Nepeannews 22december2016

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Thursday, 22 December 2016

ISSUE 191

WISHING ALL OUR ADVERTISERS, COLUMNISTS AND READERS A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW WISHIN W YEAR

CHILDREN’S WARD CHRISTMAS Lachlan and his mum Kathleen have spent some of the Christmas holiday period in the children’s ward of Nepean Hospital but there have been a few special Christmas surprises from all of the nurses in the ward. Read more on page 7. Photo: Kennedi Geyer

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Prison plan punted

By Kerrie Davies

A PROPOSAL to expand the Emu Plains Correction centre has been dumped, following a statement released by the Minister for Corrections, David Elliot.

“I have today confirmed the proposed expansion of Emu Plains Correctional Centre will not progress,” Mr Elliot said.

“I have heard community concerns about the proposed expansion and updated flood modelling provided to Justice Infrastructure shows that the flooding risk with the proposed increase in capacity could not be fully addressed at the site.

“Emu Plains was considered for expansion because it is a large open site within the Sydney metropolitan region and would bring more than 400 new jobs and investment to the local economy.”

Mr Elliot said the government was continuing to look at additional sites to increase capacity in the NSW correctional system.

“The prisoner population is at a record level, meaning our community is safer than ever before, but this is putting pressure on the state’s prisons and wider justice system,” he said.

“The NSW Government is investing $3.8 billion over four years to provide about 7,000 additional beds across the state to respond to NSW’s increasing prisoner population.

Penrith MP Stuart Ayres was pleased that the

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Emu Plains site was off the table.

“I congratulate Minister Elliott on a common sense decision not to proceed with an expansion of the Emu Plains prison,” Mr Ayres said.

“Having raised concerns with Minister Elliott about flooding and flood evacuation routes, I am pleased that those concerns were investigated and responded to with the correct decision.”

Labor State Member for Londonderry, Prue Car was quick to respond to the announcement.

“This proposal was always doomed to fail.

It was inappropriate for the location and there was never any consultation with the surrounding communities,” Mrs Car said.

“Western Sydney should not be treated as the dumping ground for the State’s worst criminals.

People power has convinced the Government that we cannot be taken for granted.”

Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry

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

Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

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

Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644 Korena Hale 0403 045 880 Garion Thain 0430 424 101 Keegan Thomson 0421 382 560 Conner Lowe 0404 419 346 Stewart Moses 0417 680 533 Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Tom Carey 0425 803 180 Kennedi Geyer 0452 455 844 Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown nepeannews@aol.com www.wsnewsgroup.com

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

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by Kerrie Davies JUST when I think I’ve heard it all and there’s nothing left to roll my eyes at, out trots the movement from “new age” style parents who believe allowing your child to believe that Santa Clause is real will traumatise them. Kids will be forever scarred by the conspiracy that you as a parent created and left them out of, they say.

What absolute garbage.

Personally, I find it traumatising that there are parents out there who want to drop the Santa bomb and spoil the magic of Christmas for their children.

And what’s more, these “informed” children will no doubt roll up to school and share their discovery with the children of those parents who were happy to allow their kids to enjoy a childhood full of imagination.

If you are raising a child that you think will be traumatised by the magical aspect to Christmas, then I’m sorry to say that I think you’re in for much bigger problems down the track. A child who is able to become a “victim” at a young age over a fairy tale that is filled with fun and excitement will not be very well-equipped when life doles out actual problems.

If a child feels traumatised by the eventual revelation as they head toward high school age, perhaps a good life lesson for them would be to take them to a cancer ward in a children’s hospital, or show them pictures of children who are starving in under-developed countries; and teach them what actual traumatic situations are, and what actual victims look like.

Western society is getting sillier and sillier by the day.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas that is filled with all the excitement and magic that goes with it, and here’s hoping Santa Clause brings you what you wish for for. See you next year!

Our first edition back in 2017 is January 19.

Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

Local school receives grant MEMBER for Mulgoa Tanya Davies MP has welcomed Surveyors Creek Public School’s successful application for a $3,500 Eco Schools Program grant, which helps instil environmental awareness and appreciation in children.

Tanya Davies said the NSW Environmental Trust grants would help Surveyors Creek Public School to implement local and practical environmental education initiatives.

“Surveyors Creek Public School proposed a project called Surveyors Sensory Garden in a bid to achieve an oppourtunity for all children in the school, including special needs students, to contribute to activities such as planting, maintaining or creating a sensory experience,” Tanya Davies said.

Surveyors Creek Public School has constructed a native sensory garden that all children can utilise and gain benefit from. The garden will be available for all teachers to use as an outdoor classroom for sensory enrichment, flora and fauna biodiversity education, ecosystem education and appreciation of the environment.

LEASED

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9834 1044 NEPEAN DISTRICT

Stuart Ayres

MP

Member for Penrith

Furthermore, Surveyors Creek’s Integrated School contains a Special Needs Unit catering to children with mild to moderate disability.

This garden will provide a place where their sensory needs can be met. There are also a number of special needs children in mainstream classes who will benefit from using the garden for a sensory break during class time or play time.

Seventy-eight primary and secondary schools were successful in applying for the program, which this year has provided more than $270,000 in grants.

To see the full list of recipients and project descriptions, visit: www.environment.nsw.gov.au/grants/2015eco-schools.htm

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

Listen to our very own Keegan Thomson with News Hour - Monday mornings from 9am to 10am Also on WOW is Music Memories with Isobel Impell on Wednesday - Midday to 2pm

www.wowfm1007.com.au

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Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

Getting pregnant addicts off drugs ASSISTANT Minister for Health, Pru Goward and Member for Penrith, Stuart Ayres have announced that pregnant mums battling addiction across the Nepean will have more help to get off drugs thanks to a $1.7 million funding enhancement for substance use in pregnancy services.

The allocation, over four years, is part of the NSW Government’s $75 million enhancement to drug and alcohol treatment services to help pregnant women and mothers get off drugs.

Mr Ayres said that the increase in funding for substance use in pregnancy services would allow more pregnant women undertake specialist drug and alcohol treatment and was a welcome increase for the region.

“This funding will see more vulnerable women in the area access specialist services throughout pregnancy and post-pregnancy and ensure that longer term coordinated care is available to help them in their journey of overcoming addiction.

“I’m particularly pleased that the funding will enhance the ice in pregnancy services to manage the complexities that these cases involve”.

Ms Goward said the funding was an important milestone in the NSW Government’s commitment to providing more access to lifechanging treatment for women who wished to get their lives back on track.

“We know addicts who are pregnant are often highly motivated to change, but drugs, a lack of parenting knowledge, and limited access to support networks make it enormously difficult for them,” she said.

“Increasing access to Substance Use in Pregnancy Services, including longer-term term support post-delivery, can make a lifechanging difference for these women and their children.”

Gael Rao, General Manager Drug and Alcohol Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District and Dr Karen Fisher, Drug and Alcohol Clinical Director at Nepean Hospital Drug and Alcohol Service.

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Christmas care for sick kids

By Keegan Thomson

BEING sick can suck but being sick in hospital at Christmas time is maybe the worst thing ever for a young growing boy. Lachlan Luland and his mum Kathleen King know all too well what it is like to be stuck in a hospital bed during the Christmas and holiday period.

“It is hard,” Ms King said. “Lots of people try to make it easier for you, we’ve had visitors bringing presents and the staff really looks after the kids, but it has been difficult.”

Lachlan has been in hospital for the past two weeks with an infected knee and has missed out on all his end of year Christmas events at school.

“He has been disappointed to miss all the end of year school things,” Ms King said.

She said it is quite hard sometimes being the mother of someone who is sick in hospital, simply because the hospital isn’t set up to cater for the parents.

“It is hard being stuck in the hospital with a sick child,” she said. “Across the whole two weeks we’ve been here I’ve only been out one night.”

Lachlan said he was looking forward to Christmas mainly because of the presents with “all different types of Lego” being the number one thing on his list.

Whilst Lachlan has been in hospital he said he’s had a visit from Santa Claus and he’s already received a number of Christmas presents including

Photo: Kennedi Geyer

books, Lego and a remote control car.

Nurse Shannan Waddups, the Nurse Unit Manager of Children’s Ward at Nepean Hospital, said the staff try their best to help make the children feel at home over the Christmas period.

“Each year we decorate the ward in a theme and this year we’ve gone with Harry Potter,” Nurse Waddups said. “We try to make their stay in hospital at Christmas time a little more magical.”

The ward has cut outs of candles hanging from the roof with different spells on the walls. At least four Christmas trees line the halls of the Children’s ward with banners and other cut-outs decorating the doors and Nurse’s station. A big Christmas tree sits in the children’s play area.

Nurse Waddups said the Children’s ward receives numerous donations of toys, books and games from the community around Christmas and they’re able to give these donations out as Christmas presents.

“In the lead up to Christmas we’re lucky to have substantial donations from the community,” she said. “So on Christmas Eve the nurses here pop together santa sacks and wrap up some presents so that the sick children can have something to open on Christmas morning.”

She said the whole team really contributes to the festive flavour of the ward and it really helps improve the children’s mood across the day.

The whole hospital seems to be getting into the festive season, including the Nepean Hospital Therapy Dogs, who’ve been dressed up in special Christmas outfits for the occasion.

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

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Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

GETTING TO KNOW....

Mrs Claus

By Keegan Thomson 1.

What was your first paid job?

I was a baker’s assistant at a local cake and cookie baker. It was what really started my love for cooking.

2. What is your guilty pleasures?

Ginger bread cookies and milk.

