehicles as well as another four vehicles with medical teams on board,” Broderick said.

“If anybody wants to donate to our cause they can visit our Facebook page, The 4wd Specialists, and follow the link to our Everyday Hero page and we will put their name or the name of a loved one on our car (the daffodil on the bonnet) so they can be part of this extraordinary journey.”

Now, isn’t that a nice yarn to, er, wipe the smirk off your face?

Sam the community man TANYA Davies MP, Member for Mulgoa, made a surprise visit to St Marys Vietnam Veterans early morning BBQ staged at “The Train” outside the St Marys RSL Club to congratulate and present Sam Vecchio of St Clair with a NSW Government Community Service Award.

“I am delighted to present Sam with this award in recognition of his tireless voluntary work, dedicating a large portion of his personal life supporting ex-servicemen with Department of Veterans Affairs administrative assistance,” Tanya Davies said.

Sam has been a member of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, St Mary’s Outpost SubBranch Inc. for a number of years and was elected to their committee as Secretary in 2013.

Sam said he was very humbled to receive this award and was only doing what he thought was the right thing to do to help his fellow veterans.

Sam manages a team of volunteers and administers the daily operation of “The Train”, an antique restored train carriage which functions as an office and gathering place providing administrative, welfare and pension support to local ex-servicemen.

Sam is an excellent administrator and organiser and since taking over as Secretary, Sam has improved the way the Association supports its client and membership base of around 260 exservicemen.

This year Sam took on the additional responsibility of organising almost

single-handedly the Association’s Christmas party providing gifts and catering for around 150 children and grandchildren of local ex-servicemen; a task performed in the past by a team of volunteers.

Congrats from all of us too, Sam!

Clocked at over 200 A TEENAGER has had his driving privileges suspended after being detected allegedly driving at 200 km/h with three passengers at St Marys by police in an unmarked vehicle.

The officers were travelling at the sign posted speed limit of 100km/h when they were overtaken by a 2009 model Holden Commodore, displaying red P-plates, travelling well in excess of the speed limit.

As police attempted to stop the Holden it is estimated that the vehicle reached speeds between 190 and 205km/h.

The car was eventually stopped near the intersection of Roper Road and the officers spoke to the 17-year-old male driver and searched the vehicle and its four occupants.

The teenager had his licence suspended on the spot and was issued with a Field Court Attendance Notice for exceeding speed by more than 45km/h.

He is expected to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court on 16 April.

Police continue with their investigations into the incident and will consider laying further charges.

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7 Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

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Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

Koori kids NBMLHD has pioneered an Australian-first health work experience program tailored specifically to local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander high school students.

The ‘Koori Kids Futures’ Program is modelled on NBMLHD’s existing work experience program and aims to engage young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in meaningful ways, to provide them with a clearer picture of the world of work and to help them make decisions about future career paths in health.

The students, who come from a variety of schools across the NBMLHD catchment, enjoyed a week of rotations across a variety of services.

NBMLHD Chief Executive Kay Hyman says that she hopes Koori Kids Futures ignites a passion among young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people for careers in health.

“We also hope that this program is one of the things we can do to reduce the health gap between Indigenous and nonIndigenous Australians,” Kay said.

The pipes are calling!

By Greg Martin

CURRENT Australian pipe band champions, the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley Pipe Band, is bringing its popular Scottish extravaganza to Moss Vale and Windsor this May. The visit to the towns is part of the band’s Celtic style-inspired concert tour.

The “Scotland Forever” – Alba Gu Bráth – tour is currently limited to two exclusive shows in 2015 – Saturday, May 9 at Windsor High School and Saturday, May 23 at the Moss Vale Services Club.

The Celtic extravaganza features inspiring bagpipe performances from the HNVPB with favourite numbers such as Amazing Grace, Highland Cathedral and Scotland The Brave to name a few. \ There will also be an amazing twirling tenors light show, highlighting the skills of the band’s tenor drummers and music, songs and dance from several supporting artists. The two and half hour long shows will feature, internationally renowned accordion entertainer John Macdonald and the

National champions, the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley Pipe Band.

truly sensational Highland Dancers from the top performing group in Australia, the Douglas McFarland Down Under the Kilt dancers.

Best of all, by booking early – two weeks before each show – patrons will have the opportunity to save on ticket prices with early bird specials.

The early bird special prices are: adults $25 (normally $35), pensioners $15 ($25) and under 18 years $10 ($15).

Early bird tickets are available up until midnight on April 25 for the Windsor High show and midnight on May 9 for the Moss Vale Services Club Book now through OZTIX at: www.oztix.com.au or call: 1300 762 545.

Two members of the Highland Dancers troupe which will be one of the highlights of the Scotland Forever tour.

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F A S H I O N S

$3 Million to rebuild school A RE-ELECTED Baird Government will invest $3 million to rebuild St Clair High School after a devastating fire last year destroyed 80 per cent of the school’s infrastructure.

NSW Treasurer Andrew Constance and Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies visited the school to announce the funding, which is in addition to the insurance payment the school will receive.

“This $3 million will go a long way to ensuring St Clair High School is rebuilt to be even bigger and better than it was before,” Mr Constance said.

“The fire last June had a devastating impact on the local community, disrupting students, teachers and families.

“With this funding, the Baird Government will ensure St Clair High School thrives as a top class learning environment once again.”

The additional funding will: Deliver a commercial grade kitchen (enabling the Nepean Community College students to share the space) and cater for other community uses of the school.

Build a mezzanine level to connect the new build with the existing building.

Andrew Constance, NSW Treasurer, Chris Presland, Principal St Clair High School and Tanya Davies, Member for Mulgoa

Deliver overhanging shade areas to cover more outside areas for wet weather and social spaces.

Design flexible learning spaces and deliver flexible learning furniture.

Mrs Davies said the additional funding will also ensure the school can cater for the growing needs of families in Western Sydney.

“We’re not just replacing what was lost – we’re building for the future so

more students can enjoy safe, state of the art facilities,” Ms Davies said.

“I acknowledge the support of the local school community who have been tremendous under difficult circumstances, and look forward to working with them in the future to see St Clair High School flourish once again.”

St Clair High School Principal Chris Presland welcomed the funding

announcement.

“This additional funding announcement is fantastic news not only for St Clair High School but for the wider St Clair community.

This now means we have the funding available to build an environment that meets the current and future learning needs of St Clair High School and facilitates greater community interaction,” Mr Presland said.

9 Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

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Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

Connor’s a champ – take note!

By Greg Martin

IN researching this story, I trawled the internet for jokes on blind people.

Bear with me!

Reason being that in a press release from Vision Australia, it was revealed that many sighted bastards – yes, bastards – still take advantage of blind people in money transactions.

“What we found in a recent survey is that 50 per cent of people who are totally blind tell us that they feel that at times they have been short-changed, or given the wrong change when they’ve purchased something, simply because they can’t quickly and easily and effectively distinguish (bank) notes,” said Maryanne Diamond, Vision Australia’s advocacy general manager.

So, did you hear the one about the blind man and who was given a cheese grater?

“That’s the most violent book I’ve ever read,” he said.

You get the picture!

Yes, as the joke implies and as Ms Diamond says, visually impaired people are inhibited to some extent because of their inability to distinguish objects solely through touch.

Which finally brings us to 13-year-old Connor McLeod.

Connor, a student at Arndell Anglican College, Oakville, lobbied the Reserve Bank of Australia to print tactile banknotes to aid the visually-impaired to identify notes and his courage and perseverance has paid off.

RBA Governor, Glenn Stevens recently announced the bank will add a tactile feature to all future bank notes printed.

Mr Stevens said existing features to help the vision impaired will be continued, such as bright colours, large and bold numbers and different sizes, but now the Bank will also add a “tactile” feature which is still being designed.

“The testing and trialling process for the next generation of banknotes is ongoing and designs have not yet been finalised,” he said.

“The new designs will be released in a timely way, so that the public can be confident they understand how to recognise and use the new banknotes.”

The catalyst for this intelligent young man to commence a far-reaching campaign to persuade the RBA to aid vision impaired people in financial transactions?

On the money! Connor McLeod.

“I received some notes at Christmas time (2013) as presents and I kept having to ask mum what they had given me,” Connor explained.

“I didn’t touch notes because it was really annoying and embarrassing that I couldn’t differentiate between them, but I could differentiate coins so I used to go around with only coins in my wallet and getting stuff from the canteen with them.

“And then it just sort of hit me that my life wasn’t going to be all coins, so I thought I’d better

make things a little easier, and easier for others as well.”

And that’s exactly what this delightful young man has achieved!

So last May, Connor started a petition and aided by strong support from the Human Rights Commission and Vision Australia, he was able to round up an amazing 57,000 signatories.

Last November, Connor and his proud mother, Ally Lancaster, met with the RBA hierarchy in a meeting at which he passionately and factually addressed those present.

And “sweet talked” the RBA into coming on board with his proposals.

“Words cannot explain how proud I am of my young man,” said Ally.

“Michele Bullock, one of the RBA officials at the meeting, later told me she was impressed at how well Connor expressed himself and that she certainly didn’t expect a presentation like that from someone of his age.”

Vision Australia’s Maryanne Diamond is an unabashed fan of Connor McLeod.

“Connor should be really proud of himself because his unstinting efforts made a big difference in the Reserve Bank talking to with us, working with us and resolving to find a solution for the next generation of notes,” Maryanne said.

Connor McLeod is truly an inspirational Australian.

Blind since birth due to a congenital disorder, Connor has never, ever let his blindness impede on his lifestyle.

And in that regard, he has been backed to the hilt by his parents.

“My parents never wrapped me in cotton wool,” said this articulate young man.

“They supported me in all my endeavours – always encouraging me to live a full life.”

Whew! And has he ever!

On the sporting front, Connor has successfully tried his hand at track athletics – he was good enough to run at state level in the 800 metres – and sports such as rock climbing, abseiling, dirt bike riding, skating and bike riding.

He also possesses a musical bent and is adept on the drums and keyboards.

“I love music and play by ear but I intend to learn Braille music in the near future,” he said.

At school he is a high achiever academically and says his favourite subjects are French, music, science and English.

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STUART AYRES Q&A Interview with the Liberal Candidate for Penrith

By Kerrie Davies

What would you rate as the best achievements over the last term in government?

There’s no doubt the state of the economy in NSW is significantly better than what it was when we inherited government. 126,000 jobs have been created in NSW, last month and January we were the only state in the country to generate a full-time job.

NSW is back in business, and that’s good for people in western Sydney, it’s good for people in Penrith. It generates job opportunities for both young people and older people. Going from last to being the Number 1 state in Australia - that is easily the most significant achievement of the Baird government.

Is there anything you are disappointed in from last term?

We’ve laid a really solid foundation; it has taken time to do that. I would love to have got the pedestrian green bridge underway a little bit earlier but the Log Cabin fire put us back between six and nine months. So that project would be on its original timeline and under construction now rather than just entering the early works phase. But overall everything we promised has been delivered and the green bridge is in the process of being delivered.

How do you rate your chances?

Well I don’t take anything for granted; we’ll work all the way until 6pm on polling day. I’m not one who believes in the short-run campaign; hopefully people will vote for me based on my record and things we’ve achieved. We’ve cleaned up politics in Penrith, I’m quite proud of that.

We inherited a seat that was tarnished with corruption, we inherited a region that had been too often the subject of scandal. We’ve polished up the Penrith image and I’m happy with that and I think we’ll get the support of the people.

Every candidate has its detractors, what do you say to those who say that the Liberals always cut funding?

We’ve seen significant investment across our core public service portfolios. The health budget is up over $3 billion from what we inherited, the education budget is up, we’ve spent well over 50 per cent of our budget in health and education as our key service drivers. We’ve lifted investments into our police and emergency services. So to say that we’ve cut funds out of those core service delivery areas is simply false. We stand on our record, our emergency department performance at Nepean Hospital is better than it was when we inherited, we’ve got more

police on the ground, we’ve got needsbased funding in local schools, making sure that local schools finally get resources to support the students who most need it. So all of the things that we promised in 2011 we’d do, we’ve delivered - and our services are better for it.

Will the lease plan for electricity drive electrical prices up or down?

The two key things people need to remember is they’re keeping ownership of the poles and wires; we’re leasing 49 per cent of the value of the asset. The second things is our reforms of the electricity network will drive down prices. Labor’s track record is there for everyone to see - under them, prices rose by 60 per cent. Under our arrangements prices will fall by 2.4 per cent, we will guarantee lower prices in 2019 and over the longer term there will be significantly more downward pressure on prices under our scheme than what there would be under Labor.

Simplistically, you keep ownership of your assets, you get lower prices and we take the value of those assets and reinvest them in new assets.

What would you say directly to the voters on why they should vote for you?

I would say we’ve come a long way in Penrith in four years, and now is not the time to turn around and go

back where we came from. Penrith is prosperous, it is on an upward spiral. There’s lots of really good things happening in our community.

