St Clair & Erskine Park News November 2018

Federal Member for McMahon Phone (02) 9604 0710

chris.bowen.mp@aph.gov.au NOVEMBER 2018

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St Clair Erskine Park

News

Ph: 9834 2966 Em: mulgoa@parliament.nsw.gov.au

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ISSUE 37

Meeting the

Matildas

St Clair kids were treated to a special meeting with the Matildas last week at St Clair Leisure Centre Photo: Andrew Farrell

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BEFORE

AFTER

Trick or Treating in St Marys Breaks Record

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ho said Australians don’t celebrate Halloween?

St Marys Town Centre proved that Aussie families are willing to dress up and join in the fun of celebrating Halloween when they held the St Marys Trick or Treat Trail late last month.

“This is the eighth year that we have run this event,” said Alex Karavas, Chairman of St Marys Town Centre.

“And it just gets bigger and bigger every year.

We had a record-breaking level of attendance this year with 1936 children undertaking the St Marys Trick or Treat Trail. It was a jump of nearly 700 children more than last year.

“It was fantastic to see so many people of all ages dress up and parade along the street in their amazing costumes. Business owners saw a lot of new faces coming through their doors. It’s great to see this kind of community support, not to mention people attending this event from outside of the area.”

Contract announced for Erskine Park Road upgrade T

he Australian Government is funding a $200 million Local Roads Package (LRP) as part of the Western Sydney Infrastructure Plan (WSIP) with funding allocated for Council to upgrade four intersections along Erskine Park Road to improve road safety and traffic flow efficiency.

Burton Contractors Pty Ltd have been selected from a competitive tender process to carry out the works which will commence in November 2018 and is scheduled for completion by December 2019.

Penrith Mayor Ross Fowler OAM thanked the Federal and State Governments saying the upgrade provides for a safer corridor to Western Sydney’s growing employment and residential areas.

“Erskine Park Road is a vital corridor servicing the growth in the Western Sydney Employment Area,” Cr Fowler said.

“These works will deliver increased capacity for the road enabling it to be a much safer and less congested route for residents and business.”

The upgrade works to Erskine Park Road will deliver: • New Traffic signals installed at Explorers Way and Erskine Park Road intersection.

• New Traffic signals installed at Bennett Road and Erskine Park Road intersection.

• Upgrade Coonawarra Drive and Erskine Park Road to a ‘seagull’ intersection.

• Upgrade Peppertree Drive and Erskine Park Road to a ‘seagull’ intersection.

• Upgrade Erskine Park Road to median separated dual carriageway (two lanes in each direction) between Coonawarra Drive and Bennett Road. · A new shared user path between Coonawarra Drive and Illawarra Drive.

Other WSIP projects in the area include the upgrade of The Northern Road Intersections at Derby St and the Great Western Highway, as well as a previously constructed roundabout at Bringelly Road and Caddens Road intersection in Kingswood.

A new connection

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new pedestrian and cycling bridge is now complete, allowing communities across Western Sydney to enjoy safer walking, jogging and cycling across the Nepean River.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Western Sydney and Member for Penrith Stuart Ayres joined thousands of local residents to officially open the Yandhai Nepean Crossing.

“This new bridge is world class and it is very exciting to see it come to life and improve connections for pedestrians and cyclists,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“The Yandhai Nepean Crossing will be an essential link between the beautiful Nepean and Blue Mountains regions.

“Both the design and name of the bridge has been based on community feedback and I know it will be an asset for the region for years to come.”

Mr Ayres said this bridge delivers on the Governments commitment to provide a safe pedestrian crossing of the Nepean River, something the Penrith community has been requesting for many years.

“This is the people’s bridge. The thousands of

people who came out today confirm that,” Mr Ayres said.

“With Penrith’s newest landmark now open the community across Western Sydney can enjoy the Nepean River like never before.

“This crossing offers unprecedented access for people of all abilities to enjoy views to the south of the river, not seen since the late 1800’s.”

More than 850 people worked to deliver the structure with around 700 tonnes of steel used, 25 metre truss segments delivered from Tomago to form the bridge trusses and 10,000 litres of paint used to coat the new structure.

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St Clair Erskine Park

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Join us on

Greg DAVIES Deputy Mayor

East Ward Councillor

Phone 0417 365 313

Todd CARNEY East Ward Councillor

Phone 0419 177 259

Phone 0417 762 219 todd.carney@penrith.city

Penrith City Council

Penrith City Council

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St Clair Erskine Park

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is proudly brought to you by the Nepean News team.

