Nepeannews 24may2018

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ISSUE 227

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Walking the walk

Pictured: Rob Wearn, Jonathan Green, Trent Baker, Mark MG Geyer, Greg Nelson have joined with Mark Mulock, Dave Crossman, Dr Tony Bowden, Cameron McInnes and Graeme O’Kell on the Great Walk Foundation’s annual trek from Bathurst to Blaxland to raise much needed funds for local charities. Read more in MG’s column on page 31.

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By KeRRIE DAVIES

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omenic Meduri of McDonalds Penrith North, Cambridge Gardens and St Marys North, hase supported the Red Shield Doorknock Appeal for the Salvation Army, for a number of years.

Domenic heard that last year, four Penrith Anglican College students collected the most money for any area in Emu Plains and Leonay, as allocated by the Lions Club of Emu Plains. He was further impressed that three of the students; Sienna Aurisch, Kate Berwick and Emma Tarbert were returning to assist with this year’s Appeal.

“The Salvation Army deserve praise for their wonderful social services delivered to those most deserving in the community and the girls are great

examples of the calibre of youth in the district,” Domenic said.

“I also have great respect for the Lions Club of Emu Plains, for their organisation of collectors and their dedication to the Appeal for the last 28 years.”

The Meduri family restaurants have kicked off the girl’s collection with a donation of $500 to the Doorknock Appeal on the 27th May. If you’d like to assist as an individual, or a family or school group please contact the Emu Plains Lions Coordinator, John Choma on 47355120 or jwchoma@ bigpond.com before the 27th of May. The ‘muster’ point this year is Nepean Creative and Performing Arts High School, Great Western Highway, Emu Plains.

Please did deep for the Salvos and be aware that official collectors carry identification, which must be displayed, and produced on demand and they also carry an official receipt book.

Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

Students for salvos

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From the Editor’s Desk

Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

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203 Banks Drive, St Clair Office: (02) 9834 5579 Editor: General Manager: Sales: Sports Journalist: Sports Journalist: Graphic Design: Photographer: Printer: Letters to the Editor: Web:

Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644 Bart Bassett 0412 955 745 Larry Davis 0432 062 643 Conner Lowe 0404 419 346 Stewart Moses 0417 680 533 Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Hilary Nathan Media 0402 841 434 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.

Call 9834 5579 to find out your nearest outlet.

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By KeRRIE DAVIES

T

his week I have a request for our judges:

I know I’m not alone when I say that it really ticks me off when I hear about these individuals who are appear before our courts and have the audacity to decide that they are going to refuse to stand up when the judge enters or speaks to them.

Please don’t stand for the behaviour of those who won’t stand for you.

Your behaviour is not under question, theirs is.

You are not up on charges, they are.

You are not required to prove you can be a good citizen, they are.

Not only does it show an utter disrespect towards authority, it shows a complete lack of interest in proving that they are good citizens with any desire whatsoever to uphold the law. What hope do we have if the rulers of law and punishment bend over and accept this sort of caper?

Judges, with all due respect, you need to get a lot tougher on those who think this attitude toward you is acceptable.

I don’t think there would be any decent law-abiding citizen out there who wouldn’t applaud you for saying something along the lines of: “I was just about to sentence you to 15 years imprisonment, but your refusal to stand has triggered the new ‘you’re a jerk and our community deserves better’ law, which is a mandatory doubling of your sentence. Take 30, thanks for coming.”

You have earned the right to be respected. Please don’t be bullied or pressured into accepting anything less.

The community has your back on this, throw the book at them!

Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

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Stuart Ayres MP Member for Penrith Real Festival returns to the Nepean River from 2-3 November. Penrith Council is calling for Expressions of Interest across a number of areas; this is your chance to get involved in this exciting event.

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ouncil is seeking Expressions of Interest from people working across a wide range of areas to be part of this year’s Real Festival at the Nepean River from 2-3 November.

Artists, performers, food vendors, bar operators, and market stall holders are invited to showcase their talents across the event’s two-day program; while volunteers and sponsors are also being sought to help deliver this event.

Real Festival is an annual event bringing worldclass art and entertainment, spectacular theatre performances, fun activities, workshops, markets and gourmet food experiences to Penrith for all ages to enjoy.

Penrith Mayor John Thain said last year’s event

attracted 22,000 attendees and this year’s event is set to be bigger and better than ever.

“Real Festival has grown into a major feature on Sydney’s calendar of events and a big drawcard for visitors from surrounding regions. It takes many talented and dedicated people to bring this event together, and we want to work with the very best,” Cr Thain said.

“If you have an interest or experience in any of the categories, this is your opportunity to get involved. I encourage you to go to our website to submit your expression of interest and join us for Real Festival 2018.”

Find out more about Real Festival and the different ways to be involved at realfestival.com.au.

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

Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

Expressions of Interest

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Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

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local news

Blokes joining forces to help others

By KeRRIE DAVIES

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OST blokes enjoy the times when they get together as a group and have a good chinwag. The “men’s shed” concept is providing a great platform for just that, and what’s even better is they are using their time together to complete projects that are a huge help to the local community.

Minister Ray Williams and Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies have announced $3,000 for St Clair and District Men’s Shed which is located at Mamre House.

The funding will support the local Men’s Shed to upgrade equipment that will enable the volunteers to continue to support other groups, schools and charities with their skills.

Tanya Davies said she was proud to be a patron of St Clair and District Men’s Shed whose members give their time to help strengthen the community.

“Besides a great way to catch up with friends men’s sheds allow members to greatly use their skills to contribute to the community while also promoting social connectedness,” Tanya Davies said.

Minister Williams said it was a pleasure to meet members of St Clair and District Men’s Shed who provide a real sense of community spirit to the area.

“Mens Sheds are recognised as one of Australia’s largest male-based community development organisations, and it’s great to see the Shed at Mamre House thriving and serving the local community,” Minister Williams said.

St Clair and District Men’s Shed President Aurel

› Congrats Jan! Many of us laugh about coming home from the shops with more than the milk and bread we went up for, but one lucky Southlands shopper went as far as to arrive home the owner of a new car!

“Congratulations to our car winner Jan!” said a spokesperson on behalf of Southlands Shopping Centre.

“We are so excited for you and hope you love your Toyota Yaris! Thank you for being a loyal Southlands shopper!”

Photo: Hilary Nathan Media

Vasilescu said the organisation was most grateful for the funding.

“Members of our Men’s Shed regularly donate their time to personal and community projects that help others in the community. Thankfully my job is also made easier thanks to the work done by the members of our executive committee,” Aurel Vasilescu said.

“This contribution not only helps foster a positive community spirit, but participants are also given the opportunity to meet others and gain new skills.”

St Clair and District Men’s Shed is one of 930 Men’s Shed’s across Australia for men to come together to participate in activities, talk and share common interests.

Minister Ray Williams and Tanya Davies also visited the Nepean Riding for the Disabled facilities. Tanya Davies then hosted a morning tea for Minister Williams and the local multicultural community.

Conservation grants for local landholders

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ember for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies has announced that applications are open for $2 million in grants to support conservation by private landholders.

Tanya Davies said the Conservation Partner Grants, offered through the Biodiversity Conservation Trust (BCT) are intended to help private landholders maintain the ecological values of their property.

“Funding is available for things like fencing, weed control, introduced pest animal control, supplementary

planting and habitat restoration,” Tanya Davies said.

“This program is part of the NSW Government’s commitment through the BCT to support and encourage landholders to conserve and manage biodiversity on private land.”

Minister for the Environment, Gabrielle Upton said the opening of this program for applications followed the NSW Government’s unprecedented investment of $240 million over five years, and $70 million per year ongoing, in private

land conservation as part of the land management and biodiversity conservation reforms.

“The not-for-profit Biodiversity Conservation Trust will offer $37 million for programs in 2018,” Ms Upton said.

“This will deliver major benefits to the environment and support landholders to carry out important conservation management on their properties.”

Landholders with a conservation agreement or wildlife refuge

agreement with the BCT that do not receive annual conservation management payments are eligible to apply for grants. Landholders participating in the Community Environment Network’s Land for Wildlife program or Humane Society International’s Wildlife Land Trust program are also eligible to apply.

Details of the programs are available at the BCT website www.bct.nsw.gov.au, by email at info@bct.nsw.gov.au or by phone on 1300 992 688.

local news

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AST week Minister for Finance, Mathias Cormann joined Senator for Western Sydney and Minister for Defence, Marise Payne in Penrith for a 2018 Budget Breakfast with local small businesses and community stakeholders from the Penrith, Blue Mountains and Hawkesbury regions.

Held at the Regatta Centre in front of Penrith’s world famous rowing course, Minister Cormann addressed the Government’s national economic plan which underpins the 2018-19 Budget.

This includes tax incentives such as the $20,000 instant asset write-off incentive which has been extended for another 12 months.

The Minister said that thousands of businesses throughout the region have already benefited from this initiative.

“Minister Cormann’s visit to the Lindsay electorate highlights the importance of the Western Sydney business community and its contribution to the economy,” Senator Payne said.

“The Government’s national economic plan is delivering a stronger economy, record jobs growth and a recovery in non-mining business investment. To continue this growth, it is important to stick to the key plan.

“We have delivered small and medium business tax cuts that benefit almost 30,000 businesses in our region. Small and medium business tax cuts will help upwards of 19,000 local businesses with turnovers

of up to $50 million if they are incorporated, and up to $5 million if they are unincorporated, invest, employ and pay their workers more,” Senator Payne said.

“This breakfast was a wonderful

opportunity to bring Western Sydney stakeholders together and have their questions directly answered by the Minister.” For information on the Budget visit: http://budget.liberal.org. au/

Local young people shine on Pilgrimage to Uluru

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n April this year, ten young people from western Sydney had the experience of a lifetime on Fusion’s annual Prilgrimage to Uluru.

Peer leaders in Fusion’s youth programmes from St Marys, Colyton, Bidwill and WIllmot headed off on Sunday 8 April, along with a team of six Fusion youth workers and volunteer drivers and cooks, on a twelve day journey to the centre of our nation.

Fusion’s annual Pilgrimage to Uluru, now in its 18th year, is an opportunity for young people to enrich their sense and appreciation of Australia’s national and indigenous history and culture and to experience and explore issues of meaning and community. Young people are challenged to reflect on their

boundaries and choices and it is often a life-changing experience for those who participate.

