Nepean News 2 August 2018

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ISSUE 232

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Exclusive Interview with Penrith Panthers’ Phil Gould AM - Part One on Page 27

Passionate about pets

The family at Coreen Ave Veterinary Clinic has grown a little larger and gone a little greener! Read more on page 9.

the penrith district

show saturday 25th & sunday 26th August 2018

Celebrating 175 Years

Live Music | Fireworks | Shannons Sugar Rig Team D-MAX Precision Driving Demonstration Car Show & Shine | Sydney Bricks Lego Display Monster Truck | Demolition Derby

Carolyn’s Guide to Retirement Living in Western Sydney Retirement Living is on the up and up in Western Sydney. So why are these villages attracting mature Australians in such great numbers? The benefits are plenty, from community to lifestyle and convenience and affordability, and here Carolyn continues her answers to the frequently asked questions people have about buying into a village.

Navigating the contract When you’re considering retirement living, a clear understanding of contracts, costs and value is essential. You sign a contract when you buy a house or when you get a job – it’s no different when you move into a village – except that you also have to sign a resident contract, as you’re also buying into a community. Ask questions about everything, from long term costs, contract options and what happens when you move out. A buy into a retirement village means you get all the benefits of living in a low maintenance home, in a community of like-minded neighbours, at a similar stage of life.

Why not find out more about retirement living? The master planned community of Jordan Springs is proudly growing with the addition of village exclusive to over 55’s. Call Carolyn today on 0430 189 447 to register your interest to receive updates, invites and VIP information on how to register your interest. jordanspringsretirement.com

local news

Services Worship and Communion Sunday 9:30am Wednesday Fellowship Wednesday 7:30pm Healing / Revival First Friday of Month 7:30pm Contact: (02) 9673 1009

www.newhorizonschurch.org.au

By KeRRIE DAVIES

T

he St Marys Spring Festival is on Saturday September 1 and it is a great opportunity for St Marys organisations to promote themselves to the wider community.

One of the FREE ways that you can do this is by getting involved in the Grand Parade. If your team have matching uniforms you could form a walking group. If your vehicle is interesting or has signage, you could enter as a float. The list of options is endless.

The parade commences at approximately 12.30pm and all approved participants will be sent marshalling information closer to the event.

The Grand Parade is one of the highlights of the St Marys Spring Festival, watched by thousands of people. They are looking for marching bands, dancing groups, vintage vehicles, walking floats, school groups and more.

If you are wondering how you can get involved in the St Marys Spring Festival, don’t worry, there are lots of opportunities for locals to get involved. One option that you might want to consider is having a market stall.

They are currently looking for new and interesting stall holders to be part of this years’ line up.

“We regularly have over 200 stalls at the St Marys Spring Festival and our guests are always interested in exploring what treats our stall holders have on offer,” a spokesperson said.

“We offer 3m x 3m (strict size constraints apply) space only sites. You can purchase more than one site but the depth of your site cannot go past 3m. A standard site starts at $80.

“We do cap categories and we always sell out so unfortunately we can’t accept everyone.”

For more information about the event please follow St Marys Town Centre on Facebook or check out www.stmarystowncentre.com.au to find out how you can get involved.

Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

Spring to the festival

3

Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry

Ph: 9833 1122 154 Queen Street, St Marys londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au

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From the Editor’s Desk

Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

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

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By KeRRIE DAVIES

M

Y father has always been a mad punter. When I was growing up he was a bookie down at the racetrack as well as owning and racing greyhounds. He loved his dogs so much they had their own bedrooms. I’m not even

joking.

Dad’s one of those blokes who has a “saying” for everything. And most of his sayings come from that love of the punt. “ Faster than last week’s pay, so slow the jockey kept a diary of the trip, that bloke couldn’t ride a rocking horse” and many, many more.

They say as we get older we slowly turn into our parents. I don’t mind a bit of a dabble on a Saturday, but my passionate pastime is following politics and I find those old sayings still pop into my head.

Last weekend’s by elections Super Saturday was clean up day for the bookies when nothing that the polls or the pundits had predicted came to fruition.

Once the races were done and dusted, the winners, the losers, the roughies and the also-rans were all left to contemplate what contributed to the result.

Some pranced around like prize-winning pacers, some sugar-coated the losses and some fronted the media with heads like a beaten favourites calling incorrect weight.

Our own MP spent the week of the by elections getting nipped at the heels and while dozens of Dad’s dish-licker quotes spring to mind considering a dog was at the centre of the scandal, I’ll leave them to your imagination and give Emma Husar a spell from at least one media outlet.

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and raise awareness of the issues they face.

“ArtyBra & Tie is a special event,” said Robyn Yates CEO, “which not only raises awareness of our services but excites the artistic side of our members and many artists, both local and from further afield. We look forward to another ArtyBra & Tie® experience.”

Over 55 entries were received and will be auctioned on Saturday, 8 September, 2018, at The Carrington Hotel, Katoomba.

By KeRRIE DAVIES

T

h e ArtyBra & Tie® Project is a fundraising initiative of Cancer Wellness Support (CWS), a locally based organisation established to provide support for residents in the Blue Mountains and Penrith Valley who have been diagnosed with cancer.

CWS appealed to individuals in the community to decorate an ArtyBra or ArtyTie. They could run the full gamut of their imagination –paint, sculpt, stitch, construct or embellish an individual ArtyBra or Tie, turning a bra or tie into a thing of wonder, a joyous, decorative fantasy.

ArtyBra or ArtyTies were then donated to CWS. The resulting creations are to be exhibited at the Joan, Penrith, Ben Roberts Gallery, Lawson, before the final function at The Carrington Hotel in Katoomba, where all items will be auctioned.

All proceeds will go to CWS. The entrants involved in this project assist the work of CWS to support people living with cancer

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Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

It is for cancer, bra!

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Stuart Ayres MP Member for Penrith

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By KeRRIE DAVIES

A

s 2018’s Do Something Day came to a close, the team at St Marys Rugby League Club tallied the staggering amount of donations that came from their patrons supporting the Christ Mission Possible Brown Paper Bag Project.

A whopping estimated 18kg of Vegemite, 16.5kg of jam, 54 litres of juice, 10kg of honey and 6 kilometres of muesli bars!

The Brown Paper Bag Project was launched by Christ Mission Possible in 2016 and works with local schools identifying children who do not have access to a nutritious recess snack or lunch.

The Project then prepares a homestyle lunch pack consisting of a sandwich, fruit, muesli bar and a juice and delivers them to schools in a brown paper back.

In just a short few months, the Brown Paper Bag Project grew from 100 lunches a week to just over 2,000 each week – and it’s still growing.

They now partner with over 20 local schools, and the results are amazing; students participating have shown better attendance, grades are up, and the child’s behaviours have improved

L-R: Christ Mission Possible: Lauri Marshall – Administration Martin Beckett – CEO and Madelaine Caruana – Saints Marketing Coordinator

dramatically.

“It breaks my heart that it’s 2018 and yet we still have local kids going to school without a packed lunch” said St Mary’s Leagues Marketing

› The best is in the west!

Steve Holley

By Jim Devine

Alan Bideleux and Ron Gattone

The local Lions Clubs of Cambridge Park, Emu Plains and Penrith are situated in Zone 14 of Lions District N5, which comprises 86 Clubs in the Sydney Metropolitan District and Norfolk Island.

At a recent Changeover (of Officers) and Awards dinner at Bankstown Sports Club, those three local Clubs achieved spectacular results, considering their respective sizes, confirming that, ‘The Best is in the West’.

Cambridge Park Lions Club President, Alan Bideleux, won the ‘Anne and Barry Palmer (AM) Fellowship aka ‘The Follow Your Dream Foundation - Australia’ Award for exemplary leadership’. Emu Plains Lions Club took out the Ted Tricker Memorial Trophy Bulletin Award for the best bulletin/newsletter for 2017/18. It was two years in a row for the Editor, yours truly, Jim Devine and topped off a night that included the Club’s President, Alan Cooper, collecting on behalf of the Club, an Excellence Award for 2016/17 and a commendation for Public Relations for 2017/18.

Penrith Lions Club’s Steven Gault was the runner-up Secretary of the Year for 2017/18 and the Club’s President, Steve Holley, received the runner-up award for the Club in the prestigious overall Best Club Competition in 2017/18.

Presidents Alan Bideleux, Alan Cooper and Steve Holley respectively were unanimous in thanking their Clubs Members, Friends of Lions, Sponsors and supporters that enabled them to perform their various functions including the necessary fundraising to assist those in the local community that need a ‘helping hand’.

Awards are not something Lions seek, as their motto implies, “We Serve”.

If you’d like to ‘serve’, contact your local Lions Club.

Coordinator Yvette Haines, adding “that’s why we were so thrilled to partner with Christ Mission Possible, and with the help of our incredibly generous Members manage to gather

so many food donations.”

Donations and volunteers are always needed. Find out what you can do at www.cmp.org.au and keep the spirit of Do Something Day going.

Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

A whole lot of Vegemite brings smiles to Saints

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Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

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local news

Tanya Davies launches petition for Mamre upgrade

By KeRRIE DAVIES

M

ULGOA MP Tanya Davies has launched a petition through social media to lobby the federal government for funding to upgrade Mamre Road.

“For too long St Clair and Erskine Park residents have battled to turn onto Mamre Road often making risky

decisions with grave consequences,” Mrs Davies said.

“Last year alone there were 9 casualty crashes, 5 serious injury crashes and 1 fatal crash which resulted in the death of 2 people, left 21 people injured and 12 seriously injured.

“Every day Mamre Road is not upgraded more lives are at risk.”

Mrs Davies said with the new

Western Sydney airport the traffic will only get worse and the pressure placed on the already dangerous Mamre Road will only increase.

