PPhillip Parker King
By Lyn Forde – President/Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.
HILLIP was a naval officer, hydrographer and company manager born in December 1791 at Norfolk Island. The son of Philip Gidley and Anna Josepha King (née Coombe). Phillip sailed for England in the “Britannia” with his parents in October 1796. When his father left England in November 1799 to become Governor of New South Wales, Phillip was placed under the tuition of Reverend Burford in Essex and in 1802 he was nominated to the Portsmouth Naval Academy. In 1806 his father had granted him 660 acres on the South Creek near Rooty Hill and Governor Macquarie had given him another 600 acres. He had 850 cattle, 40 horses, 1800 sheep, 100 pigs and some forty men employed on his property. By November 1807 he entered the navy in the “Diana”. He became a midshipman and served for six years in the North Sea, the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean where he was promoted Master’s Mate in 1810 and later Lieutenant in February 1814. Matthew Flinders a friend of the family interested him in surveying and introduced him to Captain Thomas Hurd a hydrographer to the Admiralty who gave him careful training. In 1817 the British Government decided that the restoration of peace made it most important with as little delay as possible to explore part of the coast of New Holland that had not been surveyed or examined by Captain Flinders and Lieutenant King was appointed to do this, but before he departed Phillip married Harriet the daughter of Christopher Lethbridge of Launceston in Cornwall. He arrived at Port Jackson in September 1817 on the “Dick” with instructions from the Colonial Office to Governor Lachlan Macquarie that he was to be provided with the most suitable vessel and a carefully chosen crew. The 84-ton cutter “Mermaid” was bought for £2,000 and the expedition sailed from Sydney in December with a complement of nineteen that included Allan Cunningham, John Septimus Roe and Bungaree an Aboriginal. By sailing King George Sound they reached the Northwest Cape where the survey began. Phillip had been instructed by the Admiralty to discover whether there was any river likely to lead to an interior navigation and the Colonial Office asked him to collect information about climate, topography, fauna, timber, minerals and the natives with the prospects of developing trade with them. In February 1818 in the Pilbara region of Western Australia he named two islands near the Burrup Peninsula as a result of the friendly meetings the explorers and Bungaree had enjoyed with the resident Yaburara people. From February until June 1818 the expedition surveyed the coast as far as Van Diemen’s Gulf and had many meetings with Aboriginal and Malay people and in June the “Mermaid” visited Timor and then returned to Sydney by the way they had come, arriving in July. In December and January Phillip surveyed the recently discovered Macquarie Harbour in Van Diemen’s Land and sailed in May 1819 for the Torres Strait. He went on to survey the coast between Cape Wessel and Admiralty Gulf. He returned to Sydney in January 1820 where in Sydney Cove the “Mermaid” was careened (careening is a method of gaining access to the hull of a sailing vessel without the use of a dry dock). They re-coppered and caulked and then immersed it for several days to destroy the cockroaches that infested the ship,
but both cockroaches and rats soon reappeared. Only two of the former crew volunteered to sail again and a new crew was formed, this time including a surgeon. The “Mermaid” sailed north in June 1820 and at Bowen they ran aground and suffered a lot of damage. Surveys were made between Admiralty Gulf and Brunswick Sound on the north-west coast, but in September the ship began to leak badly and it was careened and ten days were spent repairing it. Phillip then left the coast and sailed to Port Jackson and after a narrow escape from being wrecked off Botany Bay he arrived on 9 December. Phillip made his fourth and final survey in northern Australia in the “Bathurst” that carried a complement of thirty-three and in place of Bungaree Phillip took Bundell another Aboriginal,. The “Bathurst” sailed from Sydney in May 1821 by way of Torres Strait to the north-west coast. After a visit to Mauritius for rest and refreshment the “Bathurst” resumed the survey of the west coast. Phillip arrived back in Sydney in April 1822 and by July he sought permission to buy additional land at Rooty Hill but Governor Sir Thomas Brisbane offered him instead a grant of 3000 acres. On those four voyages he made significant contributions to Australian exploration by establishing the insularity of several islands, by investigating the inner geography of many gulfs and by giving the first report of Port Darwin. When he reached Sydney he was ordered to return to England with his ship. In April 1823 he reached England in poor health and thought of retiring to his Australian estates. In 1824 Phillip became a shareholder in the newly established Australian Agricultural Company with a capital of £1,000,000 and a promise of 1,000,000 acres in NSW. He was appointed to the Australian Advisory Committee together with John Macarthur, his son James, his son-in-law Dr James Bowman and his nephew Hannibal who was Phillip’s brother-in-law. Phillip is now recognized as one of Britain’s leading hydrographers and in February 1824 he was made a fellow of the Royal Society. In London in 1826 he published his two-volume Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia, Performed Between the Years 18181822 and partly illustrated by his own sketches. In May 1826 he sailed in command of HMS “Adventure” along with HMS “Beagle” to chart the coasts of Peru, Chile and Patagonia. This arduous task lasted until 1830. There were narrow escapes from shipwreck and they were under great strain. When the expedition returned to England in October 1830, Phillip was promoted to Captain and was suffering from poor health and was seriously ill in November 1854. In 1855 he was promoted Rear Admiral on the retired list. On the evening of 26 February 1856 he dined on board the “Juno” as the guest of Captain S G Fremantle. He was put ashore and walked to his home in North Sydney where he collapsed at the gate in an apoplectic fit and died at the age of 75 years. He is buried at St Mary Magdalene cemetery, St Marys. His widow Harriet died at Ashfield in December 1874 at the age of 78 years and is buried with Phillip. Painting of Phillip Parker King courtesy of National Archives.
Sources: Australian National University Canberra, Australian Dictionary of Biography, Historical Records of Australia, State Library of New South Wales, Australian Royalty website.
CROSS WORD
ACROSS
1 Ordered (9)
6 Lust for wealth (5)
9 Correction to a printed mistake (7)
10 Speakers (7)
11 A wise king of Israel (7)
12 Occurring at the beginning (7)
13 Digress (9)
15 Jargon (5)
16 Hurriedness (5)
19 Computer input devices (9)
22 Porridge (7)
23 Apparel (7)
25 Deal (7)
26 Underwriting company (7)
27 An expensive sailing ship (5)
28 Convulsive (9)
DOWN
1 Pepperwort (5)
2 Flecked or patterned (7)
3 Try (7)
4 Hyrax (5)
5 Thingamajig (9)
6 Extremely cold (7)
7 A feeling (7)
8 Vetoes (9)
13 Male pupil (9)
14 Substances that neutralize acids (9)
solution 13/9/24
17 Exposing folly to ridicule (7)
18 Graceful (7)
20 An arboreal marsupial (7)
21 Employed again (7)
23 A large Asian country (5)
24 An ice pinnacle (5)
Celebrating excellence
EACH year, the Australian College of Neonatal Nurses celebrates the dedication and professional achievements of neonatal nurses across Australia.
Nepean Hospital Clinical Nurse Consultant, Bryony Malloy was this years’ recipient of the 2024 Neonatal Nurse Excellence Award.
Neonatal Services Nurse Unit Manager, Kylie Gale says Bryony is passionate about neonatal nursing and very deserving of the award.
“Bryony is motivated and strives to provide a high level of care. Bryony is an active member on many of the facility’s standard committees such as the deteriorating committee, Australasian Neonatal Medicines Formulary, medication committee, allergy and patient safety and quality committees. Bryony brings such positivity to the workplace,” says Kylie.
Since starting at Nepean in 2022, Bryony has been a key player in the review of all the units’ procedures and guidelines, she has supported the leadership team in ensuring current evidence-based practice is incorporated in the units’ guidelines.
Bryony has been a key driver of the units current upskilling program, reviewing all previous education and orientation packages and worked with the CNE team to create resources that were better suited to the current skill mix within
Neonatal Services.
Congratulations Bryony!
Neonatal Services Nurse Unit Manager Kylie Gale (left) with NICU Clinical Nurse Consultant Bryony Malloy (right).
95B STATION ST, PENRITH
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From the Editor’s Desk
BY KERRIE DAVIES
PENRITH, get pink!
It is time to put your “pinking” cap on and think of ways to get behind the fabulous Pink Up Penrith initiative for breast cancer.
This October, Penrith has a very important job: turning the entire town pink in support of the McGrath Foundation’s “Pink Up Your Town” campaign. As the first metropolitan area selected to lead this initiative, Penrith stands proudly pink for the seventh year to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer care.