3. What is your biggest fear/ phobia?

Flying. I can’t fly so that is why Santa does all the delivery duty on Christmas Eve. 4. What is your worst habit?

I over-bake all the time. I’m always getting my portion sizes wrong so when I bake I’ll always end with more than I can eat.

5. Best advice you’ve ever been given?

Live every day like it is Christmas Day! 6. If you only had $50 left in the bank how would you spend it?

I would spend it on ginger bread cookies, do you think I have a problem?

7. Favourite holiday destination?

I love to holiday at the beach. Santa and I live in such a cold climate so it is always good to get away and live it up at the beach and drink some cocktails.

8. Do you have a favourite sporting team?

There is an elf team who play ice hockey called the North Pole Nomads. They’ve never won a game but they’re great fun to watch.

9. Name one reason why you love western Sydney.

The area is so dynamic and the children are really well behaved.

10. In three words, describe your perfect Sunday.

Sleep ins and breakfast in bed.

Extra waste services over Christmas CHRISTMAS to assist households with any extra waste they may have from the festive period. Council will provide two weeks of extra collections from 26 December 2016 to 6 January 2017 where residents can place all three bins at the kerbside for collection.

Penrith Mayor John Thain said Penrith residents have already got it sorted and are champions in resource recovery.

“There is an increase in household waste and recycling around Christmas Day and our residents do an excellent job of recycling and reducing waste at this time of year,” Cr Thain said.

“In providing an effective service and keeping waste management costs low for the community, Council is providing two weeks of additional collections, similar to that provided in the past.”

“Our residents have been consistently reducing their waste which has resulted in savings to the community.”

During the weeks of extra collections, residents should place all bins out on the kerbside the evening before their normal collection day.

“To make sure all extra bins are emptied, the trucks and drivers are starting early and working late into the evening, so please leave your bins at the kerbside until they are emptied,” Cr Thain said.

Bin collections will go ahead even if the collection day falls on a public holiday.

Residents should also be receiving their new waste calendars in the mail that will outline the extra bin collections as well as bin services for 2017.

Council will also provide a Recycling Drop Off point for residents to easily remove household recyclables at a time convenient to them. The drop off point will be located at Penrith Civic Centre in the turning circle (near Penrith Library) and will be open 3pm until 6pm every weekday from Monday 19 December 2016 through to Friday 6 January 2017, excluding public holidays.

The drop off location will accept all normal household recyclables including: • glass bottles and jars • milk and juice cartons • paper and cardboard • plastic bottles and containers • steel and aluminium cans.

Residents can also stay informed by downloading the Penrith Waste Champion app for collection reminders and to be notified of Council’s e-waste and chemical drop off days. The app is available on the Apple Store, Google Play Store and for Windows phones.

For more information, or to speak to someone about extra bin collections, please contact the Waste Services Team on 4732 7615 or visit penrithcity.nsw.gov.au.

Sensational new park for summer splashing

By Kerrie Davies

A FANTASTIC new park has opened in Erskine Park, and what’s really fabulous is you’ll find that this is no ordinary park.

Phoenix Reserve is set to be one of the most popular places in town to take the kids and what’s even more exciting for young families is that it is free!

The reserve boasts a new splash pad to keep cool this summer and is part of a broader range of improvements that includes new pathways, picnic shelters, new furniture and landscaping.

The splash pad and playground equipment offers the community a wonderful range of play spaces and experiences.

At an official opening event this week, Mayor John Thain was joined

by Deputy Mayor Tricia Hitchen, Councillors Greg Davies and Ben Price.

“I’m always happy to see improvements made to local parks and playgrounds, but I’m particularly pleased to celebrate this $400,000 investment in Phoenix Reserve,” Mayor John Thain said.

Council worked closely with

Erskine Park residents to determine what the community needed and how Council could best meet those needs.

“What we heard, loud and clear, was that improvements to the open space in Erskine Park were long overdue,” Cr Thain said.

“But, as you’ll also know, it’s been a balancing act. After intensive community consultation, it was decided that some open space would be rezoned and sold for housing, with funds reinvested into other parks and reserves.

“The good news is that the improvements here at Phoenix Reserve are just the beginning.

Council has forward funded this work along with new continuous footpaths along Peppertree and Swallow Drive that will be completed in early 2017.

“But as the rezoning and sales process progresses, we’ll have even more funds to improve more open spaces in Erskine Park,” he said.

Since 1965, the number of days where the temperature has reached over 35 degrees in western Sydney

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has increased by at least 250% - and we’ve all felt some of those scorchers in the recent run of hot days we’ve just had.

“I know this splashpad, and the one at Werrington, have been very well used over the past couple of weeks and will continue to be popular over the summer months,” Cr Thain said.

“I’d like to thank the community members who have worked with Council’s project team over the past couple of years. Your input has been invaluable.”

Stuart Ayres MP Member for Penrith

Wishing Everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy and Safe New Year

Wishing the Penrith community a very Merry Christmas and a safe and Happy New Year!

Deputy Mayor Phone 0417 365 313

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

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10 Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

Rotary getting into the Christmas spirit

By Kerrie Davies

Members of St Marys Rotary Club with St Marys Salvation Army Major.

CHRISTMAS is a time for giving, and these fabulous local people have done the meaning of Christmas proud.

St Marys Rotary Club coordinated the handing over of Christmas gifts from Goodman Fielder of Erskine Park to St Marys Salvation Army Major Nellie Moed.

Major Nellie said these will be distributed to deserving members of our community. All the gifts were donated by the 120 management and staff at Goodman Fielder’s Erskine Park factory.

The Christmas gifts range from children’s toys to consumables. All the toys were carefully categorised, wrapped and marked by age groups and gender for the children.

This is part two of the overall donation to St Marys Salvation Army by St Marys Rotary Club and Goodman Fielder. St Marys Rotary handed over 30 consumable hampers in late November. These have already being distributed to deserving families.

In each hamper was placed a signed Christmas card by members of St Marys Rotary Club wishing the recipients a Happy Christmas together with a message of good will tagged to each hamper.

The procurement of the goods took a lot longer than the packing which was supervised by St Marys Salvation Army Major Nellie Moed, who was most appreciative of the work and thoughtfulness that had gone into putting the hampers together.

St Marys Rotarian, Chris Miller said this community project gives St Marys Rotary Club members great pleasure in allowing them to give a little to the less fortunate in our community.

Well done!

WISHING YOU

MERRY CHRISTMAS ✦

& A HAPPY NEW YEAR! CHRIS BOWEN MP MAY THIS SEASON BRING YOU HAPPINESS THROUGH THE WHOLE YEAR

JOY ✦ PEACE ✦ LOVE

✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦✦

✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

Prue Car MP “ Member for Londonderry

A Very Merry Christmas to you andd your family. All the best for 2017 and enjoy the holiday season!

“

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✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦ ✦

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

Getting a good coffee in Penrith CBD just got easier NO coffee lover would ever underestimate the value of a skilled Barista.

Unfortunately, getting trained staff has always been a case of demand far outreaching supply.

After surveying the businesses in the CBD, it became clear that Penrith was in the grip of a trained Barista shortage that was making it hard for business owners to find suitably qualified staff. In response, Penrith CBD Corporation and Nepean Community College collaborated to develop and run a Barista training course for cafés and restaurants in the CBD. The Barista Project, which was funded by State Training, has brewed its first group of Barista graduates. The pilot group of twenty students completed a two-day course under the experienced direction of their trainer, Mischelle.

The course was designed so that they not only learnt how to make a top-notch coffee but also covered off food safety, ordering and some of the basics of café operations.

Jay Porter, from Theodore’s Café relished the opportunity to fine-tune his Barista skills and increase his personal understanding of food safety. The owner of Theodore’s Café, Natalia Tutaki can also see the value in her staff being up-skilled, “Developing staff is always a good idea. “ This project has been a great success and a model for development of further courses in the New Year to further ready young people for the future and a growing Penrith Café Culture.

For more information contact Stephen Vella at Nepean Community College on 4724 9000.

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(From Left) Jolanta Mykietyn (from Polmarket Euro Deli & Café) Eric Wright (Principle of Nepean Community College), Jay Porter & Natalie Tutaki (from Theodore’s Café).

My pprayers My rayyeerrss ra

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all COUNCILLOR

Bernard

BRATUSA Phone: 0420 581 225

Bernard.bratusa@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year & all the best for 2017 MAYOR

JOHN

THAIN Phone: 0411 427 812 john.thain@penrithcity.nsw.gov.au

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Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

A mother’s sadness

By Andrea Turner-Boys

ONE of our local business women, Linda Campbell tragically lost her son this week. As a parent myself, We are so sad as a community knowing that another wonderful family is going through such tragedy at Christmas time. Linda is a hypnotherapist and NLP practitioner and has had a practice in our local region for many years. Linda has helped countless teens and adults with anxiety, mental health issues and breaking debilitating habits. When you’re a small business owner in a service such as Linda’s your sole source of income is derived from the work

that you yourself complete.

We would like to take this opportunity to give some support to Linda and her family at this time, by providing her with some funds to see her through the funeral and Christmas and let Linda return to her practice when she is able and ready.

If you would like to help us support Linda’s campaign, Please copy the link below, any size donation is welcome and we thank you for your support, and we send love and healing to Linda Campbell, and her extended family at this time. https://www.gofundme.com/ support-for-our-friend-linda

Need help? Call Lifeline Australia 13 11 14 You can call 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Send your letters to the editor to kerrie@nepeannews.com.au Bobby the brave Dear Kerrie.