We’ve got challenges on how we manage growth and we need good, strong leadership to see us through those challenges. We are committed to widening Mulgoa Rd, we are increasing parking at Penrith train station, we will continue to invest in core services like health and education and we’ll upgrade Nepean Hospital.

My message to voters is that our track record is strong, our commitments over the next four years are stronger; stick with us and we won’t let you down.

KINGSLEY LIU Q&A

Interview with the Greens Candidate for Mulgoa

By Garion Thain

First of all Kingsley, why run as a Green?

Well I was invited by the Greens to join as a candidate, secondly I seemed to have had a profile already in the short time I’ve been in Penrith, one is that I’ve got a local law firm here that does a lot of work in the various courts here and secondly I had addressed the council independently, not as a Green but on my own back, on an issue that I felt strongly about - the racial discrimination act.

Before I get to the other questions then I might just ask off the cuff, I’ve mainly been asking people in the Penrith electorate their thoughts on Kemps Creek Prayer Hall but if you’d like to talk about the comments some of those candidates have been making please feel welcome.

First of all, Kemps Creek is right in my electorate and I’ve spoken to various people at Kemps Creek.

My belief is that I’ve always aimed for harmony in the community. First of all I’m Chinese myself and I’ve understood that there can be disharmony and not be accepted. I’ve always felt strongly in the fair go that we should give to everyone. So the comments I’ve heard from candidates I think doesn’t even reflect the principles of their behaviour, in particular the philosophies of the religions they profess to be

under. And it doesn’t quite match what a community spirit and harmony that we ought to have here. So the comments coming out I think are rather unfair and are not very well researched. But honestly by and large the majority of people I’ve spoken to are quite supportive of seeing the first prayer hall in the community.

Could you tell me about the Greens’ preferences?

We are giving preferences to Labor. Our preferences have come out on how close those parties philosophies and policies match ours in this election.

What is the main platform of your campaign?

My main platform is local issues like local

jobs. One area where Penrith has some outstanding advantages is that land is cheaper here and you have an ample workforce here. One industry that I do like very much is the aged care industry. There’s two aspects to it, one, we can build immediate relief for the aged care industry by building aged care developments here in Penrith, and it should be matched with the residential zoning that’s occurring at the same time. The other aspect is it can be developed as a new model, and I’m looking at a model which can be incubated here perhaps through the science park and research facilities, it could develop around Penrith. This model is based off what’s occurred in the USA where it’s built in and supported by and administrated by community. We should be able to attack and reduce the accommodation bond, if not convert that sort of asset transfer into something that stays in the community.

If you could make one plea to the people of Mulgoa, what would that be?

Well a vote for Greens has two effects, and I’ve said it before. Its preferences will carry a lot of weight in this electorate and this election, even state wide, but a direct vote for the greens will send a powerful message to government that they need to refine their policies to reflect more of the needs of the community.

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Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

MARK O’SULLIVAN Q&A

Interview with the Greens Candidate for Penrith

By Garion Thain

So Mark first of all, what made you nominate?

I nominated because I believe the Greens need representation in Penrith.

I think my skills as a teacher, being able to explain things and being able to relate to people can be a great use to the Greens but also my ability to negotiate with other people and represent the views clearly to various parties – either the greens or to bigger institutions like parliament. That would be a good thing to actually harness perhaps so that’s pretty much why I nominated because of those skills, but also I believe the Greens should have a greater presence in the area because there’s a lot of environmentally important issues that are continuing to have an impact, so that’s two of the reasons why.

On wanting the Greens to have a bigger presence in the area, why the Greens, what made you nominate for the Greens?

Because I think the Greens represent a vision of the future that actually gives greater importance to environmental issues, sustainability issues and also a commitment to public instrumentality like public transport. I think that makes sense to a lot of people and that makes sense to me. I think the Greens have articulated those things clearly for a long time. I think other parties may have changed over the years but the Greens have stayed fairly steady on those issues of sustainability and sensible development, that sort of stuff.

So what can the Greens do for Western Sydney? What’s your policy for Western Sydney?

Our policy for Western Sydney is essentially to improve the public transportation system, in particular the train system. Actually our policy is a heavy rail line between Parramatta and Epping. I think that’ll really help the people of Western Sydney because it’ll mean that hopefully you’ll get more people off trains into the city itself by having them change and have them go to Epping and go along there as

that area becomes more developed.

I know that for example that stuff’s going on in Macquarie and there’s lots of jobs going there. And so you don’t necessarily have to have people going into the city and changing to go wherever they like. I think that’s one of our big policies. And also our policy about not doing WestConnex, especially the thing about not plunging all this money into WestConnex is that you then put more money into public transportation, so you’d have more trains going into Penrith and then have a situation where we have more lines, so we could have freight on a different line and that sort of thing. That’s sort of the vision they have for Western Sydney, not so much about roads it’s more about trains – But also improving funding for hospitals and schools, I know Kingswood high needs a hall all that sort of stuff. That’s more or less the vision, putting money into public things.

What about Penrith specifically, do you have any plans to fund infrastructure, etc here?

Well the thing is, I mean if I was the MP for Penrith I would have a voice not only in the parliament to articulate focus on Penrith-centric issues, I would only be an MP for Penrith, I wouldn’t be a minister, I wouldn’t be like that, I wouldn’t be trying to climb for some position in my own party where I’d be spending all this time away from that I’d only be focused on Penrith. Also I’d be a voice within Greens NSW to make sure that policies in the future consider Penrith quite strongly.

How do you rate your chances?

It’s interesting, we have a lot of support in various bits of Penrith, in particular the lower Blue Mountains is probably our strongest and that’s because of the demographics and because people there live in the environment and the environment is front and centre of all their thinking.

We do have some support but I don’t have much of a chance of actually winning.

An unexpected facet of this election is that some other

candidates in Penrith have been very vocal about the approval of a couple of prayer halls in the Penrith LGA, do you have any thoughts on the comments they’ve been making?

Oh, well absolutely. My biggest thing about these comments about the community centres being approved is that they raise objections to the DA about that, which is a council issue not a state issue for a start and the concerns I have is that their objections are more predicated on bigotry than they are on actual problems with the DA. You didn’t see people protesting when Catholic schools got built along Mamre Rd or Protestant schools, you don’t see them come out protesting about those sort of developments but suddenly because it’s Muslim they will protest and they will make all sorts of comments, what I find are pretty offensive comments about Muslims and about things that shouldn’t be the case in 2015. We have a diverse culture in Penrith and we’re a positive people who know that growth and stuff that’s happening In Penrith can be a good thing. We need to be welcoming to people no matter what they believe and that’s what Penrith should be, and they’ve got these, what I’ll call “extremist fringe groups” who are very loud and really shouldn’t be indulged and shouldn’t be encouraged to express their bigotry in newspapers,

on streets; I’m appalled by some of the stuff I’m seeing in defacement, but also putting stickers on their own material like their stickers on the CDP material saying “no mosques” – no one’s proposed a mosque, no one’s talking about building a mosque and what it does is that it assumes that the people of Penrith are ignorant, and that they don’t actually understand things and I think that’s really underestimating the intelligence of the people of Penrith.

The Greens are in some ways a bit of a wild card, sometimes they may take a seat or two by surprise.

Do the Greens have any plans for the state of NSW and do you think your party could negotiate in a minority role?

I think the thing is if we had a couple of MPs in parliament which I think is a very real possibility that it would be a case of being a power broker if it was in a minority government for example. What would happen is that every policy that would be discussed would be balanced and discussed in light of our own policies and also the things that have been expressed by our members. The thing about the Greens is we are a very connected grass roots party, where the interest of local groups actually get representation so what that means for us is If I was an MP I’d be representing the Nepean Greens local group. So our concerns would be the primary ones that go in there. And so what would happen if we had a couple MPs is yes we would definitely be making our decisions based on our philosophies that the party has as a whole. But the thing about policy is that it is decided by the members, not the MPs. The case is that would be something we’d have to be doing. We would have that genuine engagement right through that parliament for four years that when these things are asked we would then be using those procedures.

Finally, if you could speak directly to your electorate, make one plea, what would that be?

I would be for Penrith, not for climbing a ladder.

Help with the election collection WITH the 2015 State election fast approaching, the State Library of NSW is calling on the NSW community to help build its collection of election material.

The State Library is interested in obtaining ‘How to vote’ cards, posters, flyers, badges, stickers, t-shirts, magnets, mail or any other material associated with the election and local candidates.

“As we head to the polls, it’s important for the State Library to

capture a comprehensive record of the State election - the main players, the key issues and community concerns - for the people of NSW, now and in the future,” says State Library Senior Curator Louise Denoon.

The Library’s extensive election archive dates back to the 1840s and 50s and shows how our approaches to political campaigns and the act of running for candidacy and voting has changed over the decades.

“Electoral candidates relied on

newspapers and public meetings to get their messages across over 100 years ago, and printed material continued to be the main channel for campaigning until 1999 when candidates first started to create their own websites,” said Ms Denoon.

The State Library is not only collecting printed material and objects, but a range of websites and Twitter discussions generated by the parties, candidates and interest groups.

“Digital collecting and archiving

has been an interesting challenge for all libraries, especially with the instant and often fleeting nature of social media so it’s important we are across all key hashtags,” said Ms Denoon.

“We want community members to suggest websites and Twitter discussions we should be collecting.”

Post your collection material: Election Ephemera, State Library of NSW, Macquarie Street, Sydney 2000 or email digital material to collections. library@sl.nsw.gov.au

TANYA DAVIES Q&A

Interview with the Liberal Candidate for Mulgoa

By Garion Thain

TANYA DAVIES is a former Penrith councillor and now a proud member of the Baird government. She met with me at Cassandra’s on Queen to discuss her term in office and important issues for the very near state election on March 28.

First of all Tanya, you’re the MP now but what made you run originally?

There are a couple of key reasons. As a local councillor I was doing a lot of doorknocking in St Marys, St Clair and Erskine Park and the key message I was hearing from local residents was that Labor had taken Western Sydney for granted for many many years, and they wanted change, and when I saw that we needed significant investment in our roads and in our hospitals and getting jobs out here I thought if that’s going to change then we need to change our government. One prime example of that was the St Marys Methadone Clinic, they had 16 years to help the community and move the Methadone Clinic but they didn’t, so that was one of the driving forces as to why I chose to run for state and meet community and business needs and see that methadone clinic moved to a more appropriate health facility at Mt Druitt.

For this one how would you rate your chances?

Well, that’s a tough question because at the end of the day you really don’t know what people are feeling and thinking on polling day, so I just focus as hard as I can every day, meeting as many people as I can, listening to what the issues are and advocating for my community. At no point can you rest on your laurels and assume that they’ll vote for you, you always have to work hard for every single vote and that’s what I’ve been doing over the last four years and will hopefully have the honour of doing for the next four years.

You mentioned moving the Methadone clinic earlier, is there anything else you’re particularly proud of?

There’s quite a few. There’s building the Erskine park link road in the Erskine business park. That was promised by three Labor premiers that they would build it but they never did. We built it in our first term and saved $7 million in the process. We’ve started the Werrington Arterial road. It’s a $70 million road – we’re extending the Erskine Park link road to Wallgrove Road and the M7, that’s the $90 million road project. We’ve now got more nurses in our hospital, the Nepean carpark; that’s now there. And

more recently for my community is the treasurer last week came out and announced an additional $3 million would go towards the rebuilding of St Clair high school so that it actually will be rebuilt into a modern and contemporary learning space.

On the flipside, are there any disappointments you have? Things you couldn’t do?

Uh, well I guess I think if we only had more money we could just do more things. (Laughs) So in the initial couple of years when we had to get the budget back on track there were projects I would have loved to have seen funded and up and running but we simply didn’t have the money back then. The good news is that this election the Premier Mike Baird has a very good plan to unlock $20 billion out of a lease of 49% of an ageing asset, to put that money straight into new assets, our new roads, new hospitals, new schools, cultural and sporting precincts, he’s got a very clear plan whereby we’ll be able to tackle what we now have which is a $30 billion infrastructure backlot. It is a very clear plan which many organisations including Uniting Care have come out to back – the lease of 49% to unlock the $20 billion. It’s a sensible plan, it’s a safe plan for families, and it will give the government money we desperately need to build the city that we inhabit.

A few months ago the Sydney Morning Herald made note of a Government Property NSW report wherein it is mentioned that money has been allocated to move contaminated waste out of Hunters Hill, despite there being no federal facilities available. With the money allocated, is there any chance Kemps Creek is once again an

option for this waste to be transferred?

No way.

No way then?

The premier’s position, the minister’s position and my position remains unchanged. I will always stand up for my community and I will always fight for what’s best for my community and what’s best is we work now with a Federal government which is still pursuing a national storage solution. And, that’s where the waste, the contaminated soil needs to go, end of story.

In the previous issue where I talked to Labor candidate Todd Carney, he talked about poles and wires as well and raised concerns that privatising electricity would result in higher electricity prices and lost revenue over the course of the lease. Is there a plan B at all to account for this concern?

