Nepeannews 27november2014

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Thursday, 27 November 2014

ISSUE 138

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OUR GIRL JESS Our local girl Jessica Fox has been named female athlete of the year. Story p3 Photo: Kieren Tilly

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MINISTER for Sport and Recreation and Penrith MP Stuart Ayres has congratulated Penrith’s own Jessica Fox who was awarded Female Athlete of the Year at the annual 2014 NSW Institute of Sport (NSWIS) Awards.

“It’s been an incredible year for Jessica, highlighted by her historic double victory at the Canoe Slalom World Championships in September,” Mr Ayres said.

“It was only April this year that Jess took out both the C1 and K1 titles at the under-23 world championships in Penrith, but she has now backed that up to become the first woman to achieve the feat at the senior level.

“Jessica is a genuine superstar on the world stage, and as a fellow Penrith local, I’ve had the utmost pleasure seeing first hand her determination to rise to the top.”

The NSWIS Awards recognise achievement in 11 award categories including academic excellence, career development, team and individual athletic performance.

The honour of Men’s Athlete of the Year was awarded to Wheelchair Rugby player Ryley Batt

Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

Foxy achievement

from Port Macquarie.

Other winners include Junior Athlete of the Year Georgia Wassall (Track & Field), Coach of the Year Ben Ettridge (Wheelchair Basketball) and Outstanding Achievement Cameron Bolton (Winter Sports).

For more information about the NSWIS Awards, please visit www.nswis.com.au.

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4 Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

From the Editor’s Desk 203 BANKS DRIVE, ST CLAIR OFFICE: (02) 9834 5579 Editor: Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644 Sales Manager: Korena Hale 0403 045 880 Advertising Representative: Sergio Carrasco 0413 461 017 Journalist: Greg “Harpo” Martin 0420 655 524 Graphic Design: Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Photographer: Steve Koen 0408 795 928 Printer: Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown Letters to the Editor: nepeannews@aol.com Web: www.nepeannews.com.au

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by Kerrie Davies SOMETIMES I wonder if we are slowly being turned into uniformed robots who don’t have a right to an independent opinion on anything.

I’ve had two examples in the last week where it took me less than a second to form an opinion, yet others spent several minutes or even hours trying to change it for me.

Firstly, the news of the little baby dropped into a drain at Quakers Hill and left to die would have ripped a hole in even the hardest of hearts.

Sweltering heat, followed by thunderstorms and rushing rain around drains would surely have spelled the end of the tiny little fella’s life had it not been for the passersby who thankfully heard his distressed cries.

While browsing social media, I thought to myself, “what kind of mongrel could do such a thing to a little tiny boy during the first hours of his life?” I nodded in agreement as I read many bloggers who felt the same way as I did, wishing all kinds of evil on the perpetrator of this horrendous crime.

But what I found confronting was the amount of people demanding yes demanding, bullying and shaming anyone who gave an opinion, into considering how desperate the person who did it must have felt, and to bare in mind the various mental illnesses that they may have had.

Sorry, you’re asking me to lessen - or even excuse - the utter evilness of someone who could drop a baby down a drain in nothing more than his little hospital-issue blanket and go on living their life over the next few days knowing that child was alone, hungry and slowly dying?

No illness in the world would make me feel that that tiny baby’s life amounted to nothing more than a tragic side effect. I would be no more willing to excuse that kind of act due to sickness than I would be to excuse those oxygen thieves who bashed the old fella last week because they had a drug habit. Evil is evil. There is no excuse. There may be circumstances and illnesses driving the criminal, sure - but in my opinion they aren’t excuses and never will be.

The second example arose over the DA for an Islamic Place of Worship at Kemps Creek - the second to be submitted within a short space of time.

I admit I tossed up wether I even dare write about it - given the current climate one has to deal with these days when having any kind of opinion that involves Islam or Muslims.

But I decided that not saying what I believe is exactly what scares me to death about political correctness - becoming a robot not allowed to voice an opinion unless I heavily sugar-coat it first.

So, the truth is I feel concerned. There you go, I said it. And now it’s in writing.

I feel concerned because of all the reasons that are probably running through your head right now. And to say that it isn’t for those reasons I’d not only be sugar-coating, but I’d be lying.

I’m not about to start picket-lining with placards or join crazy supremacist groups, but the concern is there and I feel that I’m not supposed to voice it.

The problem with having a concern over a topic like this is of course the tags that immediately become yours - no matter how unwarranted they are. Racist, intolerant, bigot.

I am most definitely none of those, but I am reluctant and sometimes even fearful of change. Especially when that change has even the slightest chance of changing what I love and think of as wonderful. Does that really make me this horrible, chest pounding extreme supremacist?

Really?

Non-Muslims are expected to lead the way in tolerance and peace.

I do understand the sensibleness of the excercise. But it can’t always be one way. We should never brand all Muslims just because there are extremists, terrorists, beheaders who happen to be members of that faith.

I get that. I really do.

What I don’t understand is that everyday people like me who do have a concern ARE branded the same. Extremists. Racists. Bigots.

We are all individuals with different opinions, different fears and different concerns.

That’s democracy in a free country, where everyone should be free to think and say what they believe without being shackled with a negative tag around their neck for daring to think it.

Your thoughts? nepeannews@aol.com

localnews local

POLICE joined local communities to take an oath to help end violence against women at White Ribbon events across NSW on Tuesday.

White Ribbon Day was the start of 16 Days of Activism – an international campaign calling for an end to violence against women, concluding on World Human Rights Day on Wednesday 10 December 2014.

NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione is calling on the community to take the White Ribbon pledge to not commit, condone or remain silent about violence against women.

“Domestic and family violence affects people in all parts of our society – it is not exclusive to any socioeconomic group, gender, age or culture,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“Domestic violence occupies more police time than any other crime type – last year, officers responded to around 120,000 domestic incidents, which is about 330 each day.

“On average, there are 35 domestic-related homicides in NSW each year, but only one in ten victims was known to police to be in an abusive relationship in the year before their deaths.

“There are a wide range of behaviours that constitute domestic violence and it is clear a significant proportion of incidents are going unreported. Unfortunately, we can’t help someone if we don’t know they need help.”

White Ribbon is an International male-led campaign to end violence against women, which

originated in Canada in 1991, and is now active in more than 60 countries.

The campaign aims to recognise the positive role men play in preventing violence against women – stating good men cannot and will not sit on the sidelines while the women they love are at risk of harm.

“Police deal with domestic violence incidents every day, and see first-hand the impact and harm on victims, their families, including children; and the wider community,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“So, as a community, we need to stand up and say no to domestic violence, we need to challenge and change disrespectful attitudes and beliefs and bring the issue out from behind closed doors.”

Police across the state will wear or display white ribbons, and take part in local events throughout the week in support of White Ribbon Day. “Wearing a white ribbon sends an important message: there is no excuse for violence against women,” Commissioner Scipione said.

“For police, it also says we won’t tolerate any form of domestic violence and we are committed to investigating these incidents and bringing offenders to justice.

For more information about White Ribbon Day, including where you can buy ribbons and how to get involved, visit www.whiteribbon.org. au.

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Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

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A camp to help kids

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LOCAL children of parents with a mental illness (COPMI) enjoyed some time out on a weekend away at Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District’s (NBMLHD) third ‘Camp Create’ recently.

Camp Create, born out of a collaboration between NBMLHD Child and Youth Mental Health Service COPMI Coordinators and local drug and alcohol resource centre Substance.Org, provides an opportunity for COPMI children to learn about mental illness and coping strategies. Attendees also take part in a variety of confidence-building activities including obstacle courses, tree-top rope courses, canoeing and art classes.

CYMHS COPMI Coordinator, Sarah Bergan, says programs such as Camp Create are crucial to the wellbeing and resilience of COPMI children.

“Mental health education is a known strategy for increasing resiliency in children of parents with a mental illness and in reducing anger, anxiety, confusion and self-blame.

One of the key messages for children of parents with a mental illness is that they are not alone, as they often feel isolated in their situation,” Sarah said.

PENRITH Council is keen to make life easier for shoppers, workers and people doing business in Penrith in the lead up to Christmas by making about 230 extra temporary car park spaces available.

This year, temporary parking will be in place from 24 November to 2 January.

The additional parking is a combination of all day and timed car spaces.

Timed parking enables reasonable turnover of cars to ensure that many more shoppers than actual spaces benefit. Workers will also benefit from additional all day parking spaces within walking distance to Penrith CBD. The extra temporary parking areas include: • Woodriff Gardens, behind the Penrith tennis courts, about 130 spaces – all day • Judges Place, Penrith CBD, an extra 55 spaces – all day • Council’s Civic Centre car park, about 45 spaces – timed

NBMLHD Child and Youth Mental Health Services staff with Substance.Org staff at Camp Create

“The CYMHS COPMI partnership with Substance.Org has been integral in providing numerous opportunities for children of parents with a mental illness since 2011 including training, resource development, a COPMI family fun day and Camp Create.”

A total of 24 young people aged between 11 and 18 attended the camp and have reported that they have felt encouraged to maintain meaningful relationships and the sense of isolation and stigma some had previously experienced had reduced.

“Furthermore, many young people

who attend Camp Create maintain their newfound friendships long after the camp is over,” Sarah added.

CYMHS COPMI Coordinators provide service capacity building, health promotion and clinical interventions and are engaged in the process of building a family focussed mental health service across NBMLHD. NBMLHD is currently implementing the NSW COPMI Framework for Mental Health Services 2010-2015 with one key strategy to support the implementation of programs to promote the wellbeing of COPMI children and their parents.

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7 Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

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Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

MCC students’ F1 success UWS Kingswood campus recently hosted the NSW titles for the 2014 Formula 1 (F1) in Schools competition.

Over 30 schools from across NSW had won through their respective Regional Finals to be eligible to fight it out in four different categories.

Local schools were represented by an enthusiastic McCarthy Catholic College which had two their four of their teams win through state titles.

This was the first year MCC entered F1 In Schools, so the students were never quite sure how they would perform in the heat of competition at this level.

Prior to the State titles, their mentoring teacher, Michael Laws, was quietly confident the students would acquit themselves well.

