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ISSUE 296

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ack old, broken and unwanted electronic items into the boot of your car or trailer and bring them down to Jamison Park for Council’s free Electronic Waste Drop-off Day on Saturday 13 February between 9am and 3pm.

Entrance to the drop-off day is via Jamison Road.

Electronic waste, or e-waste is growing at three times the rate of any other waste. It’s important to take it to the right place such as Council’s free e-waste drop-off day as some items contain valuable materials which can be recovered, recycled and used to make other products. This resource recovery process is not possible when they are disposed of in household bins, and sadly, end up in landfill.

Council encourages residents to pack up old, unwanted and broken televisions, computers, small kitchen appliances, stereos, mobile phones and other electronic waste, pop them in the back of the car or trailer, and attend the event where friendly staff will unload them for you.

Penrith Mayor and Sustainability Champion Karen McKeown OAM praised the drop-off day and described it as a great initiative, and celebrated residents for their ongoing commitment to recycling, despite the challenges faced in 2020 and 2021.

“Council runs this event twice each year with past events collecting over 60 tonnes of electronic waste which can then be disassembled, sorted and recovered for recycling,” Cr McKeown said.

“It’s vital that we dispose of these items responsibly so that they can be recycled. When sent to landfill, they take up a huge amount of

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unnecessary space with the added risk of some components being toxic to the environment and leaching into the soil if disposed of in this way.

“The consistent amount of e-waste we have had dropped off in past years really shows that Penrith residents genuinely care about our environment and are keen to do their part in keeping these items out of landfill, which is a great outcome for our City,” Cr McKeown concluded.

The event’s COVID-19 safe plan will be active on the day. Council requests residents remain in their vehicles while Council staff unload the items from their boot or trailer.

For more information about the drop-off day and what waste is accepted, visit penrith.city/events For residents who miss the drop-off day, Council encourages them to take their e-waste to the Penrith Community Recycling Centre located at Gate 3, 96 Dunheved Circuit, St Marys for free recycling.

More information is available at penrith.city/CRC

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

E-waste drop-off day

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From the Editor’s Desk

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

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By KeRRIE DAVIES

A

203 Banks Drive, St Clair

fter a year most of us would prefer to forget, there is finally some light at the end of the Covid tunnel in the form of a vaccine.

It stands to reason some people will have reservations; some fear it was a little rushed and some fear that they’ll be called up first for the jab but they’d rather let others be the guinea pigs.

But some others have some ludicrous beliefs that just make no sense.

I’m talking about those who believe the government plans a kill-off injection to depopulate the country, those who believe we’ll be jabbed with microchips to spy on us and those who think politicians will be lurking in maternity wards to steal new and unborn babies to make vaccine concoctions out of their DNA. Sound bizarre? Too right it does.

But the even more bizarre thing is that this is the kind of misinformation that is being sprouted on social media pages. True story. Have a scroll through and you’ll see.

While most people are intelligent enough to know utter BS when they read it, it is important that people don’t leave themselves exposed by refusing the vaccination because they’re being constantly subjected to ridiculous theories.

Surely nobody wants the conditions we faced throughout 2020 to be normal life from now on?

Restricted to our homes, no visitors, lonely nursing homes and hospital wards, job losses, no events, no travel etc?

And all the uncertainty. Constant fluctuation on numbers to functions, weddings and funerals. You can go into QLD, no you can’t, yes you can again - it is a swinging door that seems to slam shut in your face every time you plan to enter. It’s very hard for businesses to stay afloat in these sort of conditions and even if you’re in a safe job it is almost impossible to plan anything in the weeks and months ahead.

If a vaccination is the answer to our uncertain future, then give me the jab.

I’ll trust our government does all the right checks, just like governments before them did so for all other vaccinations before this one.

Social media provides a very dangerous misinformation source for anyone gullible.

Whether you have agreed with them politically or not, no government in Australia has ever wanted to harm the people.

We are arguably the safest country in the world.

That’s not by accident, it is due to decades of good governing.

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local news

T

housands of NSW Photo Card holders who live in the Penrith area can now download a digital version of their identification through the Service NSW app.

Minister for Customer Service Victor Dominello said that the Digital Driver Licence has been a resounding success and led to many customers requesting a Digital Photo Card.

“This is another example of the NSW Government bolstering the Service NSW app to put customers first and make life easier for people,” Mr Dominello said.

“With a Digital Photo Card, as long as you have your phone, you always have your ID with you. It’s hassle free and only takes minutes to download.”

The Digital Photo Card builds on the success of the Digital Driver Licence, which is now held by more than 2.4 million licence holders in NSW, representing 41 per cent of drivers. Close to 2000 new users are adopting the technology each day, earning it a 95 per cent customer approval rating.

There are more than 970,000 Digital Photo Card holders in NSW. Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres said the trial will test the functionality and effectiveness of the Digital Photo Card ahead of a state-wide roll out.

“The trial will allow Photo Card holders in the trial area to use their mobile device to enter licensed venues and transact with other businesses who check ID, such as hotels, major retailers, telcos, convenience stores, tobacco retailers and pharmacies,” Mr Ayres said.

“The Digital Photo Card is hosted securely on the Service NSW app, which is locked with a PIN.

Stuart Ayres MP Member for Penrith

I encourage Penrith residents to give it a go and let us know what you think.”

When a customer is issued their Photo Card or updates their details, they simply refresh the app for real-time updates, without having to wait for a plastic card to arrive in the post.

The Digital Photo Card remains available offline if the card holder remains logged into the Service NSW app. The following postcodes are included in the trial – 2750, 2745, 2747, 2748, 2749, 2773.

Phone: 4722 8660 Email: penrith@parliament.nsw.gov.au Shop 23, Tattersalls Centre, 510-534 High Street, Penrith Authorised by Stuart Ayres MP. ‘Funded using parliamentary entitlements’

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Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

Digital photo card trial goes live

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oro Music Therapy is excited to be delivering the successful Guitars for Vets program in their heartland, Penrith.

This program builds on successful pilot programs delivered in St Marys and Burwood, both of which achieved great results and outcomes for participants.

The Guitars for Vets program was delivered as a result of a personal passion of Noro Music Therapy CEO, Belinda Leonard, who had observed the devastating impact of PostTraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in returned service personnel and the transformative quality of music when applied intentionally.

Ms Leonard’s October presentation to the Penrith RSL Sub-Branch was met with great interest by the Members who readily agreed to embrace the program for the benefit of Penrith veterans.

Participants are provided with a guitar, bag, tuner and program materials before embarking on a sixteen-week program to teach foundation guitar skills, providing mental health support and respite from the pace of life.

“It has been great to see the progression of program participants, some have gone on to form small groups to “jam” together, others have

Noro is also working with another local Penrith organisation, Rural Fire Service Association, to pilot the guitars program across three regions, Hawkesbury, Southern Highlands and Batemans Bay. RFS volunteer across the three regions are participating in weekly lessons with initial results looking very positive and encouraging.

Noro encourage organisations or individuals who think guitars could assist them with mental health support to contact them – www.noro.org.au

started song writing, all have reflected how valuable the program has been for them,” Ms Leonard said.

Noro has a long history of delivering music therapy in Western Sydney and has increasingly focussed on leveraging their experience to assist more people in the community through evidence based music programs.

Expanding services beyond music therapy also provides employment opportunities for local musicians, especially welcome at the moment as most musicians have lost a significant

portion of their income as a result of bushfires and then Covid-19 imposed restrictions.

“It has been fantastic for Noro to be able to give back in a small way to the music industry that has provided unwavering support for us in the past, to be in a position to provide meaningful paid employment to local musicians is fantastic. Beyond the obvious economic benefit, there is also a mental health benefit for the musician as they support a veteran to lean learn guitar.” Ms Leonard said.

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

An innovative music program to assist Veterans comes to Penrith

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Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

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local news

Rotary gift to front line workers

O

n Australia Day last month, members from the Rotary Clubs of St Marys and Wallacia-Mulgoa Valley joined forces to thank ‘first responders’ and emergency workers for their efforts during 2020.

During 2020 NSW communities experienced fire, flood, drought and of course COVID-19. These severe events required extraordinary efforts from our frontline workers.

“Initially, Rotary was going to organise BBQs and beverages for these workers to say thank you but COVID put an end to that idea,” said Chris Miller, St Marys Rotary Club Public Image Director Rotary District 9675 decided they would provide all these workers with lamingtons on Australia Day as a small token to say thank you.

Arrangements were made through various bakeries for over 20,000 lamingtons to be made, individually wrapped and labelled.

The photo shows members from the Rotary Clubs of St Marys and Wallacia-Mulgoa Valley delivering 1900 lamingtons to the staff at Nepean Hospital for distribution to staff.

Give blood and give the gift of life

A

lthough it’s great to see so many people back outside enjoying the sunshine, Australia still needs 31,000 donations this week. Helping is simple: just give back before you go out.

New to donating?

Giving blood is one of the most generous things you can do for another person. And, Australia needs 31,000 blood donations every week.

If you’re feeling well and haven’t been overseas in the 28 days before your donation, you can give like life depends on it. Because for 1 in 3 Aussies, it does.

Or, maybe you’ve donated before. Then you

already know how great giving blood feels. Recapture that feeling by booking your next donation now.

What can you give?

You can give blood as often as every 12 weeks, and it’s life-saving for the patients who need it.

But Aussie lives depend on more than blood.

Did you know you can also give plasma? It’s part of your blood that can be used in 18 different ways. From protecting people with brain and nerve diseases, to treating serious burns and cancer, your plasma is really powerful.

Visit donateblood.com.au to find out where you can give the gift of life in Penrith and surrounding suburbs.

Blacktown - Mt Druitt hospital welcomes 48 new doctors A record number of intern doctors are starting work in the NSW Health system in 2021.

Member for Riverstone Kevin Conolly has welcomed the news that 48 new intern doctors have started 2021 working at Blacktown - Mt Druitt Hospital in the Western Sydney Local Health District, launching a new phase in their careers and contributing to the record number of 1,041 interns for NSW. “The new doctors who have started their

internships will be entering a training program with networked hospitals throughout the state, rotating between metropolitan, regional and rural hospitals over two years to ensure their experience is not only rewarding but also diverse”, said Mr Conolly.

“The addition of 48 new doctors this year builds on big increases in recent years at Blacktown – Mt Druitt, as the staffing level has grown with the new facilities which have been opened.”

Interns are medical graduates who have completed

Ensuring compliance Officers attached to Greater Western Sydney Highway Patrol conducted Operation Fume last Friday and Saturday Night (29/30-Jan2021) across the Blue Mountains Police Area Command and Nepean Police Area Command.

The operation targeted impaired drivers and non-compliant vehicles.

Officers conducted 172 breath tests with 2 positive detections for alcohol offences. 51 drug tests were conducted with 2 positive indications.

With the assistance of Transport for NSW inspectors, 20 vehicles were inspected with 60 defects identified, with the majority for major safety breaches. Officers laid 6 charges and issued 69 penalty notices.

“Road users should ensure their vehicles are compliant with the required vehicle standards, especially modified vehicles. They also need to arrange alternate means of transport if impaired,” said A/Inspector Stephen Atherton.

Future operations are planned to ensure the safety of road users and compliance.

their medical degree and are required to complete a supervised year of practice to become independent practitioners.

The NSW Government is investing $2.8 billion to boost the health workforce to a record of 8,300 frontline hospital staff, including 5,000 nurses and midwives.

For more information about the recruitment of Junior Medical Officers, visit the NSW Health website: www.health.nsw.gov.au .

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Artists Impression of Penrith City Park in spring. Trees 6 months after installation.

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vibrant green space in the heart of Penrith’s City Centre is now one step closer with the Development Application (DA) for the $12-million City Park formally submitted to Council. The community can have their say on the DA, which is open for public exhibition for the next four weeks.

