Nepean News 20 January 2023

Nominations close soon

By KeRRI e DAVI e S

State Member for Mulgoa, tanya Davies said nominations are now open for those who wish to nominate a Senior who makes our community great. the 2023 NSW Seniors Festival Local achievement award celebrates the work and achievements of seniors in the community.

“they are an invaluable part of the electorate of Mulgoa and Western Sydney overall. they make up our tireless volunteers, carers and role models,” Mrs Davies said.

“If you know a senior who helps make our community diverse, inspiring and active, then I encourage you to nominate them for acknowledgement of their contribution.”

Nominations close at 5pm on Friday, 20 January 2023.

the

95B Station St, Penrith

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Well here we are in 2023!

As we evolve into what appears to be a post-pandemic phase, there’s a great feeling of optimism about the year ahead.

People are going out again, enjoying life and travelling.

It’s also an optimistic time for local small businesses who copped a whack during the restriction period. It is important that we continue to support them - many are still paying off debts they incurred trying to stay afloat. Wherever possible in 2023, spend your dollars locally.

It is great to be off to a good start!

It has been a horrendous start, however, in our battle against domestic violence.

Local 28 year-old Dayna Isaac was found deceased and covered in blood in Penrith this week. Her death, allegedly due to domestic violence comes just weeks after another woman, Dannielle Finlay-Jones was found dead in Cranebrook.

We really need a serious focus on tackling this issue.

We need to somehow put roadblocks in the tracks of perpetrators before their violent behaviour results in the death of an innocent person. The police do a great job in arresting, but work appears to be needed in prevention. There’s lots of talk - but it’s time for action.

I don’t have any more answers than anyone else but I have suggestions of where we could start. Could we look at posing restrictions on those who have bad form in previous relationships, where police have needed to be called?

Could we give platforms like Tinder the power to refuse those who have a bad relationship history? We are in an election year for our state government. I’m interested to hear the ideas of candidates and voters on this.

kerrie@nepeannews.com.au Phone

By KeRRI e DAVI e S

Vale Senator Jim Molan

By KeRRI e DAVI e S

Major General Senator andrew james (jim) Molan ao DSc (ret’d) has passed away following a battle with cancer. Senator Molan announced in april 2021 that he had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer.

a frequent visitor to the Nepean area, Senator Molan’s passing has affected many in the community.

Federal MP Melissa McIntosh said she was very sad to hear the news.

“jim was a great australian. He served our nation with distinction in the defence force, and our community as a senator for NSW. He fought hard for the democratic values within our Party, and I personally appreciated his great support and guidance,” Ms McIntosh said.

“jim was an advocate for our community in Lindsay and helped me on my campaigns, but more than that he was a friend who greeted you with a smile and cared about your wellbeing.

“In parliament, jim was passionate about the safety of australians. He brought an amazing combination of intellect and expertise on geostrategic matters, such as australia’s role in the Pacific and our alliance with the US.

“jim’s determination, patriotism and hardwork will be remembered, and he will be greatly missed. He was a gentleman and an all-round top australian.

“our prayers and love to anne, his children and grandchildren who we know were his greatest passions in life,” Ms McIntosh said.

Local resident and fellow Senator Marise Payne said Senator Molan was respected by his parliamentary colleagues on all sides and would be sadly missed.

“jim was in every sense a person whose life of service was carried out with great conviction and honour. Firstly in a long and distinguished career within the australian Defence Force and then in the australian Parliament as a Senator for New South Wales,” Senator Payne said.

“Despite a long battle with illness, jim continued to be a strong advocate for australia’s defence and national security.”

Outstanding achievers

LocaL champions and young achievers in sport will be recognised as part of the NSW Government’s Her Sport Her Way awards, with nominations now open.

Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies said the Her Sport Her Way awards celebrate and honour the achievements of women and organisations that are breaking down barriers for women’s sport in NSW.

“The Her Sport Her Way awards recognise the achievements of women and organisations in driving powerful change and leaving a legacy for the way women’s sport is played in NSW,” Mrs Davies said.

“Women make such an incredible contribution to sporting clubs and organisations across our community and if you know a local who is going above and beyond for the sport they love, nominate them for these awards.”

The Her Sport Her Way Awards feature five categories – Young achiever, Local champion, outstanding organisation, Trailblazer and overall champion.

Minister for Sport alister Henskens said the awards are part of the NSW Government’s women in sport strategy, Her Sport Her Way.

“This program is all about increasing female participation in sport, whether that’s on the field or

in administration, coaching and volunteer roles,” Mr Henskens said.

“Since the inception of this program four years ago, the number of women and girls playing sport has sky-rocketed, and by investing in grassroots programs and initiatives across NSW, we will continue to secure a brighter future for women in sport.”

applications for the awards close on 28 February. For more information on the Her Sport Her Way program, visit www.sport.nsw.gov.au/ hersportherway

Roads recovery consultation underway in the hawkesbury nepean valley

Consultation to identify low points along the Hawkesbury nepean Valley is underway as part of a $33 million flood resilience program, jointly funded by the nsW Government and the australian Federal Government. stuart ayres MP said these investigations will run through to the end of april next year and will involve extensive surveying and geotechnical work.

“Our local area in the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley is one of the most flood prone regions in Australia,” stuart ayres said.

“Just this year alone we have felt the full impact of three major floods, which is why we must improve our resilience to protect our community now and into the future.

“We will be consulting with local landowners to help us find solutions to the low lying stretches of road that have been identified.

“The works will include core drilling, soil analysis and test pits to understand and address local flooding issues.”

The NSW Government will conduct investigations at several locations along The Northern Road between Richmond Road, Bligh Park and Dunheved Road, Cambridge Gardens and Londonderry Road, between The Driftway, Richmond and Cranebrook Road, Cranebrook.

Minister for Metropolitan Roads Natalie Ward says the Hawkesbury nepean Valley Flood Evacuation Road Resilience program aims to increase the capacity and efficiency of a number of floodplain evacuation routes to help people evacuate the region safely ahead of a flood.

“Over 100 infrastructure improvements at key low points of the flood evacuation road network in the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley,” Mrs Ward said.

“these upgrades will be guided by extensive consultation with the local community.

“Improving flood resilience in Hawkesbury nepean Valley is a priority for the nsW Government not just to protect the local community in the area but some of the fastest growing surrounding regions in the state.”

Community notifications have been sent to around 10,000 properties in Penrith, Hawkesbury, Blacktown and The Hills Local Government Areas, with notifications of the survey and geotechnical work going to around 1750 residents.

in addition, around 250 property owners were contacted as Transport for NSW undertakes further concept design and investigation work.

For more information about the Hawkesbury Nepean Flood Resilience Evacuation Network, click here.

