Nepean News 7 July 2023

Can you make a difference in someone’s life?

BY KERRIE DAVIES

ILOST my beautiful mother to cancer six years ago. Although she was an absolute trooper throughout her journey, it was a challenging, and at times, harrowing experience. One thing that sticks in my mind is her optimistic outlook and her praise of the nurses and volunteers she came in to contact with. She liked being able to talk to them about things she didn’t feel comfortable sharing with family. I daresay they were the not-sooptimistic moments.

Are you passionate about giving back to the community and enjoy talking to people? Cancer Council NSW is a community funded, community focused cancer charity dedicated to working towards a cancer-free future. There are things that we can all do every day to help make this happen.

The Cancer Council Information Service volunteer is a crucial role, providing support and information to people affected by cancer and health professionals within Nepean Hospital. This includes linking patients and carers to Cancer Council support services and resources.

Volunteer work is a great way to meet people and find new friends in your local area while also making a positive impact. Volunteers benefit from learning new skills, gaining valuable work experience, applying professional skills to work that makes a difference and the satisfaction of giving back to our cause. Each of our volunteers has a unique story about why they enjoy working with us and what volunteering means to them.

Sue Woodward’s story:

Sue was 49 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

That was 17 years ago.

Then four years ago, she was diagnosed with a new breast cancer.

“This time,” Sue says, “they advised a double mastectomy”.

To the outside world, Sue believes, she looked like she was doing okay coping with her second diagnosis and getting on with her life.

But how she felt inside was a different story.

The worst time, she says, came one day when she was just sitting in a shopping centre. “I was looking at people and I was churning.”

“Why me,” she couldn’t help thinking.

“Why me and why not them?

“It was just really difficult,” she said. Tears filled her eyes as she thought back to that time.

“…That feeling of resentment I had. I didn’t like it. I don’t like resentment in any one.”

“But that day, I felt just … empty.”

To anyone who has faced a serious or lifethreatening illness, Sue’s experience is probably not unusual.

But what came after that it is what makes Sue’s story remarkable.

A good friend came to Sue’s rescue. When she understood how Sue was feeling, she suggested that Sue call Cancer Council NSW’s 13 13 20 Information and Support service.

Main responsibilities include:

• Informing and providing people within Nepean Hospital of Cancer Council services and resources available to them.

• Respecting the privacy and confidentiality of others

• Treat all personal information acquired as confidential

• Avoid giving medical advice, including alternative therapies

• Wear the supplied uniform and identification badges

• Enter deidentified data onto the provided tablet for each interaction

• Complete stocktake of booklets and other materials within the treatment centre and ordering publications when needed

• Taking part in evaluation surveys and representing CCNSW in collated surveys on an ad hoc basis

commitment to the cause of Cancer Council NSW Desirable: • Some previous experience with cancer, ie: have had cancer personally or involved with a family member/friends diagnosis.

Sue spoke to a Cancer Council health professional who really listened to her. He helped her understand her feelings and work through her very natural emotional response.

That was a turning point for Sue.

Looking back she says, “I don’t remember the name of the man I spoke to on the 13 13 20 number, but I thank him a lot”.

Sue and her husband Greg had already had some involvement with Cancer Council NSW.

A friend had an eye removed as a result of melanoma and Sue and Greg were understandably distressed about it.

Coming on top of Sue’s experience, it prompted them to really want to do something about cancer.

• Great communication and listening skills

Our ideal volunteer will have:

• Knowledge of, or ability to learn: The services provided by CCNSW and other organisations and Use of computers/ tablets

• Confidentiality • Ability to attend provided training and bi-monthly team meetings • Have a

If you are interested, please call Natalia on 9354 2009 or email natalia.arnas@nswcc.org.au for more information. Please note there is a one-off compulsory training session which will be held in Parramatta (close to train station) on Thursday 20th July.

Then they read about Cancer Council’s Relay For Life in the paper.

So Sue and Greg decided to get involved by becoming volunteers.

Over time they learned more about the work of Cancer Council NSW.

So when they retired early and had more time, they decided to do more.

They began volunteering in the office helping with, as Sue put it, “whatever was needed”.

They volunteered with the ‘Eat It To Beat It’ healthy eating program and then with the Community Speakers Program, visiting groups to talk about the work of Cancer Council and the types of help that are available.

“Now I work in the Cancer Council Information Service in Western Sydney,” says Sue.

“I listen to people and I point them in the direction of material I think will help them.”

“I see people who are seeing specialists, that are going through chemotherapy or radiation.”

“And I never ever forget the support people who are with them. I think it’s really really important that we look after the carers because I know what they go through.”

“Sometimes it’s important that people know there is light at the end of the tunnel. For some people, I represent that light.”

Empowering businesswomen

THE NSW Government has invested $500,000 in three programs designed to empower women to start and run successful small businesses through the Women in Business Networks (WIBN) grant.

Penrith MP Karen McKeown OAM said despite the prevalence of small businesses in New South Wales, only one-third of these businesses are owned by women.

“The WIBN grant is one initiative

responding to the NSW Government’s commitment to support women in small business and entrepreneurs, as outlined in the 2022-23 Women’s Opportunity Statement,” Ms McKeown said.

“The programs will help connect women in small business or those who are looking to start a small business with the right resources and support. They will include training, workshops, networking, peer support and industry mentoring.”

95B STATION ST, PENRITH

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BY KERRIE DAVIES

WHEN you look at the way we lived last century compared to this one, the changes are so huge it’s like two different worlds. Some changes arguably haven’t been great, with many, especially “boomers” often flagging a vibe of entitlement and a lack of resilience and respect.

But some things have changed for the better, especially in how we perceive bullying, depression, suicide prevention and the consideration of people’s mental health.

Or have they?

I have been absolutely appalled by the treatment of Panthers player Jarome Luai across social media.

The comments under a post we put on Nepean News facebook during the last Origin game were horrendous. People called him every name under the sun, some using language that would make a chronic cusser blush. Luckily there’s a button which allows a page to limit comments, and I decided to try clicking “only allow comments from historical followers” which basically equates to local readers who like the Nepean News page. Bingo! All the harsh comments suddenly ceased - which could only mean one thing - we’d been bombarded by out of towners from north of the border, not Panthers fans. Faith restored.. a little.

It still had me perplexed that people would be so nasty and venomous over a football player, no matter which support base they came from.

Fast forward to this week and the announcement of the blues side, which of course does not include Jarome Luai.

Whilst flicking through my news feed, I came across a leading newspaper from QLD. Next to a photo of him with blood on his mouth, a headline screamed “NSW grub Luai dropped as Blues swing the axe.”

You read it right. I had to read it three times myself to register that a newspaper had actually said this.

Jarome Luai is an elite athlete - not a criminal.

In an age where we are supposedly considerate of people’s well-being I’m just sickened that a newspaper would lead the charge on name-calling and provide a platform for a further pile-on.

It’s not like footy players have never been aggressive with each other on the field. You can’t laugh at Bring Back The Biff and then suddenly be all offended that one player stood over another in a footy game.

Romey is a colourful character, no doubt about it. It’s certainly not a first in sport though?

My whole life has been spent watching the brash, the extroverted, the flashy, the angry and the conceited personalities in sport. I know you’ve seen them too. We used to laugh about them, it was all part of the fun of the sport.

What changed that people now think its okay to hurl abuse and insults?

Social media I guess. Its an example of how not all the changes in our society have been good ones.

I love ya Romey. I say keep being you. The photos I see of kids who adore you over a simple handshake, and the comments from the actual local fans prove that Penrith in general loves you too.

I fear the young kids who look up to Luai aspiring to be athletes themselves would be turned off by how the public treats them.

In a world where we have more choices available to us than ever before, choose kindness.

Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

Flight path fairness

BY KERRIE DAVIES

FEDERAL Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh has come out firing; saying her electorate has been snubbed and not included in upcoming information and feedback sessions.

“Last week I raised concerns that my community will not get a fair consultation process on the preliminary flight paths that are set to directly impact the residents of Lindsay,” Ms McIntosh said.

“Sadly, this seems to already be the reality, with my office receiving the list of community flight path consultation locations as set out by the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communication and the Arts, with not one being in the Lindsay electorate despite us being the most impacted by the preliminary flight paths.

“Six community information and feedback sessions and three community information stalls will occur in Blacktown, Blaxland, Bringlelly, Horsley Park, Narellan, Parramatta, and Warragamba.

“The closest consultation is just outside the electorate at Luddenham Markets, which will thankfully capture that community. I hope the Lindsay electorate being missed off the list is an oversight, and I’ll be asking the Department to rectify it.

“The Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King MP, noted in her 27 June media release on the preliminary flight paths that for additional transparency there is a noise tool for

the community to use online. I would like to ask the Minister: “what about directly engaging on the ground with people right across my community?” I have always supported Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) for the jobs, infrastructure and opportunities it will bring Western Sydney.

“Now, the Albanese Labor Government is responsible for the flight path design and consultation process, and I want to ensure our community is engaged in a true consultation process where our concerns are heard. We deserve fair and balanced flight paths.

“Significantly, flights will be both departing and arriving at WSI over the same locations, including Cambridge Park and Llandilo. Flights will also be going above High Street in Penrith, the Nepean River and Emu Heights at between 5,000 to 8,000 feet. The noise impacts are forecast to heavily affect our community in the evening hours, with low altitude flights travelling across the Penrith area, with the hardest hit suburbs with decibel levels at or over 60 to including Twin Creeks, St Marys, Castlereagh, Cranebrook, Llandilo, Werrington, Emu Plains, Claremont Meadows and Luddenham.

“The community information and feedback sessions are being held to help residents to understand the preliminary flight paths in more detail, and speak with officers from the Department, representing the Western Sydney International Airport (WSI) project. It is extremely important that our local residents are not ignored in this process.”

You can find more information on the community sessions on the Department’s website at: www.wsiflightpaths.gov.au/community-events/

Local Penrith Type 1 Diabetes youth advocate takes message to Parliament

FEDERAL Member for Lindsay, Melissa McIntosh MP, discussed local advocacy for Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) with Lindsay local and Youth 2023 Volunteer of the Year for the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF), Emily Klimek, and her mother Mrs Julie Klimek, who is an endocrinology and diabetes nurse at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

As Deputy Chair of the House Standing Commitee of Health, Aged Care and Sport, Mrs McIntosh met Emily at Parliament House in Canberra last week. Ms Klimek gave testimony on her lived experience with T1D at the first public hearing for the new inquiry into diabetes in Australia, in her capacity as a youth ambassador for the JDRF.