I do remember when on a previous occasion you spoke on little Bobby and the family’s behalf.

I find it every bit as hard now to comment as I did back then.

I have grandchildren aged from 20 years down to Bobby’s age.

I think that as far as the penalty handed down to this monster goes, that each and every one of us must join the family in appealing his utterly inadequate sentence, which is just beyond comprehending, given the crime.

I do wonder if Bobby had have died what then would have been the outcome? What would have been the sentence, yet in effect, Bobby HAS lost his life.

I would urge the Nepean News to champion the case for Bobby and his family and in turn get all of us to petition and march to court for justice. sake. They at least are owed that.

God bless Bobby.

Dave Burt Kingswood

Connection to past I just thought I would take the time to write and say how much I enjoy reading Nepean News, especially the history component.

It is wonderful to have a regular connection to our forefathers and early settlers and read about what their lives were like.

Thank you for ensuring that we maintain a link to the past.

I. Douglas St Marys Little Bobby’s abuser I read your article on Bobby with tears streaming down my face. How someone could do that to a tiny baby is beyond comprehension.

Furthermore, how a judge could look at what he did (and you were 100 per cent right to call him a monster by the way) and not throw away the prison cell keys beggars belief.

Please continue to do as you do and call out things like this, and keep us informed of outcomes.

Lisa Stewart Glenmore Park

1/99 Canberra St, Oxley Park | 9833 4002

www.apluspropertygroup.com.au

Development Marketing Looking to Buy or Sell Call Us Today The team at A Plus would like to wish all our clients past, present and future a Merry Christmas and a Happy And Safe New Year

A season of symphony

A professional approach

By Kerrie Davies

PENRITH is set to bask in a year of innovative arts and cultural programs next year, featuring local emerging talent that will entertain all ages.

Stuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith joined Dr Paul Terracini, Artistic Director of the Penrith Symphony Orchestra (PSO) to announce a NSW Government grant which will assist in presenting a season of concerts in 2017.

Stuart Ayres said Penrith Symphony Orchestra has been successful in securing a NSW Government Arts and Cultural Development Program grant of $30,000.00.

“The funding being provided will help the PSO to deliver innovative arts and cultural programs to the Penrith community throughout 2017,” Stuart Ayres said.

The season of concerts will involve collaborations with professional performers, conductors, emerging artists from Sydney Conservatorium of Music and community choirs from Western Sydney. The season

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Presentation at Bennett Road Public School (L to R) Glen Leaf, Beau Warren-Tibbets, Ricky Crow, Tyler Birnie, Terry Hansen Photo: David Taylor

includes a subscription series with four symphonic concerts and an opera gala, concerts for young children and performances by Penrith Strings.

Program funding supports the NSW Government’s Create in NSW framework, which guides strategy, investment and partnerships to grow a thriving, globally connected arts and cultural sector.

The Arts and Cultural Development Program is administered by Arts NSW on behalf of the NSW Government.

For further information go to www. arts.nsw.gov.au.

This is our last edition for 2016.

Wishing you a Merry Christmas & Happy & Safe New Year.

Look out for our first edition back in 2017 on January 19.

MOST company re-brands end up with all of the old business cards, letterhead and calendars being sent to the tip.

This year has seen the Professionals Real Estate network across Australia and New Zealand update their branding with the offices of Professionals Outer Western Sydney (at St Marys, Plumpton and Erskine Park) recently completed.

During the update Terry Hansen, Principal of Professionals Outer Western Sydney, came across a couple of hundred A3-sized multiplication tables that had been printed some years ago for a past promotion.

Rather than throw them away,

Terry reached out to Glen Leaf, the Principal at Bennett Road Public School, and offered them to the school.

Terry had attended Bennett Road from Kindergarten to Year 6 “some years ago” and was keen to help the school if he could.

“I have some very fond memories of the school and of my time there and it was great walking around this morning seeing how much the place has grown over the years,” Terry said.

At a small ceremony on Thursday morning, Terry presented the posters to Mr Leaf and three of the current pupils, Beau Warren-Tibbets, Ricky Crow and Tyler Birnie.

2016 has been another wonderful year for CRS. We celebrated 10 Years in business.

Thank you to all of our clients, suppliers and friends who have supported us this year.

We will be sticking around this Christmas to help you with any of your staffing needs.

From our family to yours, we would like to wish you a safe holiday and a bright New Year!

From Linda and the team at

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Phone 4731 2333 www.completerecruitment.com.au

THE BEST OF

14

By Keegan Thomson & Garion Thain

JOHN GORMAN

EACH year for the past 25 years Emu Plains local John Gorman has taken part in what could only be described as a reincarnation of the HannaBarbera Whacky Races, the Royal

Flying Doctor Service Outback Car Trek.

Starting in some far out location in outback Australia and ending a week later in another part of the dusty, wide open country, the Outback Car Trek each year raises money for the Royal Flying Doctor Service, but John cheekily admits the reason he first became interested in the event wasn’t

exactly the charity work.

“Adventure was the real reason I got into all this,” John said.

“Me and a few mates just wanted to do one and we tried to get in with the Variety Club, but that was booked out, so we found the Royal Flying Doctor Service Outback Car Trek and thought we’d give it a go,” he said.

Out of all the treks he’s been on one of the most memorable was the drive from Narrabri in north-eastern New South Wales to Port Douglas in tropical north Queensland, a return trip of around 7000 kms.

“We started the trip in Narrabri and we ended in Port Douglas, all up it was about seven days but after it I drove all the way back home again,” he said enthusiastically.

For the trip he raised over $60,000 for the Royal Flying Doctor Service and he admits he’s getting pretty good at fundraising.

PETER COLLINS

CAPTAIN Peter Collins, OAM has by his own admission, not been a denizen of the Nepean area for an exceedingly long time. The Werrington resident, a self-described “newbie,” bought his

home with his wife Jennine in 2012, and together have lovingly restored it.

Mr Collins, is a retired Captain in the Royal Australian Naval Reserve and a former Officer in the Australian army Reserve. He saw active duty in Iraq, spent time as an ABC journalist and a Barrister and was the NSW Opposition Leader from 1995-1998, as well as a minister in a number of portfolios in the previous government.

In our conversation he said spoke at length about the changes happening in the Penrith region.

“Penrith is on the cusp of a whole new era,” said Mr Collins, “and I think the community and Penrith city council are very aware of that.

“When I was a Minister for Health from ’88-’95, the conversation was about parramatta. now, Penrith.

“As Health Minister I moved the children’s hospital from Camperdown to Westmead, which is one of my greatest achievements.”

“I recognised the importance of the West and knew it was growing, people in Greater Western Sydney and the Blue Mountains needed a provider of tertiary medical training, so I made Nepean Hospital a teaching hospital.”

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DAVID AND ROBIN PULLEN

ORIGINALLY David and Robin Pullen called the Nepean home but after a stint away the Salvation Army recently brought David and Robin back to the area.

Following in the steps of David’s parents who were also Salvos, they sold their home in Emu Plains in 1988

and went through the Salvo training college in Penrith.

“The Salvation Army is who I am, a part of my identity with my wife,” said Mr Pullen.

Decades of service and appointments to multiple locales, including Bateman’s Bay and Canberra led to involvement in the drug and alcohol response area of the Salvation Army.

The Pullens have been involved with the drug and alcohol segment for the past decade, with David now responsible for the Salvation Army’s response to drugs and alcohol in New South Wales, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.

His rehabilitation program, called pathways, is the result of this role, and the Salvation Army launched it with the help of the state government, opened by MP Stuart Ayres. “’Pathways’ is about long-term methadone, helping [addicts] to stabilise, and completely cease where appropriate,” said Mr Pullen.

“Alcohol impacts more than a lot of people too but what is really problematic is heroin. It is making a resurgence after its popularity in 80’s and 90’s,” said Mr Pullen.

When asked about the logistics on treating people on drugs that are addictive, Mr Pullen was proud to say the treatment consistently works.

“Statistically speaking, the outcomes for the pathways program are as good as or usually better than the international averages,” he said.

“We have to work holistically with the Nepean Community to respond to the impact of drugs.”

15

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18

localnews local

Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

Heat stroke in pets

AS the weather heats up, the risk of heat stroke in pets rises.

Heat stroke is a syndrome that occurs when an animal’s body temperature exceeds 40 degrees – this can cause problems with blood clotting and organ function.

Heat stroke can result in shock, internal bleeding, organ failure and eventual death.

Cats and dogs are very different to humans because they cannot sweat from their skin. In humans, air circulating past sweaty skin cools the blood internally, so a person can still function on a 45 degree day. Dogs and cats only sweat through their foot pads, and with their bodies covered in fur, they cannot easily cool down.

Animals will pant to try and cool their internal body temperature but this is not very effective in extreme weather conditions.

As with children, DO NOT leave pets in cars, even briefly, especially in the summer months.

The internal temperature of a car can rapidly reach extreme temperatures greater than 50 degrees.

Exercise naturally heats a dog and they cannot cool well when the ambient temperature is warm.

Never let a dog do strenuous exercise when the temperature is above 25 degrees. It is sensible to only exercise dogs early in the morning, or in the cool of evening during summer months.

If extreme temperatures are predicted, then providing areas of shade or the cool of under the house will help. When temperatures greater than 40 degrees are predicted, leaving pets indoors with air conditioning is the best option. If this is not possible, then you can provide a child’s wading pool or plastic shell (left in a shady area) with only a few centimeters of water for dogs to lie in. Freezing water filled plastic bottles and placing them at the bottom of pet beds can also help cool down resting pets.