“Given the methodical way in which they went about re-building and testing their cars after the Regionals I would have been surprised if our boys didn’t shine,” Michael said.

In a hotly contested two days of racing, scrutineering, interviews, sudden death drag racing and presentations, MCC students were indeed very competitive.

‘Team Meerkats’ - Declan Cashman-Jones, Jarryd Porter and Brandon East - competed in the Cadet

MCC students Kane Dyer, Zach La Rosa and Joshua Car proudly display their silver medals won at the F1 In Schools state titles.

Class and placed a commendable 5th of 12 teams.

They also received an encouragement award in recognition of their sportsmanship and positive interactions with judges and fellow competitors.

MCC’s real surprise packet was in the Development Class, in which

their team of Joshua Car, Kane Dyer and Zach La Rosa, known as ‘The Vanquished’, placed second.

That second place earned them a Wildcard Invitation to the Australian Championships.

They were also awarded prizes for the best-engineered car and best portfolio in their class. The National

titles will be held early next year at the Australian GP in Melbourne where the talented students will enjoy a weeklong Pit Pass, get to meet the F1 drivers and compete against some of the best young engineering and physics minds from across the country.

In the meantime, it will be back to the testing track for the MCC students because at the nationals, every fraction of a second will be vital.

As part of their entry into each level of the competition, the students are required to foster relations with local industry to raise capital to help them with their associated costs such as entry fees, competition uniforms, car detailing, pit displays etc.

The team would like to acknowledge their existing sponsors: Signwave, DLR Building Services, Unisys and Stones Kart Sports.

The National Championships will introduce the significant expenses of flights and accommodation to the other costs associated with the competition.

If there are any local businesses that would like to get behind these bright young students, they are encouraged to ring McCarthy Catholic College and ask to speak to Michael Laws or visit the team’s website thevanquishedf1.com.

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Boost for fire and rescue STUART Ayres MP, Member for Penrith and Minister for Police and Emergency Services has welcomed an additional 40 fire-fighters and five state-of-the-art tankers to strengthen Fire & Rescue NSW (FRNSW).

The 40 new fire-fighters will be stationed at key locations across the Sydney metropolitan region with Fire & Rescue NSW to operate with a record budget of $665 million.

“This is the largest budget in the organisation’s 130 year history, which is a sign of this Government’s strong support for Fire and Rescue NSW,” said Mr Ayres.

“In addition to the extra firefighters, five new state of the art tankers, worth $1.77 million, will also be rolled out to increase our capability to deal with fires on the urban/bush interface.

“Our fire-fighters work tirelessly to protect our lives and our property, and we will continue to support them in doing so,” Mr Ayres added.

Fire & Rescue NSW Commissioner Greg Mullins also welcomed the announcement, saying it was recognition of the important role that Fire & Rescue NSW plays in the community.

“The additional funding and

resources announced today is a credit to the professionalism and commitment of our fire-fighters,” Mr Mullins said.

“The five new fire trucks, which will provide additional capability on Total Fire Ban days, during bush fires and severe weather events like the recent Sydney storms, will be based at Miranda, Lane Cove, Kellyville, Narellan and Cranebrook and will be staffed by 40 additional fire-fighters.

“The additional fire-fighters will also be used to help ensure that fulltime fire stations in Sydney are online and available to respond to fires and other emergencies both around the

city and beyond,” Mr Mullins added.

Today also saw significant reforms to the Permanent Fire-fighter’s Award seeing an increase in pay of 2.5 per cent.

Additionally, $1 million has been allocated to fund new equipment for Fire & Rescue NSW’s volunteer Community Fire Units (CFU), which play a vital role in protecting and saving homes during bush fire emergencies.

A further $375,000 has been provided for the development of a mobile phone app to keep CFU volunteers up to date on bush fire activity in their area.

Butt out THE NSW Government has announced a ban on smoking in the state’s national parks.

Member for Londonderry Bart Bassett said the ban will apply to the national parks estate to include picnic areas, campgrounds, beaches, lookouts, walking tracks and on national parks roads. ``Locals and park visitors will be made aware of the ban through a community education and communication campaign. ``Cigarette butts can also be ingested by our wildlife, wash into waterways and spoil the beauty of our natural places.

Cigarette Butts contain more than 4000 chemicals, including 43 known carcinogens such as ammonia, nitrogen dioxide, formaldehyde, hydrogen cyanide and arsenic. When cigarette butts are discarded the chemicals leach into the surrounding environment polluting the land and waterways.

The ban on smoking within national parks will commence on 1 January 2015.

Police and Emergency Services Minister Stuart Ayres recently announced the penalty for littering lighted cigarettes has doubled.

9 Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

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Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

Bassett: I have done nothing wrong STATE Member for Londonderry Bart Bassett has used his last NSW Parliament speech opportunity of the year to refute claims of wrongdoing levelled against him in the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC).

Speaking under Parliamentary privilege last week he outlined his dedication to the Londonderry electorate and the western and north-western Sydney community before and during his tenure in public life as Hawkesbury Mayor and an MP. “My main focus during my public service work has been on delivering quality services and infrastructure,’’ he said.

“Even while working in private enterprise I campaigned for the community.

That is who I am. That is what I like to do; it has been my purpose in life.’’

Mr Bassett said he devoted countless hours to lobbying politicians, talking with journalists and ``putting my neck on the line because it was the only way to make [medical helicopter service for children] Child Flight happen’’.

“I also knew that the $500 million plus Windsor Road and flood evacuation route project was not going to drive itself `all the way to Windsor’,’’ he said within the chamber.

Mr Bassett reminded fellow MPs that most of his achievements and decisions had been recorded in public documents including government documents, Hawkesbury City Council records, newspaper articles and trackable correspondence.

“As mayor of the Hawkesbury I was known for being progressive and for getting things done—I never shied away from that reputation then and I do not do so now.’’ Mr Bassett reminded fellow MPs that ``I was not the only one who had the guts to take a semi-rural community on the fringe of Sydney into the twenty-first century and to ensure that its residents received the services, facilities and infrastructure they deserved.’’

“I was but one of many Councillors on Hawkesbury City Council between 2004 and 2012 who shared a vision.’’

Mr Bassett thanked his fellow Liberal and supportive independent Councillors on Hawkesbury Council, led by his Deputy Mayor at the time, Kevin Conolly, who is now his parliamentary colleague.

“The Member for Riverstone moved many of the motions in the council chamber during that time as Deputy Mayor. We could not have achieved half

as much as we did if we had not been so united.’’

Mr Bassett told Parliament that as Mayor of Hawkesbury he had a track record of ``ensuring that decisions were based on policy documents and staff recommendations’.’

“Members will understand my dismay and bewilderment that the Independent Commission Against Corruption was not presented with this evidence when I was wrongly accused recently of wrongdoing.

“I have not been given a right of reply to information presented, which I vehemently refute.’’

Under Parliamentary privilege, Mr Bassett explained the two decisions from his time as Hawkesbury Mayor in question by ICAC. Mr Bassett said the first involved a development application for a nursing home, which complied with the former Labor Government’s senior living State Environmental Planning Policy [SEPP], and had sign-off from all relevant State Government departments.

It was recommended for approval by Hawkesbury Council’s professional planning staff.

Five of the 10 Councillors present voted contrary to the staff recommendation, and five voted to support the staff recommendation. Mr Bassett used his casting vote to break the deadlock.

“As was my usual and provable voting

pattern, I supported the staff recommendation,’’ he said.

“The second decision involved another planning matter. The Labor Government had set housing targets for all councils through the metropolitan strategy. Hawkesbury was given a target of 5,000.

Hawkesbury Council developed a residential strategy; years of community consultation was conducted; and the rezoning of the land was approved by the NSW Department of Planning through the Gateway Process (voluntary planning agreement) requiring a voluntary planning agreement, which included a new bridge fully funded by the developer, and was signed off between the developer, Hawkesbury City Council and Roads and Maritime Services (RMS).

“By the time the rezoning application had approval from State government departments and was voted on by councillors I was no longer a councillor on the Hawkesbury City Council,” Mr Bassett said.

“Needless to say, I am perplexed as to why the issue of planning processes was raised in the Independent Commission Against Corruption [ICAC] in relation to me when due process was clearly followed by all authorities.

“I am disappointed at not being given a right of reply to misleading and factually incorrect information presented to the ICAC, especially when others on the Hawkesbury City Council—some of whom remain on the council—have displayed interesting anomalies in their voting patterns,’’ Mr Bassett said under Parliamentary privilege.

Mr Bassett said he was proud of his achievements for and service to the NSW community, specifically to the Hawkesbury local government area as mayor and member for Londonderry as well as serving for over 20 years as a member of the Liberal Party.

“I have nothing to hide. I have done nothing wrong. I will not resign,” he said.

“I have served New South Wales by saving critically-ill children, as mayor I represented the Hawkesbury local government area strongly so that it had attention paid to it, and I intend to continue to serve the New South Wales community in the future.’’

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Cricket dreams come true

Let the games begin. Richmond Oval was abuzz with children having fun.

By Greg Martin

DREAMS are made of this!

Primary school children with special needs from nine schools across the Nepean and the Hawkesbury recently attended a DreamCricket day at Richmond Oval.

DreamCricket was initiated by the Movement Disorder Foundation in conjunction with the Rotary Clubs of the Southern Highlands and the Bradman Foundation.

Keep your eye on the ball! A youngster prepares to thump a ball off a tee.

The aim to provide an opportunity for primary school students with a disability to play on the Bradman Oval and to visit the Bradman International Cricket Hall of Fame.

The program has grown to encompass schools and children throughout Australia and internationally.

DreamCricket clinics are regularly conducted in schools as part of an experience culminating in a DreamCricket Day on a significant local oval involving all schools within the area.

11 Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

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One of the helpers shows a young charge how to hold the bat.

And that significant venue was picturesque Richmond Oval which resonated with the sounds of bat on ball and lots of laughter.

The very successful day was put together by the three Hawkesbury Rotary Clubs - Windsor, Richmond and Kurrajong North Richmond with assistance of Rick McCarthy from the Bradman Foundation and local high school students.

