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Friday, 12 February 2016
ISSUE 3
HAPPY VALENTINES DAY TO ALL OUR READERS AND CLIENTS
WANDERING NO MORE
See our cover story on page 7. Pictured: Jacob Pepper, John Aspropotamitis, Mayor Stephen Bali, Blacktown District Soccer Football Association Jack Taylor and Carlos Saliadarre, Goal Keeper for Blacktown Spartans
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Western News 12 February 2016 Issue 3
SOLAR – Dead and buried, or still alive? THAT is often the first question that springs to mind when Solar PV system installation is mentioned in conservation. But Jim Hill from Nepean Solar Solutions says that small scale Solar PV installations are very much alive and kicking. Some facts to consider are; • Electricity prices rose by 21% between 2011 to 2014. • You pay your electricity bills with after-tax money. • Whilst we have no way of accurately projecting what the electricity costs will be in the future, I doubt they will be less than today. • The Solar Panels are guaranteed to be still producing electricity in 25 years! • Government rebates return approximately $3,000.00 off an $8,500.00 installation leaving you only $5,500.00 out of pocket (for a standard 4.0kw installation). “Here at Nepean Solar Solutions we can design and install a Solar PV system to suit your budget and available space that may meet your energy consumption resulting in a fully installed and compliant system that you own with-in 3-4 years. This means that you could potentially fund
your own installation purely on the savings generated by your own system and continue to reap the benefits of reduced price in after-tax energy costs well into the future”. A typical household with 4 people will use approximately 24kw/h per day in electricity. “A 4kw Solar PV installation will give you an average of 16-20kw per day,” Jim said. “With an approximate net cost
for a 4kw system of $5,500.00 you can generate over 70% of your total electricity usage and reduce your future exposure to energy price shocks,” A simple calculation on the above example will show that the (assuming $0.25 per kw/h cost) system can be paid off with-in 3 years! “If you were to look at other investments such as a bank deposit returning a couple of percent pretax (as long as you have your money
locked in with them) the Solar Installation path looks very attractive especially when you consider you can recoup your investment with-in 3 years but still enjoy substantial savings every quarter well into the future,” Jim added. What are you waiting for? Contact Nepean Solar Solutions on 0247 600809 or visit them at www. nepeansolar.com.au to obtain an obligation cost free.
TO FIND OUT HOW A LOCAL SOLAR EXPERT CAN HELP YOU, CALL 4760 0809
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Microchipping works
Blacktown prices soar
THE fact that two dogs have been returned to their owners after nine and thirteen year absences shows microchipping works, said the Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali. “It proves microchipping is a permanent record of animal ownership and I encourage all pet owners to take advantage of our free microchipping service. “Each year, our Animal Holding Facility reunites hundreds of animals with their owners, mostly because they have been micro chipped,” he said. There will be a microchipping day at Blacktown City Council’s Animal Holding Facility, Flushcombe Road, Prospect on Saturday 6 February from 9.00am to 12 noon. Blacktown City residents get the first two animals per household chipped for free, and there is a $15 charge for each additional pet. “Those people unfortunate enough not to live in the council area will be charged $20 per animal,” the Councillor Bali said. On January 13, Linda Drake from Tregear was reunited with her 13-year-old Shar Pei Cujo, 13 years after he was stolen as an eight week old pup, and the week before, Zoe Erwin was reunited after nine years with her Maltese terrier, Roxy. “It shows our dedicated Animal Re-homing team is prepared to do what it takes to reunite pets with their families,” Councillor Bali said. “In both cases it took a lot of work to track down the owners; there had been house moves,
LAND values have skyrocketed across Sydney, with Blacktown smashing the growth chart with a massive 47 per cent growth, inflating the median residential land value to $375,000. “There is no surprise in Blacktown that land values have increased, because the area is the fastest growing and best place in Sydney to live,” said the acting Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson. “Blacktown has planned well for this growth and some 7,000 people move to the city each year. “Development is booming. There was $1.15 billion worth of development in 2014 – that’s the second most in the state after Sydney City. “We had the highest number of construction certificates issued (1,838) and the second most development applications determined (2,013) of all councils in the state. “There will be 98,000 additional homes in Blacktown by 2036 – doubling the current number to more than 200,000.” “Yet there are still affordable homes in the area, close to excellent facilities and serviced by the best council in Australia. “I’m proud to live in Blacktown and it seems more and more people are agreeing with me each year.”