Ms Klimek, who is 15 years old, was diagnosed with the life-long condition of T1D at 2 years old. T1D is an autoimmune disease that makes the body incapable of producing insulin. Without insulin, sugar builds up in the blood in life-threatening amounts, and patients must take insulin through multiple daily injections or an insulin pump.

“Since my diagnosis with T1D, my whole life has revolved around managing the disease. Every day has been dominated by my insulin management, with finger prick tests, insulin pumps, and needles. I can’t remember a day without diabetes,” Miss Klimek said.

“This year I was thrilled to be chosen as the JDRF 2023 Youth Volunteer of the Year, where I have been given a chance to speak on behalf of young people and share their stories on living with T1D.

“Volunteering for JDRF has given me an incredible purpose, because by adding my voice, I can increase awareness of the disease on a national stage as well as in my local community.

“Our hope is that one day, the solution will not be just diagnosis, treatment, and management of the disease. Our dream is that, through advances in research, clinical testing, and technology, we will be able to find a cure.

“We took a big step last week at the inquiry. I wanted to show the Commitee that although living with T1D is not easy, through the help of the community, the JDRF, and support from the government, we can make a big improvement to the lives of many.”

“I have seen many young people struggle with the daily management of T1D and how it can negatively impact their lives. I am so proud of Emily and the way she has chosen to use her experience in a positive way to raise awareness and advocate for further research to help improve the lives of all those living with T1D,” said Emily’s mother Mrs Klimek.

Mrs McIntosh regards Miss Klimek’s work in the space of T1D

awareness and research advocacy as an incredible feat.

“Emily is a strong young woman who is determined to make a difference on behalf of all the young people living with Type 1 diabetes,” said Mrs McIntosh.

“Last year as part of National Diabetes Week, Emily raised awareness with the media on a pilot screening program funded by JDRF and led by the University of Sydney,

to determine through a simple saliva swab if infants aged between six and twelve months were at risk of developing Type 1 in childhood.

“As well as organising a fundraiser at her school in support of JDRF research, Emily participates annually in the JDRF One Walk, and this year she will be a Walk Host with her team ‘Emily’s Ladybugs.’

“One Walk is a fun challenge that all the community can get involved in at Penrith, by walking 125 kilometres over the month of October to raise money for research for the more than 125,000 Australians currently living with T1D.

“It was a great privilege to hear from Emily at the parliamentary Health Commitee’s public hearing and listen to what her journey with Type 1 has been like, as she has strongly represented on behalf of the one in three hundred children in Australia who has the disease.

“Our inquiry into diabetes is the first of its kind in Australia, with its scope including investigating the causes of diabetes across all the very different types, as well as seeing how we can use new evidence-based advances in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of this group of diseases.

“A key element of that is the consultation process with the diabetes community, so we can examine the effectiveness of current government policies and programs to respond to the most current data and develop a strategy to improve the state of diabetes in the nation.”

“I look forward immensely to further engaging with Emily for T1D advocacy in our local community going forward.”

Over the past 50 years, the not-forprofit JDRF has become a global leader in T1D research and has invested nearly $2 billion into developing an innovative therapies pipeline for the disease.

This October marks the 30th anniversary of the JDRF One Walk, established in 1993 by parents of T1D children to increase awareness of the disease and to fundraise for JDRF research. To get involved, you can register at: www.walk.jdrf.org.au

The Type 1 Diabetes National Screening Pilot is still open and is accessible for Western Sydney families with eligible infants, you can find more information at: www.kidsdiabetesscreen.com.au

Man arrested after armed robberies - Kingswood

A MAN has faced court charged with armed robbery upon the same convenience store twice in three days. About 7.40pm (Thursday 28 June), a man allegedly entered a convenience store on Manning Street, Kingswood, where he threatened a 21-year-old male employee with a butcher’s knife.

The man fled the location with a sum of cash.

Police were contacted and officers from Nepean Police Area Command established a crime scene and commenced an investigation.

Officers were informed that the man had also allegedly entered the store

shortly before 4pm on Tuesday (27 June 2023) and had done the same thing, but the incident had not been reported to police.

Whilst patrolling the area, police have arrested a 21-year-old man walking along Bringelly Road.

It will be alleged that officers located

the butcher’s knife and proceeds from the store in the man’s possession. He was taken to Penrith Police Station and charged with two counts of robbery armed with offensive weapon. The Kingswood man was refused bail to appear at Penrith Local Court today (Friday 30 June 2023).

Help shape the future of the Nepean River Precinct

PENRITH City Council invites the community to share their ideas and aspirations for the Nepean River Precinct as work to update the Our River Masterplan gets underway.

Funded by the NSW Government in association with Penrith City Council, the update will extend and contemporise the existing Masterplan by identifying gaps, challenges and opportunities to build on the vibrancy of the precinct.

The updated Masterplan will be developed with the community and key stakeholders to reflect their evolving needs and aspirations for the Nepean River Precinct and guide the next phase of planning and revitalisation.

Penrith Mayor Tricia Hitchen said the community played an integral role in developing the original Our River Masterplan in 2013, which has helped transform the Nepean River into a popular recreational destination.

“The Our River Masterplan has been our roadmap for the past ten years, informing Council’s decisions and allowing us to advocate for and coordinate the delivery of projects that we know are important to our community,“ Cr Hitchen said.

“The recent Police Cottage restoration, Real Festival, boat ramp and trailer car park, pathways and lighting, viewing and fishing platforms, kayak launch pads, amenities, and riverbank regeneration to name just a few of the projects.

“It’s exciting to see the Nepean River Precinct come to life, and with the completion of Regatta Park

and Tench Reserve upgrades in sight, its reputation as one of Western Sydney’s best destinations will only continue to grow,” Cr Hitchen said.

“With more people using and enjoying this space, the updated masterplan will help us address current and emerging challenges such as access to water and water-based activity, connectivity, flooding, traffic, and parking.

“Central to the new Masterplan will be the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders’ ongoing connection to the river and creating a unique place that celebrates their stories and heritage,” Cr Hitchen said.

The community is invited to visit one of the

Saturday 8 July, 8.30am-10.30am

Tench Reserve – adjacent to Tench Reserve Playground

Saturday 8 July, 11 am-1.00 pm

Great River Walk - Cnr Punt Road/River Road

This project is jointly funded by the NSW Government in association with Penrith City Council. Council secured a $100,000 grant under the NSW Government’s Metropolitan Greenspace Program and will match the funding. For more information visit: Metropolitan Greenspace Program | Planning (nsw.gov.au)

listening posts at the Nepean River to share their ideas.

Mayor at Weir Reserve: Penrith Mayor, Tricia Hitchen, visiting the Weir Reserve

Annual Historical Festival and Open Day

Date: Sunday July 16th 2023

Event name: Annual Historical Festival and Open Day

The Nepean District Historical Society will be holding its Annual Historical Festival and Open Day at the Arms of Australia Inn Museum on Sunday July 16th 2023 at Emu Plains, NSW from 10am to 3pm. Admission is free.

There will be special displays in the Inn telling the history of the building and the Penrith area.

The NSW Corps of Marines will be at the festival and will be in charge of keeping law and order.

As in previous years, there will be activities for the young and oldincluding the old fashioned school room where you can write on slates, The Penrith Printing Museum,

Penrith, you are amazing!

BY PENRITH CITY COUNCIL STAFF

IN just one month we have collected more than 80 mobile phones that will be cleaned and repurposed by DV Safe Phone.

The charity will then distribute these working devices to local domestic violence support services for victims to access in their time of need.

Often, these people have their phones taken away by a controlling partner, leaving them with no connection to emergency services or support networks.

Thank you to our incredible residents and staff members who have kindly donated a phone – your contributions will encourage victims to speak up and they will help save lives in our community!

To donate, visit one of the locations listed on our website at penrith.city/dvsafephone

Antique & Classic Motor Club cars, the Pioneer Timber Cutters, Bookstall, Morse Code Club and Plant Sales including a Bonsai Display plus a Tea Room, BBQ and drinks.

Entertainment will include Harmony Choir.

Time: 10am to 3pm

Venue Address: Arms of Australia Inn Museum, Cnr Gardenia Ave and Great Western Highway, Emu Plains

Contact phone or website for public enquiries: Call 02 4735 4394 on opening days or email info@ armsofaustraliainn.org.au www.armsofaustraliainn.org.au

Western Sydney is not a dumping ground

MEMBER for Badgerys Creek, Tanya Davies, has written to the Labor Minister for Planning, Paul Scully to ask him to exercise the powers afforded to him by law to prevent a proposed incinerator being built in Eastern Creek, a mere 1km from the nearest residence.

“The proposed waste-to-energy facility will do a great deal of harm to my community. It is a danger to the growing communities in Western Sydney.”

“I want to thank the Member for Blacktown, Stephen Bali for his bipartisan support on this issue,” Mrs Davies said.

“Mr Bali and I are committed to opposing this

project for our communities. The incinerator poses a great risk to the health and wellbeing of families in our electorates and we will not stop fighting until the Minister does the right thing.”

Mrs. Davies has formally submitted the following Question on Notice to the Planning Minister:

1. Will the proposed Eastern Creek waste-toenergy facility proceed?

2. What are the potential adverse health effects, including air pollution and emissions, on the surrounding communities of the proposed Eastern Creek waste-to-energy facility?

3. Will the Minister amend the relevant State

Environmental Planning Policy (SEPP) to disallow a waste-to-energy facility from being considered a permissible use of land?

The former Liberals and Nationals Government passed the Protection of the Environment Operations (General) Amendment (Thermal Energy from Waste) Regulation 2022 which prohibited these facilities except in one of four specified rural precincts. The changing of the SEPP is the final step in protecting the communities of Western Sydney. “I eagerly await a prompt response from the Minister and I will ensure the community is informed of the outcome,” Mrs. Davies affirmed.

The first 100 days of the NSW Labor Government

BY KERRIE DAVIES

THE first 100 days milestone has been reached and the Minns Labor Government say they’ve hit the ground running to address the serious challenges facing NSW.

“We were elected with a clear mandate to scrap the wages cap and sit down for a genuine negotiation with our frontline workers including nurses, paramedics, teachers, firefighters and police,” Premier Chris Minns said.

“We were elected to rebuild health and education in NSW and reinvest in our essential workforce – to put people back at the heart of government.

“And from the moment our team was sworn in we have been working hard to make this happen.

“We’ve made good progress – with a lot more to do.

“We’ve smashed the wages cap and delivered the biggest pay rise to public sector workers in NSW in over a decade.”

The government has transferred thousands of temporary teachers and support staff in our schools to permanent contracts.

“We’ve begun the transition to safe

staffing levels in our hospitals,” Mr Minns said.

“We’re making renting fairer while delivering more affordable housing.

“We’ve made serious progress in reforming planning in NSW to deliver more supply and quality homes.”