The Pilgrimage culminates in a weekend of celebration and activity at Yulara with bus groups from Fusion centres all around Australia gathering to participate in a community festival, concerts, an evening prayer vigil and a dawn service before departing on the journey home.

Pilgrimage Co-Ordinator for Fusion Western Sydney, Sophie Head shared, “the young people from our area took the learning side of the trip very seriously. It was lovely to see change and growth in those we work with each week. On the journey home, some shared about changes they’d like to make in their attitudes and in the way they treat others so that they can have

better relationships with friends and family members. They also reflected that they have learnt a lot more about the history of our country’s settlement and our Aboriginal people.

They shared that they want to help educate others back home on our history from the Aboriginal people’s perspective, to help others understand our past and the issues our Aboriginal communities face.”

This opportunity would not have been possible for many of the young people without the generous support of local businesses and organisations.

Thank you to St Marys Shopping Village and Bakers Delight for showing their support and commitment to local initiatives to strengthen our young people, families and communities. The participants

also held fundraising events including a car wash and helped at a Fusion Easter event and at Neighbourhood Day at Oxley Park for Penrith Council.

Fusion is a youth and community organisation which has a deep and ongoing commitment to developing resilience in individual lives and the community.

Each week the team at Fusion Western Sydney run programmes and activities to support vulnerable young people and families.

Fusion Western Sydney is based in St Marys with its Admin Hub and Fusion Café, a social enterprise, located in Station Street opposite St Marys Railway Station. For more information about Fusion Western Sydney go to www.fusionwesternsydney.org.au or phone 8805 5900.

Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

Local small businesses gather to hear budget detail

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Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

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local news › RSL board 50 per cent female

New Councillors get ready for the job ahead

By KeRRIE DAVIES

NEW Councillor Brian Cartwright isn’t the only person in his home celebrating an election win, with his wife Glenda being appointed to the board of Penrith RSL. “We believe we are the first board in “clubland” to have 50 per cent of its members to be female,” Glenda said.

Glenda spent a lot of time talking to people as a candidate for election and that hard work got her over the line.

“Although I am a Sub-branch member, I know my responsibility is to the greater membership and I am there to represent the Club Limited Board,” she said.

“It’s about making sure that we continue to provide support for the community and also make sure that whatever development happens in the future is sustainable and continues to support the aspirations of the Penrith area.”

That’s quite an achievement, well done Penrith RSL. Well done Glenda.

Cl Brian Cartwright, Mayor John Thain and Cl Robin Cook at the declaration of the poll results last week.

By KeRRIE DAVIES

O

UR two newest Councillors settled in to their new chairs in Chambers this week, following their successful bids in the by elections earlier this month.

South Ward winner, Liberal’s Brian Cartwright said he was looking forward to rolling his sleeves up and getting into the job of serving the community who elected him.

“It is a great honour, I’m looking

forward to representing my community and building on the great work being done. My focus is going to be on making sure that although we have some great assets in the local area it is important to keep them well maintained,” Cr Cartwright said.

East Ward’s elected representative, Labor’s Robin Cook said she was very pleased with the result “after a short but hard-fought campaign.”

“I am ready and very eager to start serving the community in whatever way I can. I will do my very best as it

is a privilege to be in this position and I am very mindful of that,” Cl Cook said “During the campaign I received a lot of positive feedback on my stance to advocate for improved accessibility to essential services and inclusiveness for members of the community with mobility issues. Having first -hand experience with this issue I feel that I am well armed to advocate in this area.

“I am also proud to add to the gender balance bringing the number of women on council to four.”

Public exhibition of Council’s plans for 2018-19

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ith the 2018-19 financial year fast approaching, Council would like to hear what our community thinks about our planned works, budget, fees and charges for the next 12 months.

Many residents took the opportunity this time last year to help shape our 10 year Community Plan and our four year Delivery Program for 2017-21.

Our annual Operational Plan for the 2018-19 financial year is a detailed plan that shows how we are working towards achieving those longer term goals.

Together these plans ensure we’re using our resources effectively and efficiently to best meet the needs of the community, now and into the future.

From 9 May until 6 June, you can view and comment on Council’s 2018-19 Operational Plan and Fees and Charges online at yoursaypenrith. com.au or in person at the Penrith Civic Centre, St Marys Business Office or any Penrith City library branch.

Penrith Mayor Cr John Thain said he strongly encourages anyone who lives or owns property in Penrith City or uses Council services and facilities to take the time to have a look at the plans.

“We’re spending $271.7 million across 46 diverse functions in 201819 for our City,” Cr Thain said.

“A large portion of this money needs to be spent on things we’re already committed to. We provide services to

more than 200,000 residents across 36 suburbs. More than 3,000 children are enrolled across our 31 children’s services locations; our libraries are visited by 1500 people each day and our 51 community buildings are used by 365,000 people each year.

“We maintain 1,076 km of local and regional roads; over 1,250 hectares of open space; 105 sporting facilities used by approximately 32,000 people each weekend, and 544 playgrounds and parks.

“You can imagine the bills just to keep the lights on, our trucks and mowers full of petrol, and the water flowing.

“We are also well underway delivering major projects such as improvements in the Penrith and St

Marys Centres and along the River, following extensive community engagement,” he said.

There are a number of ways you can tell Council what you think of our plans and proposed fees and charges until Wednesday 6 June: • Online survey: at yoursaypenrith. com.au • Email to corporate.planning@ penrith.city • Letter to the General Manager (Attention: Corporate Planning Team), Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751 We will consider each and every submission received on the draft documents before they are finalised and reported to Council’s Ordinary Meeting on 25 June.

local news

By KeRRIE DAVIES

I

T has been a well-established fact that over the decades the Nepean area has been a fine producer of skilled athletes that have gone on to represent the state and in some cases, the country.

Stuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith recently added two more names into our talent pool and presented two local students, Joshua Debritt and Billy Kilgore with NSW Government State Representative Awards.

Joshua represented NSW in Touch Football and Billy in Athletics, both at the 2017 Pacific School Games.

“It’s always a great to see young people like Joshua and Billy getting out and showcasing their skills and representing our state as well as our local area,” said Stuart Ayres.

“Both of these young men are to be

commended for their commitment to their chosen sport,” said Stuart Ayres.

Since the first Pacific School Games were held in Brisbane in 1982 with 2187 participants, the games have continued to grow with the 2017 Adelaide games attracting around 4000 participants and officials from 15 countries including those from every Australian state and territory.

The NSW Government State Representative Award recognises people who have represented the State of NSW in a competitive field.

Nominees of any age, who have represented NSW in a competitive field (eg. sport, music, the arts or academic), either nationally or internationally, may be nominated for the Award. If you have represented NSW contact Mr Ayres’ office and let them know. For nomination forms and further details call 02 4722 8660.

Bar-stool opinions welcome

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rime Minister Malcholm Turnbull and Senator Marise Payne were available for a beer and chat with locals last week at the Peachtree Hotel.

“The Politics at the Pub event at the Peachtree Hotel was a great success and a chance for local residents to catch up with the Prime Minister in a social environment,” Sen Marise Payne said.

“The Prime Minister responded to questions on a range of local and national issues from a lively and knowledgeable crowd.

“He set out the Government’s plan to deliver tax relief to working Australians and guarantee essential services.

“It was also great to hear him detail our plans to work with local and state governments to ensure growth in Western Sydney is positively managed, sharing the benefits and maximising the region’s potential.”

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Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

Local kids kicking goals

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Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

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local news

Exclusive interview: Pauline in Penrith

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AULINE Hanson visited Penrith for the Pauline Hanson’s One Nation Party’s AGM this month and she’s on the lookout for potential candidates to represent her party in future elections.

We were given the opportunity to chat with Ms Hanson exclusively about what she stands for.

NN: How has the reception for you been in Penrith?

PH: “Absolutely wonderful, a lot of support; it went really well.

NN: Do you plan to grow your party’s representation across western Sydney by running candidates in Federal, State and Local electorates?

PH: I’m not concentrating on local government at this time, my main aim is the NSW state election and definitely the next federal election.

We’ve had quite a few expressions of interest for both elections. There is a lot of interest coming from Penrith and the support is very, very strong. I’m very pleased, because I was out of the party for 13 years and came back into it just three years ago and so far we’ve had 8 members elected to parliament.

We must have good, strong, credible candidates, that’s what we are asking for. We are looking for people who are willing to work for the people and looking to make a difference.

NN: During your career you’ve been cheered, slammed, ridiculed, disendorsed, expelled and even spent time in gaol - you’ve certainly had to battle hard to claim your place in Canberra. What keeps you from saying “oh bugger this” and throwing in the towel?

PH: I think because people have never really considered me to be a politician as such; they’ve looked at me as just one of them. I could be their neighbour next door, their mother or their sister.

People respect me for having my opinion and voicing my opinion

Peter Breen, Mick Jackson, Amit Batish, Jason Ross with Pauline Hanson

without fear or favour. I think that’s what people want from their politicians - someone who really cares about this country and genuinely cares about them and their future.

NN: Everybody from TV commentators to some MPs and some media like to tell Australia what Pauline Hanson stands for, but we’d like to hear it from you what do you stand for?

PH: What I want to see is a fair go for everyone regardless of race, colour or creed. I want to see people believe they can live in a safe society, I want to see a society which has the belief of a fair day’s work for a fair day’s pay. I have seen so many changes in our society since I was a young girl, we didn’t see the murders and crime that are on our streets now, there is so much disrespect toward so many people like teachers, law enforcement and even kids showing disrespect toward their parents and this comes from people who have no self respect for themselves. This country needs good strong leadership and people with a vision for the future, I don’t just look toward the next election, I look at beyond that to bring in prosperity for the country so people have a good standard of living and a descent way of life.

NN: What do you see as the greatest challenges facing Australia over next decade or so?

PH: The issue of too many immigrants being allowed to come into the country which is having an impact on our way of life and our standard of living is a huge challenge.

The left are breaking down our society by pushing their socialist attitudes and it isn’t right for our country, we are a democratic country and we need to fight to preserve that; because the left are pushing us in a socialist direction. They are trying to take over and control people, where you lose your democracy and freedom of speech and take away people’s rights to have an opinion, they are herding people into their way of thinking.