Rotary Club of Richmond treasurer, Phil Tuckerman, said the day was an outstanding success.

“Everyone had a wonderful time –

especially the kids – and we now hope to conduct a DreamCricket day on an annual basis,” Phil said.

At the beginning of the day all children were presented with a DreamCricket coloured hat and then put into different coloured groups and competed in six different drills on a rotation basis.

At the conclusion of the day each child was presented with a DreamCricket medal by our Rotary District Governor, Ian Scott and Hawkesbury City Mayor, Kim Ford.

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Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

Controversial DA gets the nod

By Kerrie Davies

TENSIONS ran high at Penrith Council Chambers on Monday night as Councillors debated a DA for a Public Place of Worship for over two hours with a packed gallery and supporters and protesters stationed outside the chambers.

The Muhammadi Welfare Association submitted an application to construct two buildings, associated onsite parking and landscaping for the purposes of a “Public Place of Worship” on the site located at Clifton Avenue Kemps Creek.

Following a passionate debate, the DA was approved. There were 13 Councillors present (Cr Jim Aitken and Cr Jackie Greenow were absent.)

Councillors Michelle Tormey, Prue Carr, Karen McKeown, John Thain, Greg Davies, Bernard Bratusa, Tricia Hitchen and Mayor Ross Fowler voted in favour of the development.

Councillors Mark Davies, Ben Goldfinch, Marcus Cornish, Maurice Girrotto and Kevin Crameri voted against it.

Cr Mark Davies was one of the Councillors who voted against the application.

“While I have to say I was not happy with some of the behavior on Monday night, I accept that there are a lot of people – ordinary people – who have real concerns about the development,” Cr Davies said.

“Many of those people in the community feel they haven’t been given a voice, and that the extreme elements of the community have hijacked their concerns.

“These are regular everyday people in the community with concerns about their way of life, freedoms and values.”

Cr Davies said that the Planners on Council were obligated to consider applications on their merits but as a Councillor his job is to represent the wishes of the community.

“I had with me a petition from 400 people.

While I understand and respect my colleagues who support the development, I had to do what I felt was right for the community I represent.

“There may be guidelines for the planners to follow, but, at what point does community interest begin to matter?”

Cr John Thain was one of the Councillors who voted in support of the application.

“As Councillors we have a responsibility to vote

Mayor Ross Fowler

Cr Mark Davies

on the merits of the application,” he said.

“The application ticked all the boxes and met all of the guidelines required so there was no valid reason to knock it back.

“Furthermore, if Councillors were to vote against the development after it met the guidelines, the applicant would then take the Council to the Land and Environment Court, which we’ve been advised that we would definitely lose. Two precedents in the council report made that abundantly clear.”

Cr Thain added that the restrictions placed on the development would also be at risk if the application was pursued through court.

“The planning laws leave us with no wiggle room.

I understand the disquiet from the community, but they really need to lobby the Department of Planning who set the guidelines,” Cr Thain concluded.

Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler also voted in support of the application.

“Last evening was a difficult one for Council but upholding democracy is not always easy,” said Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler.

“We saw passion from many in the public gallery and although emotions ran high at times, it is important to understand council’s obligation to consider Development Applications in terms of

Cr John Thain

NSW’s planning laws.

“Council is required to consider development applications in accordance with NSW planning legislation. The development application in question addressed those requirements. The item was debated for more than two hours giving adequate opportunity for technical questions to be addressed. I believe these were answered. Approval was granted to the proponent with a number of attached conditions.

Cr Fowler said community consultation was undertaken in accordance with legislative requirements.

“For a number of years Penrith has been recognised as a successful regional city providing services for up to 500,000 people from surrounding areas. These include health, education, government services, recreation, hospitals and many other basic social services. This is part of what makes us a welcoming community,” he added.

“I believe we are able to have debates such as the one held last night. We are not a divided community, we are robust and mature, and Penrith Council reflects that community strength.”

Councillors against the development have since put in a recision motion that will go up before Council at the next meeting. Stay tuned.

Local girl Maddison does Australia proud

By Kerrie Davies

YOU may remember reading about beautiful local girl Maddison Clare from Castlereagh in Nepean News back in July this year.

After being crowned the new Face of Beauty International Australia for 2014 she set off to represent Australia in Taiwan this month - where she was placed third runner up on the world stage!

“Super happy and proud that I placed 3rd runner up in Face of Beauty international 2014 and also peoples choice!” Maddison posted on her facebook page.

“A huge thank you to my amazing designer Julie Hoffman, my director Jaci and everyone who has put time and effort and helped me along the way to prepare for Taiwan!

“What an adventure it has been! It’s funny how in such a short time we can make such great friends!

I will miss my sisters from around the world so much! Love you so much girls!”

Face of Beauty International, founded by Mila Manuel in 2011, focuses on encouraging young women to gain greater confidence in themselves, enabling them to share their knowledge, experience and developed skills with aspiring young leaders around the world.

Face of Beauty International also empowers young women and provides them with a variety of skills, particularly communication skills which will increase the capacity of young women, so they may confidently endure and venture into any industry they wish.

Maddison, 21, has brains which are an equal match for her beauty – and you don’t become the Face of Beauty without having, well, a beautiful face.

She is currently studying Media and Communications at Griffith University – mixing study with working as a presenter on FOX8’s pop culture/music video and game show, Save Point.

Maddison who did her schooling at St Pauls Grammar and then Years 11-12 at St Marys Senior High School, certainly has the brains to match her beauty.

But that’s not all!

She is as fit as a Mallee Bull, aided by regular rock climbing expeditions into her beloved Blue Mountains.

Nothing is too high for this young lady to overcome.

Photos: THE ONE FOTO

13 Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

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Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

THE G SPOT

SO here we are, a few weeks off what I call stupid season. To me it’s like someone has yelled “bomb threat” and people are frantically pulling food off the shelves to stock up for the holocaust.

Kids are screaming, mums are stressed out and divorces are happening all over the nation. Family breakups are occurring as we speak, because Aunt Fanny won’t sit next to Uncle Fred on Christmas Day, because he ran off with the second cousin’s third aunt’s goldfish.

Anyway (Sigh) ….The F3 parking lot is calling your name, and there’s nothing like sitting in traffic for 17 hours with every other likeminded holiday goers (sheep), looking for that once in a lifetime adventure. (Yippee)!

You have finally booked that dodgy caravan on the lake - come in spinner. It has the best dunny block you have ever seen, and by taking 75 family members, 5 dogs, 3 cats and the gold fish it works out to be $10 bucks a head. Now with

a saving like that you can put up with Dad’s foot odour and your Grandad’s BO that is so strong it’s the next thing to be taxed.

Oh by the way, Aunty Cyril rang, she can’t make it, she has bingo finals in the Senior Citz club and Fang the fox terrier is having his dew claw removed.

So what happens to the house? Well kids never fear, that’s where I come in.

(Cough cough) Create the lived-in look, and no that does not mean throwing two lounges, empty beer cans and an engine block on the front lawn, it just means looking like someone is home.

Ya windows and doors - I can’t believe how many houses I have attended and it looks like someone has let off an air raid siren, with every door and window on the planet open. Lock your windows and doors before you go.

(Copy that).

Nothing spells not home like 15 old

With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security

newspapers on your front lawn, unless you are at my third cousin’s house then it’s quite normal. So have someone collect the mail, newspapers, and whatever else you have delivered. Try to stop the delivery of the limited edition of My Life With Snail’s magazine, because the neighbours may learn of your hidden obsession.

Leave exterior lights on - I am not talking about the flickering Christmas lights that you failed to bring down in 1975, but the areas that are not easily visible.

Do not close blinds and curtains- A house that looks closed up tighter than my wallet, is a sure sign to the baddies that it’s free shopping time.

Social media - yeah we know that you’re excited, but checking in at every pit stop in Woop Woop and taking selfies on the toilet at the roadside dinner is a sure give away that you’re not home.

Save the happy snappies till you get

home.

Try the buddy system - get someone to home sit, or a neighbour to check in. Not a good idea just chucking your house keys at some dude at the pub and saying knock ya self out! Good idea to actually know them first.

Now this leaves me to the last little hint, the home alarm system. I can hear the angels singing now, the back to base monitored home alarm system.

Really important part of home security! Okay that’s it for me flogging off my business.

So your holiday was a hit (tick) Dad still has foot odour (tick) Grandad has cleared the caravan with his BO and everyone is sleeping outside (tick) Aunty Cyril won the bingo finals and got a galvanised ball on a trophy stand (tick) Fang didn’t survive the dew claw removal because Aunty Cyril dropped the heavy trophy on him (tick) and you have come home to a safe home (tick).

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16 Nepean News 10 July 2014 Issue 128

Legends of the Nepean

By Greg Martin

LINDA Kemp had spent just on four decades in the corporate world, rising to leading roles with high profile recruitment firms both here and in England.

Sick and tired of travelling from her Blue Mountains home into the city each day for 30 years, she decided in 2006 to make a major change to her lifestyle.

“I wanted to improve my work – life balance so I decided to take it a bit easier by opening my own small company in Penrith,” Linda said.

So in the beginning, Complete Recruitment Solutions was a one-person operation as Linda settled into enjoying not travelling long distances to get to and from work and, well, just working for herself.

But Linda Kemp didn’t reach great heights in the corporate world by not having that “go and get ‘em” attitude and business boomed so that within six months this dynamo had recruited five staff members.

Which has since grown to 10!

This dynamic woman has immersed herself totally in the Penrith community and these days is busier than ever through her involvement with work, various organisations and causes.

“But I do not have to travel into the city,”

she laughs.

As well as running Complete Recruitment Solutions, Linda is vice president of the Penrith Valley Chamber of Commerce, a Fellow of the Recruitment Consulting Services Australia and is also a member of the board with SEE Foundation which aids adults with severe and multiple disabilities.

“SEE is an amazing organisation which I heard needed support so when the opportunity came to join the board, I jumped,” Linda said.

Linda though has been jumping ever since she set-up business in Penrith.

She and her company are heavily involved in just so many aspects of the community.