The DA for City Park seeks to deliver a 7,000sqm park on the corner of Henry and Station Streets, complete with themed gardens, water features, shaded areas and open space for people to socialise, exercise, relax and be entertained.

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown

OAM said the submission of the DA and public exhibition period is a major milestone in the project and follows a strong community and local business response to the recent consultation on the final design for the park.

“City Park has been a long-held aspiration for Council and our community, and the DA is an exciting step towards the delivery of a vibrant and green heart in our City Centre,” Cr McKeown said.

City Park will play an important role in delivering a healthy and liveable city. The introduction of green, open space in a prime location, only a short walk from Penrith Train Station and

Artists Impression of Penrith City Park in spring. Trees at 15-20 year maturity.

Westfield, is also expected to enhance the appeal of Penrith’s City Centre.

“City Park will create a destination which gives our City Centre a competitive edge in attracting visitors, shoppers and workers. More people in the City Centre will stimulate the day and night economy and deliver a much-need boost to local businesses,” Cr McKeown said.

“In addition to the social, health and economic benefits, City Park will also play an important role in cooling the City. Green open space, natural shade from tree canopies and water features will work together to mitigate the heat island effect and create a cool refuge,”

Cr McKeown said.

The development is on public exhibition for four weeks from 29 January to 26 February 2021 and the DA proposal (DA21/0047) can be viewed online via Council’s DA Tracker at penrith.city/DATracker or at Penrith Civic Centre, 601 High Street, Penrith between 8.30am – 4.30pm.

Postal submissions can be directed to Penrith City Council, PO Box 60, Penrith NSW 2751.

Construction of City Park is expected to start in late 2021, with the project set to be completed by early 2023.

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Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

Penrith’s City Park on public exhibition

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local news

10 Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

Prepare your ‘get ready to go’ kit now

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now your flood risk, find out about key evacuation routes and prepare your ‘get ready to go’ kit now – That’s the message from NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) and Resilience NSW, who have joined forces to ensure communities in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley are ready for floods.

NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York said current conditions within the region mean communities face an increased chance of flooding.

“Storm season is underway, and the Bureau of Meteorology has declared a La Niña, which means we will have a wetter than usual summer,” Commissioner York said.

“We also have near-full dams and wetter catchments in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, which means the region is at a very high risk of experiencing floods.

“The area has flooded before and will flood again. We need people to start thinking that it is not a case of ‘if’, but ‘when’ floods will happen,” Commissioner York said.

With over 130,000 people living or working in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, as well as those who plan to travel through the area over the summer break, communities are being urged to know their local risk and have a plan in place.

Commissioner York said that in the face of this very serious risk, planning ahead can make all the difference.

“In the event of a flood, evacuation orders may be issued at short notice. Other factors such as power outages may impact communication channels,” Commissioner York said.

“That’s why it’s so important to know your flood risk, find out about key evacuation routes and prepare your ‘get ready to go’ kit now.

“We want people to be informed and empowered now, instead of waiting for directions in the event of an emergency.

“As part of our Flood Strategy for the HawkesburyNepean Valley, advertising is underway to remind people to know their flood risk, and our website has a lot of useful and practical information specially created for valley residents.

“Included among the resources are tips on how to keep updated about weather and flood warnings, as well as crucial preparedness advice – such as how to find your key evacuation routes and creating a ‘get ready to go’ kit,” she said.

Resilience NSW Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons said the risk of flood this season is very real for people in the Hawkesbury Nepean Valley.

“NSW emergency services do an incredible job of

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keeping individuals and communities safe, but they can only do so much. Being aware and prepared is everyone’s responsibility, whether you’re at home, at work or away on holidays,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

“Due to the increased risk of flooding in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley over the summer season, Resilience NSW has employed a dedicated officer to help Blacktown, Central Coast, Hawkesbury, Hornsby, Liverpool, Penrith, The Hills and Wollondilly councils and local communities to focus on preparedness and resilience.”

For more information about the risks of floods in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, visit www. myfloodrisk.nsw.gov.au For more information about the Flood Strategy for the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley, visit www. insw.com/flood-strategy If you need emergency assistance in a storm or flood, call NSW SES on 132 500. If the situation is life-threatening, call Triple Zero immediately.

Liberal Melissa McIntosh

local news

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tuart Ayres MP, Member for Penrith announced that the 2021 Seniors Card Directory along with additional copies of the 2021 Legal Topics for Older People Diary are now available for collection from his Penrith office.

“I am pleased to advise that we have been able to secure additional copies of the 2021 Legal Topics for Older People Diary which is a useful resource for seniors in our local community,” Stuart Ayres said.

“The free diary is very popular and is full of helpful tips and advice, including how to access the NSW Government’s cost saving initiatives.”

“NSW Seniors Card holders can collect a copy of the 2021 Seniors Card Directory from my office or it can also be downloaded and printed at home.”

The NSW Seniors Card is one of the most commonly used services for NSW residents over the age of 60.

“I am also pleased to announce that the 2021 NSW Seniors Festival Local Achievement Awards nominations are now open,” said Stuart Ayres.

“Seniors have gone above and beyond for our community as volunteers, carers and role models in a challenging year where our State has faced bushfire, flood, drought and a health pandemic,” Stuart Ayres said.

“If you know a senior who helps make our community a better place to live, then I encourage you to contact my office for a nomination form.”

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

Free valuable resources for seniors

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Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

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Famous faces enjoy a feed at Harry’s Cafe de Wheels

By KeRRIE DAVIES

A

NYBODY who has ever ventured in to Woolloomooloo over the last eight decades has more than likely sampled a mouthwatering pie from Harry’s Cafe de Wheels. An iconic landmark in what is more commonly referred to as The Cross, the cafe in a caravan has always attracted the famous among its massive clientele.

And the Penrith cafe is doing the same thing, sporting an impressive photo collection of Penrith’s finest.

Former Panthers player, Triple M radio host, MG Activ gym owner and of course columnist in this fine publication, Mark MG Geyer stopped off for a pie this week.

“This pie is amazing!” Mark exclaimed as he demolished it within minutes.

Harry’s Cafe de Wheels Penrith owner Michael said MG’s photo would be placed in a prime position on the wall of fame. While serving a continuous flow of hungry pie eaters, Michael said he was pleased that MG enjoyed the pie so much.

“The famous Tiger pie is the most popular pie here as it is at the other locations,” Michael said.

I looked around me and thought, when people are pulling up to buy pies at 10 o’clock in the morning, you know they must be pretty good. The aroma of the freshly baked pies with the signature crown of mashed peas and potato filled the air around us as one after the other was purchased.

And if you haven’t yet tried one, get on down there and do it when hunger strikes; seven days a week, open til late. And be sure to tell Michael we sent you!

Harry’s Café de Wheels has proudly served customers for over 80 years, with the likes of Frank Sinatra, Sir Elton John and Prince Harry having been some of the many to sink their teeth into our iconic ‘Tiger’ Pie.

It all began with Harry “Tiger” Edwards, who’s frustrations at not finding a good late-night snack, led him to open a caravan café near the front gates of Woolloomooloo naval dockyard.

He named it ‘Harry’s Café de Wheels’ - a rather bold gesture at the time to the local city council whose laws required him to move the caravan a minimum

of 12 inches a day. His courage, and proven skills as a boxer, earned Harry the nickname “Tiger” - a name passed down to his iconic pie - which is still served in its original location in Woolloomooloo, alongside a growing number of outlets across the globe including a growing fleet of caravan cafés (that move a “little” more than 12 inches a day).

As the years have passed, Harry’s has become a ‘must’ for visiting celebrities. Harry’s has served up the likes of Frank Sinatra, Robert Mitchum, Marelene Dietrich, Kerry Packer and more recently, Sir Richard Branson, Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Brook Shields, Pat Rafter, Olivia Newton-John, Jerry Lewis, Billy Crystal, Pamela Anderson, Sara O’Hare, Lachlan Murdoch, Kerri-Anne Kennerley, Adrian Greiner, Anthony Bourdain and Peter Blakely.

And now Penrith’s own favourite son, Mark MG Geyer’s photo will feature on our local caravan eatery, located next to Panthers!

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COVER STORY

By KeRRIE DAVIES

I

f you’re a regular Nepean News reader, you’ve probably read about St Clair resident, Archer Pittorino who at just seven years old is battling High Risk T-cell CNS Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia.

Archer has spent much of his life in hospital; receiving several chemotherapy treatments and a bone marrow transplant from his father Michael.

Since being diagnosed, Archer has had to endure far more than any little boy should have to.

Countless hospital admissions, lumber punctures, 10 months of chemotherapy, fortnightly chemotherapy directly into his spine and a total of 13 bone marrow aspirations are just some of the procedures he’s been through. Add to that all the scans including CT, MRI, Echos, kidney function tests, 3 Nasal Gastric tubes (feeding tubes) Multiple MRSA tests (viruses) and countless other harrowing experiences for such a young child.

Oh, and this has been during the pandemic, so we can add regular COVID swabs to the list.

For Archer’s parents, Dianne and Michael it has been a very worrying time and also a juggle - as they have three other boys, aged 9 months, 3 and 9.

“Because Archer is only seven, we don’t want him to be alone when in hospital, so Michael and I basically tag team between there and home. The most we get to see of each other is a high-five in the hospital car park as we swap shifts,” Dianne said.

And although they make a great tag team, it means that employment is an impossibility - so no work income is an added strain to their already challenging situation.

Their very good friend Marguerita Chaghoury recognised their plight and decided to reach out to the community to help out through a GoFundMe page.

She had posters made up and displayed one on her own house front.

One day out of the blue she received a knock at the door. Standing before her was a local man who introduced himself as Brett Islaub.

Photo: Noel Rowsell

“I saw your poster, how can I help?” Brett said, and from there ideas on how to help the Pittorino family came pouring out.

Being a local golfer, Brett approached Twin Creeks Golf Club, where he is a member and the club was very responsive and willing to help.

A committee was established - with big-hearted Brett at the helm, recruiting his wife Cal, Lani

Johnston, Marguerita Chaghoury and Diane Hofland, who is the Sales and Marketing Manager at Twin Creeks.

It was decided a charity golf day will be held to raise money. Twin Creeks were more than happy to get on board and offer their facilities so that all profits go to Archer and his family.

So Brett set to work, calling on favours, visiting businesses around the area and asking for donations and pulling it all together at lightning pace.

“You will not believe this man, he’s incredible,” Marguerita excitedly told Archer’s mother Dianne when she relayed all the fundraising plans.

But Brett is a humble man and wouldn’t take the credit for all his hard work.

“I’ve had a team helping me, and everyone we’ve approached has been really generous,” Brett said.

Dianne Pittorino said she was overwhelmed at the the amount of time and effort Brett had poured in to helping her family when he didn’t even know them.

“When all this Covid stuff is over I’m going to give him a very big hug!” Dianne said.

When asked why he felt compelled to knock on a stranger’s door and offer to help, Brett said the answer was simple.

“This is a seven year old boy going through all this. For goodness sake, he’s only seven. This is the least I can do,” Brett said.

The committee have organised a fun-filled day on February 9 that has already sold out! The fundraising activities will include raffles, putting competitions, nearest the pin, chipping, and silent auctions.

They’d like to extend a special thank you to Drummond Golf Penrith, Dan Green Engineering, Rob Pearce and Burak Dincel.

It is all for Archer! Can you help? There’s a page on facebook called Archers Fight and it has a link to the GoFundMe page. If you prefer to help in other ways, please call us at Nepean News 9834 5579 and we’ll put you in touch.

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

All about Archer: a little boy with leukemia

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local news

J

anuary 24, 2020 was the day everything changed in Australia.

That was the day staff at Westmead Hospital received confirmation they were treating the country’s first case of COVID-19.

Since then Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has performed more than 420,000 COVID-19 tests at dozens of clinics and treated 661 people with the disease, all while keeping hospitals running safely thanks to the dedicated efforts of staff and management.

