Nepean News 24 September 2021 DIGITAL

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October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Whilst Covid may have stalled many of our celebrations to fund-raise this year, sadly breast cancer has still touched many in our community.

This is why we won’t give up and will be asking for your support this October!

Let’s turn Penrith PINK and show our support and fund-raise for the McGrath Foundation ‘Pink Up Your Town’ campaign.

We are so pleased to announce that Nepean Hospital has three dedicated breast care nurses to assist those local people and their families as they navigate their way through a diagnosis, treatment and fear of breast cancer but to keep these jobs or add more nurses we need to fundraise!

Gai Hawthorn

0437 506 517

gai@penrithcbdcorp.com.au

How to get involved this October, the ways are many – here are a few: Pink Up your workplace, your home, your car or your pooch - donate or fundraise Organise a morning tea or a cocktail hour Dress in pink for a day, a week or a month Bake a cake and sell the slices or cookies Talk to your school about a mufti–day or special celebration Organise a community walk Purchase a ticket in the YORK Jewellery Raffle Create an idea and share with you friends or the community Register your family pet “Pink Up Your Pooch “ walk Purchase a ticket to our High Tea at Lakeside restaurant Purchase a ticket to our Melbourne Cup lunch (limited seats) And most especially talk to your family and friends about awareness

Register your interest

www.pinkuppenrith.com.au let us know how you can help or fund-raise!

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NOVENA

Thank you Lord Jesus for all the blessings given to my family, especially my daughter.

May the name of the Sacred Heart of Jesus be adored, glorified, loved and praised throughout the world forever.

Amen.

By Melissa McIntosh MP

A

s our country opens up again and we head into summer, Aussie families will be hitting the beaches, rivers, lakes and backyard pools – it’s part of the Australia we all love and miss.

But in many parts of the country, our kids have missed swimming lessons due to lockdowns over the last two years.

Swimming Australia estimates that over 250,000 swimming lessons are being missed every week during the current lockdown in New South Wales.

It’s our responsibility to stop drownings before they happen.

This is why I am calling on you to sign my petition so we can put water safety in the fast lane, to ensure Aussie kids that have missed out on vital swim and survive skills can get back up to speed as quickly as possible.

We’re fighting for The Commonwealth and lockdown states to support an intensive back to swimming program, and a clear plan for the re-opening of swim schools, swim and survive and school swimming programs.

The people of western Sydney have been locked out of the beaches but this is the first place people will flock to as soon as they can. The Nepean River in my electorate of Lindsay will be full of families enjoying the great outdoors. This is

Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

Put water safety in the fast lane

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the Australian story – sun, swimming and family gatherings, and why we must move now to prevent a national tragedy this summer.

Royal Life Saving reports that from 1 July 2020 to 31 July 2021, fatal drownings in Australia increased across almost every metric against the previous year.

• Children aged 0-4 years – drownings ↑UP 108% • Children aged 5-15 years – drownings ↑UP 56% • Young people aged 15-24 – drownings ↑UP 21% As a nation, let’s put water safety in the fast lane.

Sign the petition at melissamcintosh.com.au/putwater-safety-in-the-fast-lane/

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Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

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

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

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Upgrade at Cranebrook High

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tuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith announced that local students can look forward to benefiting from new purpose-built facilities, with construction work now underway on the upgrade at Cranebrook High School.

Plans for the upgrade include delivering a new building with three new classrooms, a shared learning space, a seminar room and a covered outdoor learning area (COLA).

Construction is expected to be completed in mid-2022.

Stuart Ayres said these great new facilities will benefit not just the school but the wider Cranebrook community.

“We want students to have the best education possible, and providing new and modern facilities gives them those opportunities,” Stuart Ayres said.

“I look forward to watching construction progress and seeing the upgrades finished.”

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said providing high-quality school facilities is a key part of the NSW Government’s commitment to building on the state’s world class education system, and prioritising public schools.

“I’m very pleased that the NSW Government is delivering this project for Cranebrook students ,” Ms Mitchell said.

The Development Application (DA) for the project was recently approved by Penrith City Council and construction has commenced. Site establishment was recently completed, which included the installation of site facilities, temporary fencing and the establishment of environment controls.

The NSW Government is investing $7.9 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 215 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.

Legacy Zoom Fundraiser

By Prue Car MP

U

nfortunately, this year’s Legacy Week fundraising efforts were hampered due to the impact of the COVID lockdown.

That is why I’m holding a Legacy Zoom Fundraiser and Q&A session on Thursday 30 September at 6:00 pm to raise much-needed funds for the good work Legacy does in supporting our veterans who have served our

wonderful country.

RSVP NOW I will be joined by local veterans Bill Peet, Sam Vecchio, Ted Fish and Tony Fryer who will be answering questions on the issues important to our veterans. Nikki Hollis, President, Sydney Legacy will also be joining us.

Everyone is welcome to attend!

You can donate now and on the night at www.legacy.com.au/donatenow/ Stay safe

Deputy Mayor election

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enrith Councillors will vote for Deputy Mayor on Monday night, even though the period will only be from now until December.

The Covid-19 pandemic has wreaked havoc with council election dates over the last 12 months, with lockdowns forcing rescheduling elections both last year and this year.

The current Deputy Mayor, Tricia Hitchen is expected to be re-elected into the position.

Cr Hitchen has spent many hours

volunteering her time (and vehicles) to help get much-needed food packages from the Penrith Kitchen out to those who desperately need them during lockdown.

“Tricia has been a great Deputy Mayor and I expect that Councillors will be voting to have her stay in the position for the extended couple of months,” said Cr Greg Davies.

The postponed election for the full 15 Councillor positions has been scheduled for December 4, 2021.

local news

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he 18-month schedule of work to deliver the new $12 million City Park gets underway this week, starting with the construction of a new temporary car park on Woodriff Street funded by Penrith City Council.

The temporary car park on Woodriff Street will help offset the small number of car spaces set to be lost in the Allen Place car park during the construction and delivery of City Park.

City Park will be a vibrant, contemporary green space in the heart of Penrith’s City Centre. The 7,000sqm park is expected to open in early 2023.

The rest of Allen Place car park will remain of City Park. open for one and two-hour parking.

“City Park has been a long-held vision for The new sealed car park at Woodriff Street will Council and the community, and with the upgrade feature line markings to maximise the number of to Woodriff Street car park now underway, we’re car spaces on site and will provide approximately one step closer to seeing City Park realised and this 159 car spaces in a mix of all-day, one and twois incredibly exciting for our City,” Cr McKeown hour-time limits. Most of the existing informal car said. park will remain open during construction.