CRS has sponsored the Penrith Panthers and Penrith Cricket club, the local business awards, Women with Altitude (for women aiming to go to high places in the workforce), various Little Leagues, the Rising Star Award for the Penrith Sports Foundation and Penrith’s Carols by Candlelight.

Along the way she has won numerous awards including: • Australian Champion Recruitment Services Award • Australian Achiever Award – Customer Service • Australian Champion Recruitment Service • Outstanding Business Award, Outstanding Professional Services Award

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LINDA KEMP were married the previous year in London, followed them out in ‘79.

“We lived with mum and dad initially but then moved out to the Blue Mountains, firstly to Blackheath and then to Glenbrook.”

Linda continued working in the city until the arrival of her first-born, Michael, now 33.

“I obviously wanted to spend time with Michael in his formative years so I opened an antique and craft gallery in Katoomba which I operated until the kids – Liz was born two years after Michael - were both at school,” Linda said.

During this time, Linda developed a love of antique restoration and lead-lighting and she developed those skills to a high level which still serve her today in the workshop out the back of their Glenbrook home.

She is also “into watercolours” and is an occasional visitor to artist retreats where she spends several days at a time, enveloping herself in painting.

“It is just so relaxing – the peace and quiet is just what I need after doing an 80 hour a week job,” Linda said.

Linda Kemp is a lucky woman but isn’t it marvellous how luck and hard work go hand in hand?

She has worked hard to build Complete Recruitment Solutions into a company of which not only she, and her staff but the entire Penrith community can be proud.

Nepean News 10 July 2014 Issue 128

• Business Person of the Year Award • Outstanding Youth Award • Finalist in the 2013 UWS Women of the Year Award.

So much for taking it easy and putting her feet up!

But Linda Kemp has had a new lease of life since, as she says, “discovering Penrith” when she established Complete Recruitment Solutions.

“Penrith is the best place I have ever worked.” Linda enthuses.

“I am continually amazed by the community spirit of this wonderful city.

“The support and passion of the people of Penrith is second to none.”

Born and raised in County Durham in England’s north, Linda began her career within the Recruitment Industry in the UK in 1973, and became the UK Manager for Europe’s largest recruitment company, leaving there when she moved to Australia in 1979.

“My sister, Sandra, who sadly recently passed away, had moved to Sydney and I first visited her in here in 1973,” Linda said.

“I made visits to see Sandra over the next few years and fell in love with the place and always had in the back of my mind to move here.

“My parents, Harry and Florence also visited Sandra and they moved out to settle in Belmore a few years before Jim and I, who

17

Linda and Jim Kemp at at an awards presentation.

Linda Kemp was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Gina Field.

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

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Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

Students enjoy sea sculptures

By Aline Lyons

STUDENTS of fine arts frequently view exhibits in galleries, museums and public buildings.

For Year 7 Visual Arts students at Emmaus Catholic College at Kemps Creek, recently the works they observed were interestingly different to traditional expectations.

“We went to ‘Sculptures by the Sea’ at the beach”, said Jade Trenfield from Year 7. “It was unusual because

the sculptures are made of all sorts of materials, not just stone or marble as in older times”.

The location for the display at Bondi Beach provides a spectacular background for the artists’ works, but also has challenges.

Jade commented that “the pieces have to be strong because of the exposed position, wind, sea spray and storm, so there has to be more skill than just imagining and creating a sculpture”.

Productive workshops PENRITH Valley residents are invited to learn handy D.I.Y. tips and tricks on how to rejuvenate outdoor areas at Bunnings Warehouse North Penrith and Bunnings Warehouse Penrith, with two weekends of Outdoor Entertaining themed D.I.Y Workshops running in late November.

Expert team members from Bunnings Warehouse North Penrith and Bunnings Warehouse Penrith will be on hand to provide Penrith Valley residents with outdoor entertaining advice such as preparing your outdoor deck and how to clean and maintain the barbecue.

Bunnings Warehouse Area Manager, Robyn Hudson, said the Outdoor Entertaining D.I.Y Workshops will make it easy to prepare for outdoor entertaining this festive season.

“Summer is the perfect time to be outdoors with family and friends and this year locals are invited to learn skills to get your outdoor area ready to entertain this festive season,” Robyn said.

For more information contact your local Bunnings Warehouse.

Outdoor Entertaining Projects D.I.Y. Workshops run on Saturday 29 November and Sunday 30 November at 11am, 12.30pm and 2pm. at Bunnings Warehouse North Penrith, 2166 Castlereagh Road, Tel: (02) 4720 2000 and Bunnings Warehouse Penrith, Wolseley Street, Regentville, Tel: (02) 4737 5400

Artists use materials including recycled goods, items from garage sales and street collections, metals, plastics, ‘even bottle caps’, said Jade as she recollected the day’s excursion.

Large numbers of people visit the annual exhibition with artists from many regions participating.

Blackheath sculptor Clara Hali’s abstract bronze woman is displayed in a prime location.

Although the day was hot, the

Year 7 Emmaus students found the variety of subjects and materials used made the excursion well worthwhile and relevant to their classroom studies.

“It was helpful to find plenty of signs giving information about the pieces”, said Jade.

Mrs Harris, Emmaus teacher of Visual Arts thanked the staff who attended and noted the responsible behaviour and interest shown by the Year 7 students.

POLICE FILES

SHOTS FIRED AT BLACKETT HOME

POLICE are investigating after a shot was fired at a home in Blackett on Monday afternoon.

About 3pm emergency services were called to a home on Haylen Place after reports of shots fired.

On arrival officers from Mount Druitt Local Area Command found the home had a bullet hole in the window.

Nobody was injured as a result of the incident.

A crime scene has been established and will be examined by specialist officers.

Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.

FEARS WOMAN FELL OFF CLIFF BLACKHEATH POLICE from Blue Mountains Local Area Command, together with Police Rescue and NSW Ambulance Rescue Helicopter resumed their search on Tuesday for a woman suspected of falling off a cliff at Blackheath yesterday.

About 9.00pm (Monday 24 November), a woman aged in her early twenties was at Evans Lookout with friends when she allegedly climbed over the railing near the edge of the cliff.

It’s believed the woman has fallen off the edge.

Police were contacted and a search and rescue operation was commenced utilising Police Rescue, NSW Ambulance Rescue Helicopter and local Police.

At the time of going to press the woman had not been located.

HELD AGAINST HER WILL FOR THREE DAYS

A MAN will reappear in court next year after allegedly holding his former partner against her will for three days.

It is alleged that, between 10-13 November 2014, a 28-year-old woman was held against her will at an address in St Marys.

The woman has told police that during this time she was sexually assaulted on a number of occasions.

After three days the woman was allowed to leave and she reported the matter to police. It is alleged the matter is domestically motivated.

She was later admitted to hospital for treatment of her injuries. The 28-year-old woman has since been discharged.

As a result of inquiries by detectives attached to St Marys Local Area Command, a 32-year-old man was arrested on Thursday 20 November.

He was charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, detain for advantage and sexual assault.

The St Mary’s man appeared at Blacktown Local Court the next day where he was again refused bail prior to his reappearance at Penrith Local Court on 30 January 2015.

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Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

Santa is coming to WellPet!

Nepean

Veterinary REPORT with Dr Tony Karolis phone 1300wellpet

SENIOR VETERINARIAN NEPEAN & MOUNTAINS ANIMAL HOSPITAL

By Dr Tony Karolis

THIS year we are pleased to announce that we are working in partnership with Franklin Konaraki Photography and will be running a Christmas Photo Booth at our WellPet Nepean Hospital on Mulgoa Road Penrith on the following dates.

Nita

Thursday 27th November: 7pm-9pm Sunday 30th November: 10am - 2pm Thursday 4th December: 7pm - 9pm Sunday 7th December: 10am - 2pm

So if you would like to have a photo of your Family and Pets with Santa, please call us now. Bookings are essential with only limited time slots available.

10% of all Santa photo purchases will be donated to Save Our Strays.

The warmer months of the year are a peak period for pet problems, so save our number in your phone

1300 WELLPET (1300 9355 738).

We are open 24 hours, 365 days of the year.

If your regular vet is closed over the holidays or at night, we will happily see you and your pet. We also make sure that all your pets medical records are passed on to your regular vet.

Merry Christmas

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A. For optimal results we recommend a period of effective active treatment creams such as Vitamin A to allow the skin’s strength to build-up (especially for thin or delicate skin areas). Continue to use

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Stormy weather sends pets running scared

By Kerrie Davies

FOUND - Llandilo

THE recent storms have produced deafening claps of thunder and lightening that are pretty scary for a human - let alone a cat, dog or other pet.

When frightened, animals will often just run - even if they have no idea what or where they are running to - they just want escape from the scary noise. Unfortunately there has been an influx of missing pets following the big storms, my own cat Franklyn included.

There’s a page on facebook called Penrith Area Lost and Found - it is a good spot to check-in your missing pet and equally good for those who happen to come across a pet who has wandered away from home.

If you have seen any of these poor babies or you know the owners of any pictured that have been found, please either checkout facebook or contact us direct at Nepean News on 9834 5579 and we will help get them home.

LOST - Inky - Yarramundi LOST - Penny - Whalan

FOUND - World Gym Penrith

LOST -Franklyn - St Clair

LOST - Shara - Cranebrook

LOST - Ruby - Glnmore Park

23 Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

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Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

Flyball speedsters

By Greg Martin

Amanda Pennicuik with her fleet-footed kelpie, Sonic.

IN Early days of what we then called Cable TV – Foxtel and such – programmers really struggled to fill 24 hours of air time across so many channels.

Some of the crap that was put on the box to fill the spaces was mindboggling.

Once there was an arm wrestling championship and fair dinkum they showed replays of the slow-motion replays just to stretch it out over .. .. ..ZZZzzzz.

Oh, where was I? One of the first shows I saw was the World Dogs Catching Frisbees Championships from somewhere in Texas.

Fair dinkum, there were 40,000 fans packed in this arena to watch these canines and do their “thang”.

I thought: “More crapola” but within minutes I was hooked. Those dogs were amazing and I think I sat through most of the day watching these athletic canines chase, leap and snatch.

Hooked, much like anyone who has witnessed dogs showed their speed and skills at Flyball.