As we look back on this momentous date, The Pulse spoke to two staff members who were on the ground for this historic occasion.

Infection prevention and disease control expert Professor Ramon Shaban was looking forward to celebrating his birthday over the weekend when confirmation arrived on the Friday afternoon.

A man in his 50s who had recently travelled to Wuhan arrived in Sydney on January 19 and presented to Westmead Hospital days later with a high temperature, cough and sore throat. Tests soon confirmed what the experts already suspected.

“We were expecting this,” Prof Shaban said.

“Our team led by Nicky Gilroy [director of infectious diseases] was monitoring the situation in Wuhan very closely and making the necessary preparations, including setting up the relevant pathology tests.

“There were a lot of long hours and long weekends at that time. We didn’t do much but work.”

Westmead Hospital is the designated high-consequence infectious diseases facility in NSW. This meant despite the unknowns of the new disease, staff were prepared to handle a respiratory outbreak.

“We applied very straightforward control measures and practices, such as isolation, hand hygiene, physical distancing and use of PPE [personal protective equipment]. These basic things we do are what has kept us safe,” Prof Shaban said.

“I take great comfort that we’ve

free

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Westmead Hospital intensive care staff specialist Dr Hemal Vachharajani. She was one of the first people in Australia to treat people critically ill COVID-19.

kept a pretty steady ship using basic measures.”

Westmead Hospital’s first patients were fortunate to have relatively mild infections.

It wasn’t until late March and early April, when NSW was seeing hundreds of new cases every day, that the first desperately sick patients arrived in intensive care.

The ICU made the decision to quarantine all COVID-19 patients in one zone, led by intensive care consultant Hemal Vachharajani.

At first there were four patients. By the end of the week it was eight, all of them intubated – unconscious, with a tube down their throat to keep them breathing.

“They got sick very quickly and required a lot of care. We needed extra medical and nursing staff to look after them and make sure everyone was using their PPE properly, while still ensuring they took breaks,” Dr Vachharajani said.

“They were really long days in the designated COVID zone.”

Besides caring for patients, Dr Vachharajani carried the extra burden of worrying about the safety and wellbeing of her staff.

“There was the added fear of the unknown. We had new information every day, sometimes twice or thrice a day, which was a bit scary. I worried whether we were doing the right thing, the right treatment, while trying to assure staff with their concerns.”

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“I am constantly amazed by the hard work and dedication of all of our staff. Over the past 12 months in particular they have done an incredible job supporting our patients and each other,” Graeme said.

“Thank you to the public as well who have acknowledged and supported their hard work, and made sacrifices to help keep everyone safe.”

Prof Shaban said strong leadership from the WSLHD executive team empowered everyone involved to get on with the job.

“As far as crises go, this was exceptionally well-managed from the outset. Enormous teams of people right across the district have contributed all the way along, and they continue to do so. Everyone deserves recognition for doing their part in keeping us safe and keeping our hospitals and health services running.”

While the COVID-19 vaccination program is soon to begin, Prof Shaban warns that life is definitely not about to return to normal.

“Hopefully people continue to physically distance, practice hand hygiene regularly, isolate when they’re unwell and get tested without delay,” he said.

“Australia is extremely fortunate to be where we are now, and that’s no accident. That was only possible with enormous goodwill and teamwork.

This disease is still rampant in many countries around the world, and we must protect against complacency.”

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Dr Vachharajani said the support of her colleagues and management, notably ICU director Dr Dani Goh and COVID coordinator Dr Tom Solano, made the difficult task possible.

“I only have praise and respect for the staff here, and gratitude for the support I received from everyone.

Medical, nursing, allied health, social work; we all looked after each other’s wellbeing.

“The acute situation made us forget our differences and work together as a team to the common goal of caring for the sickest patients. We couldn’t achieve what we did without teamwork.”

Most patients from the first wave eventually recovered but sadly it became clear one would die, presenting staff with their biggest logistical challenge: allowing the COVID-positive family members to visit their loved one for the final time.

“I had to protect and assure my staff while also finding a way for family members to come in, even just for five minutes in full PPE,” Dr Vachharajani said.

“That was completely against what we normally do for end of life care.

It was phenomenally hard. We want families to be able to say goodbye in peace but we had to protect everyone.”

WSLHD chief executive Graeme Loy said the anniversary was an important time to remember the contributions of healthcare staff.

Print edition every second Friday. If you’d like to join our free subscribers list to receive a digital version EVERY week, please send your email address to nepeannews@aol.com

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Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

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local news Funding announced – 2020 Community Building Partnership Program

T

he electorate of Mulgoa has secured $300,000 in funding for a total of nine projects through the NSW Government’s 2020 Community Building Partnership Program.

Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies said the State Government funds will deliver much-needed improvements to local facilities including Luddenham Hall, Nepean Food Services, sporting clubs and schools.

“This is fantastic news for the Mulgoa electorate,” Mrs Davies said.

“This grassroots funding will directly help create a more vibrant and inclusive local community with positive social, environmental and recreational outcomes.”

“I congratulate all the organisations that were successful in their application and look forward to seeing how these projects make a real difference for the community.”

The full list of successful projects in the Mulgoa electorate for 2020 are: • Luddenham Progress Association who received $82,500 towards to build a new toilet block attached to the existing Luddenham Progress Hall.

• St Clair and District Men’s Shed who received $4,000 to install a dust extraction unit.

• Thomas Hassall Anglican College that were provided $85,000 towards

an athletics precinct complete with running track, long jump pit, shot put area and discus cage. They also received a further $7,338 for the installation of 10 water refill stations to replace the old bubblers.

• Nepean Food Services received $14,430 for a new carport and a variety

of awnings to enhance the work environment for staff and visitors.

• Holy Spirit Primary School were awarded $28,667 that will provide an upgraded sound system and the installation of two air conditioning units.

• St Clair Junior Rugby League

Club received $63,000 to install seating around the playing fields and the relocation of the current fencing to allow better ambulance access and security.

• Sunnyfield Intellectual Disability Services and Support have received $5,065 to repaint their facility.

Our Services: • Surgical Specialities • Inpatient Rehabilitation • Day Rehabilitation • Hydrotherapy Pool • Wellness Classes • NDIS

Minchinbury Community Hospital | Phone 9625 2222 Cnr Great Western Highway & Rupertswood Road, Rooty Hill www.mhsminchinbury.com.au

local news

By KeRRIE DAVIES

A

fter the whirlwind year that was 2020, we are all hoping that this year will bring us a big change for the better.

I spent much of January like many others; holidaying around NSW. We had a great road trip up north and stopped in Macksville, Brooms Head, Emerald Beach and Shoal Bay. I’ve been lucky enough to be in a position to do a lot of overseas travel in the last decade, but it was a blessing in disguise to have to change the travel plans to NSW this year – I’d forgotten how fantastic our state is as a travel destination.

All the towns we visited had two things in common. They were breathtakingly beautiful and they were suffering from a lack of tourism. Sure, January had presented them with a nice boost, but the unprecedented conditions of last year has left them with many closed shops and attractions; victims of the virus.

There’s never been a more important time for those of us who can afford to spend some extra dollars, to do so locally and within our state.

There are so many attractions to visit in our region. If you can afford to, plan a few day trips this year and help support

Clarence

Camel rides Anna Bay

the attractions around us. If you’re thinking of getting out of Sydney and travelling this year, even as our borders begin to reopen, you’ll be really helping our state if you choose NSW. Last year, before we were hit with the pre-Christmas North Shore cluster curve ball, Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres was encouraging NSW residents to help reboot the state’s visitor economy by hitting the road for a short-break, taking a Sydney ‘playcation’, or even making the most of a day trip.

And while the coast appears to be clearing again to get out and about (albeit whilst fitted with a mask) it is a good time to include boosting the local economy in your 2021 plans.

“There’s something special about

being a tourist and giving yourself permission to enjoy experiences that we usually reserve for holidays,” Minister Ayres said.

“Treat yourself to a ‘playcation’ around Sydney and NSW - take a guided tour, book a hotel stay, dine at a special restaurant, or visit a local attraction.

“We all want to make a difference by staying and spending locally, so let’s enjoy all corners of NSW and jampack our itineraries with NSW’s finest experiences.

“You’ll be rewarded with the diversity and beauty of our state and make a huge difference to our tourism businesses that are doing it tough.”

Trends in holiday planning show that the top three types of holiday Australians will take in the next 12

months are a road trip (68%), a trip to visit friends and family (66%) and a trip to the countryside (65%).

“Recent research shows that, compared to pre-COVID, travellers are 76% more likely to support local businesses and communities, and 68% more likely to visit parts of Australia they haven’t been to before,” Mr Ayres said.

“Now’s the time to support our local tourism operators but it’s not a time to be complacent.”

Visitors, locals and businesses are reminded to stay COVID safe during the school holidays by maintaining social distancing, good hygiene and staying home if unwell. Holidaymakers are encouraged to phone ahead to confirm bookings and check local conditions with business operators.

Q Theatre LAB - A space for new ideas, projects and possibilities - 2021 Residency Applications are now open 2021 Q THEATRE LAB is Q Theatre’s annual artist in residence program. The sought after residency is designed to make creative space and time for the development of dynamic projects at an early stage of their conception. Projects are selected through an open callout process and successful applicants will receive financial assistance, work-space, as well as technical and dramaturgical support for dedicated creative development.

In 2021 the program is being expanded to include a performance outcome. The two successful applicants will present their work (approx. 30 min) as a double bill in a two-night season (26-27 March) in the Allan Mullins Studio at The Joan.

Q Theatre Lab is therefore looking for works that have the potential and capacity to be audienceready within the 3-week timeframe.

Q Theatre Lab provides: • $2000 cash guarantee for artist fees • 50/50 box office split to the artist • 11 days of development space: 9am-5pm, Monday to Friday, within the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre (Penrith) • A technical rehearsal, dress rehearsal and twonight season in the Allan Mullins Studio at The Joan • Access to available studio lighting, sound, and AV equipment • Technical Support (up to 8 hours) • Dramaturgical Support (up to 6 hours) • Marketing and Publicity support • The work created and supported through Q Theatre Lab will be considered for further development with Q Theatre.

Selection Criteria: • Artistic rationale and process • Potential and capacity of the project to be performed live at the end of the residency • Calibre of the artistic team and key personnel Applications are strongly encouraged from artists that identify as Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander, Culturally & Linguistically Diverse and/or have a demonstrated connection to Western Sydney.

Previous artists include Mish Grigor (POST), Rakini Devi (Independent dance theatre maker), Vonnee Pataig (Here Out West) and Nathan Harrison (Griffin Studio).

Q Theatre Lab is looking forward to helping artists bring their ideas to life!

Apply Now! Applications close: 7 February 2021 Successful applicants notified: 15 February 2021 Residency 8-26 March 2021 Performances 8pm, Thursday 25 and Friday 26 March Residencies available: 2 Residency location: The Joan (Penrith) For more information, please contact Melissa Cannon at: melissa.cannon@penrith.city

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

Spend your holiday dollars in NSW

17

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

18

35 YEARS AGO

Anita the tragedy that broke

By KeRRIE DAVIES

I

WAS a teenager when five loathsome monsters took the life of beautiful Anita Cobby, and like everyone else old enough to remember this horrific crime, it is etched in my mind forever as a stark reminder that unspeakable evil does exist.

A young nurse in the prime of her life, Anita was snatched from the side of a Blacktown road by a carload of despicable creatures before being raped, tortured and murdered.

The brutality the 26-year-old endured at the hands of the five men devastated her family, reduced the most hardened police officers to tears and broke the heart of a nation.

It has now been 35 years since

the crime that shocked Australia and made Anita Cobby a household name for the saddest of reasons.

It was on February 2 1986 that Anita took that fateful walk from Blacktown station to her home. She usually called her father to pick her up, but on this night, the phone box was broken.