The driving force behind the very successful campaign is Gai Hawthorn OAM. As President and Ambassador of Pink Up Penrith, Gai expressed her pride in the community’s role, stating, “We are honoured Penrith was the first and overjoyed by the community and businesses support as we approach the seventh year.”
Penrith is uniquely positioned to come together and make a real impact. The goal is clear—funding Breast Care Nurses who provide essential support to individuals and families affected by breast cancer.
Thanks to the efforts of the Penrith community, five Breast Care Nurses (including the first male nurse) have already been appointed to Nepean Hospital. Their presence ensures that patients receive the specialised care they need.
Alongside Gai, the initiative is driven by a dedicated committee of local business owners from Penrith and St Marys. They are working tirelessly to encourage local businesses, schools, and community groups to organise fundraising events throughout October. Their vision is simple yet powerful: to see the entire town turn pink in solidarity, raising awareness and supporting this life-changing cause.
Go Pink in October, hold a mufti work day, morning tea, sell a product where $1 goes to the cause - there are so many ways that you can get on board this great initiative. To be included in the Penrith tally, register your event with Gai by calling 4722 5556 or email gai@penrithcbdcorp. com.au.
BOARD POSITIONS
St Marys, at the heart of Sydney’s Western suburbs, proudly embraces its rich heritage, seizes growth opportunities, and draws strength from its diverse community. The future of St Marys is now.
The St Marys Town Centre is seeking forward thinking business professionals to join our Board.
This voluntary role of Director will effectively represent and promote the interests of the St Marys Town Centre and be responsible for the overall strategy, governance, and performance of the organisation.
Commitment is key to this role. A time commitment of between 4 and 8 hours per month will include attending and participating in monthly Board meetings (held on site at the St Marys office), general meetings, and relevant committee meetings, as well as preparation time. Board members are required to have knowledge and experience of the role including legal, ethical, fiduciary, and financial responsibilities. The successful applicant will possess competencies in the following:
• Strategic expertise
• Commercial acumen
• Corporate Governance
• Risk Management and Compliance
• Leadership
• Ethics and Integrity
Stronger together
MULTICULTURAL NSW’s Stronger Together Grants Program opened this week. Multicultural and multifaith community groups in the Penrith district are encouraged to apply for a share in $500,000 to deliver grassroots Festivals and Events that foster community harmony and celebrate cultural diversity in 2024-2025.
Eligible organisations can apply for grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 to help organise festivities that celebrate and embrace our state’s vibrant cultural diversity.
Every year hundreds of grassroots notfor-profit organisations across NSW use the Festival and Event grants to celebrate their cultural heritage and share food, music, and entertainment with everyone in the community.
Multicultural NSW administers the grants on behalf of the NSW Government. The festivals and events are scheduled to run between 1 March and 31 July 2025. The grants remain open until Friday 11 October, 5pm and an information session is planned for 3 October, 11am. For more information or to apply, visit https://multicultural.nsw.gov.au/ stronger-together-eventsfestivals/ NSW
“It doesn’t matter what your cultural background, these great community festivals and events have something for everyone,” Mrs McKeown said.
Karen McKeown OAM, Member for Penrith said the grants are about ensuring everyone in the state can celebrate the rich diversity of our community.
“By supporting our grassroots organisations to host festivals and events in our community, we are helping to build on our success as a great multicultural society.”
Lions’ donation drive raises $40,000 for Penrith’s vulnerable
AFOOD and toiletry donation drive led by the Cambridge Park Lions Club has raised an impressive $40,000 in goods.
The collection box, located on the ground floor of Penrith Plaza opposite Woolworths, has become a vital resource for the community. All donations go directly to WestCare, a local organisation that distributes the items to Penrith’s homeless, women’s shelters, and those in need.
Last week representatives from the Lions Club and WestCare gathered at Penrith Plaza to celebrate the initiative’s first anniversary. The event served as a moment to reflect on the success of the project and to thank the community for their overwhelming generosity.
The joint project between Cambridge Park Lions Club and Penrith Plaza management has brought the community together to support its most vulnerable members. The steady stream of donations from the public reflects the strong sense of care and responsibility within Penrith.
“Seeing how much people are willing to give has been truly heart-warming,” said a Lions Club spokesperson. “These donations make a real difference to those who need it most.”
With continued support, the collection box is expected to keep providing much-needed relief to those struggling in the Penrith area for years to come.
Community Junction to host Carer Pamper Day in Colyton
COMMUNITY Junction’s
Carer Pamper Day has been a valued event in Colyton for the past five years, offering muchneeded relaxation and support for the unsung heroes of the community— carers. For the past three years, local small businesses and organisations have come together to provide a day of pampering and connection for these dedicated individuals.
The 2024 Carer Pamper Day promises to be even more special, offering services such as massages and facials. Carers will also have the opportunity to connect with various support services and other carers, fostering a sense of community and
shared understanding.
The event will feature lucky door prizes, generously donated by Taronga Conservation Society Australia, Glenbrook Cinemas, Bunnings Minchinbury, Clover Fields, Outwest Care, and Penrith Panthers. The event is funded in part by a Carers NSW grant.
Community Junction is still seeking additional support from local businesses for donations of prizes or the provision of pamper stations.
This day is all about celebrating and giving back to the carers who tirelessly care for others, ensuring they feel valued and supported in their important roles.
Let’s cheer on our Penrith Panthers!
PENRITH City Council, like most in our city, are cheering on the mighty Panthers as they look to make their fifth consecutive NRL Grand Final.
Council is encouraging fans to show their support by decorating their houses and workplaces with red, green and black, in true Panthers spirit. To help, Council is giving away free posters, available from the Civic Centre and St Marys Office.
Penrith City Libraries have also joined in and have limited numbers of a Panthers-Council bookmark which is available from each of our three libraries (Penrith, St Marys and St Clair).
Children at Council’s Children’s Services will show their support with a Panthers colouring-in, which is available to download from Google Drive.
Penrith City Council General Manager Andrew Moore is thrilled that the Penrith Panthers are in the finals, with community spirit high in the hope of winning another grand final.
“The City is excited that our beloved Panthers are making Penrith proud once again, hoping to defend their premiership title. I would encourage all Panthers fans to decorate their home and get their hands on as much Panthers memorabilia as possible,” Mr Moore said.
“Our limited-edition poster can be picked up from Council’s Civic Centre or at our St Marys office. This year, we’re also offering bookmarks from our Council libraries which I’m sure will be met with lots of excitement and be in short supply.
“The poster and bookmarks are yet another way that Council and fans can show their support for the Panthers, and I expect them to run out quickly,” Mr Moore said.
“Council has been busy installing flags and banners right across the Penrith LGA as we cheer on the Panthers for what could be a historic fifth consecutive grand final appearance.”
The posters are limited to two per household/business and the bookmarks are limited to one per person whilst stocks last. To download the colouring in sheet, go to https:// drive.google.com/file/d/19siNAL5K2FDCYYSJabmAPi VPhYrgeQG9/view.
Pick up locations:
Penrith Civic Centre: 601 High Street, Penrith 8.30am4pm
St Marys Office: 207 - 209 Queen Street, St Marys 9am4pm (Mon-Fri)
Penrith Library: 601 High Street, Penrith 9am-8pm (Mon-Thurs), 9am-5pm (Fri-Sat), 10am-5pm (Sun)
St Marys Library: 207 - 209 Queen Street, St Marys 9am-8pm (Mon-Thurs), 9am-5pm (Fri-Sat), 10am5pm (Sun)
St Clair Library: Shop 12, St Clair Shopping Centre, Bennett Road and Endeavour Avenue 9.30am-5pm (MonFri), 9am-1pm (Sat), Closed (Sun)
Logan and Page and the whole Geyer family on the birth of River Benjamin Geyer.
Proud grandparents Meaghan and Mark Geyer.
MG has River’s threads ready.
Photo: Triple M.
Melissa McIntosh MP recognises local achievers
MELISSA McIntosh, Federal Member for Lindsay hosted the inaugural Lindsay Awards event at Quest Penrith last week.
“We have the best community in the country, and I was so proud to recognise a few of our locals at the inaugural Lindsay Awards event, which brought together the finalists across six categories,” Mrs McIntosh said.
“A huge congratulations to all our finalists and the very well deserved award winners! Thank you to the judges Gai Hawthorn OAM, CEO of Penrith CBD Corp And Jo Tomic, Manager of St Marys Town Centre.”
