Nepeannews 5may2016

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Thursday, 5 May 2016

ISSUE 174

NEPEAN NEWS WISHES ALL THE LOCAL MUMS A VERY HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY

FROM FILLIES TO FOOTY Hawkesbury Race Club farewells CEO Brian Fletcher following his stellar career in racing. Hawkesbury’s loss is Panther’s gain as Fletch is now the full time Panthers Group CEO.

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By Keegan Thomson

ON Tuesday night the Treasurer, Scott Morrison, announced his first Federal Budget and the people of western Sydney rightly deserve to know what is in it for them.

Some of the sweeteners within the budget include support for unemployed young people, tax cuts for small and medium sized business and $100 million, across three years, in funding to reduce and fight domestic violence.

On a local level the government will invest $115 million between 2016-2017 into the preparation for the Western Sydney Airport, including $26.2 million for the provision of a rail network. A $1.5 billion investment in rail across Sydney will include some funding towards the T1 Western Line. This will be on top of the $3.6 billion in combined funding for the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan building connecting roads around the proposed Western Sydney Airport.

Some of the losers of the budget include smokers, who will cop the rough end of an increased tobacco tax estimated to bring $4.7 billion into the government’s pockets. The Treasurer also announced a crackdown on the wealthfare abusers, particularly stopping people who claim the dole who shouldn’t be, and will introduce a new PaTH program to help unemployed young people get into jobs.

One of the government’s pre-budget announcements included a boost of $1.2 billion dollars to education spending. This money will be passed around through a number of funding

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Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

Budget laid out on election eve

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Treasurer Scott Morrison delivers boost for western Sydney infrastructure

conditions, like the number of specialised teachers at a school and a school’s commitment to a standardised national assessment.

The government claims it will be ‘the most significant package of education reforms in a generation’ however Kate Ellis, the Shadow Education Minister, said that if Labor were elected they would invest $3.5 billion more into schools by 2020.

This budget isn’t like any normal budget, instead it is a short term election plan rather than a long term economic plan. After all most of the proposed plans in Mr Morrison’s budget won’t be enacted or even debated until after the next federal election in some eight weeks.

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From the Editor’s Desk

by Kerrie Davies

OFFICE: (02) 9834 5579 Editor: Sales Manager: Journalist: Journalist: Journalist: Journalist: Sports Journalst: Graphic Design: Photographer: Printer: Letters to the Editor: Web:

Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644 Korena Hale 0403 045 880 Greg “Harpo” Martin 0420 655 524 Garion Thain 0430 424 101 Keegan Thomson 0421 382 560 Jarrod McGrouther 0406 826 259 Stewart Moses 0417 680 533 Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Tom Carey 0425 803 180 Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown nepeannews@aol.com www.nepeannews.com.au

Nepean News is not tossed onto your front lawn. Collect your crisp copy FREE from local newsagents, service stations, libraries, Council and shopping centres.

Call 9834 5579 to find out your nearest outlet.

YOU may have noticed we have two new journos on board at Nepean News and Western News (our Blacktown publication) - Keegan Thomson and Jarrod McGrouther.

Both are exceptionally talented young lads and I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading their contributions.

Like most of their generation, they are pretty savvy when it comes to computers, internet, social media and all other assorted techno applications.

As they are in their 20’s and I am in my 40’s, the 20-ish year age gap - or generation gap if you like - got us talking about the differences between the boys beginning their careers in today’s technological times and when I was their age just starting.

When I cast my mind back it really is incredible how far we’ve come.

I remember going to North Sydney Tafe to do a week-long course learning how to operate a Wang Word Processor.

Yes. A whole week. It almost sounds ridiculous now that it would take five whole days to learn what was essentially typing a letter on a computer and sending it to a printer.

But at that time, even the Word Processor seemed an amazing tool, because prior to that we used typewriters. I remember taking typing lessons while at high school and the effort that it took to produce a document is mind-blowing now!

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Firstly, just learning to type was a challenge, because we didn’t have mobile phones or any other tools that made us familiar with pressing a letter and it appearing - unless we wrote that letter with a pen or pencil.

On the manual typewriters, prior to the wham-bam electrical ones that came out a bit later, the letters had to be pressed with some force to get them to appear on the paper. Being taught to use all our fingers meant that the finished product was often a mixture of dark and light letters due to our stronger fingers being in charge of some letters and our weaker (pinkies) being in charge of others.

Then there was the obstacle of keeping an eye on when it was time to make your words go down to the next line (this didn’t happen automatically) and bang on the carriage return - or you’d be typing off the page and on to the roller.

And heaven forbid if you made a mistake, because then you were in for the dreaded ordeal of applying liquid paper to the offending word, waiting for what seemed forever for it to dry, before reinserting the paper into the typewriter to get it exactly in the right spot to retype the correct word.

Of course it never ever lined up perfectly.

So in amongst your light and dark letters you’d have words that looked like they were jumping for joy even thought you clearly were not.

It makes you wonder, when we’ve come so far in just over 20 years, what on earth will the next 20 bring?

Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

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Jobs for locals

9834 1044

By Kerrie Davies

THE number of Australian apprentices supported through the Turnbull Government’s Trade Support Loans has doubled in the past year, with 182 apprentices accessing loans in the federal electorate of Lindsay.

Federal Member Fiona Scott MP said she was pleased that the Turnbull Government’s Trade Support Loans programme has allowed more than 180 apprentices in Lindsay to access financial assistance while completing their training and she encouraged more people to do so.

“Apprenticeships are vital to boosting the nation’s skilled workforce. Apprenticeships are delivering opportunities for young people entering the workforce and for those looking for a career change,” Ms Scott said.

The Trade Support Loans programme offers loans of up to $20,000 to help apprentices cover day-to-day expenses associated with living, learning and completing an apprenticeship. Trade Support Loans can also be used by apprentices to purchase necessary equipment for their chosen trade. The objective of the programme is to encourage and assist apprentices to complete their training in key sectors of the economy where there are real skill shortages.

NEPEAN DISTRICT

Stuart Ayres

MP

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Member for Penrith

“It is important we give apprentices the best chance to complete their trade qualification,” Ms Scott added.

As an additional incentive, the Trade Support Loans programme rewards those who successfully complete their apprenticeship by giving them a 20 per cent discount on their loan amount.

Of the top 10 employers of apprentices in the region, six are in the catering and entertainment sector, while Penrith City Council, aged care services and the travel industry make up the rest.

Meanwhile, MTC Australia, BoysTown and the Blue Mountains, Hawkesbury and Penrith Schools Industry Partnership Inc. have been successful in gaining Transition to Work funding in the Sydney Greater West Region.

For more information about Trade Support Loans visit: http://ow.ly/10nPJl

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Locals to etch their mark in Jordan Springs

Lendlease Communities project team members inspecting the Woodland Plains site.

Credit: Supplied.

By Keegan Thomson

LENDLEASE, the development company behind one of Penrith’s newest suburbs, Jordan Springs, announced they’re holding a competition to name the town’s 25 new streets.

Until May 20 western Sydney locals will have the chance to name a street in the Woodland Plains release of Jordan Springs East, with the best names winning weekly prizes.

Many of the names currently being put forward have special local meanings and honour the deep, rich culture and history, as well as the beautiful settings of the Woodland Plains.

Arthur Ilias, the General Manager for Lendlease’s Communities business in NSW/ACT, said the incentive was aimed at giving locals a say in their community.

“Traditionally developers pick themes and names for the streets,

and there are process that it all goes through, but this is a chance for the people in the area to gain a sense within their community,” said Mr Ilias.

Some of the streets proposed by Lendlease include ‘Governor’ dedicated to the previous landowner Governor Philip Gidley King, ‘Tyler’ - inspired by the locally found Tyler’s tree frog species and Elimatta meaning ‘my home’ in a local Aboriginal language.

Mr Ilias said he was pleased with

the amount of diverse historically and culturally significant names being suggested.

“There’s some themes coming through, and some of them relate to the rich history of the site. There’s a lot of aboriginal culture coming through as well. There has also been some suggestions for us to commemorate tremendous women leaders in the Penrith region, and we would love to recognise some of the women,” he said.

The rules stipulate any proposed street name must be highly original and should hold a special meaning to the Jordan Springs area, but it can’t be a name of a street within a 30km radius and the names can be submitted via the Jordan Springs facebook page.

Nepean News went through and picked out some of our favourite names being suggested on the Jordan Springs facebook page. These include, Mirambeena, which is local Aboriginal for welcome, Artillery, Lindsay and Anzac. Some cheeky entrants are offering up some tongue-in-cheek names like Struggle Street, Battlers Lane and Sesame Street.

After the competition, the names will be submitted as a part of a proposal to the Penrith City Council, who will then sort through the proposed street names.

290 women in western Sydney unaware they have breast cancer RIGHT now, in western Sydney, 290 women currently have breast cancer but don’t know it.

The shocking new data, released

by BreastScreen NSW, shows that despite breast cancer claiming the lives of 900 NSW women each year, more than 400,000 women across the state haven’t had their recommended screening mammogram.

If each of these women were to have the test, more than 2000 would discover they have breast cancer – including 290 women in western Sydney.

The figures have prompted BreastScreen NSW, along with Westmead Hospital’s Breast Cancer Institute (BCI), to find the western Sydney women who have breast cancer but don’t realise it.

Both organisations are urging women aged 50 to 74 to book their free mammogram as the test is the most effective way to find breast cancer before it can be seen or felt.

Westmead BCI director Associate Professor Nirmala Pathmanathan said detecting breast cancer early drastically improved a woman’s chance of survival.

“Mammograms allow cancer to be found in the early stages, when treatment is likely to be most effective with high survival rates,” she said.

“Detecting breast cancer early improves a woman’s rate of survival

to 98 per cent so it is an important diagnostic tool.”

Assoc Prof Pathmanathan urged women to make screening a priority.

“Breast cancer is the second biggest cancer killer of Australian women, yet only half of all eligible women in the BreastScreen NSW target age group are being screened regularly,” she said.

“There are nearly 50,000 women aged 50 to 74 across Western Sydney Local Health District who have not been screened.

“We need to significantly increase

the number of women screening and in turn, reduce the number of women dying from this disease.”

Mount Druitt woman Debbie Sneyd was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2014 and underwent treatment.

Debbie had a strong family history of breast cancer – both her grandmother and sister died from the disease – so she knew all too well the importance of screening.

“It takes just 10 to 15 minutes of your time and it could save your life; it is totally worth doing,” she said.

Debbie has now become a staunch

advocate for breast cancer awareness, regularly attending a support group at Westmead’s BCI and participating in the annual Pink Ribbon ride.

“Talking to other survivors and being active goes a long way, it really can help in your recovery,” she said.

Free breast screening is available at Mount Druitt Hospital’s BCI Sunflower clinic, as well as four other convenient locations across western Sydney.

Call 13 20 50 to find your nearest clinic and book your free mammogram.

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Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

Street talk: Western Sydney Airport

Labor wants ‘no-fly’ zone but Liberals can’t see it happening

By Keegan Thomson and Jarrod McGrouther

WESTERN Sydney Airport will be a contentious issue at the upcoming federal election. Politicians claim the new airport will create jobs and improve growth in the region but skeptics say it will bring too much noise and air pollution. Nepean News asked Western Sydney locals what they really thought about the airport.

Qantas has backed the Western Sydney Airport and said they will operate regular flights in and out.

Derek Wotherspoon - St Clair “Undecided. The airport is much-needed, it’s been going on for decades, but I’m not aware of what the actual impacts are going to be. The noise issues are graphically illustrated but I don’t think anybody pays too much attention until the reality hits.

You just have to look around the inner-city to see all the noise abatement programs all those houses experienced, are we going to be afforded the same opportunities?”

Natasha Skrypka - Springwood “I’m all for it. More jobs, I’m all for it. As long as the negatives are sorted like double glazed windows.”

John O’keefe - Penrith “I think it would create a lot of work in the area, you know, the western area is growing really quick.”

By Keegan Thomson

ON a pre-election campaign fly-by visit to Western Sydney, Federal Opposition Leader, Bill Shorten, backed up by a team of Labor front benchers and Macquarie’s Labor Spokesperson, Susan Templeman, announced his plans to create a nighttime ‘no-fly zone’ over residential areas that surround the yet to be constructed Western Sydney Airport.

In a statement to the media, Mr Shorten said, “Labor will act to ensure there is no noise impact on existing residence and communities from night time flights as part of Badgerys Creek Airport master planning.”

This may have been welcome news for local residents, however Mr Shorten fell short of offering up an airport curfew solution, something which people living under the proposed flight path are calling for, and something which the federal and state governments have previously ruled out.

Unlike the Sydney’s Charles Kingsford Smith Airport, Western Sydney Airport won’t have an imposed curfew on it, meaning residents living under the flight paths will have planes flying over their houses 24 hours a day.

There has been much debate over the proposed flight paths, particularly over the Blue Mountains and Penrith regions, however it is claimed winds and weather conditions will often make it impossible for planes to fly a path which does not affect residential areas.

Fiona Scott, Federal MP for Lindsay, is worried strong southerly winds could hinder the take off and landing of a plane at the yet to be constructed airport. She said Mr Shorten’s plan was a “reckless thought bubble.”

“When the wind is blowing too high and the conditions won’t allow for a safe landing, what will you do? Do you simply fly around and around until the wind has eased and you can land, or will the divert flights to Sydney?” Ms Scott said.

These comments were echoed by Federal MP for Macquarie, Louise Markus, who said the whole thing was “politics on the run.”

In a statement Ms Markus said, “I am for an airport for the jobs and the benefits it will bring to our local economy but I have and will continue to fight for alternative flight paths, ones that are safe, not formulated on the run and have the approval of the relevant aeronautical bodies.”