“Enough is enough, Mamre Road must be upgraded,” she said.

“I need your support to call on the Federal Government to include Mamre Road on the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan (WSIP) for the Airport and to provide funding for the

upgrade of Mamre Road.

“Sign the petition today and share with your neighbours, colleagues, family and friends!”

The petition can be found by going to https://goo.gl/ forms/7KYvmeMhrZBxDukd2 or via Tanya Davies MP facebook page, our St Clair Community News facebook page or in the Erskine Park St Clair group on Facebook.

However, Labor says state government must upgrade it Cabinet Minister to ensure the State Government funds the upgrade of Mamre Rd,” he said.

Jodi McKay MP Shadow Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight said she couldn’t understand a need for a petition.

“It makes no sense that Tanya Davies would launch a petition when she sits in the State Government’s Cabinet,” Ms McKay said.

“The State Government could have funded an upgrade in the recent Budget but instead this community has been ignored.”

Cr Carney said everyone agrees that Mamre Rd is long overdue for an upgrade.

“As our local population increases we are going to see more pressure on Mamre Rd which is already accident prone.

“We are calling on Tanya Davies as a Government MP and Cabinet Minister – fund the upgrade of Mamre Rd now before it’s too late.”

By KeRRIE DAVIES

S

hadow Minister for Roads Jodi McKay, Member for Londonderry Prue Car MP and Labor Candidate for Mulgoa Todd Carney joined at the corner of Mamre and McIntyre to call on the State Government to urgently prioritise the upgrade of Mamre Rd. “Residents in St Clair and Erskine Park have known for years that the notoriously dangerous Mamre Rd is well overdue for an upgrade,” Cr Todd Carney said.

“Mamre Rd has seen countless shocking accidents in recent times and is becoming increasingly congested with new suburbs in the region adding more cars to the road.

“In her own petition, Local Member Tanya Davies notes that ‘Every day Mamre Road is not upgraded more lives are at risk’.

“Labor is calling on Tanya Davies as the Local Member and a

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COVER STORY

T

he family at Coreen Ave Veterinary Clinic has grown a little larger and gone a little greener.

After working together for the past 22 years Dr Lynn Mathison, Dr Nicole McMillan and Kellie Tickner have decided to join the Greencross Vet family. Together they can share their knowledge and passion for pets, do a little less paperwork and spend more time with the pets and their parents.

While there will be some obvious changes in uniforms, signage and branding, their quality loving care for the entire family will remain. The familiar friendly faces of team Coreen will all be there to greet and treat the fur babies of Penrith.

This new adventure brings some exciting changes to the Petbarn complex. Over the next twelve months a thriving pet ecosystem will evolve for the pets and their parents of Penrith bringing with it a greater range of services, upgraded facilities and equipment. The Petbarn complex will begin to operate as one united family offering amazing loyalty programs, Healthy Pets Plus pet care programs and a one stop destination for all your fur babies needs.

Practice Manager Kellie said the whole staff was staying on.

“The entire staff at Greencross Vets Coreen Ave will continue to go that extra mile and look after the pets in Penrith through their various community programs,” she said.

Becoming a part of the Greencross Vet family means that clients can visit any Greencross Vet practice with the promise of high quality service and care.

The staff invites everyone to drop in for a visit and chat about the exciting changes.

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Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

Different brand but same level of passion and service

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Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

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local news

Man sustains serious burns from workplace electrocution

A

30-year-old man was airlifted to hospital in a serious but stable condition following a serious workplace incident near Bidwill last week.

The man was working a jackhammer on a construction site on Popondetta Road when the jackhammer he was using hit mains power, electrocuting him instantly.

CareFlight’s rapid response rescue helicopter was tasked to attend the scene

shortly after 11am last Tuesday, and the crew flew directly to the scene landing in a reserve about 150 metres from the scene.

CareFlight’s specialist doctor and critical care paramedic treated the man at the scene for significant burns to his forearms, back and face. The medical team continued to treat the man who was taken by the CareFlight helicopter to Royal North Shore Hospital.

We wish him a speedy recovery.

› Support for people in Penrith experiencing personality disorders Adolescents, adults, and their families and friends in Penrith will have better access to mental health support for personality disorders as a specialised clinic and staff training is set to be implemented in the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District.

Stuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith announced the implementation is part of the NSW Government’s $5.5 million expansion of the Project Air Strategy, to ensure earlier diagnoses of a personality disorder and a reduction of time spent in hospital due to access to more tailored treatments.

“There are teenagers and young adults in our community who need this specialised treatment and I’m

very pleased the Gold Card Clinic will be coming to Penrith. This successful strategy is proven to improve the treatment for personality disorders,” said Stuart Ayres.

Stuart Ayres said the NSW Government’s overall investment in the Project Air Strategy will now be more than $11 million since 2011.

“This is great news for people who live with a personality disorder and it’s great news for those close to them who are often impacted and need support too.”

There are several types of personality disorders including borderline, antisocial, narcissistic and obsessive-compulsive, with treatment often involving evidence-based

psychological therapy to help the person understand their feelings and improve their relationships.

Minister for Mental Health Tanya Davies said people experiencing a personality disorder represent about 25 per cent of mental health presentations to emergency departments and admissions to the State’s mental health inpatient units.

“Often these people arrive to the hospital in distress, and we are seeing this unique project significantly reduce presentations to Emergency Departments and shorten hospital stays, because the right help is getting to people faster,” Mrs Davies said.

The project is a collaboration between the NSW Government and

the University of Wollongong and includes: • Ongoing training for health staff on managing affected people and carers; • The Gold Card Clinic initiative to help consumers move from emergency departments, to treatment in the community; and • The establishment of ongoing resources for health professionals via the ‘Air Academy’ and online resources for families and carers.

If you, or someone you know, needs crisis support phone Lifeline 13 11 14. For more information about Project Air Strategy and for resources about personality disorders visit www.projectairstrategy.org.

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13 Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

Discover Penrith CBD – Love local

W

hen was the last time you walked the CBD and discovered the many hidden treasures that make up the uniqueness of High Street? The CBD is changing rapidly due to Greater Western Sydney being the fastest growing region in Australia and Penrith and the CBD centre is ready to receive a growing level in day and night time trade.

Penrith CBD Corp has been speaking and working directly with property and shop owners prior and during the upgrade to support them and broaden their exposure, and to give them the best tools and skills so they can make their business as successful as possible.

Upon talking to the property and shop owners, they emanate a sense of pride when describing what they do and why.

During this upgrade and construction, it’s a great time to discover and support your local businesses and even find other shops that you did not know existed.

Did you know that there are seventeen arcades within the CBD? Whether you need costumes or cakes, pet accessories or specialty spices, the CBD centre has everything you need and more. The benefit of shopping at a small business is that as a customer you get a personalised service and in depth knowledge since the owner

is more often than not the operator.

Local businesses give a community its unique flavour. By choosing to shop local, you are preserving what makes Penrith, Penrith.

Even though High St is undergoing a facelift to ensure the Penrith Community has a beautiful and successful city centre, it has produced some challenges for the businesses that are at the coalface of construction.

This is why the community’s patronage is so important to keeping their doors open and thriving during and well after the upgrade has been completed. They are the backbone of Penrith’s day time economy and the ever increasing night time trade. The CBD Corp sees the importance of this and is heavily involved in creating opportunities that will benefit the local businesses in the long term.

The future of Penrith and its CBD is exciting, so taking the time to visit a shop that you usually walk past, or strolling through an arcade to uncover a hidden gem will give small business owners to keep their dreams and doors open for years to come.

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Legends of the Nepean Les Knox

By Noel Rowsell

A

Les in his role as Tournament Director for the NSWVGA Stroke-Play Championships

ny mention of senior / veteran golfers in the Nepean Valley will invariably include long-time Leonay Golf Club Life Member Les Knox, who has been with the local Club since 1974.

To say Les has an influence in all things Golf in the Nepean Valley would be a considerable understatement, given his active role in so many areas of the game.

President of the Golf Club for twelve years, Captain for three years, Vice-Captain for one year, Committee Member for four years, Board Member of the Emu Plains Sports Club for two years, Leonay delegate to Golf NSW since 1974 and manager of various Pennants teams, including Juniors, Major, Seniors, B Grade, C Grade and Mixed.

Les’ current positions include VicePresident of Leonay Golf Club, VicePresident of the NSW Veteran Golfers Association (NSWVGA), President of

the Western Sydney Region Veteran Golfers Association (WSRVGA) and Tournament Director of the NSWVGA Stroke-play Championships.

Born in Penrith in 1943, Les attended Luddenham PS, then Penrith HS, before joining the NSW Police Force as a Cadet in 1960.

Once sworn in as a Police Officer in 1962, Les began his service at Regent Street, before being transferred to Inverell in 1964, where he would meet his wife Judith – who he married in 1967.

Les was subsequently transferred to Ashford, then back to Inverell for a short time, before taking up a position at Bathurst in 1969 as a Detective.

Les’ most vivid memories of his role as a Detective are the Investigations into prisoner riots at Bathurst Gaol and also the Granville Train Disaster.

Whilst in the country, Les played District Cricket for both Inverell and Bathurst, then continued playing for Camden for a short period, upon his return to Sydney.

Les said “I remember Penrith being a country town and after playing

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Les Knox was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Ron Bradley.

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

Les and Judith Knox

Cricket at Camden, I would need to take a steam train from Camden to Campbelltown, before linking up with an electric train to continue the journey home”.

Transferring back into the Sydney area in 1974, Les moved into Leonay and almost immediately undertook the role of Vice-Captain at Leonay Golf Club, remaining a member since that year and being made a Life Member of the Club in 1980.

“When I first joined Leonay GC, the Club House was across the road (Leonay Parade) from the current site in an old house”.

