Nepean News 25 April 2019 by Nepean News

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Goodbye Gus

End of an era at Panthers as Phil Gould and the club discuss the terms of his departure

Credit: 77 Media.

Official Club Statement: “This morning Panthers Chairman Dave O’Neill and myself met with Phil Gould to discuss his position at the club. “Phil was adamant that his position as Executive General Manager Rugby League has become redundant and his time at Panthers is at an end. “While there will be opportunity for further reflection once matters are formalised, I wish to acknowledge the extraordinary impact Phil has had on this club since returning as Executive General Manager in 2011. “The Panthers Board will meet tomorrow to discuss the potential terms of Gould’s departure from Panthers.”

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or decades Nepean Hospital has been a centre for teaching the next generation of clinicians in Australia. Now its international reputation is growing, with 18 doctors from Bangladesh on the campus this week for a study tour. Leading the delegation Brigadier General Sheikh Salahuddin says he was keen to broaden his knowledge of health and discover new ideas that will help to improve his healthcare system back home. “From our short time here we’ve already identified new practices we can implement to help improve our disaster management and mass casualty systems.” “Throughout our stay we hope to learn ways in which we can improve infection control, our

hospital administration and better our electronic medical records,” says Brigadier General Salahuddin who is Commandant of the Armed Forces Medical Institute. Nepean Hospital Acting Operations Manager, Paul Summers says for a large teaching hospital like Nepean sharing knowledge and learning is part of our DNA. “Hosting international clinicians brings benefits for everyone involved. Exchanging ideas is one of the keys ways of improving healthcare delivery,” says Mr Summers who is also a Flight Lieutenant for the Royal Australian Air Force. “There are some things that are universal across cultures and health systems and that is working towards the best health outcomes for our patients.”

Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

International doctors visit

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From the Editor’s Desk

Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

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

Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644 Korena Hale 0403 045 880 Larry Davis 0432 062 643 Dianne Bonello 0418 813 319 David Burnet 0412 448 883 Noel Rowsell 0424 007 202 Conner Lowe 0404 419 346 Stewart Moses 0417 680 533 Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown nepeannews@aol.com www.wsnewsgroup.com

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By KeRRIE DAVIES

T is hard to believe that Easter and ANZAC Day are already behind us and we are almost into May! On May 12 we celebrate Mother’s Day. It is an opportunity to show our mums how much we love and appreciate everything that they do, and the unconditional love that comes with it. Being a mum can sometimes be a thankless job. Children are quite often the source of a mother’s greatest joys but also the greatest heartaches. A simple smile from her child can dazzle a mother’s world. A sharp retort from the same child can shatter her heart. As someone who has to face this year’s Mother’s Day without my mum, I hope you’ll allow me to share something with those of you who still have your mum here. Make every single day with her count. The pain of losing your mother is something that is so intense it is indescribable. We can never really prepare for the enormity of losing a parent. It is the loss of so many things; the security from the person who loves you no matter what, is more interested in your life than anyone else on the planet, and the bond you share that is stronger than any force in the universe. It rips your heart out when the realisation hits that they are gone. Forever. It is then that you begin to miss absolutely everything, even the annoying things. I’d give anything now to hear my mum nagging me about something. I’d relish the opportunity to run some errand that is hard for her to do herself. And I’d give every material possession I have for just one hug from her. If you are lucky enough to still have your mum with you, start from this Mother’s Day forward to appreciate her every single day. Tell her you love her at every single opportunity. When she needs assistance remember that when you were the little, she did it without question. When she nags you, see it for what it is and be glad of it - it is concern for the welfare of her greatest treasure, you. And remember that a smile or a snarl can make or break her day. Happy Mother’s Day

Surprise your special someone with romantic flowers & gifts from Kingswood Florist. Don’t forget to add a cuddly soft toy and delicious box of chocolates to your order for the ultimate wow factor. We can deliver your flowers and gift to Kingswood, NSW or nationwide. Kingswood Florist, Creative Balloons, Penrith Florist and St Marys Florist 4732 2182 • St Marys 9623 4589

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Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

New Diggers Club

Stuart Ayres MP Member for Penrith

By KeRRIE DAVIES

embers of St Marys RSL and St Marys Band Club voted last week to amalgamate the two clubs. Eventually, the new combination of the two clubs will be known as St Marys Diggers and Band Club Limited. The vote to join forces was favoured by over 90 per cent of the members of each club who took part in the vote. St Marys Band Club CEO Marlene Shipley said she was happy with the result and that the two clubs combining would be good for the area. “It is a good strategy that will allow the long

term future of the two clubs,” Mrs Shipley said. “The members have voted overwhelmingly in favour of the amalgamation and it is the most logical outcome. “The Band Club will still retain the Pipe Band and the Brass Band.” St Marys Sub-branch representatives said the amalgation would have no dramatic impact on them. Members spoken to by Nepean News were mostly in favour, loved the new “Diggers” name and were happy that the amalgamation would protect both clubs from a takeover from “those outside the area.” It is expected that the changes will take 3-5 years to be completed.

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

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tuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith urged people in Penrith to get their applications in to enable each community to decide on the best projects to enhance their area through the “My Community Project” program. “My Community Project gives you the chance to develop your great idea to revitalise or renew your community, whether that be through a community garden, a cultural fair, or a safe and inclusive playground,” Stuart Ayres said. “Through this program, locals can think about what their area needs and develop that idea with a project sponsor. “Once we have the eligible project applications for each area, we will invite the community to get behind them by casting a vote online for the projects they like the most.” Funding of $24.4 million will be evenly split across NSW electorates and made available for projects valued between $20,000 and $200,000 that will make communities more liveable, cultural, accessible, safe, revitalised or healthy. Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the pilot program was established by the NSW Government as part of the 2018 Budget and is made possible by the

› Second place

Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

Bring your great idea for Penrith to life

Sisters Bella and Abbie

NSW Generations Fund. “The NSW Generations Fund is a sovereign fund that will be used to pay down debt, while also sharing the benefit of its returns with the people of NSW by providing funding to communities via local, citizen-led projects,” Mr Perrottet said. “Thanks to the NSW Government’s strong financial management, we have the funds available to deliver projects that will make a real difference for communities across NSW.” If you have a bright idea, now is the time to get started: Step 1. Contact a sponsor to see if they’ll support your project – it could

be your council, school or a charity Step 2. Complete Part One of the application form online and click ‘submit’ to send to your sponsor (remember to allow enough time for your sponsor to complete it) Step 3. Have your sponsor complete Part Two of the application and submit the final version before 2.00pm on Wednesday 15 May 2019. Applicants and sponsors will be notified if their project progresses to the public vote. To read the My Community Project guidelines, view a fact sheet or lodge an application, visit: www.nsw.gov.au/ mycommunityproject

BANKS Public School Students from Years 2 to 6 were encouraged to take part in decorating pumpkins to put on display at this year’s Royal Easter Show. The participating students have spent many days creating and putting together their colourful masterpieces and they look fantastic. Sisters Bella and Abbie, who are in years 4 and 6 enjoyed creating their unicorn pumpkin and took out second place. “I really enjoyed doing it together and working as a team with my sister,” Bella said. “The best part was adding the final touch which was the head piece,” Abbie added.

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Interested? If this sounds like you and: • You are looking for part time work with flexible hours in a medium business close to home in the Penrith area. • Are a qualified accountant with management accounting experience, ideally in a small to medium business (not the top end of town!) • Are willing to “get down to the “nitty gritty” but also love producing reports and analysis for management and can “hold your own” when dealing with the Management team, business owners and external accountants. Please send your resume and a cover letter that clearly addresses each of the areas of the role and the skills, experience & qualifications you would bring to us to:

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Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

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Nothing but net for Penrith District Netball Association

abor Candidate for Lindsay, Diane Beamer said a Shorten Labor Government would invest $15 million to support local netball and deliver the Jamison Park Multi-Purpose Indoor Sport Centre. There are currently only eight netball courts in the Penrith Council area – not enough to keep up with the growing local community, according to Ms Beamer. “This means that during the winter netball season teams are forced to play wet weather matches that can be unsafe, or games are abandoned in extreme conditions,” she said. Ms Beamer said that Labor will deliver four extra local courts to support the growing Western Sydney netball community. “Western Sydney loves its sport and we love our netball. That’s why Labor is backing Western Sydney and why we’re backing grassroots sport,” Ms Beamer said. “Our commitment means that local netball teams can train safely all year round without having to worry about extreme weather.” Penrith District Netball Association (PDNA) is the third-largest netball association in New South Wales. In 2018 alone there were 24 clubs registered with PDNA. Five of those clubs have received more

than 300 registrations this year from local players keen to get on the court. Labor Deputy Leader Tanya Plibersek said Labor was supporting the next generation of local netball stars. “This high-performance facility will support young athletes to take the next steps in their sporting careers.” Two of the four additional courts will be multipurpose for use by a broad number of sports including basketball, futsal, volleyball and badminton. Labor’s investment will also support the construction of retractable seating for up to 600

people, front of house and administration areas, women and men’s change rooms and up to 240 new onsite car parking spaces. Ms Plibersek claimed that after six years the Liberals have failed to provide the community facilities Western Sydney needs. “Western Sydney has been neglected by Scott Morrison and the Liberals. They’ve been more focused on delivering tax cuts for their millionaire mates and tax cuts for the big four banks,” she said. “I call on the New South Wales Liberal Government to match this investment to make sure this vital piece of community infrastructure becomes a reality.”

