Nepeannews 1february2018

free Thursday, 1 February 2018

ISSUE 219

Your Local Knockdown Rebuild Specialist

w w w. z a c h o m e s . c o m . a u

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e n r i t h students aged between 15 and 19 have the opportunity to travel to Penrith’s sister city Fujieda and live with a Japanese family for three weeks.

They will experience Japanese culture, learn about the Japanese way of life and share their Australia with a Japanese student in return.

In conjunction with Penrith Council, the Penrith International Friendship Committee Students participating in Penrith’s Student Exchange. has been successfully running this annual Canberra. They also visit the school of their host exchange program for 30 years and has facilitated brother/sister for a few days. the exchange of over 240 students from Australia An information session will be held on and Japan.

Wednesday 21 March from 7pm at the Penrith Past students report that the exchange was a life Civic Centre. Contact Stephanie Loobeek Wood changing experience and they have made strong 4732 8258, stephanie.wood@penrith.city if you friendships that continue long after the exchange. would like further information.

When in Japan, students will attend school with Applications: Applicants must live and/or go their host, travel to shrines and temples and go on to school in Penrith. Forms can be mailed out or an excursion to Hiroshima. downloaded from the webpage: www.penrithcity.

When the Japanese students are in Penrith, nsw.gov.au/Student-Exchange. Applications close the Penrith International Friendship Committee 4pm Friday 20 April 2018. arrange an exciting itinerary that takes students Approximate cost: $2,500 to many interesting places in Penrith, Sydney and

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Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

Annual student exchange

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Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

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From the Editor’s Desk

A Valentine’s Day poem

By KeRRIE DAVIES

I was searching for my valentine And decided to make a list A man who’ll love me madly My charms he wont resist

As I looked through my list Realisation dawned like day These things that I expected Meant my perfect man was gay

He’ll love me more than football He’ll love me more than beer He’ll love to take me shopping My feelings he’ll love to hear

The perfect man from my list Will be my greatest friend But the man I give my heart to Will love me til the end

He’ll love my girlie movies We’ll gossip about the stars We’ll sit and paint my toenails Talking fashion, and not cars

When it comes to my valentine I’ll throw away this list I’ll accept that we’ll have differences Unconditional love will then exist

And when I buy him jewellery He’ll wear it all with pride And when I want to have “a talk” He’ll stay - not run and hide

Happy Valentine’s Day!

He’ll want to sit and cuddle And always hold my hand And when I get pre menstrual He’ll always understand And when I look my worst He’ll see Marylin Monroe We’ll share tips on how to look our best Wherever we may go

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MPs in tug of war of school funding

By Keegan Thomson

A

S thousands of local students return to studies this week a schoolyard fight has broken out between Lindsay MP, Emma Husar and the Minister for Education, Simon Birmingham after Labor claimed public schools in Lindsay will be $21 million worse off under a Turnbull Government.

Ms Husar says figures released by the Parliamentary Budget Office suggest every public school in Lindsay would be worse off but Mr Birmingham says Labor are telling porky pies.

“This has to be the worst back-toschool present ever,” Ms Husar said.

“A $21 million funding cut is just a slap in the face to every family who has a child attending a public school in our area.”

The Minister for Education has fired back at Ms Husar, saying the federal government is boosting funding for NSW government schools from $2.2 billion in 2017, to $2.39 billion in 2018 and $2.52 billion in 2019.

“There are no cuts,” Mr Birmingham told Nepean News.

“The simple fact is funding for Lindsay Government schools grows by around $11 million between now and 2021.

“Our needs-based funding plan

has been endorsed by everyone from David Gonski himself through to a former head of the Education Union and the independent Grattan Institute,” he said.

Currently the federal government is rolling out their Quality Schools Program, which sees an ongoing investment of $249.8 billion across the country in public schools across the next 10 years. Despite this Ms Husar says the government is only playing with smoke and mirrors.

“The government claims it is increasing spending on schools but they’re using Tony Abbott’s 2014 budget where he announced a $30 billion cut, as a baseline,” Ms Husar said.

“The PBO figures show that schools in this state are losing $856 million over the next two years alone,” Ms Husar said.

“That’s the equivalent of sacking 8,890 teachers – or 3 teachers from every school in NSW. And nationally, more than 80% of the cuts fall on public schools.”

Mr Birmingham says this is not true and Ms Husar needs to set a better example for the students of Lindsay.

“Ms Husar is setting a terrible example for students by lying about cuts when in reality funding is growing. Labor pretend that there’s a magic money tree at the bottom of the garden rather than acknowledging that growth in funding also has to be

affordable,” Mr Birmingham said.

“We’re delivering 5.8 per cent average annual growth for NSW government students over the next four years and 4.1 per cent for Catholic students. That’s real growth above inflation and it will ensure every NSW student has the resources they need to succeed,” he said.

In 2017 Ms Husar says she visited nearly every school in the electorate and says there needs to be more funding for students.

“More money means more teachers and more individual attention for every student,” Ms Husar said.

“A great education is a ticket to a lifetime of opportunity. It’s a ticket every child deserves.”

local news

SOLD BY 9834 1044 NEPEAN DISTRICT

Stuart Ayres MP Member for Penrith

Henry Sport GM, Sharon Tassell with her tats. Photo: Supplied.

ACROSS Australia Day the team at Henry Sports Club did something a little quirky for charity.

Henry Sports GM, Sharon Tassell put her body on the line for the Kids with Cancer Foundation when she decided to donate $1 for every temporary tattoo she was tattooed with.

Ms Tassell said it was a fun way to raise some much needed funds for sick kids.

“We thought that in line with Australia Day we would find some fun way to raise much needed funds for charity,” Ms Tassell said.

“Doing the tattoo thing was a harmless and quirky way we could help out.”

In line with the festivities of Australia Day the tatts were all mainly large Australian flags.

One of the most conspicuous tattoos was a giant tatt which covered her mouth. She had them all over her legs, across her arms and plastered on her forehead as well.

After doing a whip around of all our members, and proceeds from the tattoos, the Club raised $1000 for the Kids with Cancer Foundation.

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

Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

Tattooing the boss

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AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS

By Keegan Thomson

T

HE PENRITH Citizen of the Year for 2018 has been announced as the Queen of Hearts herself, Michele Ellery.

Ms Ellery is the founder and CEO of the Penrith based Queen of Hearts Community Foundation, an organisation that was set up to help victims of child sexual abuse and women who’ve faced family abuse at home.

Ms Ellery, the mother of three girls, is thrilled and humbled by her award and says this is such a wonderful opportunity for her and her charity work.

“It is so wonderful to be recognised by the people of Penrith for such an award,” Ms Ellery said.

“This gives me the feeling that what I’m doing at the Queen of Hearts is valued across the community. It is very gratifying and I’m very grateful for this response.”

Being such a positive and open hearted person, Ms Ellery is already thinking about the ways her new position in Penrith can not only benefit the Queen of Hearts but also the greater community.

“It will give not only the Queen of Hearts a platform to speak up, but it will also highlight Penrith and the great work that is going on here in the charity space,” Ms Ellery said.

Using her new 12 month position, Ms Ellery said she will help highlight the things that make Penrith such a wonderful city and will help shine a light on the best aspects of the community.

“Working with the brave and resilient people at the Queen of Hearts has shown me that Penrith is more than simple statistics,” Ms Ellery said.

“We have a strong community with so many stories. Stories filled with hope and happiness. I want to help shine a light on these stories and expel some of the stereotypes and stigmas that exist around western Sydney.

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“We have a vibrant community and we should celebrate the fact that we live in Penrith because I’m proud when I tell people I come from Penrith,” she said.

With her new role as Citizen of the Year, Ms Ellery wants to explore ways we can combat youth unemployed, mental health and underemployment across the region.

“I would like to advocate and speak out about everything else that is going on in Penrith as well,” Ms Ellery said.

“With great privilege comes great responsibility, and I need to be aware of that and respect that, so I want to learn about the other issues facing Penrith.”

Campaigning on the side of domestic abuse survivors and the victims of child sexual abuse, Ms Ellery wants to use her position as Citizen of the Year to further her work at Queen of Hearts as well as learn more about the issues facing the people of Penrith.

“There are so many great things about this city we live in and being named Penrith Citizen of the Year means I can use my title to learn and get to know so much more about the things that make Penrith tick,” Ms Ellery said.

The Queen of Hearts Community Foundation was established in 2014 after Ms Ellery was inspired by her

own personal family struggles. Since then she has been one of Penrith’s leading voices in specialised trauma counselling.

She says her journey with the Queen of Hearts is an ongoing one that will always keep changing with the new challenges that are thrown at her.

“I started this after a journey that my family and my kids went on,” Ms Ellery said.

“The journey alerted me to the bigger picture at play about what people are going through when they’re faced with the things I want to stamp out.”

Ms Ellery’s work in the community is far reaching across western Sydney.