You can provide ice blocks to entertain and cool a pet in the summer months. A large ice block may last for some hours. This can be made by freezing a 4 liter ice-cream container and then placing the ice block outside in the dogs drinking bowl for them to lick as it melts. It is even more fun if some dried liver treats are frozen in the ice-block.

Enjoy your Christmas celebrations and don’t forgot to plan for hot days for your pets especially if you will be out and about.

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

Phone 47 313 055

The best of a day in the life of... 2016

By Keegan Thomson

THIS YEAR I was given the job to restart the segment ‘a day in the life’ and from the get go it was clear that is was an oldie but a goodie.

Across the last few months I’ve been lucky enough to follow and learn from some of the people with the most interesting jobs in all of western Sydney.

Talking with community minded human rights lawyer, Kingsley Liu spoke of his personal efforts to help make western Sydney a better place.

“A lawyer has the opportunity to engage in the community, if he or she wishes to, but there are quite a lot of lawyers who don’t take up that opportunity,” Mr Liu said.

He also gave some insight into how to lead a more mindful life in today’s busy modern world.

“If you have time to reflect then you might find some extra meaning in life that isn’t the mundane and the usual meaning of life,” he said.

In the very first ‘day in the life’ I met Josephine Fava, a funeral arranger with a very positive outlook on life.

She said her job has given her a fresh look on life and death.

“I don’t think of it as morbid, I

look at it as a loved one now being in a beautiful place. I see that they’ve moved onto another beautiful place, they’re finally at peace. The morbid part comes from watching too many horror films and crime shows,” Ms Fava said.

Meeting with zookeeper Chad instantly it was clear he has one of the best jobs in western Sydney. He is a professional koala cuddler, well not really, he is the head zookeeper at

Featherdale Wildlife Park.

Zookeeper Chad let us know what it is like to have a conversation with an animal particularly when they can’t necessarily talk back to you.

“The biggest skill in the job is learning to look at your animals and know if something is not right. If you’ve been around an animal long enough you’ll know if everything is normal and then hopefully they’ll be telling you in body language, in where

they are, in what they’re doing, that something is not right,” he said.

Local cancer care nurse, Nurse Kate Win told us about all the physical sides of her work.

“The physical side of nursing is huge, there is lots of bending, lifting, pushing, stretching,” she said. “That can impact upon your family life because sometimes you just want to go to bed after a long day, but it is often overshadowed when you reflect on the people you’ve helped across a day,” she said.

She voiced her concerns for the future of an ageing workforce.

“As the nursing workforce ages it is going to become difficult for nurses who want to continue into their old age because of all the strenuous and physical aspects of the job,” Nurse Win said.

With there being such a diverse group of people living in the west there is bound to be hundreds if not thousands of new jobs to investigate in 2017.

Due to the success of the segment we’re bringing day in the life of back for 2017 but we’d like to hear from you. What jobs would you like to read about in 2017? Do you have a job that is particularly interesting? Send me an email at keegan@nepeannews.com. au.

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Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

Winners and Losers of 2016

By Keegan Thomson

AT 12:01 on January 1, 2017 there will be an international collective sigh of ‘thank god 2016 is behind us’.

It is clear to say that 2016 has been a rough year and there will be many who’d like to forget it fast but from the get go we knew it was going to be rough with there being so much uncertainty in the air.

On January 1, 2016 we knew there was going to be another federal election in Australia before the end of the year, we knew the Brexit vote was going to take place and we even knew that there was a chance, even if it was only the slimmest of slim chances, that Donald J. Trump would be elected as the leader of the free world.

Whether you agree that Brexit is good or bad or that President Trump is a triumph or a tantrum thrower you’d agree that there has been a bunch of winners and losers in 2016.

Winners Pokemon trainers - 2016 saw the overnight rise of the hugely successful smartphone app, Pokemon GO, and with it came the rise of Pokemon

trainers and Pokemon catchers everywhere. The game got people out into the world, walking around and interacting with other people through their smartphones, instead of playing computer games in a more traditional way. Stats even showed that due to the app people were getting more exercise.

Anyone who likes elections - This year in Penrith we had two elections so everyone should have had a good chance to snag themselves a democracy sausage. Aren’t we lucky?

Animal lovers - Through continuous work with conservation groups animal numbers are up across the globe. For the first time in history the number of

wild tigers has grown, there are signs that the facial cancer plaguing the Tasmanian devil population is curbing and the number of pandas and some sea life has improved world wide.

Losers Australian Politicians - After a record length election the Turnbull government almost lost power due to the rising voter dissatisfaction.

Bill Shorten and the Labor party still hasn’t managed to gather too much ground on the government and the Senate is even more divided than ever. On a local level, Fiona Scott was voted out as MP for Lindsay making rooms for Labor MP Emma Husar, the Greens lost any power in Penrith

council and state MP Stuart Ayres has had to fight off a number of tremulous political issues.

Cancer - Across the last 12 months there’s has been a number of groundbreaking research findings which is helping with the battle to cure cancer. Firstly, coffee has been found to help curtail cancer and could help provide cures for depression.

Secondly, new chemotherapy drugs have helped prolong the lives of different cancer sufferers, meaning people who’ve survived cancer can live longer. Cancer could finally be losing.

Anyone who likes music, films or literature - This year has seen the international community lose too many amazing actors, writers and rock stars! First it was David Bowie then it was Prince, Glenn Frey from the Eagles died and then after releasing one final album Leonard Cohen passed away. From the acting community we lost Hollywood greats like Gene Wilder, Zsa Zsa Gabor and Alan Rickman. Writers like Harper Lee and Shirley Hazzard passed as well.

Hopefully 2017 can bring a fresh start to the world and maybe even Donald Trump can be given a fair go.

Go Your Own Way -The Christine McVie Story CONTINUE to enjoy the festive season with a summer night soaked in the unforgettable sounds of Fleetwood Mac as The Joan opens the 2017 season with Go Your Own Way – The Story of Christine McVie a celebration of great music and one woman’s life journey.

Go Your Own Way is the story of Fleetwood Mac’s most famous songbird; a celebration of great music and the tempestuous life of Christine McVie. Australian stage sensation Catherine Alcorn, returns to The Joan after last year’s knock-out success as the Divine Miss Bette and performs with passion as the girl who started out as a school teacher, picked up a bass guitar and began to sing the blues and make rock history after joining Fleetwood Mac. With her naturally smoky low alto vocal style and a knack for writing simple, direct, and memorable songs about the joys and pitfalls of love, Christine McVie had a productive musical career while seldom insisting on being center stage. Always an intriguing figure, her contrary attitude to global fame, ridiculous wealth, love and loss, personal privacy, songwriting

and music is at the heart of her story.

In a career that has so far spanned four decades, the enigmatic McVie is brought to life in 80 music-packed minutes by Catherine Alcorn who brings her own magic to some of the most memorable songs of the 20th century including Little Lies, Everywhere, Don’t Stop and Songbird.

If you missed the classic rock of Fleetwood Mac’s last tour, join us at The Joan where you can listen to and sing along to the bluesy songs of your youth. Wear your retro flares and cheesecloth if you dare and relive the memories!

A fun night is planned for the opening of the 2017 season so come along in your best 70- 80’s retro gear, support The Joan in her dress-up too and be in the line up to win a bottle of bubbles!

Tickets: Standard $65, Concession $60 or subscribe and save more!

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

The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre is located at 597 High Street, Penrith. Nearby parking and public transport is available.

SUDOKU: MEDIUM

Keegan’s Kitchen Best drunk Christmas pudding recipe This is a recipe that was jokingly handed down to me by my nan, and it was handed down to her by her mother, so it is a multigenerational recipe. It is a bit of a joke how easy this recipe is but there are some hidden meanings behind some of the method. Remember Christmas was made for overindulging so when you’re making this pudding, if you’re able to, make sure you have a few drinks handy! This recipe is best read With an electric mixer, beat one cup aloud at first. of butter in a large fluffy bowl. Add

SOLUTION: 1st December

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

INGREDIENTS: 1 cup of sugar 1 cup of butter 4 large eggs 1 cup of dried fruit 1 cup of brown sugar 1 teaspoon of baking soda 1 teaspoon of baking powder 1 teaspoon of salt Lemon juice mixed nuts 1 or 2 bottles of fine whiskey METHOD: Before you start, sample the whiskey to check for quality, you don’t want it to have gone off. Select a large bowl, measuring cup and other utensils. Check the whiskey again as it must be just right.

To be sure the whiskey is of the highest quality, pour one level cup into a glass and drink it as fas as you can. Savour the feeling.

one teaspoon of sugar and beat again.

Meanwhile make sure the whiskey is as good as it was at first. Cry aanother cup.

Open second bottle if neshessary.

Add 2 large leggs, 2 cups of fried druit and beat until high. Shample the whishkey again to check it for consh… conshis… sonshistenshy. Next sift 3 cups of or antyhing-it really doesn’t matter… CHECK whiskey again for lumps by tasting it.

Grind a pint of lemon juice, fold in chopped butter and strained nuts. Add 1 babblespoon of brown sugar or any old colour you can find, my favourite colour is orange so that is a good one too. Mix well until you’re happy with it and it smells good I guess?

If you have any left over whiskey finish the bottle and add it to the mix.

Grease the oven and turn the cake pan to 350 gagrees. Pour the lot into the empty hiskey wottle from the first one, stir it into the boven and ake. Winish the friskey off if any left over and bo to ged.