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› Injecting funds into local motorcycle club

HE Federal Liberal and Nationals’ Government has announced it will invest $250,000 towards on works in Cranebrook under the 2019–20 Black Spot Program. Federal Candidate for Lindsay Melissa McIntosh said the intersection of Andrews Rd and Greygums Rd, which carries about 8,000 vehicles a day, will be made safer thanks to the Government’s investment.

“Road crashes place major emotional and economic strains on all affected communities, but particularly the families and friends of the victims.” Ms McIntosh said. “With four lives lost here in just five years, that’s four families who will never be whole again. One tragic incident at this intersection is too many, so I am thankful the funding has been delivered to address this

under the 2019-2020 Black Spot Program. “None of these projects would be delivered without the community’s vital input and I’d encourage all residents and motorists in the region to nominate projects for future funding rounds.” Liberal Senator for Western Sydney, Senator the Hon Marise Payne, said the upgrade to the notorious road accident spot would help save lives.

Every August the City of Penrith Motor Cycle Club have run the annual Classic Motorcycle Race day with all profits going towards various charities including Cancer Council, Careflight, Penrith Homeless Youth and more. This year they are raising money for research into Early Onset Dementia in honour of a past member of the Motor Cycle Club. Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies presented Wally Cox from the PMCC with a cheque recently to help give them a kick start. “It was my pleasure to present Wally with a $5,000 donation from the Minister for Health to contribute to this research into Early Onset Dementia,” Mrs Davies said.

Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

Black Spot Program funds set to save lives

anzac TRIBUTE Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

St Marys and Penrith commemorate ANZAC Day

PRIL has been a busy month in our local area with ANZAC Day Dawn services held in St Marys and Penrith this week and also Pre-ANZAC services and marches held the week before Easter.

The theme for the services held at the Train at St Marys RSL Club was war in Russia. With the change in route and venue for the pre-ANZAC march and service in St Marys, the St Marys Subbranch wishes to apologise for any

inconvenience or confusion around access to lunch that some attending the Service received. However, the change in route brought an opportunity for residents to give a good cheer as the march went past their homes.

“Our sincere thanks to those who live along the march route and who came out to acknowledge those marching,” said Tony Fryer from St Marys Sub-branch. “It was certainly appreciated by those marching.”

The Forgotten Army A poem by Tomas Hamilton

It was a time of revolution, with monarchs on their knees Freedom and the rights of man, were carried on the breeze But all the hopes and dreams, were just too good to last When they found their new masters, were no better than the past After four years in the trenches, you’d think they’d seen enough But many volunteered again, they were made of sterner stuff They went to fight in Russia, too little and too late For the country was in turmoil and they faced a mortal fate It is said one soon regrets, decisions made in haste A foreign allied army, in a frozen waste No one clearly understood, what they were fighting for Churchill’s Forgotten Folly, in a forgotten fruitless war The soldier’s days were numbered, of that there’s little doubt So they raised the North Russia Relief Force, to try and get them out They had their reputation, their bravery knew no peer Still they asked that age old question, “What are we doing here?” They were soon to realise, and it really hurt their pride That just only months ago, they fought on the same side Still on a deadly battle field, where honour was the key Sergeant Pearce and Corporal Sullivan, were awarded the VC I’m not here to justify, who was right or wrong Every shade of politician seems to sing the same old song Two crosses inscribed ‘For Valour’won in the stinking sludge The moral of their noble deeds, only history will judge

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s users of the services, m e n t a l health consumers, their families and carers have a lot of valuable information to share on improvements. This important focus was made official recently when Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District signed a NSWfirst Mental Health Consumer and Carer Council Charter. The Charter aims to improve mental health services, including service planning, policy development, setting priorities, training and evaluation, and addressing quality issues in the delivery of services. Co-Chair of the Mental Health Consumer and Carer Council, Brian Haisman acknowledged people who had worked on the Charter and the significance of the occasion indicating the bond is “stronger than an advisory committee and a

move from providing advice to a collaborative relationship”. The District’s Chief Executive, Kay Hyman, says the Charter was one document she was pleased to affix a signature to as it will ensure it is a living document and keeps consumers and carers at the core of activities and decision making.

POLICE FILES Wilmot man charged

A man has faced court charged over the alleged ongoing sexual abuse of a girl in Wilmot. Detectives from the Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad commenced an investigation, following reports a 16-yearold girl had been sexually and indecently assaulted on numerous occasions by a man known to her. Following extensive inquiries, detectives, with the assistance of the Public Order and Riot Squad, arrested a 25-year-old man at a home in Wilmot last week. A search warrant was executed at the home, where investigators located a replica firearm, a sword, a hunting knife, and several electronic devices. These items were seized to undergo forensic examination. The man was taken to Riverstone Police Station, where he was charged with aggravated sexual intercourse with person under 16 years of age, attempted sexual intercourse with person aged 14-16 years, and two counts of grooming child for unlawful sexual activity. Police will allege in court that the man sexually abused the girl and showed her sexually explicit material on numerous occasions between 2013 and 2018, when the child was aged between 10 and 15. He was refused bail and was to appear at Mt Druitt Local Court. Investigations are continuing. The Child Abuse and Sex Crimes Squad is comprised of detectives who are specially trained to investigate matters against children and adults, including sexual assault, serious physical abuse, and extreme cases of neglect. Anyone with concerns about suspected child abuse or exploitation should call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page: https:// nsw.crimestoppers.com.au.

Stolen vehicle pursued

Three young persons have been detained after a pursuit with a stolen ute last week. About 8.50pm on Thursday 18 April, a stolen Toyota Hilux was travelling west on the Great Western Highway at Minchinbury when police attempted to stop the vehicle. The Toyota didn’t pull over, and a pursuit was initiated. The vehicle was monitored by Pol Air, to Carpenter Street at St Marys where it was abandoned by the occupants. Police arrested three males nearby and they were conveyed to Riverstone Police Station. A search of and near the vehicle revealed a machete, a baseball bat, balaclavas and gloves. A 17-year-old male was charged with drive conveyance without consent of owner, drive while disqualified – 2nd offence and police pursuit. The teenager was refused bail to appear at a Children’s Court. Another 17-year-old male and an 18-year-old man were released pending further inquiries. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers. com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

› Letter from Lou post Black Tie Event Dear event attendee, From all of us here at The Australian Man Cave we would like to take this opportunity to pass on our appreciation for your attendance, and the support you showed at our inaugural Man Cave Support Group Black Tie Event held at the beautiful and picturesque Lake Side Restaurant. We are humbled by the response and support shown on the night, as a young organisation the funds raised on the evening will allow us to be able to secure the resources to start making an impact. We have been working on planning future events, to raise awareness, but also make sure the help we are able to provide is the right help for those attending. TAMC has a mission towards lowering the rates of those that unfortunately take their own life due to struggles with health, economic and social issues. We want to be able to help with the signs and struggles before these become a major overwhelming factor. We offer a safe place for men to come together, while identifying and allocating correct means of help, support, and overall a positive outlook to those that attend. We want to work together in making sure everyone has an opportunity to be heard. TAMC is working towards building our awareness in the land scape of men’s health in Australia. The funds raised are going to help us build the required support systems to communicate our message to those in need. That support system is going to be used to work with professionals in the field so that we can have the resources within our tool box to pass on, and to creating a solid foundation that can truly make a difference, one step at a time. We have survived with the simple premises of “men-helping-men” we strive to continue this concept and propel it forward so that more men can come onboard. We would also like to take this time to once again to acknowledge and thank all the businesses and families that supported our Black-Tie event in the form of sponsorships and donations, TAMC would like to thank the following: - Crostoli King - Blue Mountains Spa and Beauty - Lakeside Restaurant - Daniele Jewellers - Corner Stone Cafe – Bringelly - ArcStudios Architecture - Pinegrove Memorial Park - Munro’s Quality Meats Wilberforce - Pure Beauty - Parkview Pizza - Jagerhaus German Restaurant - Fastrack V8Race Experience - Campbelltown Catholic Club - Revolutions Health & Fitness Centre St Marys - Capelli Wonderland - The Leto Family - Couture by Francesca - The Cienatempa Family - OSSO We here at TAMC wish to hear from you! Let us know how you felt about our inaugural Black-Tie event, please take this opportunity to respond with feedback for us to help create better and more successful events in future. Please also take this opportunity for any feedback or questions you may have about us as an organisation. Finally, if you have any photographs from the night you would like to share, please email them to us, also for any photo’s on Social media, please use #TAMC Thank you, The Australian Man Cave Committee theaustralinmancave@gmail.com

Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

Unchartered territory for Mental Health

Legends of the Nepean

Ernie Ness By Noel Rowsell

rnie Ness is described by close friend Bob Dohne as ‘working his way to the mid-80’s’. Born in Singleton in 1937, Ernie lived through three major floods in the town in 1949, 1951 and 1954. “The house was built 4’ (1.22m) off the ground and yet all you could see of it was the roof” said Ernie. Ernie spent five years playing in the local Brass Band and three years in the School Cadets. In 1956, Ernie went into National Service and joined the Army Band, playing every brass instrument from Cornet to Double B Bass. The band would become the first Army band to appear on national television and Ernie remembers 40 men all crowded around a 9” (23cm) television set watching the performance. In 1957, Ernie took up a position with the Singleton Argus as a Compositor.