To contact the team call: Office:

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From the

Editor’s Desk

by Kerrie Davies

W

HEN a gorgeous little Pomeranian x Maltese named Chewy was snatched from the safety of his St Clair backyard a couple of weeks ago, his owner put out a distressed call on facebook.

We were contacted by a friend of the owner and asked if we could also help with raising the alarm. We were happy to spread the word on all our news pages - St Clair Community News, Nepean News and Western News.

I love how our community goes hard out to help a neighbour and expose a misdeed. The post was shared tens of thousands of times via several social media pages including ours.

Chanel 9 picked up the story, aired the camera footage and very soon after Chewy was found by police and returned to the loving home where he belongs.

On behalf of Chewy’s very happy owners I’d like to say a big THANK YOU to all who cared enough to share.

Little Chewy will never be able to tell us what happened during his time away from home but I think you’ll agree he looks pretty happy to be home!

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ERSKINE PARK HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT TO TOUR WWII BATTLEGROUNDS

By KeRRIE DAVIES

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lucky student from Erskine Park High School will take part in a once in a lifetime tour of key WWI and WWII battlegrounds as part of the 2019 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship.

NSW Minister for Veterans Affairs David Elliott announced Erskine Park High School was selected via a ballot to participate in the 2019 Premier’s Anzac Memorial Scholarship.

Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies MP said it was a sensational opportunity for Erskine Park High School to select a student to represent the community and gain a better understanding of the military service and the causes of war.

“The successful student will have a remarkable educational opportunity to walk in the footsteps of Australian servicemen and women and enhance their understanding of a legacy that has shaped Australia’s military story.”

“I encourage Erskine Park High School students in Year 9 and 10 with a keen interest in history to

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apply,” Tanya Davies said. “I look forward to meeting the Erskine Park High School scholar when successful applicants are announced in 2019.”

Students interested in attending the tour will submit a piece of work on the topic Australians at War, which will be judged by a panel selected by the school. Essays, poems or short stories, video presentations and musical compositions are just some of the formats applications can be submitted in.

The 2019 tour will travel to historic sites and battlegrounds in Germany, France and Belgium.

They will deepen their understanding of the causes of war and commemorate the service of Australians in both the First and Second World Wars.

Minister for Veterans Affairs, David Elliott said educating younger generations on those who answered the call for service was imperative during as NSW marks the Centenary of Service.

“This is a unique opportunity and one that offers students insight into Australia’s involvement in two of the most devastating conflicts we have ever seen,” Mr Elliott said.

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A fiery battle, but thankfully no fatalities

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he first day of November was a very busy day for locally-based Australian Snake Catchers, with the warmer weather resulting in 12 call-outs in one day.

One of the calls, which was to Mamre Road, saw Sean Cade having to remove a very angry snake.

“This fellow was rightly very upset as it had an encounter with a Jack Russell next to a Day Care Centre on Mamre Rd.” Sean said.

“Both animals thankfully lived through the ordeal. The snake was found under a Basketball Hoop and decided to Envenomate that also.”

If you are confronted with a snake, give Sean or Freya Cade a call, do not attempt to remove the snake as many are highly venomous.

“The size of the snake has zero bearing on the potency of the venom,” Sean said.

“Venom is venom and only the volume will Russell is doing well after Do not try this yourself! differ. the ordeal Call the experts “If you see a snake stay calm, keep the kids and pets away, keep an eye on where the snake goes “Wrap pressure should be that of a sprained if possible and call a professional.” ankle, wrap over clothing, long sleeves etc, remove The Cades offer this advice for first aid following jewelry if possible. a snake bite: “Get help to the patient - not the other way “Pressure and Immobilisation is the current around - as movement of any kind will increase the method used. Keep the patient calm and still, call chance of the venom moving around the system.

000, apply a compression bandage starting at the Australian Snake Catchers operate 24/7 and can end of the limb ( fingers or toes ). be contacted on 0410 761 575.

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Give a little time for someone who is out of time

C

aring for someone approaching the end of their life can be a uniquely rewarding experience. Palliative care volunteers offer companionship and practical help to people living with a life limiting illness, their carers and families.

Ordinary men and women can give the extraordinary gift of their time and compassion during a period when it is most valuable.

The Nepean Hawkesbury Palliative Care Volunteer Service is coordinated through the Nepean Blue Mountains Local Health District. Our volunteers are patient, flexible and non-judgmental, understanding and accepting of other people’s beliefs and values.