Government is there to adhere to the constitution, uphold the law and ensure the economic stability of the country, it’s not up to government to tell people how to live their lives or how to run their businesses and that’s what governments are now doing.

What’s actually happening is the suppression of the people and we are being herded along and we are losing our voice along the way through fear and control. The more you step out of line the more government interferes with regulation, rules, fines, charges

and the fear of prison and that’s not what people want.

NN: Who do you think will be the next Prime Minister of Australia?

PH: I think it is going to be very close, personally I don’t think Turnbull or Bill Shorten are right for this country. People are very dissatisfied with Turnbull; they thought he was going to be a stronger leader and as for Bill Shorten, I’m in fear - absolute fear - if he becomes Prime Minister of this country. I don’t trust him, I don’t believe what he says, I think he just says what he needs to say to get himself elected then I don’t trust what he will do, I’m very concerned.

NN: Thank you for your time, anything you’d like to add?

PH: I am going to try to get to western Sydney more often if I can, I do appreciate the support I have and have had for a long time from the people of western Sydney. I want to give people back opportunities for them for their future and I want candidates on the floor of Parliament to help achieve that so I ask people to give us a go so we can make a difference.

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s you may have noticed, High Street is getting a facelift. Penrith Council is working on transforming and upgrading High Street in the Penrith CBD. This is an important, city-shaping project that will have major benefits for residents, workers, visitors and local businesses.

Replacing and upgrading the ageing infrastructure along High Street will make a big difference to the attractiveness and accessibility of the precinct. New storm water drainage is also being installed which will protect High Street and businesses from flash flooding for years to come.

We know there have been disruptions throughout High St during the upgrade. To provide support to businesses affected by the construction to improve our town centre, Penrith CBD Corp has launched a strong marketing strategy which will aim to encourage the community to continue shopping and dining local. There is much to discover along and within the many arcades of High Street and we want the community and local businesses to be a key part of that.

We agree that it is a challenging time, but High Street is still accessible by foot. There are also plenty of parking options available behind the arcades and some a short walk away. Our local businesses are still here to bring you optimum services and trade.

While the construction is upgrading the town centre, we are working with property owners and local businesses encouraging and partnering to upgrade and refresh their local business ready for the future.

The multi-faceted strategy involves the following

Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

High Street Penrith in process of major facelift

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Photo: Hilary Nathan Media

that are in play now and some of which are on their way to being implemented: • Marketing and PR • Painting • Fresh façade fronts • LED Lighting upgrade or replacement • Signage • Education opportunities for staff and business owners

By working together and enhancing the changes to the CBD our businesses will strengthen and grow to be ready to accommodate the future changes.

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Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

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local news

Rat bait poisoning in dogs The use of rat bait around the home is very common to aid in controlling rodents. Unfortunately, rat bait toxicities in dogs are one of the most common that we see as vets. Most rat baits include green, blue or red dyes, however, dogs have poor colour vision and often think that these are food. If you know your pet has eaten rat poision, it is important that you let your vet know immediately.

How does rat bait work? Rat bait kills by interfering with the ability of the body to produce clotting factors. Rat bait does this by abolishing the recycling of vitamin K in the body which is a vital step in the clotting cascade. This means that as soon as vitamin K reserves are depleted, no blood clots will form. After rat bait is ingested, it takes several days to deplete vitamin K. After it is depleted, even the smallest trauma like a small cut can lead to life threatening bleeding.

What are the symptoms of poisoning? Signs of poisoning usually appear a few days to a week after ingestion. This happens because it takes a few days to deplete vitamin K. Signs include lethargy, pale gums, bleeding gums, coughing blood, blood in urine or

stools and small bruises over the body.

How is it diagnosed and treated? Diagnosis is made through history and based on a blood test that

can check clotting times. If your animal has ingested rat bait in the previous few hours, the vet can give your dog a medicine that will make them vomit; this allows most of the toxin to be removed from the body.

An antidote for rat bait is available and is given for 4-6 weeks post ingestion; unfortunately, this long course is required as rat bait can last in the system for an extended period of time. Sometimes rat bait is ingested without the owners knowledge and an untreated animal can suffer from severe blood loss; these animals generally require aggressive treatment involving blood and plasma transfusions.

Luckily, rat bait poisonings can be treated. It is essential that you advise your vet as soon as you suspect that your pet has eaten rat bait. Treatment is much simpler in the early stages of ingestion. If you decide to use rat bait around your home, please make sure that is can not be accessed by pets or children. If you have any concerns, please phone us on 4731 3055.

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

Phone 47 313 055

local news

By BART BASSETT

N

epean Food Services celebrated the opening of their new annex this week which includes a large freezer and packing room.

Nepean Food Services Manager Ditte Kozak said the facility was made possible thanks to The Hon Tanya Davies MP who supported the grant application through two separate funding years of the Community Building Partnership Grant totalling $55,000 and Penrith City Council for project management.

The new facility will now allow our service to grow into the future.

“There is a growing need for Nepean Food Services that include Meals on Wheels and social support with Penrith’s population rapidly ageing,” said Ditte.

“By 2021 the number of Penrith residents aged over 65 years will nearly double to over 24,000 people which will be 11.5% of Penrith’s population.

“Penrith’s growing over 65 population will also experience the challenges associated with increasing frailty, mobility issues, hearing loss and vision impairment.

“Our increased capacity which will

be delivered because of the facility upgrade will assist us and Penrith City Council in the common goal to support older people to remain living independently in their own home.”

There are approximately 36,000 residents identified as living with a disability living in Penrith including over 11,000 with a profound or

severe disability who need assistance with daily activities.

Nepean Food Services said that they are a registered provider for NDIS allowing them to provide enjoyable and nutritious meals to people with a permanent and significant disability.

Ditte said she also wished to thank Coverit Building Group for their professional work in building the new

facility which they are very proud of.

The expanded packing room will boost our capacity to respond to the growing needs of our community and help us to contribute to council’s goal to be a Local Government leader with regard to access and inclusion, and to include people with a disability in community places, programs and events.

Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

Grant to help with community food deliveries

15

16

Legends of the Nepean Ray Dukes

By Noel Rowsell

A

ny newcomers to Leonay Golf Club are unable to miss the varied references, both on the course and in the Clubhouse, to a fellow golfer named Ray Dukes.

The first tee is named ‘Dukes Drive’, there is a major event on the yearly calender called ‘The Ray Dukes Cup’ and and one member is recognised annually for outstanding service to the Club by being awarded ‘The Ray Dukes Medal”.

The Championship Boards inside the Clubhouse also hint at an amazing story, with Ray collecting an astonishing forty-three Championship titles in his career at Leonay.

These titles included A Grade Champion, Foursomes Champion, Mixed Foursomes Champion and Match Play Champion categories.

An undisputed Legend of the game, not only in the Nepean District but throughout NSW in his halcyon days, Ray collected Open titles and other major events seemingly at will.

A prodigious appetite for practice

and an undeniable aptitude for the game allowed Ray to be a fiercely competitive golfer, confident in his ability to conquer a myriad of challengers over a remarkable career.

Newspaper articles from the 1960’s in particular highlighted Ray’s early rise to fame, firstly as an outstanding junior talent who revelled in upstaging his elders in Senior events, winning his first A Grade Club Championship as a 16-year old.

Subsequent media clippings over the next forty years catalogue a fabulous list of achievements, which included eight times winner of the now-defunct ‘Nepean District Golf Association’s (NDGA) Player of the Year’ award and seventeen-times winner of the Leonay Open.

During a career in which he won over one hundred Open events, major titles won multiple times within the Nepean District included the Windsor Foundation Cup (8-times winner), Penrith Autumn Cup (5), Springwood Open (5), Katoomba Open (3), Glenmore Open (3) and the South Creek Cup at Dunheved (2).

We currently have a number of roles available, to join our Penrith Based business, with a range of government, commercial, construction & domestic clients throughout the Sydney Metropolitan area.

Contact us now!!

ELECTRICAL TRADES – ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

PlumberS - Maintenance & Upgrade works

This is a new & unique role, in our Penrith Office, for an experienced electrician with maintenance experience BUT who is now seeking to work in an administrative role, within our Electrical division.

Perhaps you are now unable to or don’t want to continue to perform the physically challenging parts of a trades role or simply prefer to work in the office rather than on the tools.

You will be responsible for prep & checking of invoices, quotes & documentation for jobs, assisting the managers with progress & handling of scheduled works & other admin duties related to progress of works.

In addition to your trades background you will have computer skills, strong communication skills & attention to detail & accuracy.

We are looking for Plumbers to undertake general plumbing maintenance & upgrade works locally & throughout Sydney Metro.

Must have a range of experience across general domestic & commercial works and be willing to provide a high standard of service & quality. Must be a good problem solver who can work alone or in a team.

You will be carrying out a range of maintenance and installation for commercial. government and domestic clients as a part of our maintenance team.

Excellent opportunities ofr training including “No Dig” Pipe Relining, Backflow Prevention, Confined Spaces etc.

You will be meticulous with quality, well presented, willing to use our electronic job management system & keen to embrace our Hix Group Culture of Team work, Pride & Responsibility. Send your resume now to HR@hix.com.au (Applications will be treated in strict confidence) Enquiries to: Justin Walker, Senior Manager, Electrical Services – Phone: 4721 7500

Ray Dukes was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Noel Rowsell.

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

A ‘Plus 2’ handicap player at his peak, Ray competed against several players who would go on to illustrious careers in the Professional ranks, yet for personal reasons was never seriously tempted to follow that path.

However, his stature in the game is perhaps highlighted by a Flyer for an

Exhibition Game in November, 1962.

The Exhibition game featured Australia’s most prolific course record-holder Bill Dunk and fellow Professional Graeme Abbott (who shot 63 and 70 respectively), playing against Ray (72) and his friend and foursomes partner Bill Wright (70).

That same year, Ray became the first player in Leonay Golf Club history to win the Triple Crown, taking out the A Grade Singles, A Grade Foursomes (with brother Kevin) and the A Grade Mixed Foursomes (with Mrs W Murray).

Ray also led the qualifiers after two

rounds leading up to the Australian Open in 1969 and ultimately played in three Australian Opens - at Royal Sydney, The Australian and Kingston Heath.