Linda Drake and Cujo – reunited after 13 years, thanks to microchipping.
telephone number changes and address changes to work out. Ms Drake wholeheartedly supports microchipping, and strongly urges all pet owners to make sure their animals are either microchipped, or the information is up to date. ‘‘It just goes to show how important it is to get your pets microchipped. I always thought microchipping was a waste of time and money but now I vouch for it,’’ she told local media.
3 Western News 12 February 2016 Issue 3
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From the Editor’s Desk by Kerrie Davies PROTESTING and complaining is something most of us do about something or other on any given day. Some things are important and worthy of the uproar that creates a change for the better. Others not so much. After travelling extensively in the last 12 months to countries where living conditions are very different to ours, I can’t help but notice there’s a fair bit of an ‘entitlement’ air in we Aussie folk. Last month in Bali we presented our driver, Sam, who earns approximately $10 a day, with an Australian flag. With tears in his eyes, he thanked us and said he was going straight home to hang it in his room. Not his bedroom; his room - which is the home he shares with his wife and young child. One room. Last year we visited Fiji and met with some old family friends of mine. Their family consists of Bole, his wife Vina and their two teenage kids. They are Fijian and live in a village in the town of Nadi. Since last visit, their humble home that had taken a year to build out of trees and other debris had been flattened by a cyclone. “We are so very thankful to the Japanese government,” Bole told us. “When our village was flattened they supplied us with a tent to live in, they are very generous and kind hearted people.” As I looked at their beaming faces of gratitude (especially the teenagers imagine that!) I couldn’t help but picture the same scenario here. My mind wandered to picture some Aussie dude whose house had been flattened being presented with a tent to live in. I could already envision his mug on A Current Affair. “What’s the government going to do about this? I’m living in a bloody tent!” my imaginary friend would be yelling. While I’m not suggesting that we should house people in tents, it does reinforce to me that we really do live in the Lucky Country. We just don’t always realise it because we are too busy whining about anything that our entitled selves don’t have. Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au
HANDS UP LADIES!
WOMEN spend their whole lives doing for others. We’re professional cleaners, chefs, and even handy man when need be. When we get the rare moment to focus on ourselves we concentrate only on our faces. We forget our 2 most important and most used asset-our hands. However one of the earliest signs of ageing is our hands always on display and subject to the harshest conditions. Our Hands deserve care and attention
as much as our faces. Wrinkled, lined, and rough hands can make you look older. Thin skin becomes transparent, and veins become prominent. Over time the plump layer on the back of the hands diminishes allowing tendons and veins to become more visible. My preference of treatment is a dermal filler and bio stimulant Radiesse.This gel formula is opaque and camouflages the veins. The calcium spheres in the filler stimulates
your own natural collagen. The results are instant and can last between 9 and 12 months. The procedure is very simple to do using a cannula at 1 small entry point and is relatively pain free .After the treatment there is some swelling and tenderness for a week or so. Don’t give your age away! The appearance of your hands is just important as the appearance of your face.
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Calling all sporting champions FEDERAL Member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland is calling on local sporting champions to apply for new funding under the Local Sporting Champions Program. Ms Rowland said the grants, worth up to $500 for individuals, are designed to help young people pursue their sporting dreams. “I understand that young people find it difficult to meet the ongoing and significant costs associated with participating at sporting competitions,” Ms Rowland said. “Our local community is full of young sporting champions and this is a great opportunity for them to apply for some funding to help them achieve their goals.” The program is for young people aged 12-18 and goes towards the cost of travel, accommodation, uniforms or equipment when competing, coaching or officiating at an official national sporting organisation (NSO) endorsed state, national or international sporting
Prue Car MP
Western News 12 February 2016 Issue 3
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Less mess!
LESS Mess is a local interactive workshop facilitated by an accredited professional organiser with 8 years of experience in helping the overwhelmed to get rid of stuff and gain control over their life. Learn the basics of decluttering, and sustainably disposing of your excess stuff. This free work shop will show you the ABC’s of de-cluttering and then organising your stuff. It will give you sustainable ways to deal with the stuff you no longer need and give you guidance in living with less. Places are limited. Reserve your spot online at https://www. eventbrite.com.au/e/less-messworkshop-tickets-16607783327 or call 9839 6055.