Volunteer carer Lyn (pictured right with Colyton locals Bob and Maureen) says, “It’s a privilege to be let into the family and each experience is unique. I hope to make the journey a little easier for the client and their families.” Sadly, Maureen passed away early this year.

The Nepean Hawkesbury Palliative Care Volunteer Service is inviting enquiries from people interested in supporting someone at end-of-life in their own home or in Nepean Hospital.

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There is also opportunity to become a Volunteer Biographer, capturing someone’s reflection of their life and sharing their story in a written memoir.

Volunteers only need to commit up to four hours of their time each week. Clearance checks, training and ongoing support are provided.

Contact the Volunteer Coordinator on (02) 4734 3993 for more information.

Nepean Hawkesbury Palliative Care Volunteer Service Carolyn Wilkinson, Volunteer Coordinator P: (02) 4734 3993 M: 0401 715 851 E: Carolyn.Wilkinson@health.nsw.gov.au

Labor launches its local state candidates for 2019

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ABOR party members and supporters have got together for two weekends in a row to launch their candidates for the state seats of Penrith and Mugoa.

Opposition Leader Luke Foley was also in attendance to support his candidates.

Current Penrith Councillor and former Mayor Karen McKewown will be the Labor Candidate to take on Penrith’s sitting member Stuart Ayres.

Mr Ayres currently holds the seat by a margin of 6.2 percent.

Todd Carney is also a current Councillor at Penrith Council and he will be taking on Mulgoa’s sitting member Tanya Davies, who holds that seat by a margin of 9.7 per cent.

In the Londonderry electorate the current Labor member, Prue Car holds her seat by an 8.8 per cent margin.

The state election will be held on March 23, 2019.

Lovable Sam receives Top Pop award

By KeRRIE DAVIES

H

E is one of the most friendly, helpful and genuine people you’re ever likely to meet and now he’s been rightly recognised with a state government award.

Minister for Ageing and Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies made a surprise visit to “The Train” outside the St Marys RSL Club to congratulate and present Sam Vecchio of St Clair with the 2018 NSW Mulgoa Grandparent of the Year award.

The NSW Grandparent of the Year award recognises the important work seniors do in strengthening their local community.

“Grandparents and seniors give so much back to our communities. They play an integral role in NSW families and it is important that we take the time to thank them for their invaluable contributions,” Tanya Davies said.

“Sam Vecchio is a truly inspiring grandparent; he is loved by everyone who meets him.”

“It is an honour to recognise all the work Sam does by presenting him with the 2018 NSW Mulgoa Grandparent of the year award.”

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“Sam is a strong example of a life lived in service to others, he has helped raised his grandson Lachlan and is now teaching him to drive, he regularly volunteers with the St Marys RSL sub-branch and the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia.”

“He is a role model volunteer in his local community displaying unwavering dedication and personal sacrifice to support his grandchildren, fellow ex-servicemen and community.”

Sam has been a member of the Vietnam Veterans Association of Australia, St Mary’s Outpost SubBranch Inc. for a number of years and was elected to their committee as Secretary in 2013.

Sam manages a team of volunteers and administers the daily operation of “The Train”, an antique restored train carriage which functions as an office and gathering place providing administrative, welfare and pension support to local ex-servicemen.

Sam is an excellent organiser and during his time as Secretary improved the way the Association supports its client and membership base of around 260 ex-servicemen.

Summer Warnings

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By Dr Richard Miller

S

ummer tends to be the busiest time of year for vets for a wide variety of different reasons.

• Heat stress. Short haired, short nosed, dark coloured, tubby dogs are most at risk, Dogs don’t sweat and can only lose heat by panting. Only walk dogs when it’s cool in the evening or early morning. If you find your dog panting and salivating uncontrollably and unable to get comfortable, apply cold via hose or wet towels asap and get to the vet.

• Bad hearts. Trying to stay cool is also a big strain on the heart. Leaking heart valves in older small breed dogs is very common and heat may send them into the early stages of heart failure. Coughing, laboured breathing and lethargy may develop, get to the vet.

• Snakes. If you live on or near the edge of the suburbs and you find your previously healthy dog suddenly collapsed, wobbly and weak, distressed, Mamre ROAd

Veterinary Surgery Serving the local community

laboured breathing, weeing blood, get to the vet asap…this could be snake-bite.