He would subsequently move on from the Argus to the Maitland Mercury, then the Newcastle Herald, before his final move to the Sydney Morning Herald as a Hot Metal Compositor. Ernie married wife Judith May in 1964 and the couple had three children – Belinda, Bradley and Mathew. Ernie coached Little Athletics for eighteen years from 1970-89, worked for two years as Sprint Training Coach in 1985-86 at Wenty Leagues under head coach Gary Pethebridge and also briefly coached Colyton Reserve Grade, winning a premiership in 1987. From 1974 to 1989, Ernie showed and bred American Cocker Spaniels with great success. One of his dogs won a show event with an all-time record of 25 points, a score which can never be surpassed due to a subsequent change in pointscoring methods. However, Ernie suffered a serious car accident in ‘89 which crushed both ankles and kept him in hospital for three months, enduring five separate operations during that time.

Ernie Ness was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Bob Dohne. If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at nepeannews@aol.com

The injury forced Ernie to give up his beloved dogs, which he gave away to other breeders and he turned to a new passion, Lawn Bowls. Ernie began his bowling career at Glenbrook Bowling Club in 1994, before moving to Kingswood in 199598, Wallacia in 1999, then Penrith in 1999. A representative player of twentyfive years, Ernie had also served as President of Wallacia, then a Selector of Club Teams at Penrith and twelve years on the Men’s Committee. During his time living in the Penrith district, Ernie had been a Volunteer Driver at Cherrywood Village. Ernie was Cub Leader for Cambridge Park Cubs for two years, worked as a cook at Kentucky

Fried Chicken on Woodville Road, Granville from 1968-73, then taught the art of cooking the famous fried chicken at Merrylands, Guildford and Liverpool. Prior to his car accident, Ernie was also a very handy golfer, playing to a 10-handicap at Cabramatta Golf Club. Undoubtedly proud of his varied career, among Ernie’s fondest memories are his Austin A95 car (one of the classics of the era) and caddying for legendary Australian actor Chips Rafferty (Eureka Stockade / Wake in Fright / The Rats of Tobruk) at Singleton GC as a 12 year old. Bob Dohne said “He (Ernie) has always given his time freely, coaching athletics and rugby league and has shown prize dogs”.

“Now a lawn bowler - a good one - has been at a few clubs and won various championships, been President, an Umpire, always on committees and coaching” said Bob. “Ernie’s been a selector at Penrith Bowlo (Bowling Club) for twenty years, which should qualify as a nut and a legend and there will be a lot of your readers who will remember him fondly”.

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Cat fight abscesses

Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

ats love to roam and explore their environment, however, cats that have access to outdoors will occasionally get into a fight with another cat. Cats are territorial animals and will fight with each other to defend their territory. If your cat gets bitten during a fight, bacteria from the other cat’s teeth will enter the wound and this may result in the formation of an abscess. An abscess

is an accumulation of pus that usually forms as a result of a puncture wound. Cat fight abscesses are most common around the face, shoulders or around the rump/tail. If you know that your cat has been in a fight, it is always a good idea to see a veterinarian immediately – early use of antibiotics can prevent abscess formation and also avoid surgery. What are the signs that my cat has an abscess? Abscesses usually appear 2-7 days after your cat gets bitten. Affected cats will often be lethargic, have a poor appetite, have a fever and sometimes have painful areas on their body where the bite wound is. Often you will also find a soft warm lump and sometimes, if the abscess is burst, you will find a weeping wound.

How are abscesses treated? Treatment generally involves surgery to flush out the pus and remove any dead/traumatised tissue. Sometimes drains are placed when there are large pockets and this allows the skin to heal. Antibiotics and of course pain relief are also used to keep your cat nice and comfortable. Surgery can often be avoided if your cat is brought in as soon as a bite happens. How can I prevent this in my cat? Most abscesses are caused by cat fights, so the best way to prevent them is by keeping your cat indoors as much as possible. It is also essential to get your cats desexed; entire male cats are very territorial and are much more likely to fight than desexed cats! It is also important to see your veterinarian as soon as you think your cat has been in a fight. You can usually prevent an abscess from forming with early treatment for any injuries. It is also important to remember that the FIV virus (feline AIDS) is transmitted through cat bite wounds. Cats that have access to outdoors are at risk of contracting feline AIDS. We strongly recommend testing for and vaccination against FIV for all cats that go outside. If you would like more information or have any questions, please contact us on 4731 3055.

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

The G Spot

do not profess to be a rocket scientist, neurosurgeon or an intelligent person in any scope, way or form. Matter of fact if you placed a pulse machine on each side of my temple, the power would not kick-start a light bulb. However, I have this evil curse that is technically known as “common sense.” It’s a dreaded curse that makes you question people’s intelligence level numerous times a day. Voices in your own head asking questions such as, “how does that person tie their own shoelaces?” It’s like the bonehead brigade is out in force some days and they are multiplying by the minute. Yes my avid fans, the curse of common sense is a curse that I do not wish upon anyone. It can hit you at any time: walking, sleeping, jogging or riding a bike. The question is, should I be vaccinated for it? Can vaccination stop this beast? But, once common sense hits you like a rash on a baby’s bum, a lightning

bolt out of the blue just appears there for no reason and its with you for life. Almost like a step-sibling, its there and you may not want it to be. I am sure you get the drift. With all this crap above I have probably placed you into a coma by now and the nods are setting in, but alas my G spotters, this is where it may get good, so hang in there. Grab a coffee, place your feet up and keep reading. One sunny afternoon I was heading home from work, which is an office that is fully marked SECURITY, has SECURITY cars and SECURITY people all around. Besides throwing in fireworks and dancing girls you couldn’t get more of an understanding that it is a SECURITY office. So anyway, in total disbelief we watched as two boneheads jumped a fence across the road of a factory that was still fully staffed and operational, allegedly to go to the site lunchroom and take phones and wallets and anything else not tied down.

With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security

Let me reiterate again, so you get the setting in your mind right, this is a fully operational and staffed factory and it is daylight. Then the bonehead brigade jump back over the fence across from a SECURITY company and think the coast is clear. Like hello! That’s like ringing the cops and alerting them that a bust is about to happen and giving the location and day. So anyway, the bonehead brigade notices our security personnel and starts running with all the crap in their bags – throw in the word allegedly. Because they are innocent until proven guilty. Don’t get me started on the justice system or this story will get ugly. Sigh. So bonehead One jumps in the lake at Waterside and swims across it, where he was expecting to go we don’t know. Bonehead Two keeps running up the street. The factory workers hear all the commotion going on and realise that the lunchroom is

allegedly missing their stuff and run out screaming like banshees with an ingrown toenail. Security is on the tail of the bonehead brigade up and down the road. Police get involved and the rest as they say is, history. So as I ponder my navel and pick out a few fluff pieces here and there and twist my hair strands a few times, I guess this highlights the dreaded curse of common sense and lack thereof. One has to question why would you break into a place across the road from a security company? Oops hang on, allegedly. How do two boneheads walk a site without anyone noticing, go to a lunch room (allegedly) take stuff (allegedly) and then jump a fence with bags full of crap (allegedly). So there you have it, the story of the dreaded curse of common sense. I believe that medical practitioners may be testing for it in not the not so distant future and it should be covered by Medicare very soon?

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HEALTH

Nita

Does your double chin age you?

A regular column to answer your medical cosmetic queries

elkyra is an injectable treatment that reduces the appearance of a double chin. The active ingredient in Belkyra is synthesized deoxycholic acid. This acid occurs naturally in the body where it helps to breakdown dietary fat. When injected below the chin – Belkyra reduces fat, resulting in a more contoured neck profile and jaw line. The treatment takes 20 minutes to do and the clinician customises the treatment according to the volume of fat and anatomy.