Thousands of women to receive fertility treatment rebate

WoMen who have iVF or other assisted reproductive technology (ART) treatments in private clinics can now claim a $2,000 rebate in an Australian first thanks to the NSW Government.

the $80 million expansion to the nsW affordable iVF initiative, announced as part of the NSW Government’s 2022-2023 Budget, will extend rebates for pre-iVF fertility testing, introduce a new $2,000 rebate for fertility treatment, increase the number of IVF treatment places in publicly-supported clinics and increase fertility preservation services for patients with a medical need.

the new $2,000 fertility treatment rebate is estimated to help about 12,000 women with out-of-pocket costs associated with fertility treatments.

treasurer Matt Kean said the $80 million investment will see fertility treatments become more widely accessible to NSW families.

“The high costs of fertility treatment can be a hurdle and add stress to those experiencing fertility issues but the nsW Government is helping to lower these costs for families wanting to have a baby,” Mr Kean said.

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said the cash rebate is the first of its kind in Australia and eligible women can apply now for the rebate through their MyService NSW account or in person at a Service NSW Service Centre.

“this rebate will make nsW one of the most affordable places in the world to have iVF treatment, easing the burden of out-of-pocket costs families face to access fertility treatments to have a baby,” Mr Hazzard said. to be eligible for the $2,000 rebate you must: • be a resident of NSW • have incurred an out-of-pocket cost from a registered private provider • have accessed the treatment from 1 October 2022.

Minister for Women Bronnie Taylor said that 16 per cent of all couples will face fertility issues and the NSW Government is committed to easing the financial burden families face as they embark on their journey to start or grow a family.

“Costs associated with fertility treatments can often be prohibitively expensive and this rebate is going to make a big difference to that,” Mrs taylor said.

“I am incredibly proud of our

continued commitment to making the road to parenthood smoother for anyone in nsW struggling with infertility.”

Professor Luk Rombauts, President of the Fertility Society of Australia and New Zealand, welcomed the NSW Government’s commitment to supporting people who need medical assistance to start or expand their families.

“The extra financial support available through this rebate is an opportunity to provide more equitable access to fertility treatments and help more people across NSW fulfil their dreams of having children,” Professor Rombauts said.

the available rebate is separate to the existing rebate for pre-iVF fertility testing, and is not available for lower cost treatments provided by one of the existing NSW publicly supported IVF clinics.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Victor Dominello said customers could apply through the Service NSW website or in Service nsW Centres.

“the rebate is available through Service NSW and ready to apply for now,” Mr Dominello said.

“it’s as simple as logging into your Service NSW account and uploading a completed Fertility Treatment Declaration form and evidence of outof-pocket costs.”

More information on how to submit an application form for the rebate is available on the Service NSW website www.service.nsw.gov.au/ transaction/apply-for-the-fertilitytreatment-rebate.

the $80 million extension and expansion to the nsW affordable iVF initiative over four years (2022-23 –2025-26) also includes:

• extending rebates for pre-IVF fertility testing

• expanding statewide access to lower cost IVF treatment through publicly-supported clinics

• boosting fertility preservation services for patients with cancer and other medical needs

• providing up to five days’ paid fertility treatment leave for teachers, nurses and other public servants across NSW.

Further information on how the nsW Government is working to improve affordability and access to IVF services in NSW is available online here.

Man charged with murder after woman’s body found in Penrith unit

a Man will appear in court charged with murder after a woman’s body was found in a Penrith unit this week.

About 4.15pm (Monday 16 January 2023), a woman attended Penrith Police Station to report she had found a body inside a unit on Colless street.

Officers from Nepean Police Area Command attended the unit and found the body of a woman inside.

A crime scene was established, which has been examined by specialist forensic police.

The deceased woman’s vehicle was found burntout in bushland at Castlereagh near Post Office Road a short time later. It has been seized and will undergo forensic examination.

Detectives from Nepean PAC – assisted by State Crime Command’s Homicide Squad – have formed Strike Force Diere to investigate her death.

Following inquiries, officers from the Tactical Operations Unit (TOU) arrested a 32-year-old man about 3.25am (Tuesday 17 January 2023), at a house on Robinson Road, Cranebrook.

The man was taken to Penrith Police Station where he was charged with murder.

He was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court.

Our community digs deep to help local babies

By KeRRI e DAVI e S

ur Community Cares is a local volunteerbased charity focussed on helping the Penrith community. All money raised stays within the community to finance programs for the area’s lonely, infirmed, aged and young adults, with no costs for wages or committee payments.

Each year they run gift wrapping stalls at both Nepean Village and Westfield Penrith, for Christmas, Father’s Day and Mother’s Day.

This year they decided that the funds raised would be directed to helping prevent blindness in local babies.

“With wonderful support from management at both venues, we set about trying to raise as much as possible from gold coin donations for each gift wrapped,” said Kris Gauci.

“Following three weeks of intense Christmas wrapping by our amazing volunteers and with outstanding generosity from the community we raised an amazing $39,692.

“At the same time, we also benefited from the highly successful ‘Carols on the Course’ event held at Emu Sports Club/Leonay Golf Course in December, being presented with a cheque for $15,000.

O“Combining these two amazing fundraisers has meant that we reached our $50,000 target and can very proudly say to the people of PenrithCongratulations... together, we did it!

With the whopping $50,000 goal achieved, Our Community Cares want to thank every single person who had gifts wrapped and everyone who stopped by and gave a donation.

“Some were as high as $1150, others equally special came from children who donated their pocket money,” Kris said.

“We also thank the outstanding management of Westfield Penrith, Nepean Village and Emu Sports Club for their generous support and cooperation in making this heartwarming result possible.”

The project which will be the beneficiary of the funds materialised between Nepean Hospital and Our Community Cares last year. They initially discussed a proposed project regarding the purchase of a vital piece of laser surgery equipment for premature babies in NICu back in August 2022. This equipment would be used to potentially help prevent blindness in these tiny babies.

“We then held a special team meeting in early November to discuss our ability to help support them via fundraising activities to raise the $50,000 needed,” Kris said.

“The team agreed unanimously - it was clear to us that the comfort and safety of these small babies would be significantly improved if this vital equipment were available here in Penrith removing the need for additional handling and transporting of the babies to other hospitals across Sydney for surgery, all which places extra stress on their tiny bodies.

“We want to say that we look

forward to seeing all those friendly faces again next year when hopefully we will be back with a new project/ goal that will benefit the community of Penrith.

“Finally, and very importantly, we want to thank the volunteers who wrapped with us right across those three weeks, their time and efforts were critical to our success and we appreciate each of them.”

Western Sydney Wanderers team up to take on Bowel Cancer

Western sydney Wanderers FC are teaming up with the Australian government to save lives in their local community.

Bowel cancer screening rates are dramatically lower in Western sydney compared to the national average of 44%. screening rates in the West are as low as 29.5% putting people in Western sydney at risk of late bowel cancer diagnosis.