The Lindsay Educator of the Year: Monique Wilson
The Lindsay Youth Achiever of the Year: Keysha Celeban
The Lindsay Community Service Award: Sue Wellings
The Lindsay Healthy Active Living Award: Darren Horgan
The Lindsay Aussie Made Business Award: Alan and Karen Bentley from Nepean Swim & Fitness
The Lindsay Woman in Leadership Award: Amanda Little
Finalists:
Cecelia Elliot
Amy Galea
Wendy Graham
Luke Hepburn
Tricia Hitchen
Gareth Jones
Melinda Leyshon
Julie Sheldrake
Olivia Slevin
Emma Snell
Courtney Wood
Well done to all, we have such high achievers in the Penrith region!
Everyone deserves a SecondBite
LAST week Penrith MP Karen McKeown OAM had the pleasure of joining SecondBite for a special food delivery to Penrith’s Christ Mission Possible Inc.
SecondBite is an Australian food rescue organisation dedicated to reducing and avoiding food waste in the Penrith community, which can create harmful greenhouse gases when it rots in landfills, and ensure edible surplus food is being saved and delivered to people in need across NSW.
Since January, SecondBite has delivered 3,916,108kg to charities across NSW, with the food distributed
through school lunch programs, hampers, and community dinners.
Throughout Penrith an amazing 278,785kg of this food has been distributed to our local schools and charities. Earlier this year, the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) granted SecondBite $410,570 to ensure that good food destined for waste reaches people facing hunger and insecurity.
The day gave Mrs McKeown a firsthand look at SecondBite’s incredible work and the impact the grant has had on supporting individuals and families experiencing food insecurity across Penrith.
“It is an honour to have the SecondBite NSW team located right here in Penrith, with the team having donated an incredible 278,785kgs to their Penrith Partners,” Mrs McKeown said.
“Thank you to SecondBite for inviting me to ride along for your delivery to Christ Mission Possible and see firsthand the distribution of food and witness the inspiring impact your organisation has on our community.”
Daniel Moorfield, SecondBite CEO, said he was incredibly proud of the role SecondBite is playing in Penrith, thanks to the generous support from the NSW Environment Protection
Authority and our local charity partners.
“Seeing the impact of our work on the ground, particularly through initiatives like the delivery to Christ Mission Possible Inc., reinforces the critical need for collaborative efforts in addressing food insecurity,” Mr Moorfield said.
“Our goal is to ensure that surplus, quality food reaches those who need it most. By providing this food at no cost, we help our partner organisations extend their support to other essential services, offering a holistic approach to assisting individuals and families in our community.”
New technology to help communities stay connected following disasters
BY KERRIE DAVIES
COMMUNITIES
impacted by bushfires, floods or severe weather events will be able to stay connected after natural disasters, with a $5 million fleet of new technologies being rolled out by the NSW Government.
In a significant step forward as the bush fire season nears, the technologies will provide backup connectivity for communities and emergency responders.
Cells on Wheels This includes four Cells on Wheels units, which connect to the internet by satellite to provide free public Wi-Fi access. Each asset can provide Wi-Fi coverage up to 500 metres away, while units can be linked to cover an even wider area. Self-powered and mounted on trailers, the units can be dispatched in a matter of hours to provide temporary Wi-Fi connectivity to communities when regular telecommunications infrastructure is damaged or destroyed. This will provide essential internet access to people so they can contact family, apply for support, access documents, or lodge insurance claims, even when local networks are down.
-The Cells on Wheels, also known as COWs, are due to be delivered this summer following the NSW Telco Authority awarding the contract to regional communication specialist Pivotel. The delivery of the COWs delivers on a Minns Labor Government election commitment as part of the Western Sydney Floods Resilience Plan.
Portable Connection Units Additionally, Service NSW has introduced eight Portable Connection Units which will provide Wi-Fi internet access in disaster recovery
centres for staff and locals. These are easily transportable and can switch between local mobile networks to provide internet connection for up to 100 devices.
Satellite-enabled Service NSW vehicle A new satellite-equipped Service NSW vehicle has now hit the road. Using Starlink satellite technology, this allows a mobile service centre to be established anywhere at any time, with its own independent broadband connection, ready to help customers. Along with allowing Service NSW to set up temporary offices anywhere, locals will be able to connect to the internet via a public Wi-Fi hotspot.
Public Safety Network In addition to keeping the community online, the Government is also delivering new technologies to help emergency services personnel get on with their vital work. The Public Safety Network is the communications network used by emergency services and is critical for keeping emergency and essential services connected during a crisis.
Public Safety Network sites are similar to a mobile phone base station,
typically featuring a tower and an equipment shelter. To quickly restore Public Safety Network outages caused by natural disasters damaging infrastructure, three fire-resistant portable communications shelters can now be deployed. These will be able to replace destroyed shelters within around a fortnight, greatly reducing the time needed to fully restore a site.
The NSW Telco Authority will also position 18 new trailer generators across the state, ready to be transported to Public Safety Network sites which have lost power in an emergency.
“Telecommunication networks can be limited, damaged or destroyed during emergencies – at a time when they’re needed most,” Premier Chris Minns said.
“We know this adds to stress, with people unable to connect with family members, or access post-emergency information.
“This technology will help people contact loved ones and stay connected in times of need.”
Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said
when an emergency or natural disaster occurs, connectivity is crucial, and the new technology we are rolling out will make it easier for people to contact loved ones, access support and even commence insurance claims.
“We already have a reliable radio communications system for first responders, but natural disasters can damage this infrastructure,” Minister Dibb said. “The NSW Government is delivering innovative technologies including COWs and PCUs to provide an important backup when traditional networks are down.
“Whether it’s flooding, fires or extreme weather events, these solutions can be rapidly deployed to impacted areas, helping communities stay connected and get back on their feet.”
Managing Director of NSW Telco Authority Kylie De Courteney said NSW Telco Authority is committed to bringing people and communities back online faster than ever when disaster strikes.
“This investment into innovative technologies means the NSW Government can now better respond during and after a crisis and restore connectivity for community and emergency services alike.”
Chief Executive of Pivotel Peter Bolger said, “We are immensely proud to be awarded this contract to deploy our broadband Cell on Wheels solution and we commend the NSW Government for leading this groundbreaking initiative in Australia.
“Engineered for rapid deployment, Pivotel’s advanced mobile communication units are critical in bridging the communication gap during disasters like floods and bushfires, ensuring access to continuous and reliable communication services when they’re needed most.”
Salvos need volunteers in NSW ahead of natural disaster season
THE Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) are calling on the community of New South Wales to sign up and become a Salvos volunteer, helping them to support thousands of first responders and survivors of natural disasters each year.
The Salvos need volunteers ahead of the upcoming disaster season to help their teams during a disaster provide meals and refreshments to first responders and evacuees, bedding and material needs for displaced community members, and a listening ear for those who have experienced the disaster first-hand.
SAES teams have a long and credible history supporting Aussies during natural disasters for over 130 years, including support during tragic disasters in New South Wales like the 1997 Thredbo Landslide, 2019 Black Summer bushfires, and the 2022 floods.
In the past three years alone, across the country SAES teams have distributed over 390,000 meals and refreshments and supported over 80,000 people, all of which wouldn’t have been possible without the 51,000 volunteer hours completed by
over 8,500 incredible volunteers.
“Whether it be fire, flood, earthquake, cyclone, or any number of other disasters, the Salvos will be there for the long haul, which is why we are looking for passionate, dedicated people who would like to sign up and volunteer to support people doing it really tough during a natural disaster. Whether it is cooking and serving meals, chatting to evacuees, administration support, maintenance and much more, all these roles are vitally important in ensuring we can best support those who have experienced a disaster,” said Norm Archer, SAES NSW Response Coordinator.
“However, this volunteer role is also a serious one, so we encourage people of New South Wales to consider it thoughtfully. The process to become a volunteer is thorough, as we want to ensure we find the right people for the role. So please, consider signing up as a volunteer with the Salvos. You will make a profound difference.”
The application process for becoming a SAES volunteer is designed to ensure the team has the right mix of skills, experience and passion so we
can support those in need. For this reason, the process includes the submission of a resume, screening questions, a phone interview, references and a police check.
If accepted, volunteers would undertake online training modules to learn the appropriate skills for the role. Then, if a disaster hits, volunteers may be contacted and mobilised to the disaster site (volunteers within a close proximity to the disaster are contacted first).
“Being a volunteer for The Salvation Army Emergency Services in NSW not only makes a huge difference for people doing it tough in a disaster, it also is extremely rewarding. It gives people the opportunity to give back at a time when communities are shattered, often unexpectedly. When people see The Salvation Army, they see a place of friendship and hope, and that is what you are able to bring to people as a volunteer with us,” said Norm.