21 Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

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Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

School holiday adventures and the Joan and the gallery LOOKING for school holiday entertainment and programs that engage? Try miniFEST at The Joan where the kids’ imaginations will run wild or an art program that explores the beauty of our natural environment at the Penrith Regional Gallery at Emu Plains! miniFEST 24-28 January is a program of four events, featuring two hilarious theatrical performances by Corpus, a music festival and an international film for kids, Little Big Shots.

Les Moutons - they look like sheep, they sound like sheep and this cast of clueless man-sized sheep will have you in laughter in this fantasy, word-less, view of sheep behaviour. Set in a picture-book country scene, meet Julie, MarieLouise and Bernadette three healthy ewes and César, a young ram. The funniest imitators of sheep on the planet, the performance twists reality in surprising ways and takes audience interaction to new heights as they engage in routine farm activities of shearing, feeding, milking and much more...under the watchful eye of a stoic shepherd!

After a brief musical interlude meet A Flock of Flyers – our galaxy’s most optimistic pilots, left without planes due to budget costs the grounded pilots are determined to fly at any cost. The group of wannabe flyers still have their helmets and uniforms and continue their precise, regimented training in an imaginary airfield. The sky’s the limit in Flock of Flyers as kids get to watch the hilarious spectacle of a group of helmeted grown-ups, dressed all in black running around flapping their arms in military precision formations as if they really might take off!

After washing down some popcorn with a popper,

take a seat for Little Big Shots – Australia’s best international film festival for kids. Inspiring young minds through film, Little Big Shots screens to thousands of kids every year from tiny tots as young as 2 years old to older tweens.

Featuring the best in local and international children’s shorts, animations, documentaries and, amazingly, child-produced films.

Finally, some of Triple J’s unearthed brightest new musos will lead the kids in a dance and a song at miniMUSIC lounge especially for kids aged 3- 10! A great way to end a fun day. miniFEST! Tickets available NOW. Tue 24, Fri 27 & Sat 28 Jan 11am–2pm Wed 25 Jan 5–8pm * *Special pre-Australia Day evening session for the whole family!

MAXI-PASS (Includes all four activities each day) Adults $40 Children $35 Family (4, at least one adult) $120 Ages 3 - 10

Penrith Regional Gallery HOLIDAY WORKSHOPS 16- 20 January INSPIRED by the landscape and the environment for the budding artists of the family. Leap into our January holiday program to creatively explore the landscape in the Gallery’s art studio. The summer program includes a two-day animation camp, plus for extra fun, check out our environment-science session in our pop-up lab.

Bird Drawing- Monday 16 January, 10 am – 12 noon, 8 - 12 years, $30 Come and capture the beauty of our gracious flying friends as they draw a series of small sketches, learning how to capture shape, line and texture, before using graphite, pen and watercolour to complete a drawing ready to display at home.

Bubbles, bees and beautiful flowers! Tuesday 17 January 10 am – 12 noon, 8 - 12 years, $30 Buzz in for our environmental science pop up lab and have fun exploring science based activities and crafts.

Birch Tree Painting. Wednesday 18 January, 10 am – 12 noon, 8 - 12 years, $30 Use simple masking techniques as well as colourful paint to create a fabulous painting of birch trees. Students will learn about negative spaces as well as blending techniques while incorporating their own creative flair.

Decorate Garden Tools. Thursday 19 January, 10 am – 12 noon, 5 - 8 years, $30 Go on a private detective tour of the Gallery’s gorgeous heritage garden before heading to the studios to decorate your own kid-sized shovel. Inspired by the rainbow of colourful flora on site, participants will learn a variety of paint applications before applying their design to their shovel.

Terrarium Building. Thursday 19 January, 10 am – 12 noon, 5 - 8 years, $30 Create your own magical mini-world full of teeny-

CROSSWORD ACROSS 8 Roughage (4) 9 Freeing (10) 10 Zodiacal twins (6) 11 Adolescent (8) 12 Millisecond (4) 13 Interpreted (10) 17 Bottom of one’s shoe (4) 18 Trust (5) 19 Overindulge (4) 20 Very loudly (10) 22 Parcels of land (4) 23 A star-shaped character (8) 27 Fighters (6) 28 In a funny manner (10) 29 Test (4)

DOWN 1 A city in North Carolina (10) 2 Gird (8) 3 Complainants (10) 4 Assist (4) 5 Tall woody plant (4) 6 Capital of Canada (6) 7 Initial wager (4) 14 Proof of innocence (5) 15 Male students (10) 16 Relating to the equator (10) 19 Collections of stars (8) 21 Earthquake (6) 24 Skid (4) 25 Symbol (4) 26 Smooch (4)

solution 15/12/16

tiny plant life including a teeny-tiny gnome by making a teeny-tiny terrarium inspired by the gallery garden.

Landscape Painting. Friday 20 January 10 am – 1 pm, 13-16 years , $45 Older children will spend the morning developing their painting skills and using acrylic paint on canvas, participants will create their own landscape inspired by our summer exhibition Homeground.

Paper Flower Making Friday 20 January 10 am – 12 noon, 6 - 9 years, $30 This workshop will unveil the mysteries of making paper flowers by using tissue paper, origami paper and recycled materials. Participants will create textured posies and origami blossoms before using them to construct their own unique greeting card.

Special Summer Tots Workshop. Monday 16 January, 10 am – 11am, 3 - 6 years, $12 Have fun with your tot and take a stroll through the garden to see the last blooms of summer. The kids will then head to the studios where they will learn about the colour wheel before creating their own colourful collaged flower. Parents don’t pay but must stay!

Two-day Animation Camp, Tuesday 17 January – Wednesday 18 January, 10 am – 1 pm, 8-12 years, $90 Come along to our specially designed digital animation workshops inspired by our landscape theme. The summer camp is designed to develop animation skills and foster creativity whilst exploring the dynamic potential of weather such as storms, cloud, sunshine and wind as an animation backdrop.

Don’t Miss out book now, all skill levels welcome.

The Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre is located at 597 High Street, Penrith. Nearby parking and public transport is available. Penrith Regional Gallery is on the bank of the Nepean River 86 River Road Emu Plains.

Book on line http://www.penrithregionalgallery. org/whats-on/

Eat, drink and be merry – but don’t overindulge!

DECEMBER marks the start of the festive season - when healthy eating tends to go out the window, in favour of alcohol, party food and too many mince pies.

Many people find it hard to stay on track with regular exercise and a healthy diet, swapping running sessions for Christmas parties, family festivities and overindulging.

But, according to Western Sydney Local Health District’s Centre for Population Health, people can enjoy the festive season without gaining too many extra kilos, by simply focusing on their kilojoule intake.

Centre deputy director Christine Newman recommends people: • Drink water - before you head out to a Christmas event or start eating, have a glass of water. Research shows it can help control your appetite. Alternate water with an alcoholic drink to avoid overindulging.

• Choose smaller portions – when tempted with delicious treats, apply the 80/20 principle, eating healthily 80 per cent of the time.

• Be active every day – it may be the most hectic time of year but don’t let exercise fall by the wayside.

Find ways to work exercise into your busy schedule, like taking the stairs at work or while Christmas shopping or hitting the dance- floor at your Christmas party.

• Choose fruit and vegetables – always look for dishes with lots of fruit and vegetables. If you’re invited to bring a plate, take a platter loaded with carrots, red and yellow capsicum, green beans and snow peas and serve with avocado or beetroot dip.

• Watch your snacking – eat a small, healthy snack before you go out so you’re not tempted to snack at events. Always look to swap calorie-laden food for healthier options like: o A handful of cherries, instead of a handful of lollies – save 300kj o Vegetable sticks and guacamole, instead of chips and dip – save 600kj o Panettone, instead of fruit cake – save 600kj o Two pikelets, instead of two shortbread biscuits – save 400kj Ms Newman said it was also important for people to remember to eat and drink in moderation and ensure good food hygiene to prevent sickness.

“Some of the common festive season hazards include food poisoning, alcohol abuse, high stress levels, falls, motor vehicle accidents and heat exhaustion,” she said.

“To help you have a stress-free holiday, think about eating in moderation and avoid excessive alcohol - choose water or a non-alcoholic beverage to stay hydrated.

“Food safety is also important over this period so be vigilant with food handling – make sure no food is left out in the heat and only keep left-overs for a few days.

“Avoid thawing frozen food on the bench – use a clean refrigerator or microwave – and avoid overstocking your fridge as good airflow around food is essential.”

For more advice on healthy and safe eating, visit the Make Healthy Normal website at www.make. healthynormal.nsw.gov.au

23 Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

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24

realestate real

Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

Ask

LATTS All your real estate questions answered, with Darren Latty ~ darren@prd.net.au

WE’VE just received our latest report from head office, which covers the local property market for the second half of 2016. As we come to the end of the year it seems a perfect time to round up on what’s been happening.

Prices After major price increases across 2014/15 prices have remained steady in 2016. The average house price has softened slightly (-1.1%) and units have seen a slight increase (+1.5%) but homeowners who bought prior to 2016 are likely to have substantial

equity in their property. It’s worth noting that there are price variations across suburbs, so it’s more important than ever to get up to date, location specific information.

Average vendor discount In 2015 properties were selling for way above vendor’s expectations. But it seems that as home owners realised there had been huge price increases their expectations rose accordingly.

So by the start of 2016 vendors were selling at slightly less than the listed price. This has now corrected itself,

and buyers are currently willing to pay an average 2.3% (houses) and 2% (units) above the initial asking price.