Bart Bassett, a commercial helicopter pilot and former NSW Health Department helipad consultant, says the safety of all those involved and the operational requirements will always be put before any political policy.

“Whilst I accept that noise abatement should be put in place, when it comes to hard and fast rules on take off and landings that decision will always begin with and end with the pilot in command, as it always should be,” Mr Bassett said.

He also said that quite often the conditions will decide which runway will be used. “Whilst you may have a preferred runway between certain hours, when weather conditions dictate the pilot will use the runway that is safest for those conditions,” he said.

With all the pushing and shoving of government policy around the Western Sydney Airport you’d think the thing would be build within the next six months, when actual fact the airport won’t be finished until the mid 2020s. A lot can change between now and then.

Funding boost to deliver aged care places

Further charges laid

OLDER Australians in the Lindsay electorate will benefit from a substantial increase in funding for aged care services, with the Australian Government announcing over 17,000 new care places across the nation worth an estimated $910 million.

Fiona Scott MP said there is a strong demand for aged care in Lindsay and these additional places are essential in ensuring our elderly receive the quality care they deserve.

168 newly approved residential care places will be established across the electorate through an investment of $10,416,000. A further $817,000 has been allocated for newly approved home care.

On top of these new aged care places, the Turnbull Government has also announced $67 million in capital grants to help approved providers establish new services or upgrade existing facilities.

Further, from February 2017 home care funding will follow the consumer not the provider, allowing people to choose the care which suits their individual needs, to then direct funding to that provider.

“Australians want greater choice and control over the care they receive and the changes to home care we’ve created do exactly that,” Fiona Scott said.

POLICE have laid further charges in connection with an alleged public order incident at a local train station earlier this month.

About 7.20pm on Thursday 7 April, police were called to Mount Druitt Railway Station, following reports a large group of people were fighting at the location.

Officers from Mount Druitt Local Area Command attended and located two groups of people at the station, and on North Parade.

Police dispersed the crowd of about 100 people and – following a canvass of the surrounding area – located and seized several items including a Molotov cocktail, knife and golf club.

During the incident, a 54-year-old woman was injured. She was taken to Mt Druitt Hospital for minor head and neck injuries.

To date, eight people have been charged in relation to the alleged incident.

Investigations into the matter are continuing.

Allan Waters GM ARV, Gavin Pretorius CFO & Acting GM ARV, Minister for Health The Hon Sussan Ley MP, Fiona Scott MP and Julie Butler CEO ARV.

Locally, Anglican Retirement Villages will be one of the service providers delivering Federally funded services. Minister for Health, Aged Care and Sport, the Hon Sussan Ley MP recently met with representatives from Anglican Retirement Villages in their Penrith Office.

Speaking after the meeting, Gavin Pretorius, CFO and Acting General Manager of Home Care said Anglican Retirement Villages very much welcomed the Government’s recent release of Home Care Packages.

“These packages were predominantly Level 3 and Level 4 (higher care needs) with many targeting different parts of our community such as older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds and people at risk of homelessness,’ Mr Pretorius said.

“These packages will allow us to provide much needed services directly to older people in their own homes, thereby preserving their independence and allowing them to exercise their own choices.”

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Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

Get an inside look at your local fire station

By Jarrod McGrouther

FIRE & Rescue NSW (FRNSW) will be holding its annual Open Day on Saturday, May 21 this year, giving the local community an inside look in to what it is like to be a firefighter. If you’ve ever wondered what goes on inside your local fire station, or want to get your fire safety questions answered, Open Day is the event for you.

The beauty of Open Day is that it includes activities for people of all ages. Activities include being part of a fire station tour, helping firefighters with the inspection of firefighting equipment and the opportunity to sit inside a real life firefighting appliance.

Firefighters enjoy opening the doors for the day, and look forward to the event each year. If you ask nicely you might even get the chance to dress in some of the firefighter’s protective clothing, which helps keep them safe during emergencies.

Open Day runs from 10am to 2pm, but be aware that some fire stations may combine the event with neighbouring sites. The firefighters are also still on call so if the bells go off they will need to respond to emergencies as normal. The best way to ensure your local station is participating is to drop in and ask, or to look for the ‘Open Day’ posters hanging in the station windows. Contact details can also be found online.

Fire safety education is always an important part of Open Day. 2016 marks

Photo: Fire & Rescue NSW

the 10th anniversary of the NSW smoke alarm legislation, which specified that all residential buildings must have at least one working smoke alarm per floor. With most smoke alarms needing to be replaced every 10 years, the focus this year is not on NSW residents being asked to change their smoke alarm batteries, but to update their entire alarm.

Be sure to speak to one of your local firefighters on the day about replacing your older smoke alarms with new photoelectric smoke alarms (the only type recommended

by Australian fire services).

FRNSW has also created an exciting partnership with LEGO, meaning at this year’s Open Day children have the chance to obtain a limited edition Brigade Kids activity booklet featuring LEGO City characters. Make sure to be quick though, as there is already huge interest and stock is limited.

With 80,000 people expected to attend around the State, it is sure to be another successful event. Keep an eye out too for fundraising efforts for NSW Kids in Need, which helps six kid’s charities, including Westmead Children’s Hospital Burns Unit and Muscular Dystrophy NSW. Last year over $20,000 was raised, making a real difference in the lives of children.

For more information on the day, visit www.fire.nsw.gov.au and select ‘Fire Station Open Day’ under the ‘for community’ tab.

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A spunky new approach to learning music

By Jarrod McGrouther

A FUN and creative music education technique, created and designed here in western Sydney, is having noticeable impacts on children learning music at Spunky Monkey childcare centres. The innovative system, which uses coloured stickers to label student’s musical instruments, is seeing children as young as three pick up and play music.

The technique is simple in nature, and is designed to help students of all skill and age levels to learn musical notes in a different way. A set of stickers is applied to the instrument of choice, making the connection between a note and its location an easier learning endeavor.

Rohan Hotchkiss, creator of the Kaleidoscope music tuition method, said the technique is enforced away from the classroom too.

“The stickers remain on the instrument so that a student can pick up and play music whenever they can,” Rohan said.

Using the technique, an ‘A’ for example is coloured Aqua, a ‘D’, dark blue. The technique is also seeing adolescents and adults learning instruments they once found too challenging to master.

Rohan also teaches an autistic child, who loves the colour coding, and even tweaks the technique on a colour-blind student, whose stickers are numbered.

Spunky Monkey Childcare Centres in Lemongrove, Cranebrook and Penrith have had Rohan working with them since term one this year. Kareena Gale, owner of Spunky Monkey Penrith and Box Hill, said the benefits are noticeable.

“The children are actively engaging with the music and Mr Rohan, their teacher. We are combining both numeracy skills and instrument use each week and children are picking up the program very quickly,” Kareena said.

“It’s great to see a child of three years being able to show respect to their instrument and pick up playing a keyboard so quickly.”

Rohan is thoroughly enjoying his time at the centres and said the children constantly keep him entertained.

“The amount of funny things you see is adorable, like playing the recorder upside down or back the front, but to their (children’s) credit they are learning. They’re getting more involved the more they continue and are having lots of fun,” he said.

Rohan’s slogan is ‘from Mozart to Metallica’ and the way he’s going, he might just have the next superstar in training.

Express Music Tuition, which is Rohan’s business, also offers one-on-one tutoring.

For more information about the program or to get involved, visit http://www. expressmusictuition.com.au For books, visit http://www. kaleidoscopetuition.com.au/

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Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

Opinion: Commuting inequality a glaring problem

By Bart Bassett

A RECENT NRMA report has highlighted what most of us know in western Sydney and that is the inequality between western Sydney workers compared to their inner city counterparts when it comes to public transport access.

The NRMA research showed that of the businesses surveyed in western Sydney, only 2 per cent of their workers were able to use a single mode of public transport between home and work with a further 16 per cent combining a private vehicle with public transport to travel to work.

Compare this to the Sydney CBD workers where 61 per cent of all work trips were made by public transport and the inequality is glaringly obvious.

NRMA President Kyle Loades said in responding to the research, “In Western Sydney the only option for most workers is the private vehicle.

Quality of life in a region that’s home to almost half of Sydney’s population diminishes by increased exposure to the grind of commuting. Meanwhile most Sydney CBD workers can rely on train, busies, light rail, ferries or cycle paths. The glaring inequality in commuting options means government must shift focus from the CBD to Sydney’s population epicentre.”

We here at Western Sydney News Group have been highlighting the need to link western Sydney with cross regional transport connections through infrastructure projects like the connecting of the Sydney Metro Northwest with the South West Rail Link and Badgerys Creek Airport which will provide a network of public transport connected options which

in turn will encourage businesses to be establish along these connected corridors and create much-needed western Sydney based jobs.

The Prime Minister’s announcement of a Smart Cities infrastructure funding plan sounds like a step in the right direction to unlock private and public funding to help achieve the construction of these much-needed public transport projects and I believe the connecting of public transport in western Sydney should be top of the list as it will provide economic, social and environmental benefits for generations to come.

For all current and future public transport in western Sydney to be utilised to its full potential and assist

in reducing congestion on our roads, access must be simple and safe which means the “park and ride” concept needs to be enhanced.

Whilst I acknowledge that over the last few years the NSW State Government has created over 4000 additional “park and ride” spots across NSW with over a quarter of those on the new South West Rail corridor, many new parking stations on the western line were not built large enough to cater for demand meaning roads around railway stations are chocked with parked vehicles.

This in turn leads to resident complaints and many councils then establish time limited parking which discourages commuters from the

“park and ride” initiative.

Western Sydney is an enormous geographical area with vast distance involved when travelling to work or education precincts which many inner city politicians and public servants simply do not seem to understand.

You will never be able to provide enough bus routes and railway lines in western Sydney to achieve the same ease of access that the inner west, eastern suburbs and city commuters have, but by providing a well-connected public transport network with parking stations that have adequate capacity it will be a vast improvement on the current unacceptable inequitable situation.

Beware gifting mum plastic disappointment this Mother’s Day FAIR Trading NSW Commissioner Rod Stowe today urged consumers to buy smart this Mother’s Day and to be aware of the terms of conditions of store gift cards and vouchers.

“When it comes to our Mums, many Australians want to ensure their gift is one Mum will really appreciate and store gift cards or vouchers for services such as manicures or massages are very popular choices,” said Mr Stowe.

“There is no denying the benefits of gift cards; they offer flexibility for the recipient to choose from many items in a store, or book a service at a time and place that is most convenient.

“However, consumers do need to read the fine print at the time of purchasing and redeeming a card. So

far this year, NSW Fair Trading has received 102 complaints about gift cards.

“Australians spend billions of dollars on gift cards every year and we are reminding buyers that money can be wasted on these products if they aren’t redeemed.”

Card expiry was the number one complaint consumers made against gift cards. While some traders may extend the expiry date as a goodwill gesture, they are not legally obligated to do so.

Other complaints relate to the store cards of businesses that had entered receivership and gift cards no longer being honoured, as well as disputes about the balance left on cards.

There were also concerns about cards that offer ‘top-up’ options so that the balance, once spent, can be re-loaded.

“The potential issue for consumers purchasing a card that can be topped up with cash again and again is that these cards do have an expiry date, just like other gift cards,” Mr Stowe said.

“A consumer could potentially reload their card not realising that the pending expiry date is due before that balance is going to be spent and their money may be lost.

“It is a matter of buyer beware and customers should understand the terms and conditions of cards and vouchers before purchasing.

“Gift cards are a useful solution for many people but they can also be a waste of money and lead to disappointment if not used correctly.

“If you are buying a gift card, keep your proof of purchase in case there are problems using the card.

“If you receive a gift card, treat it like cash because if you lose it, it can be very difficult to replace. Setting a reminder date is a useful way to make sure you don’t miss the expiry date.

By downloading the ACCC’s Shopper app you can use a designated function for this purpose.”

Any consumers who have concerns about using gift cards or have any complaints should contact NSW Fair Trading on 13 32 20.

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Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

Guide Dogs: Respect my uniform YOU wouldn’t place your hands over the eyes of a taxi driver concentrating on the road ahead, or pat a surgeon on the back mid-way through an operation, as the consequences could be disastrous.

It would be just as irresponsible to distract a working Guide Dog. Each day, members of the public place the safety of Guide Dog handlers at risk by patting, feeding and interacting with Guide Dogs, tasked with assisting those who are blind or vision impaired to independently get to where they need to go.

To address this issue, on International Guide Dog Day (Wednesday, April 27), Guide Dogs NSW/ACT is launching its public education campaign, Respect My Uniform, calling on the community to resist patting or distracting working Guide Dogs.

Like other professionals, once a Guide Dog has its uniform on – its easily recognisable harness – it has a very important job to fulfil.

Each highly skilled working dog has undergone almost two years of intensive training including how to navigate obstacles, travel on public transport, find landmarks such as busstops, and cross the road safely, before graduating.

The Respect My Uniform campaign follows the findings of a 2015 survey, in which 89 per cent of Guide Dog handlers reported that their Guide Dog had been distracted by members of the public in the past 12 months.

It will aim to educate the community that a well-intentioned pat can undo months of training, and frequent distraction can cause anxiety or serious injury for Guide Dogs and their handlers.

“Guide Dogs play a vital role in enabling people who are blind or vision impaired to get around independently and interference from members of the public can compromise this,” CEO of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT, Dr Graeme White said.

“Any distraction to a working Guide

Dog can put its handler’s safety at risk. If a Guide Dog is distracted while guiding its handler across the road, the consequences could be tragic,” he said.

“If 89 per cent of taxi drivers were distracted while driving, there would be national outrage.”

For Guide Dog handler and Australia’s Got Talent finalist, Matt McLaren, the incidence of members of the public attempting to distract his Guide Dog, Stamford, is a daily occurrence.