Last year the Queen of Hearts worked with Western Sydney University to create an anti-bully and anti-abuse program for school children. Her work has delivered rescue packages of clothes and toiletries to more than 350 local families and women in need.

It is clear her award is simply the tip of the iceberg and it can be said that you’ll see a lot more of Ms Ellery in 2018 as she campaigns across the city.

Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

Queen of Hearts named Citizen of the Year

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Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

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AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS

Local champions honoured by

By Keegan Thomson

L

O C A L champions, community groups and charity organisations have been given top appreciation awards from Penrith Council as a part of their annual Australia Day celebrations.

Penrith Council described these organisations and individuals as people who work “tirelessly for the local community”.

The North St Marys Matters project The team behind the North St Marys Matters project was given a Penrith Community Group award for their hard work in promoting the neighbourhood of North St Marys.

Local residents began holding monthly community meetings over 12 months ago and now meet regularly with local organisations and Council staff to discuss the priorities and ideas they have to build a brighter future for their community.

Team Colyton Team Colyton is a group of Colyton residents who work together to improve the neighbourhood they live in. Their aims are simple, promote and

make Colyton a better place for people.

Since August 2015, residents in Team Colyton have been working together to deliver this vision on a voluntary basis.

The group has planned and delivered a significant number of projects, actions, and events aimed at making Colyton

a better place for everyone. Each resident’s passion for and commitment to their neighbourhood is remarkable.

OZWAC OZWAC was given a Penrith Community Organisation Award for the ground breaking medical research

they undertake. The foundation was established in Penrith in 1992, to provide research grants for local doctors, nurses, scientists and researchers at Nepean Hospital in the area of women and children’s health, and in particular the health of

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AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS premature babies.

They have provided specialised ultrasound equipment that has assisted in cutting edge research and improved access for physicians. They have also funded a blood gas machine for Nepean Hospital, that is used for every new born.

Nicole Bridges Nicole Bridges was given a local appreciation award from Council for her inspiring volunteer work with the Australian Breastfeeding Association (ABA).

Ms Bridges has worked for the ABA for over 15 years and has held a number of positions including local group leader, NSW PR Officer and is now ACT/NSW brand president, all while juggling being a mum to three beautiful children.

She has also spent over a decade working as a qualified volunteer breastfeeding counsellor on the 24/7 hotline mum2mum. Her work for others has been tireless, and her help to local families has been invaluable.

David Hancock David Hancock received a local appreciation award for his “generous, flexible and committed” volunteer work with Nepean Food Services.

Mr Hancock assists by delivering

meals to seniors in their homes on a regular basis and often saves the day by completing extra deliveries at late notice.

He is also a valuable team member in the packing and distribution of meals, and always completes his duties with a positive attitude and enthusiasm.

David creates a positive atmosphere and is an asset to the Nepean Food

Services and his community.

Myra Rodgers Myra Rodgers was given a local appreciation award is a reliable and dedicated volunteer for Nepean Food Services’ hot run service.

According to Council, Ms Rodgers delivers meals and stays to heat the meal and help the person begin eating.

“This is often invaluable as many

people who use the service need extra assistance to remember to eat their lunch or require additional support measures to ensure they can eat safely and with comfort,” Council says.

The hot run service also offers people the opportunity to share any general concerns they have and Myra always provides support in a caring and professional way. Ms Rodgers is the go to person, often stepping in at the last minute to help, and providing quality support to everyone she meets.

Jim Riley Jim Riley was awarded a local appreciation award for his service to the Nepean Food Services as well.

Council says he gives up more than 20 hours each week to volunteer in a jack-of-all-trades type job. His patience and relaxed manner are integral to the way he supports other volunteers in the delivery of these vital services. Mr Riley is often seen packing meals and steps in to deliver them when needed, Council said.

He goes above and beyond, providing additional service to those with special requirements, and always with a smile.

Nepean News would like to congratulate all the winners of the 2018 Penrith Australia Day awards.

Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

Penrith Australia Day nods

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Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

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AUSTRALIA DAY HONOURS Congratulations to our local OAM recipients

By KeRRIE DAVIES

T

HE Australia Day honours announcement of the Medal (OAM) of the Order of Australia in the general division has included four local and very deserving recipients.

Mr John Gerard BATEMAN, Penrith NSW 2750 For service to local government, and to the community of Nepean. Service includes: Local Government: Penrith City Council: Mayor, 1998-1999 and 1999-2000.

Deputy Mayor, 1997-1998. Councillor, 1995-2004. Community: Executive Member, Nepean Medical Research Fund (formerly Foundation), 20012004 and Vice President 2003 2012. Board Member, Penrith Valley Economic Development Corporation, 2002-2008 and Deputy Chairman, 2002-2006 and Chairman, 2006-2008.

Founder and Executive Member, Penrith Valley Sports Foundation, 2000-2012. Board Member, Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre, 1999-2004. Board Member, Penrith Rugby League and Football Clubs, 1995-2002. Member, Advisory Board, Western Sydney Academy of Sport, 1998-2002. Board member, Penrith Rugby Club, 2000-2002. Founder,

Nepean Philanthropists.

Patron, Nepean District Historical Society.

Former Patron, Red Cross Calling.

Former Patron, Penrith Police and Citizens Youth Club (PCYC) and Foundation for Creative Enterprise.

Former President and Secretary, Nepean Hawkesbury Regional Law Society. Former Secretary, Penrith Legal Aid Advisory Committee.

Honorary Solicitor for: NSW Little Athletics Association. Penrith Netball Association. Nepean District Historical Society. Penrith Touch Football Association.

Penrith Disabilities Resource Centre.

Mr Neville Kenneth BARNIER, Penrith NSW 2750 For service to people with a disability, and to the community of Penrith. Service includes: Australian Foundation for Disability (AFFORD) (provides a range of support services for people with disabilities): Chairman, since 2014. Deputy Chairman, 20062014. Member and Director, since 1983. President, City of Penrith SubBranch, Returned and Services League of Australia, 2012-2014 and Honorary Treasurer, 2004-2012. Penrith RSL Club: Chairman, 2009-2016. Deputy Chair, 2008-2009. Treasurer, 20042008. Director, 2004-2016. Life Member, 2017. Inaugural Chairman, Homes for Heroes (Western Region)

St Marys Veteran Ted Fish

Fundraising Committee, RSL and Services Clubs Association, current and Director, Veterans Benevolent Fund, current. Member, Rotary Club of Nepean, since 2000 and Paul Harris Fellow, since 2012. Life Member, Penrith Apex Club, 1983. Awards and recognition includes: Recipient, Citizen of the Year, Penrith City Council, 2004.

Mr Barry Ernest JONES, Minchinbury NSW 2770 For service to rugby league, and to youth. Service includes: Penrith and District Junior Rugby League Club: Member, Crowd and Ground Committee, and Junior League Advisory Committee, current.

Past Vice President. Minchinbury Jets Junior Rugby League Club: President, 2012-2014. Venue Manager

and Committee Member, since 2015.

Development and Welfare Officer, 2011. Secretary, 1996-2010. Founding Member, Coach and Trainer, since 1995.

Life Member, 2005. Inaugural Chair, Minchinbury Jets Supporters’ Club, since 2016. Secretary, Minchinbury Little Athletics, 1995-2000. Secretary, Coach, Blacktown Spurs Soccer Club, circa 1982-1984. Secretary, Liverpool Tenpin Bowling Club, for 5 years. President, Minchinbury Parks Committee, Blacktown City Council, current. Past Volunteer, Minchinbury Public School.

Mr Albert Edward FISH, Erskine Park NSW 2759 For service to veterans and their families. Service includes: Returned and Services League of Australia: Honorary Treasurer, St Mary’s Sub-Branch, since 2004.

Trustee, since 2003. Secretary, 1 year.

Vice-President, 1 year. Life Member, 2015 Treasurer, RSL Youth Club, current. Volunteer, Governor King Day Club, current. St Mary’s RSL Women’s Auxiliary: Auditor, Financial Advisor, Minutes Secretary and casual bus driver, current. Member, since 1997.

Treasurer, St Mary’s Outpost, Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, current. Worshipful Master, Burwood Masonic Lodge, for many years and Board Member, for many years.

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By Keegan Thomson

V

ULNERABLE western Sydney children aged between six months and five years will be given free influenza vaccinations from the NSW government in an attempt to curb the number of kids struck down by the annual flu season.

Last year more than 12,000 children reported confirmed cases of the deadly strain of the flu in NSW, which claimed the lives of nearly 750 people across the country. $3.5 million will be invested in the vaccination program, following last year’s severe flu season, which will include free vaccines for the elderly and people with chronic health conditions.

Mulgoa MP and the Minister for Mental Health, Women, and Ageing, Tanya Davies said local families will be able to tackle the 2018 flu season with confidence after they receive their vaccines.

“Last year our community, like many in NSW, was hit hard by the flu season,” Mrs Davies said.