Days on market Days on market rose in the second half of 2015, at the same time as average vendor discount was increasing – which suggests that demand was slowing. However, following a peak in early 2016 the days on market have been on a downward trajectory and now sit at an average of 36 for houses and 35 for units. This increase in demand is

possibly a result of a lack of available properties (see below).

Number of properties sold Although final figures are not yet in, it seems likely that we’ll see fewer sales for the year across all the major Penrith LGA suburbs, compared to 2015.

For the full report – including a summary of rental market performance – please visit prd.net.au/news/php, or drop me an email darren@prd.net.au And of course, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

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nepeanhistory nepean

Christmas Past – 129 Years Ago

E

RSKINE PARK Public School broke up on the 17th December for the Christmas vacation. At 11 am the thirty to forty pupils assembled in the schoolroom that had been gaily decorated for the occasion. Among the visitors’ present were John King Lethbridge J.P. (Chairman of the School Board), Edgar Cox (Jnr) also a member of the School Board and Mr Cox and Mr Allen of Bayley Park along with the Reverend and Mrs Clouston and Miss Cavanough. At the request of Mr Saunders the chair was taken by Reverend Clouston who delivered a short appropriate address to the children urging regularity of attendance and attention to school duties. Mr J K Lethbridge and Mr E Cox also made some remarks and along with Mrs Cox, who had always taken a deep interest in the school, promised the scholars that if during the following year their teacher should report favourably of their conduct and attendance they would give them a picnic. The school is deeply indebted to Mr Cox and Mr Allen for their many acts of kindness and sympathy. Several costly prizes were then distributed among the children and was followed by a general participation by the scholars in the good things that were provided by the thoughtful care of Mr & Mrs Saunders where afterwards the children were dismissed. SALADS? In a country like Australia, the solid dishes for Christmas cheer in the old country were said to have no place in a hot country and eating a heavy dinner while the perspiration drips from you, and the sun is probably a hundred and ten in the shade was to say absurd. Christmas cheer should be adapted to the climate in this part of the world where in place of snow and sleet and bitter cold, we face the full breath of summer heat indeed, Christmas time with us is decidedly thirsty weather. Police Reports - Locals who wanted to enjoy some Christmas cheer before the big day – Bridget Evans was fined for drunkenness “on account of Christmas being near at hand”. Michael Pearce, John Turner, James Ellis and James Ward charged with being drunk and disorderly at St Marys.

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A Poem - The Experiences of a Christmas Plum Pudding – (Received from parcel post from England) I come from the land of frost and snow, from the land where the holly and mistletoe grow Where my kindred today of every degree, are crowning the season’s festivity An exile am I from the land of my birth, and I’ve travelled alone to the end of the earth And what is the welcome accorded to me, whither they’ve banished me over the sea I’ve been bandied about from hand to hand, an object of wonder on sea and land For though tied in a cloth and packed in a case, my name, weight and value was stuck on my face It was bad enough surely to send me from home, and condemn me abroad among strangers to roam The jest of so many an ill-mannered dog, I might have been suffered to travel “incog.”

The insults I’ve suffered can never be told, no wonder I’ve turned green and all over mould The villain who stamped me before I set forth, said the postage was treble to what I was worth And the scorn I encountered on landing, oh dear, the colonial pride was offended I fear “The conceit of these English” so one of them said, “exceeded by far all that he’d read What do they imagine his country to be, that they send us a pudding from over the sea?

“Let them feed the poor wretches that starve at their doors, there are no poor to feed in this country of ours Or do they suppose we are so far behind in the cookery art that we could not have dined On Christmas plum pudding if left to our own unaided resources the raisins to stone?”

Is this the reception I’m to meet then I wish I were back in the snow and the sleet For my presence at home is hailed with delight, and none of my kindred there meet with a slight But at last after many a trying adventure and oceans of ridicule, grubbing and censure I met with a welcome most kindly and true, although my complexion had turned green and blue I was tenderly lifted out of my prison and felt truly ashamed of my dirty condition But after my mildewy clothes were removed, my appearance was certainly greatly improved And when on the table next day I was set, my reception quite made me my troubles forget My friends were most courteous in their attention and said many things too flattering to mention They all praised me up but still more my compounder and spoke much of her and friends gathered around her “The joys of the season” they heartily wished her for she was a most excellent sister.

Source: Nepean Times & Photo courtesy of Penrith Library OUR THANKS - On behalf of the members of the St Marys & District Historical Society I want to thank you all for your continuing interest in the history of our district which has included visits to our headquarters at the Chambers Building, reading the History Page and attending Norma Thorburn’s history tours of the St Marys’ area. We would also like to let you know that we will be closing the Chambers over Christmas from Wednesday 7th December 2016 and will re-open on Wednesday 1st February 2017.

We hope you will continue to check our website and Facebook page which will continue over the holidays. We wish you and yours a safe and Happy Christmas and Prosperous New Year.

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

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26 Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

SPORTS SCENES The cameras of 77 Media were on hand to capture all the on and off-field action as former and current players came together at Howell Oval for Back to Penrith / Pink Panther Day.

Penrith’s John Di Bartolo gives his all in chasing down the ball.

As Tom Kohler-Cadmore takes a spectacular diving catch deep in the outfield.

There’s plenty of smiles off the field too as some club legends mingle

Dynamic coaching duo Kevin Geyer (left) and Dale Turner (middle) no doubt getting advice from cricketing great, John Benaud (right).

While Jake Wholohan laughs at the banter coming from over the fence.

Former fast bowler Ray Hudswell (left) reminiscing about the good old days with current Panther quick, Ryan Smith.

With thanks to Penrith City Council who captured all the colour on and off the field as the Sydney Thunder took on the Adelaide Strikers at Howell Oval last Saturday.

Penrith mayor John Thain and son Henry, oversee the coin toss between the captains.

Sydney Thunder mascot “Storm” whips up some excitement among the kids.

Thunder’s Harmanpreet Kaur has started brilliantly in the WBBL but misses out this time.

Stafanie Taylor always looking to attack with her bowling.

Thunder Captain Alex Blackwell, glides one behind point.

Sydney Thunder spin bowler Sam Bates, consults the skipper over her preferred field settings.

BEHIND THE STUMPS

WITH STEW MOSES @THERIFFMARN

SYDNEY THUNDER STRUCK DOWN BY ADELAIDE The Sydney Thunder have lost their second game in the space of a week to be left with one win from from their opening four games after a disappointing five-wicket loss at the hands of Adelaide in a match that was decided in the opening ten overs.

Having won the toss and electing to surprisingly bat first on what proved to be a very slow wicket and a lush outfield, the Thunder were always up against it when they were reduced to 5/53.

But despite an unbeaten 49 run stand between Rene Farrell (29 off 26) and Penrith Cricket Club’s Naomi Stalenberg (18 off 19 – including the biggest six of the day), Adelaide made easy work of chasing down Sydney’s 5/102 to win by six wickets, with Sophie Devine earning player of the match honours with 43 from 33 balls.

Sydney Thunder captain, Alex Blackwell was clearly disappointed by the result, saying that the Thunder top order left too many runs in the shed before adding that batting conditions were the same for both sides except that her team didn’t adapt as well.

“On a slow wicket, runs on the board can be a really good decision but we didn’t execute particularly well,” Blackwell lamented.

“We put on another twenty-odd runs and it’s a different game.

“But while it was never going to be a 160-run wicket, we left too many runs in the shed.

“That wicket didn’t get any better throughout the day, it was just a matter of not putting more pressure on the scoreboard batting first.”

Despite their big guns, Stafanie Taylor and Hamanpreet Kaur both failing with the bat (and later with the ball), Blackwell said the entire Thunder top-order needed to shoulder responsibility for their poor start.

“We’re not relying on any batters in particular and we needed more from our entire top order,” Blackwell (who second top-scored with 28) said.

“But it was really positive to see what our lower order was capable of.

“Our number eight (Rene Farrell) top scored with 29 not out.

Spinner Sam Bates (2/14) was the pick of the Thunder bowlers, but Blackwell admits that while it would be nice to have Lauren Cheatle (illness) back in the side, her absence would not be used as an excuse for the loss.

“While it would be handy to be back at full strength, with the bowling group that we’ve got, we’ve been able to cover her reasonably well,” the Thunder captain declared.

“But it would be exceptional to have our squad

Thunder skipper Alex Blackwell (left) sets the field while Penrith’s own Naomi Stalenberg is down on one knee as she sets about resurrecting the innings.

Photo: Supplied by Penrith City Council.

at full strength and we don’t have Cheatle currently who is an important member of our team.”

With team-mate Mikayla Hinkley again omitted from the final eleven, Penrith’s lone representative in the game, Naomi Stalenberg says it isn’t time to panic just yet despite the indifferent start to the season.

“We just didn’t start off well with the bat which didn’t really help us when we went out on the field to back up with the ball,” Stalenberg said.

“The ball came off the wicket pretty slow which made it pretty hard to score runs on and hit those boundaries early on.

“But it’s a long season with many more games to come but we’ve got to learn from this result.”

Batting at six, Stalenberg was pleased to have been able to contribute again with the bat, adding that her form with the bat for both the NSW Breakers and now the Thunder can be contributed to the work she put into batting during the pre-season.

“I felt good with the bat today. Hitting a few runs there are some good signs already to take into the rest of the season” Stalenberg said.

“I’ve been working really hard on my batting in the pre-season.

“As the season has evolved, I’ve tried to be as consistent as possible, playing to my strengths and being what I can be for the team.

“I think I have matured as a batter, which is something every athlete has to go through.

“It’s about finding out who you are as a player and then bringing that insight to your games.”