The asset he’s talking about is a declining asset in its value, so every year there is less money the government gets. So we’re looking at leasing 49%, so based on current projections the government will still earn over $500 million each year from the remaining asset. What has been demonstrated by Ernst and Young is that the $20 billion investment into our infrastructure projects over the next 30 years will build our economy by over $300 billion, so we have either a choice of doing nothing and the value we get from that declining asset gradually decreases over time, or we have the once in a lifetime opportunity now, to move now, to take half of it and rent it out so that we can build the investment, build the economy, and all of us benefit from that investment. In our roads, businesses benefit, families benefit because they can get home quicker to their loved ones. Our hospitals have the money to be invested into, our schools will be upgraded and sporting facilities, which are so important for western Sydney will have the money to build and strengthen those. We need to act now on this wonderful opportunity.

There is no plan B, this is plan A and I feel really involved and really comfortable that this is a balanced and fair approach that is a fair approach to protecting electricity prices. It’s been demonstrated that when you have a small amount of privatisation prices go down.

If you could say one last thing to your electorate, what would that be?

To back Baird and keep New South Wales working. I appreciate your ongoing support.

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Tanya Davies Member for Mulgoa

P 0434 374 734 | E mulgoa@nsw.liberal.org.au M PO Box 8015, Glenmore Park NSW 2745 W www.backbaird.org.au Authorised by Tony Nutt, 100 William Street, East Sydney NSW 2011.

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PRUE CAR Q&A

Interview with the Labor Candidate for Londonderry

By Kerrie Davies

What made you decide to nominate?

I’ve been on Council for six years and I’ve really loved the opportunity to give back to the community. I’ve always lived in the area and I’m raising my family in the region. I also really believe in the power of government at all levels to be able to positively impact on people’s lives and I want to give back to the region in which I grew up and will be raising my family into the future.

What is your main campaign platform?

I think the western suburbs of Sydney have been short-changed for a long time. I think I’ve proven on Council that I can be a fighter for the western suburbs of Sydney in state parliament. Whether that is for fairer funding in schools; air conditioning in schools, like we’ve announced that we will do at Bennett Rd and Willmot public schools or fairer funding for hospitals - I want to be in the state

parliament to fight for a fairer share for western Sydney. I also want to make sure that it can be done without the need to privatise our electricity.

How do you rate your chances?

I don’t know, I don’t take anything for granted. I’m out there every day and I’ve been out there every day since I was pre-selected in November 2013.

I’ve been door knocking, speaking to people on the phone and finding out what their issues are. Every time I

speak to people I am more convinced that what we need as a community is people who are willing to stand up and fight for western Sydney and that’s my commitment to the people in the community.

Every candidate has people who knock what they’re doing, so what do you say to those who question why you ran in Mulgoa last election but are now running in Londonderry?

The redistribution has affected the seats of Mulgoa and Londonderry so significantly; the centre of Mulgoa prior to this election being St Marys is now is now the centre of Londonderry.

As an east ward councillor I’ve really enjoyed contributing to the community around St Marys and that’s why I’m contesting the seat of Londonderry.

What about people who say, about Labor in general - some of the things you’re fighting for now, couldn’t some of those things been addressed during the 16 years of Labor government?

I certainly can’t speak for any of the previous Labor governments, but what I can say is things that haven’t been done for a long time need to be addressed. And I will be someone who will stand up for getting these things done.

Is there anything you would like to say directly to the voters on why they should vote for you?

During my time on Penrith Council and my time as the Labor candidate, I’ve attempted to prove to people that I’d be someone who can get things done and fight for them in parliament; with the achievements I’ve been able to secure on Council and the commitments from Labor that I’ve been able to get as the Labor candidate. Air conditioning at local schools, the money to deliver the recreational precinct at Claremont Meadows, which people have been calling on for years and years and years. I’m someone who would fight every day for the community if I am lucky enough to be given the chance to represent them in parliament.

SHANE GORMAN Q&A

Interview with the Greens Candidate for Londonderry

By Kerrie Davies

What was it that inspired you to nominate?

I got asked to, I was kind of a bit daunted by the idea originally. I did a speech at NSW parliament just prior to all the major pre-selections coming up and I spoke on medicinal cannabis and there was a video recording that did the rounds and got a bit of attention. I had people from my Greens local group asking me if I’d ever consider running for election.

The idea was a little bit alien to me so I kind of left it for a bit. But then I was kind of sick of talking politics in the pub with friends and it got to the stage where I thought well dive in and see what I can do.

How do you rate your chances?

The chances of winning are kind of what the Greens have experienced previously in other elections, probably a little bit better actually. I think there’s lot of discontent. I think voters sees the parties as a brand and they get a perception of that brand from what happens in federal politics.

And if we look at what happened in the last federal election, a lot of stern Labor supporters were turned away from Labor and now a lot of stern Liberal voters are turned away from

the Liberal party. We are getting to stage now where people are looking at alternatives. I feel the Green vote has been growing and it will be a surprise what happens with the Green vote out here. It would be a lot of effort to turn Londonderry into a Greens seat, but I don’t think that’s my purpose in running entirely. I think having a platform to bring up issues that other candidates really aren’t prepared to talk about and being able to hold them to account after the election is probably my priority at the moment.

What is the main platform for your campaign?

The Greens have some pretty strong platforms but they’re all pretty specific to the area that we are running in. It seems like the other major parties are running blanket policies to cover all of NSW. The Greens are concentrating more on a local level. The main policies are not being handed to us from a head office, they’re grown at a local lever. The biggest things that we are pushing for are environmental issues such as the conservation area and South Creek pollution. I’d like to see protections put in place to protect it as a recreational area; its a beautiful area.

What are your thoughts on some candidates running on antimosque platforms?

I feel pretty strongly about that, I was involved quite heavily in the debate last December at Penrith City Council. As a Nepean Greens member, but not as a candidate at the time, I spoke there. I have quite a bit of respect for all of the Penrith Councillors. Despite their politics I think everyone we’ve got on Council

are quite good at their job and have good ethics behind them. I feel very strongly about multi-culturalism in our community, I think it has worked very well here. I think its going to be a big part of the Nepean community for a long, long time.

What would you say to voters on why they should vote for you?

I think I’m a product of everything that people are upset with in politics.

I kind of wish that the Liberal party and Labor party were the parties they were of old, from 30-40 years ago but they’re not. I’m standing because I’m just as sick of it as the voters in the community. I’m sick of it because western Sydney kind of cops the brunt of poor policy making, poor decision making. I feel like people in western Sydney have to work hard for the life that they want and they’re often slapped with setbacks because of basically irresponsible and corrupt government. I would like people to vote for me because my vision for western Sydney, is that it deserves to give birth to its own culture.

Infrastructure needs to stop heading east and directing itself west. Western Sydney needs to start becoming the heart of the eastern seaboard. I’d like to see this being the heartland of jobs and education and I think it can be.

BERNARD BRATUSA Q&A Interview with Liberal Candidate for Londonderry

By Kerrie Davies

How do you rate your chances?

I am confident I’ve done the hard yards. It is the first time in a long, long time that I’ve been “unemployed”. It has actually been a great journey.

People have in the main been very supportive.

I’ve even met people I used to work with at the Commonwealth Bank at the train stations. I’ve used plenty of shoe leather letter boxing and rang plenty of door bells. Trust me, they are plenty smart and I’m honest enough to admit to them that I can’t solve every problem. On March 28 we will know if they want me to part of Mike Baird’s team.

What made you decide to nominate?

I’ve always had a genuine interest in politics, particularly at a local level. My interests go right back to when I was courting my wife. I took Katheryne to a senatorial ball when she was 16 and she must have thought I was a bit of alright because she has stayed with me for the next 38 years.

Probably the real catalyst was working locally as the Managing Editor at the Western Weekender for the better part of 15 years. One of the bonuses in working for a local publication is that you get to meet a lot of good people and also help a lot of people.

The genuine interest in helping the community has always been there and I see the opportunity to now grow on my three years as a Penrith Councillor and be the representative voice for the community in state government. It would be an absolute privilege if I was elected to do so.

What is the main platform for your campaign?

The main platform is obviously linked to the plan Premier Mike Baird has for the NSW - which is to reinvigorate, reinvest in our schools, hospitals and in our infrastructure. I mean, there’s a lot of old skin out there on the roads. Western Sydney in particular was taken for granted for 16 years by the ALP and there’s tired bones out there on the road network. As I see it, this is a once in a lifetime opportunity with the leasing of the poles and wires.

My analogy with that is, imagine you’ve got five factories and you’re going to retain ownership of three and the other two you’re going to rent. You’re going to get the rent from the two factories and what can you do with that money? You can reinvest it into your factories, you can buy another factory, you can buy additional trucks and at the end of the rental you get them back as well! To me it is a nobrainer. It isn’t as if the telegraph poles are going to disappear overnight. Every paper you read tells you the price of electricity will go down. The Australian Energy Regulator has predicted about a ten per cent reduction. With the growth here in western Sydney, we must have the infrastructure. I firmly believe Western Sydney is the backbone of the Australian economy.

Every candidate in every election have their fair share of knockers. What would you say to the people who said Liberal party governments tend to make cuts to public service?

Look, the people who make those comments need to be respected because generally speaking those people have been affected in some form or another. The reality is the history books show Liberal governments invariably come in to right the economic ship and get it sailing in the right direction again. The best example is when the Liberal government came in to power in 2011, NSW was last on pretty much every economic indicator.

Now, less than four years later we are number one across the board. The fact of the matter is hard decisions had to be made. The Liberal/Nationals Government was open and honest with the people of NSW about what needed to be done and we are now reaping the rewards. The same transparency is being delivered in our proposed renting of the poles and wires.

Do you think that the Labor Party Candidates saying that electricity is to be sold off is a bit of a mischievous claim?

I think it’s a bald-faced lie.

The reality is when you look at the figures for Victoria and South Australia, both of them have seen decreases in the cost of electricity. It’s a disgraceful scare campaign.

What would you say directly to the voters on why they should vote for you?

I’ve lived in local community for 35 years. My wife worked in the old rural bank in Queen Street, we’d drink at the Band Club, and in fact still do.

I know the area very, very well. I don’t have any fancy letters after my name, and I pride myself on having a Bachelor in Common Sense. What people are going to get from me is someone who is fair dinkum, will roll his sleeves up and work hard for them. It would be an incredible honour to represent the people of Londonderry and continue the excellent work of the Baird Government.

MAURICE GIROTTO Q&A

Interview with Candidate for Christian Democratic Party

By Greg Martin

What made you nominate?

I am not a politician, just a bloke who cares about how our state and country is run. Like many of us, I complain about our governance at those levels but have never done anything about it. So when the CDP asked me to stand I decided to accept and try and do something about it.

What’s the main platform of your campaign?

What I like about the CDP is, unlike Labor and Liberals, there’s no ICAC bus waiting out the front of their offices. I really want ICAC to toughen up on the penalties being handed out to those politicians who are found guilty of corruption. No more being rapped over the knuckles with a feather-duster.

How do you rate your chances?

Obviously I have the job ahead of me in getting elected as I and the CDP do not possess the same resources as the major parties. But, I’ve stood up to be counted and willing to give it a go. And think that the fact I am not giving preferences might count in my favour with voters.

What would you say directly to voters?

What you see with me is what you get. I’m no politician – just a bloke who has worked hard throughout my life as a truckie and a heavy vehicle repairer. It amazes me that people put pollies onto pedestals. Don’t do that until they have proven themselves as good servants to the public. If elected I will do my utmost to represent my constituents through honesty and hard work.

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MAY SPENCER Q&A Interview with the Christian Democratic Party Candidate for Penrith

By Garion Thain

First of all May, what drove you to nominate as a Christian Democrat?

It started with the issue of how Penrith Council approved two mosques in Penrith without community consultation and did not listen to community objection, and I spoke at council against the approval and raising concerns about the issue of the social impact statement that was not addressed properly in the development application. After I addressed the council, I was approached by the CDP to stand as the candidate, and I did think about it and I did pray about it and I felt it was the right direction to go to get proper community representation in government, because that is the main principle of how the CDP works as opposed to the major parties, very community based.

How would you rate your chances for this election?

Um, I think there may be a surprising result, because when I talk to the people at the markets they will walk past me and talk to the other candidates, come back to me and ask about the mosque issue, and I explain to them the social impact and what my concerns are, why we need to have proper community consultation and they will say to me “you’ve got my vote,” so they may be in for a surprise.

We’ll get back to that shortly, but first will the CDP be cutting any preferences?

No. No preferences?

No preferences because I’m standing so strong on this one platform in this local issue, but again the good thing about the CDP is they allow the candidates to stand on what local issues it is. For example no coal-seam gas is a strong platform for some of our candidates, so we actually take into account what the concerns are of our community and it allows us to

extend on the platform so we do not have hard party lines we have to tow, and that was one of the things that attracted me to the CDP, because it allowed me to represent the people and the community.