“If there’s one thing this pandemic has taught The Woodriff Street car park is expected to us it’s the importance of having access to green be fully functional by late October, ahead of the spaces and nature, and a beautiful new park for our planned demolition of vacant buildings within the city centre is something we can all look forward to City Park site, on the corner of Henry and Station using and enjoying in the future.”

Streets, which is also due to start in late October.

Construction of City Park is due to start in Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown OAM early 2022 and is proudly funded by Penrith City said the delivery of additional car spaces in the Council in association with the NSW Government. new temporary car park at Woodriff Street is a City Park will open in 2023. commitment that Council made to the community Find out more at penrith.city/citypark to replace car spaces lost during the construction

Restrictions ease in lgas of concern

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estrictions in local government areas of concern will start to align with other lockdown areas, as vaccination rates continue to rise in Sydney’s West and SouthWest.

From 12.01am Monday, 20 September, the following restrictions eased for those who live in LGAs of concern: • No limit on the duration of outdoor exercise and recreation (previously a two-hour limit); • Outdoor gatherings of up to five fully vaccinated people (not including children aged 12 and under) will be allowed in a person’s LGA or within 5km of home (previously only fully vaccinated household members could gather outdoors, or up to two fully vaccinated people from different households); • Shopping, exercise and outdoor recreation can be done 5km from home or within your LGA (previously only 5km from home); • Attend a small wedding (maximum 11 people) in Greater Sydney as a guest (previously only allowed in their LGA); and • A person’s single’s bubble buddy can live in Greater Sydney (previously must have resided within 5km of a person’s home). A person from a LGA of concern can also now be a buddy for someone in Greater Sydney.

Nearly all restrictions in the LGAs of concern are now aligned with other lockdown areas, with the main differences being authorised worker conditions and travel permit requirements which remain in place in the LGAs of concern.

From 12.01am Monday, 27 September outdoor pools across NSW will be able to open, provided councils have a stringent COVID safety plan approved by NSW Health. Natural pools are already permitted to be open.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian thanked those in Sydney’s west and south west who have come forward and received their COVID-19 vaccine.

“We are so grateful to everyone who has come forward to get a jab, helping bring first dose vaccination rates in some LGAs up to 90 per cent,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“There’s still more work to do to push those vaccination rates higher and everyone must continue to follow the lockdown rules until we reach that 70 per cent double dose target, when further restrictions can be eased for those who are fully vaccinated.”

Health Minister Brad Hazzard said that after all the hard work getting vaccinated and complying with lockdown requirements, it’s fantastic that some restrictions can now be relaxed.

“The NSW Government is determined to ensure everyone can benefit from increasing vaccination rates. Outdoor pools are part of Australian life, and enjoying a Summer splash no matter where you live is a big plus for families.”

If you have not booked in for a COVID-19 vaccine please book in as soon as possible, to protect not only yourself but also your family and friends.

For the latest information or to book a vaccination appointment visit www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19

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Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

Penrith’s new City Park gets one step closer

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Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

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local news

Improving school facilities for Penrith students

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tudents and staff at five local Penrith schools are set to benefit from improved facilities, as part of the $484 million 2021/22 Minor Capital Works program. The annual program, consisting of upgrading and renewing school facilities produces significant community benefits and provides an opportunity for meaningful investment in schools.

Stuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith welcomed the announcement and said he was proud the NSW Government was continuing to invest in public schools across Penrith. ”I’m delighted that Cambridge Gardens, Kingswood Public, Nepean CAPA, Penrith Public and Penrith South Public schools will benefit from works ranging from security fencing to wheelchair access upgrades,” Stuart Ayres said.

“It’s essential for our students, that they can thrive in a great learning environment, no matter where they live or what their circumstances may be.

Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said the projects in Penrith are part of the NSW Government’s record investment in public education infrastructure and complements works that have commenced across

schools as part of the response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the co-funded Regional/Metro School Renewal Program.

“Across NSW, thousands of students are benefitting from new and upgraded schools and improved learning environments,” Ms Mitchell said.

“These projects also provide

hundreds of jobs for local businesses across NSW.” The Department of Education has more than 2,200 NSW public schools and delivery of these projects ensures that schools across the state have access to modern facilities to support learning outcomes. Projects may include new and upgraded covered outdoor

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learning areas, science facilities, toilet blocks, fencing and canteens.

The NSW Government is investing $7.9 billion over the next four years, continuing its program to deliver 215 new and upgraded schools to support communities across NSW. This is the largest investment in public education infrastructure in the history of NSW.

local news

Clinical Psychologist Jenna Hawken

By Noel Rowsell

T

he HSC year is already a vulnerable period for the development of mental illness and Covid-19 has added another layer of stress.

Recently-released research from Swinburne University has confirmed the enormous impact Covid-19 is having on youth mental health. Results showed skyrocketing levels of anxiety and depression in young people and concerning levels of pessimism about the future. With unemployment on the rise, this pressure on youth mental health is only predicted to worsen.

‘Coming Back Stronger’ is a

Photos: Supplied by The Kidman Centre

program run by The Kidman Centre and aims to proactively help students get back on track with their studies, through the provision of evidencebased psychological strategies that improve motivation, energy, focus and optimism for the future.

The Kidman Centre is a nonprofit organisation dedicated to the understanding, prevention and reduction of mental health problems in young people aged five to 25, so that they can thrive through their formative years.

It undertakes ‘real world’ research to both validate and improve the evidence-based mental health treatments available to young people.

Staff at the Kidman Centre know that getting evidence-based psychological

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support to young people early is the key to preventing the onset of more complex mental health problems down the track.

This is delivered through: • Preventative mental health presentations to students, staff and parents in school settings.

• Providing evidence-based psychological treatment to young people and their families.

• Evaluating treatments through the application of quality research in ‘real world’ community settings.

• Disseminating research through community outreach, presentations and training other health professionals.

The Kidman Centre was established in 1985 under the auspices of UTS by the late Professor Antony Kidman

AM, who ran the Centre from its inception until he passed away in 2014.

Originally known as the Health Psychology Unit UTS, it was renamed in 2018 in recognition of Professor Kidman’s substantial legacy in the area of youth mental health and his commitment to evidence-based treatments.

Professor Kidman’s vision of “an Australia where no child falls through the cracks” continues to guide us in our work today, led by Dr Rachael Murrihy.

Dr Murrihy, a clinical psychologist who joined The Kidman Centre in 2006, took on the role of Director following Professor Kidman’s passing.

Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

The Kidman Centre ‘Coming Back Stronger’ HSC Program

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Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

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local news

Be prepared, be safe, have peace of mind

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his week, 20 to 27 September is Emergency Ready Week – a reminder for us all to download the free Get Prepared app and set some time aside to prepare for emergencies.