The five criminals stopped and she was pulled into the car. After torturing her in what must have been the most terrifying car ride, Anita was taken to a field in Prospect where she was systematically raped and tortured further, before finally having her throat cut by the ring-leader and left to die a lonely death.

News first broadcast into our loungerooms that the young nurse was missing. Then, the devastating news that she’d been found so brutally murdered.

Australia’s collective heart broke all the more when we saw Anita’s parents, Garry and Grace Lynch, who were so lovely and showed so much dignity throughout their ordeal. It hurt to see such sweet, warm-hearted parents in unimaginable pain.

The details of what Anita was subjected to were revealed in an autopsy report. Many people who never knew her, including emergency services, journalists and political leaders set out to read the report - but found the circumstances so horrendous that they couldn’t finish it. One can only imagine how heartwrenching it was for her parents.

Retired Detective John Wakefield was second in charge (2IC) at Blacktown at the time Anita was found.

“The day her body was located will always be etched in my mind. I remember the crime scene as if it was today,” Mr Wakefield said.

“A murder scene tells a story; the last moments and what they did to her will always stay with me. The look on her face, the state of her body.

“It was such a shock for the man who owned the diary where she was found. Nobody could expect to come across a body like that.

“When the team of detectives arrived, we found the cattle around her. They were poking her, as if to try to wake her.”

Not long afterwards, Mr Wakefield was transferred to Penrith, but he always kept an eye on the case.

The horror of Anita’s murder will also live in the mind of retired Chief Inspector Gary Raymond forever. He believes the memory of her tragic death delivers a strong message.

“Anita’s tragic passing serves as a message against violence. It has also served as a reminder to women in particular, on safety and security. It became somewhat of a catch-cry from mothers all over the country, ‘don’t walk home alone, remember Anita Cobby.’

“We all wish women could walk anywhere at anytime and be safe.”

Mr Raymond worked around the clock at Blacktown trying to generate leads on who the perpetrators were.

“My main job was to ‘turn the streets over.’ That basically means go talk to the people on the street, including the prostitutes and the drug users.

“The streets talk - part of good detective work is to knock on the doors, go in the pubs, even the brothels - and find out every bit of information you can.”

Anita’s abductors were in a stolen car at the time of the crime, and the ‘streets did talk’ information came from an informant that the Murphy brothers had stolen a car.

Another important piece of information came from a neighbour who noticed a burning smell and then saw them burning clothing in an incinerator.

“A detective’s job is to join the dots. People should always report

35 YEARS AGO

suspicious activity, even if it seems insignificant. It could just be the missing piece of the puzzle,” Mr Raymond said.

Once arrested, community outrage at the criminals responsible for Anita’s death rose to a level never seen before in this country. The court appearances of the five men (John Travers, Michael Murphy, Leslie Murphy, Gary Murphy and Michael Murdoch) were always packed with members of a very angry public calling for their heads.

“I was upstairs in the detective office, when it came over the speaker that every available officer was to head to the front to address crowd control,” Mr Raymond remembered.

“There was, I’d guess, about 200 people protesting. Blokes on top of the carpark hung a noose. The crowd started chanting ‘Hang the bastards!’

Then they tried to get at the cars that they were in.

“One memory I’ll always have, is of a very elderly lady in the crowd.

She was very thin, had grey hair up in a bun - she looked a bit like a nun. She began screaming ‘hang the bastards’ and lunged at the car.

When I asked her to move back, she grabbed my coat and screamed at me, ‘have you got a fu**ing daughter? I have, let me at them!’”

“I understood the emotion. I looked at her and gently said, ‘justice will be done.’ It was certainly a level of anger that I had never seen before and have never seen since.

“People were angry and also afraid.

Before we’d arrested the Murphys and were looking for them, blokes were picking up their wives from the station armed with baseball bats.

They’d scream, ‘if we find them we’ll cave their heads in!’

Anita’s mother, Grace Lynch

unbearable, yet they focused their time in the subsequent years reaching out to other families struggling to cope with homicide.

They established the Homicide Victims Support Group with Christine and Peter Simpson, parents of Ebony Simpson.

Ebony was just nine years old when she was abducted after alighting from her school bus before being raped and then tossed into a dam in Bargo and left to drown.

Finding themselves to be members of a club nobody would ever want to be in, Anita’s parents and Ebony’s parents were united in a grief that only those who’ve lost their children from horrendous homicide could understand.

Garry and Grace have both passed away now.

Construction is about to begin on “Grace’s Place” which will be a haven for families affected by homicide.

More on that next month.

Documentaries on Anita’s murder have aired over the years, and a book has been published called ‘Someone Else’s Daughter.’

Sadly the title came from a quote

by Garry Lynch (Anita’s father) who said, “I could wish it was someone else’s daughter, but I can’t, can I? They would then have to go through what we’re going through.”

He was a very decent and honourable man. A stark contrast to his daughter’s brutal killers.

Mr Raymond spoke of calling in to see Anita’s parents after the autopsy.

They’d been told the details.

“They were just such lovely, beautiful people,” Mr Raymond said.

“I can still see Grace entering the room in her apron. Garry stared at me for a long time, and then grabbed my hands in his and said, ‘Gary, something good has to come out of something so bad.’

We all cried and cuddled.”

All five men, who had over 50 previous convictions between them, would be found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, never to be released.

Travers, Murdoch, and two of the Murphy brothers, Les and Gary are in NSW prisons. Michael Murdoch died of a liver condition in February 2019.

The Lynch family endured a nightmare that was so utterly

Retired Chief Inspector Gary Raymond

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

cobby the heart of a nation

19

Legends of the Nepean Stephen Hauer

By Noel Rowsell

S

tephen (Steve) Hauer has been a member of Penrith RSL for 51 years, a Director for the past 20 years, Chair of the Intra-Club Committee for approximately 12 years, a member of the Sub-Branch for over 45 years and was made a Life Member of Penrith RSL in 2018.

A passionate advocate for the volunteers who help drive all of the Intra-clubs, Steve’s mantra is ‘Unless you are willing to pitch in and help, don’t have a go at the volunteers’.

Born in Graz, Austria in 1948, Steve’s family migrated to Australia in 1949 and Steve’s father (also Stephen) built his own house in St Marys, with the support of his cousins.

The family moved to a 2-acre property in Penrith in 1959, on the site

of the old Masters store on Mulgoa Road, before moving to Kingswood in 1966.

Steve’s schooling was at Our Lady of the Rosary PS in St Marys, then St Dominic’s HS. Upon leaving school, Steve joined the Water Board as a General Hand, then worked as a Truck Driver for 2 years, before joining the Dept of Mines in Londonderry, travelling throughout the state picking up ore samples.

Steve moved on to become a General Assistant at Kingswood HS and Jamistown PS and would work in that role for the next 20 years.

His final employment was at State Records, where he worked for over 12 years up until retirement as Supervisor, Union Delegate and OH&S Chairperson.

A representative Darts player his whole life, Steve met future wife Elaine at a competition night in Werrington in 1969 and the couple were married in 1974.

They have 2 children (Stephen and Amanda) and 5 grandchildren.

During his working life, Steve also

served in the Army Reserves from 1967-1975 in the Penrith Sappers, based at the Army Engineers site in Penrith as part of the 5 Field Regiment.

His most vivid memory of his service was working in Darwin in 1975, following the devastating cyclone which tore through northern Australia.

“I’ll never forget the night we got there,” said Steve.

“On one side of a street, there was total devastation yet on the other side of the street, it was untouched.”

Steve also worked with the 1st Penrith Scouts Group, joining when his son wanted to join up.

He started as Cub Scout Leader, then formed his own pack before moving up to Scout Leader, where he would also form his own troop.

Steve stayed with the Scouts for a further 2 years after his son left then, 2 years after leaving himself, was invited back as Group Leader and would serve in that role for a further 6 years.

“It’s very satisfying when young men who have served under you at Scouts come up to you in the street

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Stephen Hauer was nominated as a Legend of the Nepean by Carol Prain.

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

The life of Stephen Hauer in pics. Photos supplied

and say hello,” said Steve.

In 2000, Steve was asked to stand for the Board of the Penrith RSL and has now been in that role for 20 years.

“I’m thoroughly enjoying it,” said Steve.

“There is something fascinating happening all the time. We (the board members) are always studying and it (the role) keeps your mind active. My big thing is volunteering. A lot of the major events are only able to be run thanks to volunteers.”

Having lived in the District for the majority of his life, Steve has memories of past glories and locations which no longer exist.

“I saw Jack Brabham race at the old Mt Druitt Raceway, I remember watching the first Electric Train pass through Penrith, the construction of Warragamba Dam, there were horse stables where Penrith Plaza now sits and I fondly remember both the Avon and Crown Theatres,” said Steve.

On the sporting front, Steve is heavily involved with all of the Intraclubs at Penrith RSL and is always willing to pitch in and help, whether by attending events or presentation days or just being a willing listener to people who want to chat.

Steve is both a Foundation Member and a Life Member of the Penrith

RSL Darts Club and the Lower Blue Mountains Darts Association.

He has played from A to C Grade during his competitive years and is one of only 4 players in the Lower Blue Mountains Darts Association to record a ‘170 finish’.

Steve also volunteered at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, with his duties including officiating at the Baseball, Radio Duty, Crowd Control and generally helping wherever he was needed.

“Volunteering at the Olympics was a most rewarding experience, meeting people from all over the world,” said Steve.

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

22

local news

Finding ‘the right place’ at Thornton Park

N

ew Year has never felt more important as a time for reflection than as we farewell the eventful and challenging 2020.

It’s time to look forward - to 2021 and beyond. If you have reached that magical age of 65+, you’ve earned the right to focus on your wants and needs. Is retirement living on your radar? If so, congratulations on considering what might just be the best move of your life.

A common theme when Thornton Park residents reflect on their decision to move is how many people knew it was the right place for them as soon as they visited.

“It’s central to everything,” says Marilyn, who has chosen to call Thornton Park home. “It’s the lifestyle I’m here for, and it’s wonderful.”

The apartment amenities speak for themselves, with spacious rooms, modern kitchens, beautiful bathrooms, ducted air conditioning, large louvred windows, excellent insulation, soundproofing and smart energy-efficient design features.

Knowing that these luxurious features are standard, combined with the fact that there is no stamp duty to pay, makes the decision to downsize a financially appealing one.

“I knew I’d made the right decision when I realised the furniture from my four-bedroom home fit into my apartment,” says Marilyn. “It’s so spacious, it’s like the place was made for me.”

Marilyn notes the safety and security that comes from secure access and underground parking, a 24-hour emergency call system, and lift access to all levels. She also appreciates the shared facilities

including a café, library, media room and rooftop garden. Yet, for Marilyn, the apartment ended up being only the beginning of the reasons she loves living at Thornton Park.

She was lucky enough to have a longstanding friend already living in the village, but that hasn’t stopped her from also making loads of new friendships.

“The friends I’ve made since moving in have been integral to

that sense of feeling at home,” she says. “We have Friday night gettogethers because we genuinely enjoy each other’s company,” says Marilyn.

Thornton Park is a vibrant lifestyle community for people who expect their retirement years to be engaging, active and rewarding. If you would like more information about Thornton Park, please call us on 1800 954 213 or email life@thorntonpark.com.au

Celebrating those who make our district thrive

L

ocals can nominate seniors who are helping to make the local area an inspiring place to live in the 2021 NSW Seniors Festival Local Achievement Awards.

Member for Mulgoa, Tanya Davies said the awards program celebrates the work and achievements of seniors locally who make us proud every day.

“Seniors have gone above and beyond for our community as volunteers, carers and role models in a challenging year where our State has faced bushfire, flood, drought and a health pandemic,” Mrs Davies said.

“If you know a senior who helps make our community a better place to live, then I encourage you to nominate them.”

Acting Minister for Seniors, Geoff Lee said the awards highlight the important role seniors play in the community.