“Today’s announcement means more than 400,000 children across the state are eligible to receive better protection not only for them, but also for their

families and the wider community.”

School children, particularly young children, are most susceptible to the flu so the vaccines will help curb the numbers of sick children being admitted to hospitals and GPs across the flu season.

“Little kids are also most likely to spread the flu so a free flu jab will not only keep them safe, but will protect

others they come into contact with,” Mrs Davies said.

“We all know how horrendous the flu can be and this is especially hard on the smallest members of our families.”

Minister for Health Brad Hazzard said NSW childhood vaccination rates had increased by 6.3 per cent since 2010, to 93.9 per cent in 2017. With this new program the vaccination rates

will surely rise in 2018.

“We already have the some of the best childhood vaccination rates in the country and this free flu jab will go even further to protect our little ones from potentially deadly flu infections,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Infants and young children are most likely to spread the flu and suffer complications – not only will the free flu jab help keep them safe during winter, but it will also protect their family and friends.”

Families are being told about the specifics of the vaccinations, with children who have never had a flu vaccination needing two doses, one month apart. The 2018 flu jabs will cover four strains of influenza virus, two A strains and two B strains, which are likely to be circulating this winter.

Currently the same strain of flu that devastated Australia in 2017, dubbed the “Aussie Flu”, is killing hundreds of people in the US and UK. Some British newspaper are reporting 100,000 confirmed cases of the serious disease.

In Australia, last year’s flu season was the most severe in NSW since the 2009 pandemic.

The federal government currently provides free flu vaccinations to Aboriginal children, those with chronic illnesses and people aged over 65.

Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

Babies and kids to get free flu jabs

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local news

Health warning for western Sydney swimmers

By Keegan Thomson

W

ES T E R N S y d n e y Local Health District (WSLHD) is reminding the public to avoid swimming if they have experienced diarrhoea in the last two weeks, to avoid contaminating pools with cryptosporidiosis.

Since December 1 2017, there have been nine cases of the infection recorded in western Sydney, and many have been linked to swimming pools.

Cryptosporidiosis is caused by a parasitic infection of the intestine and is easily spread from person to person in swimming pools, splash parks, interactive fountains, spas or jacuzzis.

It can also be spread via drinking contaminated water or handling infected animals, but this is less common.

The most common symptoms of cryptosporidiosis include diarrhoea, stomach cramps and sometimes fever, nausea and vomiting.

WSLHD Public Health Unit director Dr Shopna Bag said people need to be vigilant.

“The infection can be spread for several weeks after diarrhoea stops,”

said Dr Bag. “If a swimmer swallows even a small amount of pool water after a contaminated person has been in the water, they can get infected.

“They will start experiencing diarrhoea a few days later. There is no specific treatment for the condition and symptoms may last a few weeks in some people.”

Only a very small proportion of people are ever diagnosed with cryptosporidiosis, as diagnosis requires a stool test through a doctor.

NSW Health recommends everyone, including parents of young

children, do the following to avoid contamination of pools and splash parks: Do not swim, or allow children with diarrhoea to swim, in a pool for at least two weeks after diarrhoea resolves Take children on bathroom breaks often Ensure children who are not toilettrained wear waterproof tight-fitting pants Change nappies in a bathroom and not at the poolside as germs can spread to surfaces Wash children (especially on the

bottom) with soap and water before swimming Wash hands with soap and water after changing a child’s nappy.

Under amendments made to the Public Health Act last year, the maintenance requirements for swimming pools now include splash parks and interactive fountains, to help reduce the risk of cryptosporidiosis outbreaks.

For resources and further information, pool operators should go to: http://www.health.nsw.gov. au/environment/publicpools/Pages/ default.aspx.

Dental disease in pets

Does your pet have bad breath? A staggering 70% of pets suffer from some form of dental disease. It is one of the most common diseases that we see in animals. Any dog or cat can be affected but dental disease is more common in smaller breed dogs with small faces such as Cavaliers, Poodles and Shi Tzus.

When food particles and bacteria are allowed to accumulate in the mouth, it can form plaque.

When plaque combines with saliva, it forms a hard substance called calculus. This causes gum irritation and inflammation which is known as gingivitis.

After a period of time, the calculus builds up under the gum line and separates it from the teeth – at this point in time, this is irreversible disease of the teeth and will lead to bone loss and formation of pus between the gum and teeth. Advanced periodontal disease can be very painful for your pet and often the best course of treatment is surgically removing the teeth.

Periodontal disease is best prevented and there

are several things that you can do to make sure your dog or cat has a clean and pain free mouth. The best thing you can do is brush your pets teeth daily but many animals will not tolerate this.

There are commerically available diets such as the Hills Science Diet T/D which will reverse the build up of mild calculus and prevent future build up. Also providing your pets with chewable treats such as dentastix and greenies are great for reducing plaque build up. Minimising wet food is also great as wet food tends to cling to the teeth and cause a build up of bacteria. Bones are best avoided as they

can fracture teeth and cause gastro intestinal upsets and constipation.

Just like we go to the dentist and have our teeth scaled and polished, we can also do this for your pet. Depending on the severity of your pets dental disease, they may benefit from a thorough clean under anaesthetic. Scaling and polishing the teeth will reverse the early stages of gingivitis and cure bad breath!

February is dental month. Phone us on 4731 3055 to organise your pet’s free dental check and discuss our special dental packages.

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local news

By Keegan Thomson

P

ENRITH will be one of four metropolitan NSW cities to host the Queen’s Baton Relay as it makes its way around the country en route to the Gold Coast for the opening of the XXI Commonwealth Games.

The baton will start its journey in Penrith on Sunday February 4, Day 41 of the 388 day relay around the world.

Mayor of Penrith, Councillor John Thain said the Baton’s journey through Penrith is an endorsement of the city’s ability to attract and host world class events.

“Penrith continues to be a destination of choice for major events, the Queen’s Baton Relay is yet another example of that,” Cr Thain said.

“The baton will only make four appearances in Sydney and it’s fitting that Penrith hosts the baton, as it commences its path across Sydney.

“Events like Queen’s Baton Relay give residents the opportunity to experience world-class events right here in Penrith along with providing our city with national and international exposure.”

Travelling a staggering 230,000km around the globe, the Queen’s Baton

Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

Queen’s Baton Relay comes to Penrith

13

Former Olympian Ian Thorpe carries the Baton.

Photo: Supplied.

Relay started the journey in early 2017 at Buckingham Palace and is the equivalent of the Olympic Games flame and torch relay.

While in Australia the Baton will be carried by 3,800 people, with 18 of those heralding from the Nepean region.

Baton bearers who will be taking the Baton across Penrith include former Penrith Young Citizen of the Year Mitchell Beggs-Mowczan, local disability advocate Ben Felton, former Olympian and Commonwealth Games bronze medalist Cheryl Webb.

Former politician Peter Anderson

will also be a Baton bearer, taking the Baton across a section of the city, and he says it is a privilege to be taking part.

“I’m really pleased that I was invited to be a part of it,” Mr Anderson says.

“The Commonwealth games is always something I’ve followed since I was a young boy, back when they were called the Empire Games.

“We had the Olympic Torch in 2000 and now it’s really great to have the Baton coming in 2018,” he said.

On the morning of February 4, the Baton Relay will start at Tench Reserve at approximately 10am to make its way

along Tench Avenue and Jamison Road to Jamison Park for an offical 11am arrival ceremony.

Spectator seating and special viewing areas will be set up along Jamison Road and around Jamison Park.

Penrith Council is warning locals of road closures on the day of the Queen’s Baton Relay through Penrith.

“Due to the nature of the relay moving through Penrith, there will be some disruptions to the flow of traffic along Tench Avenue, Jamison and York Roads particularly as the convoy crosses through major intersections,” Council says.

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Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

14

local news

Council catch up with Keegan Thomson

C

OUNCILLOR Kevin Crameri is a man with a passion for the community. Entering his 30th year as a Councillor on Penrith Council, Cr Crameri shows no sign of slowing down his fight for the people of Penrith.

The 71 year old first entered politics in 1974 and has been an intermittent member of the Penrith Council since then. He has served the city as Mayor three times, originally in 1996 to 1997 and then again in 2009 to 2010 and 2010 to 2011. For the majority of his time on Council he has been one of the leading independent voices of the region after he resigned from the Liberal party in the mid 1970s.

Holding the record for the longest serving Councillor on Penrith Council, reflecting back across his time, Cr Crameri says the current make up of Council is making it more and more difficult for independent voices, like his own, to be heard.

“This Council is the worst Council I’ve ever had to deal with,” Cr Crameri said.

“Labor and Liberals have joined together to thwart anything I bring up.”

Currently the Council has 12 out of 15 Councillors who are aligned with either the Labor Party or the Liberal Party. Some say, including Cr Crameri claim there has been a “coalition” formed between Labor and Liberal in Penrith Council.