Matt, who has been blind since birth, received Stamford about eight years ago. With the amount of travel required for the talented musician to get to gigs, having a Guide Dog has allowed him

to maintain an independent, busy life and a thriving career.

“Stamford enables me to do so much more than I could with a cane, such as carry music gear and travel confidently to new places,” he said.

However, the public sometimes restrict his ability to move through different environments. “People will try to talk to Stamford while I am walking, make clicking noises, pat him while I move past them and try to make eye contact with him,” Matt said.

He said although most members of the community know they should not pat a Guide Dog in harness, many will often say, ‘I know I shouldn’t be doing this’, as they proceed to pat Stamford.

“It’s like a person on a diet saying ‘I know I shouldn’t eat this piece of chocolate cake’ but then going ahead and eating it anyway,” Matt said.

“The problem is people often don’t perceive the consequences of their actions.”

At a recent gig, Matt was carrying a keyboard into a venue and a member of the public wanted to play with his Guide Dog. “There was a staircase straight ahead, but as Stamford was not on the ball, I walked straight into it,” he said.

“I want the public to understand that distracting a working Guide Dog reduces its capacity to do what it has been trained to do, potentially putting my safety at risk. It can also be time consuming as I often need to refocus Stamford after he has been distracted before moving on.”

It is important for the community to understand that Guide Dogs in harness are on duty, whether they are physically guiding a person or sitting at their feet.

Dr White said in rare serious cases, ongoing distraction can result in the premature retirement of a Guide Dog, which costs more than $35,000 to breed, raise and train.

“This is why it is so important that people understand they should not feed, pat or otherwise distract a working Guide Dog,” he said.

“Of course once the harness comes off, and with the handler’s consent, you can pat and interact with a Guide Dog.” Guide Dogs NSW/ACT will launch a new television commercial about Guide Dog etiquette on International Guide Dog Day and is also calling on the community to pledge to not distract Guide Dogs through a change. org petition.

For more information on Guide Dogs NSW/ACT please visit guidedogs.com.au or join the conversation follow us on Facebook at facebook/guidedogsnswact or Twitter @guidedogsnswact.

Penrith – leading the way for smarter cities With the right investment Penrith can be more competitive nationally, and globally and is well positioned to pilot the Federal Government’s Smart Cities Plan, according to Mayor Karen McKeown.

“We welcome the Federal Government’s commitment to further investment in infrastructure and a fresh approach to funding that supports more productive, accessible, liveable cities and creates jobs,” Cr McKeown said.

“Penrith has experienced significant, sustained population growth over several decades which is more than growing pains, it’s reaching a critical

point where the productivity lost due to congested roads and inefficient transport systems is costing Australia money.

“Increased infrastructure spending in Penrith would provide significant returns on investment in terms of boosted productivity, better quality of life and creation of new business and employment opportunities.”

Penrith recently gave the Federal Assistant Minister for Cities and Digital Transformation Angus Taylor an overview of the opportunities for economic uplift around the airport and the increased productivity that could be

realised through better infrastructure and local jobs.

“The new airport has the potential to generate unprecedented transformation in our region – support from the Federal Government will expedite this transformation and deliver benefits far beyond the airport itself,” Cr McKeown said.

The Government’s Smart Cities plan focuses on smarter investment in transport and urban renewal and seeks to increase well located, affordable housing and improved amenity of the spaces in which we live and work.

“If the Government is looking for a

project, a rail link between the North West and South West growth centres via Western Sydney Airport is a stand out. It would not only stimulate economic opportunity but also improve accessibility and productivity for Australia’s third largest economy – Western Sydney,” Cr McKeown said.

“To maximise Western Sydney’s productivity and realise the region’s potential there needs to be north to south rail connection across Western Sydney. Rail will re-shape the region and be followed by new town centres and jobs within 30 minutes of where workers live.

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Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

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Guardian Angel accepts major award

By Kerrie Davies

‘

provided good grounding for her work in helping families in grief.

I asked Fiona what it was that set Guardian Minchinbury apart and earned them such a great accolade.

“The families are our number one priority. Taking caring care of their needs, at such a turbulent time in their

lives with the loss of a loved one, is a responsibility not to be taken lightly.

It is our absolute priority to give their loved one a wonderful send-off.

“Its when the families and their friends return to us when we are needed, that we know we have done something right.

“The people I’ve met have made my work even more special, and many of the the connections I’ve made have become friends for life.”

Invocare incorporates White Ladies, Guardian and Simplicity funerals and combined they have 240 funeral homes throughout Australia.

‘

GUARDIAN Funerals at Minchinbury received quite an honour at the weekend - they have taken out the award for the Best Financial Location in Australia at the Invocare Australia Awards.

In a black-tie event held at the stunning Dockside Darling Harbour venue, Location Manager Fiona Boulous was representing the Minchinbury team and seated amongst all the other nominees who had been flown in from around the country.

“I was so ecstatic that we won, I’m still pinching myself!” Fiona said.

“I was more excited for the team, that all our hard work from last year had paid off. It’s really nice to receive that recognition.

“It was also a fabulous night, and it was great meeting Ita Buttrose, who was the MC - she’s as sharp as a tack!

“Ita is a wonderful Ambassador for Dimentia Australia, and we are so proud to sponsor them.”

Fiona has been the Location Manager at Guardian Funerals Minchinbury for three years. Prior to that she was a Primary School teacher.

She believes her former career has

Guardian Funerals was awarded number 1 for most successful location in Australia Fiona Boulous, Funeral Director

EVERY GOODBYE IS DIFFERENT

‘

‘

Plan ahead with someone you can trust.

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Legends of the Nepean

By Garion Thain

FEW can say outright that they have a career in media as prolific as Rob Weaver. After an interesting meeting with Mr Weaver this week, I was unashamedly blown away by the breadth of stories he shared, both abroad and locally. When we sat down, he said at first “I’m not

sure if I’m a [Legend of the Nepean], I haven’t always lived in Penrith.” As we began talking though, I became very assured that Mr Weaver in fact definitely is. Now living in the lower mountains, Mr Weaver has worked overseas as a correspondent for the ABC and BBC World Service, as well as being appointed as CNN’s first Foreign Editor in 1980, operating in Atlanta. He spent years in Egypt and Israel in the mid ‘70s, during some of the most uneasy and violent years of the Arab-Israeli conflict, and as a result has some one-of-a-kind stories to share. Having seen so much of the world, it was all the more meaningful when he told me how much he loves the Nepean, a region he says that “chose him.” Now on the management committee of the Nepean Art Society, as well as having served on various boards, Mr Weaver is proud to say he had a 12 year position as the media and public affairs manager for the Panthers Entertainment Group and rugby league team, home to his proudest moment in his entire career. There is no doubt then that Mr Weaver is a legend of the Nepean, with our conversation starting first and foremost on his time with the

Panthers.

“I had a bit of a reputation when I was working for Panthers,” said Mr Weaver off the bat.

“I was Christened Rotty, after the attack dog, because of the way I handled the media when they got out of hand.

“Ever since I joined in 1996, I saw it as my job to defend the club against everybody and everything.”

He continued, “I didn’t take kindly to people changing facts to suit a story… I had stoushes with a few journalists.”

Mr Weaver only left the Panthers when he was made redundant in March 2008. Despite the 7 days a week workload, he left Panthers with fond memories, saying he “lived and breathed Panthers.”

“Of all the things I’ve done in my working life, the ’03 premiership stands out as one of my proudest,” he said.

“Certainly not the most dangerous, but the culmination of people working together, and the hard work of a whole group including John Lang, Shane Richardson as well as the players.”

The photo he got with the team, who called him ‘Coach Bundy’ just before

the final, is one of his favourites. He also mentioned that he and Shane Richardson guessed they would win the Thursday before.

“Both teams were together at the grand final breakfast, our boys were a lot more relaxed, laughing, the Roosters a bit more stiff.

“Richo nudged me and said ‘Rob, I reckon we’ve got this.’”

He said the night after the win was “an all-out party.”

Despite the highs of his time with the Panthers, I would have considered it a disservice not to ask Mr Weaver about his time overseas in the 1970’s.

“There are so many stories as a correspondent,” said Mr Weaver.

“In Egypt I was a camera correspondent for the now-defunct Visnews. They had an idea, which is common these days, to take journalists and train them how to use cameras.

They called us ‘One Man Bands.’”

His time in Egypt saw him cover the Kissinger shuttle post cease-fire agreement, and he was one of only two non-Egyptian journalists to get a presidential media pass. He then transferred to Israel. His time in the Middle-East saw him have assault rifles pointed at him, stand underneath

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ROB WEAVER

‘This is really a great Photograph,’ Rob Weaver said. The 2003 team called him ‘Coach Bundy’ because he was ‘built like the Bundaberg Bear.’

50 calibre machine gun fire and cover everything in between, but one of his fondest stories, one he actually likens to the ’03 premiership in the way it made him feel, was one early morning in 1976 in Israel, in the midst of the hostage crisis wherein 96 Israelis were held captive at the Entebbe Airport in Uganda.

“At 3am the phone rings, with a pre-recorded message In English – ‘An Israeli commando unit has set

Mr Weaver in Cairo during his time as a Journalist.

free the hostages,’” he recalled.

“I took a bus to the airport, there were no private cars allowed – to meet the hostages on their return. I was one of only a few cameramen to see them.

“It was the most amazing moment to be alive, most uplifting.”

My conversation with Mr Weaver was sensational, but at the same time felt grounded in where he is now and where he has chosen to be. It says a lot that he has lived in the Nepean for 20

years and is happy to call it home, his only criticism of Penrith being a “lack of parking.” Rob Weaver makes for a great legend.

Mr Weaver has written one book about his time as a Journalist, and aims to write another about his time with the Panthers. He says the second book will be about his experience, but there won’t be “any horror stories.”

Rob Weaver nominated as a Legend of the Nepean

by Greg Davies.

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

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localnews local

Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

A healthy heart WITH heart conditions contributing to one Australian death every 12 minutes, Mulgoa MP Tanya Davies is reminding Mulgoa locals of this year’s Heart Health week message - live an active life.

“Heart conditions affect one in six Australians, a large proportion of which are preventable,” said Tanya Davies.

This year’s theme is about living an active and satisfying life, which is also the best way to prevent further heart complications in the future.

The NSW Government shares the Heart Foundation’s interest in promoting healthy, active lifestyles and preventing and reducing heart disease by targeting risk factors such as smoking, unhealthy eating and inactivity.

“Prevention is the best strategy and I would encourage locals to take advantage of our initiatives like the Get Healthy Service, a free telephonebased coaching service supporting NSW adults to make sustained improvements in eating habits, physical activity and achieving a

healthy weight,” Tanya Davies said.

The Heart Foundation plays a critical role in not only raising community awareness and assisting people with cardiovascular disease, but also by funding world-class cardiovascular research and developing guidelines for health professionals.

For more information on NSW Government initiatives, visit; 8700. com.au, gethealthynsw.com.au, or makehealthynormal.nsw.gov.au.

Heart Week 2016 runs from May 1-7. To find more details on Heart Week and the Heart Foundation, visit heartfoundation.org.au/heartweek To start a healthy discussion today, call the Get Healthy Information service on 1300 806 258.

Tafe upgrades healthcare LOCAL students and the healthcare sector will benefit from a new stateof-the-art TAFE Health and Student Services Centre at TAFE Western Sydney in Kingswood.

Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres and Minister for Regional Development, Skills and Small Business John Barilaro officially opened the $27 million Centre at Nepean Campus which is expected to attract around 1,800 new students.

Mr Ayres acknowledged the increasing enrolments at Nepean TAFE and said the new facility will provide much needed opportunities for students and workers in Western Sydney to gain qualifications in the health care sector.

“Healthcare is one of the fastest growing industries in Western Sydney, and demand for skilled workers is currently exceeding supply,” Mr Ayres said.

“The new health care facility will cater for students studying nursing, health services assistance, health administration, dental assisting, audiometry, optical dispensing and sterilisation.

“With 54,000 jobs expected to be created over the next few years for aged and disabled carers, this new facility will provide training in

nursing support and personal care to cater for the extensive growth in the region.”

Minister for Regional Development, Skills and Small Business John Barilaro said the new facility at TAFE Western Sydney will deliver innovative education solutions and technology-driven training for students.

“These facilities meet modern industry standards and ensure that students gain the skills and knowledge they need to be workplace-ready at the completion of their course,” Mr Barilaro said.

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localnews local

Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

THE G SPOT

HAVE you ever wondered why doctors’ surgeries have magazines dating back to 1975 in their waiting rooms? I know that it doesn’t really have anything to do with security, but they are either stuck in a time warp or that was when the last patient went in and you’re next. I dunno, just some trivial crap I was pondering over whilst contemplating my navel.

Today kids, we are going to dabble in the subject of (drum roll) SAFETY! And the crowd goes wild (roar). Now, before you all go into a self-induced coma because safety is about as interesting as watching your wife knit a scarf with sewing needles and scrubbing tile cracks with a broken tooth brush, it is something that people are not really proactive in.

(Stern voice with finger point, maybe a tut, tut, tut thrown in).

Speaking of safety, I must say I was really impressed a couple of weeks ago whilst travelling to Queensland.

On the side of the road (both sides)

was a kangaroo safety fence. Yep, in the middle of nowhere, there it was, in all its gracious glory to assist our little skippies from jumping out onto the road. My heart was overwhelmed and full of love for who ever thought of this ingenious idea, and then the fence stopped. What the hell!!!

So let me get this straight, approx.

5-10 km of fencing and then nothing?

I immediately thought: “Gosh the kangaroos are smart out here and know not to go over that border where no fence is and know to stay behind the fence that is there….sigh…..next subject!