You may need more than one treatment (often up to 4) and results should last approximately 4 years. Side effects could be bruising, numbness, redness, swelling, tingling and pain, however these are temporary and often subside within 2 weeks post treatment. Another treatment that helps define the jawline and reduce chin fat is Ulthera. Ultherapy delivers focused ultrasound energy. It targets the skins foundational layer and tightens it. Resulting in a more defined youthful jawline. The results appear over 2-3 months as new collagen builds gradually to lift and tighten. P.R.P (platelet rich plasma) is plasma extracted from your own blood, can be re-injected back into lax skin around the jawline and neck to rejuvenate crepey skin. I recommend these combination therapies for optimal jawline results as all treatments target different layers. Belkyra reduces fat, Ultherapy tightens the skin and P.R.P regenerates skins texture. We do all these treatments at Immersion Clinical Spa, for a free consultation regarding your double chin please contact us on 02 4732 4009.

Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

Ask

Dr Muthukrishnan’s

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ENTERTAINMENT

May 12 marks the time to shower your Mum with gifts and breakfast in bed and as much love as you can muster!

Two children ordered their mother to stay in bed one Mother’s Day morning. As she lay there salivating at the thought of breakfast in bed, the smell of bacon wafted up from the kitchen. But after a good long wait she started to wonder why she wasn’t being called down. Finally, she went downstairs to investigate. She found them both sitting at the table eating bacon and eggs. “What on earth?” she asked. “As a surprise for Mother’s Day,” one explained, “We decided to let you stay in bed and cook our own breakfast.” A single Mother decided to make a beautiful meal for herself and her child to celebrate Mother’s Day. “Mum, are bugs good to eat?” asked Johnny, aged six. “Let’s not talk about such things at the dinner table, son,” his mother replied. After the special Mother’s Day dinner was cleared away, the mother inquired, “Now, that it is a more appropriate time, what did you want to ask me?” “Oh, nothing,” the boy said. “There was a bug in your soup, but it’s gone now.”

Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

Celebrating our mums on Mother’s Day

Whatâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s on at the Henry Sports

Bookings Essential T: 9623 2119 E: sharont@hlclub.com.au

ENTERTAINMENT

njoy a remarkable evening of Mozart and Schubert with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and opera star Emma Matthews, performing for one special night at The Joan on 31 May at 7.30pm. Over almost nine decades, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra has evolved into Australia’s leading symphony orchestra. Resident at the Sydney Opera House, the Sydney Symphony Orchestra also performs regularly across New South Wales, presenting a wide array of music – from classical to popular – in collaboration with artists and composers from around the globe. On 31 May, The Joan’s Concert Hall will come alive with the sound

Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

70 Musicians Live on Stage

of theSymphony - violins, cellos and double basses at the core, to the twinkling sounds of harp and flutes and the resounding vibrancy of horns and percussion. All come together to form an exquisite musical repertoire for the evening which features Schubert’s lyrical Rosamunde music and his sparkling Symphony No. 3, as well as Mozart’s jewel-like arias. The concert will also feature Opera star Emma Matthews as a special guest. As one of Australia’s most beloved performers and one of opera’s brightest stars, her versatility, charisma and exquisite coloratura soprano are the perfect fit for these iconic classical pieces – a treat for any operalover. To book tickets head to thejoan.com.au or call the Box Office on 4723 7600.

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Reverend (8) 5 Delegate (6) 9 Width of a circle (8) 10 Makes angry (6) 12 Accumulation (9) 13 Verbalize (5) 14 Fee (4) 16 Vigilant (7) 19 Floating mass of frozen water (7) 21 The founder of a family (4) 24 Hindu loincloth (5) 25 Apparently (9) 27 Blanks at the start of a new paragraph (6) 28 Inherent aptitude (8) 29 Contraptions (6) 30 Simile (8)

solution 28/3/19

DOWN 1 Lunatic (6) 2 Subtlety (6) 3 Vista (5) 4 Old Testament prophet (7) 6 Woodpecker (9) 7 Recognize or name (8) 8 Holes in the nose (8) 11 Chew (4) 15 Submissive behavior (9) 17 What Nero was doing (8) 18 Recharged a weapon (8) 20 Mirth (4) 21 The systematic study of things (7) 22 Odor (6) 23 A marine mollusk (6) 26 Additional (5)

Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

ENTERTAINMENT

SUDOKU: MEDIUM

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

SOLUTIONS: 11 April

Model Ship Builder’s Expo at The Henry

Photos of models built by Club members, courtesy of Tom Wolf (SMSC)

he Henry Sports Club, 144 Henry Lawson Avenue, Werrington County will host the Model Ship Builders’ Expo on Sunday 19th May, with twelve different crafts-people displaying some of their favourite models. The Sydney Model Shipbuilders Club (SMSC) is an active group of 60 enthusiasts, including current members living in Russia, Greece and the USA, who are passionate about model ship building. The Club supports all forms of marine modelling, from period to modern vessels,

and encourages members and visitors to discover and learn the various model ship building techniques. There will be an information session between 11.30am-1.30pm, where members of the public can watch builders at work and ask questions regarding any aspect of the craft. SMSC committee member Tom Wolf will also be giving demonstrations throughout the day on moulding techniques with silicon. The Exhibition will open from 10am - 4pm and admission is free.

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Mother’s Day Raffle WEDNESDAY 1 MAY

win a cruise!

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Tickets: $15 Adult $10 Concession Tickets available at reception, at the door on the night or can be purchased online through the Irish Film Festival Sydney.

valued at

$1000 Win a 3 night Comedy Cruise on the P&O Pacific Explorer in this year’s Mother’s Day raffle! Prize includes 2x adults in a balcony twin room. Cruise departs 22 November and returns 25 November 2019. This prize is valued at $1,000! Raffle tickets are just $2 each or 3 for $5. Tickets available at reception now! Our Mother’s Day raffle will be drawn on Sunday 12 May after the regular raffle.

www.irishfilmfestival.com.au

Shamrock Grill SPECIALS

LUNCH 12 - 2.30pm - LUNCH SPECIALS $10 MONDAY Barramundi Night $15 TUESDAY Steak & Ale Night $15 WEDNESDAY Bangers & Mash Night $15 THURSDAY Parmy Night $15

P!NK / LADY GAGA TRIBUTE SHOW May 11, 8.30pm FREE ~ JA Room

Between 5 & 8pm (Conditions apply) SUNDAY - Sunday Roast $17.50 Members $18.50 Non Members

FREE ENTERTAINMENT

FRIDAY 26 APR - 8PM Cath & Him

SATURDAY 27 APR - 7PM Shaylee Wilde

SUNDAY 28 APR - 5PM Blackwater

FRIDAY 3 MAY - 8PM Us Too

SATURDAY 4 MAY - 8PM Time Machine

SUNDAY 5 MAY 2.30PM Banter 5PM Soul Jamz

Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

NEPEAN HISTORY

A Soldier In Life

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

rthur Ernest Stonham was born in February 1900 at West Maitland in NSW to parents Alfred Ernest Albert Stonham a schoolteacher, and his wife Ada Sarah Grange (née Armstrong). Alfred’s career took the family to Camden, Goulburn and Deniliquin, and then in 1908 they moved to “Amaroo” 15 Kingston Street in Haberfield. Arthur however, was making a life for himself in West Maitland where he worked as a clerk. When Arthur was appointed a junior clerk in the Department of AttorneyGeneral and Justice in March 1916, he was aware of the country postings, and after a long apprenticeship, there was the prospect of promotion to the “stipendiary magistracy” (in receipt of a stipend as a fixed regular sum paid as a salary or expenses of a Public Official). Arthur’s older brother Cyril enlisted in the AIF in May 1917, and in August 1918 Arthur enlisted in Sydney into the 21st reinforcements and left Adelaide in October 1918 on the HMAT “Boonah” with the NSW Reinforcements, but the ship had only travelled to Durban in South Africa when the Armistice was declared. The troopship was recalled and returned to Australia in December 1918. The family received the news that Cyril had died of pneumonia in February 1919 at the age of 20 at the Royal Herbert Hospital at Woolwich. Initially called the Herbert Hospital in 1865 and originally built as a restorative facility for British veterans of the Crimean War, in 1900 it was renamed the Royal Herbert Hospital. It remained a military hospital until 1977. Cyril was buried in the Brookwood Military Cemetery in Surrey, England that became the biggest Commonwealth War Grave cemetery in England. In April 1921 at St Stephen’s Anglican Church in Portland NSW, he married Elsie Gladys Lake. In 1925 he was sent to Kiama as a clerk of Petty Sessions, but he was only there for a year when he was transferred to Kurri Kurri in October 1926. Arthur, as a clerk, carried out many extra duties and was an important contact between the Government and the local community. In September 1928 as the Clerk of Petty Sessions, he gave evidence in the death of Albert Hall of Abermain at the Kurri Kurri Court House. Arthur, who witnessed the accident, said that Albert did not appear to be looking where he was going. The driver of the cart tried to pull up and swerve to prevent the collision, but Albert was thrown on his back and the cart passed over the bike and when Albert tried to get up, he fell back on to his face dead. In 1930 to 1933 he was based in Sydney as Senior Information Clerk. After serving at Windsor from 1933 to 1936, Arthur and Elsie moved to 79 Blair Street, Bondi. First as Checking Officer at the Children’s Court in 1936 when maintenance work was especially heavy. As a Petty Sessions Officer and writing from the Children’s Court in Sydney in October 1938 to the Defence Department that he was intending to apply for admission as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court on the grounds that he was a returned soldier and needed a certificate to prove that he