Ray also played in nine NSW Opens, ten NSW Amateurs and the Australian Amateur Championships.

Not all of Ray’s contribution to the Leonay Golf Club involved wielding a golf club.

Ray was also the Course Superintendent (Head Greenkeeper) from 1964-94 and accepted the role of stand-in Secretary/Manager on five separate occasions – the longest a two-year stint.

Ray significantly attributes all of his career success, both on and off the golf course, to the support of his extended family.

Ray and first wife Joyce had six children (Brett, Craig, Matthew, Janine, Rae, Joy), whilst second wife Verna bore him one child (Emily).

Ray spoke glowingly of each of his seven children and is immensely proud of their ongoing individual achievements.

17

SUDOKU: EASY

ENTERTAINMENT

INSTRUCTIONS Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 with no duplicates SOLUTION: 26 April

WORD SEARCH

KITCHEN ITEMS OVEN STOVE MICROWAVE FRIDGE DISHWASHER MOP

BRUSH KETTLE TOASTER RADIO SINK BREADMAKER

BLENDER COFFEE MAKER SPONGE PLATES GLASSES CUTLERY

ENTERTAINMENT

L

ittle Bo Beats is an educational music program based in the Blue Mountains. The program has been written by a local music educator and musician with a music education degree and over ten years’ teaching experience.

Little Bo Beats aim to instil the beginnings of music theory including concepts such as beat, rhythm, tempo, dynamics, pitch, song structure, melody, harmony and timbre (how different instruments sound).

They use well known nursery rhymes, classical music, folk songs, stories, percussion instruments and more to pass on these concepts in a fun, engaging and interactive environment.

Rebecca Dean, the owner of Little Bo Beats spoke about why she created her company and the benefits music can have for children.

“I created Little Bo Beats when I was trying to find a similar class to take my own boys to, but the classes were either too expensive for my family or affordable but created more for fun than education,” she said.

“I wanted to create something that was both.

Exposing infants and little ones to music is one of the best things you can do to bond with your child, as well as increase their language, literacy, numeracy and social skills.

“The research behind the benefits of music

education for children is plentiful, and I think it is terrible that so many families who have children who could benefit are simply not able to afford it.”

Rebecca also spoke about what she wants to achieve through her company and promote an affordable musical education.

“The goal I have for my business is to make quality music education as affordable to the community as possible, and to promote its benefits to the community,” she said.

“I want to educate families that you don’t have to be a musician to share music with your littlies, and we send home activity sheets after each lesson to make it as easy as possible for the parents/carers to continue at home.”

Little Bo Beats classes are currently held in Springwood on Mondays, Blaxland on Tuesdays and at Kingswood on Fridays at the Neighbourhood Centre. They run baby classes for birth to two-year old’s (30-minute classes) and toddler classes for two to five-year old’s (45-minute classes).

Little Bo Beats offer a free trial class and a sibling discount. Students can book on the website www.littlebobeats.com.au, contact Rebecca on her Facebook page or by phone directly - 0401351447.

Next term Rebecca is hoping to add subsidised places to lower the price even further for families who could not otherwise afford to attend.

› Free comedy gala at the Joan The Talking Rubbish comedy gala is back! Penrith City Council is hosting a free adults-only comedy gala at the Joan for the second year.

The comedy gala is on from 7pm Sunday 3 June, and will celebrate World Environment Day. Don’t miss your opportunity to see some of Australia’s best comedians deliver lots of laughs and a little trash talk. The stellar line-up includes Aaron Chen, Daniel Cordeaux, Rebecca de Unamuno, Simon Hall, Demi Lardner and Rod Quantock.

Penrith Mayor Cr John Thain said the comedy gala was a great example of Council staff’s passion and innovation.

“Council’s Waste Services team are committed to providing the most environmentally responsible and financially affordable service to our community,” Cr Thain said.

“But it’s their passion for finding new and engaging ways to educate the community that constantly amazes me.

“Who would have thought to combine waste management with comedy? It’s a unique way we can communicate the benefits of our 3 bin system and why it’s so important in a way the community genuinely enjoys and engages with,” Cr Thain continued.

Tickets are free and limited. Visit thejoan.com.au or call the Box Office on 4723 7600 to secure your seats now!

More information about the gala is available on Council’s website: penrithcity.nsw.gov.au/events This project is supported by the NSW EPA as part of the Waste Less, Recycle More initiative and funded from the waste levy by Penrith City Council. This event is presented in cooperation with j9 connect. create. curate.

Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

Little Bo Educating Beats

19

AUSTRALIA’S HOTTEST FOOTY MODEL SEARCH

02 4736 4647 THEPIONEERTAVERN.COM.AU CNR MAXWELL ST & THE NORTHERN RD, PENRITH NSW 2750

We promote the responsible service of gaming & alcohol. alhgroup.com.au

Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

20

ENTERTAINMENT

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Annual virus (9) 6 Full of flavor (5) 9 On the beach (7) 10 Boat in Venice (7) 11 Deletion (7) 12 Imperial ruler (7) 13 Steals from stores (9) 15 Entice (5) 16 Modelled (5) 19 Stunt plane (9) 22 Instructions on food

preparation (7) 23 A distant settlement (7) 25 Mediterranean sailing

ship (7) 26 Choking or retching (7) 27 Is concerned for (5) 28 Prediction (9)

solution 10/5/18

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

STATE OF ORIGIN WEDNESDAY

JUNE 6TH SUNDAY

JUNE 24TH

Starring

EMMA KIRK and her internationally acclaimed live band

WEDNESDAY

JULY 11TH Win

Win

Best seats in the house Tickets $2 each or 3 for $5 available at Club.

Drawn day before first Origin.

STATE OF ORIGIN JERSEY Free ticket when drink purchased during origin series and drawn at completion of game 3.

Only 1 Jumper to be won.

INCLUDING SONGS FROM ADELE’S NEW

album 25

Saturday 30 JUNE 8pm ~ Tickets now on sale at Club $25 Members, $30 Non Members

Shamrock Grill SPECIALS

LUNCH 12 - 2.30pm - LUNCH SPECIALS $10 MONDAY Schnitzel Night $12.50 TUESDAY Steak & Ale Night $15 WEDNESDAY Coffee & Cake $8.50 THURSDAY Kids Eat FREE (conditions apply) SUNDAY - Sunday Roast $17.50 Members $18.50 Non Members

FREE ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY 25 MAY - 8PM LOUNGE LIZARDS

Saturday 26 MAY - 7PM SHAYLEE WILDE

SUNDAY 27 MAY - 5PM BLACK WATER

FRIDAY 1 JUNE - 8PM Time Machine

Saturday 2 JUNE - 8PM BLACK WATER

Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

22

NEPEAN HISTORY

The Battle for “Victoria Park”

I

n September 1876, James Hackett applied in Court to bring under the provisions of the Real Property Act a portion of land containing about three acres in the village of St Mary’s South Creek (Victoria Square) that he wanted to buy (and did so) for £100 where he boasted that he thought it the best little land in St Marys. In November 1878, Robert Saddington filed in Court his caveat against James’ application and to pursue this in NSW Supreme Court on behalf of himself and William Garner, John Morrison, Alf Gassmann, and William Beacroft. In December 1879 on the motion of C B Stephen, the Supreme Court granted a summons calling upon Saddington to show cause why he should state a case in support of his caveat and why the Court should not make the necessary orders under the Act? In March 1880 the parties were ordered to proceed to a trial of the following issues: - 1: Had there been a dedication of the land to the public? 2: Had there been any rights of way over the land? In May 1880 before His Honour Sir William Manning and a Jury of four in the Supreme Court, Mr Darley W.C. and Mr C B Stephen instructed by Mr S C Brown who appeared for Robert Saddington and Mr M H Stephen Q. C. instructed by Andrew McCulloch who appeared for James Hackett. In 1810, Lady Mary O’Connell the wife of Sir Maurice O’Connell received a grant of 1055 acres of land in St Marys and in 1842 a village was laid out on a portion of the land and streets were marked out and allotments of land were sold according to a plan on which the land in question then called “Victoria Square” was also marked out. Allotments of land were sold fronting the square that was used by the public for various purposes of recreation from that date. In 1855, Andrew McCullock who was then the owner of the unsold portions of the O’Connell grant, put up this land (including the square) for sale by Auctioneer Ryan and a plan was prepared on Andrew McCullock’s instructions regarding the Square shown on that plan and a number of lithographs (pamphlets) had been prepared and were distributed at the sale. Ryan in selling the lots, told in length the benefits of the land being sold without giving the facts to the buyers of the existence of the Square for the purposes of public recreation.

At the Court a number of witnesses were called to prove the public used the land and that some of them had purchased the adjoining lots on account of the square. M H Stephen Q.C. addressed the jury saying that at most the evidence went to show that the original owners who had laid out the village of St Marys had made limited dedication of the square and that they had set it apart for the use and benefit of those who owned or lived on the surrounding land. His Honour directed the jury that the evidence of dedication was all one way, but the question of dedication or no dedication was for them to decide and that any person had a perfect right to dedicate a portion of his land to the public and to prove such dedication with no length of time necessary and once the public had acquired such a right it could not be taken away. He said that the evidence of dedication went as far back as 1842 and such dedication was constructed in 1855 and in addition to the dedication there was also evidence of an uninterrupted use by the public since 1842. The jury after retiring for a few minutes returned a verdict for Saddington and found they found that the land was dedicated to the public by deed also, that the land had become public property from 1842 and the public had a general right-of-way over the land. In April 1890 a public meeting

was held at St Marys in the Protestant Hall for the purpose of considering the advisability of asking the Government to take over Victoria Square under the Parks Act. There was a very good attendance and John King Lethbridge, Justice of the Peace, occupied the chair. On the platform were Trustees of the Park - James Garner, James Bennett, Alf Gassmann and William Beacroft. Mr Lethbridge said that it gave him great pleasure to take the chair at this meeting and he thought this step would be to the interests of the Square, however he did not know much about the Square and that he would leave the matter to Mr Garner and the others who knew more. Mr Lethbridge then called upon Mr Garner to move the first resolution. Garner said on rising that he thought that everyone present took a great an interest in the Victoria Square as he did himself and he also thought that the best plan to adopt was to ask the Government to resume the Square and land because at present, the Trustees did not have the funds to make any great improvements and if the Square was to be placed under the Public Parks Act and controlled by the Government, a grant of at least £650 per year would be given to the Trustees for the Square which was a great consideration. He also thought that for the benefit of those present, a rough history of the Square would not be out of place and he gave a small account of the NSW Supreme Court case.