Anyway, getting back to it, let’s talk about child safety. Oh, before we start I don’t actually have any kids myself so this is purely from a safety program that I poached off the internet, however (before all of the copyright people get there knickers in a knot) I have read it and placed it into my own words, as only the G Spot can!

With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security

Okay, page 1 (cough, cough, clear throat) Burns and scalds: It says don’t let kids near hot water (like friggin’ derr!), heaters and irons, BBQ’s , cooking appliances whilst hot (what sort of moron wrote this?), cigarettes, fires, candles, matches and lighters and let’s not forget the sun. (This writer was institutionalised for his/her whole life).

Next, Poisoning: Medications, household cleaning products (yeah, I will give them that one, I clean the shower with that bleach crap and I need an ambulance and an oxygen mask), pool chemicals, pesticides (have you ever noticed Areoguard doesn’t work? I got the bird from a mosquito last summer).

Okay next! Choking: Small items like beads, toys, foam, coins, food items, lollies and a pair of parents hands around one’s throat.

Not long to go folks - we are nearly there, stay with me now, get up take a walk outside and come back to

me.

Next subject: Entrapment? Is that like when you tell your husband the dress was on sale and he reads the price tag? Is that Entrapment?

Okay, I will stick to it: Between cot railings, vertical railings, curtain and blind cords and playground equipment. (Yeah gotta agree with the blind cords one, almost choked myself running out the back with a six pack, gotta be careful with those - might drop the beer .

Last but not least: Breaks and Sprains: It says - falls , trips, collision? (flipping the page). That’s it! Falls, trips, collision. Did I miss something?

Because I don’t know about you but you don’t really have to be Einstein to work that one out.

Okay wake up now, it’s the end.

So there you have it folks, always take your own mag to the doctors, realise that kangaroos are really intelligent and wrap your house and kids in 15 kgs of bubble wrap.

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Creating homes for a vibrant ecosystem

By Garion Thain

PENRITH City Council and Greater Sydney Local Land Services have joined forces with the help of Sydney Arbor Trees to showcase a new method of chainsawing to create tree hollows for native wildlife.

Penrith was the final destination in a campaign across Western Sydney to convey the importance of sustaining wildlife across the Cumberland Plain.

GSLLS officer Jenny Schabel said the campaign has been a success.

“The interest shown by land managers and communities at each of our events has been incredible, we have seen hundreds of people engaged and educated on the importance of preserving tree hollows for wildlife,” Ms Schabel said.

“We have already seen this approach picked up by other regions across NSW and are looking at future opportunities to encourage, promote and implement hollow preservation, the potential is definitely there and at this stage we have only scratched the surface,” she continued.

The demonstration was performed by arborist Michael Sullings, who also

Arborist Michael Sullings creates a bird house in the hollow, during last week’s demonstration.

commented on the importance of the activity for the entire ecosystem.

“Alive or dead, trees containing hollows are a habitat for for all manner of organisms,” Mr Sullings said.

“It is time for us to rethink our

approach, not all trees are hazardous.”

Penrith Mayor Karen McKeown said that she was delighted in the preservation of trees for the reasons Mr Sullings listed, particularly in this time of suburban growth.

“We need to be mindful in providing native animals a safe place in our suburbs as we encroach on their natural habitats.”

The demonstration was performed in Werrington.

Lapstone – Arthur Hand

by Patsy Moppett

L

apstone is a small village on the eastern escarpment of the Blue Mountains. The name “Lapstone Hill” was in use from at least the 1820s and derives from the shape of numerous water worn stones in the area which were once a part of the bed of the ancient Nepean River.

To road workers and travellers they resembled the lap stones used by cobblers. In 1822 Mrs Elizabeth Hawkins, on her way to Bathurst, wrote: “We now began our ascent up the first Lapstone Hill, so called from all the stones being like a cobbler’s lapstone.”

Lapstone, the village, did not come into being until being developed from 1954. The land was originally bought and developed by Mr Arthur J Hand, an Alderman of the Blue Mountains City Council. In 1954, Mr Hand, at age 70, retired to Blackheath from the Sutherland shire where he had been mayor.

In October of that year he signed a contract to purchase 116 acres of timbered, but vacant land, in the Lower Mountains known as Stephen’s Paddock. He immediately started to subdivide, at up to 20 acres at a time, the area which is now Lapstone.

Lapstone railway station, which recently celebrated 50 years, was privately funded by

 Arthur Hand

Hand after guaranteeing buyers of the estate he subdivided, that the blocks would have a railway.

The station, and much of Lapstone itself, was built by Mr Hand in 1963-64.

It took several years for the Department of Railways to give consent for the construction of Lapstone Railway Station. Negotiations with the railways were finally successful, with the agreement that Hand finance the building of the station. Lapstone station was constructed by Ron McGraw with curb and guttering brickwork by Frank Davis. Mr Hand offered both men their choice of land as a sign of appreciation.

Over time the station ownership reverted to the State. The railway played a major role helping the new residential area to Glenbrook’s east forge its own identity.

A plaque is being organised to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Lapstone station. Once it is finished, the local community will be invited to attend an event to mark the plaque’s unveiling. Mr Hand will be mentioned on the plaque.

References: Blue Mountains Gazette, December 2014, Wikipedia, www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au

21 Nepean 5 May 2016 Nepean News News 19 February 2015 Issue 174 143

nepeanhistory

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Western News 6 May 2016 Issue 9

Rose the rabbit loses an eye

Nepean

Veterinary REPORT

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

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

THIS is the story of Rose the 5 year old mini lop Rabbit. Rose was brought into WellPet St Clair on the 22nd of March.

She had received a mysterious injury to her left eye causing it to prolapse from its socket. Dr Amelia examined the eye and Rose. Although Rose seemed in good health, Rose’s damaged eye was no longer viable, she was uncomfortable and in pain. Dr Amelia recommended her eye be removed. Rose would need surgery and would live out the rest of her days with one eye.

Although Rose might look a little strange, being a domestic pet rabbit meant that having one eye would have little effect on her living a healthy life.

Rose was therefore admitted into hospital and given pain relief, antiinflammatories and antibiotic eye cream for her eye whilst Dr Amelia prepared for her surgery. Because Rose was entire, Dr Amelia also recommended she be desexed during her surgery as well.

Did you know rabbits and some other pocket pets should never be fasted prior to an anaesthetic? Unlike dogs and cats, rabbits for example, have a very high metabolism, they require constant nourishment to ensure their gut flora

stays healthy and their gastrointestinal track remains “active”. If this does not remain active, rabbits can quickly stop eating become very ill, anorexic and they can also suffer from liver damage.

So ensuring they continue to eat prior to their anaesthetic, ensures that after an anaesthetic, they return to normal eating habits quickly and with little complication.

Rose was placed under general anaesthetic, the hair from her left eye and abdomen were carefully clipped and prepared with antiseptic by Nurse Emily. She was then moved into a sterile theatre room where Dr Amelia performed both her surgeries. Nurse

Emily remained by Rose’s side.

She closely monitored Rose’s anaesthetic as well as her heart rate, blood pressure, oxygen saturation, breathing and ECG. Rose’s damaged eye was carefully removed. Haemostatic gauze was placed in the empty eye socket and her eyelids were sewn shut.

She was then desexed through an incision in her abdomen.

Her uterus and ovaries were removed. Rose recovered well with no complications. She was transported to our 24hr ICU service at WellPet Vets Nepean in the WellPet Animal Ambulance for overnight monitoring. This was to ensure Rose ate every few hours; a special recovery food called ‘criticalcare’. This food needed to be syringe fed every few hours to ensure her GI tract kept moving. The next day, Rose was transported back to WellPet Vets St Clair to continue her care. She began eating her regular diet of hay and pellets and to our surprise absolutely loved when it was time for her antiinflammatory and pain medications!

She made a fast and smooth recovery and in as little as two days from her surgery was outside in an enclosed rabbit hutch enjoying the sunshine and eating fresh grass!

Bridge with a difference for Windsor

By Aline Lyons

CONTROVERSY surrounding the issue of replacing the current Windsor Bridge continues in the community and media.

For budding architects, engineers and construction workers of the future the challenge has already been presented.

Mrs Hollero,

a Science Teacher at Emmaus Catholic College, Kemps Creek explained.

“It is a group project to design and create a model bridge which could replace the current Windsor Bridge, as suggested by the Roads and Maritime Services,” Mrs Hollero said.

On completion of the task, the

group judged to have presented the most creative, visually appealing and strongest bridge will be recommended to enter the Aurecon Bridge Building Competition in August, Mrs Hollero added.

The enthusiastic Year 8 Emmaus students have been researching materials and structure of the current Windsor Bridge. Their learning has

included consideration of forces which affect design, and the necessity for teamwork and communication has been paramount.

“This assessment task has involved much problem solving and critical thinking,” concluded Mrs Hollero, “particularly as the only materials they may use are uncooked spaghetti and craft glue.”

EMMAUS CATHOLIC COLLEGE ENROLLING NOW FOR YEARS 7 - 11 IN 2017 Every aspect of the College meets the needs of students, giving them the best preparation for modern life in the 21st Century. We are committed to providing unique and enriching learning experiences for all students.

Students and Parents at Emmaus experience: • a College with strong traditional values and high expectations of all its students • a place where prayer and sacrament are valued and nourished • a place where life-enhancing relationships are characterised by respect and authenticity • a learning environment of challenge, discovery and innovation, where each student is expected to personally excel • an exciting transition year in Year 7 • a broad choice of courses in Years 9 – 12 • advanced technology enriching the learning environment with extensive vocational courses and university and TAFE linked courses in Years 10 - 12 • a wide variety of sports played at a representative level and cultural opportunities offered including Visual Arts, Digital Photography, Mock Trial, Dance, Drama and Music recitals • a highly qualified and committed teaching staff • a community where personal responsibility and justice are valued and expected • a peaceful and beautiful rural environment Emmaus Catholic College is a Catholic, dynamic, learning community where parents, staff and families “Walk with Jesus”

87-109 BAKERS LANE, KEMPS CREEK NSW 2178 For further details, application and prospectus, please contact Mrs Biermann or Mrs Schembri on 9670 4588 or visit www.emmaus.kempscreek.catholic.edu.au

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Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

Keeping our culture alive

The nappy collective

MINISTER for Indigenous Affairs, The Hon Senator Nigel Scullion MP, has been welcomed by the Nepean Community and Neighbourhood Services (NCNS) in Cranebrook.

There he was treated to traditional Indigenous dancing and a tour of the Centre’s cultural activities by Facilitator, Tracie Harris.

After the performance, centre Managing Director, Joy Impiombato arranged a meeting between NCNS management and community members.

The meeting discussed the importance of keeping cultural traditions alive, especially with western Sydney being host to a large indigenous population, many from families who originated in country New South Wales.

The NCNS has recognised this

ST MARYS Village is proud to partner with The Nappy Collective and their Mother’s Day drive to support mums in shelters and families in crisis or need.

This Mother’s Day drive will see The Nappy Collective hoping to collect its one millionth nappy and is testimony to the power of community and collective giving.

The initiative, now in its third year and second year partnering with St Marys Village, has collected over 734,600 nappies across 31 cities within Australia at 370 collection points.

St Marys Village and The Nappy Collective enables parents to redirect surplus disposable nappies away from landfill and provide them to communities who would benefit from this sustainable initiative instead.

Sandra Jacobs, Founder of The Nappy Collective, said, “We are delighted to be so close to collecting our one millionth nappy. It is a huge achievement that with the support of our amazing community, we’ve been able to help so many families in need or in crisis in such a short timeframe. A few nappies may not make a difference, but collectively, one million can.”

The Nappy Collective has an avid supporter and champion in Dannii Minogue, who has been actively spreading the word for this year’s drive.

through running programmes like the dance class, which is based on traditional performances from the Murri Warri (around Brewarrina).

Speaking after the event, Member for Lindsay, Fiona Scott MP said, “It was great to have the Minister for Indigenous Affairs in Cranebrook, looking at the essential community work that Joy and her team perform.

“The NCNS is a facility that gives kids and their family’s inspiration and quite often, hope through tough times.”

The Federal Government has recently recommitted to the centre’s funding, providing $478,000 towards schooling and strategic development through programmes helping children with education, safety, and wellbeing over a period of three years.

“As a mum, I feel passionate about The Nappy Collective. It’s overwhelming to realise the positive impact it has on mothers in need, knowing the community cares about them.”

St Marys Village is once again proud to support The Nappy Collective in their Mother’s Day drive this year, being held from 6 May to 20 May 2016. Surplus disposable nappies can be dropped off at Centre Management in the corridor located next to Bakers Delight.

Lisa Curtin, Marketing Manager, St Marys Village said, “We’re so proud to be partnering with The Nappy Collective again this year to bring this initiative to our local community and to support its goal of achieving its one millionth nappy. Our community threw its support behind this initiative last year to mums and families in need and we’re ready to lend our support again.”

For more information visit www.thenappycollective.com and stmarysvillage.com.au

THURSDAY 2 JUNE - 6.30PM BOOK NOW! (02) 4736 4466

pioneer.tavern@alhgroup.com.au

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Natural Oysters 2015 Semillon

TICKETS $55

Salmon Canapes with Garlic Cream Sauce & Dill 2014 Chardonnay

Twice-Cooked Pork Belly served with Potato Puree and Fresh Beans 2014 Tempranillo

Eye Fillet served with Red Wine Jus & Steamed Seasonal Vegetables 2013 Shiraz

Cheese Platter & Seasonal Fruit 2014 Dessert Semillon

02 4736 4647 • THEPIONEERTAVERN.COM.AU CNR MAXWELL ST & THE NORTHERN RD, PENRITH NSW 2750

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IN his most extensive Australian tour, Piers Lane presents a spell-binding evening of popular works by one of the most loved composers of the Romantic era in the magical atmosphere of a stage lit by candlelight.