To sign up as a volunteer for the Salvation Army Emergency Services, or for more information, visit www.salvationarmy.org.au/emergency-services/
Veterans (and Family) Local Health Program
BY STEPHEN TOLSHER, VICE PRESIDENT, ST MARYS RSL SUB-BRANCH
THE ongoing Wellbeing Program promoting the general health and wellbeing of former and currently serving defence force veterans, conducted by St Marys RSL sub-Branch, together with the St Marys Outpost Veteran Support Centre, is proving to be a successful initiative.
Veterans and partners have the choice of getting involved in several activities, ranging from social to health improvement through exercise. Social activities include weekday morning gatherings at the Outpost (the Train) for coffee and chat. Participants enjoy the morning sun on the verandah, or in the double deck carriage in poor weather. Other social activities include a monthly breakfast at The Train, on the last Thursday of the month. Breakfast is also provided on the second Saturday of the month, after a leisurely local walk. Participants will need to contact Leanne at the Outpost (9833 4700) for catering purposes.
The “Merrie Widows” initiative is proving to be very successful. The brainchild of Leanne, Outpost coordinator. One widow explained that previously, once the veteran husband passed, all connection to the local veteran community was lost. But now with this group, members are kept “in the loop” as to what is happening within the sub-Branch and socially. That widow also saw the group as a stepping stone to Legacy, which also provides for the families of passed veterans. On Saturday 19th October, a special brief service will be conducted at the St Marys RSL sub-Branch (Guns) War Memorial, commemorating War Widows Day.
The Guitars for Vets programme is also going well. Players say they get a lot out of the activity personally, improving their ability and making music as a team.
Beside the weekly jam session, the group plays gigs at a couple of local care facilities. According to the group’s theme tune “we’ll play songs for you, play them for free, just throw in a sandwich and a nice cup of tea”.
Healthwise, apart from the organised walks and twice weekly exercise sessions at Ripples, St Marys RSL sub-Branch promotes Veterans Health week in October. This year, on Wednesday 16th October outside East Bank Seafood in Tench Reserve, a qualified Exercise Physiologist will present a talk at 10.30 on the need to “keep moving to stay healthy”. That will be followed by a walk along the Nepean River at participant’s chosen distance. Participants will need to register at the RSL gazebo at Tench Reserve, in front of East Bank Seafood. Registration from 10.00am at the gazebo. After walking, a free healthy “takeaway” meal of seafood and water will be provided.
There are occasional outings and day trips organised by the sub-Branch social committee. They are usually well attended and proving enjoyable. Information
about all activities can be seen in the list below.
You can contact either the RSL sub-Branch or the Outpost Veteran Support Centre for more information about our Veterans’ Wellbeing Program:
• For the RSL sub-Branch, speak with Leanne G on 0406 399 976, or leave a voice message for her to return your call – she is in office Tuesdays and Thursdays. Or email st-maryssb@rslnsw.org.au.
• For the Outpost Veteran Support Centre, speak with Leanne M on 9833 4700, or email vietvet@ vvaastmarys.org.au.
For more details about each of the activities in the Program, visit the St Marys RSL sub-Branch website (see QR Code here) and follow the links for more information.
Finally, if there is a different activity you would like us to consider, please let us know about it (on either of above contacts).
Wellbeing activities for Veterans and their families
ACTIVITY PARTICIPANTS
DESCRIPTION/TIMING
Coffee n Chat Veterans Mon – Fri early mornings – simply just a chat on the Train veranda (Veterans Support Centre)
Social Guild Veterans & partner
Occasional social outings local or coach overnight
Hospital Visitations Veterans & partner Usually Tuesday mornings; Teams of 2 visit veterans in local hospitals
Guitars for Vets Veterans Wednesday mornings @ Veterans Support Centre (the Train); learn to play or join a jam session
Monthly BBQ B’fast Veterans & family 8.00am last Thursday of each month @ Veterans Support Centre (the Train)
Exercise classes White or Gold card holders Tue and Fri @ 8.00am @ Ripples, St Marys; occasional walks from/to the Train in lieu; must meet criteria
Walk n Talk n Breakfast Veterans & family Monthly walk on local footpaths from/to the Veterans Support Centre (the Train) Breakfast provided on return
Small bus day-trips Veterans
Occasional, weekday or weekend; greater Sydney area; lodge interest at Veteran Support Centre
Computer Classes Veterans and partner Thursday mornings @ Veterans Support Cente (Train carriage); for beginners or for Photoshop classes
Merrie Widows Partners of deceased vets Last Wednesday of each month - gathering for lunch @ St Marys Diggers Club
Gov King Day Club Veterans & partner Wednesdays 9.00am @ Mamre House area
Packing Care Boxes Veterans 6-monthly day trip to Randwick to pack care boxes
Barefoot Bowls Veterans and partner 1st Friday of the month - mornings @ St Marys Diggers Club
Wellbeing activity for October 2024
EVERY MONDAY Coffee n Chat
EVERY TUESDAY Coffee n Chat - Exercise Class
EVERY WEDNESDAY Gov King Day Club - Guitars for Vets
EVERY THURSDAY Coffee n Chat - Computer Classes
EVERY FRIDAY Coffee n Chat - Exercise Classes
Wednesday 30th October Merrie
For enquiries about any of the activities, please contact either Leanne G at the RSL sub-Branch 0406 399 976, st-maryssb@rslnsw.org.au or Leanne M at the Veterans Support Centre 9833 4700, vietvet@vvaastmarys.org.au DATE
Local golfers tee up funds for sick kids
GOLFERS in the Penrith district can now hit the green and do their bit to help sick kids, with X-Golf Penrith’s inaugural Starlight Scramble, which kicked off this month.
Formed from a new partnership between X-Golf and the Starlight Foundation, the initiative will take place until 12 October, with the national goal of funding five life-changing Starlight Wishes.
At a cost of $7,500 per wish, X-Golf’s sights are set high, but they’re confident local golfers will join in to support the little ones of their local community.
X-Golf’s Peter Nolan said when sick kids’ worlds are filled with hospitals and treatments, a Starlight Wish is an incredible gift of happiness.
“It’s a cause that’s close to our hearts here at X-Golf, and we’re pleased to work together to help these families leave the pain of illness behind, for a moment, to enjoy more of what matters most.”
There are 25 participating X-Golf locations
Australia-wide where golfers can hit for the happiness of Starlight kids, including Penrith, Melbourne and Cairns.
When entering, Starlight Scramble participants must pass on the $70 savings from the discounted simulator hire to the Foundation for four players to enjoy a nine-hole scramble, plus go in the draw to win other great prizes.
To learn more about X-Golf’s inaugural Starlight Scramble, or to find a participating venue near you, visit www.xgolf.com.au/promos/starlightscramble/
BY NOEL ROWSELL
Photos supplied.
ORCHARD HILLS VETERINARY HOSPITAL
A dog’s day out: Navigating dog park etiquette
BY KELLIE TICKNER, ORCHARD HILLS VETERINARY HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR
WITH spring in full bloom, dog owners across Penrith are eager to get outside and enjoy the fresh air with their fourlegged friends. Scattered throughout our suburbs, dog parks offer an excellent space for dogs to run free, play, and socialise. However, for these spaces to remain safe and enjoyable, it’s important that dog owners follow proper etiquette.
Ground Rules for a Happy Dog Park Experience
Before you unleash your pup in the park, it’s essential to be mindful of your dog’s temperament. Not every dog is suited for the dog park environment, and it’s up to you to ensure that your dog will handle the excitement and interaction with other
dogs appropriately. Let’s explore some key tips on what to do and what to avoid when visiting the dog park.
The DOs of Dog Park Etiquette
1. Be Realistic About Your Dog: Know your dog’s behaviour and social skills. A dog park can be overwhelming, even for well-mannered dogs. Ensure your dog is comfortable interacting with other dogs and can handle the dynamic energy that comes with an off-leash environment.
2. Keep Vaccinations Up to Date: The health of your dog and others is critical. Make sure your dog is fully vaccinated, has regular preventative care, and is healthy before visiting a dog park. This helps minimise the risk of disease transmission among pets.
Falso visit the pound each week and take photographs and temperament tests of the animals to
Nora is a sweet, playful girl who loves her toys. She came to the Shelter a little reserved but has come out of her shell and is happy to receive lots of attention and affection. Please come and meet lovely Nora anytime during open hours. Nora is desexed so she can leave the shelter with you.