He mentioned that Mr Alcock who was also a tanner, donated a piece of ground which contained Sainsbury Street that divided the Square.

So, when the Trustees came to fence in the square they decided that the street was of no use and they fenced in the lot and Sainsbury Street stopped at Princess Mary Street and commenced at the other side in Pages Rd. Mr Alcock thought that there was some illegality doing this and thought it was one of the principal difficulties they needed to get over. Mr Lees thought that there would not be much difficulty in having this done if it was put in the hands of the proper authorities and that he would like to hear some other opinions on the subject and he had great pleasure in moving the opinion of the meeting to ask the Government to resume the Square and grounds and place it under the Public Parks’ Act.” The meeting was asked if Mr Alcock had given any title deeds with the land which was “Yes”! and what were the Trustees appointed for, was it to control the land only or to use the funds on the grounds for a general purpose?”. Mr William Fleming in a neat little speech said that he wished to set himself right in this matter as he had taken an interest in the Square for over 20 years and he was opposed to the road being closed and had written a letter to the Trustees that he thought they were doing wrong. The Trustees were very indignant, however, he thought this was now the right step to take and he would support the resolution but, would it not be better to word the resolution “Victoria Square and street”? Mr Garner said that lithographs had already been sent to the Department showing the Square and street, &c. The motion of the meeting was carried unanimously and Mr Gassmann then moved the resolution “that the Chairman be requested to forward the result of this meeting to the member for Nepean for presentation to the proper authorities”. Seconded by William Beacroft. PS – James Hackett was compensated with blocks of land in St Marys & Penrith to the value of £100.

Sources: - Nepean Times, Sydney Morning Herald. The drawing is of the first celebration in winning the Square with a Bullock Roast. Lyn Forde – Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc

SPORT

me feel proud to be a swimmer and part of an awesome club, when my name appears it helps the younger swimmers in our club feel that they can also achieve their goals,” he said.

“I am actually very humbled but at the same time a little bit excited as this is the first time I have been nominated for such a prestigious award.”

Matthew has been selected to participate in the NSW State transition team with Swimming NSW and he will be competing at the school sports nationals on the 25th and 31st of July in the 200m and 400m Individual Medley after being selected on the NSW Team for School Swimming.

Matthew spoke about what he enjoys most about the sport and what he plans to achieve in the near future.

“I love being in the water, training but I love being able to beat my own PB each time in a race, the feeling you get when you have done a Personal Best time feels fantastic,” he said.

“I am working towards in training to place in the top three at The GHF Australian Nationals in the Pool Age Events in April 2019 and then make selection for a Junior Australian team after the completion of the GHF National Age Meet.”

By CONNER LOWE

T

he Penrith Valley Sports Foundation has awarded Matthew Galea the Senior Sport Star of the Month award for his amazing development and skill in Swimming.

Matthew has been swimming since he was five years old, at nine years old he qualified for his first Swimming NSW State Meet and made his first NSW State team with school sport Australia.

In April Matthew finished with three top 10 finishes in his age (16yrs) in the pool at the GHF Australian National Age Champs (5th in the 400medley, 8th in the 400m Free and 8th in the 1500m free) and qualified in the 400m Medley to compete at the Pan Pac trials in July 2018. Matthew also became the Australian Champion in the 5KM 17yrs boys Open Water in January 2018.

Matthew spoke about how he felt when receiving the award and how it can help younger swimmers believe in achieving their dreams.

“It is very exciting to be in the paper or have your name just out there in the sporting community it makes

Junior Sport Star of the Month

By CONNER LOWE

T

he Penrith Valley Sports Foundation has awarded Danielle Fleming the Junior Sport Star of the Month award for her amazing development and skill in BMX riding.

Danielle has been riding BMX for just over three years, representing Penrith BMX club and has excelled in the sport. She recently came 5th in the Australian National BMX title and has been selected for the Australian Trans-Tasman team.

Danielle spoke about how she felt to receive the award and her best

achievements so far in her BMX journey.

“I am thrilled to be nominated because I work hard in training and racing, so it means a lot to me to be recognised by others,” she said.

“My best achievements so far were my 5th place in Australia at the 2018 BMX Australian Championships held in Bunbury WA, making the 2018 Australian Junior TransTasman Test Team and 2nd at the 2017 BMX NSW State Titles in October 2017 on both of my bikes 20” and 24”.”

Danielle also spoke about the experience of competing and riding

BMX and what she wants to do in the future.

“I love the competition in BMX, having fun, trying new things on the track and I get to experience it all with my family,” she said.

“I train with my sister four times a week which includes gate sessions, racing and sprints and hopefully I can become No. 1 in Australia and represent Australia at the World Championships.”

Danielle has been able to achieve some excellent results and at 11-years old she has a lot of time to develop her riding and improve on some already outstanding results.

Glenmore Undefeated in Masters Pennants

By Noel Rowsell

T

he third round of the 2018 Masters Pennants Golf competition has seen Glenmore Heritage Valley Golf Club continue their unbeaten winning run, defeating Oatlands 9-6 to now lead their division.

Penrith bounced back into form with a strong 9-6 win over Oatlands, whilst Dunheved GC suffered their first loss of the season, falling 7-8 to Windsor Country Club.

Leonay suffered a surprise 0-15 loss

to Lynwood, which was the biggest score of the day and threatens to take the wind out of the local Club’s sails this season.

Wallacia GC finally got their season under way but could not open with a win, falling 7-8 to Marrickville GC. Glenmore are away to Oatlands this Sunday, Penrith host Chatswood, Dunheved are away to RydeParramatta, Leonay are away to Macquarie Links and Wallacia host Marrickville.

Leonay Golf Club hosted their

Annual Nepean/Blue Mountains Cardiac Support Group Charity Ambrose event on Saturday, with an impressive field of 160 players teeing up on the day.

The winners on the day were: Men’s Nett: Hugh Renny, Simon Curry, Gary Hadfield, Phillip Alewood.

Scratch: Ben Breckenbridge, Michael Breckenbridge, Dylan Meikle, Josh Devrell.

Medley Nett: Pam Savage, Scott McLaughlin, Dean Watson, Shane Anderson.

Total donations to the Charity totalled $3,615, with contributions from green fees ($2,400), Raffles ($1,100) and Gold Coin Donation Blood Pressure Checks ($115).

Leonay captain Ross Butcher said “It (the money raised) is a great result and I’m extremely pleased”.

“I’ve worked with the Cardiac unit for over six months setting this (event) in place, Lori from the unit was fantastic being there at the Golf Club from 6am until after presentations at 5.30pm”.

Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

Senior Sport Star of the Month

23

Celebrity

ROUND 12 BRI CAN NQC PAR MAN MEL May 24 7.50pm

May 25 6.00pm

May 25 7.55pm

SYD GCT

NZW SOU

PAN STG

May 26 3.00pm

May 26 5.30pm

May 26 7.35pm

ROUND 13

NEW WES MAN CRO BUL NQC May 27 2.00pm

May 27 4.10pm

May 31 7.50pm

SOU CRO June 1 7.55pm

PAR SYD NEW WES June 2 7.35pm

June 3 4.10pm

SCORE

Jeff Watson - Club President, St Marys Band Club - 9623 1211

102 Sharon Spindler - Aussie - 0449 954 497

110 Romano Garofali - Nepean Pools - 4722 9201

94 Victor Glanville - Vic’s Maxi Transport - 4732 2195

106 Brett McVea - National Locksmiths - 1300 897 170

96 Toby Hughes - Sinclair Hyundai - 4720 1111

106 Daniel Galea - Adenbrook Homes - 9622 4091

102 Vic Shipley - Powersmart Electrical - 0415 982 093

110 John Thain - Penrith City Mayor - 0411 427 812

100 Iris Russell -Benard VenueBratusa Manager, Pioneer Tavern - 4736 4466 Councillor

102 Thor Thor’s- Cafe Aaron- Tyres @print- 4721 0292

102

TIPSTERS ROUND 12

BRI CAN NQC PAR MAN MEL

SYD GCT

NZW SOU

PAN STG

May 24 7.50pm

May 26 3.00pm

May 26 5.30pm

May 26 7.35pm

May 25 6.00pm

May 25 7.55pm

ROUND 13

NEW WES MAN CRO BUL NQC May 27 2.00pm

May 27 4.10pm

SOU CRO

May 31 7.50pm

June 1 7.55pm

PAR SYD NEW WES June 2 7.35pm

June 3 4.10pm

SCORE

Mark Geyer - Nepean News columnist

92 Prue Car - Member for Londonderry - 9833 1122

96 Councillor Aaron Duke - 0404 085 981

90 Peter Zaccazan - Zac Homes - 1300 350 793

82 Paul Wallace - Property Central - 0412 272 407

96 Jim Hill - Nepean Solar - 0425 281 626

98 Emma Husar - Member for Lindsay - 4722 0600 - www.emmahusar.com.au

98 Steve Beard - Select Mortgage - 0403 166 207

96 Aaron Tyers - @print - 4731 5055

92 Brock Shepperd - Wests Harold Matthews Coach

110 Sharon Mudiman - Bespoke Realty Group - 0413 757 998 Nicole Keene - Blink Property - 1300 629 610

92

Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

26

SPORT

PENRITH PANTHERS

Peachey’s Origin dream just a game away from becoming reality

By STEWART MOSES

A

@TheRiffMarn

n impressive start to the 2018 season is set to see utility Panther, Tyrone Peachey rewarded with an Origin debut from the bench by new Blues coach, Brad Fittler.

Peachey, who has played predominately left centre and five eighth this season, can also cover back-row and hooker, making him an attractive option for Fittler, who is an unabashed fan of the Panthers utility, having worked with him on three occasions previously as a City Origin coach.

Despite playing at five-eighth in Nathan Cleary’s absence for the majority of the season, Peachey’s 2018 stats makes a compelling case for NSW selectors to include him on the bench for his versatility, having scored 4 tries from 3 line-breaks, making 35 tackle busts and averages 95 metres from 10 runs per game.