On 28 May at 8pm, audiences will be transported to a world of enchantment in this very special recital, which is proudly presented by Andrew McKinnon and the Joan Sutherland Performing Arts Centre.

Widely regarded as one of the most engaging live performers of his generation, Piers Lane is a five-time soloist at the BBC Proms in London’s Royal Albert Hall. His concerto repertoire exceeds ninety works and has led to engagements with many of the world’s great orchestras.

As one of Australia’s most internationally acclaimed pianists, he has performed in all the world’s great concert halls and has attracted remarkable reviews for his brilliant and sensitive performances. Piers Lane is also Artistic Director of both the Australian Festival of Chamber Music and the Sydney International Piano Competition. In the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Birthday Honours he was made an Officer in the Order of Australia (AO) for distinguished services to the arts as pianist, mentor and

organiser.

This is the second concert in The Joan’s 2016 Richard Bonynge Piano Series, bringing audiences a diverse and uplifting array of concerts that showcase the beauty of live performance.

The program will include Impromptu no. 1 in A-flat major, Fantaisie in F minor op. 49, Étude in E major op. 10 no. 3 ‘Tristesse’, Ballade no. 3 in A-flat major op. 47, Barcarole op. 60, Scherzo no. 4 in E major op. 54, Nocturnes op.

62 no. 1 in B major and no. 2 in E major, Mazurka op. 17 no. 4, and Polonaise in F-sharp minor op. 44.

“No praise could be high enough for Piers Lane whose playing throughout is of a superb musical intelligence, sensitivity, and scintillating brilliance.”

Bryce Morrison, Gramophone It’s rare for an international artist of Lane’s calibre to return to Australia as frequently as he does – he still feels a very strong connection – and this

concert offers a marvellous opportunity to see a true master at work.

All single tickets are $50 or $45 Concession. Subscription prices (three concerts) are $120 Standard and $108 Concession, a saving of 20%. Tickets include a post-show reception offering the chance to share a glass of wine, some snacks and insights with the artists.

To book call The Joan’s Box Office on 4723 7600 or online at www.thejoan. com.au

25 Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

E N T E R T A I N M E N T Piers Lane – Chopin by Candlelight

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

26 Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

Shannon Noll warmed up and ready to rock

By Keegan Thomson

SHANNON Noll is one of the most downto-earth, unapologetically Australian musicians touring to-date. Across his career he has produced some of the most recognisable Aussie rock singles of the past decade and he is bringing his red hot live show to the Blue Cattle Dog Hotel in St Clair.

After taking a break from the music business he is “as keen as mustard” to get back into it as he heads across the country in support of his Shannon Noll Live tour.

“I took some time with my family and bought some property in Victoria. We bought some horses, we bought some motorbikes, it was all great fun. But after a while I started feeling a little too comfortable so we came back to Sydney to have another go at it,” Shannon Noll said.

Part of his band new ‘go at it’ includes a new album, a new tour and a potential trip to the U.S. to record at the home of country-rock music, Nashville, Tennessee.

“There is talk that we might be recording my new album in Nashville, but we’ll see how it plans out,” he said.

“There is so many players over there, so many people to work with and write with it would be great.”

‘Nollsie’ became a household name in 2003 after he was the runner up in

the inaugural Australian Idol television contest, but even though he came second in the talent competition, he managed to etch himself a special place on the Aussie rock landscape.

Recently Nollsie was announced as a member of the Australian judging panel for this years Eurovision Song Contest, which for some reason will again feature an Australian performer.

“Someone started a petition to get me to sing at Eurovision, but that didn’t go anywhere, so the committee asked me to be a judge,” he said.

Nollsie said he will be looking for a song which tells a great story. He said, “I’m a big believer in a really good story, lyric content is important to me. It also has to have artistic power and really great instruments and production.”

When Nollsie hits the Blue Cattle Dog he has promised a night of good tunes and great entertainment.

“It is going to be a ripper of a show.

We’ve got the whole band and we’ll be playing some of our old and new songs as well as some Aussie classics,” Shannon Noll said. “It is really great to have a solid back catalogue of songs to play that people know well.”

Check out Shannon Noll at the Blue Cattle Dog Hotel in St Clair on June 4 with tickets available from Moshtix or contact the Blue Cattle Dog on 9670 3050.

Terms and conditions apply

02 4736 4647 • THEPIONEERTAVERN.COM.AU CNR MAXWELL ST & THE NORTHERN RD, PENRITH NSW 2750

We promote the responsible service of gaming & alcohol. alhgroup.com.au

Mike’s Pantry with Mike Creed

Red Thai Chicken Curry You can make this dish using any vegetable ingredients that are in your fridge – such as broccoli, cauliflower and asparagus. I like to use the following veggies and herbs:

INGREDIENTS: • carrots • red capsicum • tomatoes • diced onion • snow peas • green zucchini • Yellow squash • along with grated ginger • Minced Garlic • chicken breasts cut into small cubes • 3T oil for cooking • coconut milk • 1T red thai curry paste • jasmine rice METHOD: • Start by getting your jasmine rice going — It is a good idea to rinse your rice several times until the rinse water runs clear in order to wash away the extra starch on the rice.

• Then using a large pan or wok heat about 3 tbsp of oil (peanut) • Add your cubed chicken to sizzle along with some salt and any other desired seasonings.

• After a couple minutes mix the chicken around so that its cooking all over.

• Add your chopped onions to cook with the chicken, followed by the garlic and ginger.

• After a couple minutes add about a tablespoon of the curry paste.

• Add your chopped veggies (hold tomato) to the mix and sautee with the chicken for about 5-10 minutes, stirring, and adding more oil if needed.

• Slowly pour in your coconut milk and mix well. Let that simmer for another couple minutes.

• Try a spoonful of the curry and see if you like the seasonings – to add more curry paste just take a little scoop of the coconut milk broth and add more curry paste to it, mix, and add it back into the pan. At this time add the tomatoes (if you add them sooner they don’t taste as good) • Spoon the Red Thai Chicken Curry over a bowl of jasmine rice and enjoy!

Heavens Above with Reverend Ross Hutchison

Get rid of the “Apostrophe” word When the life you lead is a road well travelled, then you do not need to be able to see the end!

Everyday is an adventure; each its own chapter in your travels.

By the time you have created the final chapter, it will make a great read!

Have you given yourself a great big hug today?

Here is Your Homework: Begin: I grew up to be. (Insert Your Name) .................................

I here and now focus on and enhance the things I can do.

They Are: Being a good parent Good Friend A good gardener A responsible leader Etc., Etc., Etc.,......Create your own list. You know you can do it !!!

(Send it to me if You wish, I would like to read it.)

Remember today is today and tomorrow will come soon enough!

Fill every moment with love and thanks for being a part of the miracle that is life You can be a beacon if just let it shine!

Take the apostrophe bit out of “can’t” And make it “can” Thinking Well Of You Always, Your Friend Rossco rev@sacredgardens.org.au

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Salve (8) 5 Bequeathed (6) 9 Thrashes (8) 10 Tame (6) 12 Parts of plants that are under the soil (5) 13 English and French, for example (9) 14 Published (6) 16 Urine container (7) 19 Winged monster (7) 21 Moves stealthily (6) 23 A formal party (9) 25 Blunder (5) 26 Induces vomiting (6) 27 Flying (8) 28 Name derived from the name of a person (6) 29 Working in a job (8)

DOWN 1 Exclaim (6) 2 Anxiously (9) 3 Fogs (5) 4 Goaded (7) 6 Immunize (9) 7 Telling untruths (5) 8 Chest of drawers (8) 11 Round handle (4) 15 Sadly (9) 17 Moral perversion (9) 18 Break the heart of (8) 20 Fastener of wood (4) 21 Reassert (7) 22 Decided innocence or guilt (6) 24 System of beliefs (5) 25 Make rotten (5)

solution 21/4/16

27 Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

28

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174 4

Boogie for Bryson Nearly $6000 was raised when more than 250 boogiers turned out to help get some funds together to help local fella Bryson Miles.

Social Butterfly Photos courtesy of Trudy Seamark Photography

Organisers Jim Hill and Julia Parashko would like to thank all the sponsors in no particular order: • Penrith Paceway • Major Oak Theatre Restaurant • Production Automotive • Panthers McDonalds • Kerrilyn Currie • Matthews Meats St Cair • Lollypops Playland • K&A Quality Meats • Nepean News • Krispy Kreme • @Print. • Trudy Seamark Photography • Kidabout Playland • John McQue • Chris Vineburg • Gulf Western Oil • Revive Urban Health Retreat • Donut King Nepean Square rith • Kingswood Florist and Balloons • Duck In Penrith • The Glam Lab in Kingswood • Hertz Penrith

Experience Multi-Award Winning Loxley on Bellbird Hill

By Erin O’Connor

LOXLEY on Bellbird Hill will once again open their doors for two fantastic events over next coming months, The Tastes of Loxley Menu Tasting Night and then hosting The Beatles – Unplugged with Strings Attached Dinner and Show.

The Tastes of Loxley Menu Tasting Dinner – Saturday 28th May 2016 Experience Loxley’s menu tasting dinner on Saturday 28th May with a specially designed menu, including canapes, entrée, main, dessert and complimentary wine tasting for just $75pp. If your booking is for 6 or more adult guests, then two guests eat for free. A children’s menu is also available.

The Beatles – Unplugged with Strings Attached - Saturday 18th June 2016 Don’t miss this unique experience combining Hawkesbury’s finest dining and musicians, together at the beautiful Loxley on Bellbird Hill.

Loxley is proud to present The Beatles Unplugged with Strings Attached. Be taken on a 2 hour musical journey of the legendary Beatles performed by an 8 piece band including string quartet. Line

up…Blake Morrison, Nic Woodford, Kevin Adams, Brad Kimber, Barbara Webb, Alyssa McCulloch, Lynn Trappell and Una Sheragh.

Enjoy a glass of champagne on arrival, followed by a gourmet 3 course dinner.

Entrée: Slow baked pork belly, apple puree, fennel and petite herbs, served alternately with Wild mushroom risotto, truffle oil with fresh shaved parmesan Main: Roasted chicken supreme, potato and zucchini cake drizzled with porcini sauce, served alternately with Mustard and brown sugar glazed roasted lamb rump, sweet potato mash, baby yellow squash and a

rosemary lamb jus Dessert: Sticky date and fig pudding, butterscotch sauce and glace ginger ice cream, served alternately with Warm pear and almond frangipane and fruit mince wrapped in puff pastry, served with caramel ice cream. $100.00 per person. Doors open at 5.30pm for a 6pm show.

With rave reviews and sell out shows this show is one not to be missed. Bookings essential.

Beatles Show, Dinner, Accommodation and Breakfast Package Why not make a weekend of it, Loxley on Bellbird Hill is offering

the Ultimate Package for 2 which includes Beatles Show, 3 Course Dinner, One night’s Accommodation in a Luxurious Chalet with Kind Bed, Double Spa and Fireplace, Sparkling Wine and Chocolates on Arrival.

Then enjoy a Fully Cooked Breakfast for 2 on the Sunday morning with late checkout.

Please contact Loxley on 45677 711 or by email to info@ loxleyonbellbirdhill.com.au for further details and event bookings Loxley on Bellbird Hill is located at 993 Bells Line of Road, Kurrajong Hills NSW 2753.

Visit their website: www.loxleyonbellbirdhill.com.au

29 Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

www.nepeanrowingclub.com.au

E N T E R T A I N M E N T The Peasant Prince, a play based on the story of Mao’s Last Dancer

By Jarrod McGrouther

ON May 20 and 21, The Joan presents Monkey Baa Theatre Company’s brand new Australian play, The Peasant Prince, based on the incredible story of Mao’s Last Dancer.

Following the international success of his autobiography, Mao’s Last Dancer, Li Cunxin authored The Peasant Prince, a children’s picture book based on his memoirs.

Aimed at ages six and over, the play begins as a young Li Cunxin is taken from his small rural village in northern China to study at an elite dance academy in Beijing. Although the training is gruelling, he is

inspired by dreams of a better life for both him and his family. When a famous ballet master from the USA visits the academy, his life is changed forever.

Li Cunxin said that he hopes the play encourages people to follow their true passions.

“It’s always my hope that my life experiences inspire young people to follow their dreams and to take advantage of the boundless opportunities in their lives. I think my story proves that with hard work, dedication and determination, anything is possible.

You can be successful in anything, if you are willing to go that extra mile.”

The show stars John Gomez Goodway (Oneness: Voice Without Form, His Mother’s Voice), Jenevieve

Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

31

Chang (Club Shanghai, Stories Then and Now), Jonathan Chan (The Secret Island, Turnadot Reimagined) and Edric Hong (Winter Retreat, A Play Like This).

Exploring themes of belonging, motivation, loneliness and hope, The Peasant Prince will inspire young people to overcome fears and follow their dreams. The show premiered in early April to sell-out audiences in Sydney, receiving rave reviews.

Tickets are $22 Adult, $18 Child (12 and under) and $72 Family (four people, at least one adult). Schools bookings are also available at $18 per student. To book call The Joan’s Box Office on 4723-7600 or online at www.thejoan.com.au

SUDOKU: MEDIUM

WORD SEARCH

LAS VEGAS

SOLUTION: 21st April

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

ATTRACTIONS BUFFETS CASINOS CELEBRITIES CLARK COUNTY COMEDIANS CONCERTS CONVENTIONS DESERT DINING DRINKS

ENTERTAINMENT FOOD FREMONT STREET HOTELS IMPERSONATORS LAS VEGAS STRIP LIGHTS MAGICIANS MARRIAGES MUSICALS

NEON SIGNS NEVADA NIGHTLIFE PERFORMERS PLAYS RESORTS RESTAURANTS SHOPPING SHOPS SHOWS

SINGERS SOUVENIRS SPRING MOUNTAINS SUNNY TOURISTS TOURS TRIBUTE ACTS VACATION WARM WEDDING CHAPELS

32

realestate real

Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

Ask

LATTS All your real estate questions answered, with Darren Latty ~ darren@prd.net.au

Can I have more than one agent selling my home?

