Nepeannews 3september2015

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ISSUE 157

THIS WEEK’S LEGEND OF THE NEPEAN BART CUMMINGS: P10-11

GOOD SPORTS Men of League Penrith: The good sports from St Marys Leagues Club are proud to get behind such a good cause: Alex McKenzie with St Marys Leagues President Warren Smith, Board member Joe Borg and Events Manager Jennifer Najdek. Photo: Megan Dunn

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Home ware goods needed

By Garion Thain

REVEREND Ross Hutchinson is asking for the community to help him acquire a new refrigerator at Torton Place home where he is the patron, after their main fridge crashed last week.

Torton Place serves as a home for many vulnerable people and Reverend Hutchinson says they are always in need of non-perishable items like canned foods and furniture.

On the foundation’s list is also a need for two bar sized fridges.

Mr Hutchinson spoke to Nepean News about Torton Place and other efforts he undertakes in Penrith earlier this year.

“We’re not a glamorous glitzy charity.

Our overheads are minimal,” said Mr Hutchinson.

Reverend Ross Hutchinson recently held a Winter Warmer “We help over 20 other charities,” he fundraiser with Nepean Village. Photo: Tom Carey continued.

The Ross Hutchinson foundation has Also on the request list are two medium other means to transport and assist disadvantaged sized wardrobes and a single king sized bed and residents.

“Our carer car, that we call Noddy is on the mattress.

For more information on Torton Place and road 24/7,” Mr Hutchinson said.

“Everything related to the car is completely the programs of the Ross Hutchinson foundation, the foundation is contactable by phone at 02 funded out of pocket by the organisation.”

On the subject of other items needed for 4721 2620 and can be contacted via e-mail at Torton Place, Mr Hutchinson said, “Non- info@rosshutchisonfoundation.org.au for more information. perishable food packs are in constant need.”

Tanya Davies Member for Mulgoa Phone (02) 9833 2913 Address Shop 1/159 Queen St, St Marys Email mulgoa@parliament.nsw.gov.au Mail PO Box 138, St Marys NSW 1790

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Nepean News 3 September 2015 Issue 157

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Member for Londonderry

Ph: 9833 1122 12/82 Victoria St Werrington Mail: PO Box 4001 Werrington NSW 2747 londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au

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4 Nepean News 3 September 2015 Issue 157

by Garion Thain

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OVER the next 25 years, Western Sydney will account for 25% of Australia’s overall population growth, and already makes up at least 10% of the country’s population as-is. That’s a big deal. What it also means is that as organisations and different levels of government take notice of our contribution to the Australian nation, Western Sydney becomes more than a geographical region – it also becomes a marketable brand.

Or rather, it already has. Often in red and white, this unspoken brand has been utilised by a variety of organisations attempting to cater to the region, like the ‘fair go for the west’ media campaign and in sport, especially with the different football codes. Western Sydney has always been a NRL heartland, but now there’s also the GWS Giants and The Western Sydney Wanderers representing the region from the AFL and A-League, both teams less than five years old. The Wanderers in particular have become something of a branding phenomenon in as little as a few years.

Presently we have talk of two name changes taking advantage of the Western Sydney brand. On August 30, the University of Western Sydney rebranded itself to Western Sydney University and changed its logo. I myself don’t have any strong feelings about this, however their reasoning for it, to paraphrase, that putting Western Sydney first showcases their commitment to the region, is perfectly valid. It’s also smart, because like all popular brands Western Sydney is a hot topic and media outlets have been keen to jump on it. The marketing budget for this rebranding? $30 million.

Also in the news and a cause of mild controversy is talk in Blacktown of renaming the Blacktown LGA ‘West Sydney.’ Their Mayor Stephen Bali is against this and understandably so. Unlike other institutions like UWS/ WSU, which in all fairness already had ‘Western Sydney’ in its name, this is fairly blatantly using something popular and trying to use it for popularityby-association. More importantly however is this – a brand can stay popular for a while or maybe even stick around indefinitely, but it won’t be the top trending topic forever, especially in the digital century. Renaming Blacktown to West Sydney will seem archaic in just a few decades.

It’s this digital element that has given the community the power to become agenda setters. With everyone online, numbers talk. For the Western Sydney brand to benefit Western Sydney residents, we all have to use these numbers to make sure business and governments deliver to us, and not just make money off us.

Your thoughts? garion@nepeannews.com.au

Louie’s recovery!

Nepean

Veterinary REPORT

with Dr Antony Karolis and the team at WellPet Vets phone 1300 WELLPET

Senior Veterinarian and CEO WellPets Vets Mountains, Nepean and St Clair

FOR those of you that follow our fortnightly Vet Report you might remember this cheeky little guy. Louie was a lost dog that was rushed into the Western Sydney Veterinary Emergency Service, in June this year, after he was hit by a car. He sustained a fracture to his hind leg and pelvis. Louie received surgery at Nepean Animal Hospital to repair the fractures. What you wouldn’t have heard is what happened next! Louie was adopted by the welfare group Golden Oldies and with their support has made an excellent

recovery. Louie came back to Nepean Animal Hospital for follow-up x-rays just a few weeks ago. We are pleased to report Louie’s broken bones are healing well. Louie is currently in foster care with a good chance of finding a forever home. We are told he is as happy as ever and cheeky to boot. At this stage Louie must still rest carefully, so his foster carers have their work cut out for them during this time. The Team at WellPet couldn’t be happier with his progress and wish Louie a speedy recovery and a wonderful new life.

Early hearing tests vital EVERY parent knows the series of standard health checks their baby will undertake in their first few weeks of life are amongst the most important of all.

“With one to two babies out of every 1000 born suffering significant hearing loss, our Statewide Infant Screening for Hearing (SWISH) team at Nepean Hospital have their hands full,” said Chris Lambert, District Manager Newborn Hearing program.

“August 23-29 was Hearing Awareness Week and our SWISH team would like to remind parents that the sooner you find out how your baby hears, the sooner you can receive correct advice and support.”

Nepean Hospital patient and mum, Jacinta, was pleased that the process was so easy, quick and pain free for her new baby girl, Camila.

“Our baby has come through with great results but we know others who haven’t,” Jacinta said. ”We are more than happy to have this test done for peace of mind. It’s so important for the child’s development too.”

Chris Lambert says they aim to screen all babies prior to discharge.

“Children generally say their first words in the first 9-12 months so it’s vital to have their hearing tested within the first month as they are listening to our every word during that time and any hearing loss could result in speech delay,” Chris said.

Stuart Ayres

Early hearing tests are vitally important for newborn babies.

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Creative Debbie’s winning innovation PENRITH has proudly positioned itself as a region for innovation and new ideas, and this was never more obvious than at the recent Western Sydney Awards for Business Excellence, where local graphic and web design studio, White River Design (WRD) took out the award for Excellence in Innovation.

WRD won the innovation award for their trailblazing conceptualising and implementation of the most awarded coworking venue in Penrith, The Creative Fringe.

The Creative Fringe was born from a desire by WRD Creative Director, Debbie O’Connor to see more collaboration and support happening within the creative industries in Penrith and surrounding suburbs.

“I ran my business from home for eight years which was pretty challenging,” said Mrs O’Connor.

“For the first two years I was on my own facing isolation, lack of motivation and inspiration. Then I took on staff and I had other concerns such as WH&S in my own home and blurred boundaries between home and work.”

White River Design moved from a home office into a commercial space on Henry Street. This proved

to be a highly beneficial move, yet it opened Mrs O’Connor’s eyes to the challenges of moving a business out of home.

“Committing to a 2-3 year lease, paying a bond, fitting out the new office, new bills coming in are just to name a few!”

During a regular working week, WRD would use other creative businesses such as copywriters, photographers and sign writers to get the best product offering to their clients. When the White River Design team out-grew their commercial space, Mrs O’Connor knew that she wanted to move her business into a permanent home, but had a vision to

also have other creative businesses under the same roof so that they could all collaborate together and leverage off each others expertise.