Emergency Ready Week is an initiative of the Red Cross and insurer IAG and is supported by Resilient Sydney – a coalition of councils, including Penrith City Council, working to make our communities more resilient to shocks and stresses.

Penrith Mayor, Karen McKeown OAM, said Council understands how hard it is to look beyond the COVID-19 pandemic, but said being prepared for all emergencies, bushfires, floods and sudden family crises is a great way to counter uncertainty and bring peace of mind.

“We know that many people in our community are doing it tough,” Cr McKeown said.

“Sadly, we also know that emergencies can happen anywhere and at any time, but there are tools to help minimise the risk to your home and your loved ones.”

The Get Prepared app is a simple and effective way to plan for emergency situations. It can be used to develop a plan so you know “what to do, where to go and who to tell”.

“During our community engagement to develop Council’s Resilience Action Plan, residents told us that they need more information about how to prepare for emergencies,” Cr McKeown said. “The Get Prepared app is the perfect way to get your

household ready.”

The app includes tips on how to stay calm and identifies risks, meeting places and the people and organisations who can help. It can also be used to store important documents, medical information and pet plans.

“In the space of 18 months, Penrith has experienced extreme heat events, bushfires, floods, storms and of course the COVID-19 pandemic,” Cr McKeown said.

“If you’re not prepared for an emergency, you have to make it up on the run, and that’s when disaster

can strike. An emergency plan puts you in the best possible position to respond, adapt and recover.”

“It’s also important to note in light of COVID-19, the current health orders state that in an emergency you can leave your home or Local Government Area to find safety and the support you need.”

“I encourage everyone to tell their family, friends and neighbours about the Get Prepared app so we can prepare our community, because a prepared community is a resilient community.”

Download the free Get Prepared app at www.penrith.city/emergencies

WSU jobs accelerator announced for Penrith Thanks to its strategic location and quality educational institutions, Penrith could become the home of a new collaboration hub under a proposal revealed by Western Sydney University.

The vision for the Tech Jobs Accelerator was revealed by Western Sydney University earlier this month.

Taking the form of a three-storey facility at the university’s Penrith campus, the facility is intended to create new jobs and increase technology uptake in industries such as advanced manufacturing and construction.

According to Professor Barney Glover AO, Vice-Chancellor and President of Western Sydney

University the Accelerator will build on the region’s strength in the startup space. “The accelerator will create an interface between education and industry, ensuring a seamless

connection between learning, training and employment” said Professor Glover.

With a view to explore partnerships with international organisations located

in the Western Sydney aerotropolis, locating in Penrith will provide the Accelerator the necessary proximity and connectivity to do so.

The hub is proposed to sit adjacent to the NSW TAFE Institute for Applied Technology for Construction, formerly known as the Construction Centre for Excellence.

The Institute, a flagship training centre to be built on the NSW TAFE Nepean campus, will deliver crossdisciplinary construction skills to enable workers to build smart cities of the future. Pending NSW Government approval, the Institute is expected to commence construction in late 2021, due to open in early 2023.

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$1 million grant to Penrith City Council under the NSW Government’s Greening Our City program will see 5,000 new street and park trees planted across Penrith.

These trees will be planted in our eastern most suburbs, identified by heat mapping as priority areas, and also due to having low canopy levels and greater numbers of residents particularly vulnerable to heat.

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown OAM said that she is delighted that this grant funding for our City is also being matched by another $1 million from Council.

“These combined funds mean that we can undertake even more vital work to increase canopy levels across our Local Government Area, as part of Council’s Cooling the City strategy,” Cr McKeown said.

“Trees funded under this program will be planted in St Marys, North St Marys, Colyton, Oxley Park, St Clair and Erskine Park. Council wants to help make these areas greener places to be, with streets and parks that include more trees, to create better liveability for local residents.”

Member for Penrith and Minister for Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said that the Greening our City program had funded 110 projects across Greater Sydney with more than $25 million in grant funding for tree planting and urban greening projects.

“Quality green and open public spaces are important to everyone. More trees mean better air quality, cooler local temperatures, better places for people to be active and connected and vital habitat

for our unique birds and local wildlife,” Mr Ayres said.

“We’re already more than halfway to meeting the NSW Government’s Greening our City Premier’s Priority to plant one million trees by 2022, and every tree planted from this program gets us one step closer.”

Park tree planting work in Penrith under this program has already begun and will be complete in approximately mid-2022. Planting will not occur throughout the hot summer period in Western Sydney to give our trees the best chance of survival.

The street tree planting program is scheduled to commence in late February next year.

Research shows that street trees provide a wide

range of benefits for suburban streets. Trees have been shown to improve the value of homes, while also making it cheaper to keep them cool in summer.

The local environment also benefits through the capture of air pollution and stormwater runoff, as well as new habitat for birdlife.

Trees can improve mental well-being by increasing people’s connection with nature. They also benefit community health by encouraging people to get outside and be more active.

To read more about Council’s tree planting work visit: penrith.city/treeplanting For more information on the Greening our City program visit: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/greeningourcitygrants

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New trees to help transform Penrith

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local news

COVID Relief work in Bangladesh - Rotary Club of Nepean

Bangladesh - Food package distribution

By Noel Rowsell

T

he Coronavirus pandemic has had severely devastating effects on developing countries, leaving many struggling families without food on their plates and hospitals overflowing with infected patients.

Bangladesh is one such country, where its people, especially those living in rural areas, are struggling to cope with the harsh impacts of the pandemic.

Many already underprivileged people have lost their jobs and, as a result, their next meals are a thing of uncertainty.

Moreover, recent flooding in parts of Bangladesh have further exacerbated the troubles faced by these poor Bangladeshi people. As Australians, we are very fortunate that we aren’t facing those same circumstances. We are also fortunate enough to be able to help those in need all around the world.

The Rotary Club of Nepean came forward to help fellow Rotarian Hasan Sarwar (founder of the Aussi Bangla Smile project and a doctor at Nepean

Hospital) and his son Imran Sarwar, who had been fundraising within their communities to organise food relief packages, masks and oxygen cylinders for the needy families in rural parts of Bangladesh.

A single food package contains • 5kg rice • 1kg lentils • 500ml oil • 1kg onions • 500g of garlic • 2kg of potatoes, enough to feed a family of 4-5 for a week, all for around $10.

Last year (2020), with the support of members of the Rotary Club of Nepean, along with their families and friends, $6000.00 was raised.