So you have been very vocal about Council’s approval of two Islamic Community Centres.

I’m curious as to why on your posters and in this interview you’ve chosen the terminology of ‘Mosque’ as opposed to what appears on the proposal.

In terms of a lot of people coming up to me and saying “how can you say no mosques, they’re just like churches,” the difference is, a church is a place of worship, there’s no law or form of government or jurisdiction, it’s just worship and that’s it. So is a Buddhist temple, so is a Hindu temple, so is a Sikh temple. A mosque by definition is also a political centre, also it enforces Sharia law. For example halal certification can be issued from a mosque, a lot of the mosques are actually one of the halal certification authority. So a mosque isn’t just a place of worship, it is a form of government. Under Islam, once you make a mosque it’s like staking that claim for Islam, and the mosque is in perpetuity. It can never sold and it can

never be taken down, unlike a church which can be deconsecrated you cannot do that with a mosque. A lot of people don’t realise that, that’s why when you plant a mosque it’s more than just a place of worship it’s a claim of Muslim territory as well.

This does in this instance seem more of a local issue though, related to Penrith Council and the proposal to them, what would you be able to do from a state level?

On a state level we are as a party intending to introduce a bill banning Sharia law and halal certification, which is to preserve our Australian laws, values and heritage. That is making sure that we only have one law in Australia.

What the CDP is also proposing is to give local authority back to community instead of allowing these developments to be taken to the Land Environment Court and then having a one size fits all attitude for all communities. I mean today it could be mosques, it could be something else. This is where we live. Today it is mosques but it could be no coal seam gas, it could be no shopping centre that does not fit the village style that society is. So what I’m saying is the CDP will give more a voice on the local council than what it is currently.

What is your involvement with the protect Penrith group?

My involvement is to bring the issue to a community forum, we organised it because we felt after the meeting at council that the people living right next to that development weren’t even getting noticed from council.

Finally if you could make a plea directly to your electorate what would that be?

I am standing clearly on this issue and I really believe on the impact it will have on the social fabric of Penrith. This is your one chance and one voice to decide how you want Penrith to be.

Interview with Jackie Kelly Independent for Penrith cont’d from last edition

By Kerrie Davies

Do you have any policies other than no airport, any state policies?

My biggest problem with my position on no Badgerys Creek is that no 24 hours is very popular - everyone wants a curfew. But I have a real job selling no Badgerys because people actually want the work that will come. I mean they are promising 30,000 jobs with this. Mascot now, at its current capacity has 28,000 jobs. So I’ve got to get people to understand, this is the second Mascot. And people go, “well so what? that’s great - jobs.” I then have to replace those jobs with policies and I think because I don’t have to represent the eastern suburbs, I don’t have to represent the country, I don’t have to represent any other interest group - I just have to represent western Sydney. I’m now very free to say these are western Sydney policies and we have a jobs crisis in western Sydney, we have the highest unemployment in 13 years. We need to do something specific to western Sydney. What I’m proposing is a capital gains tax holiday for 12 months. In that time, commercial premises that haven’t been turned in ten years can be sold capital gains tax free as long as they are in the western Sydney postcode. That allows all these commercial premises to be bought up by new businesses. A lot of our main streets are stagnant, they’re all $2 shops.

Also with payroll, if you’re employing a person

with a western Sydney postcode will have a lower payroll tax duty than people employed from other areas. I’m thinking also for businesses in western Sydney of also raising the cap before paying you start paying payroll tax. That will make western Sydney very attractive for start-up businesses that want to grow. We’ll start stealing employment from Queensland and Victoria and bringing them back into an employment precinct in western Sydney, and start sucking in small businesses from other states.

They’ll come to western Sydney because we’ve got the cheapest payroll tax going, the highest threshold and we are serious about employing western Sydney people.

What do you say to people who say you’re a turncoat or that you shouldn’t be running after the scandal in 07?

I’ve always represented western Sydney, I’ve stood up for it, been a part of the community and paid my dues. I think it is the Liberal party that sold western Sydney out. I think I’ve been pretty consistent, I’m sorry, I don’t see a turncoat here?

I’m a conservative. Definitely. I think we need to start taking conservative views, which means this isn’t a decision on the next media cycle; this is a decision about my children’s future and my children’s children’s future. It’s about family values, you’ve got be considerate about the legacy you’re leaving. Our forefathers built Warragamba Dam. We need to have some vision, like that. I don’t

back away from that at all. If you want to put that as a dirty tag, go right ahead but let me redefine conservative for you - it’s about family values.

And the Lindsay scandal?

Look, I think if you put your head up in public life people are going to want to chop it off. I’m going up against the Labor and the Liberal Party and I am a threat. Slings and arrows - I’ve had them all before.

I think that’s what people like about me, I’ll take a lot of crap. Never complain, never explain. If you want an issue exposed or media attention brought to something, I will do it. There’s no way people are going to find out about an issue until after the deal is done. The Liberal party don’t like that. Their crazy little back room deals are suddenly going to be blown apart. There is a concerted effort to stop that from happening, but I wouldn’t have put my hand up if I didn’t think mud wasn’t going to get chucked.

Look as far as ‘07 I’m in good company with Hillary Clinton and Gai Waterhouse, what do you do? What the public knows about your husband is only what your detractors say. But you know your husband and the whole man. Garry is fantastic with children, a great provider and a great family man.

Yes there was one incident but I’m not going to hold that against him. If my detractors want to focus on that, go right ahead. As far as I’m concerned he paid $1000 fine, end of story. Luke Foley is running with two DUI’s. Who have you got to pick from in this campaign, basically isn’t it?

18

Legends of the Nepean

By Greg Martin

GARRY Ayres and I both had a laugh when I reminded him of his first words when we sat down in his Werrington County home to do

the interview for this Legend of the Nepean article.

“I’m surprised that you want to do a story on me,” Garry said.

“I’m just an ordinary bloke who has lived an ordinary life!”

But when you get a tip from Greg

Devoted couple! Lesley and Garry Ayres.

Davies, Penrith’s popular deputy mayor and a sniffer-outta-of-a-story extraordinaire, you just know there is a good yarn to Garry Ayres.

And so it turned out to be!

An ordinary life? Garry Ayres has definitely not lived an ordinary life.

Successful careers in the Royal Australian Navy, Royal Australian Air Force and the NSW Correctional Services, a great servant to the Returned Services League and lawn bowls and Australian Rules football administrations.

During his service in the RAN, Garry was involved in two of the most momentous occasions in the history of the Senior Service.

For those alone, the story of 72-year-old Garry Ayres deserves to be told on these pages.

The two incidents?

The tragic sinking of HMAS Voyager at Jervis Bay on February 10, 1964 – Australian military’s most disastrous non-wartime loss of lives – and being aboard the first Australian ship to fly the new RAN Ensign - MV Boonaroo - on March 1, 1967.

“Mr Ordinary” had two enthralling stories to tell about both incidents.

He had been a crewman for just a

month aboard the Australian flagship, HMAS Melbourne- the giant aircraft carrier and the Voyager were both undergoing post-refit trials off Jervis Bay. “A mate and I were on a deck above the flight deck watching the pilots as they were doing touch-andgo manoeuvres because there was a bookie on board who was taking bets as to which dragline each of the pilots would hit when they landed the following day,” Garry explained.

“We were watching the form of the pilots and trying to work out where each of them would hit a dragline when they would come in to land – the things bloke’s bet on!

“Anyway, there was a wind shift and it was announced that the Melbourne would have to change direction into the wind and seeing as that would take a long time to achieve, my mate and I went back below deck with our bets worked out.

“That’s where we were when we felt this giant bump and then the sirens started and we all rushed to our Damaged Control Positions to see what had happened – a terrible time for all of us on board.”

Garry helped man the Admiral’s

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GARRY AYRES Staircase where he worked on the platform as the Melbourne’s small boats brought the survivors back to the flagship.

“We helped them out of the boats and up the staircase,” Garry said.

Of the Voyager’s complement of 314 seamen, 82 sailors perished in the tragic incident.

The second incident was also memorable and interesting but far removed from the tragedy which occurred off Jervis Bay. With Australia’s involvement in the Vietnam War escalating, the powers-that-be decided to send a cargo freighter, the MV Boonaroo, to Cam Rhan Bay loaded with munitions.

The Seaman’s Union refused to send merchant seaman into the dangerous waters so the Boonaroo was commissioned by the RAN on March 1, 1967 and a naval crew, including Leading Steward Ayres, replaced the regular crew.

And as such HMAS Boonaroo became the very first RAN vessel to fly the newly introduced Australian White Ensign.

So who is this “ordinary man”?

Garry was born, raised and educated in the Victorian Western

Districts town of Terang and joined the RAN in 1961 to begin his long career in the service as a steward.

He completed his training at the land-based HMAS Cerberus near Melbourne and over the next 19 years before being discharged as Leading Steward in June 1970, he served on a number of ships including the survey vessel HMAS Barcoo, the HMAS Melbourne, a mine sweeper, the HMAS Hawk and HMAS Vendetta.

In November, 1970, this passionate Australian was back in uniform, this time as a member of the RAAF where he served at numerous bases including Fairbairn (Canberra), Darwin, Butterworth (Malaya) HQ Glenbrook and at Richmond from where he was discharged in 1998 at 55 years of age.

While living at 1SD Tottenham in Melbourne in the early 70’s he met and fell in love with an airwoman, Lesley Stuart, a RAAF recruitment officer from Queenslander with a passion not only for the strapping Garry but ballroom dancing.

“Ballroom dancing took her to London for a few years but our relationship was able to continue and on her return home we married while

19

Garry Ayres take time off from an always busy schedule to relax in the picturesque backyard of his Werrington County home.

I was stationed in Canberra on March 24, 1979,” Garry said.

The couple have two sons, the State Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres and John, an official with The Office of State Revenue.

The Ayres clan fell in love with the Nepean when the family moved into the district with Garry’s postings to HQ Glenbrook and later, Richmond.

“I took it easy for a few months after retiring from the RAAF but I was too young to hang up the work boots and later got myself a job as driver for the Commissioner of Corrective Services, Leo Kelleher,” Garry explained.

“I drove for Leo for five years and then took on an administrative role at Corrective Services before finally retiring in 2008.”

But this energetic man could

never stop “doing something”.

Garry was president of the Penrith Rams Australian Rules Football Club from 1998-2000, a keen bowler, he joined St Marys RSL Bowling Club in 2003 and was president of that body from 2011-2013 and is currently looking at doing a Welfare Officers Course so he can aid the St Marys Outpost for Serving and Ex-Serving Defence Force Members.

Yeah, sure, there’s no story at all in Garry Ayres!!

Garry Ayres was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean

by Greg Davies.

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

20

localnews local

Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

Quinny’s story

Nepean

Veterinary REPORT

with Dr Antony Karolis and the team at Nepean 24 phone 1300wellpet

SENIOR VETERINARIAN NEPEAN & MOUNTAINS ANIMAL HOSPITAL

Nita

QUINNY is a 10-year-old, female, Border Collie Cross. While Quinny was receiving a hair cut a small lump was found on her tummy. Quinny was brought to The Mountains Animal Hospital, one of the WellPet Vets group of hospitals, located in Blaxland.

Dr. Yui examined Quinny and took a biopsy of the lump using a small needle. Dr. Yui examined the biopsy with a microscope and found it contained many Mast Cells.

Mast Cells are a cell that contains histamine; they release histamine when insects sting us or other allergic type reactions occur. Unfortunately, they are very prone to becoming cancerous, and in fact are the most common malignant skin tumour in dogs.

All mast cell tumours should be removed surgically as soon as they are found. The tumour should then be sent to the laboratory to determine if it has been removed completely and ascertain what grade it is.

Quinny was prepared for surgery.

She also had a Pre-anaesthetic blood test to ensure her kidneys and liver parameters, blood cells numbers and electrolyte levels were normal.

This test is recommended before any anaesthetic to maximize patient safety.

We also recommend having a test done every year when your pet has their annual check over. Remember! One year is a long time in your pet’s life.

Surgery was performed to remove the tumour and it was sent to the laboratory for analysis. Quinny recovered well from her anaesthetic.

The results from the laboratory showed that the surgery had been successful. The tumour had been removed completely. However, the pathologist noted that the tumour showed signs of being aggressive and was given a grade of 2 out of 3.

This means that there is up to a 30% chance of the tumour having spread to somewhere else in Quinny’s body.

Under these circumstances it is best to perform chemotherapy to try and kill any cancer cells that may have spread.

Quinny’s owners decided they wanted to give Quinny the very best chance of beating the cancer and so decided to proceed with the chemotherapy. Chemotherapy in dogs and cats is not the same as in humans.

We ensure our patients do not suffer in the same way that people do, because we acknowledge they cannot consent to the process. We still see some side effects however, such as mild nausea, lethargy and occasionally a tummy

upset.

When the chemotherapy commenced Quinny came to hospital weekly to have monitoring blood tests and her special medication. We needed to make sure we were killing the bad cells without damaging Quinny’s own healthy cells. The course of chemotherapy took 3 months and Quinny passed with flying colours.