“There were only a handful of trees on the whole course but this changed when Course Superintendent Ray

Dukes commenced a tree-planting program in the late 1970’s”.

“What I love about Leonay Golf Club is that it has always been a friendly welcoming club”.

Les has scored two hole-in-ones during his golfing lifetime, not quite up to the record of wife Judith, who has five.

Whilst Les has been a star administrator, Judith has proved to be the better golfer in the family and also one of the best-performed Lady golfers in the Nepean Valley.

Thirteen Club Championships over four decades speaks volumes to Judith’s golfing prowess, which you then add thirteen Foursomes Championships, six Mixed

Foursomes Championships and ten Match Play Championships.

The undoubted highlights of Judith’s Foursomes titles were firstly in 1985, winning alongside her mother Jean Parker and the following year (1986), partnering daughter Leesa Knox.

Judith has also been a Pennants player for Leonay GC, both in Singles and Mixed, starting in the early days in the now-defunct Nepean District Golf Association (NDGA) competition.

Son Matthew and daughter Leesa also have a strong affinity to Golf but to Les’ chagrin, currently devote their sporting life and that of the five grandchildren to Soccer.

 Les in action on the 17th tee at Leonay GC

15

Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

16

local news

Dental disease in pets Does your pet have bad breath? A staggering 70% of pets suffer from some form of dental disease. It is one of the most common diseases that we see in animals. Any dog or cat can be affected but dental disease is more common in smaller breed dogs with small faces such as Cavaliers, Poodles and Shi Tzus.

When food particles and bacteria are allowed to accumulate in the mouth, it can form plaque.

When plaque combines with saliva, it forms a hard substance called calculus. This causes gum irritation and inflammation which is known as gingivitis.

After a period of time, the calculus builds up under the gum line and separates it from the teeth – at this point in time, this is irreversible disease of the teeth and will lead to bone loss and formation of pus between the gum and teeth. Advanced periodontal disease can be very painful for your pet and often the best course of treatment is surgically removing the teeth.

Periodontal disease is best prevented and there are several things that you can do to make sure your dog or cat has a clean and pain free mouth. The best thing

you can do is brush your pets teeth daily but many animals will not tolerate this.

There are commerically available dental diets and dental treats for reducing plaque build up.

Minimising wet food is also great as wet food tends to cling to the teeth and cause a build up of bacteria.

There are also specialised toothpastes, tooth brushes and water additives for dental health.

Just like we go to the dentist and have our teeth scaled and polished, we can also do this for your pet. Depending on the severity of your pets dental

disease, they may benefit from a thorough clean under anaesthetic. Scaling and polishing the teeth will reverse the early stages of gingivitis and cure bad breath! In cases of severe dental disease extractions are required. As with most things prevention is better than cure.

Our focus for August is to offer every pet a free dental check at Greencross Vets Coreen Avenue.

Phone us on 4731 3055 to organise an appointment, we will assess your pet’s dental health and develop an individualised dental plan.

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

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local news

By CONNER LOWE

T

he annual We r r i n g t o n festival is aiming to help bring all families in the area together during this year’s event. The Werrington festival will be on Saturday the 18th of August starting at 11am and ending at 3pm.

The festival organisers are hoping for warm and sunny weather, so families can venture out during the remaining part of winter.

The Werrington festival was originally established by Werrington Community Projects back in the 1980’s. The Werrington Community Development team have been running the event annually since the festival’s opening show.

The festival always has a major focus on providing free activities for families.

The organisers said the main reasoning behind this is because Werrington has a massive divide socioeconomically, housing a variety of middle classed, working class and disadvantaged families.

“Moreover, it isn’t well known or publicised but a large percentage of Werrington residents are living in public housing and are considered to be below the line,” a spokesperson said.

This is the main reason for the Werrington Festival, to bring all residents together for a common positive purpose, which in turn provides disadvantaged families with the same opportunities for social events that families in higher socioeconomic areas experience.

Nicole Devine, a Community Development Worker spoke about what the Werrington festival aims to achieve and how they can help families in any way possible.

“We aim to provide as many free activities as possible at the festival.

This allows parents to have fun, grab some lunch from a food vendor and spend a couple of dollars in the stalls, which are also local community stalls,” she said.

“We will have our youth team running a fundraising BBQ, with the aim to send young people on their annual youth activity camp. And like in past years, most of the family rides and activities are provided free of charge. But this year I am excited that we have been able to include mechanical bull rides so mum and dad can have just as much fun as the kids!”

Many local businesses get involved sponsoring activities and donating prizes and resources for the event.

There are community stalls selling new and preloved products. Another advantage of providing free activities is so the families may have some left over cash to spend at the community stalls.

There are also a variety of local community organisation information stalls, such as Penrith City Council, NSW Health, Services NSW, Life Start and Ability Links. This helps to develop relationships between residents, business and local community services.

Captain Cook cruises, Luna Park, Supa IGA Werrington County, Coles Cambridge Gardens and Jim Atiken Real Estate Glenmore Park have donated products to run the Werrington Festival. Plus, their major sponsors, Ability Links have sponsored the pony rides and mechanical bull rides. Everyone involved with the Werrington festival would like to thank all of the community stores that helped contribute to this year’s event.

Gumbirra Children’s Centre to benefit from funding

G

umbirra Children’s Centre will benefit from up to $8,530 in funding to go towards enhancing the quality of their service.

Tanya Davies MP Member for Mulgoa visited Gumbirra Children’s in St Clair to announce the $8,530 grant provided through the NSW Government’s Quality Learning Environments Fund.

“Gumbirra Children’s Centre has shown an ongoing commitment to ensuring children in the St Clair area have access to top quality early childhood education which, as the local member, makes me extremely proud,” Tanya Davies said.

“The grant will go towards new outdoor shelters and shade to ensure the children can continue to enjoy the outdoors all year round.”

“It was my pleasure to announce $8,530 grant for Gumbirra Children’s Centre so they can continue to deliver high quality education to the people of St Clair and Erskine Park.”

Minister for Early Childhood Education said she is extremely proud of the Quality Learning Environments fund and the response from the sector has been overwhelmingly positive.

“Not only will this funding improve the quality of the learning environment for children right across the state, parents can also rest assured that their children are having the best

start to their educational journeys as possible,” she said.

“Preschools will be able to use this funding to cover items like shade cloths so children can play safely outdoors, kitchen gardens to teach children where their food comes from, or an outdoor jungle gym to encourage a child’s hand-eye coordination.”

The Quality Learning Environments program was introduced in 2018 and is part of the NSW Government’s $332 million Start Strong Program which was introduced in 2016 and has been extended to 2021.

Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

Werrington festival bringing families together

17

Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

18

local news

The G Spot

THIS month we are going to enlighten ourselves with car security tips. The almighty car can mean many different things to people, and at times I have often wondered why some males have married their wives and not the beloved car.

That hunk of metal that you have cashed yourself up to your eyeballs in, that sits (quietly) on the driveway is also the bearer of many of your darkest secrets such as the odd scratch, the odd nose pick at traffic lights, singing Mariah Carey in high C and thinking that you sound great and body gas that could wipe out the state forest.

Hint one - Nothing quite spells please smash my window and grab me like an iPad, iPhone, navigator, laptop and any other electronic contraption on the planet left on show in your car.

Really good idea to take all that crap

with you, because nobody (except the baddies) really care that you own a laptop bigger than Sydney airport’s flight command centre equipment.

Hint two - The 11th commandment - Locketh thy car. You would be soooo surprised how many boneheads leave the car unlocked in car parks or driveways and wonder why it got stolen or broken into. We have all been guilty of this - rushed, kids screaming, bottle’o calling your name in 3D - however it is imperative (my big word for the day) to lock your car each and every time you get out of it.

(Copy that, Roger Wilco).

Hint three - Car alarm systems, most new makes and models come with all that crap in them, however many don’t squeal like a pigeon having its feet pulled. They quite often don’t have all the bells and whistles (Unless it’s a $400,000 sports whatever car

With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security

with a coffee maker), I am still a firm believer of the beloved extra car alarm, beep, beep, immobiliser etc, that just does what is designed to do.

And get it installed by someone who knows what that hell they are doing not Uncle Harry who has a world title in macramé.

Hint Four - Okay hands up who leaves car keys in the ignition while getting fuel (don’t lie)? This deserves the Chuck Norris upper cut award in bronze, because yes folks cars have been stolen from servos. Take your keys with you, sorry yeah I know it will add 3 seconds to the fuel up time …but this is a big tut-tut-tut with an index finger wave.

Hint five - Parking the machine in a dark place, now unless you are doing a stick up, drug transaction or some other activity, it is a great idea to park in well-lit areas and where

people are around.

Hint Six - Pimping da ride- love the $10,000 tyre rims with the Swarovski crystals on each nut? Well so do the baddies. If you are going to beef up the bad boy, it may be a good idea to have it as the Sunday ride only, fully garaged ( you thought I was going to say fully sick didn’t you?) and also have a very hungry Pit Bull stapled to the driver’s side door. It’s great that you are spending a mortgage on your car, however be aware that it will draw as much attention as a state of origin match. Just be aware that it is high on the Richter scale of car theft.

So there you have it, Gina’s handy tips on car security, your car will be safe (tick) we won’t laugh at your gr8 number plates (tick)no animals were injured during the writing of this article (tick) and the bottle’o is still calling your name (tick).