Cost: $99 Age: 6
3. Leash Until the Designated Area: For everyone’s safety, keep your dog on a leash until you’ve entered the fenced-off, designated play area. This helps prevent any uncontrolled interactions or confrontations during the initial introductions.
4. Respect Size Restrictions: If the dog park separates areas for small and large dogs, respect these boundaries. Larger dogs can inadvertently harm smaller ones during play, and smaller dogs may feel intimidated in a largedog section.
5. Scoop the Poop: Always clean up after your dog. This basic rule keeps the park clean and enjoyable for all and ensures the health of the environment and other dogs.
The DON’Ts of Dog Park Etiquette
1. Don’t Get Distracted: Stay attentive. Your dog’s safety and behaviour are your responsibility, so avoid distractions like phone use and keep an eye on how your dog interacts with others.
2. Avoid Taking Puppies: If your puppy is under 16 weeks old or not fully vaccinated, it’s best to skip the dog park. Speak to your vet about other ways to socialise your puppy in a safer setting.
3. No Behavioural Rehabilitation at the Park: Dog parks are not the place for training dogs with behavioural challenges. If your dog becomes stressed or shows signs of anxiety, leave the park and seek help from a professional trainer or veterinarian.
By following these tips, you and your dog can enjoy a fun, safe experience at the park. A little awareness goes a long way in ensuring a great time for everyone involved. For more advice on dog care, reach out to the team at Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital on 0247362027. Let’s make this spring a happy one for both dogs and their owners!
post online and
the
has been raised around children without any issues, though we are uncertain what he is like around cats. Alfie loves to chase toys and play in the yard. If you have been looking for a lovely big dog to join your family, please come to the shelter with your dog and the children to meet him.
RIENDS of Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter seek the “extras” for the dogs and cats in care at Hawkesbury Pound. They
promote
animals. They upload their images and opinions of these animals to Facebook, Twitter and PetRescue. To follow them, look them up on facebook and twitter.
SO, you’ve decided to get solar! Good on you, I say. The results of a quality system are immediate, and the savings can be substantial, so congratulations on taking the step towards a greener, more sustainable future for your home or business.
You’ve got a lot to look forward toand I know all too well how eager you might feel to get your system up and running, but there are a few things to consider before your installer arrives.
Jim’s Gems
Taking a moment to be prepared will help make the process smoother and ensure you get the most out of your investment from day one.
First and foremost, if you haven’t already, take a look at your current energy usage, and have a think about your future goals. How much are you spending on electricity now, and what would you like your energy costs to look like moving forward? Ideally, you’ll have already discussed this with your chosen provider – and at Nepean Solar Solutions, we require copies of your electricity bills to ensure that we can present you with the most suitable proposal for your individual needs. However, it’s essential to keep these factors in mind before you sign on the dotted line.
Another crucial step we take for our customers – and we hope other providers also prioritize - is
a thorough site inspection. Site inspections should be conducted by an accredited designer, or at the very least, a qualified and experienced installer. This part of the process is essential as it confirms that your roof is suitable for solar panels and helps identify an appropriate location for your inverter and/or battery. If any issues are discovered at this stage, such as blocked access to necessary areas, or less available roof space than expected, you will have time to address them.
Additionally, ahead of your installation day, it’s important to clear the installation area of obstacles, such as cars and outdoor furniture, to provide the tradespeople with full and safe access to your roof, meter box, and roof cavity. If you have pets, it’s always appreciated if you could ensure they are secured, and while
it isn’t essential, we do encourage at least one household member to be present for communication purposes too.
That way, at the end of the day, our team can walk you through monitoring and address any questions you may have about making the most of your new investment – but of course, we’re here and happy to help anytime!
Are property prices falling?
MOST media (this fine newspaper excluded of course) rely upon sensational headlines to grab your attention to read the article, which then helps to sell advertsising.
Recently, a major television station had a story on their news bulletin discussing large price drops in various suburbs. Figures can be deceiving sometimes, and the suburbs mentioned all had a very small number of sales over the period.
It looks terrible, and in the media’s usual mischievous tradition, they have picked the most lurid angle to report something because that’s what sells. The 150-year-old saying “what bleeds, leads” still holds true today. In many ways, it speaks more to the immutability of human nature than it does about the media. Unfortunately, we’re easy to fool and make the same mistakes from generation to generation.
Have prices fallen 14-20 percent in these suburbs?
Remember that sales volumes are extremely low, as is normal at this cycle stage, and we need a bare minimum of 30 observations to get a statistically
significant sample. We’ll look at each suburb one by one.
If we consider that sales volumes have been falling, the sales made last month are likely even lower than the 12-month average. So, a couple of lower-priced property sales would easily drag the median down. The property market isn’t crashing. What else?
Observing the world around you is a good way to assess the real state of the economy. A superintelligent mate who retired in his early 30s and lives in a waterfront property in Hunters Hill advised that new uniform sales at his children’s school had fallen 30 percent, and second-hand sales are up 10x. The economy is hurting.
We’ve been in the longest per-capita recession in
30 years, and consumer sentiment is worse than it was during the height of the pandemic. It’s easy to get caught up in the media’s hype and emotion, but personally, I’ve never been more bullish.
The only way a bull run* starts is when the last bull becomes a bear; it’s the only way to flush out the last of the frothiness of hope and exuberance…. It’s perfect.
History shows that when an economy gets too excited on cheap money and finance (as occurred after Covid lockdowns) you need a tightening of spending to bring inflation back to normal levels. Once this is achieved, interest rates will start to drop, any asset prices (including property) will start to increase again.
History repeats itself.
And yes… I borrowed the media headlines to get your attention!
*a bull run is a sustained upswing in asset prices; a bear market is the opposite
Please do not hesitate to contact me on 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.
This information is the opinion of the writer and of a general nature, and you need to take all your own circumstances into consideration before making any commitments.
WITH STEVE BEARD Select Mortgage Broker
School Holidays
WEDNESDAY
2ND & 9TH OCTOBER
$10 BINGO or $15 BINGO & LUNCH
(Includes pen, pkt chips) BOOKS ON SALE FROM 10AM GAME RUNS 11AM TO 12PM
LOTS OF PRIZES TO BE
WON
School Holidays
SUPPORT LOCAL THIS SCHOOL HOLIDAYS
There’s so much to see and do locally in Penrith these school holidays!
The kids will love the local food on offer - from fish and chips to cup cakes to sweets and lollies! Restaurants, cafes, retail - everything you could wish for is right here in the heart of Penrith!
HENRY’S BAR & RESTAURANT
Friday 4 October, 11am
Children’s High Tea ~ $25 per person
Hot Chocolate or Milkshake, Sausage Rolls, Finger Sandwiches, Cheesy Pastry Fingers, Cupcakes, Lamington Fingers, Mini Cookies
BOOKINGS ESSENTIAL
Henry’s Bar & Restaurant, 74 Henry Street, Penrith functions@henrysbar.com.au
School Holidays
to be
Final farewell to the annual Penrith Dolls, Bears, Craft and Collectables Fair.
Pictured: Hannah & Penny Healey display one more time their mum’s Jilly Polly Dolls. Jill Williams was a doll maker until she passed away in 2016 and they have been coming to all doll shows since then to sell her collection to people who appreciate them. All proceeds from the fair will go to support Ovarian cancer research and local Domestic Violence Victims through The Ross Hutchison Foundation.
Kmart St Marys is now open in St Marys Village Centre!
to Pou and Annelies - last weekend’s Take Me Away Major Draw Winners at Penrith RSL!
Photo:
Country music lovers: The ultimate date night
AN unprecedented concert experience featuring some country songs to make you “Ye haaa!”.
A one-of-a-kind musical event is coming to the John Lees Centre Friday 4th, Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October 7pm plus a matinee performance on Sunday 6th at 3pm.
“Country Night” The Ultimate Date Night promises an evening like no other, featuring some well-known country songs with a mix of country dancing to entertain your night away!
“Country Night” The Ultimate Date Night” is more than just a concert; it’s a unique interactive experience blending hit songs with live fun audience
participation. Whether you’re out with friends, madly in love with your partner or desperately trying to stay out of the doghouse, this show offers something special for everyone.
Don’t miss this chance to see these beloved performers as they create a night of unrehearsed hilarity and unforgettable memories.
Ticket price is $25.