Before and after school funding MEMBER for Riverstone Kevin Conolly MP visited Australian Christian College and Riverstone Public School to personally congratulate them on being successful in their application for a NSW Government grant under the $20 million Before and After School Care Fund. The schools have received $20,000 each to help pay for necessary equipment to set up and support the Before and After School Care service. “I am delighted to share the great news with these school principals. These grants will help to create up to 120 additional out of school hours care places for these two schools in my electorate; that’s more support for working parents and more care for young school students,” Mr Conolly said. Kevin Conolly said the Before and After School Care Fund delivers on a key 2015 election commitment to help families by relieving some of the pressures they face when trying to enrol their children in before and after school care. “We are overjoyed with the financial support we are getting from this grant. We have approval to use our gymnasium as the venue for our Before and After School Care service
Paulle Kwok, Principal of Australian Christian College and Kevin Conolly MP, State Member for Riverstone
and the money will be well spent in providing portable equipment to setup the facility,” said Paulle Kwok, Principal of Australian Christian College. “Our school can really put this money to good use immediately. Our school hall is the venue for our Before and After School Care service and we are already filling available places for our students,” said Emma Thompson, Principal of Riverstone Public School.
“There is further funding available under the Before and After School Care Fund so I encourage other schools and parent groups to see if there may be other opportunities to meet the community’s needs for these services” said Kevin Conolly MP. More information on the grants process can be accessed at: http://www.dec.nsw.gov.au/ourservices/children-and-youth/out-ofhours-school-care-grant
No more Wandering BLACKTOWN City Council has worked in partnership with the Western Sydney Wanderers to create a state of the art training complex for them in Blacktown, said acting Mayor, Jacqueline Donaldson. “We are moving from being the spiritual home of the Wanderers to being the Wanderers HQ,” the acting Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Jacqueline Donaldson said. “Work has already started to develop a state-of-the-art training facility, youth academy and clubhouse - a real home for the Wanderers’ players and staff. “Blacktown International Sportspark is the perfect location for the Wanderers. It’s in the heart of Western Sydney, surrounded by an extensive range of contemporary, high quality sporting venues and facilities. “The partnership between the Wanderers and Council will bring enormous benefit to Western Sydney, especially for our kids and for future generations, as it presents a great pathway from local areas such as Doonside to Blacktown Spartans then the Wanderers. “It really is a win-win for everyone. “Blacktown City Council will continue to work with the Wanderers to bring the vision to reality for the people of Blacktown and Western Sydney,” Councillor Donaldson said. Western Sydney Wanderers, Blacktown District Soccer Football Association, Western Sydney Parklands Trust and Council will continue to work collaboratively to finalise staging plans and approvals. Further details will be revealed over the next few months but it is planned to include a high quality Wanderers Training & Administration Centre, up to eight new football fields, a specialist half-training field and associated infrastructure, parking and landscaping. Wanderers Chairman Paul Lederer
said this development is the result of a lot of hard work from all parties which will deliver a prized asset for Western Sydney and result in an exciting future for the Wanderers. “I am delighted that we have the opportunity to set down permanent roots in Blacktown and create a base that will be an incredible asset to Western Sydney,” said Lederer. “Along with the announcement of our new stadium in Parramatta this is a very exciting time for the Wanderers and for the future of football in our region. “We have the tools and the support to make a significant impact in the Australian sporting landscape and we plan to take this opportunity with both hands to deliver exceptional outcomes to our fans, members and our community – mark my words, this is a game changer.” Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas said that the announcement would not only drive football in the region but will maximise the Wanderers elite pathway
creating the next generation of stars of the game. “I echo the Chairman’s comments, this is a very exciting phase in our development,” said Tsatsimas. “Our academy structure will be the backbone of the Club’s future and securing our headquarters in Blacktown allows us to be a central point in the growth of the region and the growth of football in this country. “We thank the Mayor, Council and people of Blacktown for making this our home and look forward to creating a long and successful future here.” But this is only the start of a project that will see Blacktown as the unrivalled base for grass roots and elite football in the State. Looking to the future a High Performance Centre overlooking the existing synthetic field is planned that will provide aquatics recovery, an indoor hall, cutting edge sports science, analysis rooms, gym and hospitality facilities for all Blacktown International Sportspark Sydney
stakeholders and the community. Not only have the Wanderers secured their training and administrative base, football in the City of Blacktown will also receive a huge boost as the next phase of the BFP project comes to life in the coming weeks. An initial phase of the project will see three 1st class turf football fields constructed to compliment the FIFA rated floodlit synthetic field, seating, office accommodation and changing rooms that is home to the largest football association in NSW Blacktown District Soccer Football Association. Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said the Blacktown Football Park Project demonstrates the City of Blacktown’s commitment to providing high quality facilities for grassroots and elite sport. “Blacktown City is the sporting capital of Western Sydney. The range of sporting opportunities available in our City is second to none and provides for social activity, sporting pathways, international and elite competition” said Bali. “With Western Sydney Wanderers and Blacktown District Soccer Football Association calling our great City home we believe we have brought together a powerhouse of football that will grow and grow in the most beautiful Parklands setting imaginable.” Blacktown and Districts Soccer Football Association CEO Jack Taylor is looking forward to the positive impact the development will have on the growth of Football in the region. “This next stage of the project will be a major boost for our 22 clubs and 10,300 players registered with our association” said Mr Taylor. “For our Spartans’ National Premier League teams this will enable us to host home games across all divisions and major football competitions.”