“These awards are about celebrating the positive impact of older people in our families and society,” Mr Lee said.

“This initiative is a great opportunity for communities to celebrate their seniors and all the fantastic work they do for the Mulgoa community.”

It’s one of many ways the NSW Government continues to support the state’s ageing population and support seniors in living happy, healthy and active lives.

Winners of the Local Achievement Awards will be announced during the NSW Seniors Festival which runs from 13 – 24 April 2021.

To nominate a senior or find further information on the program, contact: mulgoa@parliament. nsw.gov.au or call (02) 9834 2966.

local COLUMNIST

T

he continuing COVID crisis has taxed the veterinary industry in a way we have never seen before. In a short amount of time, the pandemic created the perfect storm of too many animals needing help and not enough people to help them.

New pets: When the COVID crisis sent households into lockdown, many people began to work from home, children were home schooled and families were spending much more time together. Pounds, shelters and rescue organisations were re-homing more pets than ever. After all, with everyone home, what better time to adopt a new family member when you had extra time for training and socialisation. For others, isolation created a lonely void. When you can’t see friends and family, animals are desperately needed companions for mental health and well-being.

Busy, busy, busy: An increase in pet numbers meant an increase in veterinary appointments. Routine vaccinations and health checks are still required but an increased number of emergency situations have added to the stress upon vet clinics. Dogs are being walked more which had led to

more injuries, including an increased number of dog attacks, snake bites and tick cases. Other veterinary clinics in the area are also at capacity and we have had more enquiries from clients whose regular vet cannot see them.

At Greencross Vets Coreen Avenue, we responded to the influx of animals by creating urgent care appointments, cancellation call back appointments and a waiting list for routine procedures. We can refer patients to our sister clinics at Marsden Park, Winmalee and the Animal Referral Hospital at Homebush. Greencross has launched Webvet for tele medicine consultations. We understand that this is not ideal and hope that this will be

temporary.

Staffing shortage: While other industries are laying people off, the veterinary industry is experiencing a staffing shortage. It has been well documented that the industry has been experiencing a shortage of Veterinarians for several years. It takes six years to train a veterinarian and two years to train a certified veterinary nurse. We have been lucky enough to add a further two veterinarians and three nurses to our staff. We have developed a new team of consulting nurses that liaise with the vets, manage our schedule and triage our waiting lists.

It is important to consider the role

of our veterinary receptionists during this crisis. It is not easy to tell a pet parent that they will be placed on a cancellation list or suggest they return to their regular vet. This goes against everything they have learnt about gold standard customer care and it can take a huge emotional toll on the entire team. We applaud pet parents for being the voice of their pet but we support our veterinary team when they have to say “no, not today” if they feel that squeezing in another appointment will negatively impact other clients and patient quality of care on days we have reached capacity. It’s a struggle every day. COVID has pushed the veterinary industry to its limits.

Adapting: In the short term, we will do the best we can with what we have. It may mean the continuation of waiting lists for non-urgent procedures and tele medicine consultations to assist clients needing peace of mind. For the long term we will plan, restructure our team and schedule in an effort to provide the best care possible for our patients and their parents.

We thank our clients for their support and understanding during these challenging and ever-changing times.

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

Why is it so hard to get an appointment with a Veterinarian right now?

23

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

Looking for adoptive parents and forever home

F

riends of Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter seek the “extras” for the dogs and cats in care at Hawkesbury Pound. They also visit the pound each week and take photographs and temperament tests of the animals to post online and promote the animals. They upload their images and opinions of

these animals to Facebook, Twitter and PetRescue. To follow them, look them up on facebook and twitter.

For any inquires related to these animals at Hawkesbury Pound, please contact them directly on (02) 4560 4644.

JACK IS A BIG BEAUTIFUL BOY WAITING FOR A FAMILY

MIA IS A BALL OF FUN LOOKING FOR AN ACTIVE FAMILY

Jack is a friendly obedient dog who will definitely make a great addition to a family who are able to give him the love and attention that he needs. Being a large dog Jack will need daily exercise and training just to help him settle into his new home. If you are looking to adopt a happy dog please bring your children and your dog to the shelter to meet him just so we can make sure they are all going to get on together Cost: $416.30 | Age: 3 years Type: Dog | Breed: BULL ARAB Sex: Male | Size: Large Disclaimer: **All prices include microchipping, lifetime council registration, desexing and 1st Vaccination. R251000145

Mia is a very friendly dog, she would be best suited with a family that are quite active and are able to give her daily exercise and a little further training to help her settle into her new home. If you are interested in adopting Mia please bring your children and your family dog for a meet and greet just so we can make sure they are all going to get on together.

Cost: $305.70 | Age: 7 years and 6 months Type: Dog | Breed: STAFFY Sex: Female | Size: Medium Disclaimer: **All prices include microchipping, lifetime council registration, desexing and 1st Vaccination. R251000145

DOLLY IS WAITING TO MEET YOU TODAY

Dolly is a sweet calm girl who would be best suited in a home with older children, she likes to spend her time around people enjoying their company. Dolly has been tolerant of the other girls but she would prefer a home of her own where she will be spoilt. If you feel you can give our beautiful Dolly a loving home, one where she will be able to have her own spot on the lounge, please come to the shelter to meet her.

Cost: $159.50 | Age: 5 years Type: Cat | Breed: Domestic Short Hair Sex: Female All prices include microchipping, lifetime council registration, desexing and 1st Vaccination. R251000145

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

26

NEPEAN HISTORY

The York Family of Emu Plains given him about £40 in notes that was part of the proceeds of a sale of wool. Constable Cornwall at Richmond remembers seeing the prisoner there and Michael said he was his Australian Royalty family starts a “ticket of leave man” but did not have with Mary Murray born in 1768. the necessary documents to prove this and She married William York in Bristol, he expressed great anxiety saying that if England. She was convicted for the theft I would let him go he would make me an of property and sentenced to a term of 7 ample remuneration because he was fearful years in July 1805 and sent on the “William he might lose his liberty for being out of Pitt” that arrived at Sydney Cove in April his district. He tendered a £l0 note that he 1806, then sent to the Female Factory at gave to me to get changed and hoping to Parramatta. Some information says that she avoid offering it to a third person himself was pregnant before she boarded because and we both proceeded to the “King William on the journey a son Charles York was born at sea. Mary’s husband died in England the  Emma & Charles York courtesy of Sutherland Shire Library 1V” hotel. At the hotel the conduct of the prisoner gave me suspicion and I took next year and about the same time Mary was him into custody where I found on him one £10 note and other monies assigned to Gregory Blaxland at “Brush Farm” in Parramatta where she subsequently identified by Henry York. The prisoner, in his defence, met William Cosgrove and they married (common law) in 1810. William stated the money was his that he had earned by hard labour and had been had arrived in Australia as a convict on the vessel Rolla in 1803. He was 23 years in the colony and had suffered much during that time”. The jury granted his Certificate of Freedom in the year of his marriage and joined returned a verdict of guilty. In 1845 William’s brother Charles, his son and the police force. He was killed nine years later. At the time of his death, stock keeper were stopped at the junction of the Mittagong and Argyle he was the District Constable of Parramatta, having previously been the Roads by a man armed with a musket and a pair of pistols. The man took Constable and Pound Keeper at Bringelly. In April 1819 he came upon all the money they had amounting to £3/17/6d. Charles thought that there three men and believing them to be bushrangers he enquired where they might be other men concealed near the road which accounted for them not were heading, but the men bolted, and William shouted police and called capturing the man. In 1855 Charles was a Director of the “Nepean Bridge on them to stop. One of them turned around and fired a shot at him from Company” who organised the replacement of the Nepean River punt the musket he was carrying, and William returned fire with his pistol, with a wooden toll bridge connecting Emu Plains and Penrith (7/1/2021 but the musket shot caused a fatal wound and killed William. The three History Page). Charles died in February in 1861 of 7 days exhaustion were caught and executed. Mary’s English son Henry was convicted of aged 56 and Maria died in 1884 at “Enfield Villa” Emu Plains aged 72 larceny at the Bristol Quarter Sessions in 1816 and sent on the “Fame” and both are buried at Emu Plains general cemetery. William born in to Australia arriving in 1817. In 1819 he was granted 34 acres of land 1827 ran cattle and sheep on 10,000 acres at Penrith where he built “York at Bringelly by Governor Lachlan Macquarie and received a Certificate Lodge”. He fattened up stock and drove them to his brother Charles who of freedom in 1824. He died in June 1881 and is buried in McCarthy’s was a wholesale carcass butcher and they operated “York Brothers” wool Lane Cemetery, Castlereagh. In 1821 Mary married George Crooks at scouring works at Waterloo. In 1849 William married Eliza Ryan and St Johns at Parramatta and they also had property at Bringelly. George, they had six children. In 1870 Eliza died and a year later William married born in 1782 came as a convict on the “Surry” in 1814 for 14 years. He Irish born Grace Kirkpatrick Craig. In 1873 while on a trip to Tasmania died around 1841 aged 70 and Mary died in 1842 at the age of 74 and William was locked up in a Hobart Asylum. On his return to Sydney, he both are buried at St John’s cemetery in Parramatta. Mary’s sons Charles was committed to the Gladesville Asylum. Grace saw her chance for a and Henry applied for land grants and Henry also received another 50 shopping spree and spent £400 at David Jones and Charles received a acres in 1825 at South Creek. In 1827 Henry and Charles received a court order to pay up. William died in the asylum in 1877 and two months grant together of 1,920 acres at the Shoalhaven River, Mungattee Station later his widow Grace abandoned “York Lodge” and her stepchildren. She and both were also farming at Emu Plains around 1831. Charles married died in Queensland in 1934. Charles York was born in December 1829 at Maria Chalker in 1826 at St Luke’s, Liverpool. Maria was born at South Creek/St Marys one of a twin (brother James). He married Anne Prospect in 1811 to William & Elizabeth Chalker (Nee: Shackle). In 1833 Donald in 1849 at St Andrews Scots Church in Sydney. Ann was born Michael Hoare was indicted for stealing from the house of Charles York, at Parramatta in 1833 to parents William & Ann Donald (Nee: Howard).

Regentville, Penrith of one £20, one £10, and one £1 note the property Anne passed away in 1863 in Sydney. A coroner’s inquest into her of his brother Henry. Michael belonged to the Bathurst Road-party and death concluded that she died as a result of an epileptic fit accelerated by was sent by the Government to assist in getting in the harvest. On being “drunkenness and debauchery” (sic) and later that same year he married called to give evidence Henry stated “he remembered having been in Emma Blackman. Charles died at Gladesville in 1880. possession of one £30, one £10 and other monies and remembered having seen the prisoner at the house of my brother Charles. I had the money Sources: NSW Settler and Convict Lists, Ancestry documents, Trove, BDM in my waistcoat pocket that I had pulled off and hung on my brother’s website, Sydney Gazette and NSW Advertiser, Surveyor General’s Office, Sydney saddle in the kitchen, but I did not miss the money until the following Monitor NSW, The Australian, State Library of Qld. Convict Transportation morning when it was discovered that the prisoner had absconded”.

Registers Database online, The Glebe Society online, Chalker/Charker family Charles corroborated the evidence of his brother Henry saying he had information online, BDM online.

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

T

Michelle Latham

michelle@heavenlycelebrations.com.au

PH: 9623 6656 | MOBILE: 0418 250 242 186 Queen Street, St. Marys (Star Arcade)

Contact Michelle for Pre-Planning & Pre-Paid Funerals 1300 HEVNLY (1300 438 659)

local news

was sitting on the lounge, late

one night, in my attractive onesie. Seriously girls, if you want to give the vibes of not tonight baby, the onesies with the double press studs and reinforced velcro is the way to say, “Hell no!”

I look so attractive in my onesie that Greenpeace were banging on the door screaming “Quick, throw water over the beached whale and uncover the blow hole we may be able to save it!”