If caught early, more than 90% of bowel cancers can be treated successfully.

the Government is partnering with the Western sydney Wanderers to connect with fans and urge them – or their family members - to do their free bowel cancer screening when it arrives. Australians aged 50-74 receive a free kit in the mail every two years.

Fans attending games will see signage in stadium promoting bowel cancer screening and the club’s players, coaches and staff are going online to urge people to ‘Do the test’ in multiple languages.

the Club will also host local leaders in 2023 from a broad cross section of the Western

sydney community, including representatives from Mosques, churches and migrant groups, to promote bowel screening and normalise doing the test within their communities.

the Western sydney Wanderers are proud representatives of one of Australia’s most culturally diverse communities. Around 2.2 million people from more than 180 different cultures call the area home.

Minister for Health, the Hon

Mark Butler MP said the Australian Government was partnering with the Wanderers to promote this important public health program to their extensive fan base.

“the Western sydney Wanderers are great champions for their community and for our national Bowel Cancer screening Program.

“their support helps get the message out that bowel cancer is the third most common cancer in

Australia, but early detection, even before symptoms start, will save lives.”

Western sydney Wanderers CeO scott Hudson said that the club was proud to support the Australian Government initiative.

“Community is central to everything that we do as a club and we are very proud to be partnering with the Australian Government to help increase the number of eligible Western sydney residents completing their free bowel screening kit.

“Western sydney is a diverse and multicultural region and it is important we as a club have an impact on our local community that goes beyond football.

We encourage all our members and fans that are eligible to ‘Do the test’, it’s a free and simple process that could save their lives.”

For more information on the national Bowel Cancer screening Program or to re-order a test visit www.health.gov. au/our-work/national-bowelcancer-screening-program/ getting-a-bowel-screening-test/ how-bowel-screening-works

Help shape Council’s Library services

After conducting research and extensive consultation with the community, including face-to-face workshops and an online survey in early 2022, Penrith City Library has developed its draft Library Services Strategy for 2023-2028. the Library is inviting the community to provide further feedback before it’s finalised.

The five-year strategy will guide how Penrith City Council will manage and deliver future library services to the community, with a focus on the four domains of public library services, which include facilities, resources, programs and services, and people and culture.

Penrith City Library invites community members to review the draft strategy and provide feedback on the proposed opportunities, improvements, and goals. the Library welcomes feedback online via the survey, in-person at the Civic Centre, or via telephone.

Penrith Mayor tricia Hitchen said this is a great opportunity for residents who love the Library’s services to provide their feedback on the draft strategy.

“Our Library Services team does a fantastic job providing services to

the community, including keeping an updated and diverse catalogue of items available for borrowing, accessible systems, and a robust local history collection such as the beloved Photographic Collection,” Cr Hitchen said.

“I highly encourage residents to

review the draft strategy and provide their feedback on what’s been proposed for the next five years as this document will enable Penrith City Library to continue delivering high quality programs and services to the community.”

residents interested in providing

feedback can do so at https:// yoursaypenrith.com.au/librarystrategy2023

Council has included a list of ways residents can leave their feedback, including online, email or telephone.

feedback is open until tuesday 21 february 2023.

Penrith Lions supporting riding for the disabled

The Penrith Lions Club has completed the first phase of a program to support the Blue Mountains Riding for the Disabled (RDA).

“Thanks to tremendous grant support from The henry Sports Club at Werrington and work from our volunteers we have been able to replace an injured horses and plan for future projects,” said Charles Wheeler, Penrith Lions Club.

“We appreciate the support of ‘The henry’ to help us develop this relationship and we are now planning to extend projects to support peripheral aspects of the RDA.

“Fires and floods have created a situation where this is the only Riding for the Disabled group in the Nepean valley and observations suggest we have a project well worth supporting.

“We thank ‘The henry’ again and also the Lion’s members who continue to ‘turn up’ and volunteer to support local needs.”

Penrith Lion’s members and riders at the Blue Mountains Riding for the Disabled facility. Photo supplied.

By Noel Rowsell

The sound of kids laughing as they raced around the field outside Kimberwalli could be heard all the way from the top of the hill, where their parents and carers chatted during the latest Aboriginal Go4Fun session.

The kids had just spent an hour learning about healthy snack options –and even got to try some new fruits and vegetables – so they have lots of energy to burn.

For the parents, this provided a great opportunity to celebrate some healthy lifestyle wins since their last session and to swap meal ideas.

“After a lot of healthy switches, we are now happy and healthy eaters,” Jody Castairs, mother of Danny and Kyle, said.

This is what the Aboriginal Go4Fun program is all about, according to Jenny Plaskett, healthy School Years

“We know introducing healthy lifestyle changes can be challenging for families, especially after the last couple of years,” Jenny said.

“Our partners at Kimberwalli told us that the community wanted ideas for fresh, affordable family meals and getting active together.

“Aboriginal Go4Fun is culturally adapted and delivered in partnership with Kimberwalli to reflect the values of Aboriginal families.

“If you’ve ever thought ‘how do I help my family to enjoy eating healthy food, spend less time on screens and be more active?’ then this program is for you.”

To find out more about Aboriginal Go4Fun, visit https://go4fun.com.au/ about/aboriginal-go4fun/ or contact Kimberwalli on (02) 9853 3333.

Coordinator, Western Sydney Local health District’s (WSLhD) Centre for Population health.

Liberals flag fine relief for safe drivers

By KeRRI e DAVI e S

You’re someone who is always careful to stick to the speed limit. You’re driving along in a 100 zone that drops down to a 60. oops, you’ve been recorded doing 66 and receive a fine. It’s upsetting because you’re careful to never break the road rules. If this scenario happens to you, then you could be eligible to have the fine waived if the state government is reelected.

A re-elected Liberal and Nationals Government will waive the fines on a range of minor driving offences for motorists who have a three year clean driving record.

From 3 April, eligible motorists will be able to apply to have the fine waived for low level offences including speeding offences under 10km/hr or driving in a bus or transit lane.

School zone, heavy vehicle, red light, mobile phone and speeding offences above 10km per hour will not be eligible under the scheme given the

serious safety risks involved.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the initiative struck the right balance, recognising safe driving by providing the one-off waiver for the lowest range road offences.

“For those motorists who have a history of safe driving, this initiative

will save them potentially hundreds of dollars if they commit a minor road offence,” Mr Perrottet said.

Minister for Metropolitan roads Natalie Ward said enhancing road safety was at the core of the policy.

“To be eligible, motorists have to

have a clean driving record for three years. This Liberal and Nationals policy rewards good drivers and provides a real incentive to put safety first, unlike Labor’s policy which focuses on helping serial offenders at risk of losing their licence,” Mrs Ward said.

Minister for Finance Damien Tudehope said greater awareness of the scheme will encourage positive behaviour change.