These funds were used to provide food packages to 565 underprivileged families, as well as distribute 5,000 washable masks to people in the rural town of Pabna, in Bangladesh.

This year (2021), a total of $4000.00 was raised, again with the support of the Rotary Club of Nepean and their families and friends, to provide food packages to 260 families living in many different rural towns in Bangladesh, as well as 5 oxygen cylinders to a remote community hospital.

Two orphanages in Pabna also received some food and educational resources. This total of 825 packages

Bangladesh - Food packages arriving by boat. Photos: Supplied by Dr Hasan Sarwar

has been distributed by the Rotary Club of Pabna, Universal Amity Foundation Bangladesh and Lalon Sriti Porishod groups.

“It is unbelievable how much joy and happiness is achieved from these small donations of food packages,” said Dr Sarwar.

“The Bangladeshi community are very grateful for the generous support of the Rotary Club of Nepean and their Australian friends. The project will continue and more opportunities to support starving families in developing countries, through Rotary, are being explored.

“With the support of Rotary club of Nepean, we started Aussi Bangla Smile in 2007 and it is a voluntary Surgical project, which sends a team of doctors and nurses from Nepean Hospital to Bangladesh almost every year to do both reconstructive surgery for cleft lip palate and burn surgery, free of cost to underprivileged Bangladeshis.

“The project also runs nursing educational courses for Bangladeshi rural hospitals.

About 800 reconstructive surgeries and many other social activities have been carried out, thanks to generous donations from

Bangladesh - Orphan eating food

our Australian local community.

“The last two years, our Australian Medical team was not able to visit due to the pandemic but we have tried to do some covid-related work.

“Bangladesh is such a small country, just slightly bigger than Tasmania but with a population of 160 million and located right next to India. Similar to India, the COVID outbreak is really devastating over there.”

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local news

By Noel Rowsell

O

n Monday 20 September, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs (DVA) commemorated the 50th anniversary of Operation Ivanhoe and the Battle of Nui Le, which occurred during the Vietnam War. A significant anniversary such as this one is traditionally marked with a national commemorative service at the Australian Vietnam Forces National Memorial in Canberra but due to the ongoing COVID-19 lock-down restrictions in place across the country, the service was changed to a virtual service.

It is unfortunate that the pandemic restrictions have kept veterans apart for so many important events but the health and welfare of those veterans, their families and the wider community is DVA’s priority.

Operation Ivanhoe was the last offensive operation of Australia’s war in Vietnam. The Battle of Nui Le, fought during Operation Ivanhoe on 21 September 1971, was the last major battle fought by Australian forces in Vietnam.

Operation Ivanhoe was a search-and-destroy sweep of the area south of the Courtenay rubber plantation involving infantry, armoured personnel carriers, artillery and engineers, along with air support.

Tragically 6 Australians lost their lives in Operation Ivanhoe, with 29 Australians and one New Zealander wounded. At least 5 Australians received decorations for their role in Operation Ivanhoe with a further three Mentioned in Despatches.

This important anniversary could not pass without proper recognition.’

The Penrith region has it’s own very close links to the Vietnam conflict, with the St Marys Vietnam Veterans Outpost located on the corner of Mamre Road and Hall Street (The Train), St Marys.

Armoured Corp Vietnam Veteran and Honorary Secretary of the St Marys RSL Sub-branch Tony Fryer said “I commend the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) for going to the trouble of assembling such a wonderful ‘Commemorative Service’ to honour those final Australian losses in the final combative chapter of our Vietnam story.”

“The presentation paid rightful honour to those who participated, those who supported and those who were lost. Thank you to our Governor General, the Honourable David Hurley AC DSC (Retd), for his comforting words; to Lieutenant Colonel Gary McKay MC (Ret’d) for his first-hand description of the main battle; and to the Honourable Andrew Gee MP, Minister for Veterans Affairs, for his final reflections.

“With age encroaching, Vietnam Veterans are unlikely to participate in any future ‘Official’anniversary commemorations of specific events associated with the Vietnam War (other than the annual Vietnam Veterans Day on 18th August) – this was our last. It is unfortunate that COVID restrictions have prevented veterans of the time assembling in Canberra at the National Memorial to commemorate this final Battle. But, in its place, the DVA have done as well as could be expected – thank you.”

An M113 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) which hit a mine during Operation Ivanhoe

Two Australian soldiers in the Nui Dat base camp, taken a few weeks after the final battle.

Home share program to reduce homelessness Empty nesters will be matched with young people looking for affordable housing as part of an innovative NSW Government program designed to reduce homelessness.

Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Alister Henskens said the Home Share program was a win-win for the community.

“We know many older people living alone can often experience loneliness and this pilot will match them with a younger person looking for housing while they work or study,” Mr Henskens said.

“This is a multi-generational solution to addressing social isolation among seniors and helping millennials live more independently, and learn some life skills along the way.

“The program will complement the wide variety of initiatives that we’re investing in to help young people break the cycle of homelessness, including additional funding announced recently to increase the availability of rent assistance packages.”

Non-government organisation Holdsworth Community will deliver the pilot program in Sydney, working

with older home owners and younger people, safeguarding all parties through a robust screening and matching process.

The program will run in the inner city and northern suburbs of Sydney due to the high number of singleoccupant households and work and education opportunities for young people.

Rather than formal rent, Holdsworth negotiates shared expenses such as utilities for the younger person to contribute to the household in lieu of weekly rent.

Holdsworth Community CEO Ruth

Kestermann said if the young person has concerns about the home owner’s wellbeing, Holdsworth is there to provide services and support.

“We oversee every part of the arrangement, offer ongoing input, and take the matching process incredibly seriously,” Ms Kestermann said. “For the home owner, it’s about finding someone whose company they’ll enjoy, and who will in turn value them.”

For more information and to express interest in being involved in the program, visit https://holdsworth. org.au/homeshare/.

Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

50th Anniversary of Operation Ivanhoe and the Battle of Nui Le

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Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

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local COLUMNIST

Look out, look out there’s snakes about

W

armer weather awakens our native snakes and they often seek out water and a food source.

Snakes are more active in the warmer months and we see a large number of snake bites at this time of year. Snakes are generally timid creatures and stay away from humans and pets. It is often our inquisitive pets that seek out snakes and tend to lead to problems. Dogs are generally at highest risk of being bitten but cats are also susceptible, especially those that like to hunt.

In the Penrith area we tend to see two main types of venomous snakes; either red belly black snakes or brown snakes and both types of snake bites are potentially fatal. Both have been sighted along the Nepean River over the past few weeks.

The brown snake tends to cause more neurological symptoms such as collapse and difficulty breathing.