7 Western News 12 February 2016 Issue 3
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Unlicensed builder prosecuted A 31 year old Guildford man, Walid Issa, has been convicted of unlicensed building work, illegal payments and false representation. Walid Issa has been ordered to pay $6,925 fines and costs by Parramatta Local Court, in relation to unlicensed building activity he undertook in Quakers Hill and Holsworthy in 2013 and 2014. Mr Issa is the sole director of Sydney Best Value Kitchens (Aust) Pty Ltd, now in liquidation, based in Yennora. Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe said Mr Issa constantly produced defective poor quality work and NSW Fair Trading has had to intervene on behalf of 10 aggrieved consumers since his company started trading in 2009. “Mr Issa has never held a contractors licence for general building work under the Home Building Act 1989,” Mr Stowe said. “Yet he continued to trade unlicensed offering cheap kitchens via advertisements on the internet and in local newspapers.” Licenses can be checked on the NSW Fair Trading website at: https://www.onegov.nsw.gov.au/ publicregister/#/publicregister/ search/Trades
Looking for love? Read the fine print IN the lead up to Valentine’s Day, NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Rod Stowe is warning consumers to check the fine print when signing up for introduction agency services. While Valentine’s Day has special meaning for couples it can be an impetus for the unattached to ‘up the ante’ in their search for love and romance. “Make sure you are dealing with a reputable business and carefully read the terms and conditions in any contract. Know what introductions will be made and at what cost. Check refund and cancellation policies. “If you believe you have been misled or are having difficulty exercising your consumer rights, Fair Trading may be able to help,” Mr Stowe said. NSW Fair Trading received 28 complaints and 31 enquiries about introduction agencies in 2015. For more information on dating and romance scams go to http:// www.scamwatch.gov.au/types-ofscams/dating-romance
Be a voice for Australian wildlife rally By Garion Thain
KOALA nutrition and behavioural specialist Marcus Zorich has released a scathing condemnation of his former employer, Koala Park Sanctuary in Pennant Hills, who were recently fined many thousands of dollars for three charges of failing to provide veterinary treatment. The park, now home to a rapidly dwindling number of Koala inhabitants, had Mr Zorich as their Koala dietician for an eight month period from 200910. Mr Zorich explained that cracks in the park’s duty of care were showing even then. “My frustration is this all could have been avoided, if only they had taken the option to support my [advice],” said Mr Zorich. “This would also support their koalas, and as a whole the koala industry, here in the Sydney Basin area,” he continued. “I’d like to explain to Sydney siders that there is a deeper issue at hand when concerning the koala captivity management industry.” Mr Zorich says one of the park’s biggest failings was its choice to focus on providing the koalas with a diet
A healthy koala - a far cry from the images of koalas that were presented to the court by the RSPCA.
for survival as opposed to a diet for enrichment. “I feel that what happened is a slap in the face of my services, in my effort to educate [the park] about the understanding of the koala eating habits,” said Mr Zorich. “We need to prevent a repeat of Koala Park Sanctuary.” RSPCA inspectors found five koalas (Tassie, Tadpole, Alinga, Kamarah and Carcoola) displayed swollen and weeping eyes, which are signs of chlamydia, a sexually transmitted disease common in wild koalas but rare in captive populations. Over 27,000 signatures petitioning
to close the park have been acquired in relation to the November charges. A rally - Be A Voice for Australian Wildlife –is planned for Tuesday 23rd February, 11.30am at Martin Place, Sydney. The Admin of the petition, which is located at change.org, states, “Far from providing refuge, it is the animal equivalent of an internment camp with living condition at the Sanctuary being abysmal. Throughout the zoo, there are scenes of sick and distressed animals living in poor conditions; emaciated, depressed, dehydrated and not moving in their dusty and smelly stretch of dirt which is their home.”