“The Creative Fringe concept was born out of a desire to connect multiple creative disciplines, to work together in a shared office environment for the greater good of our clients. The concept has grown to include business owners who work from home in isolation as well as businesses that are outgrowing their space,” commented Mrs O’Connor. “To take it one step further, I would love businesses who offer flexible working conditions to their staff who have to commute to work, to allow them the opportunity

to work out of our coworking space a few days a week. Leave home late and arrive home early would be fantastic for both the staff member, their family but also the productivity to the business.”

The Creative Fringe has desks for hire along with access to meeting rooms, breakout areas, tea and coffee facilities and not to mention, the all important collaborative community.

To work in the space, you simply need to bring in your laptop, plug into their wifi, and along with a great attitude, your business is on it’s way.

Monthly renters are given 24 hour access along with the opportunity to having The Creative Fringe as their postal address.

Monthly Fringe Benefits ensure that their community is networking and educated as speakers from all over Sydney come to share their knowledge and expertise.

The Creative Fringe won the Champions of the West Award last year when it first opened it’s doors in April 2014. The idea is still quite new, but is being welcomed (and adored) by the small business and creative community.

For more information on The Creative Fringe innovation, please head to www.thecreativefringe.com.au

PM visits Oxley Park Talks local developments, broader topics

By Garion Thain

PRIME MINISTER Tony Abbott visited Oxley Park on Saturday to unveil a $4.5 million grant towards planting one million trees in the Cumberland Corridor, where he also discussed other topics with local media.

The Prime Minister was joined by Member for Lindsay Fiona Scott and Member for Macquarie Louise Markus in a joint announcement which will see the money part of the $15 million overall distributed between three organisations and 13 projects in the region.

Speaking to volunteers present and the media, Mr Abbott said, “A great thing about Sydney is we have unspoilt green space,” and that he has “always regarded [himself] as a conservationist.”

“Every great city needs its lungs,” said Mr Abbott.

“The Cumberland Conservation Corridor is the lung of Western Sydney. It’s important that this be in tip top condition and this $15 million will help to ensure that as far as is humanly possible, we put the Cumberland Conservation Corridor back into its natural state,” he said.

Lindsay MP Fiona Scott announced the purchasing of land to extend and connect the corridor.

“It’s very exciting that we are investing this money into this area, so that we are buying back some of the land in areas like Llandilo and Londonderry,”

said Ms Scott.

When asked about the role local MPs such as Ms Scott and Ms Markus play in these programs, Mr Abbott said, “Well, they are absolutely critical advocates for the sorts of things that we’re doing today.”

“Fiona and Louise both want to ensure economic development, but they want to ensure that we have economic development in a clean, green and beautiful Western Sydney,” he continued.

The $4.5 million from Saturday’s announcement is going to Greening Australia, Muru Mittigar and the Greater Sydney Local Land Services.

During his visit the Prime Minister also took time to discuss broader subjects with local media in a private interview.

In reference to Fiona Scott’s polling of the Lindsay electorate as to their views on same-sex marriage, the Prime Minister was asked why he was moving a vote on the subject to the next term of government as opposed to the current one.

“We went into the last election saying that as a government we supported the existing position of marriage between a man and a woman,” said Mr Abbott.

“We’ve had a very good and very respectful debate about this in the party room a few weeks ago, and the conclusion that we came to was that yes, we would maintain our position in this term of parliament and next term of parliament we would

The Prime Minister spoke about preserving the Cumberland Conservation Corridor, and was also asked about Badgerys Creek and internal marriage debates.

bring it to the people,” he continued.

Mr Abbott also discussed the development of infrastructure around Badgerys Creek and if the airport would have a curfew or be 24 hours.

Mr Abbott said that road upgrades were to come first, mentioning upgrades to the Northern Rd, Elizabeth Drive and Bringelly Rd by name. ...Continued next page

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PM visit continued

Spring to the local art show

“There’s a whole series of major road upgrades and those road upgrades are going to be well and truly finished before any plans are made for the airport,” he said.

“All of our road work will be done with the understanding that there will, eventually, be a rail connection.”

On the matter of a curfew at the airport and consideration for residents similar to Mascot, Mr Abbott distanced himself from it saying it was a bridge that they would cross when they come to it.

“The great thing about the Western Sydney airport is that it doesn’t have anything like the population density, a very approximate population density, that Mascot does,” he said.

“The flight paths are going to be configured to minimise noise.”

At the media conference, Mr Abbott was also asked questions about the Victorian Police lead Operation Fortitude which was cancelled after widespread criticism of the Border Patrol’s press release last week.

Mr Abbott said it was “obviously a mistake” and the press release was “over the top and wrong,” saying that the government will never stop people in the street and ask for visa details.

He put forward his faith in the Border Patrol, saying that they are doing an “excellent job.”

The government says the $15 million overall from Saturday’s announcement will be rolled out over a three year period.

AUGUST 27, 2015 - The Nepean Art Society’s annual Spring Exhibition is on in Penrith on the weekend of September 12 and 13.

Around 130 original works of art will be on display and all of them will be for sale.

Most NAS members are from the Nepean Valley, the Hawkesbury and the Blue Mountains, but some come from as far afield as St Ives, Campbelltown and Newtown.

There are many multiple award winners amongst them. The society also has a group of really talented child members and some of their work will be on display, too.

The NAS Exhibition and Sale will be held at the society’s studio in the old Penrith Council Chambers at 129 Henry Street. The entrance is off Station Street.

Admission is free – and that includes the formal opening by noted Mulgoa landscape painter and tutor John Rice. The show will be open from 9.00am to 5.00pm on Saturday the 12th and from 10.00am to 4.00pm on Sunday the 13th.

The official opening by John will be at 3.00pm on the Saturday and members of the public are welcome.

“It’s a great opportunity not only to see what local artists are doing, but to mingle with some of them,” says NAS publicity manager Rob Weaver.

The raffle prize this year is a superb framed mountainscape in oils by one of Australia’s finest landscape painters, John Wilson. “John painted it at a recent demonstration for our members and generously donated it for our show,” says Rob. Tickets will be on sale at the show only.

For further information contact Rob Weaver on 0418 791 039 or visit the society’s website www.nepeanartsociety.org.

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F A S H I O N S

Have your say on major upgrade STUART Ayres MP, Member for Penrith and Tanya Davies MP, Member for Mulgoa invite community members to have a say on the major upgrade of the Mulgoa Road and Castlereagh Road corridor between Glenmore Park and Penrith to improve transport connections in Western Sydney.

“The NSW Government has provided $1 million this financial year to progress planning and investigations for the 6.5 kilometre upgrade and widening of Mulgoa Road and Castlereagh Road between Glenmore Park and Penrith,” Stuart Ayres said.

“This project aims to ease congestion and accommodate future traffic growth on a major road corridor which provides a vital link between Penrith, the M4 motorway, and other parts of Greater Sydney.

“Mulgoa Road is currently used by up to 3,800 vehicles in the morning and afternoon peak and this upgrade aims to get traffic moving again on this key transport corridor.

“The proposed upgrade would improve road safety for motorists between Glenmore Parkway at Glenmore Park and Andrews Road at Penrith, enhance transport connections

for Western Sydney and ensure the road network meets demand now and in the future.

Tanya Davies said as part of the project planning, Roads and Maritime Services will carry out investigation work in the coming months.

“Local knowledge of the area and community feedback is important to further develop the preferred option.

“All community feedback received will be considered in developing the project.”

Tanya Davies said the project forms part of a plan to progressively upgrade a number of major arterial roads in Western Sydney, including the Jane Street and Mulgoa Road intersection upgrade which will be planned in coordination.

“These important road upgrades will deliver a more efficient road network and meet the future needs of the local community” added Stuart Ayres.

Roads and Maritime Services

encourages community members to send comments by Friday 25 September 2015 to Mulgoa Road/ Castlereagh Road Corridor Upgrade, Roads and Maritime Services PO Box 973 Parramatta NSW 2124, or to mulgoaroadupgrade@rms.nsw.gov.au.