The red belly black snake is more likely to cause haemolysis (breakdown of red blood cells).

However, either snake can cause both symptoms with disastrous consequences if left untreated.

If you suspect that your pet has been bitten by a snake, try to keep your pet calm and relaxed and seek veterinary treatment as soon as possible. The sooner your pet is seen by a vet, the higher the chances of a recovery. Snake venom can transfer onto our skin and can enter our blood stream, if the

bite site is known do not touch the area. If a bite is suspected using gloves can avoid contact with venom.

Often dogs may collapse briefly after a snake bite, they may vomit, but then act completely normal again. This indicates they have received a lethal dose of venom. Bleeding is a late sign of envenomation.

Remember, pets can react in different ways.

Symptoms can include: • Dilated pupils • Weakness in hind legs • Trembling • Drooling • Pale gums • Restlessness • Difficulty breathing • Vomiting • Panting • Become unconscious If you have seen a snake in the vicinity of your pet, and are unsure if they have been bitten, it is always better to take them to the vet for an assessment. If caught early, snake bites can be successfully treated.

Identifying the snake can help with treatment and prognosis. If possible, taking a photo can be helpful, but never try to catch or kill a snake. If we are unsure if your pet has been bitten or unsure of

the snake type, a snake bite detection test can be performed on your pet’s blood or urine.

Treatment involves the administration of an antivenom. Antivenom is very expensive and can mean treatment for snake bite is costly. There are combination antivenoms that can be given if the snake species is not known. Other medications and stabilization with IV fluids is also required.

Complications including kidney failure and immune mediated disease can occur after a snake bite and animals can die despite treatment.

Snake bites can be reduced by minimizing areas where snakes are most likely to hide. These include wood piles, clutter and long grass.

If you have any questions or concerns, please call Greencross Coreen Avenue on 4731 3055.

Greencross Vets | Phone 47 313 055 Units 2 & 3/117 Coreen Ave, Penrith NSW 2750

www.twitter.com/penolaemuplains www.facebook.com/PenolaEmuPlains

www.penolaemuplains.catholic.edu.au

local news

A

Head to Health Pop Up service has launched in the

Nepean Blue Mountains region to support people whose mental health is being affected by the current COVID-19 outbreak and restrictions.

Last month, the Federal Government announced a $10.6 million investment to rapidly establish an integrated mental health support line across NSW and 10 Head to Health Pop Up services in areas currently facing extended COVID-19 restrictions. Primary Health Networks in NSW were tasked with establishing these services in just four weeks.

Wentworth Healthcare, the provider of the Nepean Blue Mountains Primary Health Network, has worked to establish the service locally. Wentworth Healthcare CEO, Ms Lizz Reay said, “We are proud to announce that after a huge effort over the last few weeks our Head to Health Pop Up service is now up and running, as are the other nine Pop Ups across NSW.”

Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

New mental health service to support people doing it tough in the Nepean Blue Mountains region

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“The service has been set up to be integrated with existing mental health services in each local area, with the additional support of 10 Head to Health Pop Up mental health hub locations which can provide mental health care, through telehealth or COVID-safe faceto-face appointments,” said Ms Reay.

“This free service is for anyone in NSW of any age, including children, young people and older adults, whose mental health is suffering because of the current COVID-19 situation. No referral is needed,” she said.

Ms Reay said that to access the service, people simply call 1800 595 212 Monday to Friday between 8:30am - 5:00pm from anywhere in NSW. They will be asked to enter their residential postcode and will be transferred to a local, trained mental health professional, who will talk to them about their concerns and help guide them to the right, local mental health support for their individual needs...

St Marys Outpost VETERANS’ SUPPORT CENTRE Mamre Rd, St Marys

Penrith RSL Sub-Branch Providing Wellbeing Support & Veterans’ Advocacy Do you know of a Veteran that is in need of support!

The Executive Committee & a dedicated band of volunteers at Penrith RSL sub-Branch continue to actively provide support for serving ADF personnel, ex-service members, widows & dependent children, in close liaison with Nepean Legacy, to address overcoming Social Isolation during these difficult times.

Our volunteer support is only a quick email or phone call away by contacting our co-ordinator, Vice President Peter Ward, contact details are: Mobile: 0408 015 117 Email: subbranch@penrithrsl.com.au If you require assistance with any of the following, or even just want to talk contact Peter: • Hospital visits or needs for an ill member • Assistance getting to medical appointments not covered by DVA transport • Support submitting a disability claim to DVA • Assistance with providing an RSL Funeral service • Assistance with shopping for medication or daily needs Additionally, counselling is provided by Open Arms, a 24/7 service established solely for the veteran community, the hotline number is 1800 011 046

Stay Safe, You were a member of a team when you served & you are still

With our usual drop-in centre at ‘the train’ in St Marys closed during lockdown, we are reaching out to all veterans and their families, with a particular focus at this time for all Middle East Veterans.

We offer the support of our organisations, in Advocacy and Wellbeing

- COME TALK WITH US.

9833 4700

Phone Email: vietvet@tpg.com.au Managed by the Vietnam Veterans’ Association St Marys Outpost and supported by St Marys RSL sub-Branch

ENTERTAINMENT

Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

14

Penrith’s major events capacity to receive welcome boost

F

estival and event organisers can look to Penrith for the future as upgrades on both sides of the Nepean River will deliver increased event capacity.

The final design of the $10 million Tench Reserve upgrade was revealed earlier this month. The site sits along the eastern bank of the Nepean River and is already a popular destination for visitors and residents alike.

Along with upgrades to play spaces and improved water access, the upgrades to the 14-hectare park will create an amphitheatre to support large-scale events. The location already plays host to Council’s annual headline event Real Festival, and these additions will only enhance the attractiveness for more events into the future.

The investment in the Tench Reserve upgrade is part of the NSW Government’s $50 million Parks for People program. The project will be delivered in partnership with Penrith City Council and other

key stakeholders, and is line with Council’s “Our River” Masterplan.

NSW Minister for Planning and Public Spaces Rob Stokes said, “One of my goals as Minister for Public Spaces is to create a city within a park…The upgrade to Tench Reserve is the type of project needed to realise

this goal”.

On the Nepean River’s western side, construction has commenced on the $24 million transformation of Regatta Park.

Delivered under stage 1 of the project will be a 112-metre pavilion, a new amenity building, an accessible

pathway down to the river foreshore and several over-water viewing platforms.

“Regatta Park is already a favourite destination at the Nepean River and this upgrade will further strengthen its appeal by improving access, useability and creating more opportunities for people to experience and enjoy the beautiful location.” Penrith Mayor, Cr Karen McKeown OAM said.