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than dogs catching Frisbees and is fast becoming a popular sport for dogs and their handlers here and elsewhere around the globe The Australian Flyall Association has clubs throughout all states with 15 alone in NSW. One of those enthusiasts - and is she ever – is Amanda Pennicuik, who as well as putting the polish on three speedsters, is also the president of the premier Flyball club in Australia, NorWest Thunderdogs.

“We have 45 members and we compete at all the major competitions at which I’m proud to say, we are, well top dog,” Amanda said with a laugh.

Amanda says she “absolutely loves” the sport.

“The adrenalin rush when in the ring is something else,” she said.

“The dogs are all keyed up and so are the handlers and there’s always a real buzz from the spectators – I just love it!”

“We devise team tactics and we develop a bonding which only members of sporting teams can appreciate.”

So it is about time you learned what fly ball is all about.

Flyball is a team sport which is founded on the activities that dogs love to do – run, jump, fetch, retrieve, compete

are crowd thrillers and most of all: their desire to please their owners.

There is no discrimination in Flyball.

Any dog; regardless of breed, size, shape or formal training, can participate and join in on the fun.

Flyball consists of a relay race between two teams of four dogs. Each dog must jump over four hurdles, retrieve a ball by triggering a fly ball box pedal and then return over the hurdles to the start/finish line.

There are two racing lanes set up sideby-side with as little as 10 feet (3.05m) between them. Between the lanes there is a set of drag racing lights waiting to do the count down for the start of each heat.

Each lane is 51 feet (15.54m) in length and consists of four hurdles and at the end of the lane is the Flyball box with a tennis ball in it.

The Flyball box is 15 feet from the last hurdle and requires the dog to trigger the box to release the ball.

The dog then seamlessly leaps onto the box, catches the ball, turns, and continues back to the start/finish line.

Each relay team consists of four dogs, with up to two reserve dogs that can be interchanged between heats. There can be either three or five heats in every race.

As soon as the first dog’s nose returns

across the start/finish line the next dog is off!

The first team to have all four of their racing dogs complete their run cleanly wins the heat.

Amanda, an IT specialist with Woolworths E-business team, has been involved in Flyball for several years now.

She owns and trains three dogs, a Kelpie called Sonic and two mini poodles, Tess and 12-year-old Jack who has been one of the best Flyballers in the country for many years now.

“Jack Is the highest points earning poodle in Australia and has set some amazing times in his races,” Amanda said.

“But he is getting on towards the end of his career so I am now training up a Border Collie as his replacement – but he has a long way to go to emulate the deeds of Jack on the track.”

The Australian Flyball Association organised a competition at this year’s Hawkesbury Show and it was a great success with big crowds watching the action throughout the day – they have been invited back next year.

Next big outing for the Flyballers will be at the National Championships to be held during the Canberra Royal next February.

25 Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

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Amanda’s champion poodle, Jack, in action during flyball competition.

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T E R T A I N M E N T WORD SEARCH Four years to sew

By Lyn Forde

MOODS & EMOTIONS AFRAID AGITATED ANGUISH BLUE BORED CHEERY DARK DOWN DREAD EDGY

ELATION FURIOUS GENIAL GLOOMY GROUCHY HELPLESS HOPEFUL HUMILIATED HURT IRKED

JADED JOVIAL LONELY LOVE MELLOW MERRY MISERY OFFENDED ORNERY PANIC

PEACEFUL PLEASED REMORSE SOMBER SUNNY SYMPATHY UNEASY UPBEAT WEARY

THE St Marys & District Historical Society has received a new addition to their display at their headquarters the “Chambers” building at the St Mary’s Precinct Corner.

Due to new management changeover at Mamre, which was once the homestead of the Marsden family and until lately the home of Ann Marsden’s 1822 Ball Gown, the mannequin with the case was given back to the Penrith Council. Council has now donated it to be housed with the Historical Society at the Chambers building.

Ann’s hand-sewn replica of her size eight 1822 ball gown was believed to be worn by her at the Government House Ball for the Foundation Day celebrations on 26th January of that year and was a culmination of four years work of the ladies of the Encore Historical Sewing Group.

This was originally a project of the St Mary’s Area Community Development Project Inc. The original ball gown is housed at the Powerhouse Museum who kindly helped the group with information on the making of the gown. As well as the ball gown the group sewed the petticoat, stockings, corset, bumroll and shoes.

The original embroidery was recreated within the gown by the members and the tambour work was printed onto the material by Screen Graphics Printing at Granville.

You can see Ann at the Chambers (Corner Mamre Rd and Great Western Highway) when they are opened on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 10am to 2pm.

Take a seat

TAKE a Seat – Australian Modernist Seating explores seating design and construction during the period 1940 – 1975. In presenting fine examples of mid-20th century Australian seating design classics, the exhibition considers the influence and impact of modernism upon chair design and manufacture. Curated by Meredith Hinchliffe in conjunction with Penrith Regional Gallery & The Lewers Bequest, this exhibition is both acknowledgement and celebration of the Gallery’s modernist foundations as the Emu Plain home and studio of artists, Gerald and Margo Lewers.

Modernism as epoch, and philosophy of economic, political, social and cultural life defined the 20th century. In this period, the rapid rise of capital, industry and technology, and the great improvements of science and education in western nations, led to a belief in societal advancement and progress as inevitable. Likewise, furniture design and manufacture reflected the principles and realities of the modern era; furniture was to be improving of the human experience.

Modernist seating design principles were enabled and enhanced by a multiplicity of factors, including

contemporary art, industrialisation, and coincidently, world war. War led to the development and manufacture of new materials specific to the war effort. War also led to the influx of refugee and immigrant designers and artisans to Australian shores Both factors – new materials and new designers, would change the look and manufacture of our furniture, resulting in the production of seating which was affordable, lightweight and suitable for the increasing informality of the Australian lifestyle.

The modernist aesthetic is celebrated across the Gallery site:

including, seating (Main Gallery) with accompanying paintings by modernist artist Margo Lewers; modernist artworks from the collection (Lewers House); The architecture of Douglas Snelling, as photographed

by Max Dupain (Lounge Room), and, a recreation of artist Margo Lewers’ own living room, circa 1970 (Ancher House).

Exhibition runs until Sunday 22 February 2015.

A range of public programs including a mosaic workshop, macramé construction and terrarium building will be on offer during January.

Serving Pizza & Traditional Italian Cuisine Modern Surroundings, Fun &Friendly Atmosphere

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28

HANDEL’S much-loved oratorio Messiah, returns to the Penrith concert calendar next month, ushering in the festive season in a performance on Sunday 7 Dec ember at 3.00pm at the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre.

Handel’s most celebrated work, a musical narrative of the life, death and resurrection of Christ, will be conducted by Paul Terracini in this concert co-presented by Penrith City Choir andPenrith Symphony Orchestra. The chorus, prepared by chorus director Lucy McAlary, will include the combined voices of Penrith City Choirand Youth Choir, and Academy Singers.

The performance also features four outstanding professional vocal soloists: Ayse Göknur Shanal, Anna McDougall, Damian Arnold and Sepehr Irandoost.

Soprano Ayse Göknur Shanal is a multi-talentedartist who won the 1998 Marianne Mathy Australian Singing Competition and studied singing in London and New York before taking a career break in which she completed a graduatelaw degree. Since 2013 she has relaunched hersinging career with great success, recently winning the National Liederfest Competition as well as the Australian Opera Awards

Committee Scholarship to attend the Lisa Gasteen National Opera School.

Ms Shanal, who is of Turkish ethnicity and a passionate advocate on social justice issues, is a longstanding resident in the Penrith area, currently living in Mt Druitt with her young

family.

Making her debut with Penrith Symphony Orchestra is mezzo-soprano Anna McDougall.

Arecent graduate from the Sydney Conservatorium, she recently starred in the lead role in John Adamo’s

opera “Little Women”, receiving high acclaim from Limelight magazine as a rising singer “to watch for”.

Tenor Damian Arnold, who is current completing voice and opera studies at the Sydney Conservatorium, returns to Penrith after his muchpraised performance with PSO in Mozart’s Coronation Mass earlier this year.

Bass Sepehr Irandoost, who combines professional singing with a high-level career as a financial analyst, has also sung with Penrith Symphony Orchestra before, in the role of Bartolo in Pacific Opera’s 2013 production of Mozart’s The Marriage of Figaro.

Performances of Messiah are a time-honoured tradition in Penrith.

Whether your love for Messiahis longstanding or you are coming to the work for the first time, this performance will be a revelation of its many musical splendours.

TICKETS are available at $49 (adults), $39(concession), $120 (Family: 2+2), and $35 per person for group bookings of 10 or more.

Bookings can be made at the Joan Sutherland Centre box office on (02) 4723 7600 or online atwww.jspac. com.au. For general enquiries call 02 4754 3946.

Original Sin

Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

E N T E R T A I N M E N T localnews Handel’s Messiah ushers in the Christmas season

TRIBUTE

Free SAT 6 DEC

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Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

Step back in time EVENTS

1095 - Pope Urban II declares the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont.

1835 - James Pratt and John Smith are hanged in London; they are the last two to be executed for sodomy in England.

1895 - At the Swedish–Norwegian Club in Paris, Alfred Nobel signs his last will and testament, setting aside his estate to establish the Nobel Prize after he dies.

1924 - In New York City, the first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade is held.

1968 - Penny Ann Early became the first woman to play major professional basketball, for the Kentucky Colonels in an ABA game against the Los Angeles Stars.

1978 - In San Francisco, city mayor George Moscone and openly gay city supervisor Harvey Milk are assassinated by former supervisor Dan White.

1999 - The left-wing Labour Party takes control of the New Zealand government with leader Helen Clark becoming the first elected female Prime Minister in New Zealand’s history.

BIRTHS 1925 1940 1940 1942 1944 1964

-

Ernie Wise, English actor, singer, and screenwriter (d. 1999).

John Alderton, English actor.

Bruce Lee, American-Chinese actor, martial artist, and screenwriter (d. 1973).

Jimi Hendrix, American singer-songwriter, guitarist, and producer (d. 1970).

Neddy Smith, Australian criminal.