To book tickets go to www.trybooking.com/CTVWD
To reserve tickets email rubyproductions99@gmail.com
“COUNTRY NIGHT” will be performed at The Ruby Theatre, Level 1, 15 Evan Street; Penrith. www.rubyproductions.com.au
BRBW hosts Annual Rugby League Knockout Tournament
BY
THE Blacktown Red Belly Warriors (BRBW) hosted the BRBW 2024 Rugby League Knockout on Saturday 21st September, on the fields of The Kingsway, St Marys.
The full list of results is: 10s Mixed: BRBW beat La Perouse 2610; 13 Boys: BRBW beat Mighty Maliyans 24-18; 15 Girls: BRBW beat RAB 30-28; Men’s: BRBW beat Yowies 16-10.
The BRBW KO tournament is held as a warm-up event for the annual Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout Carnival, which is scheduled to
take place over October 4th-7th at Hereford St Sporting Fields Bathurst.
This year’s event in Bathurst features over 140 teams, including 64 men’s teams and over 80 women’s and
junior teams from across Australia, each representing their Aboriginal communities.
These teams compete in a knockout format, where the excitement builds
with every match as teams are gradually eliminated until a champion is crowned. Expect fierce competition and passionate displays of rugby league throughout the event.
NOEL ROWSELL
Action from the 10’s Mixed and Open Men’s grand finals. Photos by Noel Rowsell
Local golfers fall short at NSW Open Qualifier
BY NOEL ROWSELL
AIDEN Didone (VIC) has won the NSW Open Golf Qualifying Series event at Wollongong Golf Club, beating Jeffrey Guan (NSW) in a sudden-death playoff, after the pair had finished locked together at -9.
Didone matched the course record of seven-under-par 63 in his second round, with the previous record having only been set a day earlier by Day One leader Jayden Cripps.
Coby Carruthers (Jordan Springs / Concord GC) and Kade Webber (Stonecutters Ridge GC) were both in contention early on Day Two but bogeys at the end of their respective
rounds stifled their chances at victory.
Coby shot 69/66 to finish 5-underpar in a tie for 13th position, whilst Kade shot 66/72 to finish 2-under-par in a tie for 30th spot.
Big Swing Golf / Drummond Golf Penrith touring professional Josh Clark was just off the pace on Day One, shooting a 1-over-par 71, but an improved score of 2-under 68 on Day Two elevated him from 88th spot to finish in a tie for 37th.
In additional golf news, Stonecutters Ridge GC junior representative Savannah Webb has been named the Western Sydney Academy of Sport ‘Golf Athlete of the Year’.
Savannah is also a member of the Stonecutters Ridge team which finished runner-up in this year’s Eric
Apperly Shield Pennant competition and competes regularly in the JNJG Tour.
Savannah was also the best performer from western Sydney at the 2024 JNJG North Coast Junior Masters, which was played at Forster and Tuncurry golf clubs over 21-22 September.
Savannah finished in 3rd place outright and 2nd place in 14/15 Years Girls, with Jessica Fog (Penrith) in 8th position outright and Marie-Claire Domingo (Stonecutters Ridge) 10th. Matthew Fullerton (Richmond / Lynwood CC) was the best of the local Boys, finishing 9th outright and 6th in the 16 Years & Over Boys, ahead of Riley Stasiuk (Penrith) tied 45th and Ethan Schempp (Dunheved) 56th.
NSW Junior Polo Team selected to play South Island
WINDSOR
Polo Club junior
members James ParryOkeden (18 years) and Piper Trickett (15) have been chosen in the NSW Junior team which will play South Island (NZ) at the 2024 Junior Championships
Piper comes from a riding family; her Mum is an Eventer and her Dad a Polo player. She has been riding since she was 4 and has developed a love for Polo. Piper has been lucky to play in New Zealand and won the Ellerson 8-Goal Final earlier this year, where she was awarded the MVP of the game.
James was a member of the NSW U/21 NSW touring team to South Island, NZ in 2022 and has been listed in the Australian U/21 squad in 2020, 2021 and 2022. He is a winner of the Winten Cup in 2022 and 2023, playing with Giddiup and AZ Polo, and is a member of both Windsor and Arunga Polo clubs.
The NSW Polo Association and the
NSW Junior Selection Committee (Anto White, Tom Martin, and Muz Easton) congratulated Cody Grimes, Lucas Grimes, James and Piper on being selected to represent NSW, with the match to be played at Scone Polo Club on 19th October.
NSW Juniors - Cody Grimes (Captain / Ellerston Polo Club) 3-Goal rating, Lucas Grimes (Ellerston Polo Club) 1-goal, James Parry-Okeden (Windsor Polo Club) 1-goal, Piper Trickett (Windsor Polo Club) 1-goal.
The South Island team is Ed Davidson 2-Goal ranking, Tom
Kurri Burri Polo Club hosted their Spring tournament over 20 - 22 September, with 24 teams competing across 4 grades.
The full list of winners are: 12 Goal - Arunga (Chris Daily, Adam Tolhurst, Dylan Jones, Bautista Panelo) defeated Town & Country 9-6. 6 Goal Pool ACutcliffe/Team Tibra (Paul Cutcliffe, Tim Berry, Adam Meally, Bautista Panelo) defeated The Pines 7.5-5; 6 Goal Pool B - Kurri Burri (Jackson Marshall, James Parry-Okeden,
Adam Marshall, Sam Hopkinson). defeated Killarney 9-5; 2 Goal Pool A - TRFD (Mike Barker, Jack Raval, Ant O’Leary, Ric McCarthy) defeated Artarmon Mazda/Wilfin 4-3; 2 Goal Pool B - Bella Polo (Pete Martin, Jess Martin, Rowena Rainger, Shannon Booth, Guy Higginson) defeated The Table Club 9-6; Subzero - USYD Polo (Estee Dabbous, Ben Malden, Colt Kahlbetzer, Toby Goodman) defeated both Killarney Orange and Kurri Burri Green in a round robin.
Best Pony: 6 Goal – ‘Nouille’, played by Bautista Panelo, owned by Andrew Williams; 12 Goal – ‘Vein’, played by Jake Daniels, owned by Peter Huston.
The next two weekends in the Hawkesbury are packed with Polo action, featuring the Countess of Dudley Cup and Hector King Trophy, along with the Killarney 2-goal, 0 and Subzero and the Sir Phillip Charley 6-goal.
The draw and further details can be found on the NSW Polo website / FB page, Windsor Polo club website / FB page and the Polo Matchmaker FB page.
WSAS announces Yearly Award Winners
BY NOEL ROWSELL
THE Western Sydney Academy of Sport held its Annual Athlete Awards Dinner on Friday, 13 September 2024, at Wenty Leagues Club, recognising the achievements of athletes, coaches and the support of both Government and corporate partners throughout the season.
Athletes from 11 sports disciplines were recognised for their talent and dedication, including BMX, Cycling, Netball, Rowing, and Para-sports. The event’s highlight was the presentation of “Athlete of the Year” awards for each sport, culminating in the prestigious “Academy Athlete of the Year” award.
The list of Penrith & Blue Mountains Award Recipients is as follows: BMX Athlete of the Year: Eli Schroeder (Blue Mountains); Indigenous Future Stars Athlete of the Year: Lara Hodges (Penrith); Steadfast Coach Leadership Award: Melissa Wu; Steadfast Athlete Leadership Award: Ethan Mackie (Penrith); Western Sydney Academy of Sport 2024 Athlete of the Year: Matthew Engesser (Para-Triathlon athlete and Academy Ambassador, Penrith).
Service awards were given to coaches Nikki Welsford, Heather Smith, and Martin Bullock for their long-standing contributions. The Academy extended its gratitude to guests, partners, and stakeholders for their support.
Coby Carruthers. Photo courtesy of David Tease / Golf NSW
Turner 2-Goal, Max Dormer 0-Goal, James Reid 0-Goal).
BY NOEL ROWSELL
Piper Trickett
James Parry-Okeden
Photos: Supplied by WSAS. (Left) Lara Hodges (Indigenous, Penrith). (Right) Matthew Engesser (Para-Triathlon, Penrith).
Penrith Regatta Centre hosts IRONMAN 70.3 Western Sydney
BY NOEL ROWSELL
FAST times and exciting racing has highlighted IRONMAN 70.3 Western Sydney on Sunday, with more than 1,600 agegroup athletes taking part.
Athletes from every Australian state and territory, along with 21 other countries, took on the 1.9km swim, 90km ride and 21.1km run at the Sydney International Regatta Centre.
First across the line was Kurt Hanson, who covered the course in 3:54:54, just two seconds clear on the timing board from Thales Da Silva Souza, with Jack Pringle third.