It was an equally bleak weekend for both the men’s and women’s Black Cats.

Having returned to form against Gordon,

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Penrith fell apart albeit on a rain-affected Jensen Park as Bankstown made light work in chasing down the Black Cats’ meagre total of just 130 runs in just under 23 overs.

The Black Cats were certainly hampered pregame losing Ryan Gibson, who having played in the Thunder’s trial game against Bangladesh the previous night, became unavailable for the Bankstown clash.

To make matters worse, his replacement Ryan Hackney, who was coming off a memorable Australian Under 19’s tournament where he scored 595 runs (at 99.16) including three hundreds and three fifties and that earned him Team of the Tournament honours, was also unavailable due to injury (elbow).

On the bowling front Brenton Loudon was a late withdrawal as was Max McNamara, while the Black Cats brought in Brent Williams as an extra batsman, with Jake Wholohan returning to second grade.

The loss leaves Penrith eleven points outside the top six in 12th position and must win games against Campbelltown-Camden and Fairfield in early January to have any chance of staying in touch for a finals berth.

Penrith’s women’s teams lost all four T20 games they participated in over the weekend despite having the services of Thunder players, Naomi Stalenberg and Mikayla Hinkley.

Hinkley in particular didn’t have the happiest of weekends, conceding 49 runs off her four overs in the match against Gordon.

Despite the result in first grade, Penrith won all three lower grade games (with fifth grade washed out). With seconds now up to 12th, thirds and fifths leading their respective grades and fourths finding their way back into the top six (fifth), the Black Cats have moved up to equal third in the club championship but trail leaders, Northern Districts by over 100 points.

The opening round of the AW Green Shield got underway last Thursday, with many games affected by rain including Penrith’s clash with Randwick-Petersham at Petersham Oval, which was drawn after rain ended Penrith’s run chase of the home side’s 109 all out, at 3/40.

The Black Cats will be hoping for better luck with the weather over the coming weeks starting with their clash against local rivals, Hawkesbury as they look to qualify for the quarter-finals to be played on January 22.

27 Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

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Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

BBL06: Will last year’s surprise packets, the Sydney Thunder, defend their title?

By Stewart Moses @TheRiffMarn

HAVING had a lot of luck and good fortune to finally shake the monkey off their back and win the fifth instalment of the hugely popular T20 competition, will that luck desert the Thunder in BBL06?

Apart from Chris Gayle’s timely dismissal that sparked a batting collapse in a Renegades side that should have otherwise qualified for the finals at Sydney’s expense, the stars literally aligned for Sydney when it mattered most.

With a roster that was least affected by international scheduling compared to many of their rivals, the one-time whipping post of the BBL, steamrolled their way to a maiden title from that fortuitous fourth spot.

But fast forward to BBL06 and the Thunder have a significantly different look and feel about them – and a fresh set of challenges.

Apart from the retirements of Mike Hussey and batting all-rounder Jacques Kallis, last season’s batting sensation, Usman Khawaja, is likely to miss at least five matches but could miss the entire BBL season should he play against Pakistan in both tests and

Shane Watson’s calf injury will keep him out until after Christmas. Credit: 77 Media.

one-day internationals.

There is also uncertainty over whether the Thunder’s two international players will see out the season albeit for different reasons.

Last year’s “Master Blaster” with both bat and ball, West Indian allrounder Andre Russell, could miss the closing games of the season should his deferred hearing into avoiding drug tests result in a suspension.

By contrast, Eion Morgan, who returns for a second stint with the Thunder, is expected to miss the final two games with one-day commitments for England against India.

Should Morgan get the call-up as expected, fellow Englishman, Jason Vince has been confirmed as his

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To further complicate matters for the Thunder ahead of tonight’s season opener against crosstown rivals, the Sydney Sixers, new skipper Shane Watson (calf) and Chris Hartley (finger) will miss both pre-Christmas games.

But while much will be asked of the likes of stand-in skipper Ben Rohrer, Aiden Blizzard and Gurinder Sandhu to increase their output, Sydney Thunder General Manager, Nick Cummins says that the challenges ultimately provides opportunities for the next crop of young players coming through the ranks.

“With some of the retirements, there are losses in terms of the quality of the players, particularly in Huss (Hussey) and Kallis,” Cummins stated.

“But at the same time it provides a fresh set of opportunities for some of our young guys, like Kurtis Patterson, Jake Doran and Ryan Gibson, who have probably been denied those opportunities over the past few seasons because the squad has been relatively settled.

“Kurtis for example, I think was very unlucky not to get picked for the Test team, that’s how well he is going.

“Jake has been keeping for Tasmania in the (Sheffield) Shield and Ryan Gibson has also been playing

Shield as well and really played well for the CA XI in the Matador Cup. “These guys that are coming in aren’t wet behind the ears without having some runs on the board.

“They are playing good cricket and they are very skilled at what they do so we’re very buoyant about how they’re going to go this year.

“I think Thunder fans will like what they see.”

There is also significant interest from a Penrith perspective with four players; two from each side that either play or have played for the Black Cats, with Pat Cummins and Ryan Gibson for the Thunder matching up against former team-mates Jordan Silk and Sam Billings for the Sixers.

WHERE THE THUNDER WILL ROLL IN BBL06: V Sydney Sixers @ Spotless Stadium, Dec 20, 7:40pm V Melbourne Renegades @ Etihad Stadium, Dec 22, 7:40pm V Brisbane Heat @ Spotless Stadium, Dec 28, 7:10pm V Perth Scorchers @ WACA, Jan 1, 9:15pm (AEST) V Melbourne Stars @ Spotless Stadium, Jan 4, 7:10pm V Hobart Hurricanes @ Blundstone Arena, Jan 8, 7:10pm V Sydney Sixers @ SCG, Jan 14, 6:10pm V Adelaide Strikers @ Spotless Stadium, Jan 18, 7:40pm Semi-Finals: Jan 24-25 * Final: Jan 28 * * Venues to be decided

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penrith panthers Yeo wants one last country homecoming as NRL scraps rep fixture

By Stewart Moses @TheRiffMarn

PENRITH back-rower Isaah Yeo, has been given an added incentive to not only fight to retain his starting back-row spot for the Panthers, but his Country Origin jersey as well.

While next year’s City Country fixture will be the last of its kind to be played, the game takes on extra significance for Yeo, given that it will be played in the town where his family (originally from Dubbo) now resides, Mudgee.

Having been selected on the wing for Country in last year’s clash, Yeo is hoping that his pre-season work will enable him to not only maintain his starting spot in Penrith’s back-row but continue playing the full 80 minutes, in order to go one better in 2017 and represent Country as a back-rower.

“Before last year I don’t think I could have pushed out 80 minutes (in the back-row) so to be doing that on a regular basis by the end of the year, I was pretty happy with that,” Yeo declared.

“My goal is to stay consistent, play in the starting 13 and continue to play 80 minutes especially over the opening eight or nine rounds.

“If I can do that then hopefully I can

get picked to play the City Country game, which would be a massive achievement in being able to play where my family live now.”

Whilst Yeo is clearly disappointed that the representative fixture has been scrapped, he hopes other NRL clubs will have similar foresight to Penrith, and take a NRL game to the country.

“It’s very disappointing that it’s the last year for this fixture,” Yeo lamented.

“While the NRL thought it wasn’t a stepping stone for NSW State of Origin anymore and decided to cut the fixture, (the decision) is still very disappointing for a lot of Country players.

“But with us playing at Bathurst, it’s a massive boost for their community and I know the players love playing there as well.

“It’s something I circle on the calendar each year and I think now with no City Country fixture, it would be a massive boost for the game in country communities if more NRL clubs get out there.

But keeping that starting spot and playing the eighty minutes will be easier said than done with Bryce Cartwright and possibly Tyrone Peachey set to return to the backrower, while boom rookie back-rower, James Fisher-Harris will continue

Isaah Yeo hopes continued good form will lead to Country selection again in 2017.

Credit: 77 Media.

to press for a spot, given he recently made his debut for New Zealand in the Four Nations Series against Scotland.

“It’s a big pre-season for me so I’m trying to get through that first, compete hard and impress in the trials,” the Dubbo junior said.

“While there’s a lot of competition for spots in the squad especially the back-row, I’d like to think my form last year will allow me to continue to improve and stick with that left backrow spot.

“But there’s such good depth in the back-row.

“James Fisher-Harris just finished with the Kiwis and he was outstanding for us last year and you’ve obviously got Bryce Cartwright coming back

to the back-row and Tyrone Peachey maybe to come back too.

“I’d hate to be Hook at the moment with some of the team decisions that he going to have to make at the start of March.”

Despite the increased expectations placed on Penrith in 2017, Yeo believes the team is not only well equipped to handle those expectations, but declared that winning the premiership next year is their ultimate goal.

“Obviously every team at the start of the pre-season wants to win the comp and we’re no different in that’s we want too,” Yeo said.

“We have got to make the finals first but we’ve got massive belief in ourselves.

“We had it all last year when people were writing us off midway through the year saying that we weren’t consistent enough.

“But we showed a lot of consistency to finish off the year. I think we were maybe 8 or 9 wins from the last ten games.

“In 2017, the outside media will probably talk us up a bit more but we’ve got enough belief and confidence in ourselves to know what to expect and go from there.

“But it’s a long 24 games and if we don’t make the finals, it will be a disappointment.”

Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

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Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

MG ON THE MARK

WITH MARK GEYER

THE A-Z OF CHRISTMAS - BEST TIME OF THE YEAR! AS we all gather around our loved ones for what I think is the best and most important time of the year let’s go through the alphabet and relate it to the greatest time of the year Christmas!