For further information on the upgrade visit www.rms.nsw.gov.au/ projects/sydney-west/mulgoa-rdcastlereagh-rd and search for Mulgoa Road/Castlereagh Road corridor upgrade.

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Legends of the Nepean

By Greg Martin

Bart pictured in the mdi- 60’s with one of his champions.

BART Cummings always said you must surround yourself with the best to bring out the best in you.

James Bartholomew Cummings did that throughout his life - the best in marriage, the best in friends, the best in jockeys and the best in horses.

And in return, all those who knew this remarkable man, lived richer lives.

His devoted wife of 61 years, Valmae, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, legendary jockeys such as Roy Higgins, Harry White, Jimmy Miller and Darren Beadman and prodigious horses the likes of Light Fingers, Galilee, Let’s Elope, Saintly, Leilani, Taj Rossi, Tontonan, Dayana, Shaftsbury Avenue and So You Think.

So many champions!

And the thoroughbred horse racing folk – the breeders, the owners, strappers, track-work riders and the punters who for over six decades put their hard-earned on the master trainer’s gallopers.

And on the subject of the best – Bart and Valmae have for many years set up shop on their magnificent breeding

and spelling property, Princes Farm at Castlereagh.

Bart loved Princes Farm – 150 lush acres lining the Nepean River – he and Valmae for many years divided their time between their home in the city and the stud before moving full-time to Princes Farm in recent years.

If memory serves me correctly, I first met the great man in 1969 when he brought Lowland to Royal Randwick to win the Sydney Cup. I was a cadet sporting journalist and met Bart at an Australian Jockey Club function where I was introduced to him by my Daily Mirror sports editor, Pat Farrell.

Despite the room being full of many of the greatest racing scribes in the history of the sport in this country, Bart took time to say hello and offer me words of encouragement in my chosen career.

Thinking back now, so many wonderful racing men who were present that day are no longer with us.

I really was fortunate to learn my trade during a Golden Age of racing writers – “Sitting Pat” Farrell, Ossie Imber, Tommy Brassel, Keith Robbins, Bill Casey, Bill Whittacker and Jack Elliott. All gone.

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BART CUMMINGS I have never forgotten Bart’s kindness that day.

I can’t say Bart and I became good mates over the ensuing years as my trips to the racetrack diminished but whenever our paths crossed there was always a smile and a quick word.

As they used to say at Thommo’s Two-Up School, Bart “threw tails” last Sunday morning – no doubt the equally great horseman, T.J. (Tommy) Smith, was sitting beside St Peter eager to meet his old rival and argue about who was the greater trainer.

Both men built extraordinary records during their training careers but it is Bart’s remarkable record of winning 12 Melbourne Cups which probably gives him the nod over his great rival.

Bart was born in 1927, the son of the Jim Cummings, who trained the great stayer Comic Court to a win in the 1950 Melbourne Cup when strapped

by Bart.

Cummings took out his trainer’s licence in 1953 and set up stables at Glenelg in South Australia. His first big win was in 1958 when he took out the South Australian Derby.

The first of Bart’s Melbourne Cup runners was Asian Court which

finished 12th behind Baystone in 1958.

He had another three unplaced starters before cracking it for his maiden Melbourne Cup victory in 1965 when Leilani edged out her stablemate, Ziema.

Bart’s amazing cups run and career as a top-flight racehorse trainer was up and running!

The racing game is full of highs and lows but for Bart, the highs far outweighed the lows.

The worst low of all for him was in the late 1980s, when he spent millions of dollars purchasing racehorses at major yearling sales both here and in New Zealand.

Much of the money was spent on behalf of a tax minimisation syndicate.

Unfortunately, like many other trainers Bart and the syndicate was hit hard by the recession but with help from Reg Inglis’ bloodstock auction organisation he avoided bankruptcy and lived to train another day.

But the highs. So many highs!

Bart was inducted into the Sport Australia Hall of Fame in 1991, the following year he was an inaugural inductee into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame and 1983 became a

Member of the Order of Australia for his services to the racing industry.

In 2007, Australia Post placed his image on a postage stamp as part of its Australian Legends series and in 2008 Racing NSW announced a new horse racing award to be known as The Bart Cummings Medal which will be awarded for “consistent, outstanding performances amongst jockeys and trainers at New South Wales metropolitan race meetings through the racing season.”

Bart trained the winners of 266 Group 1 races and more than 760 stakes races.

His successes in major races were phenomenal!

In addition to his 12 Melbourne Cups, Bart won 32 Derbies, seven Caulfield Cups, four Golden Slipper Stakes, five W.S. Cox Plates, 24 Oaks, eight Newmarket Handicaps, five Doncasters,13 Australian Cups, seven Lightning Stakes, four Champion Stakes, four Stradbrokes and 16 St Legers.

He put the polish on nine Racehorses of the Year – Dayana, Taj Rossi, Leilani, Lord Dudley, Maybe Mahal, Hyperno, Beau Zam, Let’s Elope and Saintly.

Bart and John Howard at his induction into the Racing Hall of Fame.

Having trained so many champion gallopers, Bart was forever being asked which gallopers he thought were his “true champions”.

He didn’t like to single out his favourite horses but the consensus garnered down the years are that Saintly, Let’s Elope, think Big, Leilani, Dayana and Galilee all held a special part of his heart.

And Bart Cummings will always have a special place in the hearts of all Australians.

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Nepean News 3 September 2015 Issue 157

The COUNCIL Column

By Garion Thain

AUGUST 24 saw Penrith City Council’s most recent meeting, and there were a variety of items on the discussion table. This breadth of discussion matter meant the meeting had some light and heavy moments in the chamber, as items across the spectrum were talked about or argued, some quite at length.

Councillors Karen McKeown and Greg Davies were granted a leave of absence and were not present at the meeting. Councillor Jim Aitken OAM was also not present.

For a breakdown of some of the stories to come from the August 24 meeting, this is the council column.

Colyton Kids get Plan Approved Mara and Casey, two students from Bennett Rd Public School and Colyton High respectively, each addressed council in regards to a concept plan developed for Barr and Bass Reserve, Colyton, for the 2015 Penrith Mayoral Challenge.

The Penrith Mayoral Challenge is a pilot project being projected over a three year period following a very successful engagement between council and the Cranebrook Youth Leadership Program in 2014 that council wishes to replicate.

The five key priorities the children had for the park were to make it accessible, family friendly, safe, have space to play and space to rest.

Casey and other Colyton High students worked with the Bennett Rd kids to help formulate their goals for the park and formulate a concept to present to council.

Addressing the councillors in the ordinary meeting, Casey thanked the councillors and Mayor Ross Fowler OAM for the opportunity to be a part of the program.

Cr Fowler said he was impressed with the level of detail the students had put into their proposal to Council.

“The presentation to Council was

very comprehensive,” Cr Fowler said.

“The students have put a lot of thought into what they would like their community to enjoy in this space and we’re excited to bring it to life.”

Council endorsed the concept plan at the meeting and further voted towards utilising additional funds for a BBQ in the reserve. Council’s Parks Department will start construction of the park with work expected to be completed in early 2016.

Bennett Rd Principal Matthew Plummer thanked council for endorsing the plan, saying “children don’t often get opportunities like this.”

Stop the Waterskis Cr Kevin Crameri suggested council should move to advocate the ban of surf gate craft and similar watercraft that create damaging wakes on the banks of the Hawkesbury-Nepean River, and that council should take this to the 2015 Local Government Conference.

Speaking to the mayor, Cr Crameri said “Surf gate tech is designed to create large and destructive waves.”

Cr Crameri suggested council back a similar move by Hawkesbury council and move to the RMS and state members of parliament to impose a ban watercraft of that nature on the river.

He then recommended to include the Nepean River in Hawkesbury council’s recommendation for the Hawkesbury River.

Councillors Mark Davies and Bernard Bratusa both expressed the need for more information before the conference.

“Before we march this off to the local government conference we should be properly briefed,” said Cr Davies.

The local government conference is from October 11-13 in Rose Hill.