“Receiving a fine can come as an unwelcome shock but under this policy, motorists will have cause to reflect on how an extended clean driving record can bring relief,” Mr Tudehope said.

“The average NSW licence holder drives 12,000 km per annum and maintaining a clean driving record over three years should be recognised and rewarded.”

In 2021, there were 227,500 fines issued for low level offences to motorists with a three year clean driving record, totalling $39.2 million in fines.

First home buyer choice and stamp duty refunds begin

Housing 2041 vision.

eLIGIbLe first home buyers will be able to ditch upfront stamp duty from this week in favour of a smaller annual fee on properties purchased up to $1.5 million, while those who’ve bought in the last two months can now apply for a refund.

First Home buyer Choice has begun and eligible first home buyers who bought after November 11, 2022 when the initiative became law, can opt in to the annual fee and will receive a stamp duty refund within 10 business days.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said First Home buyer Choice will help thousands of NSW families achieve the benefits of home ownership sooner.

“The new year brings a new choice for first home buyers. Our plan means first home buyers will shave years off the time needed to save for a property and will help them achieve their home ownership dreams,” Mr Perrottet said.

“This will be a game-changer for first home buyers. The Liberal and Nationals are backing first home buyers to get the keys to their first home sooner.

“This national first will significantly reduce upfront costs, reduce the time needed to save for a deposit and will see most first home buyers pay less tax overall.

“The wide scope of First Home buyer Choice means it is now assisting first home buyers to get the

keys to their first home.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said interest in First Home buyer Choice was strong with more than 56,000 calculations made online comparing the smaller annual fee to upfront stamp duty.

“eligible first home buyers can now opt out of stamp duty in favour of a smaller annual fee while those who have bought since November 11, 2022 can get a refund of stamp duty within 10 business days and pay the annual fee instead,” Mr Kean said.

“This new choice is empowering first home buyers to get a foot on the property ladder.

“This important reform means 97 per cent of first home buyers will get a leg up under the Liberal National Government’s policies, allowing them to buy the type of home they want,

where they want to live.”

The property sector has been engaged and briefed on the program and is ready to help potential buyers choose what will work best in their circumstances.

First home buyers can get more information and calculate their options here: www.nsw.gov.au/initiative/ first-home-buyer-choice

First home buyers who have bought since 11 November 2022 can apply to opt into annual property tax and have their stamp duty payment refunded within 10 business days. They can apply at: : www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/ grants-schemes/first-home-buyer/ first-home-buyer-choice#apply

First Home buyer Choice is part of the NSW Government’s $2.8 billion Housing Package announced in the 2022-23 budget, which aligns with the

With a state election just weeks away in March, Labor is promising to abolish stamp duty for first home buyers up to $800,000.

“People across NSW are struggling more and more with the high costs of buying their first home,” Deputy Leader of the NSW opposition, Londonderry MP Prue Car said.

“A Minns Labor Government will abolish stamp duty outright for first homebuyers buying a home worth up to $800,000 and offer a discounted rate to first-home buyers purchasing a property up to $1,000,000.

“It’s time to give the families and young people of our community the opportunity to own their own home without paying more taxes. The people of Greater Sydney don’t need Dominic Perrottet’s forever land tax on their homes.”

Penrith MP Stuart Ayres said Labor’s housing plan was about pushing families trying to buy their first home into apartments rather than houses.

“That’s why their cap stops at $800,000,” Mr Ayres said.

“The Liberal Government policy gives first home buyers the choice to pay up front stamp duty or a low annual payment saving buyers tens of thousands in up front costs. This gives buyers more choice on the type of property they purchase.

“Ignore Labor’s scare tactics and believe the buyers who are voting with their feet, with thousands of people registering interest in the scheme for the lower up front costs,” Mr Ayres said.

By KeRRI e DAVI e S

$1 billion for critical Western Sydney roads

Western sydney is set for a major boost with the nsW Liberal national Government announcing a $1 billion investment from the WestInvest fund to upgrade critical roads across the region.

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the Government was backing the people of Western sydney with this major investment in the road network to keep people moving, reduce congestion and boost flood resilience.

“Western sydney is booming and we are making sure that families who live across this fast growing region have the very best roads and infrastructure to keep them moving,” Mr Perrottet said.

“this $1 billion investment in critical upgrades to major roads across the region is a game changer and will make sure that Western sydney continues to grow and thrive. “We are backing Western sydney communities by making their roads safer, making sure they spend less time and getting tradies and other business to where they need to go quicker.

“this is all part of our long-term economic plan for Western sydney, which includes targeted cost of living measures including toll relief, $16 billion for critical transport infrastructure, more than $480 million on local hospitals and health services, and the construction of new schools.”

treasurer Matt Kean said the $1 billion investment was made possible because of the nsW Government’s strong economic management.

“this investment will not only ensure people get to spend more time with family and friends instead of in traffic, but it will significantly improve the safety profile of these critical corridors,” Mr Kean said.

“the increased productivity which results from these road improvements will inject millions of dollars into the state’s economy which benefits every single person across nsW.”

Minister for Metropolitan roads natalie Ward said the improvements are also targeted to improve flood evacuation routes for families in the Hawkesbury-nepean Valley and around Pitt town.

“We are working towards widening Garfield Road East to a four-lane divided road, providing a flood evacuation route with increased capacity as well as a better connection to the communities of Marsden Park, Box Hill, Richmond, Schofields and rouse Hill,” Mrs Ward said.

“the Pitt town Bypass is also a project the community has been calling for so I’m incredibly pleased we can deliver it, significantly increasing the community’s resilience to flooding events.”

the funding will support a range of significant road projects across 15 Local Government Areas, including:

• $200 million for safety improvements on elizabeth Dr at critical sections between Devonshire rd and Western road, Kemps Creek;

• $100 million to construct the Pitt town bypass which has been identified as a crucial project following recent flooding events in the Hawkesbury-nepean valley;

• $100 million to enable the upgrade of a 3.4 kilometre section of Garfield road east between Piccadilly street, riverstone and Windsor road, Box Hill;

• $600 million for roads infrastructure upgrades to be delivered within the 15 eligible WestInvest Local Government Areas, to be determined.

Good ole-fashioned Aussie

›

As flash as a rat with a gold tooth

› It beats a poke in the eye with a blunt stick

› He’s got a head like a beaten favourite

› Bangs like a dunny door in a hurricane

› She’s got a kangaroo loose in the top paddock

› He was grinning like a shot fox

› He’s as fat as a butcher’s dog

› Feeling as crook as Rookwood

› She’s up at a sparrow’s fart

› That’s about as rare as rocking horse poo

› Off like a brides nightie

› She’s done the Harold Holt

› She shot through like a Bondi tram

› He’s lower than a snake’s bum

› She can talk under water with a mouthful of marbles

› I’m so hungry I could I could eat a horse and chase its rider

› I’m busier than a one legged bloke in an ar$e-kicking competition

› She could eat a toffee apple through a tennis racquet - (applied to buck teethed women)

› My throat feels like the scrapings from the Cockie’s cage

› She’s got a face like five miles of unmade road

› As popular as a pork chop in Jerusalem.