My onesie is a glow in the dark one, which means I have to wear sunnies to bed, just to sleep. The colours are a cross between looking like someone spewed on me and Walt Disney on Steroids.

Wanna freak the cat out? Turn out the lights and run towards it. It thinks it is on illicit drugs (But don’t tell the RSPCA!) Anyway, I was sitting on the lounge having a few well-earned bevvies just to make sure my kidneys and liver are getting the workout they deserve, and on comes Gilligan’s Island.

Remember that show from about 100 years ago?

Now, I am no brainchild or brain surgeon-doctor thingy ma jig, BUT let’s get the logistics correct. Here’s a deserted island and a gifted Professor that has built everything from the kitchen sink; 5-star luxury cabins with a spa bath, double beds, to a restaurant, but he could not build a crappy raft and get them off the island? And one more thing of total importance, how the hell did Ginger keep her make-up so perfect? I have camped on an island for one night and the next morning looked like a rat slept in my hair and my eyes have Alice Copper eyeliner.

So, this led me to start thinking about missing things, which then led me to think about the missing plane from many years ago, that just disappeared. Poof gone, yep that plane, where the hell is it? People and a plane, gone, zero, zip, zilch, goneski.

I have read more theories than an Agatha Christie novel, and every expert in the field saying that aliens may have taken it, but where is it?

With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security

Like, how the hell do you lose an entire big mother of a plane? I mean, I lose my car keys all the time, and my gym shoes, sunnies, handbag and the list go on, BUT I can honestly say that I have not lost a plane. (Well not that I know of anyway).

We live in a world of technology, of basically microchipping ants and cloning sheep. A world of heated toilet seats that vibrate on voice command with relaxation music and automatic toilet paper (3 ply) wipers, but we cannot track a plane? GPS Satellite Navigational tracking thingies that can show the location of a dog, car, ya mother-in-law (if you want to track her of course) google earth on homes, streets, you name it we can track it, except a plane.

So, I am guessing that you are now asking, what the hell has all this deluded crap I am waffling got to do with a column that is supposed to be about security things, advice, tips and anything else of interest in regard to security. But alas my avid readers and worshipers, it is there, but you just

can’t see it. Like the plane, it’s there, but not there…

So basically, what I am trying to say without the hieroglyphics, is that technology is there for you to better yourself, your life, lifestyle, your world or anything you would like to plug in.

Like security on your home or business, it’s the same deal, technology such as alarms, cameras, doorbells, lighting (yes lighting) better enhances the security on your beloved prize possessions.

Check it out, the world is your oyster as they say.

If we can track a dog on McWilliam Street in the bush somewhere through a halfwit collar, why can’t we track and locate a plane somewhere in the blue sea out in never never land?

So, on ending this, I will state that no cats were injured in the making (maybe slightly hallucinating, but not injured). And as a handy security hint, unplug the tracking device if you want to lose the Mother-in -law. Just saying!

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

I

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27

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Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

28

local COLUMNISTS

Mike’s Pantry

Blood Donor Dave

with Michael Creed

The stats are scary, the need is great, I’d love to introduce you to my blood donor mate.

This man is generous and deserves congratulations, So cheers to you Dave, thanks for 450 donations.

Baked Salmon with roasted tomatoes and green beans

For over 40 years at the Blood Bank he regularly attends, On a first name basis with many nurses turned friends.

Dave can still recall his very first appointment, Full of anticipation that soon turned to enjoyment.

Ingredients: • 150g salmon fillet • 10 cherry tomatoes (or similar size) still attached to the vine.

• 1t olive oil • 120g green beans • Salt and pepper to taste

You see the nurses and staff made him feel very assured, The needle inserted perfectly, no pain he endured.

He gives full blood and plasma, then platelets when asked, How many thousands of lives saved would be hard to forecast.

For those yet to donate it’s important to be aware, You need to be screened before taking your chair.

Your health is important, you must be fit and well, Any recent overseas travel could set off alarm bells.

But once you pass those tests and the procedure is done, You’re encouraged to relax and enjoy a snack before you run.

My mate Dave inspired me to get my first donation done, Now 25 visits later and I tell everyone!

Method: • Preheat fan forced oven to 200c.

• Place the salmon fillet with the tomatoes still on the vine on a baking tray.

• Drizzle the teaspoon of olive oil over the top of the fillet and tomatoes.

• Sprinkle some salt and pepper

I tell them how proud you feel and there’s no need to fear, An easy way to make a important difference year after year.

To the thousands who donate like my great mate Dave, The recipient’s families thank you for the lives you’ve help save.

Dedicated to the great man David Stanton and all who donate blood.

See more tributes @ mrdannytribute.com.au

over the ingredients for taste.

• Place the baking tray in the oven and roast for about 15-20 minutes or until the fish is cooked.

• Serve with a generous helping of steamed green beans.

Ben Cranney’s travel tips to keep for when we can travel again!

The Mexican Mountains

Angahuan

By BEN CRANNEY

I

mentioned last time that anyone travelling to Guadalajara should visit some of the nearby mountain towns and cities. One of my favourites is Uruapan, about half a day’s bus ride from Guadalajara.

There’s a national park within the city whose waterfalls drown out the city noises. The markets sell beautiful and brightly coloured handcrafts. And if you’re there just before Easter, the Palm Sunday Artisan Festival is the biggest artisan festival in the country, and celebrates indigenous culture and art. But the main reason for my visit was out of town, near the village Angahuan. From here, you can walk to the volcano Paricutin, which erupted completely unexpectedly in the 1940s.

It’s an 18k, 9 hour round trip, and a guide is essential if you don’t want to get lost in the pine forest or avocado

Running down the volcano

groves, or want to take the short cut through the rusty barbed wire tollbooth.

But here were none when we arrived.

We sat in the dusty square for 30 minutes, watching the town wake up, before deciding to find our own way.

Thankfully, a fellow rode up on his horse, cowboy hat on for the coming midday sun. He knew where we were going, and he knew the perfect guide.

His 70 year old dad who had watched the volcano erupt as a boy.

His dad soon joined us, and set a cracking pace. I guess we were racing the sun’s heat, because we didn’t see a soul. As we crossed the huge lava field, he told us how the slow moving lava had swallowed a nearby town, leaving only the church spire exposed.

At the base of the volcano there was still no one in sight, which was lucky, because it meant no one watched our embarrassing climb up the side. It was covered in scree, tiny marble like

Uruapan markets in the park

Paricutin across the lava field

rocks. One wrong step and the whole thing would come down, taking us with it. Every step felt like this, but our guide still ran straight up it in his leather sandals, giving semi insulting encouragement in Spanish, English or Purepecha.

Then, finally, we made it to the top, and there was a breathtaking view. And it was littered with people who’d come

by bus, and walked up the more gentle, sandy slope on the other side of the volcano.

On the way back to Guadalajara, stop by San Miguel de Allende, also known for it’s arts and culture, or to Guanajuato, with it’s very own Romeo and Juliet story of lovers who could only be together from across their balconies.

By KeRRIE DAVIES

V

alentine’s Day is fast approaching - the most romantic day on the calendar.

Many lovers will shower each other with gifts, hopefuls will choose the day to declare love to an often-unaware conquest and others will agree to tie the knot.

I can’t speak for same-sex relationships nor the gents in a hetero relationship, but I’m going to bare all and make a declaration on behalf of my breed and say this day is one for the ladies!

Valentine’s Day represents a day of hope when there’s someone out there we fantasise will fall madly in love with us.

It is the day of judgement for those fellas who’ve just started dating us. And for those in long-term relationships and happy marriages, it can be the day of reassurance that we still feel loved and adored.

In troubled relationships, it is the day of reckoning.

But for the ladies who have no current love interest, it can be Single Person Awareness Day. (SPAD) If you’re in the loved-up category, it’s a good idea to be mindful of the feelings of those friends in the SPAD phase. They probably don’t want to hear all about the perfect roses, perfect chocolates and perfect hand-written poems you received from your perfect boyfriend... 27 times.

They’ll get it the first time you say it.

And, I have some tips for the lads, too. If you want a lady to know how you feel about her, take the punt and aim cupid’s arrow in her direction - send her

some flowers! The worst that can happen is you’ll be a few bucks out of pocket, and if the same spark isn’t felt by her, at least she’ll always refer to you as “that sweet guy.”

If you’re in a new relationship and wondering if it is too soon, I have one point to make. It is NEVER too soon.

Married guys who think it is all commercial BS get off the platform on this one - steal some flowers out of the nearest garden and present them to her.

Blokes who’ve not been the greatest partner they could have been - shell out a few bucks, get a bouquet

29 Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

Valentine’s Day Shower your honey with love

and write some nice words in a card. A bit of sly cash and ten minutes worth of effort could reverse a multitude of sins in one hit. Do it.

And even though I think Valentine’s Day is a special day on many a female’s calendar, there’s definitely some guys out there who rate it too.

So girls, if you’re dating a SNAG, married to a romantic or not been the best partner you could have been yourself, shower your honey with love and show them what they mean to you. Happy Valentines Day! (Hopefully my husband reads this, ps I love red roses).

Valentine’s Day Flowers

Surprise your special someone with romantic flowers & gifts from Kingswood Florist.

While Roses are a traditional gift to send on Valentine’s Day, other flowers can be just as well received. Don’t forget to add a cuddly soft toy and delicious box of chocolates to your order for the ultimate wow factor.

We can deliver your Valentine’s Day gift to Kingswood, NSW or nationwide.

Kingswood Florist, Creative Balloons, Penrith Florist and St Marys Florist 4732 2182

Nepean News 5 6 February 2021 2020 Issue 296 270

30

Valentine’s Day

Seven ways to say I love you on Valentine’s Day they’re nagging you daily to trade the commodore for a BMW.

By KeRRIE DAVIES

S

truggling to work out the best gift to give your significant other on the 14th? We’ve prepared a list that might help you a little!

1. Flowers Although this gift is anything but unique, it is always appreciated.

Especially delivered in front of all the workmates. Gush, gush.

2. Cupcakes Ohh cutesy lovey-dovey messages seem so much less cringe-worthy when they are written on a cupcake. Perhaps that’s because you can extinguish their existence the instant you bite into them.

3. Teddy bears Nothing says “I wuv you” more than a cute fluffy bear. Unless you have been fighting lately. If that’s the case, never ever poke the bear with a teddy bear.

4. Fill the room with balloons This little plan really makes a great statement. Be careful not to crowd it with so many that you can’t make your way to each other. The sound of a busted balloon, especially in close proximity scares the crap out of people.

6. Watch a romantic movie Nothing gets you in a romantic mood more than cuddling up to a great movie. And romantic movies don’t discriminate, there’s been a plot written for every kind of love that has ever existed.

7. Propose Now that marriage is finally open to everyone, what a great time to ask your love to tie the knot! If you are a romantic you will have just picked the ultimate day to do it. If you aren’t romantic you can insist that the wedding day is exactly in one year’s time and remove the risk that your new fiance might pick a date that clashes with Bathurst or the Bachelor Final. And when your wedding is on Valentine’s Day you can ruin everybody else’s Valentine’s Day by making them drop their plans to focus on you!

5. Leave cute notes around This gift will cost you basically nothing and most people will adore you for putting this much thought into it. If they don’t adore you for it, get rid of them before you’re married and

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A Valentine’s Day poem I was searching for my valentine And decided to make a list A man who’ll love me madly My charms he wont resist

And when I buy him jewellery He’ll wear it all with pride And when I want to have “a talk” He’ll stay - not run and hide

As I looked through my list Realisation dawned like day These things that I expected Meant my perfect man was gay

He’ll love me more than football He’ll love me more than beer He’ll love to take me shopping My feelings he’ll love to hear

He’ll want to sit and cuddle And always hold my hand And when I get a bit moody He’ll always understand

The perfect man from my list On our mateship I’ll depend But the man I give my heart to Will be more than just a friend

He’ll love my girlie movies We’ll gossip about the stars We’ll sit and paint my toenails Talking fashion, and not cars

And when I look my worst He’ll see Marylin Monroe We’ll share tips on how to look our best Wherever we may go

When it comes to my valentine I’ll throw away this list I’ll accept that we’ll have differences Unconditional love will then exist

Book now for valentine’s day

By KeRRIE DAVIES

Happy s ’ e n i t n e l Va D ay!