Robin Givens, American actress.

DEATHS 8 BC 1895 1901 1934 1953 1975

-

Horace, Roman soldier and poet (b. 65 BC).

Alexandre Dumas, French author and playwright (b. 1824).

Clement Studebaker, American businessman, co-founded Studebaker (b. 1831).

Baby Face Nelson, American criminal (b. 1908).

Eugene O’Neill, American playwright, Nobel Prize laureate (b. 1888).

Ross McWhirter, English author and activist, co-founded the Guinness Book of Records (b. 1925).

1988 - John Carradine, American actor and singer (b. 1906).

JOKES Billy” Connolly, CBE (born November 24, 1942) is a Scottish comedian, musician, presenter and actor. His first trade, in the early 1960s, was as a welder n the Glasgow shipyards, but he gave it up towards the end of the decade to pursue a career as a folk singer. In the early 1970s, he made the transition from folk-singer with a comedic persona to full-fledged comedian.

1. If Jesus was a Jew, how come he has a Mexican first name?

2. My parents used to take me to the pet department and tell me it was a zoo.

3. So, have you heard about the oyster who went to a disco and pulled a mussel?

4. What always staggers me is that when people blow their noses, they always look into their hankies to see what came out. What do they expect to find?

5. Do you remember that politician who died with the fishnet tights and all that? Aw, his poor family. I wonder how they dress him in the coffin?

6. Who discovered we could get milk from cows, and what did he THINK he was doing at the time?

7. That man (Ronald Reagan), he sits at that desk in the White House, and the button is there that can end the world: BOOM! My father‛s younger than him and we don‛t give him the controls for the television!

8. I hate all those weathermen, too, who tell you that rain is bad weather. There‛s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing, so get yourself a sexy raincoat and live a little.

9. Don‛t buy one of those baby intercoms. Babies pretend to be dead.

They‛re bastards, and they do it on purpose.

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Annoyed (8) 5 Cigarettes (slang) (6) 9 Holiness (8) 10 Pal (6) 12 Box or jar (9) 13 Coincides in their characteristics (5) 14 Moves (4) 16 Not cognizant of (7) 19 Collision (7) 21 University square (4) 24 A trademarked nickeliron alloy (5) 25 Hard-hitting (9) 27 Attack (6) 28 Lose an unborn baby (8) 29 Resulted (6) 30 Ahead in development (8)

DOWN 1 Cut in two (6) 2 Calibrating an instrument (6) 3 Additional (5) 4 Prolongs (7) 6 Pot or grass (9) 7 A large covered flat-bottomed boat (8) 8 Avoid (8) 11 German for “Mrs” (4) 15 In another manner (9) 17 Guess (8) 18 Reaps (8) 20 Holes (4) 21 Asked (7) 22 Cloth (6) 23 Remained (6) 26 Hot chocolate (5)

solution 13/11/14

BLACKWATER Saturday 29th November

BEACH BOYS Saturday 6TH DECEMBER $10 Members, $12.50 Non-Members

FREE Entertainment

FRIday NOVEMBER 28 - 8pm

VENUS 2

FRIday DECEMBER 5 - 8pm

3 RAMS

FULL $10 LUNCH MENU Complimentary beer, wine or soft drink (members only).

7 to choose from.

Monday-Friday Only

SUNDAY MONSTER RAFFLE

Starts at 6.30pm Tickets on Sale from 5pm A variety of prizes

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Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

Best view in town WHY should you come to Bennett’s on the River?

Bennett’s on the River is the newest café/restaurant/bar in Penrith – with a twist! Located onboard the old “Penrith Platypus Cruiser” (sister ship to Penrith’s iconic Nepean Belle Paddlewheeler) we offer exceptional Morgan’s coffee and Zokoko hot chocolate and a fantastic new menu with large range of vegetarian and gluten free options. We have a large and varied selection of premium and bakery cakes, and are fully licensed.

What makes Bennett’s on the River stand out from the rest?

Where else in the Western Suburbs can you enjoy a coffee, meal, cake or drink on an actual boat on the water?

You can relax on a lounge and read one of our Australiana books from our bookshelf, dine in air conditioned comfort downstairs or enjoy fresh air upstairs on our beautiful covered merbau deck, all with those spectacular and relaxing uninterrupted water views.

Don’t take our word for it – Listen to what some of our customers are saying: “Great place to relax lovely food coffees and great scenery best place to meet friends for chat.” Nancy

“So relaxing and a beautiful view..

The staff were also so very friendly.”

Miz “Lovely staff, great location, great food and coffee!” Matthew “Ambiance was amazing staff friendly and personable coffee outstanding and a great icon for Penrith community.” Valissa “Love this place.... Staff are brilliant and the atmosphere is superb.” Michelle “Just had yet another great experience at Bennetts on the River....it is just so lovely to experience the river from the boat top....great coffee, nice view, wonderful service....this my new favorite place.....try it n see.” Susan

SUNDAY 14 DECEMBER

CHRISTMAS TOY RAFFLE WITH $1000 WORTH OF PRIZES TO BE WON Commencing at 3PM Tickets on sale from 10.00am on the 14th Dec 2014 Must be here to win. Conditions apply.

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Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

The Joan celebrates 25 years IN 2015 The Joan celebrates 25 years of presenting the highest quality arts and entertainment for the people of western Sydney. This milestone year will see leading Australian and international artists and companies perform on The Joan’s stages in a vibrant program of world premiere theatre, spell-binding stories, side-splitting comedy, classy classical, sensational singing, hot funk, rock & tap!

After its rousing success at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival, Damien Leith brings his one man cabaret play The Parting Glass to The Joan on Saturday January 17, to officially open our 25th Anniversary Season.

The Sydney premiere, this acclaimed musical play is filled with humour, emotion and great Irish music, showcasing Damien Leith as both a singer of great talent, and a very fine actor.

Saturday, February 14 sees the much loved Rachael Beck and David Hobson present My Baby Just Cares For Me - a unique blend of classical, musical theatre and popular songs for this special Valentine’s Day evening event.

On Saturday, March 28 Christine Anu and Archie Roach combine their prestigious talents to headline The

Joan’s 25th Anniversary Community Celebration Day – a day when the centre will open its stage doors to the community and present activities all day for all ages.

Get into the groove on May 8 & 9, when BPM – Beats Per Minute rocks into The Joan with their astounding innovative tap artistry; May 26 sees Melbourne Comedy Festival Roadshow bring a colossal night of hilarity to the people of Penrith.

‘Love is in the air’ on June 13, when The Joan proudly presents Alana Valentine’s acclaimed Head Full of Love, directed by Wesley Enoch, bringing along with it an exhibition of beanies from the Alice Springs Beanie

Festival; while the world premiere of Hit Productions All My Love - the story of Henry Lawson and Mary Gilmore’s lost love, makes its World Premiere, July 17 - 18.

August 21 - 22 sees Ladies in Lavender, starring Penny Cook and Genevieve Lemon come to The Joan direct from its premiere season at the Ensemble. Adapted from the screenplay of the Judi Dench and Maggie Smith film by Charles Dance – it has been described as “A Thumping good play” and “Tender, beautiful and emotionally moving”.

We continue the 2015 celebrations on August 29 with a 25th Anniversary Concert, mirroring the Recital of the

Century that took place in The Joan’s opening year. This event will feature some of our country’s most exquisite classical musicians including The Song Company, Amelia Farrugia and Tamara Cislowska with a program that features new work by Australia’s greatest living composer Elena KatsChernin.

In 2015, The Wharf Revue turns 15. So, once more unto the political breach step Jonathan Biggins, Drew Forsythe and Phillip Scott with their signature style of seriously sidesplitting satirical silliness and musical mayhem – premiering at The Joan September 3-5.

2015 also marks – by popular demand – a return to subscriptions at The Joan. Packages start from as little as $160 ($140 Concession) for four shows, and a full 12 show pack is $360 Adult or $300 Concession – a massive saving of $215 off standard ticket prices. Four, six, eight and 10 pack subscriptions with great savings are also available.

All this and more at The Joan in 2015. Subscriptions are on sale now. For brochure, full program or bookings contact the Joan Box office on: (02) 4723-7600 or visit: www.thejoan.com.au

N E PE A N HIST RY

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HISTORIC MORTIMER’S HOUSE

By Wendy Mason

M

ORTIMER’S House is to be found only a few doors away from the historic Arms of Australia, having been home to the innkeeper, John Mortimer, and his family from the early 1840s. The house features one of Australia’s earliest styles of architecture, sometimes referred to as Colonial Vernacular or Colonial Georgian.

Joseph Barrow Montefiore, (after whom Montefiores village, Wellington, is named) first owned this property in 1832-1833, onsold it to William H Mackenzie (1833 or 1834), who then sold it to John Mortimer in the early 1840s. It was surmised for many years that Mortimer had the house built, however this does not match the architecture, which shows that it is highly likely that the front two rooms were built around the early 1830s and the other half of the original five rooms added in Mortimer’s time. Recent discoveries, historical and physical, seem to support this.

The house features ashlar stonework, which is in perfect condition, across the front of the building. The first two rooms were built of solid 18 inch thick sandstone and the next three rooms appear to have been built with sandstone which has come from a different quarry, no doubt due to the two different times of the build.

This home still stands solidly showcasing the beautifully polished, grey gum, wide-boarded timber floors, with unique but simple architecture. Several of the window panes have the original glass with its slight waviness and tiny creasing showing the rolled-glass techniques used in their day. The architecture of the doorways in the front two rooms predates the mitre-ing of the corners at the tops of each doorway. No mitres, just direct vertical and horizontal cuts to form the frame.

The flagstones across the front of the property are still in excellent condition, no doubt due to protection from the wide wraparound veranda, which also serves to keep the house naturally cool in the summer. One of the original fireplaces is still in use in a front room, but sadly the other from the second room was removed several decades ago.

There is also a hand-built well on the property which is over 10m deep, featuring brick lining for most of its depth. The pipework into the depth of the well remains.

Over the years very few families have owned the house. For several decades the Gow family owned it, running a small business at the front. Mrs Gow ran a shop along the front verandah, from which the local school children would purchase their sweets.