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CROSSWORD ACROSS 8 Travel in a wind-driven

boat (4) 9 In an uncommon

manner (10) 10 Raid (6) 11 Enthralled (8) 12 Stepped (4) 13 In the movies, a killer

robot (10) 17 Rip (4) 18 French for “Love” (5) 19 An island country of

the Pacific (4) 20 Vibrated (10) 22 Skin irritation (4) 23 Mugwort or

sagewort (8) 27 Slowly (musical term) (6) 28 Wasteful project (10) 29 Sea eagle (4)

DOWN 1 Uncontrolled (10) 2 An ornamental poisonous shrub (8) 3 Also called “Hoops” (10) 4 Kind or sort (4) 5 Gratuities (4) 6 A collapsible shelter (6) 7 Skid (4) 14 Perch (5) 15 Exposed to radiation (10) 16 Protests (10) 19 Warships (8) 21 Resistant (6) 24 Fragrance (4) 25 Slender woodwind instrument (4) 26 Canines (4)

solution 19/7/18

ENTERTAINMENT

A

contemporary theatre production that blossomed in regional NSW returns home to Western Sydney with renewed spark and depth.

After a two-year residency at The Arts Centre Cootamundra in the Riverina district, originally Marrickville based and relocating to Western Sydney in 2017, ‘Murmuration’ is looking forward to performing in front of their home tribe.

‘Days Like These’ is a project that was developed in a number of stages spanning 2015 to 2017 with support from local, state and federal funding.

Director Sarah-Vyne Vassallo says, “After performances in country NSW it is so exciting to bring our show to Penrith’s home of the arts - The Joan.”

“I was born, raised and completed all my performing arts training out west, so it really feels like we are bringing ‘Days Like These’ home and I can’t wait to see people’s reactions.”

“Like the many artists we met in the Riverina, we are proud of where we come from, and our heart beats in Western Sydney, we are proudly part of a thriving artistic community that says not all culture happens east of the Harbour Bridge, so come and see for yourself!”, Sarah-Vyne says.

‘Days Like These’ is a physical theatre work that explores the varied ways we, as humans, express our emotions. The show invites you to revisit and reflect on the best and worst days of your life.

“Working in a regional setting the way we have the last few years has shaped this work and taken

our own understanding of an artistic life in new directions,” Sarah-Vyne says.

“The experiences we have had in the communities and environment of country NSW are rich, it’s a journey that has had a lasting impact on all our artists.”

“We are proud to bring that to The Joan this August, it will almost be a bridge between city and country, but more so it will connect people of diversity.”

Murmuration is a pioneering Australian performance company working with a collective of interdisciplinary professional artists with and without disability.

In collaboration with each artist’s unique perspective, physicality and lived experiences

Murmuration creates engaging and thoughtprovoking theatre.

“What we have seen emerge from our creative team and the themes they explore in this 60-minute performance is different to what we would have achieved had we done this in a city context. I believe having the dedicated time and space away from the hustle allowed us to go deeper and produce higher quality outcomes” Sarah-Vyne says.

“It’s now time to share that within our own neighbourhood and see how it evolves next.”

‘Days Like These’ will play out over three performances between 10-11 of August at The Joan on High Street, Penrith.

All guests will start their journey through an experiential gallery space where they are invited to feel, smell, taste and connect with the emotion and design of ‘Days Like These’.

The 2pm Saturday 11 August show is a ‘Relaxed Family Performance’ – with some adjustments to the performance designed to welcome people on the spectrum, with high support needs, and is open to a wider age range with an open-door approach.

The 7:30 performance that follows will be the best entertainment in Sydney on the night. One night only for the general public – so get in quick!

Performance times: Friday 10 August 2018 12:30pm (schools performance) Saturday 11 August 2018 2:00pm (relaxed family performance | suitable for audiences 6 years +) Saturday 11 August 2018 7:30pm Tickets available via The Joan website.

Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

‘Days Like These’ links city and country and people of diversity

19

ENTERTAINMENT

Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

20

It will be a Grand Affair at The Joan

T

he Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre is preparing for piano spectacular of rarely seen magnitude. On 18 August the majestic Concert Hall stage will hold not one, not two or three – but EIGHT - grand pianos.

Helmed by some of Australia’s most acclaimed musicians, this is a rare treat, and a marvellous opportunity to showcase part of The Joan’s impressive collection of 33 pianos. The collection includes eight grands of various sizes the showpiece being the “Rolls Royce of pianos”, the Imperial Bösendorfer, handcrafted in Austria, and the largest of all concert grand pianos, favoured by artists world-wide, both classical and contemporary, including musicians such as Tori Amos.

Musical Director and ARIA award-winning pianist Tamara-Anna Cislowska brings together some of Australia’s most acclaimed pianists Ian Munro, Michael Kieran Harvey, Stephanie McCallum, Neal Peres da Costa, Gabriella Smart, and Valerie Forbes-Mavridis and Elena KatsChernin - for this thrilling once-in-alifetime event, with music by Bach, Mozart, Liszt, Elena Kats-Chernin and Andrew Ford.

The Joan’s Music Producer, Valda Silvy, has been building toward this

moment, after programming the sellout Six Grands concert in 2015; as well as commissioning La Stupenda, an operatic event in Dame Joan Sutherland’s memory, created by Elena Kats-Chernin and performed by a host of national and international talent.

The team at The Joan will be working around the clock in the lead-up to the

performance, ensuring the monumental list of logistics are checked off, including hours of painstaking tuning once the pianos are in place. The stage has been triple-checked to ensure it can take the combined weight of eight grand pianos – a total of over 3200 kilograms. The eight pianos are worth a grand total of over half a

million dollars - but they will create a priceless experience for ticket holders, with a program that reads like classical music’s greatest hits for a passionate – and lucky - audience.

Tickets: standard $75, Concession $70, Under 30s $30 - available from thejoan.com.au in person at the Box Office or call 4723 7600.

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Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

22

NEPEAN HISTORY

A Penrith Son T homas Bent was born in Penrith in December, 1838. He is said to be the eldest son of convict James Bent, but some confusion regarding this is due to the “cold shoulder” attitude of his father to Thomas and the fact that there was no mention of him in his father’s will. James was born 1804c in Scotland the son of George & Amelia Bent. James was convicted of house breaking at Liverpool in England and arrived in New South Wales on the “Asia” in 1833. In 1838 he married Irishborn Maria née Toomey, the daughter of Thomas Toomey and Mary née Durack who arrived in 1836 on the “Duchess of Northumberland” as free immigrants. James found work on Sir John Jamison’s estate at Regentville working on the extensive gardens. James and the family moved to Melbourne in 1849, seeking a new start after financial difficulties and for some years he lived at Fitzroy where he took cartage contracts. Thomas finished his schooling and worked as a grocer’s boy. The family then moved to East Brighton to a market garden where all the boys worked, and his father later opened “The Gardeners’ Arms” hotel (1861) on the corner of McKinnon and Jasper Roads at East Bentleigh. James died in January 1875 and was buried the following day. By the age of 21 in 1859 Thomas had his own successful market garden and by 1861 Thomas became a rate collector for the town council of Brighton and soon began buying and selling land in the Brighton area to become a property developer in the new areas fairly close by, such as Moorabbin.

He developed the suburb of Bentleigh, named after himself. He was a member of both Brighton and Moorabbin town councils and was the Mayor of Brighton nine times. In 1871 he was elected to the Victorian Legislative Assembly for the district of Brighton to the amazement of everyone. He first held office in the Service government in 1880 and was Commissioner for Works and Railways in 1881–1883 and used this position to extend the railway line from Caulfield to Cheltenham enormously increasing the value of his own property developments where his lifelong reputation for corruption dates from this period. The exposure of his dealings led to the defeat of the Government at the 1883 elections and after this debacle he spent 18 years on the backbench concentrating on his property dealings. His fortunes suffered a reversal in 1888 when a bad investment in Ringwood caused the collapse of the Thomas Bent Land Co. but he soon recovered and became a leading player in the great Land Boom that reached its climax in 1890. For instance, in 1884 he purchased property in Exhibition Street for £1,488 and on the same day resold it for £2,000. In 1892 he surprised his critics by being elected Speaker as part of a complex political deal. Thomas was the first Victorian Premier with a strong Australian accent and was held in contempt by the Anglo-Scottish Melbourne establishment. In the severe crash that followed the boom he was almost bankrupted with debts of £80,000 but he had transferred many of his assets to his second wife Elizabeth (née Huntley) and this saved him from bankruptcy. His first wife Hannah (née Hall) died childless. At the election that followed he was defeated at Brighton. His fate was sealed when The Age published

letters he had written as Railways Minister in 1881 offering railways lines to MPs in their electorates in exchange for their votes. Thomas moved with his wife Elizabeth and two daughters to Port Fairy to take up dairy farming but he had not given up his political ambitions. In 1900 they moved back to Melbourne and in the November 1900 election he was re-elected for Brighton.

He completed his comeback by becoming once again Minister for Railways. He was soon up to his old tricks buying land in Brighton and then approving a tramline from St Kilda to Brighton that led right past his properties but despite all this he was chosen as the new Liberal leader in Victoria and in 1904 Thomas became Premier at the age of 66. By this time, he had grown very fat and his jovial manner, together with Victoria’s gradual recovery from the 1890s depression, gained him renewed popularity. In addition to being Premier he had the portfolios of public works and railways and at the June 1904 elections he won a comfortable majority and again in 1907. His greatest boast was that he restored stability and prosperity to Victoria but during 1908 his Government began to disintegrate as a result of conflict between country and city interests when Country members opposed Thomas’s Land Valuation Bill and he withdrew the bill to appease them and appointed several of Country supporters to the ministry. But this antagonised Melbourne Liberals and in January 1909 the various dissidents united to defeat him in the Assembly, so Thomas resigned. In 1908 he was made a Knight Commander of the Order of St Michael & St George (KCMG). He died in September 1909 at his home in Bay Street, Brighton and was given a state funeral and buried in Brighton Cemetery. His estate was valued at £35,000 with most going to his daughter Elizabeth Bleazby who was one of the first women Municipal Councillors in Victoria. A statue of Thomas, paid by public subscription was erected in 1913 on the Nepean Highway at Brighton and for many years “Tommy Bent’s statue” was a well-known Melbourne landmark and at the time of the Victorian Football League grand final would be decorated with a cap and scarf in the colours of the team that won the premiership. In the late 1960s the statue was regularly defaced by a bucket of usually white paint. With the widening of the highway in the 1970s the statue was moved to a less prominent location near Bay Street and its landmark status is now lost. A portrait of Thomas was placed in the Brighton Town Hall and it seems that during his lifetime aggrieved members of the public hurled heavy items at the portrait damaging the canvass and with passing decades further damage, so art conservator Caroline Fry who works at the Grimwade Centre for Cultural Materials Conservation at the University of Melbourne worked on the painting to restore “Tommy” to his former glory and in 2017 the portrait was hung at the old Brighton Town Hall.