This same “coalition” has been blamed for the lack of Council infighting and the willingness to get on with the job at hand but Cr Crameri says he wishes that everyone would put party politics behind them and focus on what matters most, the community.

“We should all be working for the benefit of Penrith and not for a political party. A Council shouldn’t exclude anyone and their ideas,” Cr Crameri said.

One of the biggest issues Cr Crameri has been fighting against is the western Sydney airport at Badgerys Creek. It is an issue he has been fighting against for 30 years and will continue fighting it even though the Council seems in favour of it.

Cr Crameri says too many questions remain up in the air.

“The Council is not taking into consideration the air pollution we are going to have here in Penrith when the airport opens,” Cr Crameri said.

“We are going to have more pollution over Penrith than alongside some of Sydney’s busiest roads. It is going to be absolutely phenomenal.

“Currently we don’t know how the fuel will get there, and currently it looks like it will be taken to the airport by diesel truck, which will only create more pollution and choke the skies over Penrith further,” he said.

Although he says Council doesn’t always listen to him, Cr Crameri is preparing a number of issues to take to Council on behalf of the people.

“This year you will find I will be a lot more vocal than I’ve been previously,” Cr Crameri said.

“One new issue on my radar is that the hydrotherapy pool at Lemongrove is being shut down and the 500 people who use it are being told to go elsewhere. All this happened without any discussion with the Council.”

Despite sitting on Council for 30 years, Cr Crameri revealed this could be his last term on Council. He contemplated not nominating for the 2016 election but was convinced to run due to the public support.

“I am getting a bit old but I really feel that the community deserves to be heard on all their issues,” Cr Crameri said.

“People don’t come to me with stupid things, they come to me with important issues that matter to them, and I try my best to get their issues up to the Council.”

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9623 0353

local news

By Keegan Thomson

F

EDERAL MP for Lindsay, Emma Husar has opened up about her family’s close links to the deadly Granville rail disaster, which was remembered 41 years ago last week.

Speaking at a remembrance commemoration event for the 84 people who died and the 213 who were injured, Ms Husar revealed her mother was onboard the city-bound Mt Victoria train that derailed at Granville station on January 18, 1977.

At the remembrance ceremony Ms Husar told of her then pregnant mother’s “sliding doors” moment, when she chose to move from her usual seat on the first carriage to one further back on the train because her friends weren’t onboard that day.

“Her regular train buddies were absent and mum moved from her usual spot up in the front of the train to the rear carriages to sit with another group of people she sometimes travelled with,” Ms Husar said in a speech.

“When her group alighted at Parramatta she considered moving into her usual spot, back up the front.

“But the thought of moving again, the thought of standing up and walking through the carriages in her platform shoes was too much. So she stayed put,” Ms Husar said.

The decision to stay in the rear carriages was a life saving one because at 8.10 am the front carriage derailed and smashed into the supports of the Bold Street bridge, killing several people. Seconds later the middle two carriages were crushed under the

Emma Husar MP and her mother at Granville.

Photo: Facebook.

weight of the fallen Bold Street bridge, killing many more.

Ms Husar revealed she didn’t even know her

mother was onboard the train on that fateful day until a few years ago.

“For a long time, I didn’t know mum had been on the train that day,” Ms Husar said.

“Like a lot of survivors, she never spoke of it.”

Her mother’s silence on the event told Ms Husar her mother was suffering from post-traumatic stress.

“Each year, in the lead up to this anniversary, I recalled that mum would be quicker to get angry and be more frustrated, more easily,” Ms Husar said in her speech.

“It’s only now that I realise her behaviour is posttraumatic stress, which I have absolutely no doubt in my mind would have been the story for so many of you here today.

“The 18th of January is a day my mum, would have much rather forgotten. In fact, she tried in vain to do just that. Avoiding the reminders, denying the memories, blocking out the pain. That was the way of it, for so many,” she said.

Despite the need to suppress, Ms Husar said events like the remembrance ceremony are meant for talking and reflecting on trauma so people can have a space to heal.

“Today is about facing the past, respecting the lessons learned, talking about your experiences, listening to others and sharing theirs - and taking the time to grieve for and remember those beloved men and women whose names we heard earlier,” Ms Husar said.

“Today also reminds us of our love for those lost and the debt of gratitude for those who helped save lives that day. We remember and honour them, with all our heart.”

Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

Local MP’s links to train disaster

15

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Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

16

ENTERTAINMENT

Valentine’s Day: shower your honey with love!

By KeRRIE DAVIES

V

ALENTINE’S DAY is fast approaching - the most romantic day on the calendar.

Many lovers will shower each other with gifts, hopefuls will choose the day to declare love to an often unaware conquest and others will agree to tie the knot.

In a changing world where there’s some push to de-genderise just about everything, I’m going to risk all, bare my old-fashioned soul and declare that this day is one of utmost importance to the ladies!

Uber-feminists might want to hang me from my bra straps, but I’m putting it out there that in general the female species yearns for love and to be shown love.

Valentine’s Day represents a day of hope when there’s someone out there we fantasise will fall madly in love with us. Its the day of judgement for those fellas who’ve just started dating us. And for those in long-term relationships and happy marriages, it can be the day of ensuring we still feel loved. For troubled relationships, its the day of reckoning.

But for the ladies who have no current love interest, it can be Single Person Awareness Day. (SPAD) If you’re in the loved-up category, its a good idea to be mindful of the feelings of those friends in the SPAD phase, they probably don’t want to hear all about the perfect roses, perfect chocolates and perfect hand-written poems you received from your perfect boyfriend... 27 times. They’ll get it the first time you say it.

And I have some tips for the lads, too. If you want

a lady to know how you feel about her, take the punt and aim cupid’s arrow in her direction - send her some flowers! The worst that can happen is you’ll be a few bucks out of pocket, and if the same spark isn’t felt by her, at least she’ll always refer to you as “that sweet guy.”

If you’re in a new relationship and wondering if it is too soon, I have one point to make. It is NEVER too soon.

Married guys who think its all commercial BS get off the platform on this one - steal some flowers out of the nearest garden and present them to her.

Blokes who’ve not been the greatest partner

they could have been - shell out a few bucks, get a bouquet and write some nice words in a card. A bit of sly cash and ten minutes worth of effort could reverse a multitude of sins in one hit. Do it.

And even though I think Valentines Day is a special day on many a female’s calendar, there’s definitely some guys out there who rate it too. So girls, if you’re dating a SNAG, married to a romantic or not been the best partner you could have been yourself, shower your honey with love and show them what they mean to you.

Happy Valentines Day! (Hopefully my husband reads this, ps I love red roses)

CALLING ON ALL STALLHOLDERS Penrith CBD Corp is doing a jig because the Festival is back! Bigger and better than before, the CBD Festival of Green is celebrating all things Penrith.

With people from all around the local area attending, this means a fantastic awareness of our local businesses and services. The heart of our town will be filled with food and market stalls, and our infamous street parade will bring colour and excitement to the streets. We’re calling on all stallholders to bring their fantastic items and food to enhance our event.

If you are interested in applying for a stall please visit our website to download the forms: www.penrithcbdcorp.au/events, or contact our office: admin@penrithcbd.com.au Phone: 4722 5556 We are looking forward to hearing from you!

CALLING ON ALL STALLHOLDERS Penrith CBD Corp doing a jig because Festival is back! Bigger and better than before, the CBD Festival of Green is celebrating all things Penrith.

With people from all around the local area attending, this means a fantastic awareness of our local businesses and services. The heart of our town will be filled with food and market stalls, and our infamous street parade will bring colour and excitement to the streets. We’re calling on all stallholders to bring their fantastic items and food to enhance our event.

If you are interested in applying for stall please visit our website to download the forms: www.penrithcbdcorp.au/events, or contact our office: admin@penrithcbd.com.au Phone: 4722 5556 We are looking forward to hearing from you!

ENTERTAINMENT

Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

18

Seven ways to say I love you on Valentines Day they’re nagging you daily to trade the commodore for a BMW.

By KeRRIE DAVIES

S

truggling to work out the best gift to give your significant other on the 14th? We’ve prepared a list that might help you a little!

1. Flowers Although this gift is anything but unique, it is always appreciated.

Especially delivered in front of all the workmates. Gush, gush.

2. Cupcakes Ohh cutesy lovey-dovey messages seem so much less cringe-worthy when they are written on a cupcake. Perhaps that’s because you can extinguish their existence the instant you bite into them.

3. Teddy bears Nothing says “I wuv you” more than a cute fluffy bear. Unless you have been fighting lately. If that’s the case, never ever poke the bear with a teddy bear.

4. Fill the room with balloons This little plan really makes a great statement. Be careful not to crowd it with so many that you can’t make your way to each other. The sound of a busted balloon, especially in close proximity scares the crap out of people

5. Leave cute notes around This gift will cost you basically nothing and most people will adore you for putting this much thought into it. If they don’t adore you for it, get rid of them before you’re married and

6. Watch a romantic movie Nothing gets you in a romantic mood more than cuddling up to a great movie. And romantic movies don’t discriminate, there’s been a plot written for every kind of love that has ever existed.