Code of Conduct Matter Discussion became heated in the council chamber on Monday night when an item regarding “Code of Conduct matter concerning Councillor Marcus Cornish” came forward.

Mayor Ross Fowler had formally

filed a complaint on December 10 last year, claiming Cr Cornish had broken conduct in two separate council meetings dealing with the Islamic Prayer Hall DA at Kemps Creek “with his attitude towards speakers”.

Following an investigation into the matter by a conduct reviewer, the final investigation report was considered on July 27 during Committee of the Whole.

At this meeting, the Council resolved to adopt of all of the recommendations made by the conduct reviewer. The General Manager wrote to Cr Cornish afterwards.

The report suggests Cr Cornish apologise for breaking the code of conduct to the Mayor, Council and the Penrith community among other recommendations including giving Cr Cornish code of conduct training.

Cr Cornish was outraged by the report, calling council bullies.

“This is sheer bullying, council needs to learn their rights,” said Mr Cornish.

Mayor Ross Fowler interrupted Cr Cornish further on to say that he was “making accusations that are completely untrue,” and clarified that it was an independent investigation.

Greens councillor Michelle Tourmey stated that council was only being asked to receive the report as the discussion escalated.

“Let’s break this down,” said Cr Tourmey.

“This went further than just an act between one councillor and another.

There were breaches found,” she continued.

Cr Tourmey made strict eye contact with Cr Cornish and said “A councillor should just accept it, comply and move on.”

After it was said council is obliged to receive the report, Cr Cornish said “I have no guilt.”

The motion was carried with only Cr Cornish against.

Council proposal for St Marys Town Centre Penrith Council has issued a release

concerning a proposal to reclassify some public land in St Marys town centre.

The release, uploaded publically on Penrith council’s website on Friday, notes the proposal will be on public exhibition until September 21.

The proposal recommends changing the classification of land near existing shopping centres from Community Land to Operational Land as per the St Marys Town Centre Strategy, based off the 2007 St Marys Town Centre Masterplan.

Mayor Ross Fowler OAM says this reclassification is needed for the St Marys town centre to grow and thrive and allow council to consider opportunities and new developments.

Cr Fowler said that council’s role in the matter is to establish this growth.

“The next step for Council is to reclassify parts of the land so we can consider opportunities to use it to create attractive public spaces, bring new business and investment and generate jobs,” Cr Fowler said.

The proposed reclassification does not address the sale, lease or development of the land. Council says these matters may be considered in the future and says it will include community consultation. It also does not prevent the current use of the land from continuing.

“Reclassification of the land will not affect the car parking spaces currently available,” Cr Fowler said. “Any new developments in the future would be required to improve the existing car parking situation.”

Possible developments however include a new town square, residential apartments near St Marys railway station, a new street between Queen Street and Charles Hackett Drive and the integration of expanded shopping centres with the Town Centre.

For more information visit http://yoursaypenrith.com.au/ StMarysTownCentre

THE NEPEAN ART SOCIETY 2015 SPRING EXHIBITION & SALE Saturday 12 September (9am-5pm), Sunday 13 September (10am-4pm) Admission FREE. At the former Council Chambers.

129 Henry Street, Penrith (entrance off Station Street – look for the ‘Art Show’ signs).

Official opening 3pm Saturday September 12 by noted landscape artist John Rice. All welcome.

Around 130 paintings on show - all for sale.

Further information: Rob Weaver 0418 791 039 or from

RAFFLE PRIZE Framed oil painting by leading Australian painter John Wilson (value $600). Tickets at show ONLY. Drawn 4pm Sunday.

www.nepeanartsociety.org

Raising awareness Westclub’s Mental Health Awareness Open Day is on October 7, and is run by passionate members.

WESTCLUB Penrith is asking the community to start talking about mental health awareness this October, which is mental health month.

Westclub is an organisation that offers community support services to people with psychiatric or psychosocial illness, and have a building in high street. Their services are recovery based, tailored to people of all ages above 18 and to people of a large variety of different mental health illnesses. These programs are aimed at reducing people’s dependence and increasing self-esteem as well as promoting skills in self-advocacy.

The staff work on a one-on-one basis

to organise individual recovery plans.

Activities are put in place for members and visitors to enjoy themselves first and foremost, with part of their mantra being “with recovery comes hope, dignity and a social connection.”

The organisation is hosting an open day in early October as part of Mental Health Awareness month to promote their style of interaction and openly discuss mental illness and their role.

Mary Cook from Westclub discussed what the open day will entail in more detail.

“Westclub members have a major role in the open day and how Westclub runs,” said Ms Cook.

“Open Day will have members run the Market Stalls and Art displayed is created by Westclub members,” she continued.

“Westclub will also have a Pool competition and we kindly received a donation for the major prize by K & R Billiard Tables.”

K & R Billiards Tables is based locally In Penrith and used to have an office in Batt St. Westclub’s Mental Health Awareness Open Day is on October 7.

Westclub Penrith is located at the top of high street at 252 high street, and they are also open from 9am-4pm on Mondays-Fridays.

13 Nepean News 3 September 2015 Issue 157

localnews local

14

localnews local

Nepean News 3 September 2015 Issue 157

Nita

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Men of League Penrith launch

MORE than $18,000 has been raised at the first event hosted by the new Penrith-based committee of the Men of League.

The Penrith committee launched on Thursday, August 27 with a special event at the Tattersalls Hotel in Penrith, attended by around 100 people.

The night was highlighted by a special donation of $15,000 presented to Men of League Penrith committee president Alex McKenzie by St Marys Leagues Club.

“It was a terrific surprise to receive such a donation at our first event and we are very appreciative of St Marys Leagues Club for showing that sort of support to Men of League,” Mr McKenzie said.

“Through other donations on the night plus the entry fee and raffle and auction proceeds, we were able to raise a total of $18,580 on the night – that’s a tremendous result for our first event.”

The Men of League Foundation supports members of the rugby league community who have fallen on hard times. Its vision is to provide practical assistance with everything from medical operations, rehabilitation and nursing equipment to welfare support, grants and scholarships.

The launch of the committee in Penrith represents the first time that Penrith is officially represented as part of the network of committees across Australia.

“Penrith is such a strong rugby league community at so many levels, so seemed obvious that Men of League needed to be represented here,” Mr McKenzie said.

Special guests at last Thursday’s launch included Penrith Panthers stars Bryce Cartwright, Peter Wallace, Matt Moylan and Nathan Smith, plus former Clive Churchill Medal winner Luke Priddis and inspirational wheelchair athlete, Nathan Pentecost.

The Men of League Penrith committee will hold several events each year.

Joining Men of League costs just $20. See www. menofleague.com.

Truckies Caring For Kids SUNDAY 27TH SEPT from 8am to 3pm

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The trucks depart from Jack Brabham Drive, Huntingwood from 8am and travel to Cathy Freeman Park, Sydney Olympic Park Homebush where all entertainment is

Tireless Tony awarded

MULGOA MP Tanya Davies said she was pleased to present Tony Fryer of the St Marys RSL Sub-Branch with a NSW Government Community Service Award.

Tony is a dedicated member of the St Marys Vietnam Veterans Outpost located at “the train” near St Marys RSL. Although primarily an association of Vietnam Veterans, the Sub-Branch also provides assistance to Australian veterans of other conflicts, serving members of Australia’s armed forces and veterans of allied forces.

Support provided ranges from basic entitlement advice, claims assistance and advocacy services.

“In typical Tony-style he had to be pulled away from serving the BBQ to receive his award,” Tanya Davies said.

“Tony is an absolute gentleman and champion. He is incredibly dedicated to his work and I am thrilled that his efforts have been recognised,” added Nepean News Editor Kerrie Davies.

17 Nepean News 3 September 2015 Issue 157

localnews local

The Volunteer to Park View Hotel

continued.....