Sources: ADB Volume 3 1851-90 (A-C). Glass, M., “Tommy Bent.

Bent by name, Bent by nature” (1993). Cribbin, J., “Moorabbin. A Pictorial History” (1995), BDM online. Photo courtesy of State Library of Victoria. Lyn Forde – Research Officer of the St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.

How do you want your friends to remember you?

With a prepaid funeral, just the way you are.

Not only will prepaying and preplanning your funeral protect your loved ones financially and emotionally, it also ensures that it’ll be representative of the life you’ve lived; that all the details will be tasteful, just the way you like it - almost as if you were there in fact...

PENRITH PANTHERS

SPORT

By STEWART MOSES

D

@TheRiffMarn

ean Whare in his sixth season at Penrith, played his 100th NRL game as a Panther last Saturday ironically against the club he was signed from. Manly.

Upon reflecting on that 100th NRL game for the Panthers, the Kiwi centre said he came to Penrith in 2013 not only looking for an opportunity to cement a spot in his preferred position at centre, but to also be a part of a team that has been tipped for potential premiership success for some time now.

“I think I had played only 20 something games before I signed with Penrith and they had great faith in me to hold down a centre Dean Whare on the move. spot,” Whare said.

Credit: NRL Photos.

“The players they signed when I came here were in great form and were building something here. top four. But anywhere where we make those finals “We since made the top eight a couple of times gives us a great chance of winning it. when the critics had us coming last or second last.

“To be in this position we are now is pretty “I saw something for my own career here and humbling especially the last three years we made they have given me great opportunity here and have the top eight which hasn’t happened for a long time signed me up for even longer. for Penrith.

“If it wasn’t for them I probably wouldn’t be in “But I think we have a lot more confidence (this this situation at the moment.” year).

Whilst that potential for premiership success has “We have got Jimmy Maloney here who has won yet to materialise, Whare says that the Panthers in a few comps, played Origin and for Australia and 2018 have their best shot yet of winning the title for he definitely is a voice with the coaches and helps the first time since 2003, even if they miss out on the young guys. that much-heralded top four spot.

“With players like that we can go anywhere (in “I think that is what the stats say that these days this competition).” but we’re not too fazed by that,” Whare responded.

But prior to last Saturday’s win, the Panthers had “It would be a great position for us to be in the slipped from first to seventh at one point on the back

of just two wins from their last six games.

Many have said that Penrith’s recent inconsistency will cost them this year’s title, but while Whare admits the criticism is warranted, he also declared that it serves as extra motivation to build up some form heading into the finals.

“Definitely (motivating). We’ve been very inconsistent in patches this year,” Whare conceded.

“We’ve had some good games and some very bad games but we’re trying to put more good games than bad games out there.

“We’ve got a couple of weeks left to build and hopefully make it through those finals.

“It depends on which team turns up on the weekend. Hopefully the good Panthers turn up and we play some good footy.

“But our mindset is still the same every week. Spirits are still high and we’re still in a good position.

“I think we are four points away from number one which gives us more motivation to try and make the top four.”

Since that initial 2013 season, Whare has seen a lot of players come and go, with just Josh Mansour and Sam McKendry the sole remaining players from that era, the Kiwi international is humbled just to have had the opportunity to play 100 NRL games for Penrith.

“I’ve got a Facebook photo from 2013 where I think I’m the only one left in the 2013 team,” Whare declared.

“It was me and Ciraldo and now he’s an (assistant) coach so there are not many players left.

“I’ve seen a lot of players coming through the past few years and I’m just happy to get 100 games for this great club.”

St Dominic’s student makes Australian School Boys Squad

By CONNER LOWE

S

t Dominic’s student Zachary Cini has made the Australian School Boys Rugby League Squad after some excellent performances at the Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League Championships.

Zac is currently studying his HSC and has been selected to represent Australia for the Australian School Boys Rugby League team, that’s set to travel in England later this year.

Zac has been playing Rugby League since he was six-years-old beginning with Glenmore Park Brumbies. When Zac got to U/11’s he moved to the Minchinbury Jets where his team were undefeated throughout his six seasons.

Zac is currently playing A-Grade at Glenmore Park with his brother.

Zac spoke about how he felt when he got selected for the Australian School Boys Team and how his team went in the tournament.

“We lost our first game to Queensland but turned it around and won our next two games after to make it to the Grand Final, where we beat NSWCHS 28-14,” he said.

“I didn’t go into the tournament thinking about making the squad and

this is the first time I have made the Australian School Boys Team. It didn’t sink in at first, but when my name was announced after the tournament it was pretty overwhelming.

“The 22-man-squad was announced on the last day of the tournament and it wasn’t until a day or two later when I got home from the tournament, that it began to sink in.”

Zac has been selected in multiple representative squads including the U/15’s NSWCCC squad, U/16’s Penrith Panthers Harold Matt’s squad and the U/16’s NSW Origin 20-man squad. This year Zac has been called up to the U/20’s Penrith squad, after an excellent season in the SG Ball Cup.

Zac also spoke about how often he is currently training with the squads and his plans for Rugby League in the future.

“I am currently training three days a week for the U/20’s and another two with Glenmore Park. My training varies weekly depending on the teams I’m playing for that week.

“Currently I still have three years of playing at the U/20’s level, so hopefully I can get a contract and a good NRL pre-season to prove myself.”

We would like to congratulate Zac on his outstanding achievement and all the best when representing Australia in England later this year.

Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

Whare says 2018 can still be Penrith’s year

23 23

Celebrity

ROUND 21

ROUND 22

BUL NEW SOU STG PAR SYD CRO PAN NQC NZW SOU GCT MAN PAR CAN MEL BRI WES MEL NZW GCT NQC MAN CAN BRI NEW SYD PAN BUL STG WES CRO Aug 2 7.50pm

Aug 3 6.00pm

Aug 3 7.55pm

Aug 4 3.00pm

Aug 4 5.30pm

Aug 4 7.35pm

Aug 5 2.00pm

Aug 5 4.10pm

Aug 9 7.50pm

Aug 10 6.00pm

Aug 10 7.55pm

Aug 11 3.00pm

Aug 11 5.30pm

Aug 11 Aug 12 7.35pm 2.00pm

Aug 12 4.10pm

SCORE

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

202 Sharon Spindler - Aussie - 0449 954 497

182 Romano Garofali - Nepean Pools - 4722 9201

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

190 Brett McVea - National Locksmiths - 1300 897 170

172 Toby Hughes - Sinclair Hyundai - 4720 1111

170 Daniel Galea - Adenbrook Homes - 9622 4091

182 Vic Shipley - Powersmart Electrical - 0415 982 093

180 John Thain - Penrith City Mayor - 0411 427 812

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

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

184

TIPSTERS ROUND 21

ROUND 22

BUL NEW SOU STG PAR SYD CRO PAN NQC NZW SOU GCT MAN PAR CAN MEL BRI WES MEL NZW GCT NQC MAN CAN BRI NEW SYD PAN BUL STG WES CRO Aug 2 7.50pm

Aug 3 6.00pm

Aug 3 7.55pm

Aug 4 3.00pm

Aug 4 5.30pm

Aug 4 7.35pm

Aug 5 2.00pm

Aug 5 4.10pm

Aug 9 7.50pm

Aug 10 6.00pm

Aug 10 7.55pm

Aug 11 3.00pm

Aug 11 5.30pm

Aug 11 Aug 12 7.35pm 2.00pm

Aug 12 4.10pm

SCORE

Mark Geyer - Nepean News columnist

174 Prue Car - Member for Londonderry - 9833 1122

174 Councillor Aaron Duke - 0404 085 981

164 Peter Zaccazan - Zac Homes - 1300 350 793

156 Paul Wallace - Property Central - 0412 272 407

170 Jim Hill - Nepean Solar - 0425 281 626

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

170 Steve Beard - Select Mortgage - 0403 166 207

172 Aaron Tyers - @print - 4731 5055

158 Brock Shepperd - Wests Harold Matthews Coach

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Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

26

SPORT

Mt Druitt Rangers a club on the rise

By CONNER LOWE

S

itting atop the Men’s FNSW NPL 2 Comp with only four rounds left the men from Mt Druitt are poised to take the club to heights not previously experienced.

Mt Druitt Town Rangers are being closely followed by Hyundai A– League academy clubs in Central Coast Mariners and North Shore Mariners with the Western Sydney Wanderers not far behind.

The club’s success this year has been built on previous years consolidation and planning. Hot on the heels of making last year’s Grand Final against arguably Footballs greatest ex NSL powerhouse Marconi the plan was always to finish first in the competition and win promotion to the NPL 1. That’s still the goal for the Mt Druitt club and despite many injuries and setbacks the players and staff have maintained their position basically from the first rounds of the competition.

There is plenty to play for and the Management experience of Aidan Desmond, Steve Appleby and Stewart Montgomery will be needed to ensure continued success.