Mr Minns said the NSW Government has also enshrined the protection of publicly-owned assets including Sydney Water and Hunter Water in the constitution and taken significant steps to reduce the impact of energy price increases.

“We’ve had a productive first session of parliament, with 13 bills passed. But we’ve made clear the biggest challenge we face is the budget.

“Since forming government in March, we have been up front with the people of NSW about the economic challenges we have inherited from the former government.

“They handed over to us the largest debt in our state’s history, with the state on track for a record $187.5 billion in debt.

“Incoming briefs have also uncovered a $7 billion black hole of unfunded programs.

Mr Minns fended off questions from journalists about breaking any election pledges.

“I don’t believe we have,” he said.

Dputy Pemier Prue Car said the following is just some of what the NSW Labor Government has already delivered:

• Delivered the biggest pay increase for NSW public sector workers in more than a decade.

• Frozen politician and public sector senior executive pay increases.

• Transitioned 7,000 teachers and school support staff from temporary to permanent contracts.

• Cut admin work for teachers and increased numbers of school admin staff in schools.

• Began the transition to safe staffing levels in NSW hospitals.

• Established at Paediatric Heart Transplant service at The Children’s Hospital at Westmead.

• Shut down unused COVID PCR testing drive through centres.

• Prioritised English and Maths in updated curriculum rollout.

• Maintained Lismore flood relief support.

• Expanded stamp duty exemptions and concessions to more first home buyers.

• Reformed rental laws by introducing a rental commissioner and creating a portable bonds scheme.

• Introduced new planning rules to

deliver further housing supply and more affordable housing.

• Abolished hidden speed cameras in NSW.

• Began a comprehensive toll review led by Professor Allan Fels.

• Introduced a demerit point return scheme to reward safe drivers, sooner.

• Secured UFC Match for Sydney.

• Started the process of increasing the concert cap at the SCG Precinct.

• Banned VIP Lounge signage from pubs and clubs.

• Introduced a bill to ban clubs and pubs with pokies from donating to NSW political parties.

• Legislating to double penalties for knife crimes.

• Successfully switched Walgett’s water supply to river water.

• Engaged interim Biosecurity Commissioner

On the road to healthy smiles

WSLHD dental van caring for western Sydney primary school children

WESTERN Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) is at the forefront of addressing oral health issues and ensuring accessible dental care for local communities.

More than 63,000 Australians are hospitalised each year due to preventable dental conditions, making it the third leading cause of acute preventable hospital admissions in the country.

WSLHD’s Primary School Mobile Dental Program (PSMDP) has been actively working to provide dental services to children who may otherwise lack access to dental care.

The program offers free school-based dental checkups and a comprehensive preventive care package, including fluoride treatment, dental education, x-rays, cleaning, and fissure sealants.

Students requiring further dental treatment can be referred to fixed clinics at Westmead Centre for Oral Health and Mount Druitt Hospital Oral Health Clinic for ongoing care.

By offering a dental exam in the school setting, the parents don’t need to take time off work and there is minimal interruption to their schooling.

Dr Katie Metcalfe

The PSMDP team tirelessly organises and travels across WSLHD, visiting primary schools in the Auburn, Blacktown, Hills Shire, Holroyd, and Parramatta local government areas.

Equipped with two mobile dental vans and additional fleet vehicles, the team provides dental treatment and ensures the safe transportation of equipment and staff to various sites.

Dr Katie Metcalfe, a senior dentist and Head of the PSMDP unit, has witnessed the consequences of untreated dental issues in children.

“I regularly see children who have untreated infections and decay affecting multiple teeth,” she said.

“I treated a 12-year-old girl last year who had never seen a Dentist and had pain from an infected tooth.

“She said her parents were saving to take her to see a Dentist.”

WSLHD recognises the significance of this issue

and is committed to reducing the burden of oral diseases among its residents.

Tooth decay, a largely preventable lifestyleassociated disease, affects a substantial portion of the population.

According to the National Adult Oral Health Survey in 2017-2018, 89% of adults in Australia experienced tooth decay (Do & Luzzi 2019).

Disturbingly, 42% of children aged 5-10 had tooth decay in their baby teeth, and 64% of older children faced tooth decay in 2014 (AIHW 2016).

However, regular dental check-ups significantly lower the decay rates compared to children who only seek dental care when there is a problem (AIHW 2022).

To promote good oral hygiene at home, WSLHD recommends the following practices:

• Brush teeth twice a day for two minutes using fluoride toothpaste.

• Spit after brushing and avoid rinsing to allow the fluoride to protect the teeth.

• Maintain a balanced diet and limit consumption of sugary foods and drinks.

• Visit the dentist every 6-12 months for regular check-ups.

WSLHD remains committed to improving dental health in its communities, ensuring that every child has access to quality dental care and promoting preventative measures. By focusing on prevention and accessibility, WSLHD strives to create a healthier and brighter future, one smile at a time.

Getting western Sydney kids moving!

AN essential part of a child’s growth and development is their ability to perform fundamental movement skills (FMS).

Physical activity has many benefits for children, including better bone and muscle development; emotional, mental and social well-being; improved learning, and maintaining a healthy weight.

Building children’s competence in FMS not only improves their confidence, but also increases their desire to participate in games, sports, and other recreational activities as they get older.

Between the ages of 3 and 5, children need opportunities to learn these fundamental skills, as these opportunities don’t occur without intervention or direction.

The skills include running, jumping, galloping, side sliding, leaping, skipping, hopping, catching, kicking, striking a ball; dribbling a ball; overarm and underarm throwing.

Early childhood educators are encouraged to provide daily opportunities to teach FMS as part of NSW Health’s Munch & Move program, which is supported by our Centre for Population Health’s Health Promotion team.

Health Promotion Early Years Program Manager, Janelle McNicholas said research shows that children are more likely to improve

their FMS when engaged in a learning experience that is stimulating and supportive.

“In a child’s early years, FMS is all about exposure to the skills, exploration, opportunity, guidance and most importantly – fun!” said Janelle.

In May and June, our Health Promotion team supported over 60 educators from 42 early childhood education and care (ECEC) services in

western Sydney in ways to teach FMS through practical dance workshops. The workshops provided opportunities for educators to learn practical ideas on how they can easily implement FMS into their educational program using dance.

Encourage children to express themselves by creating opportunities to include their favorite dance moves when planning FMS physical activity experiences.

Following the workshops, 98% of participants said they had a better understanding of children’s physical activity needs and had learned how to perform the 13 FMS.

One participant said, “This was hands down the most fun and most informative experience I have had through training! I met so many wonderful women and absolutely loved stepping out of my comfort zone and learning so much all about FMS! Can’t wait to get back to the team and get them to have as much fun as we did with the dancing element! Honestly, I could say so many wonderful things about each of you, but I’ll keep it short. Amazing!!”.

“I just wanted to say a big thank you to your team today. Myself and my team member … joined you for the Munch and Move workshop at Merrylands and it was highly engaging and most of all FUN! We definitely got a workout,”another participant said.

Mount Druitt welcomes nine new Probationary Constables

NINE new probationary constables have commenced duties in Mount Druitt after graduating at an Attestation ceremony at the Goulburn Police Academy in April and June this year.

The nine probationary constables form part of Class 357 and Class 358 who will also complete 12 months’ on-the-job training and study by distance education with Charles Sturt University.

Minister Catley welcomed the new probationary constables to the NSW Police Force and thanked them for the important work they will be doing in protecting and serving the public.

“I would like to congratulate the nine probationary constables on becoming the newest members of our Police family; the enthusiasm, drive and commitment they will bring will be a great asset to the local communities of Mount Druitt Local Area Command” Ms Catley said.

“There’s no escaping the reality that policing can be challenging – it is a role like no other and the incoming probationary constables are entrusted with great powers and responsibilities. But with the right support to guide them here within the local police stations and communities, I look forward to watching them develop and thrive.

“As Police Minister, I pay tribute to the hard work and dedication each of these new officers have shown to get to this point.”

Member for Mount Druitt and Parliamentary Secretary for Police & Counter-terrorism, Edmond Atalla MP, also paid tribute to the hard work and commitment undertaken by these probationary officers in the pursuit of their Police careers.

Mr Atalla said “I am delighted that Mount Druitt has been allocated nine new probationary constables,

it is a rewarding and honourable career and I am sure each one will make a positive impact on our community.

I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the nine probationary constables, whose commitment to public service is commendable, and I wish them all a successful and fulfilling career ahead.”

The probationary constables officially graduate

with an Associate Degree in Policing Practice once they have passed all academic and operation standards. The officers will then be confirmed to the rank of constable.

While many recruits are Australian-born, this year the graduating cohort is also made up of students from diverse backgrounds including India, Iraq, Nepal, Egypt and Argentina.

Join in all the fun celebrating NAIDOC

BY KERRIE DAVIES

PENRITH

Council has been celebrating NAIDOC Week with events still to run; a free community event on Friday, 7 July, at Jamison Park and Twilight Markets on 14 July.

On Friday, join in for a fun-filled day of culture, history and heritage with performances, market stalls, workshops, a BBQ lunch and more.

One of the major highlights at the community event will be ‘Having a Yarn with Elders’ featuring respected Aboriginal leaders in our community including Aunty Jenny Ebsworth, Uncle Dennis Dodd, Aunty Elaine Gordon and Bob Leslie.

In keeping with this year’s NAIDOC Week theme, ‘For Our Elders’, our special guests will have an informal chat about their lives including how they’ve helped their community navigate these changing and challenging times.

You can see ‘Having a Yarn with Elders’ on the Main Stage at 12pm.

NAIDOC Week is an opportunity to celebrate the significance of our Aboriginal heritage and the important contribution Penrith’s Aboriginal population make in our community and across our vibrant City.

The program of events will celebrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, history and heritage; as well as embrace the NAIDOC 2023

theme, ‘For Our Elders’, a homage to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and their ongoing contributions to communities across the country.

Council’s main NAIDOC community event will return to Jamison Park from 10am to 3pm on Friday 7 July 2023. This fun and inclusive event will feature performances from First Nations artists, workshops, stalls, a free BBQ and more. Come along and enjoy a great day celebrating Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture, heritage and history!

Penrith NAIDOC 2023: Sharing Knowledge, Sharing Culture Twilight Markets

3pm–7pm, Friday 14 July

Sydney Region Aboriginal Corporation, 51-57 Henry St, Penrith

This event shows appreciation to our Elders and highlights the importance of our Elders’ knowledge, ensuring their wisdom is not lost but celebrated. There’ll be yarns by the fire, and market stalls selling art, food and other items.