A. A is for advent calendar. What office or school classroom hasn’t got one to countdown to the most special day of the year?

B. B is for backyard cricket where no house seems to go without their own version of a “Howzat” call.

C. C is for Carols, every time I hear a Christmas carol it takes me straight to a place. A happy place.

D. D is for decorations. Lots go out of their way to make their homes look more and more like a massive Christmas tree. Decorations, which usually start being hung in early December, usually signals Christmas time.

E. E is for Eggnog. For you older readers you now exactly what am talking about for all you younger readers ask your mum or nan to whip up a batch.

F. F is for Family. It’s what the very essence of Christmas encapsulates for me. I feel for those not surrounded by theirs at this time of year.

G. G is for giving. It’s the season of giving and don’t we love it. Hope your reading this Geyer’s.

H. H is for what else but ham. It’s the ultimate Christmas food. Have it cold, fried, grilled or any other way you want it but what’s Christmas with out ham?

I. I is for Ice. You’ll need plenty to

keep your Christmas drinks the way you want them, cold!

J. J is for Jerusalem, the town synonymous with this time of the year. And also my favourite Christmas carol.

K. K is for Kris Kringle. The ultimate family gift of giving. Good luck with what yours may bring.

L. L is for leftovers. One of my favourite things about Christmas Day is how much bloody good food is leftover for our Boxing Day lunch.

M. M is for mistletoe. Every doorway should have one above it, everybody should kiss their loved one right under it..... at least once.

N. N is for Naughty or Nice. I was told from a very young age I had to be one or the other to get presents, nothing has changed now I’m a dad.

O. O is for “Oh No”, “there’s 2 days until Christmas and I’m only halfway through my gift buying.

P. P is for presents. That feeling I still get at Christmas Eve as the anticipation builds is a major highlight.

Q. Q is for Question. Every year in every household where there are kids under 12 THAT QUESTION is still asked.

R. R is for Rudolph, the most famous of all the Reindeers.

S. S is for Santa Claus. As he makes his way to our fair city let’s hope all of you and especially your kids get exactly what you want.

T. T is for Twelve Days of Christmas..... 4 calling birds, 3 French hens, 2 turtle doves and a partridge in a pear tree....

U. U is for Unwrap. Watching my kids unwrap their presents on chrissy day is a year long highlight.

V. V is for visitors. You always seem to have lots more this time of the year.

W. W is for Whalan, the suburb where I grew up and the very place I learnt just how special Christmas time is.

X. X is for X-ray. With all the new bikes, skateboards, scooters and anything with wheels let’s hope you’re not getting one of these over Christmas.

Y. Y is for You. Because without You your family and close friends don’t enjoy Christmas like they should.

Z. Z is for Zzzzzzz. It’s what you need after everything I’ve just written.

Have a fantastic Christmas and New Year everyone. Can’t wait until 2017 where I’ll see you at the game.

Merry Christmas.

MG (random Westie) OAM

GOLDEN POINTS WITH STEW MOSES

@THERIFFMARN

THE YEAR IN REVIEW: NOT QUITE THE YEAR OF THE PANTHER, BUT EXCITING TIMES AHEAD At the start of 2016, Penrith’s 50th season in the NRL, no doubt most Panther fans were hopeful rather than expectant under new coach, Anthony Griffin.

They certainly wouldn’t have expected the playing personnel changes that unfolded throughout the season.

But despite the changes, Penrith made a thrilling charge to the finals, earning the tag the “Cardiac Kids” along the way, before going down to the team they played back in Round 1, Canberra.

Here’s the key events that defined how 2016 unfolded.

JANUARY: Matt Moylan replaces Peter Wallace as first grade captain.

FEBRUARY: Isaah Yeo re-signs (2019).

Panthers CEO, Warren Wilson resigns under mysterious circumstances.

MARCH: James Fisher-Harris makes his NRL debut in Round One. James Segeyaro fractures arm in his 100th NRL game.

Dean Whare re-injures calf in Canterbury loss.

Te Maire Martin on debut, plays a major role in Penrith’s win over Brisbane.

Penrith’s new player academy is opened by the Prime Minister, Malcolm Turnbull.

APRIL: Te Maire Martin suffers a long-term shoulder injury against Cronulla.

Dean Whare suffers season-ending knee injury ahead of Canberra clash.

Former NRL player Corey Payne, becomes Penrith’s new RL CEO. MAY: Dallin Watene-Zelezniak makes test debut for NZ. Isaah Yeo (Country) and Tyrone Peachey, Josh Mansour, Bryce Cartwright, Reagan CampbellGillard and Leilani Latu (City) all named for City Country clash.

Elijah Taylor released, signs with Wests Tigers.

Peta Hiku suffers a season-ending knee injury in the Titans loss.

Brian Fletcher is the new RL CEO, with Dave O’Neill and Greg Alexander the new chairman and deputy, respectively.

2017 signing, Chris Grevsmuhl secures early release to join Penrith.

SEPTEMBER: Penrith qualify for the finals in sixth position, defeating the Bulldogs 28-12 at Allianz Stadium in week one before going down against Canberra, 22-12.

Leading 24-6 at half-time, Penrith suffers a shock 28-24 loss to Sydney Roosters in Holden Cup grand final.

Bulldogs prop, Tim Browne confirmed as a Panther (2019).

Bryce Cartwright and Matt Moylan (both 2021) extend their deals.

JUNE: James Segeyaro secures release to play for Leeds Rhinos – and Penrith get Zak Hardaker on loan in return.

NRL debutant Nathan Cleary and James FisherHarris (both 2019) both extend contracts.

Jamie Soward is released mid-season to play with the London Broncos.

Matt Moylan and Josh Mansour make their NSW debuts in Game One - both play all three games, with Moylan playing at 5/8 in Game Three.

Josh Mansour re-signs (2018).

Peter Wallace plays his 200th NRL game in win over Souths.

OCTOBER: Tyrone Peachey re-signs (2018).

Confirmed departures include Jeremy Latmore (Cronulla), Suaia Matagi, Will Smith and George Jennings (Parramatta) and Zak Hardaker (Castleford).

Trent Merrin wins the Merv Cartwright Medal and is selected for the Four Nations series along with Dally M Winger of the Year, Josh Mansour and Matt Moylan.

Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, Te Maire Martin and James Fisher-Harris are named in the Kiwis squad.

Confirmed new signings include Mitch Rein (St George-Illawarra), Michael Oldfield (Souths) and Darren Nicholls (Brisbane).

JULY: Zak Hardaker makes NRL debut from bench against Wests Tigers, while Sam McKendry suffers a season-ending knee injury.

Tyrone Peachey is dropped to ISP for disciplinary reasons, allowing Dylan Edwards to make NRL debut on the wing against Cronulla.

Trent Merrin plays his 150th NRL game versus Brisbane.

Peter Wallace (2018), Trent Merrin and Leilani Latu (both 2020) extend their deals.

Cowboys prop James Tamou signs with Penrith (2020).

NOVEMBER: Moses Leota re-signs (2018).

Josh Mansour suffers serious knee injury, ruling him out until mid-May. Penrith release 1991-inspired jerseys for 2017.

Chris Grevsmuhl is released from his contract, citing personal issues.

No Eels home game in 2017 as Penrith confirm Christchurch home game deal is over.

The gamble to play Nathan Cleary paid off and was unlucky not to be named Rookie of the Year. Credit 77 Media.

AUGUST: Reagan Campbell-Gillard (back) suffers a seasonending back injury.

Corey Payne suddenly “resigns” to “pursue overseas interests”.

OFFER ENDS 31ST JANUARY 2017

Offer ends 31/1/2017. See in Store for Terms and Conditions.

DECEMBER: Waqa Blake re-signs (2018).

Bryce Cartwright, Nathan Cleary and Reagan Campbell-Gillard, are named in Emerging Blues squad.

Leilani Latu and Tyrone Peachey are picked in the Indigenous All-Stars side while Cartwright and Campbell-Gillard are named in the NRL World AllStars team.

31 Nepean News 22 December 2016 Issue 191

penrith panthers

Thursday, 22 December 2016

sport

Penrith Emus ramp up pre-season training

By Conner Lowe

THE Penrith Emu’s are off to a flying start in the lead up to 2017. The Emu’s welcome North Rugby Club and newly appointed head coach of the Australia U/20’s, Simon Cron as well as former Australian rugby union player Stirling Mortlock, to the local Penrith grounds.

Julian Huxley, the head coach of the Penrith Emu’s is excited about the year to come and how pre-season is coming along.

“We are already seeing strong numbers at training, with the whole squad showing great improvement.

“These training session will really give the players a chance to see early on how they’re fairing against strong competition, and it will hopefully motivate them. We’d love the wider Emu’s community to join us and support the club,” he said.

Julian spoke about his mission to get the best out of the players and make sure that they are scouted

accordingly.

“Assumptions are made by our colts that they need to move and play further East to be considered for representative football. That’s just not the case, and my role this year is to ensure all players that show

potential are seen by the right people, and I have the ability to do that,” he said.

Our new mission statement is about encouraging the players to live local, work local, play local and become an integral part of the community. We

will be encouraging the community and players to get behind our new slogan ‘#EmuNation!’

Normal pre-season training is Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7pm… all welcome to watch and encourage this year’s Emu’s.

e c i v r e s r u o y At Glenmore First National wishes you a very Happy Holiday season and a peaceful and prosperous New Year!