She tolerated the medicine well and the cancer has shown no sign of recurring.

At the moment she is returning to the Mountains Animal Hospital once per month for a recheck and blood tests.

If your pet has a new lump “always” have it checked. Don’t ever just keep an eye on it. The correct way to assess a lump is by taking a needle biopsy; a visual assessment is not adequate.

Even a tumour a few millimeters across can spread through your pet’s body and become untreatable. Early intervention is less costly and results in far better outcomes.

NOT ALL FILLERS ARE THE SAME

Ask

A regular column to answer your medical cosmetic queries

AS fashion, and make up trends change, so do cosmetic injectables trends.

Procedures and techniques are always evolving and changing. That’s why it is imperative to find an injector that continues to train in the latest techniques and attends conferences to upgrade their skills continually. I have seen some clients that have had dated procedures due to the injector being stuck on old techniques. For example

the overly filled lip border that makes a women look like a duck, or the thick overly filled top lip to try and smooth out smokers lines can make them look like Homer Simpson.An advance injector knows what filler to use where. Not all fillers are the same.

The art to being an excellent injector is being trained in all products and having a great array of tools and knowledge to do the job properly. All fillers are different in viscosity, longevity, according to the manufacturing process.Restylane hyaloronic acid gels are sieved into small, medium and larger molecules.

Hence Restylane has small molecules, Perlane has medium and Sub Q has large molecules. The Juverderm range is manufactured differently. It has varying degrees of crosslinking

the HA chains.Its a smoother product.

The denser the crosslinking, the longer it will last, as it breaks down slower.Hence you have Juverderm Ultra, Ultra Plus, which both vary in crosslinking density.

Experienced injectors not only know how to inject artistically without distorting features, they know what products will give the best result for that area. There are 2 new fillers in the Juverderm range that are called Vobella and Volift. They are smoother again and are indicated for shallow injecting. The Vycross range, Vobella Volift and Voluma have shorter HA chains where as the other range has longer HA chains.The difference in properties is like comparing a plate of penne, and spaghetti. The Vycross range is great for fine lines around

the eyes, accordian lines around the mouth as they can be injected into the lines.One of my favourite dermal fillers and bio stimulant is Radiesse.

Calcium particles are suspended in a cellulose gel.The particles stimulate collagen and final results are very natural.

If fillers are not lasting due to fast metabolism or engaging in frequent exercise, gymn workouts etc. It’s recommended to use poly lactic acid, known as Sculptra. It is long lasting and is very natural as it stimulates your own collagen.

Combination therapies is often required to achieve an overall rejuvenation. Combining Muscle relaxants, fillers, medical peels, light therapies and PRP all help to achieve rejuvenation.

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22

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Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

ANZAC Centenary:

St Marys Served Australia in WW1

By Tony Fryer

THE Great War of 1914-1918 (otherwise known as World War 1) impacted all communities throughout Australia … and nowhere less than in St Marys.

St Marys RSL Sub-Branch initiated a major research project late last year that is still proceeding and which involves students from

all 21 Primary and 11 High Schools throughout the area that was St Marys Council District at that time.

Each school was allocated a small number of names of Volunteers who joined the Australian Navy and Army to serve our Nation overseas in the war effort. A total of 162 names have been distributed throughout the project for students to research and present their findings for subsequent collation into a single manuscript.

Each school was also provided with a number of small wooden crosses to decorate in preparation for use within the upcoming Centenary of ANZAC Service on 19th April at Victoria Park (see further on for details of the Service).

One objective of the project is to encourage students in local schools to become closer to and more aware of the true nature of the sacrifice of their forebears in this community. It is also planned that the total project outcome will contribute a valuable resource to the local story. This is one of St Marys RSL Sub-Branch’s major activities in commemorating

the Centenary of ANZAC. In this issue and over the subsequent two issues of the Nepean News, we will provide a sample of the research that students are producing in this project.

The project will culminate on Sunday 19th April at the Centenary of ANZAC Service at Victoria Park, Great Western Highway, St Marys. It is there that the St Marys RSL SubBranch will complete their annual march along Queen Street (starts at 2.30pm) and commence their Service by involving representatives from all 32 schools to provide a clear focus for remembrance and reflection – a feature that will represent those numerous volunteers who left St Marys to “do their duty” in the conflict so far away. Additional features will enhance this annual Service to do justice in commemorating 100 years of ANZAC. Sporting and all other community groups in the St Marys and surrounding suburbs are welcome to break open their banners and join the march on Sunday 19th April – if

interested, please phone the RSL Secretary Tony Fryer (0414 557 692) to make arrangements. All in the community are encouraged to attend the Service at Victoria Park – it will commence soon after 2.50pm when the marching groups arrive.

Of course, don’t forget the special ANZAC Dawn Service to be held by the RSL Sub-Branch at the guns memorial adjacent to the St Marys RSL Club (Mamre Rd/ hall St), commencing at 5.30am on Saturday 25th April. A large attendance is anticipated at this special occasion – so come early. Large screens will display live video of the Service for all to see.

Save now before it’s too late FEW people feel so passionate about their work that they’d give up their own free time to help it, but 30 staff from the Royal Botanic Gardens and Centennial Parklands will walk a collective 380kms over three days to raise money to save plants from extinction.

“There’ll be three teams of walkers who’ll set off along different routes and the culmination of the gruelling exercise will be at the Australian PlantBank on the final day,” said Dr Brett Summerell, Deputy Executive Director, Science and Conservation.

“The goal is to raise at least $30,000 in order to save Australian plant species from extinction. It costs $2000 to save each plant. The money covers the cost of collecting plant specimens and storing seeds at the Australian PlantBank.

“I’m very proud of our staff, they’re really driven to raise awareness about our beautifully unique and extraordinary native Australian flora, and they’re dedicated to protect them for future generations. We’re asking the public to get behind the teams and support the fundraising initiative,” he said.

Environment Minister Rob Stokes supports the Save a Species 2015 Walk and said it will go a long way to highlight threats to plant biodiversity in Australia.

“Botanic gardens play a key role in ensuring we conserve plant diversity for the benefit of all and the Australian PlantBank at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan is at the epicentre of this nation’s efforts to protect our country’s 25,000 native plants from extinction,” Mr Stokes said.

“Australia’s ranked fifth in the world for its mega diversity of flora.

Our nation is home to 14 per cent of

threatened plant species and almost a quarter (23 per cent) are considered in danger of extinction.

“We can’t underestimate the importance of plant diversity, it supports the functioning of all ecosystems and direct benefits include a greater opportunity for medical discoveries, economic development and adaptive responses to climate change,” he said.

The Save a Species 2015 walkers

will set off early on Friday morning the17th April and plan to finish the walk at the Australian PlantBank by 12noon on Sunday, 19th April, 2015.

• Team 1 (approx 130kms) start at Mount Banks in the Blue Mountains through to Katoomba, cross through the Burragorong Valley covering 130kms.

Team 2 (approx 130kms) start at Botany Bay dissecting through the Royal National Park to Stanwell Tops on the South Coast and cross through Dharawal National Park.

Team 3 (approx 120kms) start at the south coast in Illawarra heading north through National Parks.

On Sunday, 19th April, staff from the Botanic Gardens and Centennial Parklands will join the three teams for the last part of the walk and participate in a 5km walk which will start at the Australian Botanic Garden, Mount Annan main car park and finish at the Australian PlantBank.

Foundation and Friends of the Botanic Gardens will sponsor this event and 100 per cent of funds raised will go to the Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, assisting the conservation efforts taking place at the Australian PlantBank, which houses the largest native seed bank in the Southern Hemisphere.

To support the teams visit: www. rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au

Rotary markets in St Marys

ST MARYS & Mt Druitt Rotary Clubs have yet again formed a joint venture on a Community Service Project with a Rotary Market at St Marys (Kokoda Park).

Their first market in St Marys is on Sunday March 22 from 9am to 2pm, then on the fourth Sunday of each month thereafter.

“We would like to see past clients from previous markets and new ones come along and see what gifts they can buy for their loved ones for Easter from a variety of stalls, also enjoy a Rotary BBQ plus other foods and drinks,” said Market Committee

member Chris Miller.

“We sent application forms and associated information to the majority of our former stallholders to encourage them to be at the St Marys Market.

“Please visit our facebook where you can obtain details about the market along with stallholders application forms at Facebook.com/ RotaryMarketsAtStMarys as well as important information.”

Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler accompanied by other members of Penrith City Council will officially open the market at 11am.

Easter family fun BUNNINGS Warehouse Minchinbury, North Penrith and Penrith are preparing to celebrate Easter and to kick off the festivities will be hosting a free Easter Family Night on Thursday 26 March 2015.

The family night provides a range of Easter activities for the whole family and this year’s event will include Easter themed fun and games such as Easter craft and chocolate eggs hunts, as well as a special visit from the Easter Bunny!

Bunnings Warehouse Area Manager, Robyn Hudson, said team members look forward to this night because it’s a great time to enjoy Easter fun with the whole family.

“The Easter Family Night is a fantastic mix of Easter D.I.Y. activities as well as craft activities, egg hunts and other hands on projects,” said Robyn.

“Everyone loves to celebrate

Easter with their family so we are excited to host our free family night to give residents a chance to enjoy the Easter break and, of course, some chocolate!” said Robyn.

The Easter Family Night will be held from 6pm until 8pm and includes light refreshments.

Bookings are recommended, please contact your local Bunnings Warehouse to ensure your place.

Easter Family Night will be held on Thursday 26 March, 6pm – 8pm.

WHERE: Bunnings Warehouse Minchinbury, Cnr John Hines Avenue & Great Western Highway, Tel: (02) 8882 0600 Bunnings Warehouse North Penrith, 2166 Castlereagh Road, Tel: (02) 4720 2000 Bunnings Warehouse Penrith, Wolseley Street, Regentville, Tel: (02) 4737 5400.

23 Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

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

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Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

EASTER Free Easter family fun

WORD SEARCH

BASKET

HIDE

BUNNY

HUNT

CHOCOLATE

MARSHMALLOW

EGGS

RABBIT

FRIDAY

SUNDAY

MOST kids only have one thought when it comes to Easter, and that’s chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate! And let’s face it - there is something about Easter egg chocolate that doesn’t compare to any other chocolate!

This year St Marys Town Centre’s Annual Easter Egg hunt falls on Saturday March 28 from 10am till 2pm. Registrations will commence from 9am at the Town Centre information tent in Coachman’s Park.

“Last year saw approximately 600 kids registered for this event and we are hoping to increase that number this year,” Town Centre Manager Paulette Adams said.

“Kids register, receive their passports, wristbands and Easter bags and off they roam to our participating retailers throughout Queen Street with a little help from our Traffic controllers. From entertainment on the main stage, face painting and balloonists, plaster painting, Kindifarm with their petting zoo and not to mention a special visit from the Easter Bunny himself, the kids won’t be disappointed.

“Kids love a good treasure hunt and we encourage parents to bring them along for a fun free event that they will love!”

The kids will have an opportunity to enter the Easter raffles also to win one of the fantastic Easter egg hampers by simply dropping their stamped passports into the entry boxes supplied.

“Our other competition on the day is to simply find the letters ‘E-A-S-T-E-R E-G-G H-U-N-T’ that are placed in selected windows of our retailers

throughout the street, write the 13 business names on the passport and go in the draw to WIN an I pad mini,” Paulette said.

To keep up to date with regular updates, like them on facebook.com/stmarystowncentreltd or follow them on Twitter at https://twitter.com/ StMarysTownCtr Don’t miss this free community event in Coachman’s Park, Cnr Charles Hackett Drive and Queen Street, St Marys.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Send your letters to the editor to kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

Jackie Kelly I read with interest the interview with Jackie Kelly in last edition. Is this girl for real? Does she really believe she would be better for Penrith than Stuart Ayres who has been a fabulous state member? Jackie I think you need to take a good look at your fan club these days, there’s only one member in it and it is yourself.

Shane Baxter Jackie Kelly So after reading about Jackie Kelly last week one would come to the conclusion that her campaign is not really about doing the best for us but

about feeding her personal vendetta against the Liberal party.

S.Vella Penrith Jackie Kelly Love her or hate her, nobody could accuse Jackie Kelly of sitting and watching the wheels go round. I admire a politican who says it like it is. She’s Penrith’s answer to Jacqui Lambie and I wish her the best of luck.

Fay Evans Jackie Kelly Go away Jackie. Seriously. You’re

running an anti-airport campaign in a state election and pretending to be fair dinkum. Next you’ll probably preference the Labor party. This is all about you not having any clout any more. We gave you clout and you abused it. Just go away.

S. Williams Election If the truth in advertising rule applied to politicians it would be a little more bearable each eve of an election to accept their absurd advertising, mostly unfunded election promises, but unfortunately whilever there is a union-controlled Labor party who

tell blatant lies we can only be guided by their past history to make our decisions.