Yellow Wiggle and Cardiologist team up to save lives

WHEN former yellow Wiggle, Greg Page, suffered a sudden cardiac arrest in January 2020 during The Wiggles’ charity concert at Castle Hill RSL, it was an off-duty nurse who saved his life through CPR and the use of a nearby AED (automated external defibrillator).

He was urgently transferred to Westmead Hospital, where Senior Staff Specialist Cardiologist Professor Pramesh Kovoor and the Cath Lab team inserted a stent into his coronary artery to essentially avoid any damage to the Wiggle’s heart muscle.

Greg is one of the lucky ones; only 10 per cent of people in Australia survive a sudden cardiac arrest.

Following this realisation, Greg created “Heart of the Nation”, a charitable initiative to raise awareness about sudden cardiac arrest, and the critical role that members of the community, combined with rapid access to an AED can make in increasing survival rates.

Prof Kovoor and his son Dr Joshua Kovoor, a resident medical officer in Adelaide, have teamed up with Greg as honorary consultants for the Heart of the Nation and are petitioning for defibrillators to be made mandatory in all public buildings including schools, libraries and sporting facilities.

In 2020, only 26 per cent of out-ofhospital cardiac arrests attended by NSW Ambulance had a heart rhythm responsive to defibrillation.

AED, and helping to place more AEDs into areas where they can be accessed by the greatest number of people in times when they may be needed.”

the example set by SA and move to implement similar laws mandating the public availability of AEDs in their communities,” said Prof Kovoor.

They are also working toward the implementation of a world-uniformed, easily recognisable bright sign to enable easy identification of AEDs.

“We surveyed 2,538 people at Westmead Hospital and found that the Heart of the Nation yellow-red sign was preferred by 73.0% participants as easier to identify in an emergency such as a cardiac arrest compared to the currently used green-white sign 27.0%,” said Prof Kovoor.

Prof Kovoor is no stranger to pioneering work in the cardiology field.

AEDs only deliver a shock if it can detect a heart rhythm, and in 2020 when he suffered his cardiac arrest, around 20,000 others were not as lucky as Greg and did not survive.

“ “

“Heart of the Nation implements programs and initiatives that aim to fill the gaps in the community – promoting the locations of AEDs, educating the community that you don’t have to be certified, trained or qualified to use an

Prof Kovoor even keeps an AED in his car.

On 30 November 2022, the South Australia (SA) Parliament passed the Automated External Defibrillators (Public Access) Bill 2022, making SA the first state or territory in Australia, and one of few in the world, to mandate the public provision of AEDs. The Bill will come into effect for government and public buildings in 2025 and a variety of private buildings in 2026.

“Greg, Joshua and I feel that for the benefit of all Australians, other states and territories should follow

In 2004, in partnership with the NSW Ambulance Service and Royal North Shore Hospital, the Prof established a system of triaging potential heart attack patients in the ambulance, rather than the Emergency Department (ED), to ensure patients were sent to a hospital with a Cath Lab team who could have an operating theatre ready to go.

This ground-breaking work at Westmead Hospital has saved many lives and has been adopted across the country, becoming the standard of care.

“The shorter the delay, the better,” said Prof Kovoor. “It’s really a nobrainer.”

Greg Page and Prof Pramesh Kovoor in 2020

Hope Cottage finds its new home

HOPE COTTAGE has moved into a newly refurbished space at Nepean Hospital on Level 2, Building D as part of Stage 2 of the Nepean Redevelopment.

The service previously sat within the footprint of the new Stage 2 tower and needed to be relocated to facilitate the construction of the second clinical building.

Hope Cottage provides accommodation for patients and visitors who have travelled long distances to receive vital treatment or require ongoing care at Nepean Hospital.

“Hope Cottage started as a shared house that the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District used to rent on Hope Street – so that’s where we got the name Hope Cottage,” says Renae Islaub, who has been the manager of the service for the last ten years.

“As the service evolved and grew larger, Hope Cottage was relocated onto the Nepean Hospital campus.”

Opening in 2005, the new Hope Cottage at Nepean Hospital was a $1.4 million fundraising initiative by three Rotary Clubs in the region – Penrith, South Penrith/Penrith Valley and Nepean Rotary Clubs. Three years ago, Rotary handed operations of the

service to Nepean Blue Mountains

Local Health District.

Renae said Hope Cottage accommodates a range of visitors at the one time.

“Some people may stay with us for one or two nights whereas others will stay with us for months on end,” says Renae.

“Our main cohort are parents with babies who are being treated in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, but we also have patients who have travelled long distances to receive treatment, such as chemotherapy, and need a place to stay before making the trip home again.”

Renae says the main benefit of Hope Cottage’s relocation is being more

central to other hospital services.

“From our staff’s perspective, they’ll be closer to staff amenities and the hospital wards they pick up or deliver patient valuables to. From a safety point of view, we won’t be as isolated as where we are now.

“It will also be safer for our patients. For example, parents who need to feed their babies in the middle of the night no longer have to walk outdoors but can make their way to the ward inside the hospital.”

Nepean Redevelopment Project Officer, Rebecca Cooper worked closely with Renae and her team to ensure a smooth transition into their new home.

Rebecca says Hope Cottage guests

can look forward to fresh and new accommodation spaces.

“The rooms look brand new with fresh paint and new floor finishes. They are also fully furnished with ensuites, access to kitchenettes, laundry and free-to-air TV,” she said. “There is also a shared family room as well as outdoor areas guests can use.

“Renae and her team have been fantastic to work with throughout the relocation process. We’ve worked together to overcome some tough challenges and identify solutions that would ensure Hope Cottage continues to provide comfortable, safe and affordable accommodation to visitors and patients who need it most.

“Hearing the stories of some of the visitors who use the service really reinforced the importance of keeping the service on the hospital campus, rather than relocate it to a new area offsite.

“There are many disadvantaged families out there, and the whole team involved worked really hard to ensure Nepean Hospital could continue to provide onsite accommodation for these families, because at the end of the day, those people are who this redevelopment is for, and I think the project team should be proud of what we have delivered.”

Quest Penrith nominated for industry award

BY KERRIE DAVIES

IT is their fifth birthday at the end of the month and now its an even more exciting time for the team at Quest Penrith!

They’ve been nominated as one of the finalists for the 2023 Quest Regional ‘Franchise of the Year’ Awards - NSW/ ACT category.

“It is a proud moment for us to share the stage with our prestigious counterparts Quest North Sydney, Quest Orange, Quest Macquarie Park, Quest Campbelltown & Quest St Leonards,” the team posted on social media.

“This coming through in line with our 5th year anniversary makes it even more special and we do have a long list of people we have worked through this journey to get here. To begin with we thank the entire Quest Apartment Hotels team lead by David Mansfield GAICD, David Ridgeway, Anthea Dimitrakopoulos, GAICD, Jennifer Warn, Brad Thomas & David Burt our Franchise Relationship Manager for guiding us through this.

“We can’t wait for the results to be announced at the Regional Franchise conference, wishing all the finalists a heartily congratulations. May the best team win!”

In the five years since Quest Penrith first opened their doors, it’s been a challenging time for both the hotel and the community. Lockdowns dealt a large blow to travel, functions, work meetings and enjoying ourselves in general.

Quest Penrith has been resilient throughout this time and have always provided a welcoming, happy environment. I have been lucky enough to stay at the Quest Penrith and I can vouch that it is a fabulous place to stay. The great vibes begin as soon as you enter reception; there’s always a smiling face ready to greet you. The rooms are spacious and well-equipped, the facilities are incredible and the location is one of the best in town.

In April this year I recommended Quest Penrith to my American friends, and they’re still raving about how much they loved the hotel. So if you have friends coming to Penrith, tell them to book into Quest Penrith!

To kick off their fifth birthday celebrations, they currently have a Christmas in July theme at the reception, all ready to welcome you or your friends with a lit- up Christmas tree and hot chocolate with marshmallows on offer for all guests arriving between 8am and 8pm. Book Now on www.questpenrith.com.au

Rotarians tour the new Hope Cottage at Nepean Hospital

Chris Bowen MP’s Welcoming the Babies event

MP Chris Bowen’s highly anticipated annual event was held this past weekend; Welcoming the Babies.

This heart-warming occasion aims to celebrate the arrival of newborn babies and the beginning of their journey within our vibrant and supportive community. Families from Erskine Park and St Clair joined in the fun.

Welcoming the Babies has become a cherished tradition that brings together families, friends, and community

members to commemorate the joyous arrival of these precious little ones.

During the event, each newborn baby is presented with a symbolic gift of a fern, a sample bag, and an official certificate.

The fern represents the growth and resilience that each child will experience throughout their lives. The sample bag contains a variety of essential items and resources provided by businesses and organisations, designed to support and assist parents as they embark on their new parenting

journey. The certificate is a token of recognition for the baby’s place within our loving and inclusive community.

Welcoming the Babies has become an institution in the area, with little Keira Mohan the 4th baby of the Mohan family to be welcomed into the community over the years.

Chris Bowen said Welcoming the Babies is more than just a ceremony but an opportunity to foster a sense of belonging and connectedness within our community.

“When you’re born in Australia you

don’t get a Citizenship Ceremony, so it’s important to recognise our newest members of our community.”

“It serves as a reminder that our community embraces and values each and every child, ensuring they have an environment to grow, thrive, and reach their full potential,” Mr Bowen said.

The event also provided an opportunity for parents to connect with other families, share experiences, and speak with professionals like Breastfeeding Australia.

Study finds apple pollination in Australia reliant on introduced species

NEW research led by Western Sydney University, in partnership with Hort Innovation, has delivered the most comprehensive assessment of pollination in apple crops in Australia by exploring pollination services provided by native and non-native bees for apple cultivation in Australia.

Published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, the study observed the foraging behaviour of over 69,000 invertebrate flower visitors to orchards for three years in the Blue Mountains and Central West regions of New South Wales to assess the effectiveness of pollination services.

As part of the study, a novel pollinator efficacy metric was developed to assess the services provided by bees which was customised for individual orchards in the study - this enables farmers to predict which kinds of bees are likely to be on-site based on proximity to native forests, habitat disturbance and weather conditions.

Lead author Dr Simon Tierney from the Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment said that native bees enhance pollination services in the Northern Hemisphere, especially for cultivated apple crops, yet little is known about pollinators in the Southern Hemisphere.

Dr Tierney explained the study is the most comprehensive assessment of pollination of apple crops in Australia and has international relevance because apples are the 10th most valuable global crop and account for about 10 per cent of the value of the national fruit market, hence, the results were impactful.

“Understanding the natural history, behaviour and family tree of bees is crucial for understanding pollination services because these animals coevolved with flowering plants which represent approximately one-third of the average human diet (fruits and vegetables) and has ramifications for a range of global food industries which are a source of major economic importance, especially within Australia,” said Dr Tierney.