The Regatta Park transformation is being jointly funded with $9 million contributed by Penrith City Council and $15 million from the Australian and NSW governments through the Western Sydney City Deal’s Western Parkland City Liveability Program.

Stage 1 of the Regatta Park construction is expected to be completed in late 2021, with the full project to be completed in late 2022.

Construction for Tench Reserve is expected to commence in early 2022, and completed late 2022. For more information on the exciting changes taking place, visit Council’s website.

New family project website to support parents and children in time for school holidays

F

amilies across NSW will be able to enjoy a new website – Family Project – that provides fun COVID safe ideas for families to connect during lockdown including rock art, backyard movies, building herb gardens, creating chalk art and meditation.

The safe online portal will provide a new project daily to help support the mental and physical wellbeing of NSW families.

Minister for Mental Health Bronnie Taylor said COVID-19 is extremely challenging for both parents and children who may feel overwhelmed by the demands of remote learning, working from home and the juggling of competing expectations.

“Families are under pressure in lockdown, Family Project will be the place they can go to find simple COVID-safe ideas to do within their local area, practical tips to support emotional and physical wellbeing and advice on home schooling,” Mrs Taylor said.

“Family Project is designed to provide inspirational daily activities – everything from parents and kids meditation to creating a street library for the neighbourhood. For parents struggling to find things to do with their children away from screens, this website will have lots of answers.

“We want to give families something positive and hopeful to connect with, to enhance togetherness, when we are not together, and to foster resilience through adversity.”

A NSW Government initiative

Family Project is a collaboration between Gidget Foundation Australia and parenting organisation Tresillian.

Gidget Foundation Australia CEO, Arabella Gibson said when considering how a family connects, it’s important to remember that adult interpretations of COVID-19 are very different to that of young people. For a person of 50 years old, this pandemic has taken up 3 per cent of their life. However, for an 8-year-old, this pandemic has taken up nearly 20 per cent of their life.

“That’s why we’re launching Family Project - to support parents in being thoughtful and engaged role-

models as we know that can be a lot harder in practice than it sounds. If as a community we can demonstrate how it’s possible to be part of the solution, everyone will benefit,” Ms Gibson said.

For more information go to www.familyproject.org.au Examples of future Family Projects include: • Wellbeing tips for the family • How to create your own worm farm • Brickman’s school holiday Lego challenge • Parents and kids meditation &

breath work • Building a simple herb garden • Being a new dad (in a pandemic) • Tik Tok family dance demo • Creating kindness rock art • How to make Lebanese cuisine to gift to your neighbours • Creating chalk art with kids to connect community • Making a Street Library for your neighbourhood • Dancing with The Beanies • Building a fun volcano from your kitchen cupboards • Making Spoonville for your street

ENTERTAINMENT

T

wo local breweries, Rusty Penny Brewing and Mountain Culture Beer Co. will expand their operations after receiving Council approval.

In a sign of their confidence in the market longterm, both businesses have pushed ahead with plans to increase production, selecting Penrith City for their new sites.

Rusty Penny Brewing has been in operation since 2018, currently based in Penrith’s North. To continue this trajectory of growth they needed a larger site, in a statement as part of the development application; “Rusty Penny is looking to expand its manufacturing capabilities to continue to grow organically”.

The micro-brewery will move to Coreen Avenue Penrith, catering up to 80 patrons. The new site will include a barbeque smokehouse to provide dining options for customers, and will also have facilities for tours, workshops and tastings.

The availability of industrial land in Penrith City was a key attraction for Mountain Culture Beer Co. The company, while headquartered in the Blue Mountains, has looked to Penrith as a means to grow.

In an interview earlier this year, Mountain Culture’s DJ McCready pointed to the benefits their new Emu Plains site provides; “We’ve got a lot of room to grow if we so choose to, and it won’t be a limiting factor as far as the building goes, we can put in more tanks and toys to make the beer better and give it a longer shelf life, give cleaner ferments, we have heaps of room for a lab.”

The fit out works on Mountain Culture’s Emu Plains site are underway, scheduled to be completed in later this year.

Penrith stars on big and small screen

P

enrith’s beautiful scenery and unique attractions are making it an increasingly popular filming destination for the creative industries.

Major production companies have sought out Penrith for television programs, advertising campaigns, and film. Despite the interruptions to the industry due to COVID-19 restrictions, filming requests on public land within the Penrith Local Government Area increased in the 20/21 financial year compared to the year prior.

The Nepean River’s stunning landscape makes it one of the city’s more popular filming locations.

Vogue Australia and Asics are just some of the well-known brands to have selected river locations as the backdrop for their campaigns.

With several unique attractions, Penrith is proving to be a drawcard for a range of reality programs too.

Warner Brothers is becoming a Penrith regular, with its highly popular reality programs The Bachelor and The Bachelorette frequently filming episodes in Penrith. The program has visited both action-packed locations such as Cables Wake Park and Penrith Whitewater as well as enjoying romantic moments aboard the Nepean Belle.

Blockbuster films are no stranger to Penrith either, with Mad Max: Fury

Road shooting car chase scenes at Penrith Lakes sand quarry. Penrith Museum of Printing’s one-of-a-kind collection made it the perfect location for a fictional newspaper compositing room in the 2018 Australian film Ladies in Black.

Whilst the creative industries form a relatively small component of the Penrith economy, the flow-on effect from exposure such as this benefits the local economy more broadly.

According to a report by Screen NSW, over 6,000 jobs and $107 million

were generated in Western Sydney and regional NSW through the Made in NSW funding program alone.

For more information on how to apply for a filming permit in Penrith, visit the Penrith City Council filming page.

Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

Taste for local breweries growing

15

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NEPEAN HISTORY

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

t is true that the closeness of water and left before him. He went towards the bridge the absence of not being able to swim, in the direction of Emu Plains and spotted does over the years, take its toll on him about a quarter of a mile from the bridge people at our local rivers and creeks. So, it and just leaving Rowe’s place and John was was in August 1897 an inquest was held by on the cart. He took the bills out of his pocket Coroner John King Lethbridge at Nepean and was sorting them whilst riding along and Cottage Hospital on the body of John Walter was nearly opposite Fuller’s place when he Pearson who was found in the Nepean River. saw the cart, but he did not see John and the A jury of twelve men viewed the body in reins were tied to the iron railing on the cart. the morgue and evidence was taken. John He said he waited thinking he may have gone worked for baker John Easterbrook in into Fuller’s or Thomas’s homes, so he went High Street, Penrith and at the inquest his on over the bridge and waited but when he daughter Matilda testified that she saw the did not come he went back to see what was body and recognise it as John Pearson who keeping him. Frank then went to Fuller’s and was employed by her father to deliver bread.