31 Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

Valentine’s Day

Nepean News 5 6 February 2021 2020 Issue 296 270

32

Valentine’s Day word search

MAZE

Valentine’s Day ADMIRER ADORE AFFECTION ATTRACTION BEAU BELOVED BOYFRIEND CANDLES CANDY CHOCOLATES

COUPLE CRUSH CUPID DARLING DATE DEAR DEVOTION FANCY FEBRUARY FLAME

FLOWERS FONDNESS FOREVER FRIENDSHIP GIFT GIRLFRIEND HEARTS JEWELRY LIKE LOVEBIRDS

LOVERS PARTNER PROPOSAL RELATIONSHIP RESTAURANT ROMANCE ROSES SENTIMENT SUITOR SWEETHEART

Happy Valentine’s Day from Nepean News

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Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

34

Art Awards at Museum of Fire

Photo supplied by Museum of Fire Curatorial Team

By Museum of Fire Curatorial Team

T

he Museum of Fire recently opened our newest exhibition, an art gallery space featuring 30 artworks by primary schoolaged children from across Australia. The competition was set to the theme of bushfires, paying tribute to the firefighters who bravely faced the flames to keep us safe during the devastating Summer of 2019/2020 horrific bushfire season. The artworks submitted were phenomenal and the Museum’s staff were blown away by the high-calibre entries, which showcased the experiences (and of course, the artistic flair) of the budding artists. Of over 100 artworks, just 30 were shortlisted for display. A panel of judges then voted on the major prizes before Christmas and the public were invited to vote for the People’s Choice Award. Voting at the Museum closed on Friday 15 January and prior to that, voting was opened to a wider, digital audience for one week. In that time, the Museum received over 1,500 digital votes. To say we are impressed is an understatement. On Thursday 21 January, we were delighted to invite the shortlisted

artists and their families to the inaugural awards ceremony celebrating their work. At this ceremony, the People’s Choice Award (as well as all other major prizes) and a special award personally chosen by Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) Commissioner Paul Baxter were announced. FRNSW were a major sponsor of the Museum’s Art Competition and we were very fortunate to have Commissioner Paul Baxter and Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell in attendance on the day. A number of the Museum’s exhibition vehicles were temporarily removed to make room for the ceremony, 21 Jan 21.

First Prize – Danelia Samuel (Year 6) with Fiery Night; Second Prize and Special CEO Award – Samuel Burkhart (Year 4) with Smoke in the Sunset; FRNSW Commissioner’s Choice Award – Bryson Samuel (Year 4) with Firefight; People’s Choice Award – Aliyah Simpson (Year 4) with Ember AttackHighly Commended K-2 Years – Deklan Bryks (Year 2) with Bush Regeneration After the Fires; Highly Commended Year 3 – Jasmine Mutani (Year 3) with Australian Bushfire; Highly

Commended Year 4 – Elsie Brown (Year 4) with Save the Koalas; Highly Commended Year 5 and Special Curator’s Award – Charlotte Whitford (Year 5) with Fire Fighters to the Rescue; Highly Commended Year 6 – Amelia Williams (Year 6) with Forest of Fire; Special Curator’s Award – Zoe Masters (Year 5) with Hero. We believe it is important to provide the next generation with opportunities to share their creativity and to also introduce them to the world of museums. It is for this reason that we are pleased to announce the return of the competition in 2021.

Keeping with the theme of reflecting on the previous year, our theme for 2021 will be “resilience”. More details will be announced in the coming months, but we look forward to receiving entries which champion the resilience of our front-line workers, including firefighters.

NB: A complete description and photos of all of the winning entries can be found on the Museum of Fire website at Museum of Fire 2020 Art Prize Winner’s Announced

Free Museum Heritage Day

T

he Museum of Fire’s FREE Heritage Days are back in 2021 and this year’s events begin on 7th February, with a display of ‘Dennis’ Fire Engines which you wouldn’t necessarily see on display in the Museum.

The ‘Dennis’ theme dates back 50 years when in 1971, the Board of Fire Commissioners of NSW (today Fire and Rescue NSW) placed 42 new Dennis pumpers into service as part of a dedicated effort to equip their brigades with state-of-the-art firefighting appliances.

It was the largest pumper intake in the Brigade’s history, compared to an average annual intake of 19 units seen over the 9 years prior.

The Historic Exhibit will be on display in the grounds of the Museum from 9am-2pm, with displays of firefighting by the HFEA at 9.30am, 11am and 12.30pm.

The Museum itself will be open 9:30am-4:30pm and should you wish to enter, there is an admission charge.

One of the Dennis Fire Engines at the Penrith Museum of Fire.

Photos by Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

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ENTERTAINMENT

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he Joan is delighted to announce it will be hosting one of the first performances of the highly-anticipated return of the Omega Ensemble. The Ensemble’s 2021 tour includes a 26 February performance of Night and Now at The Joan. This will be an absolute treat for classical music fans who have missed the intimacy and wonder of live performance.

Omega Ensemble: Night and Now, presents a program of concertos and quintets, including Chopin’s romantic first piano concerto, in a powerful new arrangement for piano quintet, performed by acclaimed pianist Clemens Leske. Leske, who has performed as a soloist with all of Australia’s professional orchestras, is familiar with the concerto form, having performed both the Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No. 1 and Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto No. 1 with the London Philharmonic Orchestra.

The program also features the world premiere of a new Flute Quintet

by Elena Kats-Chernin, from which the performances take their name.

This will be performed by acclaimed Australian flautist Sally Walker, for whom the original concerto was commissioned.

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

Chamber music all-stars

37

The program will also include Gordon Kerry’s new Clarinet Quintet, which received its digital world premiere in 2020 as part of Sydney Opera House’s Digital Season, receiving a 5-star review (Limelight Magazine). The February program will mark the first public performances of this new work, written for Artistic Director and Clarinetist David Rowden in 2019.

“When we return in February it will be more than 385 days since the Ensemble last performed on a concert hall stage,” explains General Manager David Boyce. “For us, this is not only time to celebrate, but also to continue our commitment to supporting the livelihoods of Australian artists on home soil.” As part of that commitment, the Ensemble has pledged to assisting those musicians and performing artists who remain without secure employment or financial support, with 10% of proceeds from ticket sales to performances committed to the Freelance Artist Relief Australia, established by soprano Nicole Carr.

26 February 2021, 7:30pm Tickets: Standard $55, Concession $50, 10% discount for Penrith Arts Lover members. www.thejoan.com. au/events/omega-ensemble-nightand-now

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Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

38

ENTERTAINMENT

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Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

40

SPORT

2021 Hawkesbury Summer Hack Show

By Noel Rowsell

H

aw k e s b u ry Showground hosted the 2021 Hawkesbury Summer Hack Show over the weekend of 30th-31st January, with the relaxing of Covid restrictions ensuring bumper entries for the event.

Events over the two days included Hacks, Thoroughbred, Warmbloods, Clydesdale Cross, Friesian Warmblood, Galloways,

Ponies, Show Hunter Ponies, Show Hunter Galloways, Show Hunter Hacks, Leading Rein, Junior Riders, Senior Riders, Adult Riders, Open Beginner Riders, Light Harness and Heavy Horse.

The action was staged across 6 rings, beginning at 8am and featuring between 500600 events on each day.

The next major event scheduled for the Hawkesbury Showground will be the Hawkesbury Show on 23rd-25th April.

4/233 Mulgoa Rd, Penrith | 4721 1296

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

42

SPORT NSW Leading Players Contest the NSW Amateur Championships

Chaewon Lee

Claire Shin

Kade Webber

Three of the local juniors who competed at the 2021 NSW Amateur Championships. File photos supplied by JNJG

By Noel Rowsell

M

agenta Shores GC and Kooindah Waters GC jointly hosted the NSW Amateur Championships from 25th -

29th January.

There are a number of events within the Championships, including the NSW Medal (Men) and the NSW Stroke-play (Women) titles, which are contested over the first two days at both courses.

At the completion of those two events, the leading 32 men and 16 women progress to the elimination rounds for the NSW Amateur Championship, which are contested under Match Play conditions.

Matches in the NSW Amateur are conducted over 18 holes, with the final decided over 36 holes.

Also incorporated into the 36 hole qualifying rounds is the Men’s NSW Champion of Club Champions Trophy, whilst the ‘Leo Wray Bowl’ for the 36 hole nett winner, the Country Championship

Cup and the Metropolitan Championship Cup are all played in conjunction with the Women’s Strokeplay Championship.

The NSW Amateur Championship dates back to 1898 and is one of Australia’s oldest golf tournaments.

12 Men and 4 women from western Sydney entered this year’s tournament, including Ryan Cadle, Kade Webber, Lyle Keith, Raymond Costello and Craig Baird from Stonecutters Ridge GC, Coby Carruthers, Stephen Andrews and Daniel Ayre (Dunheved GC), Michael Organ and Josh Gadd (Penrith GC) and Reggie Papps (Richmond GC) in the men’s division, along with Mikayla Edwards and Isabelle Mansfield (Penrith GC), Chaewon Lee (Glenmore Heritage Valley GC) and Claire Shin (Twin Creeks CC) in the women’s division.

Claire performed superbly over the first 2 days to finish in a tie with Grace Kim (Avondale) for second spot in the women’s division, 4 shots adrift of winner Kelsey Bennett (St Michaels).

Dunheved GC hosted the 2021 South Creek Cup on 30th January, with 231 starters broken into a morning and afternoon fields.

The morning group played through insistent rain, whilst the afternoon group started in the wet but once the clouds dissipated, temperatures and humidity levels soared, providing a new challenge for the late starters.

Josh Gadd (Penrith GC) won the event with 68 c/b, ahead of Jake Crowther (Asquith GC); the Nett winner (Captains Cup) was M White, ahead of B Linsdell; the Colt winner was Josh Gadd and the John Fearnley Cup was won by Coby Carruthers (Dunheved GC).

Action from the 2021 South Creek Cup at Dunheved GC. Photos by Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

Claire would also finish runner-up to Kelsey in the Leo Wray Bowl, with the two leaders the only players to finish under par in the Nett event.

Backing up in the Matchplay on Wednesday, Claire reached the semi-final stage, only to fall 2 and 1 to eventual winner and reigning 2020 champion Grace Kim. Jeffrey Guan (The Australian) continued his unbelievable run of victories in the men’s division, securing the NSW Medal and setting a course record 65 at Kooindah Waters on the opening day.

Coby Carruthers finished in a 7-way tie for 32nd spot in the NSW Medal, before unfortunately missing out in a mass playoff for the final spots in the Matchplay Championships.

Daniel Ayre was the next best finisher among the western Sydney players, ahead of Josh Gadd.

Guan dominated through the playoff stages in the Matchplay, only to fall 4 and 3 to Andrew Richards (Pennant Hills) in the Final.

SPORT

Chaewon Lee (4th overall and 2nd in 15 years girls) and Coby Carruthers (8th overall and 3rd in 14/15 boys). Photos supplied by JNJG

By Noel Rowsell

A

number of players from western Sydney competed in the annual Jack Newton Junior Golf (JNJG) Foundation ‘Harvey Norman Week of Golf’ last month, with the tournament running from 18th - 22nd January.

Played at Twin Creeks Golf & CC, Liverpool GC, Brighton Lakes GC, Strathfield GC and Muirfield GC on consecutive days, the Girl’s Championship would go right down to the wire in a thrilling dead-heat result.