“The apple orchards assessed in our study were found to be dependent on two bee species, one native stingless bee and the introduced western honey bee, but more broadly Australian apple production faces the potential vulnerability of being reliant upon a single species – the honey bee.”

The study highlighted that Australia houses a unique native bee fauna that consists of very old southern Gondwanan heritage and more recent arrivals from the north when the Australian tectonic plate bumped into southeast Asia.

However, as none of the top four bee pollinators for wild apples originating from Central Asia naturally occur in Australia, pollination services are more exposed to health risks from invasive parasites and associated disease.

“Without these naturally occurring Northern Hemisphere bee pollinators there may be an overdependence on pollination services from the nonnative honey bee whose health is currently under threat from an invasive parasite, the Varroa mite,” said Dr Tierney.

“While the only other alternative native pollinator, a stingless bee, is effective, they only become important only on relatively warm spring days on farms that are within hundreds of metres of native forests and the distribution of stingless bees is restricted to the tropical and subtropical eastern seaboard of Australia. Whereas, more than 80 per cent of Australian apple production occurs in temperate climates.”

In light of these new findings, the research team is advocating for continued long-term studies of pollinators of important food crops more generally and deployment of the pollinator metric developed in this study which enables customised assessments of pollination services for individual orchards based on climate, natural resources close to farms and an in-depth understanding of historical bee distributions and biogeography.

Hort Innovation chief executive officer Brett Fifield said this research is an integral part of the horticulture sector’s efforts into safeguarding pollination in Australia.

“Understanding the role honey bees and other native pollinators have in pollinating crops is vital information for the horticulture sector,” Mr Fifield said.

“These research insights will allow the horticulture sector to tailor its responses to pollination challenges.”

This study, ‘Bee pollination services and the burden of biogeography’, was part of the project ‘Healthy bee populations for sustainable pollination in horticulture’ funded by the Hort Frontiers Pollination Fund, part of the Hort Frontiers strategic partnership initiative developed by Hort Innovation, with co-investment from Western Sydney University, Syngenta Asia Pacific, Bayer Crop Science, Greening Australia, Croplife and contributions from the Australian Government. For more information, download the paper relating to this study at https://royalsocietypublishing.org/ doi/10.1098/rspb.2023.0747

Antipodean pollination services: Australian allodapines and European honey bees are distant relatives that converge to pollinate apple (Central Asian origin) in a Blue Mountains orchard. Image credit: Dr Simon Tierney

ORCHARD HILLS VETERINARY HOSPITAL

Ph 4736 2027

49 Wentworth Road, Orchard Hills

Foreign bodies in pets

BY KELLIE TICKNER, ORCHARD HILLS VETERINARY HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATOR

LIKE toddlers, pets have a tendency to chew anything they can get into their mouths. This becomes a serious and potentially life-threatening problem if the objects are swallowed. We have seen various ‘foreign bodies’ ingested by pets which include toys, clothing, mango seeds, rocks and socks!

Recently, Kyza the Schnauzer was presented to the clinic, generally not feeling well. He was not eating and soon began vomiting. An x-ray revealed a foreign body in his intestine, causing a partial obstruction. After being stabilized with IV fluids/ electrolytes, pain relief and antibiotics,

Kyza underwent exploratory surgery. Dr Camille & Dr Lesca removed a rock from his inflamed and traumatised intestinal tract.

The digestive tract is essentially a long tube, passing food from the mouth, down the oesophagus, into the stomach, through the lengthy small

intestine, then forming a stool in the colon and out the rectum. It generally takes the foreign body from 10-24 hours to move through the entire digestive tract. Some objects, however, can actually remain in the stomach for longer periods of time, even months.

When objects are too large to pass, they usually obstruct at the stomach outflow or within the small intestine itself. With linear foreign bodies, the continual movement of the intestinal tract can literally bunch the intestines into an accordion-like mass.

If the foreign body has managed to move to the colon, it will probably successfully pass. But, defecating a sharp object may prove painful and may even need veterinary assistance.

Kyza remained in intensive care on i/v fluids until he was able to digest a special diet

If you suspect that your pet has swallowed a foreign body, call Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital immediately. The sooner your pet receives medical attention, the better his or her chances of full recovery with fewer complications.

Looking for adoptive parents and forever home

FRIENDS of Hawkesbury Companion Animal Shelter seek the “extras” for the dogs and cats in care at Hawkesbury Pound. They also visit the pound each week and take photographs and temperament tests of the animals to

PUDGY IS A LOVELY SWEET BUT SHY BOY

post online and promote the animals. They upload their images and opinions of these animals to Facebook, Twitter and PetRescue. To follow them, look them up on facebook and twitter.

GORGEOUS PETER IS READY FOR A HOME

YOU GIVE OUR SWEET FUDGE A HOME

Pudgy is a lovely relaxed boy who just loves to lay around with his buddy, if you are interested in adopting this lovable boy please come to the shelter to meet him.

Cost: $29.00 Age: 4 years

Type: Cat Breed: Domestic Short Hair

Sex: Male

All prices include microchipping, lifetime council registration, desexing and 1st Vaccination. R251000145

Peter is a sweet kitten but is a little shy in the shelter environment. He will need a family that understands it will take some time for him to settle into his new home. If you have the time to watch this boy blossom please come and meet him...

Cost: $174.75 Age: 10 weeks

Type: Kitten Breed: Domestic Short Hair

Sex: Male

All prices include microchipping, lifetime council registration, desexing and 1st Vaccination. R251000145

Fudge is a very active pup who is full of energy, she would be best suited with an active family as she just loves to be on the go. If you are interested in adopting this very active girl please come to the shelter with your family dog and the children to meet her, just so we can be sure they are all going to get on well together.

Cost: $424.65 Age: 5 months

Type: Dog Breed: Kelpie

Sex: Female

All prices include microchipping, lifetime council registration, desexing and 1st Vaccination. R251000145

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

THE G SPOT

IKNOW this truly has nothing to do with security. However now that I have been writing this column for years, and you are all family, I thought I would share this little thought, insight, blurb or whatever ya wanna call it, with you.

I was reading my stars in a VERY predominant Sunday newspaper, coffee in hand and very relaxed on the back lounge and my stars read “You won the lottery the moment you arrived on this planet.” I must have missed that memo/email when I came out of my mother’s womb, because the last time I looked I had $4.50 in my wallet and an inflated mortgage. The next line then read that I have managed to manifest myself in this world as a human? The writer must be like Albert Einstein because what the hell else would I come out as? A cat, dog, grasshopper perhaps? I was going to continue on, however I considered sticking a fork in my eye might be more entertaining.

I was driving late the other night and noticed all of these weird and wonderful number plates getting around now. What a great idea I said to myself, actually personalising plates to the point of looking like someone had vomited over them. Oh, the kaleidoscope of colours, leopard prints and mismatched coloured plates and all that stuff going on, all you need is dancing girls and vivid Sydney lights and you’re right to go.

With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security

I noticed one tiny flaw in them, however -ummmm you can’t see the numbers and letters on some of them. Maybe at certain angles you may (if you twist your neck sideways and stand on your head maybe) but straight on, no hope in hell.

“Who cares,” I hear you all scream, well yes, however the next time a cop asks me what the rego was on a particular vehicle that may have done something wrong, I will say “I dunno? but according to the personalised plates they are Rabbitoh supporters, with a twist of fluro pink flowers in leopard print and blue letters ending in J. I Think?”

Have had a number of calls about break and enters lately while the people are still inside the house. It seriously amazes me how many people say, “I was gunna, I shudda and I woulda, do something out the security on their house.” It is not about spending millions on dogs, cameras, fortress walls, armed guards and Pol Air hovering over your house. It’s about using common sense, the old C word –Common sense, costs nothing and comes in sealed packs with an expiry date.

Lock it, Lock it, Lock it…. And what do they all say? “Its insured but I hate the feeling of knowing that someone was in my house going through my stuff” and “I feel dirty.” There is a line there, but I think I will leave it at that…

Went to a house that had a break in the other week,

lovely BIG house (swing a cat and a jet plane). You know those lovely glass panels next to the front door with the lovely designs ( yes I hear the angels singing now) well that is how they got in. Smashed the panel and opened the front door up, the house had an alarm, but you know, busy day. Kids were crazy, running late, hubby was supposed to do it, forgot the alarm blah blah blah, was going to get deadlocks and was on the to do list. Yep I’ve heard it all before. Guys, its not rocket science, think about it, there are so many links on the website to help you with cheap ways to secure a house. It still amazes me how people are still reactive rather than proactive when it comes to the security of houses and cars and business. Yet other materialistic objects get precedence (See, I can use big words that don’t mean much and make me look like I know what I am talking about).

So there you have it kids, I can write meaningless crap too, my stars next week will tell me that I am really an alien, and I was dropped on my head at birth from a spaceship, can’t wait for that …sigh. They will bring out musical number plates next year that match the colours. Tip: don’t try sticking a fork in your eye. At least I used a hot pink plastic one so when I got to the hospital it matched my pyjamas and check out the web for tips on home and car security.

www.nepeanregionalsecurity.com.au

Women Out West: Women In The Creative Arts

Come along for a special panel discussion

AS part of their popular Women Out West series, Penrith Performing & Visual Arts (PP&VA) is excited to bring you another special panel discussion this July, Women in the Creative Arts

This exclusive event features a distinguished panel who will share their experiences as arts workers and artists and give you an insight into their creative practices.

The panellists include Madeleine Jaine Lobsey, Debra Beale, Malvina Tan and Ann Niddrie. The panel will be led by Lisa Finn Powell.

We invite you to join us and be part of the continuing advocacy for equality, diversity, safety and growth.

Women out West is proudly sponsored by Nepean News.

and organisations to dramatically expand their revenue, services, projects and scope.

She is the General Manager of The A List Hub, a national organisation dedicated to autistic and neurodivergent youth being able to access social opportunities and be social their way. She has formed partnerships and produced large scale projects that directly impact community needs. She is also the host of the Girls Just Wanna show weekdays for My88 FM, a board member of the Theatre Network NSW. A mother of three, Madeleine home schools her youngest child.

reflect the diverse nature of my culture and the importance of being Aboriginal women in Australia.

MEET THE PANELLISTS

Madeleine Jaine Lobsey is an autistic/ADHD theatre maker with a career of over 25 years as an actor, director, choreographer, writer, dancer, singer, project manager, advocate, and teacher. She has acted, written, and directed performances with Junction Theatre Company, Brink Productions, Adelaide Festival Centre, Belvoir St, Griffin Theatre Company, as well as regional tours of South Australia, Victoria, NSW and in feature films.