Thomas’ place to ask whether John had been  Bennett’s Wharf Nepean River Matilda managed her father’s business, but there but was told John had not and Frank - courtesy of Penrith Library she had complaints about bills not being began to think something was wrong. With delivered and in July some customers said they had paid the change Mr Fuller they went down to the river to search but didn’t find John, so to John, but he hadn’t given her the sale money and she had spoken he walked up towards Rowe’s place where he found John floating face to him and ask him to keep things correctly. She said he appeared to downwards in the water close to Mr Bennett’s wharf. Frank got into be the same as usual and there was nothing sad about him. Before he one of the boats and lifted him out of the water as high as he could and left she told him that she would send her brother-in-law Frank Earp called to Mr Fuller who came and helped him to lift John into a boat, but with him to deliver the bills and collect the money on the Emu Plains he was quite dead. He reported the matter to the police and a Constable and Castlereagh side because John’s sight was not good and he said, came and took charge of the body. Mr Sibley who owned Bennett’s “Very well”. She knew that his sight had been failing lately but he wharf said that John was formerly employed by him and knew the place never complained to her about it. John left as usual in the baker’s cart thoroughly and he had known John ever since he came to Penrith some on his rounds that morning and she gave him five shillings for change five years ago, but he did not notice anything different in him when he but did not see him alive again. Matilda said that she asked Frank to go hired a boat from him yesterday and he seemed to be the same. He knew out with the bills not on account of the shortage of the money but the John could not swim and often heard John say that he wished he could. fact that having Frank delivering the bills to her would show whether The Coroner mentioned that John was fully dressed except for his hat there was any shortage. He was a single man and had no relatives that that could not be found and his clothing was not disarranged. Dr Brady she knew of here in Australia, but he had friends in Sydney, and she said John was a well-made young man and apparently well-nourished thought he was born in Kent in England. He just turned 33 years of and found no marks on any part of the body and said that asphyxia by age and had been in her father’s employ for about two years. He would drowning as the cause of death. Sergeant Thorndike testified that he occasionally take a glass or two of liquor but never got drunk and had searched John’s box at Easterbrook’s and found a Lodge book and the not been drinking lately. She asked him if it would be better to have a will dated 20th March 1897 that read “This is to certify that I, John W spell, but he said no as he would rather stay on and do his work. She Pearson having not feeling well for some little time and do not know said she saw the cart when it came back to the bakery that morning and what may happen to me any day, wish if I should die sometime I am there were seven loaves missing and he had only been absent about an at Mr Easterbrook’s and that he should receive my Lodge money after hour when she heard of his death. The next person to be sworn in was the last expenses is paid and that George Easterbrook receive all my a boat proprietor residing on the banks of the Nepean River in Penrith personal effects. I would like (two people mentioned) to be notified named William James Rowe who said he had seen the dead body of of my death. This is all I need to say and up to the present it is my last John Pearson in the morgue and recognise him being in the employ of wish. John Walter Pearson.” James Fred William Howarth testified – “I John Easterbrook and early that morning John came to his place with a am Secretary of the Loyal Alexander Lodge No 188, Manchester Unity, loaf of bread and he gave him 6/- (sixpence) and he noticed that when I.O.O.F., and deceased was a member of our order, and was good on John was giving him the change he was surprised to see him so short the books according to our rules and if he has no relatives or friends sighted. When he asked him the reason he said that the wheel of the cart in the country who wish to bury him the lodge will do so and carry had come off and he was thrown on his head and that had affected his out all arrangements, and take the expenses out of the £30 which is eyes and head. John asked if Frank Earp had gone by, but he hadn’t so coming to him and we are prepared to bury him at once”. The Coroner John drove away towards the bridge where he saw Frank coming along addressed the jury who brought in the following verdict: “We find that the road and reading something but couldn’t get his attention as he was the deceased John Walter Pearson in the waters of the Nepean in the on horseback. Next to give evidence was Francis William Earp who said district of Penrith in August, 1897 was found dead without any marks of he was a baker who lived at Jamestown and John Easterbrook was his violence appearing on his body and we further find that his death was father-in-law and he had seen John’s body in the morgue and said he caused by suffocation by drowning, but how or by what means he came had spoken to him at his father-in-law’s premises that morning where he to be drowned there is not sufficient evidence for us to say.”. spoke to Matilda about some bills that he took to catch up to John as he Source: Nepean Times

Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

Nepean River - Accident or Suicide?

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SPORT

By Noel Rowsell

C

o v i d - 1 9 continues to impact on NSW Sport and as a result, two Pennant competitions which had previously been deferred, have now officially been cancelled.

Golf NSW staff and the Super Senior Committee were all confident both the Eric Apperly Shield (21 years and under) and the Super Senior Pennant (over 65’s) could still run at the end of the year but the ongoing complexity of restrictions and lockdowns has finally forced the hand of organisers of both events.

“The Committee of the Super Senior Pennant met on Friday 17th September and, in a unanimous decision, voted to cancel the 2021 Super Senior Pennant,” said captain Martin Gallagher.

“In light of the responses received from all 65 Clubs, for which we are most grateful, the Pennant received insufficient numbers of teams willing to form a viable competition for this year.

“Emails will be sent to all Clubs in the next few days informing them of this decision.

“We all look forward now to the 2022 season.

“The Super Senior Championship will be held on Monday 23rd May 2022 at Toukley Golf Club, providing Covid rules allow us to do so and we hope to see as many of you there that

Action from this year’s Master Pennant match between Twin Creeks CGC and Mona Vale GC - photos by Noel Rowsell

can make it.”

The last remaining Pennant competition still on the books for 2021 is Master Pennant (over 50’s) and Golf NSW has given itself an open-ended window for the event,

Nepean News

which is at the playoff stage.

Once the green light is given for Master Pennant to continue, which could be in early 2022, Glenmore Heritage Valley GC (Div 2) and Springwood CC (Div 4) will be

playing for their respective division titles, whilst Stonecutters Ridge GC and Twin Creeks CGC (Div 1), Windsor CC (Div 2) and Wallacia CC (Div 3) will all be playing in Relegation matches.

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Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

Pennant seasons cancelled

19

Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

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SPORT Four Australians Chase World Championship Glory in Slovakia

Noemie Fox

Jessica Fox

Australians Jessica Fox, Noemie Fox, Kaylen Bassett and Lucien Delfour are all competing at the 2021 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships. File photos by Noel Rowsell

By Noel Rowsell

A

ll four 2020 Tokyo O l y m p i c Games Canoe Slalom Champions will look to create history this week at the 2021 ICF Canoe Slalom World Championships in Bratislava, Slovakia, as each strives to become the first athlete(s) to become both Olympic and World Canoe Slalom Champions in the same calendar year.