YOU can have more than one agent, and instinctively this might seem like a good idea as more people are trying to sell your home. You might assume that if they know the other agent is out there, they’ll work harder to be the one who finds a buyer and earns the fee. However, it can work the other way.

Marketing a home is expensive – one ad in the paper, an online feature ad and a personalised signboard alone can cost over $1500. Then there’s the time invested in fielding enquiries, organising open homes and taking buyers through to inspect. Agents do this willingly if they know they’re going to get paid for a positive

result. However, if you have more than one agent working for you, the result is not guaranteed for either of them, regardless of how much time, effort and money the put in. Instead of competing to sell your home, they might choose to devote their efforts to their exclusive clients.

Most agents will operate under an

exclusive agreement which is binding for a certain amount of time, 90 days is typical. If you’re not happy with your agent’s performance after this time you are free to go elsewhere, but depending on the terms of the agreement you may need to pay the previous agent a contribution towards their marketing costs.

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34

realestate real

Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

THE SMART LINE with Steve Roddick

Planning for the future: Investment property rental yields EVERYBODY wants to make the most of their investment home loan, but what some people forget is the key is planning for the future of your property. The real estate that you purchase right now might be doing very well, but do you know what might be happening to the rental landscape in your area over the next few years?

Property investment is a game of patience and proper planning, so to get you started here are a couple of tips and tricks on making sure you keep your yields high and your growth strong.

High values don’t mean high yields Places like Sydney and Melbourne have seen some incredible value gains over the last year according to CoreLogic RP Data, but rents on the other hand have stagnated. Just because you are seeing strong growth in a property, even over a long period of time, doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll get a good yield for it.

CoreLogic, for example, tells us that the best place in Australia for this is in fact Darwin, at 5.2 per cent median rental yield. Meanwhile, this city also has one of the lowest median property values in Australia.

Places like Sydney have lower yields because renters simply cannot afford to pay more rent than they already are – there is a ceiling to yields in high value areas. You may find it more beneficial to splash your capital in a range of cheaper areas rather than a single expensive spot: you might find that your yields are more on the money.

Keep an eye the population:construction ratio “Property investment is a game of patience and proper planning”.

It’s all about supply and demand.

Supply is available houses, demand is the current population. If the supply doesn’t keep up with demand, prices and rents go up as people are willing to pay more to get their hands on the few houses that are left. What this means for an investor is that you need to know both how much a city is growing by but also how much residential construction is likely to take place.

For example, Melbourne has recently been revealed by the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) as the fastest growing city in the country, gaining an additional 2.1 per cent to its 4.5 million

person population from 2014-2015.

Meanwhile, ABS data also shows us that new dwelling approvals for Victoria have been remaining flat or falling over the last 12 months.

That could well result in an undersupply and thus a rental yield increases in the future for this area unless construction picks up and population continues to grow – perfect if you want to see your rental yields grow.

The ultimate lesson for planning ahead is adequate research and good advice. If you want to make the most

of your home loan and the best ways to pay it off sooner, make sure you get into contact with a mortgage broker from Smartline today!

You can contact me anytime on 0420 289 381 for mortgage advice.

• Home Loans • Commercial Loans • Business Finance • Investing • Insurance • Car Finance

m 0420 289 381 | f 02 4786 1242 e sroddick@smartline.com.au

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36

penrith panthers celebrating 50 years

Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

All’s Peachey as Tyrone retains City Origin spot

By Stewart Moses @TheRiffMarn

PENRITH Panthers utility Tyrone Peachey has overcome an early season form slump that culminated with his demotion to the Intrust Super Premiership, to secure a spot in the City Origin team for the second year in a row.

Despite playing in the unfamiliar position of right centre, Peachey was one of Penrith’s best in their narrow win over Canberra last Saturday in Bathurst, scoring a try in an all-round performance that yielded 124 metres from 12 runs, two line-breaks, three tackle-busts, two offloads and 16 tackles.

The Wellington junior, who comes off contract with the Panthers at the end of 2017, had already played fiveeighth, back-row and hooker, before last Saturday’s move to right centre, his fourth position in just eight NRL games played under new coach Anthony Griffin in 2016.

But whilst Peachey admits it hasn’t been easy in not being able to settle into the one regular playing position in the NRL team culminating in his recent demotion to reserve grade, the 2015 Panthers Player of the Year stated it’s hardly the catalyst for unfounded

Tyrone Peachey had a busy game against his former club.

Credit: 77 Media.

reports that suggest he wants out of the club.

“It was pretty difficult at times (playing right centre) but Hook (Anthony Griffin) told me that I was playing there at the start of the week,” Peachey said.

“I was dropped because I wasn’t playing good enough.”

“But I’m just happy to now be back in first grade playing NRL.” “I love the club and I’m under contract for another year.”

But despite being grateful for having the rare opportunity to play in front of family from his home town of Wellington last Saturday in Bathurst, Peachey says that prior to learning of his City Origin selection on Monday, that being picked to play for City was

furthest thing from his mind as he looks to consolidate his spot in the Panthers top grade.

“It was a massive occasion, I had a lot of family come up from Wellington which was good,” Peachey said.

“It was good to see them here and play in front of them.”

“I’ve been barely making the Panthers team at the moment so I wasn’t thinking about that (City Origin) at all.”

“I’m just happy to be in the Panthers team and be in that top 17 every week.”

Since his return to Penrith’s top 17 three rounds back, Peachey’s performances have improved particularly in attack where he has increased his output in relation to runs, metres gained, tackle-breaks, line-

breaks and offloads, culminating in his City Origin selection.

Peachey admits his selection for the second time in as many years, is a good confidence boost and can’t hide the excitement of having the opportunity to not only play with current and former team-mates, but also to play against Panthers team mate Isaah Yeo. “Yeah it’s a good feeling (being chosen two years running). It should be a good week and I can’t wait to play this Sunday,” Peachey said.

“It will be great to play with them (Mansour, Latu, Campbell-Gillard and Cartwright) as well as an old teammate from my Cronulla days in Chad Townsend and it will also be good to play against Yeo.” “It will be good to catch up and see what he’s thinking seeing it’s his first rep jumper.”

While debate continues over this fixture’s validity given the number of players that seem to withdraw from these teams in recent seasons, Peachey is adamant there is still a future for the City versus Country fixture.

“It means a lot (this fixture),” Peachey declared.

“It’s a rep jumper and it’s always good to be picked in any rep team.”

“I’m very excited and can’t wait to play in Tamworth.”

Yeo set to wing it on debut for Country Origin

By Stewart Moses @TheRiffMarn

ONE of Dubbo’s brightest rugby league prospects in recent times and current Penrith Panther forward Isaah Yeo, will make his Country Origin debut this Sunday afternoon in Tamworth, albeit in the relatively unfamiliar position of wing.

Prior to learning of his selection on the wing for Country Origin, the 21 year old St Johns Dubbo junior was hopeful rather than optimistic about getting the call up, adding that his main priority is to hold down his spot in a Panthers forward pack that is not short on depth.

“I wasn’t really holding my breath (regarding selection) as I’m just really worried maintaining my form and trying to stay in this team especially with the depth that we have and just really cement myself in that left backrow spot,” Yeo explains.

“But I’m a country boy being from Dubbo so obviously I’m very proud to be able to put on that jersey.”

“I found out last (Sunday) night that I would be picked on the wing.”

“It’s a little bit different (playing out there) but I guess that’s the versatility that I’ve got that helped me out in getting selected.”

Country Origin debutant Isaah Yeo charges towards the try line. Credit: 77 Media.

“I’m only 21 so I’m more than happy to play wherever Craig (Fitzgibbon) puts me in the side.”

Yeo revealed that he isn’t totally foreign to the wing position having played there back in 2014 against the Warriors, lining up against Manu Vatuvei and is relishing the opportunity to come up against Panthers team mate, Josh Mansour as his likely wing opponent, whilst confirming that the banter with his five Panther team mates selected to play for City has already started.

“I attacked on the wing, defended in the centres that day (against the Warriors),” Yeo confirmed.

“If I’m up against Josh it will be a great chance for me because he’s an

elite player.”

“Obviously I’m very good mates with those boys but yeah I’ve already been copping a few messages.”

“But once on the field it will be all jokes aside until the game is over then we can sit back and have a laugh.”

Having spent a large chunk of his 40 NRL game career alternating between the back-row and the centres, Yeo says that while he has had a mixed start to 2016, he is gaining confidence each week when playing in his preferred position at left back-row.

“I probably haven’t been as consistent as I would like but it’s been getting better the past few weeks,” Yeo said.

“It’s a matter of two steps forward

one step back for me at the moment in that regards.”

“I’m still sort of chopping and changing doing a bit of the middle when Peach (Tyrone Peachey) comes on but I prefer the forwards to the backs so I’m really enjoying my time at left back-row and in the middle at the moment.”

“Hopefully if all prevails I will be there throughout the year.”

Yeo also believes Panthers coach Anthony Griffin’s decision to drop the likes of Elijah Taylor, James FisherHarris, Suaia Matagi, Tyrone Peachey and Jeremy Latimore at varying stages this year, will benefit the team in the long run, while admitting that under his new coach he has learnt the importance of being more accountable for his own preparation and performance.

“Anthony has shown he is prepared to make the tough decisions which I think that’s good with the team we’ve got,” Yeo said.

“The depth we have in the forwards keeps everyone on their toes and really holds you accountable for your own form and your position in the team.”

“He’s really just tried to change our attitude and culture a little bit and that’s what I’ve picked up the most from him; being accountable for your preparation firstly then your game play.”

Sports Scenes

(With Thanks to 77 Media)

The cameras of 77 Media took us to Southern Cross Group Stadium for the thrilling Anzac Round clash between Cronulla and Penrith.

A real sense of occasion as the two teams came out side-by-side.

Josh Mansour is hard to contain as Te Maire Martin lays injured in back play.

Tempers flared soon after Luke Lewis’ hit of the season on Matt Moylan.

The large crowd is silenced by the pre-match Anzac ceremony.

As Martin’s promising debut NRL Season is cruelly cut short by injury.

Sharks skipper Paul Gallen kept the Panthers defence busy all game.

No Grand Final glory for Wanderers

By Chris Layland

DESPITE going from second-last to second-place in one season, the wait for an elusive Grand Final trophy was cruelly extended for the Western Sydney Wanderers as Tony Popovic’s side succumbed to a 3-1 defeat in front of an Adelaide Oval crowd of 50,119.

The trophy looked out of reach when a dominant Adelaide United surged to a 2-0 lead at half-time courtesy of Bruce Kamau’s opener and Isaias’ exceptional free-kick.

Unlikely goal scoring hero Scott Neville could not have picked a grander occasion nor better time to open his Western Sydney account when he restored a glimmer of hope after the break but It couldn’t spur the side on to an equalising goal despite a frenetic late rally from the visitors, with Pablo Sanchez striking at the death to end the Reds’ 13-year wait for championship glory.

Entering their third Grand Final in four seasons, the Wanderers will rue

Fans descend on Adelaide hoping for victory

a flat first-half performance that saw Adelaide seize a commanding lead.

And with just one loss in their last twenty, and just eight goals conceded since Round 8 of the regular season, Guillermo Amor’s side were never at risk of implosion, nor could the Wanderers replicate their dramatic comeback from 3-0 down against Brisbane Roar in last Sunday’s semifinal.

The Red & Black fell behind to the second quickest goal in Hyundai A-League Grand Final history.

Kenyan-born winger Bruce Kamau timed his run to perfection to steer the ball beyond Andrew Redmayne after Marcelo Carrusca had broken free down the Wanderers’ right.

A brilliant chance to restore parity fell to Brendon Santalab but the forward could only direct his diving header wide and the Reds doubled their advantage moments after Santalab’s miss through an unstoppable free-kick from Isaias.

Popovic rued both goals with Adelaide’s two strikes coming directly

from Wanderers losing unnecessary possession, leaving the Red & Black with a mountain to climb. But they were back in the contest when Scott Neville lashed home a superb effort inside the box after good work from Romeo Castelen and a clever flick from Brendon Santalab.

It was deserved reward for the Wanderers who turned in a valiant second half display. It could have been 2-2 too as first Neville’s cross went just behind two on-rushing attackers in the six-yard box before Topor-Stanley’s header went directly to the keeper.

But it wasn’t meant to be for the Red & Black who were dealt a hammer blow on the cusp of stoppage time when Pablo Sanchez swept home Adelaide’s third.

After three Grand Finals, one Premiership win and one Champions League victory in only four seasons of existence, the Wanderers have a history to be proud of but will have to wait at least one more season for Championship glory.

37 Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

penrith panthers celebrating 50 years

38

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Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

Panthers winning form

Sean Weekes showcases his own brand of magic for the Panthers.

Photo courtesy of Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

By Noel Rowsell

THE past two weeks have been a busy period for Penrith’s three Youth League Basketball teams, with three wins from five games putting them slightly on the positive side of the balance sheet.

The Division One Men showed impressive form against the Sutherland Sharks in Round 7, racing away to a 51-28 half time lead but then going into cruise mode to win 89-76.

Round 8 saw the Panthers face another team from the bottom end of the competition ladder (Moss Vale Magic) and were slow to start, leading 18-12 after an unimpressive first quarter.

The remainder of the game saw the Panthers in top form, cruising to a 7940 win.

Sean Weekes grabbed 39 points over the two weeks, ahead of Adam Lulka 35 and Bryden Albertyn 26.