› As much use as an ashtray on a motorbike

› He’s as reliable as a two bob watch

› His language was so bad, he’d make a warfie blush

› Fits like a bum in a bucket › She’s as thick as two short planks › He’s so fat you’d need a cut lunch to get around him

Q: What is the difference between an Australian wedding and an Australian funeral?

A: One less drunk at the funeral

Q: Why do kangaroos hate rainy days?

A: Because their children play inside.

Q: What did the necktie say to the Akubra Hat?

A: “You go on a head mate, I’ll just hang around.”

I was recently turned down on my application for an Australian green card, on account of my criminal record. Bit bloody ironic is it not?

A river of memories

HOW about this for a blast from the past? Summers of the last few years have been varying temperatures but the locals of Penrith past were swimming at the Nepean River weir back in 1981.

Today the river is still abuzz with activity on a hot summer day. You’ve got kids jumping from Tarzan style rope swings into the river, risking their necks by climbing up high trees to jump into the water,

and families relaxing under the shade of the breezy trees.

Another batch of water sports that are still popular on the river includes rowing and canoeing. Head out to the rowers club on any weekend morning, just after the sun raises its head over the Nepean Valley, and you’ll see a small armada of rowers powering up and down the river.

In 1951 the first 100 mile canoe marathon started at the weir on Nepean River and went all the way along the Hawkesbury to Singleton. Although this route is now congested by motor boats and the river

has had many changes since then, you can still see the passion for rowing, boating and canoeing that the river inspires.

Across the next 12 months we’ll have the opening of the new pedestrian bridge over the river. Hopefully after that we will see more visitors to the city to take part in the Great River Walk around the beautiful natural waterway Penrith was settled besides.

This summer take advantage of our natural assets and go for a dip in the river, enjoy the river walk or simply lay down a picnic rug and enjoy a good book in the shade of the river bank.

By Keegan Thomson

Canoes getting ready to take off at the weir for the 100 mile marathon. Photo: Memories of Penrith facebook

Swimmers dipping at the Nepean River weir. Photo: Memories of Penrith facebook

WORD SEARCH

2023 January What’s On Events

Event Name : History Festival

Event details The Nepean District Historical Society will be holding a History Festival at the Arms of Australia Inn Museum on Thursday 26th January 2023 at Emu Plains, NSW from 10am to 3pm. Admission is free.

There will be special displays in the Inn telling the history of the building and the Penrith area.

There will be activities for the young and old - including the old

fashioned school room where you can write on slates

There will be a Tea Room, Sausage Sizzle and Soft Drinks for sale.

Time: 10am to 3pm

Venue Address: Arms of Australia Inn Museum, Cnr Gardenia Ave and Great Western Highway, Emu Plains

Contact phone or website for public enquiries: Call 02 4735 4394 on opening days or email info@ armsofaustraliainn.org.au www.armsofaustraliainn.org.au

Where did the Aussie accent come from?

abbreviation

ONE element of the Australian story that is often overlooked is the linguistic history of the Australian accent. It is a harsh accent with lots of hard sounds and unique abbreviated colloquialisms, but where did it come from?

The story is cemented into us from the fourth grade of school: The First Fleet of lawbreaking convicts from across the English Isles made their way into Sydney Harbour to start up the new colony of New South Wales.

From the second the convicts set foot on Australian shores they started chatting. They probably spoke about the rough ride over, the crappy food, the rats they had to share their beds with and most important the weather. You had convicts from Scotland talking to thieves from London’s East End and petty criminals from the highlands of Wales. They all started mixing their accents, words and phrases from the get go.

Professor Catherine T. Best is the Chair in Psycholinguistic Research and Director of Research at the MARCS at Western Sydney University. She has studied accents and the difficulties of learning a second language. Her research has helped her better understand the linguistic history of the Australian accent.

Prof Best says there are many elements to what made the contemporary Australian accent what it is today and they all date back to the First Fleet.

“The first English speaking people to come to Australia came from all over the United Kingdom.

They were criminals and their overseers from across the British Isles,” Prof Best said.

“Within the UK there are very marked accent differences and in Australia these accents came together.

“Here people were thrown together with all different accents and vocabularies and told to work productively together. To do this they needed to communicate. When people come together in that way they start developing a similar lingo overtime so they can community effectively,” she said.

Prof Best says there is evidence to show the Australian love affair with shortening words into colloquial abbreviations comes from the first convict settlers.

“This tradition has some connection to secret word play that convicts would have used to cover up criminal activities and talk to one and other in code,” Prof Best said.

“The tendency to make Australian abbreviations, like calling an electrician a sparky, comes from these

Before British settlers came to Australia there were hundreds of Aboriginal tribes living across the continent. Their history, language and culture has had many impacts in the way the Australian accent has developed.

“There were many tribes of Indigenous people who worked with the English settlers in many productive ways. As a result everyone tried to learn each other’s languages,” Prof Best said.

“By sharing the terminology and subtle changes of the pronunciation of some words the changes to an in-between pronunciation that is mixed between a British English and an Indigenous accent.”

The subtle language elements that the Indigenous people contributed to the Australian accent is similar to that of Australia’s new wave immigrants.

Listen in and you can hear the three main Australian accents spoken across the country. A broad accent, spoken by someone like actor Paul Hogan, an educated accent, spoken by the previous Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and a more general accent that is spoken in major cities.

These three main accents also have subtle changes that can also be heard across state lines and in different regions.

“Informally there is a ‘Westie’ accent,” Prof Best said.

“It isn’t a broad Australian accent but it has features that distinguish it from the general Australian accent spoken in, say, Gosford,” she said.

It is difficult to figure out where the Australian language is going but if we listen in extra hard we might be able to hear the changes.

By Keegan Thomson

codes and cockney rhyming slang.”