The house has been not just a home to the innkeeper and the Gow family, but also was used as a manse, and had a butchery with another family.

From 1988 to 2013 the Mason family removed unsympathetic features, restored what was able to be restored, renovated areas previously poorly renovated and built on sympathetic additions, thus bringing the entire house into a seamless blending of the old and new. These days it is a beautiful, five/six bedroom family home, with large living areas, sitting graciously on spacious park-like acreage barely noticed by passers-by and in almost perfect silence from the busy world outside its gates. This remains one of the Penrith region’s best kept secrets and havens, well loved by all who come to take in another world that is slowly being forgotten, but nevertheless longed for. The baton has now been handed on to a new generation of custodians of the house.

37 37 Nepean Nepean News News 2716 November October 2014 Issue 138 135

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financematters finance

Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

ENJOY CHRISTMAS - BUT DON’T SPEND MORE THAN YOU CAN AFFORD! With Steve Beard Select Mortgage Broker

CHRISTMAS is a great time to celebrate our achievements over the previous year and to relax with our families and friends at home or away by the beach somewhere.

We also like to buy a lot of nice presents for our loved ones as giving is better than receiving- so the retailers always say.

For those of us who have some good savings in the bank or have been putting cash away for this time of the year, then you should spend to your hearts’ content. Buy the things that give you and your loved ones some real benefits and enjoyment. Reap the toils of your labour on a relaxing holiday, anywhere that is away from your normal working life. If you travel within Australia, the economy will love you for it!

Over the last few months, the Aussie Dollar has dramatically reduced against the US Dollar so

holidays in the US will be more expensive. Our exchange rate against most other currencies has remained strong so if travelling to other countries is still relatively cheap. A lot of people are taking advantage of the higher buying power that our money has and the lower prices with travelling overseas. Due to the large financial problems in most of the world, tourism around the world has decreased. This lower demand from tourists means that we Aussies with our strong dollar can get some great bargains overseas.

These financial problems overseas also means that we are having a big drop in overseas tourists coming to Australia and the ones that do come, are staying for a shorter time and spending less too.

This is why our domestic tourism industry is not healthy, especially in the big tourism state of Queensland.

So, if you have some spare cash lying around and you want to do your bit to keep our economy strong and Aussies employed, holiday in

Do you have time to compare over 30 lenders?

Australia and spend up on some appropriate gifts for your family and good friends over the Christmas period.

However, as a responsible financial person, I must say that there are too many people who rely on their credit cards and any borrowed money to buy their presents and holidays. Unfortunately, these people are setting themselves up for financial problems and/or disaster.

If are not confident that you can pay off all of your credit card debt

by February or March next year at the latest, then you should reconsider your budget and Christmas spending plans very closely.

In our modern world of saturation advertising, easy credit and desire to have everything possible for ourselves and our children, too many people over spend and end up giving themselves a long term debt problem. This burden usually grows and grows and gets worse with every month of interest being added to their increasing debts.

Theses debts then bring financial and physical pressures to households which is a big contributor to why a lot of marriages break down.

Everyone needs to have a budget which keeps a track of all of your income and expenses. Without one, a lot of people are just surviving from pay check to pay check.

You don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy your Christmas break.

Instead, just spend a lot of quality time with your family and friends!

You will feel a lot better as well without the post-Christmas stress of repaying debts.

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.

I hope my articles have been of some help to you during the year and wish you all a very happy and safe Christmas and a very prosperous New Year!!

Ph: 4739 4500 Mob: 0403 166 207 Email: beards@selectgrp.com.au

WHAT IS YOUR HOME WORTH?

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SELLING FEE 9623 0777

J&B Realty: 5/159 Queen St, ST MARYS FortisLawGroup: 1/56 King Street, ST MARYS Ph. 9623 5700 Brian Barnham Real Estate Sales M 0416 004 773

Pierre J Safi Solicitor/Conveyancer M 0413 671 313

SAGITTARIUS is the ninth sign of the zodiac for those born between November 22 and December 21.

The ruling planet is Jupiter whose traditional name was Jove, hence many Sagittarians have a jovial and optimistic nature. The symbol for Sagittarius is the Centaur; half man/ half beast. Equipped with bow and arrow, the Centaur is aiming for the sky, representing the sign’s ambitious and positive nature. A mutable fire sign, the centaur has the passion and adaptability to chase their dreams.

Sagittarius is the sign of the philosopher and explorer.

Independence and freedom are as essential as oxygen for the Centaur. So important is freedom that important life decisions may be made based on the freedom factor and how much requires sacrificing. This is especially true with career and relationship choices.

Personal growth and understanding are key aspects of the Sagittarian personality; they are constantly looking for meaning and truth in all situations. Travel and experiencing different cultures are possibly the ultimate pastime for the Centaur.

Sagittarians make great friends; they are magnanimous, gregarious,

honest and generous. They dislike deception intensely and once injured, don’t often give the offender a second chance. Otherwise they have an uncanny ability to get along with most people via a ‘live and let live’ attitude.

Careers suitable for the Centaur are comedy, writing/publishing, philosophy and teaching, acting, law, interpreter, travel agent, importer or missionary.

Best relationship matches for Sagittarius are Aries, Libra, Leo and Aquarius. Aries also enjoys spontaneity, socialising and is ever optimistic. Aquarius is perhaps the perfect match as both communicate intellectually more than emotionally.

Both understand the need for freedom and jealousy will not be an issue in this relationship.

41 Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

by Aunty N.

Sagittarius

SUDOKU: MEDIUM

Seeking

sport

SOLUTION: 13th November

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

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WITH MARK GEYER

GORGEOUS GUSSIE TAMES NEW YORK MARATHON

AS I mentioned in my last column our (the Grill Team) foray in New York was JUST SENSATIONAL. A magical place with an aura to match.

I also briefly spoke in my last piece that my big (well not so anymore) co-host, Gus Worland, was the reason we found ourselves in the Big Apple.

Gus’s best mate is Hollywood superstar and allround top bloke Hugh Jackman.

Their friendship dates back to kindergarten, where their paths first crossed.

Fast forward 40 years and Jacko wasn’t real happy with the weight his best mate has put on over the past decade or so.

He decided to do something about it. That ‘something about it’ was to challenge Gus to run the New York Marathon, the world’s most prestigious running race.

But at 140kg Gus was no chance. That was six months ago. After a series of tests, challenges, and reforms, Gus dropped close to 30kg to see his fighting weight at a remarkable 112kg.

The next challenge once agreeing to the obstacles and mind games Jacko asked myself and Matty Johns to help him with, was to beat the time recorded by the oldest competitor ever in the New York marathon.

A Pakistani gentleman who at the tender age of 104 completed the marathon in a very respectable 6hrs and 9 minutes.

I can’t give away whether or not my big mate beat the time of the tenacious 100 year old, but to find out more the whole adventure has been made into a TV show for the A&E channel which is Ch122 on Foxtel.

Marathon Man is tale of a middle aged man fighting his demons with vigour, it also shows a complete metamorphous of a bloke who decides to give a damn and make changes to his lifestyle. Well done Gussy.

Marathon Man Thursday nights 730pm Ch122 on Fox.

THIS past week I ventured to a place that has a lot of historical memories for me Mt Druitt pool.

Twelve months ago the pool was to be closed to make way for ‘progress’ in the form of residential units.

But people power prevailed and now the pool is set for its emotional re-opening this Saturday at 7am.

The pool will be opened the same night (29th) until 7pm.

Being the special occasion, entry is free with the first 1000 through the turnstiles getting a free snag sanger.

When I walked into the pool last week, instant visions of my childhood came flooding back.

The canteen, where as soon as you MG and a couple of the Mt Druitt Pool attendants walk in you can smell the baking of are delighted the pool is re-opening. sausage rolls and pies. The chlorine that resonates from the 8 lane monster main pool.

The green grassed hill where with my family spent many a hot weekend growing up in the ‘Druitt’.

The diving blocks have significant appeal to me for it is upon block four my most vivid memory of Mt Druitt pool occurred.

I was 12 and allowed to go to the pool for the first time without adult supervision, just me and my mates.

The last thing my dad said to me as we got the bus to the pool was: “stay away from the deep end mate, you’re not a great swimmer.”

After an hour of temptation I finally succumbed to my mates’ badgering and my inquisitive wisdom. As I jumped on block four to dive into the ‘deep end’ I had a bad feeling. As I dove I looked to my right, mid-air to see my dad and sisters walking into the pool.

I stayed under water for what seemed like a day, when I surfaced my dad merely gestured with his finger to follow him and I grabbed my towel and home we went.

I also remember if you did something wrong at the pool back in the day the lifesavers would make you pick up 10 pieces of litter.

If my dad was a lifesaver that awkward day I’d still be busy picking stuff up.

If you’re in the area vote with your feet to keep this wonderful place open for ever.

See ya at the game/pool.

H E A RT L A N D H O L D E N PENRITH GRAND MASTERS 2013

43 Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

Y Mark T O O F R E MY WORDS V E F

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44

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Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

Panthers new faces BARRIER RISE

By Noel Rowsell

with Tony Brassel

THE Penrith Basketball Association will introduce several new faces to the senior men’s Championship League squad for 2015 but introducing them to their new team-mates will be an easy matter, as they are all former Penrith players.

Small forward, Rhys Daly ,is one of the newcomers, having starred with the Hawkesbury Jets in the 2014 Waratah State League competition.

Daly was the State League’s Most Valuable Player, also winning selection to the All-Star Five.

The second newcomer returning home is small/power forward Svetomir (Steve) Gavrilovic, who spent 2014 playing in the WCL with the Bankstown Bruins.

Gavrilovic is an often streaky player but on his day can be a prolific scorer.

Sudanese-born Laat Gak also returns to Penrith in 2015 and given his current performances in the 201415 Ultimate Basketball League (UBL) competition, the young Sudanese power forward should electrify Panthers fans on the boards.

Point guard, Noah Cleur, is also putting up astonishing numbers in the UBL and Panthers assistant coach,

Tony Brassel is one of the most respected judges of horseflesh in the country. He is a form expert and racing analyst with SKY Racing and radio 2KY and has now joined the Nepean News’ stable of quality journalists.