The Division One women lost starters Emily Potts (meniscus) and Chloe Bloom (hamstring) before their Round 7 clash with the Sharks and could not cope with their absence, falling 55-47.

Round 8 offered much easier opposition, plus the Panthers bolstered their ranks with NSW Under 18 rep

Natalia Beaumont and NSW Under 16 rep Meg Jefferson.

Their inclusion, alongside NSW Under 20 rep Ellie Tofaeono and former state rep Rhiannon Pope, gives the Panthers the biggest front court in the competition and it was “mission impossible” for the bottom-placed South West Sydney Razorbacks, who were crushed 102-33.

Both Division One teams are on the road this weekend, each facing a very tough double-header at Bankstown on Saturday and Newcastle on Sunday.

The Division Two men enjoyed a bye in Round 7, then faced up to the first-placed Central Coast Crusaders in Round 8.

A slow start put the Panthers behind the eight-ball early but the game soon became an arm wrestle for supremacy, with both sides having the chance to grab victory in the dying minutes.

Ultimately, the Crusaders would gain a 66-65 win but the young Panthers will know how close they are to the top-ranked teams, which should be a huge confidence boost.

Marshall Ndebele led the Panthers on Saturday with 21, ahead of Joel Klein 16 and Ru Daniel 10.

The Panthers have a local derby in Round 9, playing the Springwood Scorchers on Saturday at the Blaxland High School Basketball Stadium.

Join in on river sport

By Ben Thompson

THE mighty Nepean River hosted Race 3 of the Penrith Valley Canoeing Club Championship on Sunday the 24th of April. The weather was looking ominous in the early hours of Sunday morning as the PVC club members set up for the race.

Twenty competitors registered for the event and the weather started to clear for the beginning of the race.

Eight paddlers from our neighbouring club, Windsor Canoe Club joined the event and their presence and competitiveness was greatly valued.

The race begun at 8am with Division C, followed by Division B and then by Division A. Each division started with the quick strokes of paddles as the competitors made their way upstream towards the first turn at the Penrith Valley Bridge (M4 bridge).

As the pace of the race settled the competitors formulated their race tactics and they found their rhythm that would carry them over the 12km course, while saving a small amount of energy to use for the sprint across the finish line.

Paddlers from the quicker divisions slowly caught those from the slower divisions as the race entered

its final kilometres.

The sun appeared as the competitors crossed the finish line and the smell of the post-race BBQ enticed them out of their kayaks. The winners of each division added their points to their overall scoreboard tally while the other competitors compared their race times to see how they fared in the overall handicap standings.

As per usual the beautiful Nepean River provided the paddlers with excellent race conditions and a scenic way to spend a Sunday morning.

The Nepean River is on of Western Sydney’s greatest assets and Penrith Valley Canoeing would like to welcome anyone who enjoys paddling or is interested in paddling to join us as we enjoy the tranquillity of the river.

We are open to any paddle sport joining in the event and sharing the Sunday morning with us. The championship is made up of 10 races held each month on a Sunday morning with the next race being held on the 22nd May. The race distance is 12km and there are three divisions to cater for differences in paddling speed and is open to all members. If you are interesting in becoming a member of the club or simply more details on the Club Championships please visit our website at pvc.canoe.org.au/ or our Facebook page.

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COACH’S CORNER REFEREE RAGE!

IN my last column I addressed the ‘win at all costs’ mentality of some parents and coaches involved within junior sport and the impact that has on young athletes and their long term involvement within their chosen sport(s). The forgotten entity in all of this is too often the referee…

It is a very topical conversation with widespread criticism of the NRL Bunker, players laying down / diving and the interpretation of the obstruction rule over the past month which culminated in Trent Robinson’s attack on all and sundry last Monday post the Roosters loss to the Dragons on ANZAC Day. Let me firstly state my position. Do I think Robinson made some very valid and legitimate points? Yes. Do I agree with the way in which he conveyed them? No. Why you ask? Publicly berating and making personal attacks on referees is irresponsible and counterproductive to our game, and I am sure in hindsight he regrets his behaviour.

This type of behaviour from an elite coach within our game gives ammunition to the small minority of players, parents, coaches and officials at the junior level who see it as acceptable to publicly criticise and abuse referees at junior sporting venues across Australia.

The first question I would ask is who would want to be a referee when that is deemed acceptable

BROCK SHEPPERD NRL Level 3 High Performance Rugby League Coach Masters of Coach Education, Sydney University Listen in to the Fifth and Last NRL Podcast, available every Wednesday in the Podcast App, iTunes and on audioBoom b.shepperd@hotmail.com

conduct at an NRL post-match press conference?

Ben Cummins is a fulltime professional referee and is well paid, he will soldier on. The Roosters were fined $40,000 - big whoop! My fear is for the referees as young as 12 and 13 years of age who are in no position to deal with criticism and abuse and nor should they have to deal with it. I have seen firsthand the type of irresponsible and imbecilic behaviour that goes on at junior sporting venues in our local area. And it is not acceptable. Without referees we do not have a game!

The job of a referee is the most difficult on any sporting field. Remember there is no winning and losing as a referee, most of the time it must feel like every match is a loss as half the players and the crowd will finish with an unfavourable result and their resentment needs to be aimed somewhere and in most cases that lands in the lap of the referee.

Much like players, referees are making thousands of decisions each game under immense pressure and fatigue, there is no interchange for referees when they get tired! And most are covering between 5 and 10km per match while trying to remember rules, actions, and movements while trying their best to get every decision correct. However the widespread criticism referees cop when they make an error does not always translate to that of the criticism forwarded

to players who routinely make errors or when as coaches we make poor tactical decisions / selections / interchanges. To me that is the height of hypocrisy and we all need to readjust our attitude towards referees and give them the respect they deserve.

If you are a player: never swear or disrespect a referee, always shake their hand at the end of the match regardless of the result. If you do need to query a decision do so respectfully and intelligently.

If you are a parent: set high expectations on the way your child conducts themselves when interacting with referees. Model that behaviour yourself and never abuse referees or use them as an excuse when discussing the result your child’s team has achieved.

If you are a coach: model respect towards referees as your players will take notice, build relationships with referees by chatting with them when you have the chance, always shake hands with the referee after the match regardless of the result and put your energy and focus into areas to which you can control.

If you are one of the louts who abuse, intimidate and criticise referees: pick up a whistle and give it a go, if not zip it! If you are a referee: thankyou and know that the vast majority of people involved within junior sport appreciate and respect the difficult job you undertake each weekend, without you there is no game.

39 Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

sport

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penrith panthers celebrating 50 years

Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

MG ON THE MARK

WITH MARK GEYER

THE INCREDIBLE CARTWRIGHT BLOODLINE

I HAD the real privilege of playing right alongside John Cartwright for six years of my Panthers career. I also watched and admired him when as a youngster - I would especially wait around after my club game for St Marys under 17’s for the A grade fixture in which ‘Carty’ would star.

I also know John’s older brothers Dave and Cliff very well too. Dave was the St Marys enforcer back then, and Cliff was my first coach in u/23’s. In fact the entire Cartwright family have had a massive affect on Rugby League full stop in the greater West of Sydney.

I was also coached by John’s brother-in-law Jamie Jones, who like his family in-law has the Panther blood running through his veins. To witness Bryce Cartwright’s ascendency in the NRL ranks is quite surreal. That right arm off-load. That step and jink and running style that is a lot swifter than it looks.

The similarities between Carty and his nephew (Dave’s son) are mind blowing.

But with all due respect to my partner in crime, I think Bryce is on the cusp of an even greater career than his famous uncle. Which alone is a feat. He also MUST be picked for NSW this year. Surely his 195 running metres, 2 offloads, a try, a try assist, a line break assist and 30 tackles against the Raiders last Saturday in Bathurst all but confirmed a spot in Laurie Daley’s Blues this season.

The Panthers now find themselves in 8th spot, mainly on the back of a forward pack energized with youngsters like Cartwright, Campbell- Gillard,

24 HOURS

and Fisher- Harris leading the way. With the rep round upon us with plenty of Panthers players involved, the club’s depth will be surely tested over the next couple of weeks.

But one gets the feeling the 2016 version of Mountain Men will handle it astutely.

And another thing.....

Tuesday this week the 4th instalment of the MG cup kicked off again. It’s been a real highlight of my post footy career to be able to watch this rugby league schools competition go from strength to strength.

With the help firstly of Mark Bohan and now Ben James from the NRL the initiative has been supported wonderfully by them and their team.

The loyal sponsors ( Hogs Breath, North Penrith McDonalds and Master Coaching) have also made it a competition that has great scholastic rewards for the individual deemed the best in each age group.

I’m excited to see the students and teachers of the schools participating really buying into the comps motto ‘I learn so I play’.

Students have to tick three boxes each week before they are allowed to partake in any up-coming game that they may have. The results have been unbelievably rewarding. If you’re looking for some entertaining school footy make sure to try and get to a venue (school) near you as the comp plays out over the next 8 weeks. See you at the game.

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44

penrith panthers celebrating 50 years

Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

REPEAT SETS WITH STEW MOSES

@THERIFFMARN

ROLLER-COASTER RIDE CONTINUES AS THE “CARDIAC KIDS” ENTER THE TOP EIGHT PENRITH head into the representative rounds having entered the top eight after yet another fortnight of roller-coaster results which reads win-loss since Round 3.

First up, a 20-18 loss to the high-flying Sharks was the result of lapses in defence at crucial times before goal-kicking form deserted the Panthers, despite outscoring Cronulla four tries to three in yet another heart-stopper thriller in the Shire.

The Panthers as they have done all season, showed tremendous resilience to remain in the contest despite being forced to play the final 45 minutes with 15 men after losing Waqa Blake (hip) and Te Maire Martin (fractured shoulder – season) to injury.

But injuries often have a silver-lining and the game against the Sharks if nothing else, will be remembered as the day Junior Kiwi wrecking ball, James FisherHarris announced himself on the NRL stage.

Fisher-Harris in just his seventh NRL game, played out the remaining 54 minutes of the match and produced a barnstorming performance that yielded 145 metres from 15 runs with a line-break, three tackle-breaks and an offload (plus 25 tackles for good measure in defence).

But despite finishing off two of arguably the best team tries seen so far this season, the 20 year-old back-rower, still eligible for Holden Cup, was in some disbelief after the game that he scored a maiden NRL double. “(We were) unlucky with the injuries but it was a good opportunity for me and some other boys to get some minutes,” Fisher-Harris said.

“I’m just grateful to be playing in the NRL, it’s a dream come true,” “I didn’t think I would be debuting this year but everything has just happened so fast.”

“I’m still overwhelmed getting two tries to be honest.”

Fisher-Harris lamented how yet another game against quality opposition had slipped away in the last ten minutes, but added that not scoring in the first half was also a key factor.

“Its’ good that we are competing against everyone but we just fell off in the last ten minutes,” FisherHarris said.

“We should have some had some points in that first half, but we were just too jumpy, not playing to our strength and we were all over the place.” “(We just) need to be more selfless and work harder for each other.”

Panthers wrecking ball James Fisher-Harris had a game to remember against the Sharks (Credit 77 Media)

THE Panthers then played the first of two home away from home fixtures when they travelled to Bathurst to defeat in-form Canberra in controversial circumstances 19-18 at Carrington Park.

Having led 18-6 with less than fifteen minutes remaining, the Panthers weathered a Canberra comeback before Peter Wallace’s 78th-minute field goal broke the deadlock.

But a furious Canberra coach, Ricky Stuart after the game declared Wallace’s field goal was incorrectly awarded by the Bunker, stating that the new rules are clear concerning blockers in such situations.

“We had a player who was impeded by two blockers,” Stuart said.

“The new rule in place is where you’re not allowed to have blockers to impede a player that’s chasing down the kicker of the field goal.”

Stuart also attacked the Bunker’s no try decisions made against Josh Papalii (61st minute) and Edrick Lee (64th and 72nd minute), taking particularly umbrage at the Edrick Lee double movement decision before lamenting that referees are “petrified” to make courageous calls after James Segeyaro was not penalised for being offside in blocking Aiden Sezer’s last-ditch field goal attempt.

As was the case a week earlier against Cronulla, for all Penrith’s territorial dominance, they only led 12-6 at halftime, courtesy of tries to Bryce Cartwright and Tyrone Peachey.

Despite Fisher-Harris being ruled out of the game early in the second half with a hip injury similar to that suffered by Blake a week earlier, Penrith soon after opened up the biggest lead of the game 18-6, after Peter Hiku won the race to a deft Matt Moylan kick.

But if Penrith dominated the opening 60 minutes, their opposition dominated the last twenty to eventually level the scores as the Panthers once again failed to close out the game, before Wallace’s 30 metre field-goal brought relief to Panther fans

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everywhere to secure a much needed 19-18 win.

Griffin after the game said he was always confident Penrith was going to win but was disappointed how the game had reached such a point.

“We always felt like we were going to win the game but I was more disappointed on why we got ourselves in that position,” Griffin said.

“We were very poor with the ball in the second half.

“If you hand the opposition the ball in every set after three tackles, you’re going to have some points against you and that’s what happened today.

“We tried to kill ourselves for the last twenty minutes. “(Luckily) we had a lot of defence in us otherwise we would have got beat today.”

THIS week sees the Representative Round take place with 17 Penrith players (now 16 with Taylor’s departure to the Tigers) named in various teams, despite the likes of Moylan, Trent Merrin and Waqa Blake not considered for selection.

Penrith’s representation looks like this – Kiwis: Peta Hiku (ruled out – knee), Dallin Watene Zelezniak; Junior Kiwis: James Fisher-Harris (ruled out – hip), Cowan Epere; Tonga: Sione Katoa; Junior Kanagroos: Nathan Cleary, Robert Jennings, Dylan Edwards and Tyrone May; City Origin: Josh Mansour, Bryce Cartwright, Reagan Campbell-Gillard, Leilani Latu, Tyrone Peachey; Country Origin: Isaah Yeo; NSW Residents: Zach Dockar-Clay.