Logically no-one in their right mind should let these illiterate, economically challenged, court-proven, corrupt Labor Party vandals back into power to rape and pillage at the same time bankrupting the state all over again.

Unfortunately the electorate will once again get all complacent after the state has been successfully stimulated by the Liberal Party; then a slick clever conniving Labor Party member will come up with a catchy slogan and the political cycle roundabout will start all over again.

Keith Davis

Lord almighty, feel my temperature rising HE was one of the most important figures of the 20th century pop culture. A cultural icon, widely known by the single name Elvis, who is often referred to as the “King of Rock and Roll” or simply “The King”. He was idolised the world over right up until his untimely death in 1977.

But his memory and legend lives on in a very special concert event entitled “The King In Concert” starring one of the world’s first and most-successful Elvis impersonators, Max Pellicano, whose uncanny resemblance and equally chilling performance has mesmerised Australians over the last two decades.

It has been said by media worldwide that the Max Pellicano tribute - Elvis to the Max - goes beyond mere impersonation. Critics have described his performances as “Elvis resurrected” and ‘reincarnated’.

His recreation of The King’s looks, moves, vocal style, impressions and humour is so accurate, its aweinspiring. You need to sound like the real thing and Max has worked hard at that. Not only is the voice important, it’s also knowing how to become the man himself on stage.

The costumes worn by Max are exact replicas made by Elvis’ personal tailor Bill Bellow. Re-create a special night with The King In Concert Max Pellicano was born in Monte Carlo, of French and Italian parents.

He spent most of his childhood in New York before moving to San Francisco at the age of 14. Today, he is based in Detroit.

He has been a professional actor and entertainer since 1974 when he graduated from the California State University with a degree in Dramatic Arts. Max Pellicano first brought

Elvis (as an actor) to life on stage in a production of Bye Bye Birdie.

“I was doing musicals and theatre and had to study Jailhouse Rock for my role as the Elvis-type character, Conrad Birdie. I studied the way he walked, the way he talked and the way he moved for months. I guess you could say I got into impersonating Elvis in a kind of round-about way,” he said.

His performance led to an Elvis tribute show and the rest is history.

“I learnt long ago that the fans don’t want the legend to die. They want to keep the memory going,” Max said.

He still spends many hours in front of the television listening to records and his favourite Elvis song is Burning Love.

“It’s hard to copy the original, but what we try and do is recreate the Elvis concert and give people a chance to see what it might have been like to see Elvis perform live,” Max said.

Max said he particularly enjoys touring Australia and has made lots of friends down under during his many trips here.

“There’s a lot of Elvis fans in Australia. The people are great, the venues are fantastic and every city has its own charm,” he said.

“When I was a kid I would never have dreamed I would be travelling the world doing what I love and seeing places like Australia.

“I’m living the dream.

“When I die I will have experienced the most amazing places in the world. I’ll be able to say I Did It My Way.” Don’t miss the experience on March 28 at Rooty Hill RSL - call 9625 5500 for more information.

27 Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

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28 Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

e n t e r t a i n m e n localnews In touch with the Dutch The Baby & Kids Market

t

returning to Penrith in 2015!

GRAB your clogs and your family and head on down to the Dutch Festival for a great time enjoying a cultural blast of everything Dutch on March 27, 28 and 29.

Friday March 27 is senior day, the fun starts at 10am and will be celebrated with two floorshows at 12noon and 2pm.

If you have senior friends, take them out for the day! There is no entry fee all weekend.

Saturday and Sunday there will also be loads of things for the children to do, including a fabulous fireworks display at 8.30pm on the Saturday night.

There will be live music all

weekend, from typical Dutch to Country and Australian tunes. The award winning Elvis impersonator (Sheryl) will ‘show off’ on Saturday, and don’t forget the Dutch Folkdance Group on Sunday.

You simply haven’t lived if you’ve never tried Dutch donuts (no holes, but plenty fruit) or the Poffertjes (mini pancakes). Your tastebuds are in for a treat with all the Dutch goodies available over the weekend.

Visit the Dutch Festival on 2728-29 March held at the Rembrandt Club located at 87 Dunheved Circuit, St Marys and keep in touch with the Dutch!

ST MARYS DUTCH FESTIVAL MARCH 2015 Sponsored by SMYTHE WOZNIAK LAWYERS Your local solicitor 9623 8666

At the REMBRANDT Dutch Club 87 Dunheved Circuit, St Marys ~ 9623 2569

Friday 27th 10am - late Saturday 28th 10am - late Sunday 29th 10am - 4pm Clog-making demonstration ~ Dutch shop, food and bar ~ Dutch Australian genealogy group, mobile shooting range ~ Children-festival-stall and Lucky dips and more ~ MOCZA fossil display & 3D printing info ~ Saturday & Sunday all day children’s ride and jumping castle ~ Entertainment

• Dutch Treat • Tony’s One man Band • Herman’s One man band • Dutch Connection • The Great Escape • Cool River Band with Elvis Impersonator Show • Dutch Folk Dance Group • Backwater • 1815 Dutch Militia Group

Sat. 8.30pm Fireworks sponsored by All Occasion Pyrotechnics FREE ENTRY

Senior week special; Friday 12 and 2pm floorshow with ‘That Couple’

Only during the Festival days will there be a free shuttle service from St Marys train station to the Rembrandt Dutch Club and back; call Johan’s mobile 0416 235 331.

Plenty undercover parking at St Marys Station.

The Rembrandt Club St Marys is usually open Fridays 11am till midnight and Tuesdays 10-4pm. Information for members and their guests

For Mums in the know who like to buy local, sell local and bag a bargain on quality pre loved goods! plus a few handpicked local businesses selling their unique baby and Kids goods. From birth to 6 years of age.

Come along and join in the fun and bargains from 9am -12noon. Free activities for the kids too!!!

• Sunday 22 March at the Penrith Regional Valley Sports Centre, Herbert St, Cambridge Park.

• The Market runs from 9am-12 noon.

• $4 entry and kids come in for free!

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

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

For more information please visit: www.babykidsmarket.com.au

with Reverend Ross Hutchison

You only get one chance to make a first impression!

Something to think about, but easier said than done.

How can we make ourselves “Picture Perfect” in creating that first impression?

A simple beginning is our grooming; cleaning our teeth and polishing our shoes.

I’d like to take it back one step earlier and share a cracker of an idea; doing a “Washing Machine” job on ourselves - from the inside...out!

Things that make us feel good on the inside first - it’s very very simple!

(1) Sing out loud. Lots even! La La La La Laaaa.

(2) Laugh out loud. Lots. Let Your mind go crazy with silly things.

(3) Clapping yourself. With great enthusiasm.

(4) Punching the air - above our shoulders and head - First punch sing out “I’m Alive!!”

SUDOKU: EASY

Heavens Above

SOLUTION: 5th March

Second punch sing out “I’m Well!”

Third punch “Änd I feel great!”

29 Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

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

Sensational! Do it at least once a day and you will transform yourself - guaranteed.

Always here to help Cheers Your Mate, Rossco

21ST MAR 18TH APR 23RD MAY 20TH JUN

LAST STAND » COLD CHISEL SHOW

THUNDERSTRUCK » AC/DC SHOW

KICK » INXS SHOW

NO SECRETS » ANGELS SHOW

FREE ENTRY ◆ FROM 9PM

30

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T E R T A I N M E N T

Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

The fabulous working truck show ON Sunday, March 29 the Museum of Fire will be staging the 28th Annual Penrith Working Truck Show. In excess of 12,000 people attend the show with over 200 trucks from small rigids to ‘B’ doubles competing for many trophies and major prizes. A true transport industry showcase, this show is Australia’s biggest and arguably best working truck show.

For 27 years the Trucking fraternity have cultivated their prize rigs into show condition, in support of Charity. All funds raised are directed towards saving our families from the dangers of fire while preserving the heritage of our community’s bravest.

The unique feature of the Show is that each truck must be a working truck and not just a showpiece or collectors item. Each truck is entered into one or more of 25 different categories to compete for trophies for the best in each class.

Drivers spend hours cleaning and polishing their prize possession in attempts at being declared the best truck in their class. The award of a trophy at the Working Truck Show has become an industry icon and prestigious recognition for the owner.

This show involves support from all major manufacturers, distributors

as well as after sales service and part companies. It is coordinated by the Museum and an army of 150 volunteers. These volunteers come from a variety of professions including members of the Transport Industry, Bank Managers, Sales Managers, Tradespeople, Rotarians, Police and Firefighters.

The Museum of Fire, located in the old Penrith Power Station at 1 Museum Drive, Cnr Castlereagh Road, opened as Australia’s only dedicated Fire Safety Education Centre in 1986.

Over the past 24 years, approximately 50 000 visitors per year pass through the Museum which houses one of the finest collections of firefighting

memorabilia in the world.

From its humble conception twenty five years ago, the Working Truck Show has grown from a gathering of trucking enthusiasts to a major corporate and family event which now takes months of planning and preparation and is recognised as Australia’s Premier Truck Show.

Country Music extravaganza has always been a major attraction at the Truck Show and this year will be no exception. Live on Stage will be McAlisters Kemp, The Wolfe Brothers, Kaylens Rain and much more.

Up to three children are admitted FREE with a paying adult and they

will enjoy twelve of the best “thrill” rides and other amusements absolutely free. Add to this, food and drink stalls, free face painting and giveaways, and you have the Ultimate Family Fun Day package while supporting a worthwhile charitable event.

The Working Truck Show is on at the Museum of Fire on Sunday, March 29 from 8am to 5pm. Admission at the gate $30 adults, children up to 16 years free with adult entry, and no concession discounts apply. Within 5 minutes walk of Penrith Railway Station, and there is plenty of parking beside the show.

For further information contact the Museum of Fire on 02 4731 3000.

CROSSWORD ACROSS 8 Cry loudly (4) 9 Shot from a bow (5) 10 Fake (4) 11 Zodiacal twins (6) 12 Ability to read and write (8) 13 Remembrances (8) 15 Adorned (furniture) (6) 17 Anagram of “Deserts” (7) 19 Self-importance (7) 22 Pre-built (6) 24 Imagines to be true (8) 26 Bells in a tower (8) 28 Difficult to detect (6) 30 Final (4) 31 The mountain of the Ten Commandments (5) 32 Heroic (4)

DOWN 1 Ebb (4) 2 Chicago’s state (8) 3 Large North American deer (6) 4 Uncultured (7) 5 Hitting swiftly (8) 6 Stellar (6) 7 Ketch (4) 14 Mistake (5) 16 A small picture inserted within another (5) 18 Occlusion of a blood vessel (8) 20 Shook (8) 21 Inane (7) 23 Swoons (6) 25 A yellow-and-black Eurasian finch (6) 27 At a distant place (4) 29 Placed (4)

solution 5/3/15

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Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

Step back in time EVENTS

1279 - A Mongolian victory at the Battle of Yamen ends the Song Dynasty in China.

1895 - Auguste and Louis Lumière record their first footage using their newly patented cinematograph.

1932 - The Sydney Harbour Bridge is opened.

1943 - Frank Nitti, the Chicago Outfit Boss after Al Capone, commits suicide at the Chicago Central Railyard.

1945 - World War II: Adolf Hitler issues his “Nero Decree” ordering all industries, military installations, shops, transportation facilities and communications facilities in Germany to be destroyed.

1954 - Joey Giardello knocks out Willie Tory in round 7 at Madison Square Garden in the first televised prize boxing fight shown in colour.

1962 - Highly influential artist, Bob Dylan releases his first album, Bob Dylan, on Columbia Records label.

1982 - Falklands War: Argentinian forces land on South Georgia Island, precipitating war with the United Kingdom.

BIRTHS 1813 1848 1906 1916 1947

-

David Livingstone, Scottish missionary and explorer (d. 1873).

Wyatt Earp, American police officer (d. 1929).

Adolf Eichmann, German SS officer (d. 1962).

Irving Wallace, American author (d. 1990).

Glenn Close, American actress and producer.

DEATHS 1721 1930 1950 2008 2008

-

Pope Clement XI (b. 1649).

Arthur Balfour, Scottish politician, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (b. 1848).

Edgar Rice Burroughs, American author (b. 1875).

Paul Scofield, English actor (b. 1922).

Arthur C. Clarke, English author (b. 1917).

JOKES

Just the one joke this week but it really is worth the telling!

Blind golfer Stevie Wonder and one of the game‛s best, Jack Nicklaus are in a bar.

Nicklaus turns to Wonder and says, “How is the singing career going?”

Stevie says, “Not too bad, the latest album has gone into the top 10, so all-in-all I think it is pretty good. By the way how is the golf.”

Nicklaus replies: “Not too bad, I am not winning as much as I used to but I‛m still making a bit of money. I have some problems with my swing but I think I‛ve got that right now.”

“I always find that when my swing goes wrong I need to stop playing for a while and think about it, then the next time I play it seems to be all right,” replies Stevie.

“You play golf!?” exclaims Jack.

Stevie says, “Yes, I have been playing for years.”