Laat Gak terrorising the Bruins defence whilst playing for the Panthers Youth League team in 2012. Photo courtesy Noel Rowsell www.photoexcellence.com.au

Adam Peterson, feels the youngster is becoming a more-rounded player, which spells trouble for opposition defences in 2015.

Three Sydney Kings Development Players will also feature in next year’s squad - Ben Kearins, Sudanese forward Madol Chol and Nic Pozoglou.

The full Panthers squad is Svetomir Gavrilovic, Madol Chol, Laat Gak, Rhys Daly, Louis Brandt, Josh Morehead, Nic Pozoglou, Krenz Carlos, Ben Kearins, Luke Griffith, Noah Cleur, Curtleigh Albertyn, Cameron Day and Sydney Kings NBL centre, Angus Brandt (if available).

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WELL, we managed to have a bit of luck with our latest tips out of the trials, with one winner and two others grabbing minor prizemoney.

The winner was the Kris Lees-trained Myboyguy which is by Myboycharlie.

He debuted at Hawkesbury on November 21 and led throughout to win a 1100m 3YO maiden in smart time.

He was backed late in the betting to start at a very nice $5.50 thank you!

There are plenty of wins still in store for this youngster.

Crimson God sported silks at Canterbury in 12590m 3YO Maiden and did enough to suggest he must be followed.

The Lohnro colt showed good pace and boxed on strongly for second behind Binary, finishing strongly in a race which posted a fast final 600m (34.82).

The other placegetter was the John O’Shea- trained Philosophy which made his racetrack debut in an open 2YO at Rosehill on November 15.

It was an excellent first outing by the youngster, battling on strongly to finish third in Saturday company.

I believe O’Shea has a high opinion of the horse because he tipped him straight out to the spelling paddock, probably with the rich spring races in mind.

All the other neddies I tipped are yet to get to the track but a reminder of their names as I was particularly taken by all of their trial efforts.

They are: High Esteem, Humble, Argyle Prince, Coolring and Freeze the Charges which has won four trials on the trot, two back in April and another two during November.

Remember the names!

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QUALIFYING games in the 2014 Keith Day Shield were played at 4 venues throughout the District on Saturday November 8.

At Penrith, Wallacia won the Singles and Pairs over Kingswood to move to the next round. Windsor had a bye in the first round. In the quarter final Windsor won the Singles and Pairs over Wallacia to progress to the Semi Finals.

At Blacktown Workers BC Springwood won the Singles and Pairs over Pitt Town and St Marys RSL won the Singles and Fours over Penrith. In the quarter final Springwood won the Pairs and Fours over St Marys.

Meanwhile at Kingswood BC Blacktown Workers had a bye in the first round and Austral won the Singles and Pairs over Wisemans Ferry.

In the quarter final Blacktown Workers won the Pairs and Fours over Austral to progress to the Semi Finals.

At Windsor BC Blacktown City had a byer in the first round and the reigning champions Glenbrook Panthers won all three games against Richmond. In the quarter final Glenbrook Panthers again won all three games against Blacktown City

to progress to the Semi Finals.

The venue for the Semi Finals and Final was the 2013 winners Glenbrook Panthers.

The first Semi Final was Springwood versus Windsor.

Springwood won the Singles 31 to 28, the Fours 30 to 10 and the Pairs was a dead rubber.

In the second Semi Final Glenbrook Panthers won the Singles 31 to 17, the Fours 20 to 13 and the Pairs was a dead rubber.

In the Final, Glenbrook Panthers had an opportunity to go back to back however Springwood were just and determined to repeat their victory from 2012.

From the very start it was clear that the match was going to come down to which player would win the Singles. For the majority of the early going Glenbrook lead the way in the Pairs and Springwood had the Fours covered.

The end result was Glenbrook Panthers winning the Pairs 24 to 13 and Springwood winning the Fours 24 to 15.

In the Singles Springwood’s Ian Sullivan lead early over Glenbrook’s Mick Devine picking up a four on

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the second end to lead 6 to 0. After 17 ends Ian lead by seven shots 16 to 9 when Mick picked up a four to be behind by three 13 to 16. Ian’s lead was reduced to one by the 26th end with some great draw bowling by Mick.

The lead changed a number of times until the 30th end when Ian led by just the narrowest of margins 28 to 27. Ian was holding game when he scored two shots on the 34th end to lead 30 to 27.

Ian lost the plot slightly on the 35th end allowing Mick to score 3 shots and tie the game up again at 3030.

On what was to be the last end both players played some great draw bowls with Ian drawing shot on the last bowl to take the game 31 to 30 and seal the victory for Springwood.

The Keith Fay Shield was presented to Springwood and they will host the Semi Finals and Final in 2015.

THE 2014 John McBride Shield was hosted by Springwood BC, winners of the 2013 event. The first round was played on Saturday November 15 and the clubs to progress to the quarter

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finals were Kingswood defeating Wallacia, Blacktown Workers defeating Windsor, Richmond defeating St Marys RSL and Penrith defeating Glenbrook Panthers.

In the second round the teams to make it to the semi-finals were Kingswood, Springwood, Blacktown Workers and Penrith.

In the first semi-final the reigning champions Springwood kept their hopes of back to back wins alive by defeating Kingswood 25 to 17.

In the other semi-final Blacktown Workers made their way into the final by defeating Penrith 23 to 10. The final was a seesawing game with both teams swapping the lead.

After 15 ends the scores were locked at 16 all and then the lead swapped with single shots until the 19th end when the scores were again locked at 18 all.

Blacktown Workers then showed their dominance by scoring a 5 and a 2 on the last two ends to win convincingly 25 to 18.

John McBride’s wife Irene, his sister Jan Layton and his best mate Alan McFarlane were on hand for the presentation of the shield to the winners.

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45 Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

ON THE MAT

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46

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Nepean News 27 November 2014 Issue 138

Tahlia is a flamin’ Gem

By Noel Rowsell

THE 2015 FIBA under 19 World Championship for Women comes into sharp focus for the Jayco Australian Gems, following the announcement of the team to take on the region’s best at the 2014 FIBA Oceania Under 19 Championships.

Into the star-studded line-up of brilliant young players is Penrith’s towering Tahlia Tupaea who is playing her second season in the Women’s National Basketball League with the Sydney Uni Flames.

Head coach, Paul Goriss, has brought together a talented young team that will be favourites in the FIBA Oceania region, under a new and exciting tournament format.

Traditionally a two-team, best-ofthree series between the Jayco Gems and the New Zealand Tall Ferns, this year’s tournament has been expanded to include the surrounding Pacific nations as part of a 10-team competition.

The Jayco Australian Gems will travel to Suva in Fiji for the tournament from December 1-6 when they will face the likes of Fiji, Samoa, Guam, Tahiti and New Zealand in a six-day competition, with the winner securing the region’s sole place at the 2015

Tahlia Tupaea prepares to blast by an Illawarra opponent during this year’s WCL competition.

Photo courtesy Noel Rowsell www.photoexcellence.com.au

FIBA Under 19 World Championship for Women.

Headlining the team is Bryden’s Sydney Uni Flames WNBL and of course Penrith Panthers WCL guard Tahlia Tupaea (Glenmore Park).

Tahlia captained the Jayco Australian under 17 Women’s Team

to a fifth-place finish at the 2014 FIBA under 17 World Championship for Women.

After six games into the new Women’s National Basketball League season, Tahlia’s Sydney Uni Flames sit atop the competition ladder with five victories.

Tahlia has managed to gain good game time in each of the matches.

Her two best efforts were against Adelaide in round 4 when she contributed 12 points and then in the following round against Canberra in which she managed to out 14 points on the board.

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Thursday, 27 November 2014

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HARPO’S MARKS

FANS of the G Gentlemanly Art – boxing for the uninitiated – are in for a surfeit of topclass fisticuffs next February when the NSW Open Amateur Boxing Championships will once again be held in the Blitz Gym at Richmond Greyhound Club.

Local boxing trainers-promoters, Jason Lewis and Mark Hardman staged the 2013 state titles and the success of that event prompted them to put their hands up again.

And Boxing NSW had little hesitation in awarding the dynamic duo them the 2014 championships over a number of rival bids.

The crème de la crème of boxers of both sexes and across all divisions will be in action over the three days of the tournament which is set down for Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 6-7-8.

Among a host of quality fighters toeing the line at the championships will be Australia’s highest rated amateur, Londonderry’s Daniel Lewis.

Lewis was a raging hot favourite to annex the Commonwealth Games

69kg division at the Glasgow Games earlier this year but medicos ruled him out after he sustained a cut eye in blitzing his rival in the quarter-finals.

On the other hand, Shelley Watts was able to do what her much vaunted team-mate couldn’t – go on and win Australia’s first women’s Commonwealth Games boxing gold medal.

Not that Daniel could have gone on to win that title because, of course he is not a woman. I think I may have over explained that!

Women contested the games for the very first time and the hard-hitting Shelly went on to score a one-sided win over her Indian opponent in the final.

Kay Scott was a first round loser in Glasgow and also accompanied Shelly to the World Women’s Championships in Jeju City, South Korea a fortnight back will also be donning the gloves at Richmond-, 75kg Back to once again thrill fight fans will be the great Kostya Tszyu’s 16 year-old son, Nikita.

Nikita is a chip of the old block – he throws every punch in the book, is

very fit and has the same “eye of the tiger’ possessed by his old man.

But the biggest cheers will be reserved for Daniel Lewis who comes to centre ring for the first time since his trip to Glasgow.

“Daniel’s been in a good paddock since the Games,” laughed Jason Lewis, who also puts the polish on his son.

“But he’s been gradually losing the weight and putting in long road runs and stints in the gym to get back into trim.

“Come early February he’ll be primed to go and get his career back on track.”

Choke for each of the session will be $35 adults – great value when those ringside will be watching 20 or so fights a session.

LOW MARKS: Short versions of cricket. Who really cares? $1000 to the Unknown Soldier’s Mother if any of you can even tell me which three teams contested the one-day series last summer.

HIGH MARKS: Anticipating the quality of boxers on parade at Richmond in February.