I

N April 1901, Alfred Colless held a public auction at the hotel to sell a farm of 20 acres that was part of a portion of Cosgrove’s farm and close to Cosgrove’s Creek near Luddenham. William Cosgrove was originally a convict transported on the “Rolla” in 1803. He was granted his freedom in 1810 and was given a 60 acre land grant in 1812 that became known as “Cosgrove’s Farm”. He joined the Police as a Constable at South Creek but was killed by bushrangers near Parramatta in April 1819. Victor A Jones (the licensee of the hotel) held a Publican’s luncheon booth in 1901 in Victoria Park at the Commonwealth Show.

According to the Sands Street Directory, Victor was a “hotelier” at St Marys until 1908, but further investigation shows that around 1899-1900 the hotel was bought by St Mary’s Master Tanner Martin Brell. In 1905 an advertisement in the Nepean Times stated that the hotel came under the new management of James Hughes (also a former Railway Department Employee) who refurnished and re-stocked it hoping to gain a fair share of public patronage. In 1908 a bike race was arranged to run from Hughes’ Volunteer Hotel to Kingswood and there was two heats plus a final with the entrance of 2/- and it was won by E Barlow. Also in that year the hotel held the luncheon after the finish of the Oddfellow’s quarterly meeting in the Protestant Hall. In November that year, William Garner (who was the first Mayor of St Mary’s Municipal Council) caused quite a stir when on a cold and windy day and feeling the need of a warming “tot” he rode up to the bar door on his horse and without dismounting entered the bar on the horse when James Hughes obligingly held wide the door where a tot of rum was served to him (still on the horse) to the amusement of the patron’s. It also brought the house guests from their dinner to come and witness this novel scene and much merriment followed. James kept the licence of the hotel until 1909 when it was taken over by Percival H Johnson. Around October 1910 a Special Court was convened due to the reduction vote that meant a “yes” vote would see a proportion of the abolition of licenses and reduction of hotels in the liquor trade and voting “no” would not see this going ahead. The four hotels that were under review at St Marys were the “Park View”, the “Strangers Home”, the “Commercial” and the “Railway Hotel”. Sergeant Thorncroft spoke at the Court regarding the Park View saying his assessment was £108 for residential and bar trade. The population at St Marys at that time was around 2,100 within a radius of about six miles and the “Commercial Hotel” had already gone at this stage (didn’t close until 1914 after a three year reprieve). His Honour did agree that the Commercial Hotel was remarkably well kept but was removed because it did virtually little or no trade. An unknown witness stated that the “Railway Hotel” was assessed at £160 bar and residential trade. The licensee of the Park View

stated that his trade averaged about £17.10s bar trade only but they supplied about 40 meals a week and because the hotel was on the Western Road tourists stopped and he catered for them especially on Sundays when he did a fairly big trade with the tourists because he was at the most populous end and opposite Victoria park where they catered for those sportsmen who came to play on the park. The rent on the hotel was 30s per week and a bonus of £125 was also paid.

He also had a nine years’ lease. At the start of the lease there was no furniture and the stock in the place was valued at £15. Martin Brell stated that he was the owner of the Park View and that at St Mary’s there was a vote in favour of ‘continuance’ of his hotel by a majority of 70 or 60.

Mr Campbell (Mayor of St Mary’s) stated that he knew the Park View and believed that the hotel was well kept. A commercial traveller Mr L. H. Lock who travelled for a wholesale grocer thought that the Park View should remain as against the Strangers’ Home Hotel. Mr Carl Gassmann whose occupation was a painter and also the Captain of the cricket club and Secretary of the football club stated that he thought all the hotels should be kept and said that he could not help the Court much regarding information. The licensee of the Strangers’ Home Hotel stated that he had a three years’ lease and paid a rent of £100 a year also a bonus of £320 and his trade was around £1,042 with his weekly trade about £31 and he also had Weaver and Perry’s saleyards about 300 yards from the hotel that was situated at the corner of the Western Road and Mulgoa-Luddenham (Mamre) Road and he took about 60 shillings per week for meals. The two local coach building establishments with around 20 employees were also close. Wagon builder James Bennett and Constable Walsh were also called but they did not express opinions of much help and then it was the turn of the licensee of the Railway Hotel who gave evidence that his trade was about £35 per week stating that the cattle saleyards were practically on his doorstep where sales were held every month and he had about 15 people sleeping in the house each week and providing some 80 to 100 meals at times. His sister managed the business that was connected with a “Trust Estate” and they paid £48 cash per year rent with the real rental value about £100 per annum. Joe Inglis a cattle salesman and the auctioneer at the cattle sale yards stated that at the last sale there were close to 700 people who attended because the St Marys sales were the centre for the dairy cattle industry and some of the people stayed at the Railway Hotel and he thought it was a very necessary hotel with the accommodation being very good. Miss Sarah McGee (who was managing the Railway Hotel for her brother) stated that she supplied 110 meals last sale day and made up 16 beds and generally had calls for more accommodation that the hotel could reasonably supply.

To be continued Sources: Trove, Ancestry. (Photo of the Park View courtesy of Penrith Library) Lyn Forde – Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.

19 Nepean September 157 NepeanNews News319 February 2015 Issue 143

nepeanhistory nepean

LATTS

21 Nepean News 3 September 2015 Issue 157

Ask

realestate real

All your real estate questions answered, with Darren Latty ~ darren@prd.net.au WE’VE been inundated with questions about buying off the plan this week.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of buying off the plan, asks Mr Bloom of Regentville.

This has been a hot topic of late, as it always is with a rising market.

The main advantages are that you lock in the price at todays market value and typically only have to pay a 10 per cent deposit with the balance not payable until the developer has completed the building to the agreed level of finish.

This applies when you are buying a unit or townhouse while house and land packages may incur progress payments during the construction period.

This often allows the buyer to save during the construction period so that they have a bigger deposit on completion.

The recent release of Thornton Central saw $101 million worth of units sold by 2pm on the Saturday of the launch.

The lucky buyers of the 191 units obviously have a hot commodity that should see strong capital growth before they have to pay for their property.

Investors and more importantly first home buyers receive substantial government incentives for buying new which saw 35 per cent of the Thornton project sold to first home buyers.

Disadvantages typically relate to buying from a builder who doesn’t have a track record or finance approval to construct.

This where things can get tricky as most developers can’t get finance approval until they sell 60 or 70 per cent of the units.

So how can you be sure they will achieve this target and commence the project?

My advice is to research the company, find out what they have built in the past and what they have planned for the future.

Have a look at the marketing material and sales process.

Have they invested money in quality sales tools like brochures, video’s, individual floor plans and artists impressions?

Genuine developers know the level of information they must supply to find buyers and invest heavily in providing an experience for potential buyers that, in my opinion, reflects the likely outcome for the project.

There is always risk and reward when buying any

product that isn’t actually built yet.

Get advice from someone who understands the process and do your research before committing.

If you’ve got a Real Estate question that needs answering feel free to Ask Latts by emailing Darren@ prd.net.au Remember the only stupid question is the one you didn’t ask!

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Has your home loan interest rate increased?

With Steve Beard Select Mortgage Broker

OVER the last month, most lenders had major changes to their credit policies and interest rates that they charge. These changes have mainly effected investment loans but many people’s owner occupied loan will also be effected.

Investment loan rates have mainly increased by 0.25 percent to 0.30 percent over the last few weeks but there are also implications for people who don’t have investment home loans as well as people renting.

Some people may have previously purchased a property as an investment property, then sold their previous home and then moved into their investment property. In these cases, lenders will have their loan flagged as an investment loan even though they are living in that property.

If this is your situation, you should contact your lender or broker and ask them to amend the loan type to an owner-occupier loan and remove the

investment loan interest loading.

However, the Commonwealth Bank will remove the loading if the loan was used to purchase the property you are now living in. A lot of CBA clients will be caught out by this situation and will now be paying an extra 0.27 percent on all their variable home loans.

If this is your situation you should contact CBA or your broker to remove the loading where possible.

The National Australia Bank has taken a different approach than most other lenders as they have increased the interest rates for all loan where Interest Only repayments are made by 0.29% effective on August 10.

To remove this loading all you need to do is ask the bank to change your repayments to the standard Principal plus Interest (P and I) type.