The Rangers performances have been rock solid with Captain Matt Clowes taking charge of the defence and with help from experienced players such as Carlos Saliaderre, Nick Trimble, Daniel Gullo and Brian Griffin–Colls, it has helped the team through the competition. The attacking side of the team including Japanese import Hiten Satoh and Irishman David Oleary have dominated the midfield, creating chances for goal scorers Emmanuel Gonzales, Lachlan Roberts, Alex Vlismas and Luke Grima to finish the chances.

Aidan Desmond, the Mt Druitt Coach spoke about the desire and passion of the boys to fight for their starting spots each week.

“All the boys are putting in.

Preseason was a killer, competition

for places in the starting 11 is strong and all 16 players are critical to our season. We will need every one of them to finish top and win promotion,” he said.

However, it’s not just senior teams at Mt Druitt turning heads in NSW Football. The Youth programme at the club is now arguably one of NSW very best with consistent performances across the U/13-U/16’s Youth League age group. Currently after 21 rounds of play the Rangers sit second on the Youth League Club Championship only behind the Western Sydney Wanderers.

Stewart Montgomery, the Director of Football at the club spoke about the development of the youth and creating a successful culture.

“The test of young player

development in the modern game is to not only demonstrate, educate and invest in that players performances as individuals, but it must also translate into positive team outcomes and results,” he said.

“It must morph into a culture of success, ambition and winning mentality. Hopefully that sees continued selection of players from our club into the Australia Joeys Under 16/17s World Cup Teams, NSW Select Teams as well as pathway options to allow the player to become a Professional player.

“If we continue to do that and prepare our players for senior team action then myself, our Technical Director Ben Gough and our fantastic Coaching staff are doing their jobs, there is plenty to look forward to.”

Leonay Grabs Victory in Seniors Event

By Noel Rowsell

O

ne hundred and forty-two players greeted the starter on 24th July at Leonay Golf Club, in the latest round of the Western Sydney Region Veteran Golfers Association (WSRVGA) InterClub competition.

There has been a recent trend for the host club to take the team honours and Leonay continued that trend, with the combination of Owen Brennen, Bruce Baker, Mick Crock and Brian Metcalfe proving too strong on their home course to take out the prestigious Team Prize.

Leonay players also therefore featured prominently in the individual (single) results, although perhaps surprisingly, not featuring amongst the two-ball winners.

The expected frost and cold winds greeted the players prior to the shotgun start but the day quickly turned remarkably warm, more like Autumn or Spring than the middle of Winter.

Following the day’s results, Richmond GC has moved back into the outright lead for ‘Club of the Year’ on 727 points, ahead of Wallacia (2nd with 720), Stonecutters Ridge (3rd with 702) and Penrith (4th with 702).

The list of sponsors for the WSRVGA event included the Richmond Club, Guardian Funerals, Heartland Holden,

Action from the WSRVGA Inter-Club competition at Leonay GC. Photos courtesy of Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

OnePoint Health, Nepean River Belle, Drummond Golf, Property Central, Frasers Property, Nepean Valley Pure Water, Steric, Chem Tools and The 19th Golf Driving Range.

The next Inter-Club will be held at Wallacia GC on 31st August.

WINNERS 2BBB: MEN: Bill Cox, Ron Benz (Glenmore) 47 pts, Runners-up Greg Nethery, Allan Renshall (Stonecutters Ridge) 46 pts

c/b; MEDLEY: Christine Walshaw, Judy Jordan (Richmond) 43 pts c/b, Runners-up John Edwards, Julie Edwards (Glenmore) 43 pts SINGLES - MEN: DIVISION 1: Ian Forrester (Penrith) 37 pts, Runnerup Garry Smith (Leonay) 35, 3rd place Graham Anderson (Wallacia) 34 c/b; DIVISION 2: Owen Brennen (Leonay) 41 pts, Runner-up Bruce Baker (Leonay) 37 c/b, 3rd place Mick

Crock (Leonay) 37 c/b; DIVISION 3: Moe Hein (Stonecutters Ridge) 39 pts, Runner-up Fred Walshaw (Richmond) 36, 3rd place Noel Byles (Richmond) 35.

SINGLES - LADIES: DIVISION 1: Sue Evers (Springwood) 31 pts c/b; Runner-up Elizabeth (Libby) Paynter Springwood 31; DIVISION 2: Denise Chant (Wallacia) 35 pts c/b; Runner-up Elaine Williams (Dunheved) 35.

PENRITH PANTHERS

SPORT EXCLUSIVE - PART 1 Tyrone and all those other boys that have since played grade with him so I don’t anticipate Nathan looking to go anywhere else.

But until that deal is inked away we can’t necessarily give clarity to all other players as to their future with Panthers.

By STEWART MOSES

I

@TheRiffMarn

t was quite a day when I recently met up with Panthers’ Executive General Manager, Phil Gould AM to discuss among other things, the impact of the NRL’s revised salary cap and pathways models and the importance of the Panthers’ talent development programmes.

Only minutes beforehand, the club announced that edge-forward, Viliame Kikau’s contract had been extended to the end of 2022.

Not to mention the day was also dedicated to inducting the next crop of exciting talent into the Panthers system, many of whom were from Western NSW, accompanied by parents, excited by the prospect that their sons were about to join a development programme that is the envy of the NRL. In part one of an exclusive two-part series, Gould details how the club will overcome the NRL’s failing salary cap and pathways model, outlines how pivotal Nathan Cleary’s decision regarding his playing future will be as he tackles his most difficult salary cap challenge to date before responding to ongoing speculation regarding Penrith’s coaching setup.

SM: From a club perspective are there concerns with the NRL’s current salary cap and pathways models?

PG: I don’t have any concerns for our club. I have serious concerns about the lack of respect the new system has for development and there is no reward for development in the salary cap or in the pathways model.

We tried to warn the NRL a number of times that they were on the wrong track and now that it has been in operation for six months, there is a chorus of clubs saying the system doesn’t work.

But it won’t stop us from doing what we do.

Our club heavily invests in rugby league, probably more than any other club in the game and the results are starting to show.

But it’s only the start of where this club will go over the next ten years.

SM: With the 2019 roster all but settled just how big a challenge does the salary cap present in managing the roster for 2020 and beyond?

PG: None of our players want to go. The players that we’ve recently re-signed could have easily put themselves on the market but chose not to.

But as time goes by and these players get a little older and they start to play representative football, contract values become more important to them and that puts pressure on our salary cap which needs to be managed years in advance.

Panthers’ Phil Gould AM admits 2019 is his most difficult salary cap management challenge yet. Credit: 77 Media.

Two years back, how could you predict what all our kids, like your Nathan Cleary’s and Reagan Campbell-Gillard’s, that have all come through our system might be worth in 2019-2020?

It’s been an extraordinary development period for the club so the strategy around the salary cap changes rapidly.

We have a number of players coming off contract at the end of 2019 and decisions that we make now on extending those players’ contracts, will affect what the cap looks like in 2020-21, both short and long term.

That’s why the management of the salary cap is a daily process.

I’ve got five whiteboards in our recruitment room, which has every player listed on contract from under 15’s right through to first grade.

Team-by-team, year-by-year, we fill them in as we sign or renew contracts.

The numbers are added up and if we are over the salary cap, we make the required changes to our roster.

Thankfully every player that comes through our system wants to be a Panther so we’ll do the best we can to retain as many as we can, as often as we can.

SM: Does that salary cap challenge mean that some senior players’ futures at the club could be in doubt?

PG: As our 2013 / 2015 Under 20’s and NSW Cup premiership-winning teams start to mature, we’ve had to push out older players at the top end to bring these younger players

through and we’ve had to also let go of a couple of our younger developed players in Bryce Cartwright and Matt Moylan.

It will be sad to see other players go like Tyrone Peachey, who leaves next year to help balance our salary cap but it will happen again because you simply can’t keep fitting them all in.

We’ll eventually get to the stage where our senior players are our own developed players and in three-four years’ time we’ll have created our own senior leadership group from within.

That’s when we will have fully “Panther-ised” our club and everyone who comes here as teenagers will have the ability to play out their career here.

SM: If Nathan Cleary decides in November to stay at Penrith how big an impact will that be on the roster?

PG: Whatever Nathan does it’s going to be a significant deal and will significantly impact our cap either way.

Once that decision is made, the other pegs will hopefully then fall into the holes.

I don’t anticipate him leaving so we’ve got to keep in mind what is a salary cap value commensurate with his ability at the time and what sort of team we can put around him.

Your halfback should be your most significant purchase and I see Nathan as a leader of this club for a very long time.

At 14, Nathan was in our halfback academy. He has come through this system, started out with Jarome,

SM: You know who in the NRL should be a million-dollar player but will Nathan be in that pay bracket with his next deal?

PG: Nathan Cleary is 20 years of age and I can say that money is not his priority. Money will not determine his decision and Nathan knows that himself, he’s a sensible boy.

But for him to be a success he’s got to have plenty of team mates around him.

We’ve built a strong side around him and a lot of these blokes here are his mates.

I know they want to play together for as long as they can and they’ve all been reasonable with the contracts that have been negotiated and I don’t think Nathan’s deal will be any different if and when he decides to stay with Panthers.

But if he doesn’t then we have got to get on with plan B and go from there.

SM: Changing subject - how annoying is it having to deal with on-going speculation about the coaching situation?

PG: There’s been a lot of noise around our coaching situation for the past couple of years but I don’t even bother to correct it.

It’s just noise outside this club. We don’t listen to it and it doesn’t affect us.

As for me supposedly coaching, they do all the coaching, not I. I don’t know why we attract media attention about this and what motivates it.

But you have only got to look at the results right through the whole club.

You can’t achieve what we’ve achieved if those problems exist as claimed.

SM: Are you open to extending Griffin’s contract past 2020 should favourable results continue or will there be a need to succession plan for the NRL coaching position?