Michelle Latham 1300 HEVNLY ( 1300 438 659 ) michelle@heavenlycelebrations.com.au

PH: 9623 6656 | MOBILE: 0418 250 242

196 Queen Street, ST MARYS (Directly Opposite Library)

had served with his dates of service. He indicated that he had lost the original discharge certificate along with his returned soldier’s badge, mentioning that he would need a replacement for both. In November the Army sent him a letter with a Statutory Declaration to fill in and return and once this was done, they would reissue another badge and his army service records. In August 1940, he placed a notice in the Daily Telegraph to apply for admission as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court and was successful that month. He had to cope with staff shortages and the unpopularity of reduced services during World War Two, but in 1945 he was sent to Inverell. In 1947, Arthur was appointed Stipendiary Magistrate Warden for the State in Mudgee, also in Penrith when the town became part of a huge circuit from Mudgee to Coonabarabran and in Sydney in 1951. He continued to live in Penrith in Macquarie Avenue with his family and became involved with local welfare societies and youth clubs. At that time the Penrith court was noticeably strict about drink-driving due to the affluence after the war. At the 1954 congress of the Australian Road Safety Council in Hobart, Arthur, along with a Mr F. S. Hansman, called for compulsory blood tests for drivers suspected of being under the influence of liquor. Arthur presided over the Magistrates’ Institute and edited the Stipendiary Magistrates’ Bulletin and joined the State Government’s Law Reform Committee. He was promoted to Chief Stipendiary Magistrate in September 1962. In organizing the overstretched city courts, he confronted the contradictions of a publicservice Magistracy by trying to reconcile judicial independence with departmental demands for administrative accountability. Despite ill health, Arthur was an energetic Chairman, lobbying for more resources and even rostering himself to hear the controversial prosecution of R. S. Maher, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly who was charged with indecent exposure. Stockily built, with a down-to-earth manner, Arthur retired in February 1965. He had continued as a Barrister from May 1964 and continued to chair the Board of Official Visitors to Mental Asylums and also joined the Australian Broadcasting Commission’s Disciplinary Appeals Board. His unobtrusive efficiency had made him a model magistrate. Arthur died of myocardial infarction in November 1966 at his Penrith home and was cremated in a private ceremony. He was survived by his wife and daughter. Photo courtesy of the Australian National Archives WW1. Bibliography - Petty Sessions Chronicle, Sydney Morning Herald, Sun (Sydney), Penrith Press, Attorney-General and Justice Department, Public Service Board, State Records New South Wales, Australian War Memorial, Anzacs of Macarthur online. Government Gazettes- Citation details - Hilary Golder, ‘Stonham, Arthur Ernest (1900–1966)’, Australian Dictionary of Biography, Newcastle Morning Herald & Miner’s Advocate, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University online, Australian Broadcasting Commission, Camden District Roll of Honour, Research Room of Penrith Library.

Contact Michelle for Pre-Planning & Pre-Paid Funerals

FINANCE AND REAL ESTATE MATTERS

With Steve Beard Select Mortgage Broker

hristmas and Easter have come and gone for another year. If you were smart and used your savings to pay for your holidays and presents for your loved ones, then you deserve a pat on the back. However, if you are like the majority and used your credit cards and your debts are too high and have been unable to repay the credit card balance in full, you will be getting hit with high interest in most cases. Here are some financial tips to get your debts under better control. CREDIT CARDS Put the credit card in a draw until you are able to repay the outstanding balance in full and only use your cash and savings to buy essential items. If you haven’t got any cash or savings, then don’t buy it, especially if it is not essential. If you have multiple cards or debts, pay in full the smallest balance card or debt and then destroy that credit card. Then start repaying the next smallest balance card and so on. Having outstanding balances each month on multiple credit cards is a recipe for financial disaster.

HOME LOANS Review the interest rate you are paying. Ask your lender for a lower rate and the best options (variable and fixed rate etc) for your circumstances. If they don’t give you a better rate, talk to me about me about refinancing to a lender who will give you a lower rate and save you money every month. Some lenders are offering rebates of around $2,000 to switch your home loan to them as well. These rebates will more than cover the cost of changing lenders and use the remaining funds to reduce your debts plus save on a lower interest rate. INSURANCES Most general insurance policies start off cheap but then the price rises as insurance companies know that most people will stick with their current policies. It pays you to shop around every year or so. You can save hundreds each year by doing some homework on the net or on the phone. Most insurance companies will give you a lower premium if you apply on-line as well. ELECTRICITY AND GAS Shop around. You should be able to get 25 per cent off the usage rates recently for both electricity and gas. If you call another supplier and they say the maximum discount is 20 per cent for example, then go back to your current supplier and ask them to better that offer. Keep calling different suppliers

SELECT MORTGAGE FINANCE

and make them beat the previous best offer until you are getting a minimum of a 25 per cent discount. CHARGE YOUR ADULT KIDS BOARD In my job as a mortgage broker, I am stunned at how many people I talk to who don’t charge their adult kids any board and just pay for most of their living expenses even though the kids are earning an income. Your kids need to learn that living (food, water, electricity, council rates, Foxtel etc) all cost money. Unless you are happy to pay for your kids living for their whole lives, then they need to learn the living costs. SUBSCRIPTIONS Cancel any subscriptions to gyms, Foxtel, TV streaming services, newspapers etc that you don’t use regularly. Most people who join a gym or group training class do so with a high amount of intent at the start. If you’re not committing time and energy to something, then stop paying for nothing. Go for a nice long walk with your kids or friends. If you are puffing while walking and talking, your body, relationships and your wallet are all benefiting. Please do not hesitate to contact me on 4739 4500, 0403 166207 or beards@selectgrp.com.au if you what to discuss your situation, any financial matters or have any Home Finance questions that I can assist you with.

Phone: 4739 4500 Mobile: 0403 166 207 Email: beards@selectgrp.com.au Award winning mortgage broker

Ask the Expert To Rent or Not To Rent to Pet Owners Sharon Mudiman Licensee and Principal of Bespoke Realty Group has been negotiating the sale of property for over twenty-five years in the Greater Penrith Region

ith a proposed review of NSW laws regarding the allowance of pets in rental properties, many investors view this as another strike against rental property ownership. Representing another advantage to tenants, landlord control may appear to be diminishing. Damage

caused to properties by the wear and tear of animal residents begs the question, is it worth the hassle? With a significant gap in the market for petfriendly rentals, this may be an opportunity for landlords to review the advantages this presents. More than 62% of Australian households have pets, so limiting potential renters drains the pool of potentially positive renters considerably. Perhaps a reliable tenant with a pet outweighs the financial risk of an unreliable tenant without? Lagging behind Victoria and Queensland, where it is easier to negotiate having a pet on the premises, NSW investment property owners leave themselves vulnerable to potentially dishonest tenants. Under pressure to secure pet-friendly properties, and even greater pressure due to a rental shortage overall, this gap in the market presents ongoing landlord/tenant issues in the future. In addition, with it becoming

Penrith | Glenmore Park www.bespokerg.com.au 02 4737 9977

more and more difficult to become a homeowner, many view rental as a life-long option, not a temporary home. On a social level, while the wellbeing of their tenant is not a landlord responsibility, it is well worth considering the statistics behind pet ownership. With reduced healthcare costs across Australia due to the benefits of pet ownership and a reduction in pets handed over to shelters, a landlord’s flexibility to a pet ownership request may have further reaching impact than initially considered. That said, a respectful balance is critical. A blanket rule to enforce pet ownership or a complete denial of landlord’s choice leaves the rental market exposed to a disagreement that may never be resolved. However, scope to negotiate and an adaptable approach is a solid start any the landlord/ tenant relationship.

Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

Tips to control your living expenses

Celebrity ROUND 7

ROUND 8

SYD MEL BUL PAN WES BRI MAN NEW SOU nqc CRO CAN MAN SYD NZW PAR STG NZW NQC SOU GCT CRO CAN PAR BRI gct MEL PAN BUL WES NEW STG April 25 4.05pm

April 25 7.50pm

April 26 6.00pm

April 26 7.55pm

April 27 5.30pm

April 27 7.35pm

April 28 2.00pm

April 28 4.05pm

May 2 7.50pm

May 3 6.00pm

May 3 7.55pm

May 4 3.00pm

May 4 5.30pm

May 4 7.35pm

May 5 2.00pm

May 5 4.05pm

SCORE

Ross Franklyn-Smith - Club President, St Marys Band Club - 9623 1211

42 Natalie Ballard - Novus Law Group - 0404 474 084

52 John Veitch - Parramatta Motor Group - 0447 517 711

62 Jeff Lemon - KHP Civil - 0488 342 555

58 Brett McVea - National Locksmiths - 0404 842 170

48 Bec Passlow - Pioneer Tavern - 4736 4647

48 John Kibbey - Raine & Horne Commercial - 0417 228 538

62 Vic Shipley - Powersmart Electrical - 0415 982 093

58 John Thain - GM, Luke Priddis Foundation - 4736 2022

56 Terry ‘Mad Dog” Corbett - St Clair Comets Councillor Benard Bratusa

68 Michael Creed - Thor’s Cafe - 4721 0292 Aaron Tyres - @print

42 Derry O’Donovan - EZR Vend - 0414 254 074

50 Daniel Galea - Adenbrook Homes - 9622 4091

TIPSTERS ROUND 7

ROUND 8

SYD MEL BUL PAN WES BRI MAN NEW SOU nqc CRO CAN MAN SYD NZW PAR STG NZW NQC SOU GCT CRO CAN PAR BRI gct MEL PAN BUL WES NEW STG April 25 4.05pm

April 25 7.50pm

April 26 6.00pm

April 26 7.55pm

April 27 5.30pm

April 27 7.35pm

April 28 2.00pm

April 28 4.05pm

May 2 7.50pm

May 3 6.00pm

May 3 7.55pm

May 4 3.00pm

May 4 5.30pm

May 4 7.35pm

May 5 2.00pm

May 5 4.05pm

SCORE

Mark Geyer - Nepean News columnist

60 Prue Car - Member for Londonderry - 9833 1122

46 Cameron Faico - Property Central - 0434 400 225

60 Mark Fitzpatrick - Full Spectrum Services - 0430 220 263

56 Romano Garofali - Nepean Pools - 4722 9201

46 Jim Hill - Nepean Solar - 0425 281 626

52 Kate Radcliffe - Raine & Horne Commercial - 0417 228 587

58 Steve Beard - Select Mortgage - 0403 166 207

60 Aaron Tyers - @print - 4731 5055

52 Brock Shepperd - Wests Harold Matthews Coach

60 Narelle Withers - Bespoke Realty Group - 4737 9977 Nicole Keene - Blink Property - 1300 629 610

Will Wise - East West Building & Kitchens - 9673 2621

66 Alex McKenzie - Future Financial Services - 0414 330 651

Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

SPORT

PVSF Senior Sport Star Award By CONNER LOWE

he Penrith Valley Sports Foundation has awarded Stephanie Haaring from Kingswood the Senior Sport Star Award for her amazing development and skill in Futsal. Stephanie has been playing Futsal for 12 years and currently plays in the Premier League Futsal league for Campbelltown City Quake. She also competes in the Australian Futsal Associations (AFA) National Titles held in Penrith and Windsor. Stephanie is a versatile athlete who as a young girl began her Soccer career at the age of five and made her Premier League debut very young playing for Blacktown Spartans. She then quickly signed with Nepean United where she was selected to play from the age of 15. Despite injury setbacks she trained hard and grabbed spots in teams such as Inter Lions FC, Blacktown Spartans and for the last four years played for Women’s NPL2 side Nepean FC where she was assistant captain for the first-grade team. Stephanie spoke about how grateful she felt to receive the award and when she first started playing the sport. “I am extremely grateful that I have been nominated. I cannot express enough how much this means to me, it’s not every day this happens,” she said.

“I have been playing Futsal since I was 13 years old and I started playing in year seven at school and made a Premier League team from there. “I have represented NSW every year since then and have now been selected for the AFA Australian Women’s Team.” Stephanie’s knowledge and passion for the game has led her to coaching young teams on International Tours hosted by AFA for the past three years which the teams were very successful in every tournament. Stephanie also spoke about her

greatest achievements thus far and what she plans to do within the sport in the near future. “My best achievement is making the Australian Team this year and also sharing my knowledge in coaching young teams,” she said. “Also, being selected for the NSW Nationals Side and being selected for the NSW Premier League Quake Side. “I love that it is fast and technical, it is very much a team sport, and everyone is like family. “We train and play three days a week doing sport specific drills, working

on touches and set plays - during the offseason and in preparation for Malaysia in November I also go to F45 South Penrith (gym) as often as I can. “My plans for the future are to continue coaching teams overseas and sharing my knowledge to the youth kids, playing nationally and hopefully qualify for the next world cup. “ We would like to congratulate Stephanie on her award from Penrith Valley Sports Foundation and to continue striding for success in Futsal for the future.

Sydney Thunder player receives Senior Sport Star Award By CONNER LOWE

he Penrith Valley Sports Foundation has awarded Hannah Darlington from Erskine Park the Senior Sport Star Award for her amazing development and skill in Cricket. Hannah began playing Cricket at 11-years-old and within her six years of playing the sport has excelled beyond her years. Hannah currently plays for NSW metropolitan and the Sydney Thunder and has been apart of the Cricket NSW pathway for almost her whole cricket career. Hannah spoke about her appreciation for the award after her hard work and dedication to Cricket is paying off. “Being nominated is a nice acknowledgment especially after a long season to show the hard work and performances put in at the park,” she said. This award is special to me after receiving the junior award last year to make that step to the senior awards brings me confidence and is a nice reward.” Hannah has a very impressive achievement list during her very short

Cricket career: - Australian U/19 side that toured South Africa and won the tri-series (April 2018) - Australian Women’s Indigenous team that toured England (July 2018) - Captain of the NSW Metro U/18 side that won the National championships

- Selected in Australian U/19 to travel New Zealand (March 2019) - Contracted Sydney Thunder Women’s Big Bash League player - Captained Sydney Thunder Indigenous side to series win against Hobart Hurricanes in Launceston Hannah also spoke about her best achievements in Cricket and her most

important goal for the future. “My greatest achievement is definitely being the youngest player thus far to receive a professional Sydney Thunder WBBL contract at age 15. It was really special, also representing Australia U/19s and the Australian Indigenous sides on tours around the world are definitely up there with my great achievements,” she said. “I love the environment we are able to be involved in day in, day out and being able to pursue a professional career really encourages that. Also having the opportunity to play alongside a core group of players from when I was younger really makes me love the sport even more. “During the season, three skills sessions throughout the week and strength and conditioning twice and then rest day Saturday to play Sunday. “My future plans are to finish Year 12, which is first on the list and then after that looking to go to University while pursuing a professional career as a cricketer.” We would like to congratulate Hannah on her award from Penrith Valley Sports Foundation and to continue striding for success in Cricket for the future.

PENRITH PANTHERS

SPORT

By STEWART MOSES

@TheRiffMarn

i n g e r Malakai Wa t e n e Zelezniak, refuted suggestions that the Panthers’ fitness is an issue as the team heads into what mounts as a must-win clash at home this Friday night against South Sydney. The Panthers are looking to avoid three losses in a row for the first time since Round 9, 2017, after fading badly in the second half to suffer backto-back defeats at the hands of the Titans and Sharks in the past fortnight, which has led to suggestions that the team isn’t as fit as they have been in previous seasons. “We had a solid pre-season and our test scores went through the roof,” Malakai explained to the Nepean News. “Our own errors are what kills us and if you give them 60% or more of the ball and we only have 40% or so, results are bound to go their way. “You can’t compete when possession is flowing like that.” In their latest loss to the Sharks, the Panthers twice relinquished 14 point leads, which Malakai admits is difficult to fathom given their first strong half performance. “I don’t really know to be honest. We’re scratching our heads now having started the game so well,” Watene-Zelezniak replied. “We completed most of our sets like we wanted to. “But I guess in the second half we

Malakai Watene-Zelezniak says the Panthers remain positive despite the recent losses. Credit: NRL Photos.