All owner occupied loans should be repaid with Principal plus Interest repayments anyway but it will hurt people will large investment loans who would normally only pay the interest only on their investment debts to maximise their cash flow and tax

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benefits.

If you are caught out by these changes, have a look at your cash flow and find out how much the repayments will increase if switched over to the standard P and I type repayments and do so if you can afford it. However, you should always try and repay your debt on your home before repaying any investment debt for the reasons mentioned above.

The art and science of trying to find the best home loan for your circumstances is now a lot harder with these recent changes and have taken us back 20 years ago to when lenders had different interest rates for owner occupied loans and investment loans.

One lender has dropped variable and fixed interest rates for owner occupiers to jaw-dropping low of 3.99 percent so you could save a lot of money by switching lenders.

As your home and investment loans are the biggest debts you have, it is even more important to have a review of your situation to make sure you are getting the best deal available for your needs and goals. With these recent

changes, the best person to speak to is your trusted mortgage broker of course, especially one who has been in the business a long time and deals with a wide variate of lenders.

The purpose of these changes that have been pushed onto lenders by the government (APRA) is to reduce demand for investment lending and try and give owner occupiers an advantage. Time will tell if this is achieved!

If you are a tenant, your landlord will probably be paying a higher interest rate so get ready to be advised that your rent may be increasing when your lease expires, especially if your rent hasn’t increased for a long time.

Please do not hesitate to contact me on 4739 4500, 0403 166207 or beards@selectgrp.com.au if you what to discuss your situation, any financial matters or have any Home Finance questions that I can assist you with.

This information is of a general nature and everyone needs to take into consideration their own circumstances and goals before taking any action.

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

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 High school certificate (7) 5 Spoke in ignorance (7) 9 Bellicose (9) 10 San Antonio fort (5) 11 A writer of laments (7) 12 Cloths used in mending (7) 13 Very irritable (9) 15 Coarse files (5) 17 Not yesterday (5) 19 Teachers (9) 22 Find innocent (7) 25 Acquired the knowledge (7) 26 City in Viet Nam (5) 27 Grape plantations (9) 28 Jagged (7) 29 Inhabits (7)

DOWN 1 Haggles (7) 2 Struck with a fist (9) 3 Applause (7) 4 A Greek philosopher (9) 5 Pup (5) 6 Praise dishonestly (7) 7 Averse (5) 8 Snoozes (7) 14 Matings (9) 16 Villain (9) 17 Instructs (7) 18 Sharp high-pitched dog cries (7) 20 One who examines processes (7) 21 They inflict pain for pleasure (7) 23 Spanish for “Mister” (5) 24 Emissary (5)

solution 20/8/15

23 Nepean News 3 September 2015 Issue 157

finance and real estate matters

sport

24 Nepean News 3 September 2015 Issue 157

GOLDEN POINTS WITH STEW MOSES

Pascoe Seeking Greener Pastures?

Interesting report coming out of the Sydney Morning Herald suggesting Panthers RL CEO Justin Pascoe is set to become the CEO at the Wests Tigers, who have been without a CEO since Grant Meyer’s departure in June, with an announcement to be made as early as this week if reports are correct.

The report also suggests interim CEO Phil Moss was interviewed for the job but appears unlikely to have been successful given the other final candidate for the role is believed to have a sports background but not in rugby league, which begs the question where would that leave him if Pascoe was to join?

As they say in the classics, watch this space.

As A New Director Is Appointed To The Board Also off-field comes news that the Panthers have appointed just the one director, Ian Hicks to replace the recently departed Don Feltis and John Hiatt.

Hicks, comes well credentialed as Managing Director of well-known local company, The HIX Group and also serves on the boards of the Penrith City & District Business Advisory Centre and the Penrith CBD Corporation.

Coaching Merry Go Round Rumours Continue NZ Warriors CEO was forced to hose down media speculation that Ivan Cleary was set to return to the Warriors in 2016, while Souths chairman, Nick Pappis took to twitter to emphatically deny that Souths were set to release Michael Maguire to the Knights two years early.

The irony in both rumours is that Panthers NSW Cup coach, Garth Brennan who is eyeing off the Newcastle role himself, was linked as the replacement for either coach in

Driveways Patios

Roosters’ push for a premiership given Jarrod Waeara-Hargreaves season ending injury.

Justin Pascoe: Currently a Panther but soon to be a Tiger?

their respective jobs.

It does appear though that Brennan may have to wait a little longer for that elusive NRL head coaching gig unless either situation actually eventuates.

One Door Closes Another Door Potentially Opens Matt Lodge’s career hangs in the hands of the NRL’s Integrity Unit after being charged with numerous domestic violence related offences.

The ex-Panther, despite his obvious talents, knows how to find trouble having been released from one club and patience wearing thin at his current club, Wests Tigers after being banned from attending Penrith junior rugby league games for the rest of 2015 after a much publicised incident involving the Fifita twins.

Ironically Penrith were in negotiations to bring Lodge back home when news of the criminal charges surfaced, ruining a potential opportunity for the Panthers to offer Lodge the chance to get his career back on track in familiar surroundings.

Instead a player who’s path to successful redemption has been well documented, Sydney Roosters prop, Suaia Matagi is set to join Penrith in 2016 according to reports.

Matagi, 27 has played 40 NRL games to date plus the one test for NZ, is set to become a vital cog in the

While a Panther Could Link Up With An Old Mentor Fresh from the recent announcement of Sika Manu’s departure to Hull, another Panthers back-rower looks set to play in the Super League with rumours Ben Murdoch-Masila could reunite at Salford with former coach Tim Sheens.

Murdoch-Masila has had an unlucky year with injuries which has cost him any chance of adding to his tally of 58 NRL games and may see the UK as a chance to resurrect his career.

In other news, off-contract NSW Cup prop, Sam Anderson has been linked with a move to Melbourne or the Wests Tigers, while Nathan Smith has confirmed to Nepean News over the weekend that while his playing days are over, he hasn’t completely given up on the idea of playing some form of footy again in the future after suffering a re-occurrence of a bicep injury midseason.

Rookie Prop’s Milestone Jack Bird is the favourite to win the coveted Rookie of the Year award but Penrith’s Reagan Campbell-Gillard equally deserves plenty of accolades as well.

The rookie prop is set to become just the fourth Panther rookie to play all games in their debut season (others being Noel Sing and John King) and the first since Paul Merlo way back in 1977.

In fact Campbell-Gillard will become the first ever local junior rookie to play all games and the first rookie NRL prop to do so since Luke Douglas back in 2006.

A mighty effort considering just Jeremy Latimore and Sam McKendry are the only other NRL players set to

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play all games in 2015.

Minor Premiership Success Soured

By Social Media Dummy Spits In one of the closest NSW Cup competitions in years, three teams Mounties, Wyong and Penrith finished level but Mounties were awarded the minor premiership on for and against by the slimiest of margins – 1 point from Wyong.

As was the case with last year’s runaway minor premiers, Penrith, Mounties who were scheduled to play in the 1 v 4 week one final at Pepper Stadium instead find themselves playing out at Belmore Sports Ground with the 3rd placed Panthers instead getting the plum coverage on Fox Sports.

Whilst congratulations must go out to the Canberra affiliated club, their social media response to matters at times has been rather amateurish at best, often complaining about anything that goes against them. Just stick to playing footy and let the off-field be sorted by those in the know I think!

Patrician Brothers Back In Another GIO Schoolboys Cup Grand Final An extra time field goal from Panthers Holden Cup five eighth Jarome Luai has seen Patrician Brothers, Blacktown make its fourth consecutive grand final after defeating Hills Sports High 9-8 at Pepper Stadium last Tuesday.

The side which also features the likes of up and coming Panthers, Reed Izzard and Sean O’Sullivan, return to Pepper Stadium on Sept 16 to take on Kirwan High in the decider, after the Townsville based school thumped Erindale College 44-12 to make it through to their first cup grand final.

Patrician Brothers, the 2012 schoolboys champions are looking to avoid three straight losses in the grand final and four grand final losses overall in this competition.