By

Sudden Death

President/Research

ACoronial inquiry by Arthur Judges in July 1907 on the death of Hutley Sunderland (better known as ‘Yorkie’) who died suddenly aged 60 years. He was born in 1847 at Yorkshire West Riding in England. At St Peter’s Bradford Cathedral in Yorkshire in September 1872 he married Charlotte Ann (Crosland) who was born in Sheffield in 1851. In 1883 the family came to Australia as assisted immigrants on the “Gladstone” arriving in October with their sons Abraham 10, Samuel 6 and James Henry 3 years. Hutley’s occupation in England was a “Wool sorter” and Charlotte’s was a confectioner, both could read and write. In 1889 Hutley was living at 25 Centre Street at Redfern still working as a wool sorter, but the rest of the family returned to England in the late 1880’s along with Charlotte (Jnr) who was born here. There was no post-mortem and no possessions. At the inquest George Love said he was a labourer and travelling, he had seen the body lying in the hospital morgue and knew it as the body of Hutley. George said he was camping with a friend and first saw Hutley at 6 am when he came to their camp under the Nepean Bridge. He was sober and could converse plainly but complained of feeling very cold and he went to their fire standing almost over it for about 10 minutes then he staggered back and fell on the back of his head, but he thought “Yorkie” had fainted. He could see that “Yorkie” was very ill and while his mate ran for water he borrowed a bicycle and went to the police station and saw the sergeant and returned with a constable to the camp. George said that “Yorkie” had been up all night, but he had no time to tell them anything about himself before he had the bad turn and was unconscious when he returned with the constable. The constable asked him and his mate to watch “Yorkie” while he went for a cart, when he returned with Constable McLean they lifted “Yorkie” up and tried to walk him and he seemed to rally, so they sent for a little whisky for him which he drank. George said he then left to have his breakfast. About a quarter of an hour later Constable McLean told him that “Yorkie” was dead. Next, Herbert Facey a traveller corroborated the previous witness’s evidence and James McGrath said that he was a clerk and lived at Emu Plains and recognise the body as that of Hutley who had been in the employ of Magrath Brothers as a wool classer for about 18 years and he had known him for all that time. James said “Yorkie“ lived at the works and a fortnight ago he had a week off because of chest troubles and during the last week he complained of shortness of breath that became worse when he stooped down. James thought he was a married man, although he would never say anything about his affairs and he had no relatives in the State or any property and he spent it as he made it. James said he paid him his wages at midday yesterday and he seemed alright and the last time he saw him alive was at 11 am when he was lying on the riverbank and he was present when “Yorkie” died there. He thought he had been out all night that was not an uncommon

thing with him, but last night was particularly cold and under the circumstances he was sure that everything was done by the police but in the end it was of no use. Constable McLean said that from something he heard on the morning, he went under the Nepean Bridge in the company with Constable Parmenter and James McGrath and he saw Hutley Sunderland sitting under the bridge and he was suffering from the cold and shivering, when Constable Parmenter took “Yorkie” by the arms and walked him about in the sun, he then gave him a glass of whisky and he appeared to come around and remarked that “he didn’t know what came over him but that he was coming round”. The Constable told him that they would take him to the hospital but “Yorkie” didn’t want to go and said that he would get home after he had a few minutes sleep, so he laid down on a bag in the sun for about five minutes and then he asked him, “How do you feel now?” and told him they would let him go down to the camp if he could, and “Yorkie” got up and started to walk about, rubbing his hands and saying that he was feeling alright, but then he sat down for a while and immediately started to shiver again. Constable Parmenter got on his horse to go for a vehicle to take “Yorkie” to the hospital, but he died before the conveyance came. Constable McGrath had “Yorkie’s” body taken to the Nepean Cottage Hospital Morgue. He knew “Yorkie” had said nothing regarding where he had been the night before, and that he had known Hutley for 18 years and had heard that he had been in a similar state of collapse. He searched the body and found 5/8d in money and other sundries, also letters addressed apparently from his wife and family in England. Dr Frederick Charles Higgins said he was a qualified medical practitioner and Government medical officer for the district and had made an external examination of the body of Hutley Sunderland, and from the evidence heard he thought that he had died from sente lobar pneumonia that was very fatal to alcoholics as he had the appearances of having been a drunkard and suffering from kidney troubles. The finding of the inquest was ‘That Hutley Sunderland, at Penrith, on the 7th July, 1907 died from sente lobar pneumonia. Evidently death was accelerated by alcoholism and exposure”. His younger son Sergeant (Gunner) James Henry at the age of 19 enlisted at Newhaven, England in WW1 into the 25th Heavy Battery, Royal Garrison Artillery and at the age of 39 he died in November 1918 of bronchial pneumonia in the 14th General Hospital in Tourgeville and is buried there in France.

Sources: Nepean Times, NSW Births Deaths & Marriages, Australian Registers of Coroners´ Inquests, NSW Assisted Immigrant Passenger Lists-1828-1896, England & Wales Civil Registration Marriage Index, English 1881 census, Sands Directories-Sydney 1858-1933, Commonwealth War Graves 1914-1921 Tourgeville Military Cemetery Tourgeville France, Ancestry, Find a Grave website, UK British Army WW1 Service Records 1914-1920.

 Photo shows the grave of James Henry

Lyn Forde –

Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.

message from Penrith Men’s Walk n Talk!

Splish splash, hyenas taking a bath at Sydney Zoo in Western Sydney

HEALTHY HAPPY FAMILIES

Looking to make healthy changes as a family? Try Go4Fun - a fun and FREE 10 week program for children aged 7-13 that can help your family get active, make healthier choices, and make new friends.

Come join us at Nepean Aquatic Centre in Term 1 for pool programs at Penrith!

Go4Fun at Penrith (Nepean Aquatic Centre), on Thursdays, 5pm to 7pm, starting 2 February 2023.

To check your eligibility and register, visit https://go4fun.com.au/register/

Cameras catch hyena pair cooling off at the new Sydney Zoo in Western Sydney.

Humans are not the only ones taking time out to enjoy a good swim this summer.

Sydney Zoo’s happy hyenas, Entana and Mahali were seen, splashing, dunking, and wriggling around in a tub of water to cool off and help clean all those hard-to-reach places.

Entana was first to jump in, rolling around, creating a whirlpool of water. He then coaxed Mahali into the tub to join in on all the fun.

Besides being a good way to cool off, a bath also acts as a great sensory experience.

Hyenas are very capable swimmers. They have been seen in the wild holding their breath and feeding off a carcass at the bottom of waterholes.

See the playful carnivores at Sydney Zoo in Western Sydney during these school holidays.

Morning Melodies 2023 Season kicks off at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday 25 January

LeT the good times roll at The Joan with The Golden Boys of Aussie Rock ‘N’ Roll. Veterans of the rock industry Lucky Starr, Roland Storm and Bob Howe will sing some of the hits they performed on Six O’Clock Rock, Bandstand and Sing, Sing, Sing, like ‘Hello Josephine’, ‘The Birds and the Bees’ and the most well-known of all, ‘I’ve Been everywhere’.