7. Propose Now that marriage is finally open to everyone, what a great time to ask your love to tie the knot! If you are a romantic you will have just picked the ultimate day to do it. If you aren’t romantic you can insist that the wedding day is exactly in a years time and remove the risk that your new fiance might pick a date that clashes with Bathurst or the Bachelor Final. And when your wedding is on Valentine’s Day you can ruin every body else’s Valentine’s Day by making them drop their plans to focus on you!

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ENTERTAINMENT

Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

20

WORD SEARCH

MAZE

Friendship ACQUAINTANCES BOYFRIEND BUDDY CLOSENESS COMPANIONS CONFIDE

FAVOR FONDNESS FRIENDLINESS FUN GIRLFRIEND GOOD TIMES

HELP LEND LOYALTY PAL PRANKS SHARE

Secret debate

What’s better - the old days or modern times?

He Says........................... .........................She Says Ah the good old days, what a great time to live, assuming that is that you like the smell of cigarettes whilst eating in the restaurant or recovering in hospital.

Then we also had far less traffic on the road, which is just as well given we managed to put about 1200 people per annul in an early grave from motor vehicle fatalities. Did I mention the injured and disabled victims that accompanied drunk driving and no seat belts?

What else was there, ah yes we built houses for returned soldiers and poorer people from asbestos sheeting, the results of which we will bear for the next 50 years assuming asbestosis has not got you already.

But we did have 6pm closing at hotels. That meant you could swill down as many last beers as possible, before going home to abuse the missus and kids.

Speaking of wives and women in general, we kept them in their place too. Made them work during the war for little money and then sacked most at the

WIN!

finish or kept them working for far less than the male wage, after all it is a mans world isn’t it?

But we did have Australian made cars, remember them. Put together with minimum thought about comfort, safety or anything that resembled good engineering.

Mind you, good engineering required higher education and we made sure that only the elite had any access to universities, can’t have the masses getting above their station in life.

I know this is a bit tongue in cheek, but people only remember the good old times, not the bad parts that went with it. It is great to reminisce but does anyone really want to go back to iceboxes for refrigeration, black and white remoteless TVs or sitting in the old red rattlers heading to work? I doubt it.

Enjoy today, because in 20 years time you will look back and say, “gee it was good back then,” or in the words of Richard Clapton “Don’t waste time, these are the best days of our lives”.

Take me back to the good old days anytime, when people valued what little they had, worked hard to get it and raised kids to have respect.

Sure we have a lot more labour-saving things today, but what have we really achieved with all the time we have gained?

Where are all the children getting exercise and fresh air on the street or the park playing hopscotch and cricket with the neighbourhood kids?

That’s all been replaced with obesity problems and social issues from living in internet game world.

When did you last make the effort and time to sit down to dinner as a family and just talk about what happened that day?

Now it is a rush to gulp

down food and charge off to another job, a function or the computer and internet for games and chatting with people that in most cases you don’t even know.

Maybe I live In a timewarp but I can still remember the good times where we did not know as much about the world as we do today but we knew everything about our kids, family and neighbours.

I suppose I don’t really want to go back to the days of no mod-cons, but I do wish we could have brought those values we had back then into our modern world.

It would be a real shame if words like respect, discipline and consideration are words that disappear out of the modern dictionary.

Who do you agree with? Send your vote to nepeannews@aol.com for a chance to win a table for 4 at the Major Oak Theatre Restaurant including dinner and show.

WHAT’S ON 2018 FEBRUARY

the

THE JOAN SUTHERLAND PERFORMING ARTS CENTRE

PENRITH REGIONAL GALLERY & THE LEWERS BEQUEST

597 High Street, Penrith

86 River Road, Emu Plains | Open Daily 9 to 5 | Free Admission

Tapestry – The Songs of Carole King

Summer Exhibition Suite (2 Dec ‘17 – 4 March ‘18)

Friday 9 February 7.30pm A celebration of Carole Kings Masterpiece by two of Australia’s most loved vocalists, Vika Bull (of Black Sorrows fame) and queen of pop, Debra Byrne.

Tapestry was No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart for 15 weeks with over 25 million copies sold worldwide. It is considered one of the most important pop albums of the 20th century, producing the mega hits I Feel the Earth Move, You’ve Got a Friend, (You Make Me Feel Like) a Natural Woman, It’s Too Late and Will You Love Me Tomorrow.

Tickets Standard $79 |Concession $75

Secrets Through a Soundglass Sydney Art Quartet Saturday 24 February 7:30pm

Hear never before performed music that dares to be different. Featuring the Australian Art Quartet in their debut performance at The Joan and acclaimed composers Felicity Wilcox, Christina Green, Peggy Polias, Catherine Golden and Dan Thorpe.

Written for violin, viola, cello, double bass and piano, Secrets through a Soundglass takes its cues from experimental music of the 20th and 21st centuries, as researched by Sean Botha at Western Sydney University.

Tickets Standard $45 | Concession $ 30 | Under 30 and Students $20

Landing Points | Up in the Sky Photo: Cigdem Aydemir. The Ride, 2017 (detail) Proximity Festival, Perth - Courtesy of the artist On the 20th anniversary of Tracey Moffatt’s work Up in the Sky, Penrith Regional Gallery will exhibit this seminal series in Lewers House Gallery. Produced in 1997, this photographic series may be read as black and white film stills, set in an iconic outback Australian landscape.

Moffat’s landscape is peopled, with an open-ended narrative that is provocative of questions of personal, cultural and political histories, both remarkably Australian and global.

Headlining the Gallery’s Summer Exhibition Suite, in the Main Gallery, a curated exhibition Landing Points - along with commissioned essays, look to Moffatt’s work as a starting point in consideration of the last 20 years of race, place and identity in Australia.

Ten artists (established and early career) have produced new works in response to the cultural complexities layered in the Australian landscape and their relation to it across the mediums of painting, performance, photography, film, installation and blogging. The artists are: Tim Johnson, Jason Wing, Alana Hunt, Caroline Garcia, Victoria Garcia, Carla Liesch, Nicole Monks with Luke Butterfly Mark Shorter, Cigdem Aydemir, Hayley Megan French.

Term One Work shops

Ben Mccarthy: Nevermind

Saturday 17 February 7:30pm Comedy Ben McCarthy is one of Australia’s youngest standup comedians. Nevermind features everything from stories about his life as a stand-up comedian, tales of his latest tour, dark, observational and relatable humour and personal stories in well…nevermind that.

The show sees Ben up the ante as he amalgamates wit, banter, a seemingly honest and personal recital of absurd occurrences and dry sarcastic comedy.

Impossible to list every topic, expect a bunch of everyday life experiences and jokes about meeting famous people, Australian accents, handling hecklers and naturally one of the most reliable comical topics – dating lives.

TICKETS Standard $25 | Concession $18

Morning Melodies – Oh Boy! Buddy’s Back with Friends

Wednesday 28 February 11:00am Starring Paul McCann and a six-piece band A tribute to Buddy Holly and rock-n-roll legends Bill Haley, Dion, Eddie Cochrane, Ritchie Valens and the Big Bopper.

Buddy Holly and a host of rock-n-roll friends, legends in their own right, will entertain you with the sounds that stir the souls of fans everywhere. Great musical memories including Oh Boy, That’ll be the Day, Think it Over, Peggy Su, La Bamba, Chantilly Lace, The Wander, Rock Around the Clock and more!

This show ensures the music will live on.

Tickets $20 includes Morning Tea TICKETS Standard $25 | Concession $18

Mixed Media

Saturdays 10 FebRUARY - 24 March 10am-12noon | 5-9 years old | $160 Delve into our mixed media experience to unearth your creativity. Explore a variety of explorative art making techniques including painting, drawing, sculpting and printmaking.

Participants will be inspired by the Gallery’s changing exhibition program, the site, and selected contemporary artworks.

Illustration and Animation

Saturdays 10 February - 24 March 2018 10am-12noon | 8-11 years old | $160 Delve into our mixed media experience to unearth your creativity. Explore a variety of explorative art making techniques including painting, drawing, sculpting and printmaking.

Participants will be inspired by the Gallery’s changing exhibition program, the site, and selected contemporary artworks.

DRAWING SCHOOL

Wednesday 14 February - 4 April 2018 4pm-5.30pm | 8-11 years old | $180 Have fun developing your observational drawing skills whilst exploring a variety of drawing media, including graphite, charcoal, oil pastel and water colour. Workshop participants will learn an array of skills and techniques whilst developing their own creative confidence.

All skill levels welcome New art making projects each term

Bookings Essential call 02 4735 1100.