Foot Paths Stamped and Coloured

ADAM PEACHEY 0422 642 596 adampeachey@live.com.au

BARRIER RISE

with Tony Brassel

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

Nepean News

ARABIAN GOLD: This high-class mare now operates out of Gai’s formidable stable and her trials have been A1 stuff. Set for a bit of a spring campaign it seems.

ENGLISH: Another Gai Waterhouse-trained galloper of the female persuasion and she strolled around in a Randwick barrier trial recently. Could be the dominant force among the 3YO fillies’ division this spring.

FIFTY FLAGS: Big, powerful sort of filly from the James Cummings yard and she stretched out keenly when a close second at the Randwick trial session. Typical hulk, by gun stallion, Fastnet Rock.

HARTNELL: Godolphin’s import stamped himself a real Group class galloper last preparation but his trials of late have been outstanding. Set to establish himself among the nation’s best this time in.

LADY SANSA: Bold galloping miss coming out of a Randwick

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trial-romp near the end of August. Treated rivals with disdain and trainer, Craig Carmody, will have her placed to advantage.

ROYAL VANQUISHER: Did best work over the final stages when placed in Randwick trial. He’s a strapping son of Encosta De Lago and looks best suited when he’s allowed to find his feet early.

SONS OF JOHN: Progressed through the classes in fine fashion last campaign. Trainer Jason Attard, would have been very pleased with a soft third at the recent Rosehill trial session.

SKYLIMIT: Streaking around in trials and he’ll certainly rise through the ranks for Gai Waterhouse. Tough, free-running sort of performer inclined to get out and make his own luck in races.

TEACHEST: Another likely type from Craig Carmody’s Randwick stables. The youngster picked up noticeably towards the end of a recent Randwick trial so look for him in a minor event or two.

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25 Nepean News 3 September 2015 Issue 157

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ROUND BRONCOS ROOSTERS PANTHERS DRAGONS COWBOYS

26

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Nepean News 3 September 2015 Issue 157

MY WORDS WITH MARK GEYER

GRILL TEAM IS STILL GRILLING SIX YEARS DOWN THE TRACK

Who’s that with MG? Hugh Jackman of course.

MG and Izzy Folau

RECENTLY on the Triple M Grill Team we celebrated a unique milestone in breakfast radio.

We have now spent six years together doing something we all completely love.

I suppose you have to love something if you get up each morning at 3.30am to do it.

Looking back, over that six years the vast array of “stars’ we’ve met has been mind-blowing.

From Hulk Hogan to hunky Channing Tatum, from Mark Wahlberg to Arnold Schwarzenegger, Will Ferrell to Jennifer Hawkins.

You name them we’ve had the pleasure of a chat with them!

Every time a ‘celeb’ comes in I make it my aim to take a quick ‘selfie’ before we chat.

I currently have over 300 photos of stars we’ve chatted to and I am now in the midst of compiling a glossy book with their photos and how they were to deal with.

Only the lead singer of Placebo and Ginger Spice declined, with Ginger Spice (Gerri Halliwell) finally succumbing to the charm after applying makeup) and accommodating.

But it’s not just overseas stars we get giddy over.

Just this past week, we have had the sales staff going bananas with some of our studio guests.

Last Monday we had two Aussie champs in. both from completely different backgrounds.

One a football gun the other a world champ at darts.

Izzy Folau popped in as did Simon ‘The Wizard’ Whitlock.

Both extremely pleasant guests who both represent their particular codes admirably.

On Wednesday things heated up when Gus Worland’s best mate, Hugh Jackman, came in for a visit. What a bloke, what an unaffected superstar in the

MG and Jimmy Barnes

full sense of the word he is.

Then for our Friday ‘live at the Grill’ feast the one and only Jimmy Barnes dropped by to promote Chisel’s latest tour as well as their latest song “Lost”.

I often took for granted the people I have met being part of our radio show until I was looking at the photos of those I’ve snapped.

I hope to have the book out by early next year with all proceeds going to Epilepsy Australia.

Job well done! Jarryd Haynes returns to the dressing room following another star performance in a pre-season game.

WHILE we’re on books, what about the chapters Jarryd Hayne is carving out for himself in the USA playing gridiron for the famous San Francisco 49er’ Talk about hitting the ground running, Hayne has hit the NFL like a Mike Tyson right hook - and then some.

Jarryd Hayne is a special athlete who was very, very good from a very, very young age.

While his time playing NRL looks to be over, the way in which he has picked up a game in the space of 12 months has been out of this world.

Every time Hayne plays in his now ever popular #38 jersey, the internet Down Under explodes, such is the fascination.

It’s almost surreal seeing one of our own dominating a sport that is as American as hot apple pie. With three pre-season games under his belt and stats that read - 15 rushes 117 yards, six punt returns 100 yards, one receiver 18 yards, one kick return 33 yards , you get the feeling that the best is still to come from the Minto junior.

How good is that!

See ya at the game.....

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30

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Nepean News 3 September 2015 Issue 157

REPEAT SETS WITH STEW MOSES

@THERIFFMARN

TIME TO STAND UP AND AVOID THE SPOON IT comes down to one game. One game, this Saturday afternoon at Pepper Stadium – a clash no two teams wants to have yet the nightmare that has been stirring for weeks will awaken for either Penrith or Newcastle.

With recent results going the way of the Farah crisis-riddled Tigers, the free-falling once-were -Warriors, the slip-and-slide Eels, the justfloating Titans, the gun-shy-at-home Raiders, it suddenly comes down to a clash between Penrith and Newcastle to determine this year’s wooden spooners.

Newcastle prior to their mini-renaissance under interim coach Danny Buderus looked set for all money to claim league’s unwanted prize.

But Penrith, on the back of an injury toll that now sees a formidable starting 13 all sitting on the sidelines for the final chapter in this sad and sorry season are now on the brink of claiming their first wooden spoon since 2007.

That formidable 13 you ask? Well here it is: Moylan G Jennings Whare DWZ R Jennings Soward Wallace Plum John (yes at hooker) Kite Cartwright Idris Taylor (note Soward and Cartwright have been named to take on the Knights but have to be in some doubt having been hospitalised after last night’s clash with concussion and lacerated kidney respectively).

SO how did the Panthers finally get into this situation?

At least two weeks back against the Dragons, they had their opportunities to defeat a side that somehow is finals bound.

After early Dragons dominance transpired into a 8-0 lead, tries to Simmons and Mansour saw Penrith go into halftime level-pegging.

But the Panthers as they so often have in 2015 imploded when in promising attacking positions due largely to ongoing lack of continuity, just as the

which with his early guilty plea, sees him miss the last round of the season.

Jeremy Latimore just one of three players not to miss a game in 2015. Photo Courtesy Panthers Media

Dragons looked spent.

It took the Dragons over seventy minutes to finally put the game beyond Penrith’s reach due largely to Gareth Widdop, who came up with the crucial plays that gave the Dragons’ their 19-12 win.

Eleven days on and this time it’s the Panthers defence that lets them down as the Raiders shot out to a 22 point lead and despite the best efforts of Segeyaro and Will Smith to drag the Panthers back into the match, the game again was beyond their reach losing 34-18.

The game was marred by a questionable high shot on Panthers playmaker Jamie Soward by Jack Wighton which incredibly wasn’t put on report let alone penalised by Henry Perenara.

Fortunately, the Match Review Committee deemed there was evidence to suggest sufficient contact with the head was made and duly charged Wighton with a Grade 2 Careless High Tackle

THE bright spot continues to be the performance of Will Smith at fullback.

In his seven games played at fullback, Smith has been Penrith’s most dominant attacking player, averaging 132 metres from just over 12 runs, 1 try, 6 offloads, 33 tackle-busts, 8 line-breaks 3 line-break / try assists.

While Will, who incidentally has yet to re-sign with the club, would be looking forward to playing his former club at a NRL level for the first time, an ex-Panther, Clint Newton returns to Pepper Stadium to sign off on a NRL career that includes 174 career games, with 46 of those at the Panthers between 2012 and 2013.

A fan favourite in his time at Penrith, it will be interesting to see how the back-rower will be received on Saturday given it’s his last NRL game too albeit for his hometown club.