The 12-month delay to the Tokyo Olympics created the unique opportunity for history to be made, with Australia’s Jessica Fox (Women’s C1), Germany’s Ricarda Funk (Women’s K1), Czechoslavakia’s Jiri Prskavec (Men’s K1) and Slovenia’s Benjamin Savsek (Men’s C1) all on

the cusp of creating a first for Canoe Slalom.

The 2021 World Championships will also include Wildwater and Extreme Slalom events.

This will be the third time the Wildwater World Championships will be combined with Canoe Slalom, whilst it will also be the first World titles for Extreme Slalom, since it was confirmed to be part of the 2024 Paris Olympic program.

Funk won Women’s K1 Gold at her Olympic debut in Tokyo but will face a strong challenge from Bronze Medallist Fox, who this month was crowned the overall Women’s K1 ICF World Cup Champion for 2021 and has been World Champion three times.

Fox will also start a red-hot favourite in the Women’s C1 event, where she won Gold at the discipline’s

Olympic debut in Tokyo to add to her four C1 World titles. Fox was however pipped for the 2021 overall World Cup C1 title by Czechoslovakian Tereza Fiserova.

Noemie Fox will also compete in the Women’s K1, C1 and Extreme Slalom events alongside older sister Jessica, Kaylen Bassett will compete in both the Men’s C1 and Extreme Slalom and Lucien Delfour will compete in the Men’s K1.

The Men’s and Women’s Extreme Slalom competition in Bratislava will be the largest since the sport’s introduction in 2017, as athletes prepare for the sport’s Olympic debut.

The ICF Canoe Slalom and Wildwater World Championships began in Bratislava on Wednesday 22nd September and run through until Sunday 26th September.

Kaylen Bassett

Lucien Delfour

Council waives sportsground hire fees for 2021/2022 summer season Local sporting clubs are being offered a financial reprieve as they look to recover and rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic, with Penrith City Council moving to waive sportsground hire fees for the upcoming 2021/2022 summer season.

This follows Council’s decision to allow free use of the City’s sportsgrounds and floodlights during the 2020 and 2021 winter seasons as well as the 2020/2021 summer season – an initiative that has been broadly praised and well-received within the Penrith LGA. The upcoming season had been allocated to run from 18 September 2021 to 6 March 2022, however, the official start date remains unknown while the NSW Government continues

working towards vaccination targets and exploring viable options as the state’s restrictions start to ease.

Once the summer season commences, 39 clubs from 13 sporting codes are set to benefit from Council’s fee relief, which is estimated to cost around $60,000.

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown OAM said it was important that the City’s sporting clubs felt supported by Council on the road to recovery.

“When the pandemic first hit in early 2020 many sports faced disrupted and shortened seasons, and now they have had to endure the impacts of lockdown for a second consecutive year, so we want to make their path to freedom that little bit easier,” Cr McKeown said.

“Council’s previous decisions to waive sportsground hire fees have been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback from the community which gave us the incentive to provide financial relief once more.

“We know residents of all ages miss their pre-pandemic routines, which would involve weekly training and games. We really want to assist our local sporting clubs, as they start to rebuild and plan ahead for a season that will create better opportunities for our residents to get outside again and lead a more active lifestyle postlockdown.

“Council thanks our local clubs and the countless volunteers for remaining positive, despite living through an unprecedented time and working

towards a thriving future in sport for our City.”

Council is currently progressing the implementation of 35 sports infrastructure projects with a combined budget of $55 million, including significant grant funding contributions from NSW and Federal Governments.

Included in this investment are new and updated sports precincts, as well as enhancements to existing sportsground facilities such as 10 amenities upgrades, 12 floodlighting upgrades, and 13 enhanced playing surfaces and training facilities, which include improvements to irrigation, synthetic cricket facilities, baseball batting cages and spectator amenities.

Find out more about Council’s vision at penrith.city/spros

21 Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

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SPORT

By Troy Whittaker, NRL.com Reporter

After being part of the Storm squad that celebrated grand final success over the Panthers last year, Paul Momirovski is now plotting on a way to trump his old team.

W

ith star Penrith winger Brian To’o in doubt with an ankle injury, Momirovski has again been named at centre for Saturday afternoon’s preliminary final clash against Melbourne at Suncorp Stadium.

The 25-year-old is only in his fifth season of NRL but if the Panthers can exact revenge on the Storm, Momirovski will have the chance to be involved in the third premiership of his career.

He is yet to play in a grand final however, missing out on that experience when his Roosters beat the Storm in 2018 and again watching from the sidelines as Melbourne took out the 2020 title.

“I think being a part of those other teams makes this one more special to try and get out there and play my own [grand final],” he said.

Prior to last week’s tense win over the Eels, Momirovski’s only finals cap came in his second NRL game when he was parachuted into the Roosters side hours before the 2018 prelim against

the Rabbitohs.

He did a fine job stepping into Latrell Mitchell’s boots in a 12-4 win, scoring what turned out to be the match-sealing try from a kick.

“I think it gave me a lot of confidence at the time. It’s been a while since that game happened,” Momirovski said.

“But I think just in general, being in that position before and knowing what that feels like, it’s definitely going to help. It absolutely means nothing on Saturday, it’s not going to give me much.

“But knowing I’ve been and done it at least once definitely helps.”

With 17 matches to his name this season – almost half of his 36 career games – Momirovski feels comfortable on Penrith’s right edge.

He is now set to have the unenviable task of containing Justin Olam.

“He’s a great player. The Dally M [Centre of the Year] nominations came up and [Olam]

didn’t get even a mention there, which is pretty surprising to me,” Momirovski said of the PNG powerhouse.

“He’s been playing well all year and he’ll be a tough match-up for me, but there are tough matchups all around the park.

“It’s the final four teams – there’s no easy route to a grand final. One, I think [Olam] should get a little bit more recognition there.

“And, two, it’s my job to just stop him.”

Having seen first-hand how the Storm operate at this time of year, Momirovski knows Penrith must find something special.

“There’s a lot of reasons why they’ve been so successful and there’s a lot of other reasons why other teams are successful,” he said.

“It’s not down to one person, it’s a collective, it’s a group. They’ve got strong leadership down there and I’m sure there’ll be ready for this weekend like we will be.”

Nepean News 24 September 2021 Issue 312OWDIG

‘Lucky charm’ Momirovski out to upset old team

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