Former Stonecutters Ridge junior representative Brielle Mapanao (Quakers Hill) had won the Girl’s Championship in 2018 and was wellplaced through the first 4 days of this year’s event but saved her best performance for Day 5, storming home with a 5-under par score to make up 8 shots on leader Rachel Lee (North Ryde GC).

The two girls ultimately finished the tournament locked in a tie for 1st, with Rachel prevailing in a playoff to claim this year’s title, with Brielle (2nd), Nara Shin (Lynwood CC) 3rd

and Chaewon Lee (Glenmore Heritage Valley GC) in 4th.

Brielle also finished 1st in the 15+ years division, ahead of Chaewon in 2nd position.

The Boy’s Championship would prove a ‘tour-de-force’ for the reigning 2020 champion Jeffrey Guan (The Australian GC), who streeted the field to finish at 15-under par over the 5 days, thus recording a runaway 14shot victory in an emphatic defence of his title.

Coby Carruthers (Leonay GC) was the leading local player in the Boy’s

division, finishing in a tie for 8th spot overall at +9 and 3rd in the 14/15 years age group, ahead of Blake Hodges (Dunheved GC) in 15th position overall at +18 and 6th in 14/15 years.

Darcy Mackay (Stonecutters Ridge GC) placed 4th in the 12/13’s boys division (and tied for 33rd overall), whilst his clubmates Ryan Cadle (tied 24th overall) and Kade Webber (32nd overall) both had highly creditable results over the 5 days.

Ryan finished tied for 13th and Kade in 19th spot in the 16+ years boys division.

Hosts win the Team Challenge at Penrith

By Noel Rowsell

P

enrith GC hosted its annual Ladies Team Challenge over 21st-22nd January, attracting 38 visiting players from 10 NSW clubs, along with 28 players from Penrith.

The challenge is now in its 8th year, supported by Penrith GC Head Professional Jonathan Green as the main sponsor.

“Our (Penrith GC) Team Challenge was a success, even with all the COVID-19 restrictions,” said Penrith GC Ladies captain Di Montgomery.

“The Ladies on the Committee did a great job and Jonathan Green from our Penrith Pro Shop donated the winning prizes, which he has done from the beginning.”

“We (Penrith) have been running this event since 2014 and the Nelson Bay ladies have been supporting this event from the outset. It’s a great way to start the golfing season and dust of the Christmas cobwebs.”

Clubs represented on the day were Nelson Bay, Lakeside Camden, Richmond, Dunheved, Fox Hills, Glenmore Heritage Valley, Stonecutters Ridge, Springwood, Wallacia, The Australian and Penrith.

“We held the final presentation on Friday afternoon outside on the clubhouse alfresco area and all visitors remarked on how wonderful our new Penrith club house facilities are,” said Di. “It was a bit embarrassing for me to take out the winning prize with my fellow long-time golfing partner Tracey Warne, whilst the Scratch winners were Tracey Wood and Jane Holmes (Lakeside).

Major Pennants Golf The local golf clubs made a solid start to the 2021 Major Pennant season, winning 6 and drawing 3 of the 11 rounds played on Sunday 31st March.

The full list of results are: MEN Division One - Twin Creeks CC drew 3.53.5 with Liverpool, Penrith GC fell 4.5-2.5 to Bonnie Doon; Division Two - Glenmore HVGC drew 3.53.5 with Cromer, Stonecutters Ridge GC won 4.52.5 over Bankstown; Division Three - Springwood CC drew 3.5-3.5 with Camden, Dunheved GC won 6-0 over Massey Park, Richmond GC won 4-3 over Asquith; Division Four - Windsor CC won 5-2 over Roseville, Leonay GC won 5-2 over Carnarvon; Division Five - Wallacia CC won 4-3 over Riverside Oaks.

WOMEN Division One - Stonecutters Ridge GC lost 5-0 to New South Wales GC; Division Two Penrith had a bye.

Winners Tracey Warne and Dianne Montgomery with their trophies. Photo supplied.

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

Fight to the finish at Harvey Norman Week of Golf

43

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

44

SPORT

Council sponsorship shows support for women’s sport

By KeRRIE DAVIES

P

e n r i t h City Council continues to throw its support behind women’s sport by sponsoring an allday women’s rugby league competition to be held in the LGA next month.

The Kingsway at St Marys will see talented rugby league teams from across NSW come together on Saturday, 6 February for the Blacktown Red Belly Warriors Women’s Aboriginal Rugby League Knockout.

Shaylee Bent, a New South Wales City, Indigenous All Stars, and Australia World Cup Nines representative player, Women’s Rugby League star and ambassador for tackling domestic violence, will lead the hosting club’s side.

As a strong supporter of all sporting codes that backs the rising popularity of female participation in maledominated sports, Council has taken a lead in sponsorship by donating $7,500 towards the day.

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown OAM said Council has passed on the donation and looks forward to welcoming visitors from far and wide to Penrith for the tournament.

“We were thrilled to learn another fantastic sporting activity is set to take place in our City, which has an ever-growing number of recreational facilities designed to accommodate events such as this one,” Cr McKeown said.

(L to R) Shaylee Bent, Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown OAM and Rondelle Ryan at The Kingsway where the Women’s Aboriginal Knockout will be played on Saturday 6 February, 2021.

“Given the many grassroots opportunities available to our community’s aspiring sports stars, in an area seeing unprecedented population growth, Council is investing millions of dollars to deliver green, open spaces where people can take part in everything from organised sports through to passive recreation.

“The Kingsway is a great choice for this knock out competition and for those to come in the future, as further development is currently taking shape at the precinct as part of our Sport and Recreation Strategy.

“As a Council that hosts regular NAIDOC Week celebrations and has recently been recognised as a White Ribbon Accredited Workplace, we love what this event stands for – and

what a wonderful example these sportswomen are setting for the young girls of Penrith.”

Councillors endorsed the sponsorship during the Ordinary Meeting held on 30 November 2020, when Councillor Greg Davies raised the idea.

Rondelle Ryan, president of the Blacktown Red Belly Warriors, said teams will come from areas as far as Dubbo, Kempsey, Newcastle, the South Coast and Redfern.

“Women are growing in all aspects of life and they aren’t recognised as much as they should be in sport, especially in Rugby League. My grandmother ran knock out competitions for many years in Blacktown, we recently lost her so this is for her - we wanted to

keep that legacy going for our mob and to showcase women in the game we love,” Ms Ryan said.

The club has also organised for women from NSW Ambulance and Tackling Violence (Women NSW) to attend the inspiring event. Ms Ryan called Cr Davies to inform him that the knock out would take place “in his backyard” and he was eager to have the Council become involved, she said.

“We are so grateful that all of the Councillors have come on board for the inaugural women’s knockout competition happening in Penrith.

We appreciate that they value the importance and can see the awareness this will bring to women in sport and for our Aboriginal community.

“With that sponsorship money, we will be able to buy trophies for the kids teams who will be playing, we will have a tent for our Elders, and we will have stalls for community groups to be able to network with the community.”

Aimed at being a family-friendly day, youngsters will get the chance to be painted up in ochre and taught traditional dances.

Councillor Greg Davies congratulated the club for working hard to deliver a unique event.

“I congratulate the organisers for bringing the event to St Marys, home for many of our indigenous community and look forward to being there on the day to see the skills brought to our City from the many regions involved,” Cr Davies said.

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SPORT

45

By PANTHERS MEDIA

T

he Panthers squads include seven players from Central West NSW who have progressed through the club’s Western Rams pathway. These players are indicated with an asterisk.

Both teams open their 2021 seasons against South Sydney Rabbitohs at Panthers Stadium on Saturday, with the Harold Matthews Cup fixture at 12pm followed by the SG Ball Cup clash at 1.30pm.

PANTHERS HAROLD MATTHEWS CUP SQUAD Bayden Moran*, Billy Scott, Bonamarie Taiki, Cainen Hardiman, David Afu, Ethan Hutchings, Harrison Hassett, Henry Neemia, Isaiya Katoa, Jenson Tuaoi, Jermaine McEwen, Jesse McLean, Jett Cleary, JohnPaul Donevski, Judah Galuvao, Latrelle Leota, Lleyton Tautua, Liam Ison, Luke Hanson, Luron Patea, Peteru Pritchard, Siotame Hansen, Tana Papu, Tevita Alatini, Tylor Bunting, Uaale Elisara, Wilson De Courcey.

HEAD COACH: Kyle Churchill TEAM MANAGER: Theo Kubica

PANTHERS SG BALL CUP SQUAD Angelis Hotere-Papalii, Ash Cosgrove*, Aston Warwick*, Braith Alexander, Brandon Hamilton*, Cody Lawson*, Connor Mason, Cruise Tweedie, Ilai Tuia, Izack Nasio, Jack Cole*, Jai Wynbergen, Jake Hay, John Sagaga, Josh Belfanti*, Keagan Russell-Smith, KristianLi Mai, Lachlan Blackburn, Mason Teague, Max Pritchard, Ryley Smith, Sunita Lotoaniu, Tyreece Tonga, Zac Hunter, Zac Lipowicz.

HEAD COACH: Jono Rolfe TEAM MANAGER: Tom Anderson

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Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

Panthers confirms junior representative squads

PENRITH PANTHERS

mark with MARK GEYER

Four new signings for season 2021

W

 Panthers 4 new signings for season 2021. Eisenhuth, Sorensen, Salmon and Jennings

ith just over a month until the 2021 NRL season kicks off (I know, how good!) it’s time to peruse the Panther’s playing roster and look at the comings and goings and how they’ll affect the club.

New Faces: Matt Eisenhuth from the Tigers A tall rangy back rower who could just as easily fill in at front row as well. Eisenhuth is a real good signing for the Panthers. A work horse forward who has a great off load and an enormous engine. I rate his signing right up there with Kurt Capewell’s last year. Both of their signings have been an unexpected pleasure.

Robert Jennings from the Tigers A Panthers junior, Robert is the youngest of the Jennings trio with George and Michael being his older brothers. A real good outside back, his first grade experience will be vital now that the “Sauce” Josh Mansour has sadly vacated the premises.

Jaeman Salmon from the Eels Jaeman is a big body who has lots of ability and can play fiveeighth, centre, or lock. He burst onto the scene a couple of seasons back and looked to be the Eels answer to their number 6 problems until Dylan Brown appeared. Will provide a tremendous amount of versatility and utility value for the Panthers.

Scott Sorensen from the Sharks A late last year signing, Sorensen played 14 games last year as his team finished 8th. A hard working back rower who will add depth to the Panthers as well as experience.

Losses: Josh Mansour to Souths The “Sauce” was told he was no longer wanted at the foot of the mountains after their grand final loss to the Storm last year. A fan favourite throughout his career his presence will be lost.

Jack Hetherington to the Bulldogs Hetherington came of age last year when he was placed on loan to the NZ Warriors, becoming one of their standout players. Yeah sure, Jack has a reputation as a ‘hot headed’ player, but he seems to have curbed the excessive aggression to be a real good pick up for Trent Barrett and his Dogs.

James Tamou to the Tigers Big “Jimmy” was inspiring for the Panthers last season on their record breaking run as captain and turned back the clock in doing so. His leadership will be missed.

Caleb Aekins to the Raiders An enterprising fullback who isn’t the biggest player going around but is a live-wire rugby league player who could be a find for the Raiders.

Zane Tetavano to Leeds in the English Super League Tetavano was outstanding for Ivan’s boys last year. Arriving from the Roosters he added instant starch to the Panthers forward pack, and made a difference every time he took the field.

Every season players come and go, this season is no different. But if the Panthers are to go one better this year and take the Golden prize then the ‘newbies’ to this Penrith squad must make some sort of impact.

Cannot wait till the NRL kicks off and for the Panthers first game which is on Saturday the 13th of March at Penrith Stadium! Bring it on.

See you at the game.

MG (random Westie) OAM

www.panthers.com.au

Nepean News 5 February 2021 Issue 296

on the

SPORT 47 47 47

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