kind of stopped completing and we gave away dumb penalties and it came back to bite us in the end.” The Panthers were on the end of a 7-2 penalty count from referees Ben Cummins and Ziggy PrzeklasaAdamski, including a 4-0 whitewash in the second half. But it was the penalty conceded whilst in possession by younger brother, Dallin when the Panthers led 14-0 early in the second half, that Malakai says swung the momentum of the game in favour of the home side. “It definitely doesn’t help having that many penalties against and us piggy backing them out of their end,” Malakai said. “But that penalty (Dallin conceded) was definitely a turning point. “We were getting through the grind really well and while I think that

penalty did turn it, all the boys have Dal’s back. “I guess we have to fix up our discipline and a bit more strenuous with that.” Whilst some were surprised that Malakai was dropped back to the Canterbury Cup earlier in the season after playing a starring role in the Round Two win over Newcastle, the winger himself understood the situation with Mansour coming back into the team the following week. But following some strong performances since, Malakai made his return to the NRL side last Thursday night, replacing the out-of-form Dylan Edwards, who in the previous game against the Titans struggled to provide the impact with his carries, after switching positional roles with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

“That’s how footy works. You had Sauce (Mansour) coming back from a shoulder injury and he’s a talented player,” Watene-Zelezniak responded. “I didn’t kick stones, I went back down, played hard, turned up to training and trained hard and kept my head down. “I just had to stay patient and just be ready when the time came. “My time was tonight and I tried to take those hard carries and get us on the front foot and take a little bit of pressure off the big boys.” Despite the setback of losing consecutive games, Malakai remains confident that the team can turn their 2-4 season around, starting with this Friday night’s clash with South Sydney at Panthers Stadium. “It’s still a positive mood (amongst the boys). In times like this it’s important to stay positive,” Malakai declared. “If you get down in the dumps and become negative, its going to have a roll-on effect. “We are in a bit of a rut at the moment, but we are all positive that we can get out of it. “We just have to complete sets and stop wasting energy that we don’t need to. “We are going to have to put our best foot forward and especially against the Bunnies, they are a talented side across the whole park. “We definitely have to show up and put together an eightyminute performance and get those completions up as they will make you pay otherwise.”

Local thoroughbred owners place in prestigious horserace By greg DAVIES

ell-known locals the Falcone brothers, along with the other coowners from Saric and Ursino racing syndicates went very close to another group 1 success with their up and coming three year old galloper Scarlet Dream in the ATC Oaks last month. Tony and Mario Falcone live locally with their respective families and run a construction company as well as some hotels in Penrith, Emu Plains and the in Sydney CBD. They also have a keen interest in horseracing. Scarlet Dream, a three year old filly by Sebring out of Asylum Seeker trained by Mark Newnham and ridden by Blake Shinn was having only it’s seventh start when she ran a close second to triple Group 1 winner Verry Elleegant. Tony Falcone spoke to the Hills Independent following the great race. “It was great to get a second place, but it would have been greater to go that one better,” he said. Without taking anything away from the performance of the winner, the

The beautiful filly Scarlet Dream

owners may well have seen a different result had Scarlet Dream, who was beaten by just under two lengths, not suffered some interference as she came down the Randwick Straight.

The Australian Oaks is an Australian Turf Club Group 1 thoroughbred horse race for three year old fillies at set weights and run over a distance of 2,400 metres. It is

part of the Autumn Carnival and runs at Randwick Racecourse during the ATC Champion series. The race was first run in 1885, and now in 2019 the purse holds $1 million for the winner. The Falcones’ have had some pretty handy horses during their time in the racing industry, having tasted racing success with Proisir, who was winner of a group 3 and 2nd in the group 1 Spring Championship Stakes and also Divine Prophet, who was the brilliant winner of the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas in 2016. The boys have high hopes for their latest star including a trip to Queensland for some of the big races during the winter and a possible trip to Melbourne for a tilt at some of the major spring events later this year. As the old adage goes, never put the cart before the horse, but if all goes well with Scarlet Dream the owners may well see another group 1 dream of their own reached in the coming months. We wish them and ‘The Dream’ the best of luck in the future.

Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

Buck stops now: Malakai Watene-Zelezniak

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Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

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PENRITH PANTHERS

Repeat Sets with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

PANTHERS RUN OUT OF STEAM IN BACK-TO-BACK LOSSES It’s been yet another fortnight of discontent and disappointment in Pantherland. Discontent from the fan base with Penrith losing very winnable games against the previously winless Gold Coast Titans and injury-ravaged Cronulla Sharks. Disappointment in the manner in which the losses unfolded, both coming after Penrith managed to play themselves into match-winning positions in the second half of games. Penrith should realistically be 5-1 given the kind draw, but instead find themselves 2-4 in 12th position and with some big games coming up, could easily replicate their horror 2-7 start to the 2017 season. Adding to the losses will be the media scrutiny that will emanate from the departure of Panthers Executive General Manager, Phil Gould AM (see Golden Points). Last Thursday night, the Panthers blew 14-0 and 20-6 second half leads through poor discipline (4-0 second half penalty count, 7-2 for the match), and just 32% possession in that half to allow Cronulla to storm home to win 24-20. It’s the second time in six days the Panthers blew a second half lead. Dean Whare’s departure with a hamstring tear, that will side line the Kiwi international for 2-4 weeks, weakened the left edge defence, which allowed Cronulla to cut Penrith to shreds with a stunning second half comeback that started soon after Dallin Watene-Zelezniak conceded rare possession in giving away a reckless penalty. Isaah Yeo shifted across to left centre but was no match for the faster, more agile Bronson Xerri, Josh Dugan and co and left many scratching their head as to why the normally right-edged back-rower wouldn’t mark up instead on veteran centre, Josh Morris and finally reunite Waqa Blake with Viliame Kikau on the left instead. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary, who refused to elaborate on the decision to overlook playing Blake on the left, was left dumbfounded by Penrith’s capitulation after the game. “Another period of the game where we just had a massive glut of possession against us,” Cleary lamented. “Penalties going against us. Just one more set here and there to defend but we weren’t able to do it. “The first two tries came from nothing, two long

instrumental. Penrith will be looking to consolidate their bright start to the season over the coming fortnight when they take on second-placed South Sydney at home this Friday night before taking on current ladder leaders Mounties at Aubrey Keech Reserve the following Sunday.

A blow for Penrith with Dean Whare ruled out with a hamstring injury for 2-4 weeks. Credit: NRL Photos.

range efforts. “We let ourselves down there. 14-0 and there was a period where we gave them a momentum swing. “Why did we give them a penalty when in possession of the ball? It’s madness. “Whether we could have earned one (penalty) here and there, maybe. “But personally I think there are thing that are in our control that we need to improve at. “We are learning some pretty tough lessons at the moment but hopefully the message is sinking in.” The previous week against the Titans, the Panthers having trailed 18-12 at the main break, managed to skip out to a 22-18 lead early in the second half but conceded a penalty try and a soft close range try, compounded by 67 missed tackles and just 44% possession to concede two crucial competition points in losing 30-24. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary was disappointed by his team’s inability to close out the game. “We’ve got a long way to go in terms of being able to play the 80 minutes, either side of the ball,” Cleary said. “Our biggest issue tonight they pretty much got their points in the manner we spoke about, through last tackle plays, which is disappointing. “I thought we had every reason a couple of times tonight to go on with it but we can’t quite be consistent enough.” A mixed fortnight for Penrith’s Canterbury Cup side. Beaten comprehensively the week before at Leichhardt Oval 32-12 by the Western Suburbs Magpies, the fourth-placed Panthers managed to hold off a fast finishing Newtown Jets side to win 18-16 last Sunday at Henson Park, with Dylan Edwards

Terrific fortnight for Penrith’s Jersey Flegg side, racking big 72-4 and 50-10 wins over the Victoria Thunderbolts and Cronulla Sharks respectively, which has pushed Penrith into first place ahead of games versus Souths and Canberra over the next fortnight. In Junior Reps News, Penrith’s Harold Matts side are now just one win away from a grand final appearance after defeating Cronulla 40-16 and Manly 44-6 in consecutive weeks. A win over the minor premiers, Newcastle Knights, will see Penrith take on the winner of the Souths v Canterbury clash in the Final. Panthers coach Ivan Cleary has overlooked the option of bringing back Dylan Edwards for the South Sydney clash this Friday night at Panthers Stadium, with Caleb Aekins instead becoming the third option at the back in just seven rounds, with Dallin Watene-Zelezniak moved to the centres, replacing Dean Whare. The club has named the following 21-man squad for the Souths clash: 1. Caleb AEKINS 2. Josh MANSOUR 3. Dallin WATENE-ZELEZNIAK 4. Waqa BLAKE 5. Malakai WATENE-ZELEZNIAK 6. James MALONEY 7. Nathan CLEARY 8. James TAMOU 9. Wayde EGAN 10. Tim GRANT 11. Viliame KIKAU 12. Isaah YEO 13. James FISHER-HARRIS 14. Sione KATOA 15. Liam MARTIN 16. Moses LEOTA 17. Reagan CAMPBELL-GILLARD 18. Jarome LUAI 19. Kaide ELLIS 20. Dylan EDWARDS 21. Tyrell FUIMAONO Next Saturday the Panthers will make the trek south to Wagga Wagga to take on the in-form Canberra Raiders. Make your support count and show your #PantherPride at the game.