“I’m just trying to play consistent for Penrith and if it happens it happens,” Peachey told Nepean News.

“It would be a massive honour for me but.

“I’m just happy to hear my name being mentioned to be honest.

“It’s something I have dreamed about my whole life basically so if I get the call from Freddy and get picked it would be awesome.”

Peachey is one of up at least five Panthers that go into Round 12 with

Peachey crosses for a four pointer against the Tigers. Credit: 77 Media.

hope of being selected for the NSW Origin team - James Maloney, Nathan Cleary, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Trent Merrin.

But with Nathan Cleary having just returned to the side and with the likes of Tyrone May, Peter Wallace, Waqa Blake, Moses Leota and Josh Mansour set to return during the second half of the season, Peachey admits that while his preference is to play at fiveeighth, his position at left centre may come under threat despite his looming Origin selection.

“I really enjoyed it at five eighth as I get my hands on the ball a lot more, which is always good” Peachey replied.

“But I must try to stay busy when we got the ball and try and be good in defence when I’m in the centres.

“I’ve played there a bit so I know what I’m doing out there.

“I’m pretty happy that my footy is pretty consistent at the moment.

“But I am just hoping to be in that starting team when everyone is back from injury.”

With the Panthers off to their best start since the 2003 premiership winning season, Peachey senses that the playing group could be on the verge of something special in 2018.

But by the same token it makes the decision to take up a lucrative deal with the Gold Coast Titans from 2019, all that much harder for Peachey.

“It’s sad that I have to leave but it’s just the way it is. It’s a decision that had to be made,” Peachey conceded.

“I love the club and the club has been nothing but good to me.

“They gave me the chance to become a regular NRL player, in a competitive team.

“I definitely want to leave on a good note and play good for Penrith.

“To do better than what we did last year when we made the finals and reach the grand final would be awesome.”

Penrith’s 8-3 start to the 2018 season is in direct contrast to the struggling 4-7 record this time last year.

But despite the encouraging start to the season, the upcoming clash against competition front-runners, St George-Illawarra, this Saturday night at Panthers Stadium, will give a clearer indication of where Penrith’s premiership aspirations are really at according to Peachey.

“I was just speaking to the boys then on how we were last year and it makes such a difference to see everyone smiling again,” Peachey said.

“But there is still a long way to go.

We just need to be consistent for the rest of the year and hope we make the finals first.

“This week against the Dragons is going to be a massive test for us and will show us where we are at as a club.

“They’ve been killing it all year and hopefully everyone steps up for it.”

Strong state performance by Nepean U/18 women’s hockey

By CONNER LOWE

T

he Nepean U/18 women’s hockey team delivered a strong performance to finish third in second division at the NSW U/18’s Championships in Newcastle last weekend.

The Championships are conducted in three divisions and the standard in second division is very close to first division.

The team was determined to compete successfully during the weekend and avoid relegation to third division.

Corrina Buckley, the coach of the U/18 women’s team was delighted with the overall performance. The team had a 3-1 win over Illawarra South Coast, a 2-0 win over Lithgow and a 4-2 win against Canberra, before a narrow and controversial 1-0 loss to New England.

New England were beaten by Lithgow which meant Nepean finished first in the pool and went onto the semifinal. Nepean played Manning Valley (Taree) in a very entertaining semifinal, only going down by a single goal in the closing stages of the match.

Manning Valley lost to Sydney Northern Beaches by a similar 1-0 margin in the final, showing just how close the competition was throughout the tournament. Northern Beaches were relegated from first division last year and will return to that division again next season.

Corrina Buckley spoke about how proud she was of the team’s efforts throughout the competition and support the team received.

“I was impressed with the spirit and behaviour of the team during the weekend. I look forward to another competitive season in 2019,” she said.

“I would like to thank the parents for their cooperation and support throughout the competition.”

Players in the U/18 women’s team were Mackenzie Baldwin (co-captain), Kimberley Sagar (co-captain), Mikaela Rushbrook, Annie Buckley, Catalina Lecaros, Emily Thompson,

Maddison Kettlewell, Aliyah Luapo, Tammin Danby, Louisa Cager, Steffani Sroczynski, Sienna Toohey, Emily Carey and Kate Francis.

All players in the team combined well as a unit and were led by Sagar and Cager in defence. Buckley, Baldwin, Luapo and Thompson led the team in midfield/attack. Annie Buckley who was a standout throughout the competition was again selected in the Advanced Athlete Program.

PENRITH PANTHERS

SPORT

By STEWART MOSES

T

@TheRiffMarn

hey’ve played over 500 NRL games for the Panthers between them.

They’ve won premierships in either 1991 or 2003, with one even winning a Clive Churchill Medal for his troubles.

They’ve played nineteen times for their state and a further eighteen times for the country.

A backline specialist (Ryan Girdler), a back-rower (Mark Geyer) and a hooker (Luke Priddis) have come together to give their thoughts on what team, one of their own, new NSW coach, Brad “Freddie” Fittler, will come up with.

With no Cameron Smith, no Cooper Cronk and of course no Johnathan Thurston, there is no better time then now for a rookie NSW Origin coach to win a series first up.

In their squads, the three Panther legends have named twelve players common to their seventeenman squads - some in the team, some on the bench.

Either way there will be a lot of changes made to last year’s squad explains Geyer.

“I’ve picked ten debutants. The thinking is why pick players that played in an era where Queensland have dominated?

“There’s a lot of scar tissue that goes along with that.

“Even with Cameron Smith’s announcement that he will no longer play Origin, Queensland will still be a formidable outfit.

“Nonetheless I think it is going to be a totally different NSW team to what we have been used to and one that is going to be hard to beat for a long time.”

But some differences have arisen from the sides the trio have selected as follows: FULLBACK: The fullback is a battle in two between incumbent James Tedesco and Tom Trobjovic, with Priddis favouring the latter for the Blues’ custodial role.

“I think (Tom) Trobjovic from Manly has been playing quality football for the past two years, whereas I don’t think Tedesco’s has been playing as well at the Roosters as he did at the Tigers.”

WINGERS: While all three agree Melbourne’s James AddoCarr picks himself out on the left wing, Ryan Girdler believes Canberra’s Nick Cotric deserves selection ahead of the competition’s leading meter-eater, Blake Ferguson, albeit out of position on the right.

“If Freddie is looking to go in a new direction from last year than the kid from Canberra, Cotric is hard to overlook,” Girdler said.

“He leads the comp in tackle breaks and knows his way to the try-line.”

CENTRES: All three agree on Sydney Roosters’ Latrell Mitchell as the left centre, but with NSW having limited options for right centre, all three differ.

While Girdler has gone with Dragons favourite Euan Aitken, Geyer and Priddis have both come up with alternative options.

“Even though I have him playing out of position, I had to find somewhere to put Tom Trobjovic into the team. He played centre for Australia, he’s a big body, dangerous, good under a high ball,” Geyer stated.

“I also like Euan Aitken but for mine he still has a few defensive issues,” Priddis added.

“If Dugan was fit I would put him in there but on speed alone I’d go with Jimmy the Jet (James Roberts) on the right.”

HALVES: The trio have pencilled in the Panthers pairing of

Will Freddie go with the Panthers duo of James Maloney (left) and Nathan Cleary (right) as his halves? Credit: 77 Media.

James Maloney and Nathan Cleary despite recent than perhaps just fifteen minutes if he was playing concerns over Maloney’s defence and the lack of upfront in his first Origin would be more beneficial.

“Then bring Frizzell on, who will run hard and games played between injury by Cleary.

Luke Keary looks set to come in should the strong and with a bit of ball-playing skills and rotate selectors overlook the latter but Girdler equally Vaughan with the other props.”

While Geyer and Girdler agreed on Manly’s Jake warns Freddie against overlooking the former given that Maloney despite his defensive issues, has more Trobjovic as the lock forward, Priddis said provided he is fit then Wade Graham should be the number 13. upside in his game.

“Wade Graham would be my lock if fit,” Priddis “Jimmy has missed a lot of tackles in club land and obviously that will be something they will need said.

“He’s got silky skills and has can cover in the to address if picked,” Girdler replied.

“But Jimmy has been the form player of the halves.

“He’s also the utility player for mine. competition this year and would be hard to “But if he’s not there then (Jake) Trobjovic slips overlook.” straight into that spot.”

FRONT ROW: BENCH: Reagan Campbell-Gillard is a shoe-in for one spot While Tariq Sims and Jack De Belin are popular according to the trio as is David Klemmer, although Girdler has him on the bench with Paul Vaughan interchange options among the trio, MG believes that in-form Panther Tyrone Peachey is must as a starting instead.

Geyer says that the Bulldogs prop deserves to utility player.

“I’ve got Peachey on the bench to cover that spot hold his spot despite the struggling form of his club.

“Klemmer has been good in a team that has in case the halves succumb to injury and he can cover hooker, as well as lock, centre or back-row if struggled,” MG stated.

“Big metres, big unit who always lifts in the needs be,” Geyer said.

“He is one of the best utilities in the NRL at the Origin arena.” moment and I think he has earned the right to make HOOKER: It’s a battle in two between Souths’ Damien Cook the side.”

Priddis disagreed, stating that it would be a waste and the Dragons hooker, Cameron McInnes.

While Priddis and Geyer both opted for Cook, of time to give a spot to someone just to play 15Girdler believes Cook would be a better option 20 minutes in Origin and instead opted for Panthers’ team mate Trent Merrin. coming off the bench for McInnes.

“When teams are into the 60th minute and “We must have two hookers if going with someone still have a bloke or two on the bench who hasn’t new,” Girdler stated.

“In Origin the hooker is expected to make 50 touched the football you might as well have played tackles and how else will you have the energy to with fifteen men,” Priddis claimed.

“I’m basing my side around that most forwards have a run with that workload?”

“A dynamic ball runner in Cook, would be best are going to be rotated off the bench in 20-25 minute suited to playing either side of the half against tiring stints and I’m not going to have an utility waste a Maroon forwards, but McInnes has done little wrong spot on the bench.” not to be picked.”