For enquiries, email gallery@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au • All skill levels welcome • New art making projects each term • All art materials supplied • Pay by credit card over the phone • Wear old clothes • Bring a snack • BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL 4735 1100 or email gallery@penrith.city

ENTERTAINMENT

SUDOKU: EASY

WORD SEARCH

Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

22

Dance Crazes BALLROOM BOLLYWOOD CALYPSO CHA CHA SLIDE CHARLESTON CHICKEN DANCE DA DIP DISCO ELECTRIC SLIDE FLAMENCO FOOTLOOSE FOXTROT GANGNAM STYLE

HAND JIVE HIP HOP HOKEY POKEY JITTERBUG JUMP ON IT LIMBO LINDY HOP LINE MACARENA MAMBO MERENGUE MODERN MOONWALK

QUICKSTEP RIVER ROBOT RUMBA SALSA SAMBA SHIMMY SINGLE LADIES SQUARE DANCE SUZIE Q SWING TANGO TAP

TEXAS TWO-STEP THE BUNNY HOP THE HUSTLE THE JERK THE RUNNING MAN THE TWIST THRILLER VOGUE WALTZ WATUSI YMCA ZUMBA

SOLUTION: 18 January

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

CROSSWORD ACROSS 8 Note (4) 9 Not natural (10) 10 Chinch (6) 11 Fantasy (8) 12 A beautiful and

graceful girl (4) 13 Countrywide (10) 17 Male deer (4) 18 Ease (5) 19 Lines (4) 20 Spectacles (10) 22 Not one (4) 23 A migratory American

songbird (8) 27 Pertaining to a clan

or family (6) 28 Fanatic (10) 29 A color between black

and white (4)

solution 18/1/18

DOWN 1 Worshipfully (10) 2 Moving unsteadily (8) 3 Notes written in books (10) 4 An upright in a wall (4) 5 Chancy (4) 6 Dross (6) 7 A narrative (4) 14 Carries (5) 15 Enemy (10) 16 Criminal (10) 19 Standings (8) 21 A bad-tempered person (6) 24 Louts (4) 25 Islamic prayer leader (4) 26 Strike sharply (4)

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Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

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NEPEAN HISTORY

CRONJE, THE BRUMBY BRIGAND

by John Low, OAM – Local historian

 It is claimed “...on one occasion Cronje hurdled to freedom over two mounted men.”  On the gently-swelling ridge in the fork of two creeks stands a house – the type of house which has disappeared from the Australian scene along with the generation who built it. It is of slabs silvered by the weather; originally it had a thatched roof and a great stone chimney, and like nearly every other pioneer home it faces the north-east.’ Bernard O’Reilly’s Cullenbenbong still stands today in Kanimbla Valley, the quintessential slab hut. Photograph courtesy of Ian Jack.

P

IET CRONJE was a Boer General, rough of manner, ruthless, courageous and a thorn in the side of the British in South Africa.

At the same time in the vicinity of Jenolan, in the mountainous back country of the Cox and its tributaries, a brumby stallion was causing similar disruption among the European settlers.

Life in this isolated part of the Blue Mountains demanded a tough resilience from its inhabitants.

They were skilled bushmen and expert horsemen, every bit as daring as the Snowy River men.

They recognised in the wild stallion the characteristics of the Boer Cronje and bestowed that name upon him with genuine, if grudging, respect.

The story of Cronje is documented in that splendid book, Cullenbenbong; by Bernard O’Reilly whose family settled at Long Swamp in the second half of the nineteenth century.

At the feet of his father and the older men, young Bernard (born 1903) absorbed the stories of the wild brumbies sweeping down from the mountains at night, killing tame horses and making off with the mares to replenish their breeding stock.

He learned of the brumby runners, those men of “reckless courage

and riding ability” who fought these depredations with their skills in pursuit and capture and the use of assorted firearms and who, aided by drought, gradually reduced the numbers of the marauding horde.

By the end of the century one dominant stallion remained, the last of a “long rebel line”, a magnificent horse, “a brigand and a killer” but so coveted by the mountain horsemen that they set upon a reckless determination to capture him.

Drives were organised and strategies planned, issuing in dramatic displays of skill and courage, near success, injury and even death, but always failure. Cronje was equal to the challenge, usually with a surprise in reserve.

He out-ran them, charged through lines of shouting, stockwhip wielding riders, ran pursuers into wombat holes (a rider “spinning along the ground like a football”), crashed out of timber enclosures and on one occasion hurdled to freedom over two mounted men.

The climax came when Cronje, cornered at the edge of a precipice, leapt “in a beautiful arc and disappeared into the blue air”, traversed a landslide prone scree slope and in a “thrilling wild-horse run” escaped to the bottom of the gorge, leaving only “the ring of his hooves and the clatter of the rocks he took with him”.

That was enough and the pursuit of Cronje came to an end.

It’s a great story, even if perhaps grown a little more colourful in the telling.

The isolated life of men and women, thrown back so often on their own ingenuity, fosters a rich tradition of legend and story.

This article was first published in Hut News of the Blue Mountains Conservation Society.

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Nepean News 18 January 2018 Issue 218

26

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BEHIND THE STUMPS

with Stew Moses @TheRiffMarn

Super run chase sees Black Cats earn a vital win The Black Cats remain 18th but moved seven points clear of last placed Blacktown, after a breath-taking run chase enabled Penrith to mow down Fairfield’s imposing 352 all out total with three wickets and over 17 overs to spare at Rosedale Oval last Saturday.

Having lost the toss yet again, Penrith looked to be well on their way to restricting the home side to a reasonable total at Tea on Day one with the home side 3/171.

But despite the efforts of skipper Michael Castle (4/58), Ryan Smith (3/89) and Luke Hodges (2/87), Fairfield more than doubled their total in the final session scoring 7/181 off just 35 overs to set Penrith a target which they had not scored all season.

With the inclusion of Gurinder Sandhu, fresh off an improved BBL season for the Sydney Thunder, the home side were well fancied to take the points.

But despite the loss of Penrith openers with just 30 runs on the scoreboard, a debut 100 to remember for Cam Weir (142 off 179 balls including 13 4s and 4 6s) combined with a second club century to batting partner Ryan Gibson (120 off 199 balls – 95 runs coming off the last 124 balls with 7 4s) allowed Penrith to take control with their 3rd wicket 224 run partnership.

Gibson also brought up his 4,000th first grade run during an innings that was full of courage given the Sydney Thunder batsman came into bat feeling the effects of a bad flu.

Contributions at the end from Brent Williams (30) and Michael Castle (15 ont out) ensured the Black Cats’ first two-day win and just their second win of the 201718 season.

With good results in the lower grades and aged competitions, the Black Cats move up a spot to 10th position in the Club Championship.

1sts remain in 18th but a loss to Blacktown could see them slip to 19th one point ahead of this round’s clash with their Western rivals at Howell Oval.

It remains to be seen whether Josh Lalor (thumb), who hasn’t played for the Black Cats in the Belvedere Cup since Round One, will be able to return for this crucial game, while Jona Sammut is set to miss the remainder of the season for personal reasons.

In other results: 2nds (Seventh) drew and 3rds (Thirteenth) lost to Fairfield, while 4ths (Fourth) and 5ths (Second) consolidated their positions in the top six with wins over the Lions.

In the Poidevin Gray U21’s competition a strong win over Sutherland enabled the Black Cats to move into fourth and secure a home quarter-final against Campbelltown-Camden, with whom they tied with earlier in the season.

Pat Cummins recently experienced the highs and low of one-day cricket but not in that order.

Twin centurions Ryan Gibson (left) and Cam Weir steer Penrith to an amazing victory. Credit: Michael Gibson.

Playing against England at the SCG, Cummins bowled possibly the worst over of his international one-day career, conceding 24 runs and going for 1/67 to go with his equally expensive 2/63 days earlier at the MCG. But Cummins bounced back in the next game, taking a career-best 4/24 on Australia Day at the Adelaide Oval.

Cummins however missed the final game in Perth (hamstring tightness), where England won again to claim a 4-1 series win, but it’s believed that the minor injury won’t hurt his preparations for the upcoming tour of South Africa.

Still on Cummins and its’ “Million Dollar Pat’s” shout as the Delhi Daredevils paceman was sold to the Mumbai Indians for AUD $1.05 million at last weekend’s IPL Auction.

Another Ex-Panther and Daredevils team mate, Sam Billings was sold for AUD $194,000.

It’s also been a mixed bag for the Lady Cats as they bowed out of the T20 competition, after a loss by seven wickets against Universities Gold was followed by a seven wicket win against Universities Blue.

The results see the Lady Cats finish in seventh position and now break until February 18 when the normal competition resumes.

Meanwhile Lady Cat Sarah Coyte has made a stunning return to the WBBL, taking 5 wickets in two games against her former team, the Adelaide Strikers, including a POTM 3/18 to help her Sydney Sixers take top spot from the Sydney Thunder on net run ate.