She is the Artistic Director of Wondiverse (theatre for all) devising, writing, directing, and acting in Adelaide, Sydney, London and Edinburgh. Her one-woman show toured throughout Australia and the UK. Madeleine is currently running theatre making drama workshops for neurodivergent people aged 16 – 30.

Like many women, Madeleine wears many hats and has been a sought-after leader for facilitating programs on transformational leadership for the past 20 years. She has led to individuals wanting to expand the difference they are making all over Australia, New Zealand, South Korea and now globally. She has mentored people from every sector and industry, including Members of Federal Parliament, senior educators, olympians, founders of not for profits including R U OK? Day, leaders in science, the arts and business.

For the past decade Madeleine has thrown her passion for storytelling and the difference it makes into the not for profit and social enterprise sector with a focus on neurodiversity. As a creative strategist she has supported individuals

Debra Beale is a Sydney based artist with a studio in Warrimoo – formally known as ‘Karabah’ (Where Eagles Land), in the Blue Mountains, Darug Nation. She was born in Gadigal Nation, Eora Sydney and is from the Gamilaroi/Wonnarua and Wiradjuri/ Boonwurung/Palawa/Yorta Yorta nations with ties to the Palaway Nation, Tasmania.

She has exhibited widely over the past 15 years both nationally and internationally with experiences in tourism, painting, Australian Bush Jewellery, ceramics, design, costume design, fashion design, pottery, sculpture and print mediums.

Debra is currently enrolled in a Bachelor Of Fine Arts at UNSW and her collection is now part of the exhibition Barangga: First Nations Design at UNSW Gallery, Paddington, Sydney. She designed and facilitated an Aboriginal female Youth Cultural Camp, for ages 12 to 16 years and has an upcoming residency at Chifley College, Bidwell working with Aboriginal students developing textiles to be showcased in Curated Indigenous Collections at London Fashion Week.

In 2020 she was nominated for the National Indigenous Fashion Awards ‘Cultural Adornment and Wearable Art Award’.

Debra says ‘My work is my culture and I incorporate this into contemporary art design. My works

Malvina Tan is a Singaporean mixed media installation and performance artist, based in Sydney, who has exhibited and performed internationally since 2008. Some of her highlights include a collaboration with music and fine art ensemble Chicks on Speed, TranSport (Madrid-Singapore), FETTERFIELD Singapore, Making Space, Body As Woman (parallel event of Singapore Biennale), Singapore Art Week, Something Human FRESHLY PACKED / ALWAYS CHECK THE LABEL (London, UK), Affordable Art Fair Singapore, Future of Imagination 10 International Performance Art Festival, Crack Theatre Festival –TINA Festival (Newcastle, Australia), Art Month Sydney and Rebel Live Action 2 International Performance Art Festival (Bangkok, Thailand). Most recently, Malvina was an artistin-residence with Sydney Fringe Festival’s Art in Isolation programme and presented her latest work, How to make the perfect _____ at the festival in 2022 which was nominated for the Melbourne Fringe Festival Tour Ready award.

Malvina wishes she was living in the 1980s. Having traveled through time, she feels strange in her surroundings. “Extreme interests in human beings, I dissect them physically and emotionally, then translate my findings through my art.” Often, her life experiences are the central focus of her work, exploring concepts of corporeality, memory and time.

Malvina has a Diploma in New Media (Art & Design) from the School of Technology for the Arts at Republic Polytechnic (Singapore), and a Bachelor of Fine Arts (Hons) in Interactive Media from Nanyang Technological University’s School of Art, Design and Media (Singapore).

Malvina has experience working for arts organisations such as

Ann Niddrie is a Blue Mountainsbased creative industries strategist, creative producer, connector and commercial photographer with a passion for making a difference for people, and the planet. She is a strong advocate for investment in the creative industries and in valuing their contribution not only to Australia’s cultural fabric, but also to the economy. She works at balancing creative problem-solving with a love for delivering impactful projects, as well as producing and directing public art and cultural projects. Ann facilitates strategic partnerships, and loves exploring innovative solutions to making urban spaces more liveable.

In her role as Creative Industries Cluster Manger and Brand Manager of MTNS MADE, she facilitated business connections within the creative industries and delivered a range of programs to foster entrepreneurialism, and collaboration via the Blue Mountains Creative Industries Cluster. Through her international research as the recipient of the ‘EDA Study Tour Scholarship for Emerging Practitioners’ she was able to share with economic development practitioners across Australia the findings from her enquiry into Maker’s Spaces and Film Industry clusters on an international scale.

MEET THE PRESENTER

Lisa Finn Powell is a writer, speaker, performer, presenter and author of The Thin Time (2018) and upcoming Accidental Expat. She is the Relationships Manager of Penrith Performing & Visual Arts.

TheatreWorks Singapore, Singapore International Festival of Arts, Cirque du Soleil and she is currently the Marketing Director at Penrith Performing & Visual Arts.

Musical Midsummer Dreams in Penrith

Mendelssohn Scottish & Beethoven Eight

AUSTRALIAN Romantic & Classical Orchestra completes its 2023 10th Anniversary season with a mammoth national tour taking 41 of Australia’s finest musicians to Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, Newcastle, Sydney, Penrith & Chatswood. Plus: the hugely popular Voyage of Musical Discovery music education series!

Its featured works are by iconic Classical & Romantic composers Beethoven & Mendelssohn.

Like all European young men of means in the 19th century, Felix Mendelssohn set off on a Grand Tour of Europe at the age of 20. Unusually, however, Mendelssohn elected to begin in Scotland – and while there he was greatly moved by the dramatic landscape and the bloody history of Mary Queen of Scots. He began writing his Scottish Symphony while on his tour, although he didn’t complete it until a decade later. But clearly, Scotland had left its mark on him, and the symphony seems to evoke the striking countryside.

Equally evocative is Mendelssohn’s Overture to Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, written when he was just 16 – the quick, playful strings at the start suggest the scampering of fairies’ feet, and later one can hear the braying of Bottom after he has been turned into a donkey.

Beethoven’s Eighth Symphony features a lightness of touch, but it is perhaps his most radical symphony. It completely abandons the traditional structure of a symphony, leaps from loud to soft without warning, and at every turn surprises and confounds expectations. When asked by his pupil Carl Czerny why the Eighth was less popular than the Seventh, Beethoven is said to have replied, “because the Eighth is so much better” – an appropriately enigmatic answer for a fascinating work!

The 31 July Voyage of Musical Discovery in Brisbane – entitled ‘Musical Identities’ – reveals the multiple identities of composer and performer and the links between them.

Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra and Muses Trio will explore common threads in music from the past and in the latest Australian music. At the 7 August Voyage in Sydney, the orchestra and Australia’s musical trailblazers Ensemble Offspring will do likewise, featuring the latest works by Australian women composers. And in Melbourne on 3 August, the guest ensemble is the Australian Art Orchestra presenting music by their artistic director, Aaron Choulai. Pictured below co-artistic directors Rachael Beesley & Nicole van Bruggen.

Midsummer Dreams: Mendelssohn Scottish & Beethoven Eight

Australian Romantic & Classical Orchestra - Rachael Beesley Conductor

MENDELSSOHN Overture to A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Op.61 (1826)

BEETHOVEN Symphony No.8 in F major, Op.93 (1812)

MENDELSSOHN ‘Scottish’ Symphony No.3 in A minor, Op.56 (1829-42)

Sun 6 August 3.00pm

Richard Bonynge Concert Hall, JSPAC, Penrith

Full program, information and bookings: www.arco.org.au

with Malama

OUT N ABOUT

To advertise in Nepean News or request your event to be added call Malama on 0416 203 777 OR EMAIL: sales@nepeannews.com.au

Feeling hungry? Head to Panthers and check out the weekend special at Kelly’s Bar + Kitchen! A 400g T-bone steak, served with grilled corn and sweet potato. The T-bone steaks are grilled to perfection and topped with mouthwatering chimi churri. The corn and sweet potato are also grilled to a golden brown, and tossed in a delicious herb butter.

If you are a current registered bowler and a member of the City of Penrith RSL sub-Branch, they would really like to hear from you. It would be great to get a Bowls team together and contest some events. Interested members are requested to email Tim at the Sub Branch or via email: timb@penrithrslsubbranch.org.au

Orchard Hills Veterinary Hospital provides a specialised Puppy Preschool program tailored for puppies aged 6 weeks up to 14 weeks. This opportunity allows young pups to engage in ageappropriate socialisation, essential training, and valuable guidance under the supervision of their experienced team. Call 4736 2027 to book in!

St Marys Leagues Club trainers will guide you through a variety of light exercises that are tailored to your abilities. Stay fit, healthy, and socialise with other seniors in a supportive environment.

Don’t let age be a barrier to your fitness goals - join us at Saints and take charge of your health!

Every Monday Boronia Showroom

Time: 10am Bookings must be made via reception. Limited spaces

Don’t miss the Kids Reptile Show at Panthers on July 14! Go to bit.ly/panthers-school-holidays to book!

CROSS WORD

ACROSS

1 An advanced screening (7)

5 Beginnings (7)

9 Time-saving (9)

10 Blunder (5)

11 An Algonquian people (7)

12 An acknowledgement of payment (7)

13 Blizzard (9)

15 City in Bolivia (5)

17 Hitler’s “master race” (5)

19 Made spirited (9)

22 Boulevards (7)

25 A mineral found in bones (7)

26 Proof of innocence (5)

27 Redemption (9)

28 A small case (7)

29 Television program rankings (7)

DOWN

1 Printing machines (7)

2 Having the power to atone (9)

3 Normally found at the start of paragraphs (7)

4 Run-down (9)

5 Not inner (5)

6 Bugs (7)

7 Pertaining to modern day Persia (5)

8 Scurry (7)

14 Elemental (9)

16 One’s state (9)

17 Manifestations of a Hindu deity (7)

18 Feed (7)

20 Showing valor (7)

21 Needs (7)

23 Order (5)

24 A plant used to make rope (5)

The Frocks - the band that rocks

BY KERRIE DAVIES

IF you haven’t yet been to a gig performed by these four fabulous females, you haven’t lived! I guarantee you’re in for a night to remember and you’ll thank me for the tip. The Frocks is currently one of Sydney’s most popular cover bands, and you’ll have the opportunity to see them free at Penrith RSL on July 15.

With music that entertains, music that will have you tearing up the dance floor, and best of all music that keeps you partying long into the night, their infectious sound puts the ROCK into FROCK.