PG: We’ve already produced two NRL coaches in Trent Barrett and Garth Brennan and I’ve got no doubt that Cameron Ciraldo will be a head coach in time.

He’s doing a tremendous job for this club as has Anthony Griffin, who has got us into the finals two years in a row and hopefully will get us there for a third time this year.

If so we’ve been in the eight four out of the past five years so I would see no reason to change things as time goes on.

But two years is a long time.

Part 2 in next edition...

Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

Panthers’ EGM Phil Gould AM clears the air on key issues

27 27

Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

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SPORT

PENRITH PANTHERS

Peachey performance adds to Penrith’s growing fullback conundrum

By STEWART MOSES

B

@TheRiffMarn

y now, every year without fail, Panthers fans and the like have learned to expect at least the one unexpected selection from their coach Anthony Griffin.

In 2016, the established halves pairing of Jamie Soward and Peter Wallace was replaced by the very unlikely pairing of Bryce Cartwright and Nathan Cleary.

In 2017, starting prop Reagan Campbell-Gillard was converted into a 60-65 minute non-stop player albeit after starting games off the bench.

It earned him a Dally M Interchange Player of the Year award and a Kangaroos jersey in a World Cup winning-squad.

But in 2018, Griffin’s latest dilemma has been how to get 80 minutes out of NSW utility Tyrone Peachey instead of playing him off the bench where his talents are arguably wasted.

The dilemma came to a head last week when Griffin finally had Josh Mansour, Waqa Blake, Dean Whare and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak, along with Peachey all vying for outside back spots.

But with Dallin still nursing the effects of his hamstring injury, Griffin opted not to burden the Kiwi international with the fullback role and gave that to Peachey instead, who became the sixth option used by the club in the fullback position in 2018, the most since 1999.

Peachey admitted to the Sunday Telegraph, after last Saturday’s win, that he actually wanted to play there despite having not played fullback

Will Peachey (left) or Watene-Zelezniak nail down the fullback position? Credit: NRL Photos.

since his junior days.

“I’ve been telling the coaching staff for weeks that I can play fullback and they finally gave me the chance,” Peachey said.

“I was geeing him (Griffin) up at the start. Then ‘Hook’ called me into his office and told me I was actually playing fullback. I had a massive smile on my face and told him ‘About time’.

But both Peachey and Griffin confirmed that the move might be temporary with Dallin WateneZelezniak a chance to return to his preferred position before incurring

the hamstring injury in Penrith’s Round 17 win over the Warriors.

“Dal’s hamstring is a bit dodgy so I don’t think he could fully run. We’re just trying to ease Dal back and I think he’ll go back there when he’s fully healthy,” Peachey said.

“But as long as I’m there, I’ll keep trying to do my best.”

“For his first go I thought he went alright, took a good ball there at the end to win us the game,” Griffin added.

“We’ve got to do some more work with him but I thought he did a great job. (With Dallin) we’ll just monitor

Coach’s Corner

The Power of Authenticity: Brad Fittler

In all of the commentary coming out of the New South Wales Blues victory in this year’s State of Origin series there has rightfully been a wave of positivity around the role coach Brad Fittler played in firstly picking a team on form and around the methods he used within camp in order to create a unique and exciting experience for the squad in each of the three preparations.

I have not heard anyone describe Brad Fittler as authentic, I have heard eccentric, weird, crazy and out there as phases to give meaning to his coaching style. Fittler seems to be so comfortable in his own shoes it has become uncomfortable for others who may not have reached that stage of comfort in their own personality and approach.

Rugby League is a game which is evolving and becoming more complicated, the hunger for knowledge, statistics and analysis has bred the new age coach who is armed with a coaching philosophy, manuals full of drills, approaches and various ideologies on structure and how they will best

allow their team to succeed in each season. How do you measure the impact of a coach’s philosophy compared to their approach? Do they compliment or counteract what the coach is trying to achieve with his team?

Brad Fittler threw out the manual and what is considered ‘normal’ coaching practice, and instead used previous experiences and what he thought helped him as a player and allowed the players to have a positive experience in camp. True and authentic to what he believes in. And the response from the players was to play for their coach. The final 10 minutes of State of Origin II was nothing short of unbelievable in defending a surging Queensland team with a player in the sin bin. And to be in the match in State of Origin III despite a huge disparity in the penalties and key decisions along with a huge glut of possession in the first half signified the effectiveness of Fittler’s approach.

How is this approach different? It isn’t a cookie cut method, it is authentic, different for the players

week to week.”

Should Watene-Zelezniak be reinstated to fullback, it will reignite the NZ international’s passion to play in his preferred position long-term as well, putting the St Clair Comets junior on a potential selection collision-course in 2019 with the likes of incumbent Dylan Edwards (who despite ongoing speculation, is unlikely to return from shoulder reconstructive surgery in 2018), Caleb Aekins and even Jarome Luai.

But despite that desire to play fullback, Watene-Zelezniak says he’ll abide by the coach’s final decision and is adamant that decision won’t impact on his playing future at the club.

“It means everything. I love it. It’s awesome,” Dallin told Nepean News recently.

“I love my time there being able to play out the back and being able to run where I want.

“Every week I was getting more confident and building into the role.

“I’ve learnt a lot. I was out of the fullback game for a long time now so being able to get in there, learning where to go is what I love and I look forward to continuing to play there.

“But although fullback is my preferred position, I’ll let the coach make his decision and decide what is best for the team.

“I’m always the guy who will play anywhere.

“I’m signed to play here for another three years so whatever happens happens, but I’ve always been a Panthers boy and I love it here at the Panthers.”

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

and it initiated a different response. This New South Wales team felt different, it felt connected, genuine and fun. And was what the state has been crying out for since the likes of Brad Fittler, Andrew Johns, Danny Buderus, Ricky Stuart and Phil Gould were involved in successful campaigns with the Blues in the early 2000’s. And it is no coincidence Fittler called on these former team mates and coaching mentors for advice and some onto his coaching staff for what was a fantastic series victory.

When you analyse the series from the new age perspective of statistics and analysis there were some major concerns for the Blues in their use of the interchange and also their inability to win any territory particularly when exiting from kick reception in their own half. But simplicity is often the greatest complexity. It has taught me a vital lesson in that players will not listen or care about what coaches have to say or of the methods they want to implement if their approach isn’t appropriate or effective.

Proudly sponsored by Penrith Party Hire (02) 4731 1313

PENRITH PANTHERS

with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

WILL AN AMAZING FOUR TRIES IN SEVEN MINUTES KICKSTART PENRITH’S FINALS RUN? Penrith were outplayed for sixty-seven minutes by a side one win above last place.

In fact the longer the game went, the worse they looked to the point several Panthers fans were seen leaving the ground early to drown their sorrows at the nearby Brookvale Hotel.

Penrith’s lack of intensity both with and without the ball saw Manly turn a handy 8-6 half-time lead into what looked to be a dominant 24-6 with less than 13 minutes remaining.

But for the fifth time this year, the Panthers bounced back from a double-digit deficit and following tries in the ’67 (Mansour), ’70 (Yeo), ’71 (Blake) and ’73 (Cleary) minutes, the Panthers regained the lead with over five minutes to spare and in doing so became the first side in rugby league history to overcome an 18-point deficit with so little time remaining on the clock.

It might be the spark for a Penrith side who were set to suffer their fifth loss from their last six games and continue their slide down the ladder to seventh.

Instead the fifth-placed Panthers now face Canberra, Gold Coast and Newcastle in coming weeks, a golden opportunity to build on that confidence gained from that dramatic comeback win and get their game right in time for the finals.

Panthers Coach Anthony Griffin said that he felt his side was always a chance to win that game despite the hole they had dug themselves into midway through the second half.

“We dug ourselves a hole but to the players’ credit they obviously lifted tremendously there at the end and dug themselves out of a hole,” Griffin told the media after the game.

“When he (Cherry-Evans) missed that kick and hit the post, I still felt we were a chance.

“Once we got that first one it gave us a bit of confidence.

“It’s a great lift for the boys.

“Obviously we haven’t been at our best but to able to peel that off at the end it will give us a bit of confidence.

“But we’ve got to improve our defence clearly on what we did today.”

The win came a week after Penrith suffered its biggest defeat of the season, capitulating 50-18 to the Brisbane Broncos at Suncorp Stadium.

The Panthers were never in the hunt as they were unable to match the energy and intensity of the home side and by half-time trailed 32-0.

upcoming home fixtures against Wests Magpies this Sunday (1:45pm) and next Saturday against Wyong Roos (1pm), Penrith will be declared minor premiers. One win will secure a top two finish.

Comeback Cleary completed. Credit: NRL Photos

To further compound matters, makeshift fullback Jarome Luai suffered a nasty ankle / lower leg injury during the first half which will see him side-lined for eight-twelve weeks.

Panthers skipper James Maloney said after the game how he let his emotions get the better of him but added that he wasn’t too concerned by the timing of the loss, despite the disappointing result.

“A bit of frustration crept in, I think a bit of that stemmed from me,” Maloney told the media.

“I got pretty frustrated in that first half and it probably didn’t help the boys in terms of leadership but we’ll fix that up next week.

“I’m probably not as concerned about it as you guys seem to be.

“I’d probably be more concerned if we were humming and doing everything right because I have doubts if we could hold our form for another ten weeks until the end of the season.

“We’ve got six weeks to go in the season and we need to be playing our best footy in six weeks and we’ll be doing that.

“Tonight will highlight a few things we need to work on “But we’re all back together now. We’ll begin to build and we’ll get it right.”

Penrith’s ISP team continues to defy the odds and has extended its’ lead at the top of the ISP ladder to five points after winning both away games in the past fortnight against Newcastle (36-26) and Newtown (28-24).