BACKROW: MARK GEYER RYAN GIRDLER LUKE PRIDDIS Roosters back-rower Boyd James Tedesco James Tedesco Tom Trobjovic Cordner, is expected to retain Josh Addo-Carr Josh Addo-Carr Josh Addo-Carr his spot alongside the Dragons’ Latrell Mitchell Latrell Mitchell Latrell Mitchell Tyson Frizzell, according to the Tom Trobjovic Euan Aitken James Roberts trio.

Blake Ferguson Nick Cotric Blake Ferguson However Priddis has thrown James Maloney / Luke Keary James Maloney / Luke Keary James Maloney up a selection bombshell by Nathan Cleary / James Maloney Nathan Cleary / James Maloney Nathan Cleary relegating Frizzell to the bench Reagan Campbell-Gillard Reagan Campbell-Gillard Reagan Campbell-Gillard and instead going with noted Damien Cook Cameron McInnes Damien Cook front-rower, Paul Vaughan to start David Klemmer Paul Vaughan David Klemmer on the edge.

Boyd Cordner Boyd Cordner Boyd Cordner “Depending if he wants size or Tyson Frizzell Tyson Frizzell Paul Vaughan not, I would give Paul Vaughan Jake Trobjovic Jake Trobjovic Wade Graham a run on the other edge,” Priddis Bench: Bench: Bench: declared.

Tyrone Peachey Damien Cook Jake Trobjovic Jack De Belin Jack De Belin Jack De Belin “In such a big arena, getting Tariq Sims Wade Graham / Tariq Sims Tyson Frizzell 25-30 minutes out of Vaughan Paul Vaughan David Klemmer Trent Merrin playing out on an edge rather

Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

Three Panther legends differ on Freddie’s Blues make up

27 27

Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

28

SPORT

PENRITH PANTHERS

There’s unfinished business at this club: Josh Mansour

By STEWART MOSES

P

@TheRiffMarn

anthers winger, Josh Mansour has declared that Penrith have a real chance to do something special in 2018, in the wake of turning his back on potential offers from Parramatta, Sydney Roosters and Wests Tigers to re-sign with the club until the end of the 2021 season.

The decision, announced pre-game at Panthers Stadium by Executive General Manager, Phil Gould AM, much to the delight of the majority of the 15,081 fans that attended Penrith’s 16-2 win over the Wests Tigers, means that the NSW and Australian winger is set to become a ten-year player at the club.

“I’m definitely happy about the (three-year) deal but happy even more that I’m staying at this club,” Mansour told Nepean News, shortly after last Thursday night’s win.

“Words can’t describe how I feel about this club. I will always be indebted to the club.

“I never forget them handing me my first opportunity to play in the NRL and making my dreams come true.

“It will be almost ten years (when this deal ends) and it’s going very fast.

“But in saying that there is still unfinished business and my main goal is that I want to win a premiership with this club.”

Last Thursday night’s win has seen the Panthers maintain second position on the NRL ladder and their 8-3 start mirrors the 1991 and 2003 seasons, which saw Penrith finish those seasons with their only premiership title wins.

Mansour senses that despite the injuries, this current crop of players,

Gould announces the good news on Mansour’s future at last Thursday night’s game. Credit: 77 Media.

like their counterparts before them, are building towards something special in 2018 and was a factor in his decision to remain at the club.

“There is something special brewing out here,” Mansour declared.

“I don’t want to hype it up too much but I’m confident to say that we do have a special team.

“It comes down to the mix of players we have.

“We are very fortunate to have a great spine and also with our forward pack with the way they roll up-field, they allow us outside backs to put on quite a show, as you saw with Tyrone Phillips tonight.

“The resilience in this team through the injuries has been outstanding, everyone has been stepping up to the plate and pulling their weight.

“We had a massive pre-season and you can see the rewards of that now with everyone so willing to work hard for each other.

Coach’s Corner

Short And Sharp Opinions Dylan Napa Incident: A old fashioned head clash. There was no element of foul play in this incident, Napa went in aggressively and committed to a tackle and between the time of his commitment and the initial contact, the ball carrier Korbin Sims stepped to avoid the contact and unfortunately didn’t make it which resulted in the sickening clash of heads. In a collision sport this is unavoidable and the over reaction from the referee was a concerning element to take away from the incident. In a game that was level with less than 5 minutes remaining the decision to sin bin Napa was incorrect and it ultimately decided the game.

Time Keeping Blunder: Todd Greenberg and the NRL have gone from blaming the clubs, to blaming Melbourne to then taking responsibility all within a 48 hour period after two Manly players only served 8 of their 10 minutes in the sin bin in their Saturday night match against the Melbourne Storm. Manly were by far the better side and deserved the victory. But for Manly to not

“Everyone’s leaving it all out on the field and no one is walking off halfhearted.”

Mansour also revealed that despite this being the biggest decision of his career to date, his desire was to always remain a Panther and after a long negotiation period, is happy the deal is now done.

“It’s been work in progress for a little while but I didn’t visit any clubs, I left it all to management,” Mansour confirmed.

“I’m very thankful that they all made me focus on my footy because as a player you don’t really want to think too much (about off-field matters).

“It was a bit of a hectic time especially when I had my injury.

“But my desire was always to stay here and thankfully it has all sorted itself out in the end.”

The surgery on Mansour’s facial fractures took some seven hours and required three plates and eighteen

screws to be inserted.

But despite the better than expected outcome which is set to see the winger remarkably return to the field again this season, Mansour is more relieved that the injury did not result in the loss of sight in his left eye.

“This is by far the most challenging injury I have ever had to go through personally,” Mansour declared.

“It’s definitely tested me. The hardest part about it was that I had so many questions for the surgeon and he couldn’t really answer them until I went under the knife and that was the scariest part.

“Losing my eyesight was my biggest fear but the surgery was like a miracle.

“It went really well, the surgeon is really happy.

“Three weeks away I get it rescanned to see how it is healing up and fingers crossed I will be back between rounds 17-19.”

Brock Shepperd Wests Harold Matthews Coach Fifth and Last NRL Podcast b.shepperd@hotmail.com

have a time keeper in attendance irrespective of their status as the away team they should have provided a time keeper. What’s more concerning was the fact the NRL avoided the situation which should and could have been dealt with much more promptly and avoided the controversy and back page headlines we have endured over the past few days.

State of Origin Game One: By the time we go to print in our next edition State of Origin Game 1 would have been decided and the fall out will be well underway ahead of the stand alone Game 2 in Sydney. For the record I support Brad Fittler and his mission to pick a fresh side with a decade of failure in the rear view mirror it’s time for a fresh outlook. My side for the opener at the MCG would be: Tedesco, Addo Carr, Mitchell, Roberts, T Trbojevic, Maloney, Cleary, Campbell Gillard, McInnes, Vaughan, Crichton, Frizell, J Trbojevic. Bench: Peachey, Merrin, DeBellin and Klemmer. Prediction: Blues to win the Origin opener by 10 points over the Maroons.

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PENRITH PANTHERS

with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

SUCCESSIVE WINS SETS UP “GAME OF THE YEAR” CLASH WITH RED-HOT DRAGONS The Panthers, despite the ongoing injury toll, have managed to maintain their hold on second position on the NRL ladder ahead of this Saturday night’s “Game of the Year” clash with the table-topping St George Illawarra Dragons, after recording resolute wins over finals contenders, Wests Tigers (16-2) and Newcastle (29-18).

For once Panthers actually gained a few players back from injury / suspension with the return of Nathan Cleary (knee) and Jack Hetherington although it was tempered by the news that skipper Peter Wallace had succumbed to an ongoing shoulder issue that will keep him side-lined until after the Round 13 bye.

The Panthers as they have so often this season, won this game on the back of aggressive defence.

The turning point of the game came when Penrith, down 6-1 on the penalty and with Trent Merrin in the sin-bin, actually taking the lead through a Tyrone Peachey try on the back of a Nathan Cleary kick before James Maloney’s long cut-out pass was finished off acrobatically by Tyrone Phillips, to give Penrith a 12-2 lead at the break.

Penrith dominated the second half and could have easily scored another three tries but only had another two Maloney penalty goals to show for it.

Whilst coach Anthony Griffin conceded his side would need to improve further if they are to have any chance of defeating the Dragons this Saturday night at home, he was nonetheless happy about his side’s resolve and effort given the plethora of penalties that put his team under early pressure from a good side in the Tigers.

“Tonight I was really proud of their effort,” Griffin told the media after the game.

“I thought we were under a heap of pressure there early from the referees and down a man we actually got our first try while that happened.

“From there on we went on to control the game really well.

“We never gave them a sniff. We defended really well and didn’t leak any points.

“We got over the line three times and probably should have scored two of them.

“There’s a lot of improvement in what we need to do but I think we can take a lot out of tonight’s game, get our rehab done tomorrow and then start looking forward to St George next week.

“They had a little hiccup last week against Souths but they were probably due for a loss.

“They’re not running first for no reason. They are

Panthers have slipped from third to fourth after an 1810 loss at the same venue last Sunday to the Wests Magpies.

This Saturday, Penrith return home to take on competition leaders, Mounties before a grand final replay awaits when they travel to Morry Breen Oval the following Saturday to take on the Wyong Roos.

What a put down from winger Tyrone Phillips.

Credit: 77 Media.

a serious football team and we’ll have to be better again next week.”

The win at home against the Tigers came six days after the Panthers summoned plenty of courage to withstand a Newcastle second half fightback to record a vital away win.

The Panthers jumped out of the blocks to lead 18-6 at the main break.

But the Knights on the back of early possession in the second half, narrowed the gap to six, before Maloney once again steadied the ship, kicking a somewhat unusually timed field goal midway through the second half before putting the icing on the cake, setting up Corey Harawira-Naera’s match-winning try.

“Our start obviously put us in a good position but our defensive effort in the second half went a long way to us winning the game,” Griffin said post-game.

“I think at one stage they had ten or twelve sets to our one or two.

“I was surprised (he went early for the field goal). With that swollen eye he couldn’t read the clock and there was a lot of time left.”

“But we steadied after that. We got a bit of ball which we needed after we’d spent 15 or 18 minutes without it.

“For the next 15 minutes we had all the field position which allowed us to close the game out.

“There’s been a lot of teams who have come up here and haven’t been able to win.

“To be able to come up here and get the job done tonight, it’s just important that we did that.”