“But I thought you were blind; how can you play golf if you are blind?”

Jack asks.

“I get my caddie to stand in the middle of the fairway and he calls to me. I listen for the sound of his voice and play the ball towards him, then when I get to where the ball lands the caddie moves to the green or further down the fairway and again I play the ball towards his voice,” explains Stevie.

“But how do you putt?” Nicklaus wondered.

“Well,” says Stevie, “I get my caddie to lean down in front of the hole and call to me with his head on the ground and I just play the ball to the sound of his voice.”

Nicklaus says, “What is your handicap?” “Well, I play off scratch,” Stevie says.

Nicklaus is incredulous and says to Stevie, “We must play a game sometime.”

Stevie replies, “Well, people don‛t take me seriously so I only play for money, and I never play for less than $100,000 a hole.”

Nicklaus thinks it over and says, “OK, I‛m up for that. When would you like to play?”

“I don‛t care - any night next week is OK with me!”

saturday 9th may from 8pm

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Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

Penrith festival: party time central!

CIRCLE Saturday March 21 on your calendar because the Penrith CBD Festival will be a mega huge event this year with three stages and loads of entertainment for everyone.

Kicking off at 9 am and going through until 3pm, there’ll be stalls, dance groups, characters including Spongebob and B1 and B2, the Wizard of Oz show and so much more.

Vintage 1915-1940’s music will have everybody tapping along and getting in to that festive spirit that Penrith does so very well.

As this year is the 100th anniversary of ANZAC, there will be a special tribute at 12.30 followed by the opening of Poppy Park at 1.30. The opening will take

place behind Judges Carpark, all are welcome and the last two poppies will be carried through the parade to the opening.

The street parade will commence at 12.30 and is not to be missed.

“Penrith RSL is the main sponsor this year and we thank them for their community support,” Gai

GREETS MEET AND • 2 B D N ON MAN B1 A HEAD • IR Z SHOW • O O T F A O T O D P R S WIZA TO ANZAC MR & MR L TRIBUTE

PECIA

2:30 • A S

1 ARADE AT STREET P

Hawthorn, CEO of Penrith CBD said.

“Come and get behind the spirit of Penrith and ANZAC. Thank you and looking forward a special day for Penrith!”

Joan’s quarter century milestone THE Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre celebrates its 25th Anniversary in 2015 with a very special Community Celebration Day on 28 March from 9am to 3pm. The Joan invites the community to come along for a mega day of performing arts, including professional and community theatre and music performances, open workshops, circus and parkour demonstrations and exhibitions.

Here’s your chance to see a performance or two, have a go yourself, soak up the history and contribute creatively to the future of this great building.

The day will include a 2pm performance by celebrated Australian singers Archie Roach and Christine Anu - this show is expected to sell out so audiences should snap up tickets quickly – as well as three performances of White, by Scotland’s Catherine Wheels Theatre Company, one of the world’s best theatre companies for children. Tickets need to be bought for these performances and are all available on The Joan’s website www.thejoan.com. au There will also be plenty of free entertainment, with a showcase of local performing arts talent from Penrith Conservatorium of Music, studioQ, Penrith Symphony Orchestra, Emu Heights Theatre Company and Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School. Special guests Team 9Lives, who’ve spearheaded parkour in Western Sydney (and who will be part of Monkey…Journey to the West, at The Joan in October), will perform displays of urban acrobatics on the lawns adjacent to the centre.

There will be fun activities all day for people of all ages, lots of free things to do and a great chance

to learn more about your local creative hub. The Joan will be offering special one-day-deals on minisubscriptions as well as a fabulous door prize for one lucky local. And, of course, what’s a celebration without a sausage sizzle? There’ll be one of those

for sure!

Single tickets: Archie Roach & Christine Anu ($55/$50), White ($25/$20 or $76 family of 4).

To book call our Box Office on 4723-7600 or online at www.thejoan.com.au

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nepeanhistory nepean

36 Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

First & Last - Strangers Home Hotel

A

S mentioned last History Page, William Moseley took over from the Cott family at the First & Last Hotel but it seems that Mrs Cott was still the licensee of the hotel because in 1904 the Nepean Times records that she had a nasty fall after the cellar door was left open and she dropped straight through and her sudden death in 1906 at the age of 48 gives the following information “Mr A Judges (Coroner) held an inquiry regarding the death of Mrs Cott, who expired suddenly the previous evening. The following evidence was taken:William Henry Pye stated he was a chemist and dentist and resided at St Marys when he called at the residence of Mrs Cott at about 7.30 pm with medication that Mrs Cott had desired for an ulcerated leg. He saw her in one of the parlours in a state of great distress. She threw up her arms and said “Oh, Mr Pye, I have had another seizure – what shall I do?” A young man he didn’t know brought her brandy and she swallowed a portion and vigorously rubbed her left arm with the remainder. William then suggested that she should be taken to her room which was done and in moving from the parlour to her bedroom she must have fallen as he heard her scream and the sound of a heavy fall. He went into the adjoining room where she had fallen and found her son George supporting her. He examined her in that position and found her breathing heavily and her face livid and lips black. He then returned to the pharmacy for remedies and administered aromatic spirits of ammonia part of which she swallowed at his suggestion and she was then moved to her bedroom and he immediately applied all customary remedies known to him namely chest flagellation, application of oil of mustard over the heart and finally used the Faradisc battery (some sort of stimulation) and he remained with her until the arrival of Dr Higgins.

William said that in his opinion death took place 10 minutes before the arrival of the doctor and about one hour from the time he first saw her during his visit and that he had frequently given her medicine for similar attacks. Mrs Cott had told him that Dr Barber had warned her that her heart was affected. George Cott (son) said that he was a waiter and resided at the Stranger’s Home Hotel at St Marys and that Emily Cott was his mother and licensee of the hotel. He was on duty yesterday at about half past nine in an adjoining room and he could hear his mother’s voice all the time, or at intervals when he was suddenly alarmed by a traveller staying on the premises explaining that his mother was ill. He rushed to her assistance in the parlour and helped her into an adjoining room on the way to her bedroom. She said on the way “George get a light” as the room was in darkness and he left her holding onto the table and got a light and when he put the lamp on the table he noticed that she was trembling all over and her lips were purple and her face darkened.

He ran immediately to the bar for brandy and on the way back he heard his mother fall and rushed in and found her on the floor unconscious.

He spoke to her but she was unable to answer him. He loosened her jacket and neck wear and began rubbing vigorously at her heart as he knew that she sometimes suffered with it. Mr William Pye who was on the premises came on the scene and according to his directions George lowered her head that he had been supporting and placed a pillow under it. Mr Pye did all he could and George helped to remove his mother to her bedroom and was present when the doctor arrived and pronounced that she had died. Emily Cott was 48 years of age and was born at Araluen, NSW. Apart from the hotel business George was not aware that his mother owned anything and that she almost a total abstainer. He believed that only recently his mother consulted

Dr Kearney of Parramatta and he told her that she was worse than she really thought she was and advised her to go into Parramatta Hospital – business worries and not feeling well have troubled her a good deal of late. Dr Higgins stated that on Monday night a little before 10 o’clock a message was brought to him from the railway station stating that a telephone message had come through asking him to go and see Mrs Cott at St Marys where he straight away proceeded to Mrs Cott’s residence and found her lying on the bed inanimate. He could, on examination, find no signs of violence as Mrs Cott was very stoutly built. He was informed by her son that a little while previous to the attack to which she succumbed Mrs Cott was considerably excited about something that had happened and taking everything into consideration it was probable that death was due to failure of a fatty heart. The Coroner’s finding was that Emily Cott died from natural causes (heart failure). The paper goes on to say that Mrs Cott’s parents came from California to the Araluen diggings over 50 years ago and are still living, both being about 70 years of age. Emily was married to Mr James Cott about 26 years ago at Goulburn. About 14 years ago they came to St Marys and took over the Stranger’s Home Hotel. She left behind her a family of seven – four boys aged respectively 22, 20, 18 and 14 and three girls aged 12, 10 and 8. George the eldest son is managing the business, his past experiences in Sydney establishments now being of great service to him. The sudden death caused quite a shock to the town. Standish Hughes who was present at the time Mrs Cott took ill at once telephoned to Dr Higgins who made a record trip to the hotel in twenty minutes from the time the message was sent. About 12 o’clock on Monday night Mrs Hughes of the Volunteer Hotel was sent for and she and her mother (Mrs Wholohan) went and rendered all the assistance they could. The funeral was a large and representative one. The cortège left the house at half past three for the Presbyterian portion of the general cemetery at St Marys. Rev W J Holt officiated at the grave and Mrs John Price and Son had charge of the arrangements” One of her sons Reggie Cott lived at the “Strangers Home Hotel” and played football for St Marys. He is pictured in a team photo in 1908. He enlisted in WW1 and was killed on Gallipoli at Lone Pine.

Next article will feature the demise of the hotel.

Sources; Nepean Times, NSW Births, Deaths & Marriages..

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

N E PE A N HIST RY

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42

sport

Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

MY WORDS WITH MARK GEYER

PANTHERS ON TARGET FOR GLORY IN OCTOBER TWO games into the 2015 season and Ivan Cleary’s mountain men have hit the ground running.

In fact sprinting!

Gee they have looked good. Except for a 15-minute period late against the Dogs in round 1, the Panthers have started this current campaign with an exclamation mark.

There have been too many great performers to single out any one player but it’s the cohesion and teamwork that has been a giant standout.

Next Monday night’s clash against title heavyweights, the Roosters, will give us all a better insight into just where we are after three rounds.

But as a Panther fan, you’ve gotta be happy with the way your men have begun the quest for October glory.

TODAY (Thursday) I will take a step back in time and spend some time with students of my childhood school, Whalan Primary.

It’s all part of the “Fair go for the West” campaign in which I’m a very proud ambassador.

The organisers of this program asked me early on which ovals or fields I thought could do with a facelift in the Western Suburbs.

I quickly nominated Whalan Reserve.

For many of your reading this column you have either played or been to Whalan Reserve at some stage of your life in some capacity.

I played my first game of footy there as a 5-year-old and now some 40 years later the place hasn’t changed a bit.

And that’s the problem!

A reserve that means so much to so many us older folk and our kids is badly in need of major surgery in the form of an overhaul/renovation.

THIS past Sunday I got to spend some time with the inspiring kids and parents of “Trytime Rugby League”.

Trytime Rugby League is an organisation that caters to the Rugby League needs and wants of kids who are intellectually handicapped.

It’s the second time I have been given the privilege of an invite to attend their training session at Hickeys Lane, and again I walked away from the completed session with a massive smile on my dial.

These wonderful kids help provide unbelievable perspective on a world that has gotten a tad crazy.

If you have a child that has special needs and wants but are having trouble trying to find something for them that might be suitable, try Trytime.

I can guarantee they’ll love it.

For further information, give Darren Deitz a buzz on 0410 606 296.

A young Mark Geyer (holding ball) and all his Whalan Public School team-mates all have fond memories of Whalan Reserve.

I’LL be over in North Penrith this Sunday fulfilling my role as a Heartland Holden ambassador.

If you are looking at purchasing a new or used car, get yourself along to view the vehicles and also have a chat with me.

You’ll recognise me – the tall bloke wearing an apron and helping out at the barbecue.

Come up and have a chat to me about footy, the huge range of cars on sale, politics and the price of eggs.

Just joking of course about talking politics! But I will know the price of eggs!

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sport

Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

Cox defects to Bruins

By Noel Rowsell

LIFE has suddenly become a little harder for Penrith Waratah Championship League (WCL) women’s head coach Chris Jones, in spite of the array of talent in his squad.

Former Australian representative and Sydney Uni Flames WNBL power forward Rohanee Cox, who starred with the Panthers in 2014, has reversed her decision to retire from the WCL competition and suited up on the weekend for the Bankstown Bruins.

Cox will be joined at the Bruins by former Bankstown junior and Flames WNBL small forward Casey Samuels, in what promises to be a dynamic combination.

The Panthers women’s team is of course book-ended by Australian representative Tahlia Tupaea and former Flames point guard Alicia Poto, who form one of the best back-court combinations in the WCL. However, given the significant number of WNBL players suiting up for various WCL teams in the first five rounds, there will not be too many (if any) easy games for the Panthers this season.

The Penrith men looked good in

Nepean News

Panthers head coach, Chris Jones, addresses his team during a time-out. Photo courtesy Noel Rowsell www.photoexcellence.com.au

their 78-66 defeat of the Sutherland Sharks on Saturday night and will get even stronger when NSW under 20 representative Nic Pozoglou returns from injury.

Head coach, John Hennessey, has his team playing attractive basketball and the Penrith Association will be hoping the strength of both the men’s and women’s teams will attract crowds back to the Penrith Valley Regional

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SPRINGWOOD’S Angus Brandt grabbed another major prize last week, taking out the 2014-15 NBL ‘Rookie of the Year’ title.