The Frocks cater for all music fans, teens to grandparents! The song list is tailored to any audience. The Frocks’ extensive repertoire includes the glittering disco hits of the 70′s, the bubble-gum flavoured pop of the 80′s, the break dancing beats of the 90′s, and the rocking radio hits of today

The Frocks deliver organic versions of Top 40 party music the way you want to hear it.

What sets this band apart from other Sydney cover bands? The Frocks have been performing for over 20 years and have clocked up a massive 1000 shows together while at the same time keeping up with music trends.

All 4 members have years of experience working both together and individually including performing radio jingles, performing at major corporate functions and performing with artists such as Jimmy Barnes and Johnny Diesel, to audiences of up to 10,000.

You will not see another band like them. With the powerhouse vocals of Maria, funky feels from bass player Lucy, lush licks from guitarist Lisa and rocking rhythm’s from drummer Raelene, You will want to frock on all night long.

Vika and Linda at the Joan!

VIKA & LINDA – Australia’s most-loved duo – have had an incredible three Top 5 albums in the past three years, as well as releasing the acclaimed memoir No Bull, which documents their remarkable musical life, including eight studio albums, two live albums and a chart-topping anthology, plus three classic albums with The

Black Sorrows. They have also sung on number one albums by Paul Kelly, Kasey Chambers and John Farnham, done gigs for the Dalai Lama, Nelson Mandela and the King of Tonga, and been nominated for six ARIA Awards.

Vika & Linda were inducted into the Music Victoria Hall of Fame in 2019. And in 2022, they were awarded the Medal of

the Order of Australia for their service to the performing arts. The sisters were humbled by the honour. “When you set out to be a singer, you sing because you love it, it’s your passion,” Linda said. “But when you’re recognised by your country for it, for your service to it, that’s a whole other level.”

Don’t miss out, book now!

DATE & TIME

Friday 29 September, 8pm

TICKET PRICE

All Tickets $75

VENUE

The Joan, Penrith Richard Bonynge Concert Hall

This week in

pictures

Penrith Producers was a great success. Even with a chilly breeze, the Penrith City Centre was electric with live music, delicious food and drinks, an amazing range of market stalls, and fun activities for the kids.

Mark your calendars! There are still two more nights in 2023, see you there!

Friday 29 September, 5-9pm • Friday 1 December, 5-9pm

Welcome to Australia! Member for Chifley, Ed Husic MP, greets Indonesian President Joko Widodo No words needed!

Caught in the Tunnel

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

IN 1912, word reached Penrith that Rowland Cochrane had been cut to pieces in the Glenbrook railway tunnel. He was born in 1887, the youngest son of Mr and Mrs John & Betsy Ann Cochrane (Margarson) of Doonmore Street who were married in 1876 in Penrith. The District Coroner Arthur Judges opened an inquest into the death where the following evidence was taken when Thomas Cornell said that he was a fettler in the employ of the Railway Department and at 6:56 a.m. he was coming through and examining the Glenbrook tunnel when he had reached between 3 and 4 chains of the west-end he saw the body of a dead man. The body was lying with his feet towards the rails and his head towards the wall of the tunnel, the distance between the rails being 4ft. The body was stiff and cold, and he left it as it was and went and informed the stationmaster at Glenbrook and asked him to contact the authorities. He said that he did not recognise the body but believed from the position of the body that Rowland had been struck by an up-train and his body was partly face downwards. A boot and a hat belonging to Rowland was lying to the east of his body having been carried further on, and his tucker bag was found to the west side of his body in a manhole, having been thrown there by the force of the impact. He mentioned that 24 hours previously the last examination of the tunnel was made by him, although four feet outside the line allows plenty of room to stand when trains are passing and there are also manholes and shelters every chain along the line. Next Charles Melville said that he was a junior porter at Glenbrook and was on duty when the train stopped at Glenbrook and he saw Rowland’s fortnightly ticket and about five minutes later he saw him walking down the platform in the direction of the pay office and that was the last he saw him as the pay office is a considerable distance down the line from the end of the platform and there was no evidence of liquor on Rowland when he saw him. Mahlah Cochrane said that she lived in Penrith and was the wife of Rowland and she had seen the body at the morgue and recognise it as her husband. She said that she last saw him alive yesterday when he entered the 1.19 p.m. train from Penrith for Glenbrook and he told her that he was going there to resume work and he would be back by the usual train at 6.15 p.m. He had a fortnightly ticket but it had expired the day before. She said that Rowland was born in Penrith and was 25 years of age and he possessed no property and his life was not insured. Because of that the family were rather badly off as just three months ago they buried their infant son only 27 days old. Ernest Heckenberg said that he was a police constable stationed at Glenbrook and at 7.10am this morning he saw Thomas Cornell who told him that there was a dead man in the Glenbrook tunnel and he went with him to the spot where Rowland was laying. He said that he searched the clothing and found the ticket produced with R Cochrane on it - Penrith to Glenbrook and expiring on 10th November. Rowland’s body was very cut about with his left foot cut off and the right leg badly broken and he had bruises on his head and body but he could not trace Rowland’s movements after arrival at Glenbrook yesterday afternoon. He sent his body to the morgue and notified the coroner. At this stage the inquest

was adjourned until Rowland’s body was brought to Penrith on Tuesday night. The funeral was held on the Wednesday afternoon and Rowland’s remains were interred in the Salvation Army portion of the Kingswood General Cemetery with Reverend Canon Archdall assisted by Reverend J Hornby Spear of the Glenbrook Mission who officiated at the graveside. Several of Rowland’s fellow workmen were at the funeral. Rowland was a first-class musician and a member of the Penrith Band. On Saturday, 30th November 1912 a letter from John D Cochran, 133 King Street, Sydney arrived at the Nepean Times office regarding the death of Rowland saying “Sir, I express my astonishment and disappointment at the statement made by John Molloy at the inquest on the death of Rowland Cochrane. In Molloy’s evidence where he said that he remembered that on the 11th of the present month he went by the 1.10pm train from Penrith to Glenbrook on that date and previous to going to the station he saw Rowland at the Red Cow Hotel and noticed that he had been drinking and he saw him served with a bottle of drink which he put in his leather bag and he followed me into Station Street. Molloy told me that he was sure it was a bottle of beer. It is incorrect that Rowland travelled to Glenbrook by the 1.19 train, but the statements that have been made to me by reliable people in Penrith differ from that given by Molloy’s evidence. I understand that Rowland returned from Glenbrook, arriving in Penrith about eight o’clock on the morning of the 11th. At about noon after conversing with two friends near the Commercial Hotel he proceeded with another person to a house in Castlereagh Street and between noon and half past twelve Rowland and another man proceeded together along Henry Street, then along Station Street towards the railway station arriving at about a quarter to one o’clock. On reaching the station Rowland held a conversation with a well-known Penrith gentleman and Rowland did not leave the railway station prior to the arrival of the 1.19pm train and he did not enter the Red Cow Hotel at any time after 9 o’clock on that day. Molloy stated that Rowland was served with a bottle of drink that he put in his leather bag and if you saw what this bag contained on that day as usual it was, a small can and his dinner and it was almost impossible to place anything else in it. What Charles Melville of Glenbrook Station said I believed him. It is remarkable that so many people met Rowland in Penrith that day and did not receive an impression that he had been drinking. Molloy also states that he saw Rowland stand on the station momentarily looking agitated and seemed to be considering for a moment, then all at once started off at a brisk rate. Molloy’s mind may have been agitated on that day, but Rowland’s mind was meditative. There are several Christian people in Penrith who knew of the lad’s earnest intention to better his condition in every possible way on the day he was killed, with such good thoughts firmly fixed in his mind he accidentally met his death in the manner and in accordance with the finding of the coroner.”

Source: Nepean Times Saturday 16 November 1912, page 3, Saturday 30 November 1912, page 6, Trove, NSW Births, Deaths & Marriages, NSW Australian Registers of Coroner’s Inquest 1821-1937

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

Don’t forget to add a cuddly soft toy and delicious box of chocolates to your order for the ultimate wow factor. We can deliver your flowers and gift to Kingswood, NSW or nationwide.

Kingswood Florist, Creative Balloons, Penrith Florist and St Marys Florist 4732 2182 • St Marys 9623 4589

 Photo of Penrith General Cemetery from the internet

Locals clubs contest Eric Apperly Shield Pennant

BY NOEL ROWSELL

THREE local western Sydney golf clubs have entered teams in the 2023 Eric Apperly Shield Pennant competition (21 Years & Under), with Penrith and Richmond both drawn in Section 4, alongside Pymble, Cumberland, Bonnie Doon and The Australian (Red).

Stonecutters Ridge is drawn in Section 5, alongside Cronulla,

Pennant Hills, Killara, Royal Sydney and St Michael’s (Silver).

The competition commences on Sunday 9th July and runs through to the 6th August, followed by an elimination playoff on 13th August, then semi-finals on 20th August and the Final on 27th August - all playoff venues / times to be confirmed.

Richmond and Penrith clash in the first round this Sunday, which will be played at Cumberland, and Stonecutters play Royal Sydney at St Michael’s.

The local squads are: Penrith: (Blake Murray, Brent Gadd, Zavier Button, Kyle Armstrong, Ryder Jerzyna, Jessica Fog, Aydan Crowe, managers Blade Gadd, Michael Organ); Richmond: (Reggie Papps, Matthew Gallaher, Pat Murphy, Imogen Carter, Tate Chambers, Charlton Carter, Matteen Mashal, Mason Gounder, manager Chazz Ritchie); Stonecutters Ridge: (TBA).

There are also a number of local juniors playing for Sydney clubs again this season, with Coby Carruthers

(Jordan Springs), Grace Lee (Glenmore Park) and Chayse Thorpe (Richmond) all playing for reigning premiers Concord Blue, whilst Tyler Nesci (Leonay) will play for Concord Red, Blake Hodges (Erskine Park) will play for New South Wales, Camilla Kim (Kellyville) will play for The Australian.

Full details of the competition and the draw / results can be found on the Golf NSW website www.golfnsw.org.au/eventschamps/eric-apperly-shield/

Wallacia fall to Brighton Lakes in Master Pennant Final

BY NOEL ROWSELL

WALLACIA Golf Club and Brighton Lakes GC contested the Division 4 Master Pennant Final at Twin Creeks GC on Sunday 4th July, with hot favourite Brighton Lakes claiming a 5-3 win to claim the Pennant flag. Both clubs will be promoted to Division 3 for 2024.

According to the official Golf NSW match report, it was not an entirely unexpected result, with Brighton Lakes having steamrollered through their division matches undefeated in Section 1, and then scoring a powerful 5.5-1.5 win in the semi-finals against Fox Hills.

Wallacia played in a smaller pool of 3 teams, winning 3 matches and losing 1 to win Section 2, then conquering Georges River 5.5-2.5 in the semifinals. Wallacia team member George Simpson was undefeated throughout the competition.