Plenty has been and will continue to be made of the departing players this Saturday – Brent Kite, Nigel Plum, David Simmons, Lewis Brown (with both Simmons and Brown playing their 200th and 150th NRL games respectively), Sika Manu, Apisai Koroisau, Nathan Smith and Shaun Spence.

Ironically it’s the second time this season that Penrith has been asked to back up against the Knights with less than five days preparation, something the NRL needs to look when putting together next year’s draw.

But regardless of the vagaries of the draw at hand, can the Panthers like other clubs in recent weeks, lift themselves above the injury adversity for one last time and win this one not only for themselves and their departing team mates but also the Penrith faithful who have stuck by them through thick and thin in 2015.

See you at the game!

PANTHERS’ FINAL 2015 HOME GAME A HISTORIC OCCASION THE final Panthers home game not only determines which team picks up the dreaded wooden spoon for 2015 but more importantly for the city, Penrith’s Bicentenary and it’s long association with Rugby League will be celebrated.

Penrith Mayor Councillor Ross Fowler OAM said this was a fitting occasion to acknowledge Penrith’s strong and proud sporting tradition.

“Some of the City’s earliest photographs are of people playing sport, so this gives us a pretty good indication of how important sport was to our ancestors,” Cr Fowler said.

“Sport continues to play an important role in the life of our City and our community, with Rugby League being one of the most popular sports to play and watch.”

“Since its introduction to Penrith in the early 1900s, Rugby League has grown in size and scale.

In fact Penrith is now known as the heartland of Rugby League, so it seems appropriate that we use the final game of our local representative team to Nathan Smith, celebrate our much-loved sporting pastime.”

“Those attending the game will receive a special

Bicentenary wristband on arrival and the field will feature our Bicentenary hashtag #penrith200, which we hope will encourage people to post and share their Facebook and Instagram posts of the match.”

“Whether it’s from the sidelines or on the TV screen at home, I hope the community will support the Penrith Panthers in their last game for this season and use this as an opportunity to remember our City’s rich history.”

“By doing this they’ll be supporting the players, acknowledging Penrith’s Bicentenary and celebrating this important milestone with us.”

Penrith requires a crowd of about 8,000 people to maintain last year’s average home crowd (11,462) and the club is doing everything it can to help encourage members and fans make the trek to Pepper Stadium one last time in season 2015.

First and foremost many Panthers retiring or moving elsewhere will be honoured at the game.

On the field, apart from being at the ground to support the team in avoiding the wooden spoon and given a well-deserved send-off to the above mentioned, the early games are of significant

importance to the Panthers and deserve fans to arrive early and give their support.

The NYC side under rookie coach Cameron Ciraldo, having already secured a top two spot, are still a chance to snatch the minor premiership when they take on the Knights at 10:40am.

In somewhat of a coup (or redemption for having being the denied the chance to host a final as minor premiers in 2014), Penrith, who finished 3rd on for and against play their 2015 arch-nemesis, Wyong Roos at 12:40pm.

Off the field, the leagues club kicks off festivities with a free members BBQ at TC’s Sports Bar at 11:45am before our very own Mark ‘MG’ Geyer once again leads the Members March to the stadium at 12:20pm.

Fans also have a chance to win a car and attend the Big Aussie Barbie at the West Bar behind the Western Grandstand at the game’s conclusion before being able to mingle and ask questions of the players at the Q And A session.

It promises to be a historic, dramatic and exciting end to the season at Pepper Stadium this Saturday. Don’t you miss out!

Simmo: “It’s the right time to finish”

By Stewart Moses

with the Sharks in 2003 before joining Penrith in 2010, earlier this year achieved another milestone having scored his 100th NRL try in the win over Wests Tigers, joining an illustrious group of players to have achieved the feat.

In fact should the winger in his 88th game for Penrith score this weekend he will have achieved the rare distinction of having scored 50 plus tries for both clubs.

Simmons’ retirement announcement is just another reason in many why Penrith fans need to get out to Pepper Stadium this Saturday as they look to farewell some great players with a win and avoid the dreaded wooden spoon.

@TheRiffMarn

PANTHERS winger David Simmons, confirmed on Monday that he will retire from rugby league after Penrith’s final game of the season this Saturday against the Knights.

The Panther said that the decision had been made early in the season but wanted to see whether his body could withstand another season in the NRL before making his decision final.

However while injury has restricted the offcontract Simmons to just 12 appearance to date in 2015, the winger said he was content with his early decision and refuted that injury or being off-contract were the reasons for his decision.

“I’m happy to finish now. It just seems like the right time,” he said on the club’s website.

“It’s nothing really to do with injury, or the club not wanting me. I just feel as though it’s the right time to finish.”

The 30-year-old winger will add another milestone to his career with his last game also being his 200th in the NRL. “You never set out to get these milestones,” he said. “You want to play one game, you want to play two. So to get close to 200 now is just amazing. If I can get to 200, it’ll be a good way to cap it off.”

Simmons having begun his NRL career

31 Nepean News 3 September 2015 Issue 157

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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS: Cronulla (2003 -10 112 games, 54 tries); Penrith (2010-15 87 games, 49 tries*), * 88th game this Saturday 2006: City Origin representative 2013: Dally M Award – Top Try Scorer (joint) 2013: Panthers Merv Cartwright Player of the Year and Members Player of the Year 2015: 100th NRL career try versus Wests Tigers, Round 16 at Leichhardt Oval.

2015: 200th NRL game versus Newcastle Knights, Round 26 at Pepper Stadium.

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Thursday, 3 September 2015

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HARPO’S MARKS

JJASON Lewis, ffather and trainer oof Daniel Lewis, Australia’s outstanding amateur boxer, says his son is “on target” to win Australia’s first gold medal at a World Championship.

This follows Daniel’s demolition of two very good opponents in claiming gold in the 75kg division at the Oceania Boxing titles in Canberra last weekend.

The world titles will be held next month in Doha, Qatar, where earlier this year Daniel impressed all and sundry in snaring the right colour medal in a pre-championships tournament which was held as a test run for the main event.

Daniel’s two opponents in Canberra were world-class athletes yet he totally dominated both over all six rounds of his contests.

Daniel kicked off his campaign in a semi-final against New Zealand champion, Daniel Parkin, a tall, rangy fighter whose long-left lead was expected to keep Daniel from getting up close and personal.

But Daniel, fighting in superb

touch now that he has risen from the 69kg ranks, was too strong and just too good, clocking up a unanimous points decision from the three ringside judges.

His body punching had those ringside wincing!

Papua New Guinea’s Jonathan Keama was expected to give Daniel his toughest contest going on his terrific performances to claim the Pacific Games 75kg class last July.

However the Londonderry boxer was again far too superior and racked up points after points with his crunching body punches to again get the verdict of all three judges.

Fair dinkum, once this bloke turns professional – and it could come either after the world titles or next year’s Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games – his energy-sapping body punching will make him a stand-out in the flay-forpay game.

Jason Lewis says Daniel has improved ‘leaps and bounds” since moving up a weight division.

“Between going to the (Commonwealth) games last July where he fought at 69kg, and since,

he’s now had 12 unbeaten fights at the higher division and has looked the goods in all of them.” Jason said.

Daniel was on target to annex a Commonwealth gold medal but he was controversially ruled out of the tournament following cut below the eye in a quarter-final.

“As his body has matured this is now his weight,” Jason said. “He is able to train harder and certainly punch harder – yes - he’s one happy camper fighting at 75kg!

“I really do believe he can go to Doha and give it a real shake.

“I’m not one to get carried away with a boxer – even if he is my son – but Daniel is just so strong and fit, has all the right punches and he just seems to be improving every time he toes the line.”

Jason and Daniel will determine tomorrow (Friday) as to whether he will compete at this weekend’s NSW State Championships at Camden.

HIGH MARKS: Daniel Lewis getting the bikkies at the Oceania titles.

SAD MARKS: The passing of the truly great horseman, Bart Cummings.

There will never be another like him.