Despite a strong 38-14 win away from home over North Sydney the previous week which featured a two-try man of the match performance from Tyrone May on his much anticipated return from injury, the

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JUNIOR REPS RESULTS / FIXTURES: SG BALL PANTHERS GRAB SECOND NATIONAL TITLE IN A THRILLER The Panthers withstood a fierce second half fightback from Mal Meninga Cup winners Souths Logan, to secure their second Under 18’s National Championship title in three years when they defeated their Queensland rivals 38-32.

The Panthers got off to a dream start, leading 22-0 at Dolphins Stadium in Redcliffe, before leading by ten at the main break.

Souths Logan stormed home in the second half to level the scores 32-32, before Panthers winger Zachary Cini scored his second try on the siren to secure the title.

Hooker Maurice Trindall was named man-ofthe-match.

In other junior reps results: Jersey Flegg: def. Wests Tigers (Round 11) 32-6 to remain in 3rd spot with seven wins, two losses.

Next Up: v Mounties (Round 12 - Panthers Stadium Stadium Sat May 26 3:10pm); v Sydney Roosters (Round 13 – Allianz Stadium Sun Jun 3, 2:10pm).

It remains to be seen whether Penrith coach Anthony Griffin will recall Tyrone May for this Saturday’s blockbuster game against the Dragons, having been named among the reserves in an otherwise unchanged line-up. The 21-man squad has been named as follows: 1. Dallin WATENE-ZELEZNIAK 2. Christian CRICHTON 3. Tyrone PEACHEY 4. Dean WHARE 5. Tyrone PHILLIPS 6. James MALONEY 7.

Nathan CLEARY 8. Trent MERRIN 9. Sione KATOA 10. Reagan CAMPBELL-GILLARD 11. Corey HARAWIRA-NAERA 12. Isaah YEO 13. James FISHER-HARRIS 14. Wayde EGAN 15. Jack HETHERINGTON 16. Viliame KIKAU 17. James TAMOU 18. Jarome LUAI 19. Kaide ELLIS 20. Tyrone MAY 21. Tom EISENHUTH. The following round will see the Panthers have a well-earned break with the Bye. #PantherPride

29 29 Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

Repeat Sets

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Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

30

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PENRITH PANTHERS

GOLDEN POINTS with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

PANTHERS COACH LEAPS TO MALONEY’S DEFENCE AHEAD OF ORIGIN SELECTION Warm favourite for Origin selection for the NSW Blues halves and arguably the form playmaker in the NRL, James Maloney, has come under the spotlight in the last week after revelations from Blues advisor Greg Alexander that NSW Blues coach Brad Fittler was less than impressed with the Panther half’s efforts in defence having missed more tackles than any other player (75) so far in 2018.

However Panthers coach Anthony Griffin says it is hard to fathom why Maloney would not be selected for the Origin opener in Melbourne on June 6.

“I don’t understand the talk about him not playing Origin because of his defence,” Griffin stated after the win over the Tigers.

“I think there is a lot more positives to him and he’s be good for NSW to have out there.

“All halves go through that. At some stage they get a lot of traffic come at them, they are little men.

“Sometimes they don’t make their first up tackles.

“He’s obviously been involved in a few tries that we’ve let in so far this year.

“It hasn’t been easy coming to the club and we’ve had a lot of injuries and had different centres.

“Vili’s doing a really good job out there but it’s his first year in first grade.

“But as you have seen tonight, we worked really hard on defence and he’s worked hard on his defence.

“Obviously every player has areas they need to improve but on the whole he has done a terrific job for us and from my point of view, I wouldn’t swap him for anyone there.”

Meanwhile Panthers Executive GM, Phil Gould AM, has dropped a bombshell on Channel 9’s 100 Percent Footy on Monday night that Boyd Cordner should be dropped from the NSW State of Origin team

and replaced as captain by James Maloney.

In a further surprise, Gould nominated 6 Panthers when asked for his Origin team including that of James Tamou as starting prop, despite playing off the bench for the Panthers in recent times.

But before the NSW Origin team is selected, there is the small matter of the 1 v 2 clash between the Panthers and the Dragons this Saturday night, 7:30pm at Panthers Stadium.

With all Corporates sold out along with most reserved seating and with fine weather predicted, Penrith looks set for another 20,000 plus sell-out with only a reported 4,000 General Admission tickets remaining for the “Game of the Year”.

It also marks a return to all three grades of footy being played on Saturday after the previous three home games featured only the NRL side.

The game should ensure Penrith’s home crowd average at Panthers Stadium remains above 15,000 in 2018, as the club remains on course to achieve one of their best seasons in recent times.

The game itself should feature at least 11 players vying for NSW Origin selection on Saturday with Penrith’s James Maloney, Nathan Cleary, Tyrone Peachey, Reagan Campbell-Gillard and Trent Merrin up against the Dragons’ Tyson Frizell, Euan Aitken, Cameron McInnes, Paul Vaughan, Tariq Sims and Jack de Belin.

For what it’s worth the possible NSW team could look like this: James Tedesco (Roosters), Josh Addo-Carr (Storm), Latrell Mitchell (Roosters), James Roberts (Broncos), Nick Cotric (Raiders), James Maloney (Panthers), Nathan Cleary (Panthers), Paul Vaughan (Dragons), Damien Cook

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Penrith’s 2019 salary cap which will come in handy with a plethora of stars coming off contract including the likes of Nathan Cleary, Reagan CampbellGillard, James Fisher-Harris, Viliame Kikau and Waqa Blake.

Is all this Origin talk getting to James Maloney? Credit: 77 Media.

Round 12 is also Beanie for Brain Cancer Round, which aims to raise funds to fight a disease that still has no cure.

In 2018, Beanie for Brain Cancer Round will aim to crack the $2 million dollar mark in funds raised.

MHF Beanies will be available for purchase at the Panthers clash against the Dragons at Panthers Stadium on Saturday, as well as online and at all NSW and Queensland Ritchie’s IGA stores.

(Rabbitohs), Reagan CampbellGillard (Panthers), Tyson Frizell (Dragons), Boyd Cordner (Roosters), Jake Trbojevic (Sea Eagles).

Interchange: Tyrone Peachey (Panthers), David Klemmer (Bulldogs), Jack de Belin (Dragons), Tariq Sims (Dragons)

On the injury front, coach Anthony Griffin revealed last Thursday night that centre Waqa Blake has started running again as in on track for a R15 return against the Sydney Roosters.

Meanwhile Peter Wallace (shoulder) could be back as soon as Round 14 as could Corey Waddell.

While Josh Mansour has re-signed for another three years, promising winger Christian Crichton has signed a three-year deal with the Bulldogs from 2019.

One player who hopes to feature in the NRL sooner rather than later is Tyrone May. Contracted until the end of 2020, May also said he would be happy to play anywhere in Griffin’s 17 and sees himself as a bit of a “Mr Fixit” with his ability to play multiple positions.

Two ISP games back from his serious knee injury, May also admitted that he was so keen to return to playing in Round 9, when the Panthers had a bye in ISP, he would have played A-Grade for his junior club, Minchinbury Jets, with his allegiances so strong that he drew the line when asked whether he would have donned the St Marys’ Saints jersey to play Ron Massey Cup instead.

Let’s hope that the “Cleary Cup,” a family inspired trophy won initially last Thursday night by “The Favourite Child” Nathan Cleary over “The Silver Fox” Ivan Cleary remains a fixture on the NRL calendar for years to come.

A Fairfax Media report suggests that the Panthers are hopeful of being able to receive salary cap dispensation for the injury that forced Tim Browne into premature retirement.

If the application is successful it is understood it will free up $300,000 in

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PENRITH PANTHERS

with MARK GEYER

Walking the walk for a great cause

A

 Children’s ward at Nepean Hospital

s you read this column, the Great Walk Foundation will be two days into our annual trek from Bathurst to Blaxland.

This is our 11th year walking the 170kms and it seems to come around quicker each year! But it’s still just as enjoyable, because the reason for the yearly grind is to raise much-needed funds for local charities here in the greater west of Sydney.

Penrith community kitchen, Queen of Hearts Foundation, Riding for the Disabled, Lithgow Hospital, Katoomba Hospital, and Nepean Hospital children’s ward have all been beneficiaries of the over 1 million dollars we’ve raised thus far.

The kids ward at Nepean Hospital is an especially close to the heart charity as all 10 walkers have kids of our own. We have managed to obtain for them two much-needed humidicribs over the years and we now have our own ‘Great Walk Foundation’ room dedicated to our efforts.

This alone is totally worth the soreness and blisters that appear yearly.

This Thursday (24th) we have our big fundraising night along the way at the Gardner’s inn at Blackheath where I’ll be joined by Bill Ashurst and Dougy Walters for a sportsman’s dinner kicking off at 630pm with all invited to the free event. My great mate Stu Mathie aka Charlie Sheen will then play a live acoustic show of Angels songs entertaining all on hand.

Thanks to all that help along the way, your time and assistance is so so valued. We finish this Saturday night (26th) and will be having a big shindig at the Lapstone Hotel at Blaxland, again all are invited.

If you have a spare dollar or two and wish to help go to www.

 Our room at the Nepean kids ward

greatwalkflundation.com.au or head to our social pages. https://www. greatwalkfoundation.com.au/ And another thing...

Like most, my NSW origin team changes daily. Here’s the 17 I’d have running out for game 1 on Wednesday June 6 for what it’s worth...

1. James Tedesco 2. Nick Cotric 3. Tom Trbojevic 4. James Roberts 5. Josh Addo Carr 6. James Maloney 7. Nathan Cleary 8. Reagan Campbell Gillard 9. Damien Cook 10. Paul Vaughan 11. Tyson Frizelle 13. Jake Trbojevic 14. Tyrone Peachey 15. David Klemmer 16. Jack De Belin 17. Trent Merrin See you at the game...

MG (random Westie) OAM

31 31 Nepean News 24 May 2018 Issue 227

MG on the mark

SPORT

YOUNG, ATTRACTIVE & UNATTACHED

44 Flotilla Circuit, Jordan Springs $699,950 4

2

1

Sharon Mudiman 0413 757 998

33 Town Terrace, Glenmore Park 354 High Street, Penrith 12/69 York Road, Jamisontown (Event Centre)

02 4737 9977