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with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

GOULD DEPARTS WITH DIGNITY BUT NO TITLE Following months of speculation, Panthers RL CEO, Brian Fletcher has confirmed that the eightyear tenure of Panthers Executive General Manager, Phil Gould AM, has come to an end with only a financial settlement standing in the way of Gould’s departure being finalised. Fletcher released the following statement on Tuesday afternoon after news emerged of his departure hours earlier. “This morning Panthers Chairman Dave O’Neill and myself met with Phil Gould to discuss his position at the club. “Phil was adamant that his position as Executive General Manager Rugby League has become redundant and his time at Panthers is at an end. “While there will be opportunity for further reflection once matters are formalised, I wish to acknowledge the extraordinary impact Phil has had on this club since returning as Executive General Manager in 2011. “The Panthers Board will meet tomorrow to discuss the potential terms of Gould’s departure from Panthers.” This decision comes as no surprise following the revelation that Wayne Bennett, Gould’s choice as Anthony Griffin’s replacement as coach, was passed over by O’Neill who instead thought that the club’s best chance of retaining Nathan Cleary long-term was by bringing back Ivan for a second coaching stint at the club. Quite simply the power had firmly shifted at Panthers HQ, with the running of the football operations largely taken away from Gould and instead placed into the hands of Ivan Cleary, with O’Neill’s backing as part of the deal to coach Penrith again. There is plenty to be thankful for Gould’s time at Penrith - a reinvigorated junior rugby league base that has delivered numerous lower grades and representative titles and future NRL debutants, used key business contacts to save the club from financial ruin and perhaps the jewel in the crown - the Panthers Academy, now recognised as one of the premier sporting facilities in the country. Whilst the achievements are long and large, Gould will also be remembered for some questionable and costly decisions, especially Corey Payne’s shortlived appointment as RL CEO and Ivan Cleary’s messy departure in 2015. Most of all despite building the pathways to the NRL, the fruits of those labours have yet to

Try as he may, 13 runs for just 73 metres against the Titans was a stat that was too hard to overlook. Whilst Edwards has been named in the 21man squad for the Rabbitohs clash although as a reserve as Ivan looks set to provide Caleb Aekins his second opportunity in the top grade. Hame Sele was also dropped to play Canterbury Cup last Sunday after the forward recruit reportedly missed a recovery session following the loss to the Gold Coast Titans. And despite the win, the former City Origin forward has again been named to play Canterbury Cup this Friday night against Souths. After much conjecture over the formation of the six-man leadership group, in somewhat of a surprise, prop James Tamou was announced last week as Panthers captain for the remainder of the 2019 season, ahead of the likes of James Maloney and Isaah Yeo.

Phil Gould AM achieved plenty for Penrith during his eight-year tenure. Credit: NRL Photos.

materialise into a third premiership and this news comes at a time that doubts are rising very quickly whether Ivan Cleary can deliver on that goal, at least for season 2019. But one thing is for certain, it will be the Board, not Gould, that will need to either take the credit for or be accountable for what comes out of Ivan’s second coming at Penrith. Dylan Edwards has became the first major casualty of Penrith’s indifferent and increasingly worrying start to the 2019 season, after the fullback was dropped to Canterbury Cup duties last Sunday versus Newtown, replaced by Malakai Watene-Zelezniak. It was no sadly no surprise to see this happen last week versus Cronulla as Edwards failed to provide the much-need go forward off his own line normally provided by the likes of Josh Mansour and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

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Plenty of injury concerns for the Panthers have emerged over the past fortnight, with Dean Whare, Jack Hetherington, Paea Pua and Jed Cartwright having joined the likes of Frank Winterstein and Sam McKendry on the sidelines. Meanwhile chronic shoulder issues continue to hamper the form of Josh Mansour and to a lesser extent, Isaah Yeo. The uncertainty playing future of Panthers utility, Tyrone May, may become a little clearer when he appears in court on May 1, to faces four charges including two counts of filming and disseminating without consent, footage relating to two alleged videos involving two female victims. Meanwhile Ivan Cleary might not have got the chocolates but he did bring up his 300th game as a NRL coach, in the 30-24 loss to the Titans. Spotted: the Panthers coaching staff, headed by assistant coaches Cameron Ciraldo and Peter Wallace, having an early morning coffee at the Nepean River Coffee Club, last Monday morning. #PantherPride

Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

GOLDEN POINTS

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Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

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Coach’s Corner W

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

Structure for unstructured play

e have seen the first quarter of the NRL season pass us by in the blink of an eye and the season has thrown up some very surprising results. Notably our home town Panthers, and the Broncos are two teams who were tipped heavily during the preseason to challenge for the title in 2019 who have began the season slowly. While some things change, some remain the same as the Storm and the Roosters sit on top of the league. While the Raiders and the Eels have raised eyebrows with their fans hoping they can maintain their form for the remainder of the year. What is separating the teams winning games and those languishing? It is errors and penalties which dictate field position and possession. With greater possession and good field position your chances of winning

increase remarkably. If you take into account the following three statistical areas: Possession, Errors and Penalties and you analyse the results from the first 48 games of the season it shows that of the 48 winning teams only 11 of them (23%) have been able to win when losing 2/3 or 3/3 of those statistical areas. However when you delve a little deeper the teams winning and having success are moving away from structured play and the robotic style made famous by the Melbourne Storm who made it look easy with a handful of future immortals. Finally coaches are understanding they cannot replicate the same output with these structures without the quality of player to put it into practice. Instead teams are looking to generate quick play the balls and are playing what is in front of them.

Commentators are calling it “eyes up footy” a phrase for what is in front of the players. Which used to be the way the game was played for nearly 100 years before coaches took too much control and over structured Rugby League. I am enjoying this very refreshing maturation of the game! Which creates a reliance on teams having more creative players within their rosters and for teams to adapt their style in order to look at ways in which to break down defensive lines. There is still a place for structure, and as much as I have banged on for years that teams need to throw the block to block shape out the window it gives them something to fall back on under pressure. However it also allows coaches to create plays to target defensive weaknesses or players in order to generate a fast play the ball to

then use to break down a defence on the following play as the defensive line is not set and is somewhat disjointed or broken. Hopefully coaches realise that to set up for structure on a loop offensively is no longer the key to winning matches and they move to allow players to use their creativity and skill in order to create points. On another note having attended the Easter Monday clash between the Eels and Tigers at Bankwest Stadium I would urge all Rugby League fans to attend a game at this wonderful venue. It is truly a stadium to rival Suncorp Stadium, AAMI Park and CBUS Super Stadium. Finally a world class rectangular venue for Western Sydney! To all service men and women, past and present we appreciate your service and the gift of freedom you have given us. Lest we forget.

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BEFORE

AFTER

PENRITH PANTHERS

mark with MARK GEYER

Bankwest Stadium packed to the rafters I

t cost $340 million and holds 30,000 spectators. And it’s set to become one of Western Sydney’s greatest treasures. Bankwest Stadium held its opening sport event last Sunday when the Eels took on fellow ‘westies’ the West’s Tigers. As I sat perched up 4 levels high in the western grandstand about to do commentary for Triple M, I could only think of how lucky sports men and women are going to be playing at such a venue. The scoreline was very lopsided with the Eels beating the Tigers 51-6, actually it was a hammering! And to be live at the game to hear the roar first hand when Mitchell Moses raced 70 metres to score the first try at the stadium was something you had to hear to believe! Astonishing. My earliest memories of first grade rugby league were back in the early 70’s when my dad (who was a big Parra fan) would take me to Parra’s then homeground, Cumberland oval. In 1981 after they won the competition the stadium was burnt to the ground and Parra Stadium was then incarnated in 1986. I made my first grade debut that season and played many games at Parra stadium before it was bulldozed a couple of years back to accommodate what we have today in the form of the best sporting stadium I have been to. My only regret is that I’ll never experience what it is like to play in front of such a crowd in a stadium perfectly built to maximize the crowd’s roar. This weeks Poor, Better, Best. Poor- Can’t separate the Panthers and Knights. Both teams predicted to be a lot better than what they are delivering. Better- The Raiders again. After 6 rounds they are joint competition leaders. Who predicted that pre-season? Best- Last Friday night’s game between the Storm and Roosters. Even this far out it seems the dress rehearsal for this years grand final- again. See you at the game.

MG (random Westie) OAM

 Cumberland Oval grandstand burnt to the ground in 1981

 Parra Stadium before reno’s

 Bankwest stadium packed to the rafters

31 31 Nepean News 25 April 2019 Issue 250

on the

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