The rolling age-group start made for a nervous wait on the finish line for Hanson, with Souza’s incredibly quick run time almost claiming him the victory.
“Amazing, I’m absolutely over the moon, but Thales, he ran a one hour 13, he beat me by like 10 minutes in the run,” said Hanson. “I’m stoked but absolutely pooped, well done to the other boys because I’ve never worked that hard in my life. I didn’t really have a plan, I just got with Cam, Leon and a couple of boys on the bike and those guys are so quick and full credit to those boys, they did a lot of work. I biked with them and I took off on the run in front and thought there was no way I was going to hold on to this and expected Cam to come flying past me, but he hung about 100 metres behind the whole run and it was agony but anyway it doesn’t get any better.”
In the women’s race, Rachael McCarthy dominated from start to
finish, crossing the line in 4:25:11, over 17 minutes clear of Emma Fessey in second, with Tanya Fraser rounding out the overall women’s podium.
“I’m exhausted, that was tough, that run is never easy, it looks close but it’s a long way to go,” said McCarthy. “I was trying to be tactical and take it easy on the swim and the bike and
IRONKIDS IN ACTION
The IRONMEN and WOMEN of the future were competing in the IRONKIDS event on Saturday morning at the Penrith Regatta Centre. Photos by Noel Rowsell
see what I could do on the run, and it turned out not much on the run. It’s still extremely tough, this is my fifth half and with each one I’m just trying to progress and improve and work out my strengths and weaknesses and get better with that,” said McCarthy. “It’s such a special feeling, there’s nothing like it to be honest, you work so hard for a four, four and a half hour race, taking the tape makes it worth it.”
Sunday’s event got underway with a Sprint Triathlon, with more than 300 athletes taking on a 750m swim, 20km ride and 5km run.
Both Sprint Tri & IRONMAN 70.3 races were ruled WETSUIT MANDATORY, due to the adjusted water temperature of 13.5 degrees.
IRONMAN 70.3 Western Sydney also hosted the NSW Long Course State Championships this weekend.
For more on IRONMAN 70.3 Western Sydney visit: www.ironman. com/im703-western-sydney
IRONMAN 70.3 Western Sydney. Photos: Tim Bardsley-Smith
Rachael McCarthy
Dawn
Award-Winning Weekend for Jess Fox OAM
BY NOEL ROWSELL
THE announcement of the final award for the 2023/24
PNSW season did not surprise anyone, but it was fitting it would be the award which wrapped up the Sport’s yearly gongs.
Globally known as the GOAT (Greatest paddler of all time), Jess Fox OAM won the Female Paddler of the Year award for the 12th time in her distinguished career.
Penrith’s golden girl continues to represent NSW and Australia at the highest level and she also continues to be a great ambassador for the sport and excellent role model for the kids.
In addition to her domestic results, Jess’ international results included:
• Winning the Australian Open for both WK1 and WC1
• Placing 2nd in WK1 and 1st in WC1 at the Oceania Championships
• Winning both the WK1and WK1 teams event, along with placing third in WC1 at the 2023 World Championships
• Continuing to dominate on the World stage, becoming the first person to win 50 World Cup medals
and the first person to win three gold medals at one World Cup event.
• Being selected to represent Australia at the Olympics for three events (WK1, WC1 and Women’s Kayak Cross).
Jess was also selected as the flag bearer for Australia at the Paris Olympics. She continues to inspire Australian paddlers of all disciplines, as well as the general public, through her positive attitude, drive and determination.
In a fitting finale to an unbelievable
year, Jess completed the World Cup season on the weekend, winning a gold medal and claiming the overall 2024 Women’s World Cup Canoe (WC1) title at the ICF Canoe Slalom World Cup Final in La Seu, Spain.
Jess had finished fifth in the Women’s Kayak (WK1) Final the previous night and was obviously determined not to let her rivals off so lightly in the Canoe Final.
After also finishing fifth in the WC1 semi-final, Jess rose to the occasion in the Final, putting down a time that
her competitors found hard to chase, similar to her winning performance in the WC1 Final at the Paris Olympic Games.
Crossing the line in a time of 104.30 was enough for Jess to claim gold, just 0.11 seconds ahead of Czech Republic’s Gabriela Satkova in second place and Great Britain’s Kimberley Woods in third.
She rounded out the World Cup event in Spain with a 4th place finish in the Final of the Women’s Kayak Cross.
Jess Fox OAM (WC1). File photo courtesy of Bence Vekassy / Paddle Australia
Jess Fox OAM wins 2024 WC1 World Cup title. Photo courtesy of Damiano Benedetto / Paddle Australia
SMSP hosts Roll Racing State of Origin
ROLL Racing is the latest form of Motorsport event to hit Australia and has created a cult following when it is held at Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP).
Catering for a recreational Motorsport customer who likes to drive their car fast and have fun in a safe and controlled environment, the concept is you race one other vehicle, beginning with a rolling start.
You set off from the marshalling point in the first area to reach a speed between 40-50kph, then once the lights turn from orange to green, you both
race along the front straight to the finish line about 3000m away to see who has the quickest car, then you can return back to the marshalling area and you can race someone else and keep going all night.
Father and son Keith and Neil Lewis created the concept in QLD in 2011 and it became an overnight success, leading them to begin operating in NSW, SA and WA with the same concept.
Once the formula had proved successful, the introduction of a State of Origin night between NSW and QLD drivers was the next logical step, introducing increased rivalry between owners / drivers.
The pit garages and support car
parking bays are a story in themselves, with some extraordinarily rare and expensive machinery on show for an adoring bunch of fans, who probably spend as much time day-dreaming over the exotic machines in the car park as they do watching the action on the track.
Friday night saw a record number of Nissan GTRs in the field, along with the previous round winner, a Lamborghini, whilst a few Exotic cars like the McClaren Senna, 458 Italia Ferrari and others shone out in the car park.
The secret to Roll Racing is not necessarily having the most horsepower, the biggest tyre or fattest
wallet (although all those things help), it’s to have a well set up car that can get the power to the ground and use it correctly.
At the Queensland events some of quickest cars have been 400hp Corollas, 500 HP Rotarys and VL Commodores, which are all extremely well set up street cars, with the owners driving to the Roll Racing events and driving home - true street cars.
Roll Racing is open to all types of vehicles, from domestics, imports and super cars all battling it out under lights to see who really has a fast car.
The next event at SMSP is on Friday 25th October and tickets can be bought at rollracing.com.au
Hayley Latta World Masters Weightlifting Champion
HAYLEY Latta (Penrith) travelled to Rovaniemi, Finland in September, as a member of the Australian Masters National team, to compete in the International Masters Weightlifting Association (IMWA) World Championships.
Hayley would subsequently claim a World Championship title, with an impressive performance, snatching 74kg and clean-and-jerking 88kg for a 162kg total.
“I took out first place in a very tough competition, with very high standards,” said Hayley. “I’ve been training in weightlifting for 6 years, coached by Dan Wallington at Strength Workshop, Minchinbury.
“I started concentrating on weightlifting after being introduced to it via CrossFit, I fell in love with the technical challenges of the sport and realised quickly this was the sport for me. I started concentrating purely on weightlifting at 30yrs old and currently compete in the 87kg+ weight class, Masters 35-39yrs.
In 2023, Hayley was Masters State Champion, Senior State Silver Medallist and Masters National Champion.
“This year, I have been battling injuries, which has led to me pulling out of competitions to ensure I was able to compete at the important ones.
“I travelled to QLD in June to compete in the Masters National Championships, where I placed first with a 70kg snatch and 92kg cleanand-jerk to secure first place with a 162kg total.
“This competition was also my
first international debut, where I placed second in both Oceania Championships and IMWA World Cup.
Hayley’s successes in 2024 are: Masters National Champion, Silver Medallist Oceania Championship, Silver Medallist UMWF World Cup, Gold Medal IMWA World Championships.
“No further competitions are planned for the rest of the year, as my body needs to rest and recover before I decide what competitions to be at next year.”
BY NOEL ROWSELL
State of Origin winner Tony (QLD) with his Nissan GTR MR35. A packed house at Friday night’s State of Origin. Photos supplied by David Northey.
BY NOEL ROWSELL
Photos supplied
PANTHER PRIDE
THE MIGHTY PENRITH PANTHERS
Good Vibe: Nathan Cleary
BY KERRIE DAVIES
NATHAN Cleary said there’s a “good vibe around the group” ahead of this week’s preliminary final against Cronulla Sharks.