Final: (Brighton Lakes First): Glenn Langby lost to Derek Dugiud 3/2, Damian Parata tied Mark Bateup, Paul Barwick def Rob Lee 4/3, Gavin Brown lost to Jose Vidigal 3/2, David Horton tied George Simpson, Peter Haim def Scott Chambers 3/2, Mark

Song def Craig Douglas 5/4, Wayne Clemmett def Bob Lees 7/5.

The full Wallacia squad is Derek Dugiud, Mark Bateup, Rob Lee, Jose Vidigal, George Simpson, Scott Chambers, Craig Douglas, Bob Lees,

Glen Blair, Kerry Walker, manager Bob Flood.

In other local golf news, 12-year old Camilla Kim (Kellyville) finished in 7th position overall in the Girls division at the 2023 Victorian Junior Amateur,

which was held at Cobram Barooga GC (Old Course) and Tocumwal GC (Captain’s Course) over the 27th30th June. The young rising star also finished in 2nd position in the Girls Under 14 division.

The Penrith GC Eric Apperly Shield squad. Photo supplied

Wallacia’s Master Pennant team is moving up to Division 3 in 2024

Panthers long-standing partnership with OAK Plus

Penrith Panthers can confirm that 2023 will be the final year that OAK Plus will be featured on the front of the Panthers jersey after 12 consecutive seasons.

OAK Plus will continue as a major partner of the club next season, with the brand logo to feature on the 2024 Panthers jersey in a new capacity.

OAK Plus with its 30g of dairy protein per serve will continue to fuel the back-to-back premiership players at training sessions and NRL games in 2024.

The OAK Plus sponsorship of the Penrith Panthers is one of the strongest partnerships in the NRL, and will continue to achieve terrific outcomes for both organisations.

“We are the club’s principal partner for the 2023 season, with the OAK Plus logo on the front of the Panthers jersey for a twelfth consecutive year. Our partnership with Penrith is one we are very proud of. The success has been built upon shared values based on teamwork, innovation, high quality

performances and a shared focus and support of community in NSW,” said Lactalis Australia’s General Manager Marketing, Angela Burr.

“Entering our thirteenth year of sponsorship in 2024, we will continue to explore how we can embed innovation and high performance at the core of our partnership. OAK Plus with its 30g of dairy protein continues to power the Panthers players to success, aiding muscle recovery both after training and games. Our involvement with the Panthers includes not just branding, but importantly the work we

do together in the community, which we look forward to further developing in 2024.”

Panthers Rugby League CEO Matt Cameron thanked Lactalis Australia for their 12 seasons of principal partnership, as well as their commitment as a major partner to the club in 2024.

“Across the past 12 seasons, the Panthers partnership with OAK has thrived on shared values of teamwork, innovation, delivering high-quality performances, and a deep commitment to our community,” Cameron said.

“We have enjoyed a rewarding relationship, including sharing in the success of the Panthers back-to-back NRL premierships over the past two seasons. The Panthers organisation are extremely thankful for the unwavering support of Lactalis Australia, and are grateful to have OAK Plus remain as a major partner with the club next season.”

The Panthers will announce a new principal partner following the 2023 NRL season. The club won’t be making any further comment until the completion of the season.

Panthers fall to Hawks in NBL1 East

BY NOEL ROWSELL

THE Penrith Panthers have lost both games against the visiting Illawarra Hawks on Sunday afternoon at the Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre (PVRSC), Cambridge Park, in Round 15 of the 2023 Coles Express NBL1 East competition, with the women falling 70-58 and the men falling 94-68.

There was little to split the two women’s teams throughout their clash, with the Hawks leading 1916, 36-31 and 53-46 at the first two breaks in play, then edging further ahead in the final quarter for a 12-point win. Three-point shooting was a crucial factor in the win, with the Hawks hitting 11/27 (40.74%) and the Panthers 6/21 (28.57%).

Emilia Garcia-Leon led the Hawks with 15 points, 10 boards, Rebecca Abel had 16 points and Teagan Edwards 12 points, 8 boards. Meg Jefferson led the Panthers with 19 points, ahead of Tiana Petterson with 10 points, 8 boards and Chloe Williams 10 points.

The Illawarra Men hit the front early, leading 24-10 at the first break, 51-27 at half time and 76-49 at the

final break in play. Penrith had a morale-boosting 19-18 advantage in the final term but the Hawks ran out easy 26-point winners.

William Hickey led the Hawks with 24 points, 13 boards, ahead of Harry Morris 20 points and Frederick Webb

11. Preston Matia and Caleb FetuiFa’amoe led the Panthers with 14

points apiece, ahead of Jaedyn FetuiFa’amoe 12.

Both Penrith teams face an extremely tough double-header round this weekend, hosting the Newcastle Falcons on Saturday afternoon (women 3pm, men 5pm) and the Maitland Mustangs on Sunday afternoon (women 1pm, men 3pm).

The Newcastle women are in 2nd position and Maitland are in 7th, whilst in the men’s division, Newcastle is in 8th and Maitland in 5th - with all four teams looking likely playoff contenders, whereas both Penrith teams are each languishing in 14th place in their respective divisions.

Sienna Petterson and Caleb Fetui-Fa’amoe in action earlier this season - file photos by Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

COACH’S CORNER

What Do The Best Junior Coaches All Have In Common?

IN order to create effective environments for junior athletes to develop, we first need to understand the needs of the athletes within our program and how they would be affected by the model and design of the program we are trying to implement. The program design should always be focused on what is best for the athletes, to ensure they are consistently challenged physically and intellectually in order to best develop them as players.

Too often junior sport programs and training sessions are developed and created for what is best and comfortable for the coach, sometimes to appease parents or onlookers who are consistently telling the coach how sessions should be run and what they would do if they were in charge and more commonly they are designed by coaches who do not have the relevant experience or qualifications in coaching that specific sport, because they are parents or volunteers who have taken the position to allow the children to participate.

When you consider that 70% of children drop out of organised sports by the age of 13. What contributes to this data? Other interests, education taking precedence, sport becoming more serious and a lack of engagement in the sport, parental pressure or maybe the sport is no longer fun to the athletes… because as coaches we have taken that enjoyment away to service our own goals and interests. The job of a junior coach is to become the bumpers on the bowling alley. Allow the

individual / team to play the game, but when they stray you are to bump them back into the right direction.

We take away the ownership players have within the sport. How? Block skills, lines, instruction, repetition and unengaging drills. We talk about results and make them our total focus. Children spend hours and hours on video games and I believe a huge part of this is because they control the experience. The modern approach to education is to empower children to take ownership of their learning experience. This has not yet filtered through to youth sports. Our best teachers are allowing students to navigate their own learning experience by giving them ownership and control. As coaches we would not like or appreciate someone standing over our shoulder critiquing our every move, so why do we do it to our athletes?

Youth athletes are also victims of a lack of playing time or having been placed in positions on the field where they are unable to develop or become involved in the game. Players should be getting equal time on the field, they should be playing a variety of positions within their chosen sport. The skills and position an athlete plays at age 8 will be very different to the skills and position they play at age 14. Our programs and sessions need to cater for this and allow athletes to develop holistically. If you pick them… play them. Children would rather play on a losing team than sit on the bench on a winning team.

We create an environment where players fear making mistakes. Learning occurs through making mistakes. Training sessions are meant to look messy and chaotic. This is where learning happens, so instead of inserting yourself in an attempt to fix errors or disorganisation, let it be, watch and allow the players to solve the problems. Allow them to struggle as it builds resilience and in game intelligence. If they are looking to the sideline for an answer we have the environment totally wrong. Let them struggle to find the answer or solution.

A coach’s approach is the most important element in making our athletes feel like they belong and that they are able to express themselves on the field. Our youth are emotionally connected and aware, so we need to be mindful of this and ensure we are behaving and reacting in a way that puts learning and development at the forefront of the coach’s behaviour, not the results the team achieves. This is also vitally important for parents to remember when they are debriefing with their children post training or game, when your child may have made some errors or struggled in some areas. Be positive with your feedback, be honest about their performance whilst giving solutions and a path to improvement in their next game or training session. We need to understand that a state of proficiency within a sport is not a state in which our athletes begin. It is our job to guide them towards proficiency gradually.

BROCK SHEPPERD Mounties Rugby League Club - NSW Cup Head Coach Chifley College Senior Campus - Rugby League Program Head Coach

ON THE

MARK

WITH MARK GEYER

PANTHERS MAKE A STATEMENT!

ROUND 18 of the NRL certainly dished up some eye popping results. The Sharks 52 points to 16 winners over the Dragons. The Rabbitohs bouncing back across the ditch with a gritty win over the Warriors 28 to 6. The Raiders bouncing up to 5th position on the ladder with a hard fought 26-22 contest over the ever improving Titans.

But there were three games in particular that caught my eye. I’ll get to the Panthers emphatic win over Melbourne later, but first the two games that would be making the NRL very anxious about future expansion dreams.

On Saturday night in Townsville it was always going to be hard for the Tigers to replicate their round twelve 66 points to 18 win over the hapless Cowboys, but what most of us didn’t see coming was a brutal turnaround by the Cowboys to prevail 74 nil!

Awful stuff from the Tigers, whose fans must be thinking what the ….?

We didn’t have to wait long to see the second flogging of round 18. The very next day on Sunday the Bulldogs hosted the under pressure Newcastle Knights. In what was a game that most thought could have gone either way prior to kick off ended in a bloodbath. The Knights blowing the Bulldogs off the park 66 nil!! To not even score a point in both games from the Tigers and Dogs is the most worrying concern.

Expansion of another team in our comp has been beefed up of late with

several regions vying to be the 18th team, but with floggings like we saw last weekend, the powers that be would be more than troubled with the obvious lack of first grade talent.

Now onto the Panthers game against the Storm. On Friday night in Melbourne the hosts skipped out to a 14 point lead and given the fact that Nathan Cleary wasn’t playing it seemed doubtful the Panthers would fight their way back.

Enter Izack Tago.

In what was his best performance in a Penrith jersey, Tago was virtually unstoppable as the Panthers made a massive statement against the team who most think will be there against Penrith on grand final day.

But after a 34 to 16 drubbing, those calculations may need to be re-evaluated.

And when you consider both the Cowboys and Sharks have had 50 put on them this season, and history tells us that any team who has had 50 put on them hasn’t been able to win the comp, you’d have to say its down to 3 or 4 teams. If you had to ask me right now who do the Panthers play on grand final day this year?

I’m going for a repeat of last year’s Grand Final Penrith v Parramatta!!

See you at the game…..

MG (random Westie) OAM