With recent season-ending injuries to Te Maire Martin and Dean Whare, no doubt the Penrith coaching staff, will be holding their breath that the large contingent of players on representative duties will pull through without any injury setbacks.

THEN the following Saturday the Panthers complete the second leg of their “home away from home” games when they “host” the New Zealand Warriors in Christchurch, which is sure to see the “visitors” enjoy a large portion of the crowd’s support.

The Warriors despite their off-field dramas within the playing ranks, will be buoyed by their win over the Dragons but Panther fans will be hoping that the Warriors’ inconsistency comes back to haunt them and enables Penrith to come away with back-to-back wins for the first time in 2016.

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GOLDEN POINTS WITH STEW MOSES

Elijah Taylor Made for the Wests Tigers Last edition we brought you the news that Elijah Taylor was set to join the Wests Tigers.

That became reality on Monday when the Panthers granted the former Kiwi international a release so he could join the Tigers for the rest of the 2016 season in what is a win / win for both clubs.

The Tigers are getting some much needed experience and a very good defensive player and the Panthers are getting some salary cap relief to assist the club in being able to tie up some of the promising talent that is coming through, particularly in the Holden Cup squad.

The deal also provides Taylor with time to be able to explore other options for 2017 and beyond whilst playing NRL footy, something that could not be guaranteed had he remained at Penrith, having played just 2 of his 39 NRL games for the club in 2016, having languished in the Intrust Super Premiership team since Round Four.

So Much for Griffin’s Selection Headaches Going into the recent Cronulla clash everything was looking rosy for the Panthers with James Segeyaro and Dean Whare set to return to a relatively healthy squad and finally give Griffin some selection headaches.

But a week let alone a fortnight is a long time in footy!

The Cronulla game claimed Te Maire Martin (shoulder – season) and Waqa Blake (hip) which one would assume would be replaced by Segeyaro and Whare respectively for the Canberra.

Wrong. A training mishap put paid to Whare’s 2016 season with the Kiwi International having suffered an ACL knee injury.

It didn’t stop there. Last Saturday James FisherHarris suffered a similar hip injury to the one that’s sidelined Blake for two weeks, putting him in doubt for next week’s Christchurch game, while Peta Hiku (knee) withdrew from the Kiwi test team on Tuesday.

And to complete the run of outs, particularly for our centres, George Jennings’ luckless run with injuries continued last Saturday, suffering a serious hamstring injury in the Intrust Super Premiership loss to Mounties.

Bathurst Still Work in Progress Despite the great strides that have gone into making the Bathurst fixture a success with the Bathurst Regional Council keen to extend their five year contract, one area that needs improving are the print

Elijah Taylor’s time with Penrith has come to an end.

Credit: 77 Media

media facilities.

It simply isn’t good enough being shunted to the end of a set of marquees facing into the afternoon sun with your actual view limited to one half of the field.

Surely sanity will prevail next year and the situation will be improved.

Panthers Repping This Weekend Off the Field Too Congratulations to the following Panther staffers who will be on duty during the Representative Round – Craig Catterick (Kangaroos trainer), David Tangata-Toa (Assistant Coach – Tonga), Lee Hopkins (Strength & Conditioning – NSW Residents) and Krystal Sharp (Physiotherapist – NSW Residents).

Another Panther on the Move?

Which Panther has recently been shopped around to three clubs for next year? Although not a big name within the player ranks, his potential departure could have a ripple effect.

Jersey Launch? What Jersey Launch?

As we told you at the beginning of the year, Panthers released a 1991 version of the 50th anniversary jerseys that are in use throughout 2016.

They look great and fan reactions have been very positive but as with many other special one-off jerseys why wait until three days out from the Bathurst to launch the jersey?

Do that many fans have a lazy $160 to fork out on a jumper with such little notice?

Talking about the launch, many local and other media outlets were left out in the cold after the jersey was unveiled exclusively through the Daily Telegraph which didn’t go down too well with many, a shame considering the jersey celebrates an important milestone in Panthers history.

Hopefully the launch for the mooted 2003 jersey due to be used for the home game against the Roosters later in the year will go more smoothly and with better notice for fans.

@THERIFFMARN

Lower Grades News Intrust Super Premiership: Penrith returned from the bye last weekend in Bathurst but lost their second game in a row, this time against competition frontrunners, Mounties 30-18, having trailed at one stage 30-6 during the second half.

The highlight for Penrith is the encouraging form of AFL convert, Josh Hall who from a running start leapt thru the air AFL style before running the length of the score.

Holden Cup: The defending champions having won their fourth top of the table clash in succession but not before they were pushed all the way by Cronulla, winning 24-14.

The Panthers then exacted revenge for their surprise round one defeat against the Raiders, smashing them 74-10 with Nathan Cleary collecting the equal second highest individual points haul in a Holden Cup game (30 points from 2 tries and 11 goals).

The Panthers have now won eight straight loss and their averaging winning score to date is an incredible 42-12.

45 Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

penrith panthers celebrating 50 years

Junior Reps News Some massive efforts by both Penrith’s junior rep teams in the last fortnight.

After both teams defeated defending champions, Cronulla in both Harold Matts and SG Ball, Penrith’s SG Ball side has qualified for the SG Ball Grand Final decider after defeating a fast-finishing Newcastle 3224.

The decider will be played at Pepper Stadium this Saturday with kick-off at 2pm against Illawarra Steelers, whom they lost 26-22 in the qualifying final.

However Harold Matts weren’t so lucky going down 13-12 to the undefeated Parramatta Eels but still gave a great sight throughout the finals series having come this far from seventh spot to go within a whisker of causing the boilover of the season.

Tune into “The Sin Bin” Podcast Be sure to catch up with our latest edition of “The Sin Bin” featuring Mark “MG” Geyer and myself, available now on https://soundcloud.com/user127982816 Episode Six will be the post Rep Round edition in its usual fortnightly timeslot next Wednesday night.

Of course if you have any Panthers news you wish to share, email me stewart@nepeannews.com.au See you at the game!

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46

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Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

Strengthen your weakness with Scott Lewis LET’S face it, it’s not all that difficult to start a fitness routine.

After all, most of us have done it more than once, the trouble for many is sticking with it. All too often, our initial enthusiasm and energy wanes, we get distracted by other things going on in our lives, or we don’t think we’re seeing results quickly enough, and we throw in the towel.

HERE ARE MY TIPS TO MAKE EXERCISE A ROUTINE, WHICH WILL SOON BECOME HABIT! 1. Do a variety of activities you enjoy: And remember, there’s no rule that says you have to go to a gym.

Participating in a variety of activities such as weight lifting, walking, running, tennis, cycling and aerobics classes will ensure that you can do something regardless of the weather or time of day.

2. Commit to another person: The social aspect of exercise is important for many. If you agree to exercise with a partner, you’re a less likely to let them down.

3. Make exercise a priority: It has to be a nonnegotiable. Another advantage to making exercise non-negotiable is that friends and family members learn that it’s part of your identity, 4. Exercise first thing in the morning: Many experts agree that a morning schedule is best. If you go to a gym, it should be located between your home and work, this way you can exercise, take a shower, and you’re energized for the day!

5. Or, exercise on your way home from work: The next best thing to exercising first thing in the

morning is to do it on your way home from work.

If you can don’t go home first! There aren’t a lot of people who are so motivated that after they go home, change clothes, who will go back out again and exercise.

6. Exercise even when you’re “too tired:” Chances are, you’ll feel better after exercising.

It energizes you. You’ll get an exercise-induced euphoria during the activity and for some time after.

7. Log your activity: Write down the things that are important to you. It could be how much time you

exercise each day, how many steps you walked, how far you ran or cycled, what you weighed, etc.

8. Be aware of all the indicators of progress: It’s great when your clothes fit better and you can lift heavier weights or work out longer without getting exhausted, and even more important, feeling healthier!

9. Walk -- with a pedometer (or a dog): If you enjoy walking and haven’t exercised for a while, 10 minutes three times a day will give you 30 minutes.

Use a pedometer, and work up to at least 10,000 steps a day Then the next week aim to walk a few thousand steps more, then from there increase your steps incrementally each week.

Or Better yet, walk the dog! This is good for you, and the dog, and provides companionship.

10. Reward yourself: Are you telling yourself that you don’t deserve a reward for something you should be doing anyway -- or that once you can zip your jeans without lying on the bed, that will be reward enough? Well, honestly, how inspiring is that?

Making behaviour changes is hard, and rewards motivate. So decide on a goal and a reward, and work towards it. You might buy yourself something you’ve wanted after you stick to your fitness plan for a specific amount of time!

Check out our website at www.wildpantherfitness. com.au or follow ‘Wild Panther Fitness’ on Facebook, Instagram (@wildpantherfit) and on Twitter (@wildpantherfit.)

Until next time “STRENGTHEN YOUR WEAKNESS!”

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Maxi Buses is a locally owned family business whose motto is “Maximum service, minimum fuss.” With this in mind Maxi Buses has over 15 late model, fully insured vehicles which enables Ellen and her team to cater to all your transport needs. Their fleet includes Toyota Commuter buses, Wheel Chair access buses and V.I.P. transport vehicles.

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

price. What more could you ask for?” said Ellen.

Ellen and her team look forward to your inquiries and will help in any way they can to make your booking and transfer needs easy.

Please call (02) 47290666 for all your transfer needs.

For bookings or any inquires please call 4729 0666.

ATTENTION: Raced on the pace but was trapped wide throughout when a smart third at the Warwick Farm trial session. He’s a lovely moving horse from the formidable Peter and Paul Snowden operation.

CHUCKLES: Is an unraced colt also from the Team Snowden stable and does he move like a decent galloper. Impressed when wheeled out for the first time in public at The Farm.

CLEARLY INNOCENT: Has been kept ticking over by trainer Greg Bennet up at Scone. He chased home the fleet-footed Music Magnate in a cruisy Wyong heat last Monday.

HEBDEN: Is in the formative stages of this preparation but expect a prominent showing whenever John O’Shea send her out. The Exceed And Excel mare was very willing when under restraint in a Warwick Farm heat.

INVINZABEEL: Has come up a treat for Chris Waller judging by the way he trialled last week. Always on the speed, the rangy sprinter was never out of first gear down the stretch.

MAGIC PANTHER: Looks a bit of a prospect for young trainer Michael Costa. This youngster unleashed a beaut gear change to score at the recent Warwick Farm barrier trial session.

MUSIC MAGNATE: Is trained at The Farm but trainer Bjorn Baker sent him up to Wyong for a blistering trial win last Monday.

He’s straight into winning form and looks set for a big campaign.

SEBRING SUN: Is a cracking sort under the Gary Portelli care and he strolled up to win a heat.

He hasn’t raced for six months but has earned prizemoney six times from 10 goes and looks more than ready.

47 Nepean News 5 May 2016 Issue 174

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Thursday, 5 May 2016

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HARPO’S MARKS

R REMEMBER Fred P Pagano? d who? h I hhear you ask!

Fred Fred played in the Sydney Rugby League competition throughout the latter half of the 70’s.

He played 11 games for CronullaSutherland in 1975-76, made 24 appearances at Newtown in 197778 and ran on in six games for the Rabbitohs in his swan-song year of 1979.

While he was with the Bluebags – yes, that was Newtown’s nickname for yonks before John Singleton took over at the club and changed it to the Jets – Fred became known as a tackling machine.

In those days, each club’s statisticians compiled the tackle counts and match after match, Fred was accredited with making 80 or so tackles – yep, one a minute if, of course, the Bluebags had 100 per cent of the possession!

Methinks the person compiling Newtown’s tackle count was Fred’s mother!

I reckon that if Fred, a forward, was within 10 metres of a tackled player, he was accredited with making the stoppage.

Crikey, at all the other clubs, a player making 30 or so tackles was believed to have had a tremendous impact in defence!

I well remember that in those days, the bloke stopping the ball carrier’s forward motion was accredited with the tackle.

Which brings me to Jake Friend!

Statistics on the NR: website reveal Jake is the leading tackler in the league with 499 put-downs in nine matches, averaging just under 56 tackles per game.

That’s 117 tackles more than the next bloke on the tackle count ladder!

As you, dear reader, is aware, for

most of the six tackle count, it is a case of iust one pass from dummy half to a ball carrier who charges into the defence, only a few metres away from the play-the-ball.

Friend simply darts across and does his hatching an egg impersonation by flopping on the real tacklers in a bid to slow down the play-the-ball.

Look, don’t get me wrong, Friend is a handy player and puts in his all on the footy field but as the bloke who does most of the marking at the play-the-ball, he is able to chalk up a huge number of supposed tackles by being second or third man on the lamentable pile-up tackles that are a scourge on the game.

When my fellow columnist, Mark Geyer, was playing in the 80’s and 90’s – crikey, was it that long ago?

– he was probably the forward on the field with the least number of tackles to his name.

Because of the ferociousness of his big hits, invariably the ball carrier would head off to territory unmarked by the tough-as-teak MG. MG just had to stand on a big blindside and normally that part of the field was declared a no-go area by ball-carriers which gave the Panthers plenty of players to defend in the MG-Free Zone.

Yes, its, not the number of “tackles” you make but what impact they have on the eventual outcome of the game.

I’m sure each and every Panthers supporter who saw MG at his lethal best would agree!

HIGH MARKS: Just thinking about MG and those hits. Aaah!

LOW MARKS: I digress. Why is it so that Channel 9 has to provide viewers with a daily update in the mundane lives of the British royal family? Who gives a rat’s rectum!