The latter game was played in front of more than 7,000 fans at Henson Park and in the process outdid the crowd at Brookvale where only just over 6,000 fans turned up to watch Manly hosts the Panthers’ NRL side.

With four rounds remaining the Panthers cannot finish lower than sixth and if they win both

OFFER ENDS 31 AUGUST 2018

Offer ends 31/8/2018. See in Store for Terms and Conditions.

Mixed results for the Jersey Flegg side over the fortnight sees them relinquish second spot to Cronulla after going down to a field goal from the latter with seconds remaining, 25-24 last Saturday.

Penrith now have a fight on their hands to remain in the top three despite their impressive 18-4 win against league-leaders Newcastle the previous Saturday, with Mounties level on competition points hence wins at home over last-placed Wests Tigers this Sunday (11:45am) and fifth-placed Sydney Roosters next Saturday (10:45am) are crucial.

The Panthers could possibly field their most experienced side since the opening rounds of 2018, with Reagan Campbell-Gillard (jaw) named among the reserves for this Sunday’s home game against the Canberra Raiders.

Despite having not beaten a top eight side in 2018, Canberra will be desperate to win this game given they cling onto some mathematical hope of making the finals.

Tyrone Peachey has again named at fullback ahead of Dallin Watene-Zelezniak.

Penrith’s 21-man squad for the Raiders clash is as follows: 1. Tyrone PEACHEY 2. Josh MANSOUR 3. Waqa BLAKE 4. Dean WHARE 5. Dallin WATENE-ZELEZNIAK 6. James MALONEY 7. Nathan CLEARY 8. Moses LEOTA 9. Sione KATOA 10. James TAMOU 11. Viliame KIKAU 12. Isaah YEO 13. James FISHER-HARRIS 14. Tyrone MAY 15. Trent MERRIN 16. Jack HETHERINGTON 17. Corey HARAWIRANAERA 18. Reagan CAMPBELL-GILLARD 19. Kaide ELLIS 20. Christian CRICHTON 21. Wayde EGAN The Panthers then return to Queensland for next Saturday’s clash with the inconsistent Gold Coast Titans, with several ex-Panthers, under former coach Garth Brennan, will be looking to avenge their early season hammering at Panthers Stadium.

Make your support count and show your #PantherPride at the game.

29 29 Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

Repeat Sets

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Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

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PENRITH PANTHERS

GOLDEN POINTS with Stew Moses

@TheRiffMarn

IS THE LATEST CLEARY GOING TO TIGERS SPECULATION A TAD Premature?

The bubbling-along story that has been Nathan Cleary’s contractual future with Penrith post-2019 ever since it was revealed that he would decide his fate in November, roared back into life after Phil Gould AM responded to comments made by both Wests Tigers coach and Nathan’s father Ivan regarding his desire to coach his son in 2020.

“The answer is very simple - Ivan is a father who wants to coach his son, we all understand that,” Gould said on Nine’s Friday Night Football telecast.

“Nathan is a son who would like to play for his father one day - we all understand that.

“I believe it will happen. And I would like to see it happen.

“But the decision right now is in Nathan’s hands.

“Neither his father or I are putting any pressure on him. He’ll make a decision at the end of the year.

“Whatever that decision is, I will support it 100% and Ivan will support it 100% because it’s his career.

“But I have an agreement with Nathan. If one day he says, ‘I want to go play with my dad’, let’s make it happen.

“I’ve got no problem with him going to play with his father whatsoever.”

These comments have perhaps been prematurely taken as read that Cleary will be a Wests Tiger in 2020.

But Gould has confirmed since those comments were made that he still anticipates now as much as ever before that Cleary will remain a Panther in 2020 and beyond (see Q&A with Gould page 27).

Speculation also won’t go away that Penrith’s two senior forwards, Trent Merrin and James Tamou could be playing elsewhere in 2019.

Whilst denied but the club, things could change depending on the outcome of Nathan Cleary’s contractual decision in November given the substantial upgrade in salary cap value the State Of Origin halfback is likely to attract.

What doesn’t help either forward is their inconsistent form of late, which has culminated in Merrin being benched as a prop forward for last Saturday’s clash against Manly, while Tamou has spent his fair share of time on the bench as well.

There’s also mail suggesting Corey Waddell could be headed to South Sydney in 2019.

Meanwhile as revealed last edition, Penrith have indeed extended the contract of Fijian back-rower Viliame Kikau, locking down the promising edge-

Broncos five-eighth became entangled with Corey Harawira-Naera in back-play before pulling the backrower’s hair.

But how did Josh McGuire escape similar punishment after footage showed the Broncos forward pulling at the young Panthers’ hair as well?

Kikau remains a Panther until the end of 2022.

Credit: NRL Photos.

The last remaining playing survivor of the Panthers’ 2003 Premiership win, Luke Lewis, will call time on his 18 NRL season career at the end of 2018.

Before his move to the Sharks in 2013, Lewis played 208 NRL games for the Panthers (6th most) and scoring 89 NRL tries (4th most).

forward until the end of 2022, while negotiations to extend the contract of boom centre Waqa Blake beyond 2019 are expected to commence shortly.

Despite having missed half the season, Blake is in career-best form having scored 8 tries from just nine appearances, equalling his 2016 effort of eight tries from 21 NRL games.

Speaking of milestones, Josh Mansour’s two tries in as many games has seen the winger score 57 tries in total from 110 NRL games, moving him into the top ten all-time first grade try-scorers list for the club and provided everything goes to plan, Trent Merrin, is set to play his 200th NRL game against the Gold Coast Titans next Saturday.

Phil Gould has also revealed on 100 Percent Footy that five-eighth James Maloney has played the past two games with not one but THREE injuries as the Panthers skipper struggles to re-capture his pre-Origin NRL form despite Penrith’s win over Manly.

Gould said that Maloney had no right to play last Saturday with these injuries but added that such is the character of Maloney he went ahead and played anyway.

Perhaps another rest in coming weeks could be on the cards.

Away from the field and it’s been a big week for community handouts from the Panthers Group.

Last week the Panthers Group donated $150,000 to the highly successful Panthers on the Prowl which assists children at risk of disengaging with their schooling education, as part of the Clubs NSW initiative DoSomething Day. Then Panthers Group CEO Brian Fletcher confirmed to Sydney radio station 2GB’s Ray Hadley, that the Group will donate over $100,000 to drought-stricken farmers doing it tough in centralwestern New South Wales as part of Macquarie Radio’s The Big Dry Drought Appeal, with a further announcement to made by Phil Gould this week.

It would appear that some indifferent performances in recent weeks has cost both Christian Crichton and Tyrone Phillips any chance of playing on the wing in first grade for the time being, with the coach seemingly preferring to play to his strengths in having Josh Mansour and Dallin Watene-Zelezniak play on the wing and instead play Tyrone Peachey at fullback.

And keeping with other shock selections in recent years, this latest surprise selection worked better than most expected in Penrith’s stunning 28-24 win.

Brisbane Broncos’ Anthony Milford was fined $1150 following an incident which saw the

Colonial Golf Course Werrington Road Werrington Incorporating Orchard Hills Golf Club

It’s also been a big week for community appearances with several Panther players making school visits throughout the region on Monday, before Panthers invited members and fans to attend an open training session on Wednesday at St Marys Leagues Stadium, where they were able to watch training first hand before mingling with the NRL squad for autographs and photos.

Got any news you’d like to share? Then email me at stewart@nepeannews.com.au and remember to show your #PantherPride by being there at the game.

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PENRITH PANTHERS

with MARK GEYER

Panthers prevail in what could be a season-defining game

 Did that just happen?

T

alk about pulling a rabbit out of a hat, or even better, a Sea Eagle out of the sky.

Wow! If i didn’t see it with my own eyes I wouldn’t have believed you if you told me that Manly lead Penrith in their round 20 clash at Lotto Land last Saturday 24-6 with 12 minutes to play but Penrith would come from behind and win!!

What the??? But indeed they most definitely did.

In what was eerily looking like the demise of the Panther for season 2018, quickly turned into a sliding door moment that now has Anthony Griffin’s men back on track for some deep semi final action come September.

This is how the Houdini act unfolded.

Trailing 24-6 Josh Mansour went over in the 69th minute. In the 71st it was the skipper’s turn when Isaah Yeo surged over. A minute later after great lead up from Kikau and Cleary, Waqa Blake went over, then in the 74th minute Nathan Cleary sealed the deal when he went over after a Tommy Turbo fumble. 28-24 with 5 minutes to go.

Penrith held on in what could well be a season-defining performance. A loss has them scrambling for a semi final birth, a win puts them on 26 points and now guaranteed of finals action. The ‘cardiac kids’ now face Canberra on home turf this Sunday.

If you’re going make sure to take an aspirin - you’ll need it.

And another thing.

My great mate at Hertz Craig ‘Thommo’ Thompson is giving me his corporate

 Nathan Pentecost doing his best ‘that’s Gold”

box at Panthers Stadium for the Newcastle Knights home game on Saturday the 18th of August. If you want to join me check out the promo (on page 7) and you could be one of 3 people (with a mate) who join me on the day. Hope to see you.

But wait there’s more...

Last week I was given the honour of becoming the ambassador for the Western Sydney Wheelchair Rugby League competition which is played out of the YMCA stadium in Hawkesbury. It’s an inclusive sport where ANYONE can play. I’ve played and it’s lots of fun. I could best describe it as Oztag in wheelchairs. If you think you’d like to give it a go give either Brett Clark 0481 008 215 or Nathan Pentecost 0419 463 930 a Buzz.

See you at the game.

MG (random Westie) OAM

31 31 Nepean News 2 August 2018 Issue 232

MG on the mark

SPORT

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02 4737 9977 www.bespokerg.com.au Penrith | Glenmore Park | Jamisontown Bespoke Realty Group formerly Glenmore Park First National