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Speaking of the Thunder, they will be sweating on Naomi Stalenberg (hamstring), who missed the last regular game of the season against the Brisbane Heat, will be right for this Thursday’s semi-final against the Scorchers in Perth.

The Scorchers will be missing fellow Lady Cat Mikayla Hinkley for the remainder of the WBBL season. Hinkley is hoping to return in late February for the NSW Breakers return.

Penrith Panthers and Australian World Cup prop, Reagan Campbell-Gillard will join former Australian bowler and McGrath Foundation President, Glenn McGrath, as the key speakers at the Penrith Cricket Club’s 8th annual The Captain’s Lunch which takes place on Friday 16th February, 2018 12.30pm at Pepper Stadium, Mulgoa Rd, Penrith.

Funds raised from The Captain’s Lunch will go to the development of cricket at Penrith Cricket Club and the Penrith district, which has produced the likes of Australian Test fast bowler Patrick Cummins and State players Josh Lalor, Patrick Jackson and Jordan Silk in recent years.

A donation each year is made to The Great Walk Foundation and this year also to the McGrath Foundation.

Tickets are $145 each for a two course meal and beverages or a table of 10 can be purchased for $1,400.00.

For enquiries or bookings please contact Ron Halse 0419 207 136, Michael Wholohan 0419 470 695 or Rod Evans 0413 180 448. It promises to be an event not to be missed! #LoveTheCats

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Have you been struggling to lose weight despite being on a low calorie diet and exercising multiple days per week?

It’s something people seek advice on every single day…

They say that they’re eating clean, training hard and staying consistent with their plan, but the number on the scale just won’t seem to budge no matter what they do.

They wonder if the problem is genetic and if they simply have a “slow metabolism”…

Maybe they’re eating the wrong types of foods…

Taking the wrong supplements…

Or maybe they need to change something with their workout plan.

There are always exceptions of course, but if you’re trying to drop the fat and aren’t making any real progress, the answer is probably the simplest and most obvious one that is staring you right in the face…

Your overall daily calorie intake just isn’t as low as you think it is.

I can honestly say that in almost every case where someone tells me they can’t lose fat despite being on a “low calorie diet”, it turns out they were never even

on a low calorie diet to begin with.

When I look at a persons diet, break up their entire day step by step, and then add up all the calories they’re actually eating, they’re usually landing pretty close to their calorie maintenance level as opposed to a calorie deficit.

And make no mistake – without a consistent calorie deficit in place, you quite simply are NOT going to lose any noticeable amount of body fat.

It doesn’t matter how “healthy” you eat throughout the day or if your diet is made up of nothing but lean protein, high fibre carbs, fruits, vegetables and healthy fats…

Fat loss is only going to occur at a significant rate if the number of calories you’re burning is greater than the number of calories you’re consuming over a consistent period of time.

If your calorie intake is right on par with your calorie expenditure, your body has no need or incentive whatsoever to burn its stored body fat in order to obtain a source of energy.

This is the most fundamental baseline factor in your entire fat loss plan, yet most people simply don’t put forth enough effort to properly monitor their eating habits and ensure that they are in fact in a calorie deficit.

When people on a weight loss diet are

left to their own devices, they’ll very often under-report their calorie intake, and by a pretty significant margin.

This issue of caloric under-reporting happens for a few main reasons…

• The individual just isn’t bothering to track their food intake with very much precision.

• They are attempting to track things properly but are making small errors with their food choices and measurements that are adding up throughout the day.

• They’re taking the concept of “cheat meals” and “cheat days” a bit too far, and this is impacting their overall net calorie totals.

When you consider that a typical calorie deficit for fat loss is usually around 500 calories below maintenance, all it really takes is a few mistakes throughout a given day for your calorie deficit to be significantly reduced or erased altogether.

If you’re one of the many people out there asking “why can’t I lose weight?”, the solution is very simple…

Sit down and honestly take a look at what you’re eating throughout a given day and in what amounts, and add things up to find out how many calories you’re truly taking in.

You can check the labels on the

foods you have at home, and you can use an online nutrition database like (CalorieKing.com) for items that you aren’t sure about. Another option is to use a calorie-tracking app on you Smartphone such as (MyFitnessPal.) If your weight has been generally staying the same, then the amount of calories you’re eating right now roughly represents your current calorie maintenance level.

In order to create a calorie deficit and stimulate fat loss, subtract 500 from that number and make that your new daily calorie target.

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Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

Strengthen your weakness

with Scott Lewis

27

Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

28

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PENRITH PANTHERS

Peachey Ripe for Gold Coast Pickings?

By STEWART MOSES

@TheRiffMarn

P

enrith utility Tyrone Peachey has recently been linked with a move to the Gold Coast Titans despite having two years remaining on his contract.

The reports come as the club faces an uphill battle to find the salary cap space required to re-sign Josh Mansour (offcontract end of 2018) and play-maker Nathan Cleary (end of 2019) to new deals.

But in what is perhaps the clearest signal yet that a deal is imminent, Gold Coast Titans chief executive Graham Annesley has told the Gold Coast Bulletin that he hopes “to know more soon” regarding Tyrone Peachey’s availability, while NRL.com has recently reported that the Panthers have given the City Origin representative permission to explore other options.

Annesley’s response comes amid fresh speculation that Peachey and his family visited the club’s Parkwood’s facilities last Saturday and that the club is set to offer the star Panther a deal upwards of $1.5 million over the next three years, most likely to take effect from 2019.

Will Tyrone Peachey remain a Panther in 2019? Credit: 77 Media.

“Under the NRL rules, we can’t negotiate with any player who is under contract for 2019 without that club’s approval,” Annesley said.

“It’s our understanding that he (Peachey) and his manager (Sam Ayoub) are currently talking to the Panthers and we hope to know more soon.”

Despite making the vast majority of his 2017 appearances for the Panthers in the centres, a move to the Titans could appeal to Peachey given Waqa Blake (expected to recover from a

shoulder reconstruction in time for Round One) and Kiwi international Dean Whare are said to be the preferred centres, which would see the utility revert to a lesser role on the interchange bench.

Despite suggestions that Peachey could even push for a 2018 release, it is unlikely to be granted by the Panthers, even though the Titans still have plenty of salary cap space available to bolster their 2018 squad, in the wake of Jarryd Hayne’s return to the Parramatta Eels.

Newly-appointed skipper Peter

Wallace said he would be disappointed to see Peachey depart the club should an agreement be reached by all parties.

“Hopefully he doesn’t leave,” Wallace recently told NRL.com.

“I have a massive rap on Peach and he is a good mate as well.

“He’s huge for us. If the interchanges keep going down and down, I think the utility value is going to go through the roof.

“I think it’s going to be a key position. It’s going to be vital to carry someone on the bench.

“In saying that, he’s killed it at centre the last couple of years, too.

“But we have a few blokes there who are pushing for the centre spot.

“I’m sure wherever Peach plays he will do a good job.”

Should Peachey sign a deal in coming weeks, it could ironically be finalised by yet another former Panther with Phil Moss about to commence in his new role as Titans football manager, with the role being responsible for recruitment.

Peachey’s signing will also add to the Gold Coast’s distinct Penrith flavour under new coach Garth Brennan, given he has already bolstered the playing ranks with the likes of former Panthers Michael Gordon, Leilani Latu, and Mitch Rein.

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with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

Maloney Mania sweeps Penrith as Membership Numbers Surge The jury may well be still out on who got the better deal on the field from the James Maloney – Matt Moylan swap deal.

But if the off-field response is anything to go by, it’s the Panthers who are the clean winners as they have recorded the largest percentage increase in NRL memberships of any club thus far.

The Panthers have grown their membership base from 10,331 this time last year to 15,068 (fifth in the NRL) – a staggering 46% growth as almost 5,000 extra fans have so far responded positively to the Maloney signing.

By contrast Cronulla fans appear luke-warm on the Moylan signing, having added just over 1,000 more members (or up just over 10% to reach 11,841 members).

The Panthers also continue to make plenty of new friends when they recently visited Port Macquarie, hosting their annual junior coaching clinic and conducted a series of meet and greet events for locals.

But perhaps the highlight of their stay came on the Friday when the Panthers attended a sportsman’s luncheon at Port Macquarie Panthers, where Brian Fletcher and Phil Gould both displayed great generosity in declaring all funds raised from the lunch would go to a local family, who needed help in meeting the medical costs of their young daughter, who had her leg amputated because of a genetic condition.

Penrith also held their first members’ event of the season, with the club conducting an open training last Tuesday afternoon where several hundred fans were in attendance despite the hot conditions.

At a recent media session, Panthers coach Anthony Griffin refused to publicly state any expectations of where he thinks his side will finish, instead stating that the playing group are focused on getting a quicker start to their 2018 campaign, having won just two of their opening 9 games in 2017 as well as just five of their opening 12 matches in 2016.