“You don’t get sick of being in the mix at this time of year. There’s a good vibe around the group at the moment. Obviously we know we have a big job ahead of us but just trying to enjoy each day as it comes and build the foundation for a big match,” Nathan said.
Jarome Luai said he was very excited and full of energy and a “bit jittery.”
“A bit of nervous energy,” Jarome said.
“I think there’s always in the back of your mind about outcomes and fear of failure and things like that. There’s always going to be that there.”
“Moreso (I’m) full of energy and excitement to get back out there.
“The stakes are high now, its do or die. That’s why we play the sport for these type of games.”
Saturday night’s game is a do-or-die clash, with the winner progressing to the grand final.
“Come Saturday night we’ll be competing at our best and at our hardest to get the job done.”
MATCH PREVIEW:
Panthers v Sharks
7.50PM | ACCOR STADIUM SATURDAY 28 SEPTEMBER
After breaking their finals hoodoo by beating the Cowboys, the challenge now facing the Sharks is to go up another couple of levels to try and take down the defending premiers.
BY
WITH Braydon Trindall producing one of the finest performances of his career, the Sharks got home 26-18 to move into their first preliminary final since 2018, where they were eliminated by the Storm.
Trindall and halves partner Nicho Hynes will again need to stand tall in their match-up with Nathan Cleary and Jarome Luai if the Sharks are to keep alive the dream of a second premiership to go with the 2016 triumph.
The Panthers arrive at their fifth consecutive preliminary final in good shape with Cleary all the better for the run against the Roosters and backrower Scott Sorensen looking likely to return from a hamstring injury.
The chance to claim a slice of history with a fourth premiership on the trot is a powerful motivator for the Panthers, who are looking to send Jarome Luai, James Fisher-Harris and Sunia Turuva off on a winning note.
The two sides have met just once before in a final, with the Sharks prevailing 21-20 in 2018 on the back of a Chad Townsend field goal.
We are all cheering the mighty Penrith Panthers onto a glorious Grand Final victory. Go… Panthers!!
PANTHERS MEDIA
THE MIGHTY PENRITH PANTHERS
‘Only way to go’: Departing trio vow to leave with premiership ring
“We won’t leave here without a ring. There is no other way to leave this place”.
BY BRAD WALTER NRL REPORTER
THAT’S the pact departing Penrith stars Jarome Luai, James Fisher-Harris and Sunia Turuva have made as they aim to help the club to an historic four peat before leaving at the end of the season.
Since the start of their premiership run, the Panthers have farewelled Matt Burton, Paul Momirovski, Kurt Capewell, Tyrone May (2021), Viliame Kikau, Api Koroisau, Charlie Staines (2022) and Stephen Crichton, Spencer Leniu, Jaeman Salmon and Jack Cogger (2023).
The 11 former Panthers all left with a premiership ring and Luai, Fisher-Harris and Turuva have vowed to depart in the same style as they prepare to face Cronulla in a fifth consecutive preliminary final on Saturday at Accor Stadium.
“For us, the mindset is that we won’t leave here without a ring,” Turuva said.
“Critta and Spennie, Api and Kiks … they all left here with a ring and left here on a high, so that is what we want to do.
“Speaking to ‘Romey’ about it, as well, it would be massive to finish here on a high note. We won’t leave here without a ring. There is no other way to leave this place.”
Whilst Luai and Fisher-Harris have been involved in each of Penrith’s grand final triumphs, Turuva won his first premiership last year and knows they may not get another chance.
The 2023 Dally M Rookie of the Year is joining Luai at Wests Tigers, where Koroisau and Staines currently play, whilst Fisher-Harris is returning home to New Zealand to play alongside Capewell at the Warriors.
“It is massive for myself, having one finals series under my belt now to know what is coming,” Turuva said.
“Finals is a different ball game, there are no more second chances, so we just have to be on our A-game every week.”
After establishing himself on the Panthers right wing last year, Turuva has had a less settled 2024 season as he struggled to finalise his future.
The 22-year-old Fiji international had been targeted by the Dolphins as a recruit for their
inaugural season but felt a deep loyalty to Penrith for the club’s support of him and his family after fire destroyed their home in 2020.
He also suffered the loss of his mother, Salote, a year later.
However, the opportunity to join Luai and Koroisau, who is his first cousin, at Wests Tigers was too hard to resist.
Such was the enormity of the decision that Panthers coach Ivan Cleary rested Turuva for the Round 8 match against the Cowboys while he finalised the three-year deal with the Tigers.
“Myself and Coach [Cleary] just had a chat about getting my future sorted because it was dragging and it was weighing me down, as well,” Turuva said.
“Coach touched on how it can take an emotional toll on us players.
“I was having chats with my family as well because this place is home, with what the club has done for me over the last couple of years. It was good to get it out of the way.”
Fellow Panthers winger Brian To’o said teammates were disappointed Turuva, Luai and FisherHarris were leaving but wanted to ensure they left with a premiership.
“It’s obviously going to be emotional and there is a bit of happiness there as well for the boys,” To’o said.
“They are off to bigger and better things next year, but we just want to focus on now. We just want to make the most of it, and hopefully we can send the boys off on a good note.
PANTHER PRIDE
Getting to know your former players...
CRAIG GOWER
1. What age did you start playing footy? 5
2. Apart from Bluebet Stadium what is your favourite other ground to play at? San Siro Milan Italy
3. If not footy what would you be doing? A Pro golfer
4. Favourite other Sport and Athlete? Tiger Woods/ Golf
5. Favourite Song? Levels, Avici
6. Favourite Movie? Shawshank Redemption
7. Favourite TV Series? Gold Rush
8. Favourite Junk Food? Gelato
9. What 3 famous people would you love to have a night out with? Tiger Woods, Mike Tyson, Corey Brown
10. What is your death row meal? Surf and Turf
Date of Birth: 29 April 1978
Birthplace: Penrith, NSW Age: 46
Nickname: Pig, Gowie
Height: 174 cm
Weight: 89 kg
Debut Club: Penrith Panthers
Date: Round 11, 1996 Opposition: Parramatta Eels Round: 11
ON THE
MARK
AND THEN THERE WERE 4!
AFTER 27 rounds and two weeks of finals footy we are left with the best 4 teams in this season’s NRL. Melbourne will play the Roosters on Friday night in the first preliminary final, then on Saturday night the Panthers will take on the Sharks in the second of this weekend’s prelim contests.
Last Friday night with a score of 2618, the Cowboys were sent packing for season 2024 by a Sharks outfit who were inspired by Braydon Trindall. That makes it no glory at all for the 4 QLD teams this season as well as their Origin team succumbing to the Blues. Unlucky. All in all, a less than great year for those north of the border.
Most, including myself, thought the Cowboys may have been the danger team this season of those teams out of the top 4, but alas, there’s a reason no team has won the comp in the NRL era after finishing out of that vital top 4.
In the other finals clash last Saturday night between the busted Roosters and Manly there was never before such carnage to open a dramatic finals game.
In the space of 23 seconds Manly centre Tolu Koula was KO’d off the very first tackle of the game when he put his head in the wrong spot attempting to tackle powerhouse JWH.
The very next tackle, once Koula had left the field, BOOM! This time noted perfect defender Jake Trbojevic did likewise attempting to tackle
players gone. Total decimation. Jake did find his way back onto the field but the game was gone. Roosters rampant in victory 40-16, which sets up two mouth-watering contests this weekend between the 4 teams who deserve to be there.
Minor premiers Melbourne up against the team that finished 3rd in the season proper, the Roosters, and the team that finished 2nd, Penrith, up against the team that finished 4th, Cronulla. How bloody good!!
The Storm and Panthers seem
in one of these prelim finals.
Will the Roosters break the hoodoo the Storm have upon them and prevail? Will the team who just broke their ‘finals games duck egg’ pull a rabbit out of the hat against the 3 time premiers? I doubt it. It looks ominously evident that the two teams with the least amount of casualties will make their way to the big dance.
One gets the feeling that both the Sharks and the Roosters each played their respective grand finals
weekend. The
disappointing Cowboys team and the
beat a team who lost a player in the opening tackle of the game. Melbourne look eerily confident. As do Penrith with Nathan Cleary back. Next time we speak it will be about the crowning of the premiers of this years NRL competition!!
See you at the game... Don’t forget, if you’re looking for a new car contact my great mate at Sinclair Hyundai, Toby Hughes.
MG (random Westie) OAM
WITH MARK GEYER
Lindsay Collins. Two tackles - two
poised to meet in yet another grand final but you just feel there might be a twist
last
Sharks beat a
Roosters