Brandt is the third Sydney Kings player to win the coveted award in the

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BARRIER RISE

Moylan “ready” for Origin

By Stewart Moses

with Tony Brassel

@TheRiffMarn

MATT Moylan thinks he is ready!

So do his coach and skipper but after another masterclass performance in Penrith’s big win over the Titans, the push is growing to see Blues coach, Laurie Daley give the Panthers fullback first shot at the NSW No 1 jersey vacated by Jarryd Hayne.

This would be ahead of the likes of Josh Dugan, Brett Stewart and Brett Morris, is growing.

The fullback would have pleased the Blues coach with his man of the match performance having finished the game with three try assists, three line break assists, two offloads, one line break and 166 metres from 16 runs and declared after the game he was ready for Origin.

“I feel ready for it,” Moylan said. “I just have to worry about playing consistent footy for Penrith and just let the rest of it take care of itself.

“We’ve spoken about stuff he (Daley) wants me to work on during the year if I want to be a real chance of playing Origin.

“I have to take that on board and do my best to perform for Penrith. A lot of it was getting in and trying to save tries, being that last line of defence and stopping tries.”

Moylan put Daley’s advice to good effect against the Titans producing a try-stopping moment on a flying Josh Hoffman.

Moylan’s confidence was equally shared by his coach Ivan Cleary after the game.

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Tony Brassel is one of the most respected judges of horseflesh in the country. He is a form expert and racing analyst with SKY Racing and radio 2KY and has now joined the Nepean News’ stable of quality journalists.

“I can tell you one thing about Matty, any level that he’s gone to he’s gone up with the level. So I wouldn’t say he’s not (ready for Origin),” Cleary said.

Cleary believes Moylan’s non-selection in any of the Four Nations games has served to fuel his hunger even more.

“Obviously Matty is still pretty young and I think the Four Nations experience was good for him almost in that he didn’t get a game,” the Panthers coach remarked.

“If he had had got a few games he might have come back almost feeling good about himself. But he came back and that lit the fire a little bit for him.

“He’s always trying to get better to his credit.

He’s a key man in our operation and played well again today for sure.”

Equally, Moylan’s skipper, former Origin half Peter Wallace, also declared Moylan is ready to handle the rigours of Origin.

“I think so. Every challenge that’s been put in front of him, he’s handled. City Country I thought he was great last year. I think he can handle the step up for sure,” Wallace said.

GOLD AMBITION: This one hails from Bjorn Baker’s in-form stable and there was a lot of ticker shown when narrowly winning a Warwick Farm heat.

HENDRIX: Also trained by Bjorn Baker but lacks ‘experience’ at this stage. Showed ticker winning his first trial gig and now ready to rock and roll.

LUCKY LAGO: Talented sort moving along nicely for the Peter and Paul Snowden operation. Plenty in reserve when second in a hot heat of classy gallopers.

MAGIC DIAMOND: Unraced Not A Single doubt juvenile trained from the Team Snowden camp. A few trials suggest this bay is worth following.

NORTHERN SOLSTICE: Import now trained by Gai Waterhouse. Stron- looking individual and, after winning in France, should soon open Aussie account.

ROCKY STURDY: Joe Pride’s chunky fellow was out for a stroll when unplaced in his recent Warwick Farm hitout.

ROMANTIC TIME: Fastnet Rock filly from Chris Waller stable. Looked good at only run and that was confirmed in her trial placing early this month.

VASHKA: Rocketed through the ranks during his last preparation and a soft trial suggests he could win a decent race now. Member of the John O’Shea – Godolphin juggernaut.

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45 Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

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46

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Nepean News 19 March 2015 Issue 145

REPEAT SETS WITH STEW MOSES

@THERIFFMARN

Panthers on top after back-to-back wins PENRITH’S opening round wins reaffirms the growing belief among its fan base that maybe this is the year of the Panther. Sure it’s only two rounds in but the Panthers so far (apart from a frenetic 12 minute period of footy that saw the Bulldogs score 18 points) have not conceded a point in 148 minutes of footy while scoring 64.

Round 1 saw a mouth-watering replay of the 2014 preliminary final against the Bulldogs at Pepper Stadium in an early test of both teams’ premiership credentials. Despite the heat nearly 19,000 fans responded magnificently helping Penrith achieve its best opening round home crowd since 2004 despite the lure of live freeto-air coverage and a televised Cricket World Cup game involving Australia at a sold-out SCG. Penrith’s 24-18 win through tries to Dallin Watene-Zelezniak (2), Jennings (on debut) and Segeyaro and four Soward goals, was built on forcing uncharacteristic errors before the Penrith’s agile forwards ran the big Bulldogs pack ragged through plenty of

offloads that promoted some fantastic second phase play. Reigning Dally M Hooker of the Year, James Segeyaro was best on-ground with eight runs, 101 metres, 7 tackle breaks, 2 line breaks, 4 offloads, 1 try and 25 tackles.

Apart from George Jennings scoring

on debut (as did Michael on debut in 2007 for Penrith v Canterbury), prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard also debuted and did not disappoint.

Round 2 saw the Panthers return to Carrington Park for the first time since last year’s horror loss to Cronulla that

ON THE MAT THE 2015 Nepean District State Senior Paris Championships quarter finals were won by Les Hickey and Ron Pittaway from Penrith, defeating Michael Galli and Brian Crean from Lawson 25 to 21, Wayne Cox and Patrick Kirkman from Blacktown Workers defeating John Burke and victor Emmanuelle from Glenbrook Panthers 17 to 15.

Jeff Wisemans and John Davis from St Marys RSL d Steve Munce and Jeff MacDonald from Blacktown Workers 30 to 16 and Gary Morehead and Jim Lord from Wallacia d Ron Kennewell and Ken Platt from Blacktown Workers 26 to 10.

In the first semi-final Wayne Cox and Patrick Kirkman edged out Les Hickey and Ron Pittaway 21 to 20 and in the second semi-final, Wisemans and Davis thrashed Morehead and Lord 25 to 8.

The final was won by Jeff and John Davis 23 to 15.

STANDINGS in 2015 Nepean Districts Pennants after round 2 are as follows.

Grade 1 – Wallacia 6, Blacktown Workers 4, Austral 4, Penrith 2, Blacktown City 2, Glenbrook

Panthers 0.

Grade 2 – Springwood 6, Blacktown Workers 4, Austral 4, St Marys RSL 2, Penrith 2, Wallacia 0.

Grade 3 – Windsor 6, St Marys RSL 4, Glenbrook Panthers 4, Penrith 2, Springwood 2, Kingswood 0.

Grade 4 – Springwood 6, Blacktown Workers 4, Blacktown City 4, Penrith 2, Pitt Town 2, St Marys RSL 0.

Grade 5.1 – Penrith 4, Glenbrook Panthers 3, Lawson 3, Kingswood 2, St Marys RSL 0.

Grade 5.2 – Windsor 4, Austral 4, Blacktown Workers 4, Blacktown City 4, Richmond 2, Wisemans Ferry 0.

Grade 6.1 – Glenbrook Panthers 6, Kingswood 4, Penrith 4, Hazelbrook 4, Wallacia 0, St Marys RSL 0.

Grade 6.2 – Windsor 6, Blacktown City 4, Glenbrook Panthers 4, Blacktown Workers 2, Austral 2, Richmond 0.

Grade 7.1 – Glenbrook Panthers 6, Windsor 4, Kingswood 4, Austral 2, Blacktown Workers 2, Richmond 0.

Grade 7.2 – Lawson 6, Hazelbrook 6, Kingswood 2, Springwood 2, Penrith 2, Glenbrook Panthers 0.

compounded with the loss of skipper Peter Wallace. On yet another warm March afternoon in Bathurst and given the Titans’ on-going issues it wasn’t surprising to see just 6,240 fans turn out to see Penrith overcome a sluggish start punctuated by errors and penalties to run out convincing 40-0 winners, their first shut-out win at “home” since 1999.

Penrith led 8-0 at half-time courtesy of tries to Idris and Whare but with the Titans afternoon going from bad to worse in the second half, the Panthers clicked into gear scoring six unanswered tries to run out easy winners. Idris completed his hat-trick, Whare scored his second, while Sika Manu, George Jennings (his 2nd try in consecutive weeks since making debut) and Bryce Cartwright each scored a try while Moylan kicked four goals. Matt Moylan did his state-oforigin ambitions no harm with a manof-the-match performance yielded from three try assists, three line break assists, two offloads, one line break and 166 metres from 16 runs.

With Col Crossingham

SENIOR players (over 60) from all over Zone 5 converged on Lithgow City Bowling Club in the Blue Mountains on Tuesday 10th and Wednesday 11th March for the Zone 2015 Senior Inter District Sides Championships.

They travelled from as far South as Bargo and from out West at Grenfell in an attempt to be picked in the Zone side to play against all of the 15 other Zones in NSW at Harbord BC in May. In the 1st round Central Mountains ‘A’ defeated Nepean by 15 shots, Southern Tablelands d Lachlan Valley by 17 shots and Western Districts d Central Mountains ‘B’ by 16 shots.

In the 2nd round Central Mountains ‘A’ defeated Central Mountains ‘B’ by a massive 39 shots and Nepean defeated Lachlan Valley by 3 shots.

In the last game of the first day, Central Mountains ‘A’ defeated Southern Tablelands by 4 shots, Nepean d Central Mountains ‘B’ by 8 shots and Western Districts d Lachlan Valley by 1 shot.

At the end of the first day Central Mountains ‘A’ led the field with 14 points followed closely by Western Districts with 13 points.

On Wednesday morning the players were greeted by a bit of Lithgow fog, but not enough to deter them from getting out on the green once again.

In the 4th round Central Mountains ‘A’ d Lachlan Valley by 1 shot, Western Districts d Nepean by 2 shots and Southern Tablelands defedated Central Mountains ‘B’ by 14 shots.

Starting the 5th and last round there was one point between Central Mountains ‘A’ on 18 points and Western Districts on 17 points and they had to play each other.

A very hard fought game which came down to the last couple of bowls with Central Mountains ‘A’ winning the game by the lone shot and taking the title for 2015.

Following the championships the Zone selectors met and picked the 12 man team to represent Zone 5 at the Bowls NSW Senior Inter Zone Sides Championships to be played at Harbord Bowling Club on May 19-21.

Nepean District have three bowlers selected - Ian Sullivan from Springwood, Ross Antram from St Marys RSL and Jim Lord from Wallacia.

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Thursday, 19 March 2015

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HARPO’S MARKS

A COUPLE of y years back I had A B S O L U T E LY nothing else to do one Sunday afternoon so I got myself along to North Richmond to have a look at an A Grade game of rugby league between Riverstone and Hawkesbury City.

I knew both sides were playing in the Penrith District Junior Rugby League second or third division so I wasn’t expecting the game to be of a high calibre.

But I nearly dropped my Nellie Bligh and Terry Dear when the visiting Rivo outfit ran onto the paddock.

“They must have gone around the early openers to find this lot,” I thought.

But then the local side made its way out of the sheds.

Well, that lot must have got the arvo off from the local old folks homes!

I watched the, well, let’s call it action, until half-time and then headed home to watch the grass grow, paint dry and listen to a speech by Boring Bernie Fraser.

Just typing Bernie’s name makes

me.. …want to.. .Zzzzzz.

Oh, where was I? So sad to see the standard of rugby league deteriorate so much in that neck of the woods!

I played my junior and senior footy with Riverstone throughout the sixties and the local derbies between the Butchers, Windsor and Richmond always played to packed houses.

All three sides were chockfull of talented footballers and the clubs were invariably premiership winners or perennial semi-finalists in what was then a very powerful PDJRL A Grade competition.

Players who strutted their talents included Greg Martin (no relation), Maurie Smith, Alan and Colin Watton, Bob Monaghan, Keith Sutherland, Billy Nobbs, Gary Medina, Rod Payne, Con Couttis, the Moffatt boys, Lou Tompkins Johnny Peters, Charlie Gal and Nicky Saad.

Nicky Saad! He thought “pass” was when you pitched up to a sheila and he didn’t know a sidestep from a side show! But boy, could he run and tackle hard.

Whenever the sides met each other

at Basil Andrews Oval, McQuade Park or Richmond Park, the games normally attracted around 3000 footy fans.

Anyways patient readers, big Aly Watton, Nicky Saad, Paul Wayling and I have organised a reunion at Pitt Town Sports Club on April 11 for players from the triumvirate of clubs who played A Grade in the sixties or early 70s.

No doubt as the afternoon progresses there will be more porkies (told) than you would find at a piggery!

Those 26 tries I made in 1969 will end up around the 40 mark when we decide to calls stumps.

Yes, I tried 26 times to put the ball over the white line!!

I reckon all of us old footballers are counting sleeps until we catch up with old footy friends and foes!

HIGH MARKS: Eagerly anticipating socialising with my Nepean News colleagues at the Mark Geyer-Matty Johns lunch at the Pioneer Tavern tomorrow.

LOW MARKS: Is that Cricket World Cup still going? Excites me as much as the prospect of developing haemorrhoids!