Griffin was also reluctant to open up too much about Matt Moylan’s departure other than to say he wished him well before adding his exit was a situation they’d love to avoid in the future.

“It’s not what we wanted, I’m sure it’s not what Matt wanted as well,” he said.

perfect Christmas present with the birth of Zara Raijeli Blake.

It’s understood the Panthers have recently signed ex-Cowboy / Broncos Holden Cup player, Sam Smith, after the 21 year-old declined to resign with intrust Super Cup side, the Central Queensland Capras.

Hailing from Gladstone, the 198cm, 103kg centre will offer the Panthers some much needed depth in the outside backs.

Nearly 5,000 more members versus this time last year could translate to more full houses at Panthers Stadium in 2018. Credit 77 Media.

“You never want to have a conflict like that but it happened.

“We all learnt something out of it and I’m sure Matt learnt something out of it as well and we wish him the best at Cronulla.”

There’s some mixed news for the Panthers on the injury front.

In some good news, Tyrone May is looking at a Round 6 return and has revealed he is targeting to play at lock given that Maloney and Nathan Cleary are a lock for the halves in 2018.

But in some bad news for new signing Tyrone Phillips, the outside back tore his pec muscle which required surgery and will side-line the 24 year old former Bulldog until Rounds 16-18.

Still on injuries and James Tamou has revealed to the Sydney Morning Herald, that he has been battling hamstring tightness for much of the preseason, but is cautiously optimistic about being fit for the Panthers’ first trial against the Sydney Roosters on February 17.

Tamou suffered the low grade hamstring strain a week before before Christmas, which has been complicated by a minor back issue.

But in some better news for Tamou, he recently confirmed via Instagram that he and his wife Brittney are expecting their fourth child in June.

The news comes as Bryce Cartwright and Waqa Blake both became first time parents over the festive season.

Bryce and his partner, Shanelle welcomed in the new year with the arrival of Koa Josiah Cartwright while Waqa and his partner Jess were given the

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However the Panthers have lost a player with the Canberra Raiders recently confirming that they have signed the Junior Kangaroos and NSW U20’s forward Stefano Hala to a two-year deal.

Plenty of interest in the naming of Penrith’s SG Ball / Harold Matts 25 man squads which will compete in the 2018 Country Championships, especially with the Harold Matts squad featuring Braith Alexander, son of the great Greg Alexander.

The SG Ball squad features 2018 NSW Under 18’s Pathways squad members Shawn Blore and Lindsay Smith, who is also a talented lower grades cricketer with Penrith.

Meanwhile Jersey Flegg squad member, J’maine Hopgood was recently named in Queensland’s under-20 emerging Origin squad for 2018.

Penrith Panthers winger Josh Mansour recently had his beard shaved for the first time since October 2014, as part of Bowel Cancer Australia’s annual Decembeard campaign, after he surpassed his $10,000 target.

Mansour shaved his beard to raise much needed awareness and funds for a cause close to his heart, given both his wife’s uncle and a good mate’s sister have battled bowel cancer.

But those fearing the change is a permanent one, can rest easy as Mansour looks well on his way to re-growing that trademark beard.

Welcome to this first column for 2018, in what shapes to be a year where after seasons of promise, fans expect the Panthers will improve and challenge for another title.

If you have any Panthers news you wish to share, feel free to email me: stewart@nepeannews.com.au. #PantherPride

Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

GOLDEN POINTS

29 29

Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

30

SPORT

PENRITH PANTHERS

Captaincy appointment sees Wallace’s career go full circle

By STEWART MOSES

P

@TheRiffMarn

eter Wallace’s playing career under coach Anthony Griffin has gone full circle with the bornagain hooker being given a second opportunity to captain the side he was last appointed to lead back in 2015.

In 2013, it was Griffin who told Wallace his services were no longer required at the Broncos, which paved the way for the former NSW Origin half to return to the club he once represented as a local junior the following season.

Then in 2016, not long after Griffin replaced Ivan Cleary as Penrith’s NRL coach, Wallace was overlooked for the captaincy role with the former Brisbane Broncos mentor instead preferring Matt Moylan.

But fast forward to 2018 and with Moylan’s departure to the Sharks, Griffin went back to the future and reinstated the popular hooker as captain once again.

A working relationship between coach and player that looked almost dead and buried at the Brisbane Broncos, couldn’t be better according to Wallace. ‘’It’s just amazing. That’s life again. You just never know what’s going to happen,’’ Wallace admitted in a recent interview with NRL.com.

‘We didn’t have a relationship there at the start.

“For whatever reason, we’ve been brought back together at Penrith and it’s just gone from strength to strength. ‘’We get along great now. We’ve got a good working relationship too.

“There was never an issue with us but obviously,

Expect plenty more of this in 2018 from new skipper Peter Wallace. Credit: 77 Media.

what went on in the past – it’s gone full circle.’’

Griffin’s decision to replace Wallace with Moylan as captain was in part due to the fact that after backto-back knee reconstructions, the then halfback was considered damaged goods, with suggestions he was told to consider retirement by Panthers Executive General Manager, Phil Gould AM. But having regained full fitness under the coach who moved him on from the Brisbane Broncos, Wallace reinvented himself as a hooker and hasn’t looked back since. ‘’It was always going to be questionable how I would come back, or if I even could come back,’’ Wallace said. ‘’It was looking pretty bleak there at the start of 2016. Coming off a couple of knee recos, I didn’t really know what the future would hold. ‘’The club were looking out for their best interests as well, and I can understand that.

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“I got the opportunity to play hooker, which probably saved my career in the end.

“If I couldn’t have made the transition to hooker (then) I think that definitely would have been my last year at Penrith and possibly my career as well.

“I have to thank Hook [Griffin] for that. It’s definitely a move that prolonged my career.’’

As for the coach himself, he said at a recent media session that Wallace was always his first and only choice given the manner in which the resilient 32-year-old led the side into last season’s finals.

“He’s been a great servant to the club, Peter, he’s a tough competitor no matter where he plays,” Griffin said. “(But) his transition into hooker has given him another lease on life and taken his game to another level.

“He’ll start the season as captain, no tricks.”

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PENRITH PANTHERS

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Rested, revived and ready for 2018  The Rush Hour with MG

 Hyeon Chungs blister

F

irst let me say ‘hi there all’ and welcome to 2018.

I hope you all had a fantastic festive season break and Australia Day long weekend and are now all ready to get stuck into the official year of the dog. Woof.

Like a lot of you reading this column a lot has happened to me in the past six weeks, like changing jobs!

On January 22 I started my new show on Triple M radio called the Rush Hour with MG, which is on weeknights from 6-7pm.

Instantly I have noted a dramatic change in lifestyle. Instead of the dreaded 330 am alarm jolting me out of bed daily whilst working on the Grill Team for the past eight years, the only alarm that wakes me now is for my weekly early morning golf game at Penrith, which I haven’t played in eight years.

I can now stay up as long as I like and I can now spend those valuable hours with my family that I didn’t realise I was missing doing the early morning breakfast radio shift.

Whilst staying up a lot later than the 8pm I was used to going to bed at previously, I have been enjoying the Australian tennis open from Melbourne. In particular watching the cool calm and collected (and never aging) Roger Federer take out his 20th grand-slam. How good is this bloke. To be the age he is (37 in August) and still competing the way he is, has to be truly admired.

The bloke never sweats he’s that cool!!

I also was engrossed with the women’s final last Saturday between ladies number 1 Simona Halep from Romania and world number 2 Caroline Wozniacki representing Denmark.

Both women produced epic tennis with Wozniacki winning her maiden grandslam final in slick fashion. Seems that each year in Melbourne the Oz open produces a ‘cult’ figure. This year it was South Korea’s Hyeon Chung, who made it all the way to the semis before succumbing to a graphic looking blister on his foot that looked more like someone had cut a chunk out of his foot with a scalpel. I’m usually dubious with tennis players and their injuries, as it’s more rare then hens teeth to see a tennis player retire in a game whilst leading a match, but as you can see by the picture provided by Chung himself on his instagram page it’s hard to figure out how he even got a shoe on to compete in the first place.

Now that the tennis is over and the summer of cricket is coming to an end it’s nearly that time again! Footy season! And with the Penrith Panthers membership going through the roof for 2018 the expectation is at fever pitch for the NRL to be accelerated back into our lives.

In the next few editions we’ll have a good look at the Panthers chances for this upcoming year and dissect realistically how far they can go this year. I’ll give you one player to watch, young Lithgow hooker Wayde Egan who I think WILL at some stage this season play in the top grade. We’ll also look at all other teams competing in the 2018 version of the NRL and see where they’ll be come six months time. Given it’s the year of the dog could Dean Pay’s boys be in for a big season? Aah the permutations a rugby league season provides. I love it!

Talk in a couple of weeks and I’ll see you at the game.

MG (random Westie) OAM

31 31 Nepean News 1 February 2018 Issue 219

MG on the mark

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