Morning Melodies 2023 Season includes:

22 February - Latin Serenity: Tom Burlinson and Jim Pell

22 March – Headliners: Joey Fimmano, Lisa Crouch and Christian Guerrero

26 April - String Along with the Hollywood Classics: Vov Dylan, Glenn Amer and Jennifer Gray

24 May - NSW Police Band – Cinema Classics

28 June - By Special Request: Nathan Foley, Belinda Marks and Simon Gillespie

26 July – Showstoppers: Daren Williams, Nikki Bennett, Guy Taylor and the Greg Hooper Trio

23 August - The Song Catchers: Karen Beckett, Dave Patton and Grant Galea

27 September - Royal Australian Navy Band – Music from Marches to Musicals

25 October - Forever Young: Monique Montez and more

22 November - Catch A Rising Star: Alex Blandino, Geoff Zhang and Daniel Tambacso

20 December - Meet Me Under the Mistletoe: The Company B, Amber Jade and Graeme Wright

Morning Melodies: The Golden Boys of Aussie Rock ‘N’ Roll is on at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre on Wednesday 25 January 2023, 11am. Tickets: Prebooked and paid one week before the concert $22, Purchase on the day $25. Tickets include a pre-concert morning tea at 10am. www.thejoan.com.au/events/the-golden-boys/ Morning Melodies 2023 Season www.thejoan.com.au/ event-series/morning-melodies/

What’s on at PP&VA

We are so excited to bring you arts and culture all year round, and we’re kicking off 2023 with music, comedy, school holiday art workshops and more. Be sure to explore our 2023 Season! This year, we are offering a pick-and-

Another Audition

A New Musical

21 & 21 January, 2pm & 7.30pm

Another Audition tells the story of 8 girls who are all auditioning for the same role in a new musical. When the red hot favourite doesn’t show, personalities clash, tempers flare, and secrets are revealed. After all, this is theatre, and things are never as they seem…

2023 Penrith Seniors

Comedy Gala

7 February 10.30am

Presented by Penrith City Council Come together to The Joan for the 2023 Penrith Seniors Comedy Gala for a good laugh laugh as part of the 2023 Penrith Seniors Festival.

Featuring a hilarious line-up including Tommy Dean, Chris Ryan, Bruce Griffiths and Umit Bali.

www.ppandva.com.au

Joan Sutherland

Performing Arts Centre 597 High Street, Penrith Phone 4723 7600

Penrith Regional Gallery

Home of The Lewers Bequest 86 River Rd, Emu Plains Phone 4735 1100

mix package discount of between 10% and 20% depending on how many shows you select.

Plus, Penrith Regional Gallery’s Summer Series 2023 exhibitions are also on display until 5 March. Drop by for a visit!

Mark Vincent Performs Songs of the Three Tenors | 17 February 2pm

Mark Vincent is truly honoured to be paying tribute to the greatest singers in the world; Pavarotti, Placido Domingo and Jose Carreras, right here at The Joan in Penrith! expect a variety of different songs from arias to classic ballads, as well as musical theatre numbers that the tenors performed through their career. Get your tickets now - the perfect Valentine’s Day gift for a romantic night out at the theatre.

Morning Melodies: Latin Serenity

22 February 11am Don’t miss this intimate concert featuring Tom Burlinson in collaboration with virtuoso Spanish guitarist, Jim Pell. enjoy songs by Brazillian legends Antonio Carlo Jobim and Luiz Bonfa.

Friends of Hawkesbury Companion Animal shelter seek the “extras” for the dogs and cats in care at Hawkesbury Pound.

They also visit the pound each week and take photographs and temperament tests of the animals to post online and promote the animals. They upload their images and opinions of these animals to Facebook, Twitter and Petrescue.

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

Looking for adoptive parents and forever home WE ARE ALL LOST FROM THE PENRITH AREA

Can you help us find the owners of all these missing pets? They have come in from the Penrith Council Area and we would love to reconnect them with their owners.

Local golfers in action across two states

By Noel Rowsell

Golfers

from western sydney were involved in tournaments ranging across sydney last week, highlighted by the 2023 Australian Amateur, which was held at both NsW and st Michael’s Golf Clubs.

A total of 8 players from Western sydney clubs were entered for the event, with Brielle Mapanao (Quakers Hill / The Australian GC) the only one to make the 36-hole cut.

Brielle mixed up her form over the 4 days to eventually finish at 303, in 33rd place overall.

The 2023 Harvey Norman sydney Week of Golf was also held last week, with members of the Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG) foundation playing an arduous 90-hole, 5 course, 5-day junior tournament.

Ti fox (richmond GC) and Darcy Mackay (stonecutters ridge GC) finished as joint leaders at the completion of the event, alongside shashank Koirala (The lakes GC).

The trio were required to go to a three-way sudden-death playoff, with shashank prevailing to become the Boys champion.

erskine Park junior Blake Hodges (NSW GC) finished in a tie for 16th position overall.

In the Girls division, the best performer from western sydney was Deanna Gurmaij-Chung (Twin Creeks GC) in 13th position, ahead of MarieClaire Domingo and savannah Webb (Stonecutters Ridge GC) tied for 14th and Jessica fog (Penrith GC) 20th.

The age division results were as follows:

Boys: 11 Years & Under - Hunter McMillan (Twin Creeks) 6th; 14/15 Years - Ti Fox (Richmond) and Darcy Mackay (stonecutters ridge) Tied 1st; 16/17 Years Blake Hodges (erskine Park / NsW GC) Tied 9th

Girls: 12/13 Years – Savannah Webb (stonecutters ridge) 3rd; Jessica fog (Penrith) 6th; 14/15 Years – Deanna Gurmiaj-Chung (Twin Creeks) 8th, Marie-Claire Domingo (stonecutters ridge) 9th, shayla Coburn (leonay) 10th.

Major Pennant Golf swings into action

All ten local golf clubs have entered for the 2023 Golf NsW Men’s Major Pennant competition, with the levels ranging from Division 1 (Penrith) through to Division 5 (leonay and Windsor).

Penrith has been drawn alongside Concord, NsW and lynwood in Division 1, Section 2; Stonecutters ridge and Twin Creeks are both in Division 2, section 2 alongside long reef and Camden; Dunheved is in Division 2, section 3 alongside North ryde, Manly and Cumberland.

springwood is in Division 3, section 2 alongside Brighton lakes, Massey Park and Marrickville; richmond is in Division 3, section 4 alongside Macquarie links, Kogarah and Cabramatta.

Wallacia is in Division 4, Section 1 alongside Palm Beach, Wakehurst and randwick, whilst Glenmore Heritage Valley is in Division 4, section 3 alongside The Coast, Bexley and Carnarvon.

leonay and Windsor are both in Division 5, Section 1 alongside Bondi.

In the Women’s Major Pennant, stonecutters ridge is the only local club entered in the competition and will play in Division 1, Section 1 alongside The Australian, Bonnie Doon and The lakes.

There will also be local juniors playing away from home, with Coby Carruthers (Jordan springs) and Grace

lee

playing for Concord GC, in the Men’s and Women’s competitions respectively.