• Bad skin, ‘Hot Spots’ and itching is worse and more common in warmer weather. ‘Hay Fever’ is the most common cause of itching in dogs.

• Ear infections are more common in hot humid weather • Tummy upsets and inflammation of the Pancreas are more common because barbeques are more frequent, and dogs aren’t good at digesting fatty foods eg BBQ leftovers • Fleas like warm and humid.

• Thunderstorm and Firecracker phobias are more common. Ask us for advice and medication options.

• Finally, and maybe most importantly, there are far more flies around to spread the dreaded and often fatal Parvovirus in dogs. Make sure vaccinations are up to date.

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FREE HAMPER DAY Erskine Park

When: Wednesday 14th November Time: 9.30am - 11.30am Where: Erskine Park Community Centre 57 Peppertree Drive, Erskine Park

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MG on the mark

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w i t h M A RK G EYER

Player pandemic shuffling

The ‘player pandemic’ is in full swing

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fter just witnessing the manic happenings of the coaching merry go round, as soon as November 1 hit the ‘player pandemic’ shuffling hit with the same velocity.

Before we look at who might go where, it’s time, in fact I urge the NRL to bring a stop to the absurdity.

If the coach swapping wasn’t enough we now have a situation where up to 30 players are negotiating to play at a different club they’re playing at currently - not next year but the year after!

I’d like to see a mandate brought in where a player CANNOT start to negotiate with another club until the day after the grand final the year their contract expires.

So as an example Luke Brooks, who’s contract with the Tigers ends next year can’t even discuss moving clubs until the day after next year’s Grand Final.

To say that doesn’t give players enough time

to relocate is BS. In November 1997 when I was at the Western Reds we were told that the club was folding.

Within 3 weeks all 40 players on the books had found, and had settled at new clubs. Of course it can be done.

Unfortunately the only loyalty in the game today is from the fans.

I mentioned Brooks, the Roosters are chasing him- shock horror. Dave Klemmer looks like heading to Newcastle. Dylan Napa has the Bulldogs hunting him, Shaun Johnson has been linked to at least 3 clubs, Val Holmes looks set to become a Cowboy, and that’s only a few of the big names being tossed up.

The competition is over but the ‘silly season’ is well and truly upon us. Strap yourself in as the pandemic hits full throttle.

See you at the game.

MG (random Westie) OAM

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word search

Careers ACCOUNTANT

LAWYER

PHARMACIST

ARCHITECT

LIBRARIAN

PILOT

CHEF

MAIL CARRIER

POLICE OFFICER

DENTIST

MECHANIC

REPORTER

DOCTOR

NURSE

SECRETARY

FIRE FIGHTER

OPTOMETRIST

TEACHER

SUDOKU: MEDIUM

Solution: October

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

CROSSWORD

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

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

Solution: October

PVSF Sky Encouragement Award

By CONNER LOWE

T

he Penrith Valley Sports Foundation has awarded Aaliyah Vehikite from St Clair the Sky Encouragement Award for the month of October for her amazing contribution in all sports.

Still only 8-years-old, Aaliyah plays and enjoys participating in all sports. Aaliyah have been involved in little athletics for five years, soccer for four years, oz tag for two years, just started touch and fits swimming into her busy schedule as well.

Aaliyah spoke about how she felt to be nominated for the award and what she loves most about sport.

“I feel so happy and proud to win this award,” she said.

“I love playing sport because you get to do all different types of things, meet new friends and stay healthy.”

This year Aaliyah represented her school, Mamre Anglican school at the Zone Athletics Competition.

She placed first in all her events and progressed to the CSSA (Christian Schools Sports Association)

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State Carnival, in which she came first in 200m and third in 100m and received the 8-year-old CSSA State Age Champion.

Aaliyah spoke about her greatest achievement thus far and her future sporting hopes.

“This year I represented my school in the CSSA athletics carnival and was awarded the 8-year-old Girls State Age Champion,” she said.

“I have also been selected in the Penrith U/10’s girls representative touch football team.

“I participate in athletics once a week and compete at different competitions on most weekends. I also train and play touch football, oz tag and soccer four times a week.

“I want to represent Australia in the Olympics three times and win gold.”

Aaliyah is determined, focused and most importantly shows great sportsmanship, she has given medals that she has won to her competitors when they haven’t received a medal.

We would like to congratulate Aaliyah on her award from Penrith Valley Sports Foundation and to continue her incredible dedication in all sports.

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