The Men’s and Women’s

competition’s are both run on a home and away basis, beginning on 29th January and concluding on 5th March. semi-finals and relegation games

will be played on 12th March and each Division final will be played on 19th March - all playoff games at venues to be announced.

(Glenmore Park) both

By Noel Rowsell

Brielle Mapanao in action during 2022. File photo courtesy of Golf NSW

Alex Platts in action for Penrith in 2022

Local players chosen for hockey world cup

with up and coming talent, to give us the best chance of success at the World Cup,” said Sandhu.

Four players from the Nepean Hockey Association, including sisters Erin and Caitlin Burns, along with Emma McLeish and Emma Leard, have all been chosen in the Australian Indoor Women’s Hockey team, which will compete at the 2023 FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup in Pretoria, South Africa, from 5th-11th February.

Caitlin was first selected in a New South Wales team in u14’s in 2008, and played in various junior State teams. Her senior representation since 2013: u21’s State teams in both 2013 and 2014, before commencing in opens at the 2014/2015 Nationals. Caitlin has since played in NSW opens every year from 2015-2023 (with 2021 and 2022 being cancelled due to CoVID).

Selected in the Australian Development Squad 2015-2016 season, Caitlin represented in Australian Indoor Women’s Team Tours, South Africa Four Nations Tournament 2016, AuS Women’s National Development Team vs uSA National Indoor Team Tour Pennsylvania 2017, Australian open Women Tour – Vienna Classic 2019 (Winners of the tournament), 2020 selected in the Australian open Women World Cup Squad, named in the Australian Women’s World Cup Team for 2023 after selection camps in 2022

Erin was selected as a shadow (reserve) in junior NSW teams and made her debut in the 2013 u21’s NSW team. She was in u21 NSW teams 20132015 and open NSW teams 2016-2023 (with 2021 and 2022 being cancelled due to CoVID),

selected in the Australian open Women’s squad and also toured with the Australian open Women’s team to the Vienna Classic in 2019 (Winners of the tournament), selected in the Australian open Women World Cup Squad in 2020 and again named in the Australian Women’s World Cup Team for 2023, following selection camps in 2022.

Australian Women’s Indoor Hockey head coach Mark Sandhu announced the team of 12 athletes and two travelling reserves, 11 of which have represented Australia previously.

“This is a strong team that combines experience

“The selection process has been difficult, considering the need to pivot to cater for the World Cup being brought forward.

“It has taken two selection camps to narrow the squad down from 34 to 12. The quality and depth of the squad is the best it has ever been, which made the final stage of selections extremely tough.”

The NSW contingent is Caitlin Burns (Nepean), Erin Burns (Nepean), Litiana Field, Estelle Hughes, Kelsey Hughes, Emma McLeish (Nepean), Emma Scriven, Travelling reserve: Amelia Leard (Nepean).

Sandhu commended the Indoor Advisory Group and the national selectors across the country, who have been integral in assisting in the selection process.

The World Cup will include 12 teams from 5 Federations and every match will be streamed on https://watch.hockey

FIH Indoor Hockey World Cup 2023 –Australian Women’s Pool Matches

Australia v united States; 5 Feb 2023, Start Time 10:50am local (7:50pm AEDT)

New Zealand v Australia; 6 Feb 2023, Start Time 9:20pm local (8 Feb 6:20am AEDT)

Australia v Netherlands; 7 Feb 2023, Start Time 10:50am local (7:50pm AEDT)

South Africa v Australia; 8 Feb 2023, Start Time 8:10pm local (9 Feb 5:10am AEDT)

Australia v Austria; 9 Feb 2023, Start Time 1:10pm local (10:10pm AEDT)

By Noel Rowsell

Erin and Caitlin Burns celebrating a previous victory. Photo supplied

Crichton to depart Panthers at season’s end

By Panthers Media

Penrith Panthers can confirm that the club was notified by Stephen Crichton’s management group that he will be seeking opportunities elsewhere in 2024.

Contrary to media reports, the club made a substantial offer in May 2022 for Stephen to remain at the Panthers and were disappointed the club could not reach an agreement at that point in time.

Given the uncertainty surrounding the NRL salary cap and CBA negotiations, contract discussions

were put on hold at the backend of the 2022 season, while the club worked to establish its position.

As a dual premiership winner and World Cup player, external interest in Stephen’s services were to be expected

and although the club was working to maintain the representative player, Stephen made the decision to move forward with other interests.

“Although Panthers is disappointed by the outcome, the club respects Stephen’s decision, and understands the situation is exacerbated by salary cap pressure based on the club’s recent success,” Panthers Rugby League CEO Matt Cameron said.

“The club thanks Stephen for his efforts and is looking forward to seeing him represent the Panthers for the remainder of the 2023 NRL season.”

Crichton said he is fully committed to finishing the year strongly with the Panthers.

“It was the hardest decision to make, but now my full focus is on the 2023 season and finishing my time at Panthers as strong as I can,” he said.

“It’s going to be tough to leave my teammates, but we will have our chance to make more memories this year. I know my friendships at Panthers won’t finish here but will last forever.”

In respect to all parties involved, Panthers will not make any further comment on the matter at this time.

Panthers brightest youngsters commit to Panthers

By Panthers Media

Penrith Panthers is delighted to announce the re-signings of talented young players Jack Cole, Isaiah Iongi, Jesse McLean and harrison hassett.

the Panthers quartet have all resigned with the club until the end of the 2025 season.

The contract extensions will see the four players train with the NRL squad on a full-time capacity throughout the 2023 season.

Cole has committed to the club following a stellar 2022 season, in which he made his NRL debut for the Panthers in Round 25 against North Queensland.

As well as representing New South Wales in the under-19s clash, the playmaker was named the NSWRL Jersey Flegg Player of the Year and helped the Panthers to premiership success in the NSW Cup.

Queensland representative Iongi also featured in the under-19s Origin fixture in 2022 and was named the Panthers Jersey Flegg Player of the Year.

The fullback played for both the Jersey Flegg and NSW Cup sides in 2022, as well as training with the NRL squad.

McLean had a breakout 2022 season, which saw him named in the Australian Schoolboys side.

The outside back scored a double in the SG Ball Grand Final, including the match-winning try, and claimed the Panthers SG Ball Emerging Talent Award.

Hassett was also selected in the Australian Schoolboys squad and was

named the Panthers SG Ball Player of the Year after impressing throughout 2022.

The backrower played in both SG Ball and Jersey Flegg grand finals, and decided it would be most beneficial to develop his rugby league career at the Panthers.

“It’s always rewarding to see Panthers Pathways players remain at the club despite receiving offers from other

clubs,” Panthers Rugby League CEO Matt Cameron said.

“Jack, Isaiah, Jesse and Harrison were all impressive throughout the 2022 season and thoroughly deserve their contract extensions.”

“Not only are they talented rugby league players, but they are also great young men who are dedicated to their careers.”