POLICE FILES
POLICE are investigating after a firearm was produced in during an armed robbery in Kings Langley last week. About 9.20pm Thursday, a man entered a service station on Solander Road, Kings Langley and threatened the attendant with a rifle. The man was given an amount of cash before running from the scene. He was seen to run towards Banksia Circuit in Kings Langley. Police from Quakers Hill Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene. Investigations are continuing. The man is described as being of thin build with dark skin, and he was wearing all black clothing including a face covering and gloves. Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
A CHILD has been hospitalised after being bitten by a dog at Pendle Hill. Emergency services were called to a home on Bombala Street last week where they found a five-year-old
girl with facial injuries, including a significant injury to her nose. The girl was taken to The Children’s Hospital at Westmead for treatment of her injuries, which are non-life threatening in nature. Officers from Holroyd Local Area Command attended the scene and were told the girl was bitten in a front yard by a dog that was visiting the home. The dog has been secured and an investigation into the incident is now underway. Police are liaising with local council in relation to the dog.
CHAOTIC DRIVER CHARGED A MAN has been charged with highrange drink driving after he was allegedly caught driving his BMW on bare rims on the weekend. Just after 1am (Saturday 6 February 2016), police will allege a greycoloured BMW drove north through a manned road construction site on Old Windsor Road. The BMW allegedly struck several metal warning signs on the roadway before driving through red traffic
signals at the intersection of Abbott Road. The car then crashed into the median strip, causing the front tyres to explode and continued along Old Windsor Road, shredding a large amount of rubber on the roadway. Officers from The Hills Traffic and Highway Patrol were conducting stationary speed enforcement duties on Old Windsor Road. Several witnesses who were following the BMW notified the officers of the alleged manner of driving. The driver was stopped and arrested after he returned a positive breath test at the scene. A 35-year-old man was conveyed to Castle Hill Police Station where he allegedly returned a breath analysis reading of 0.195. The man’s driver’s licence was suspended and he was issued with a field court attendance notice for highrange drink driving. He is due to appear before Parramatta Local Court on Wednesday 9 March 2016.
Generous gift Train fare hike
KINGS Langley Lions have donated ten sets of outdoor furniture to the Mt Druitt Hospital’s Palliative Care Centre. The donation was made in conjunction with a strong supporter, Kolatsio Café of Kings Langley. The Lions Club has allocated up to $4,000 for the furniture. Club President, John Fernandes, said the Club in making the donation was living up to the Lions’ motto “We Serve”. The furniture was made by the Hawkesbury Men’s Shed and was designed for durability and strength. In addition to supporting the Palliative Care Centre, the Club is also active in providing aid to special needs children. The Club is an eager supporter of the William Rose School which provides an education for up to 100 special needs children. The Club also supports the local soccer club and Little Athletics both of which conduct programs for children with special needs.
LONDONDERRY MP Prue Car says commuters in Western Sydney will be hardest hit by planned changes to train fares by the NSW Government. “IPART is recommending that the current eight-trip model be ditched and Opal commuters pay for their ten most expensive journeys per week,” Ms Car said. “The NSW Opposition is urging the Baird Government to scrap unfair changes to the Opal fare system which will leave commuters in the Mt Druitt electorate severely out of pocket.” Ms Car said the decision would see people travelling to and from work fivedays-a-week by train forced to pay up to 54 per cent more than the current fare. Opposition Leader Luke Foley said commuters travelling from Mt Druitt to Strathfield face a yearly increases of $959 per year. “At a time when we should be getting more people onto public transport the Baird Government is
planning to make trains more unaffordable,” Mr Foley said. “This is bad public policy that will result in more cars on the road as people avoid paying hundreds of dollars more in train fares.” Member for Mt Druitt, Edmond Atalla added that the increase in public transport cost was “ridiculous.” “It’s cruel and unfair that commuters in Mt Druitt are set to be punished by the government for simply catching a train to and from work,” he said.
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THE G SPOT
IS it only me or have people noticed the (Jaws music please) the New Year’s Resolution walkers! Run for your lives, they are taking up our streets, roads, footpaths and even parks, they are everywhere, don’t feed after dark or add water. Yes folks these are the people that you never see all year round, they are like hermit crabs all year and then suddenly…… The one thing I also notice is the different types of walkers, such as the mixed matched walker- The mixed match walker is a person who has never bought fitness gear in their life and it appears that they have replaced an engine block prior to the walk. The determined walker- This is a person that has the look of pain on their face, like they are passing a large object, however is walking slower than a snail. There’s a lot of arm pumping going on but not much
distance happening. The I don’t give a rat’s bum walker- This is a walker that proceeds to kick every stone and meander like they are heading to work or something. The sweaty walker- This is a walker that looks like they have swum 10 laps and then jumped out for the evening walk, the sweat beads are pouring out and the t-shirt looks like the last scene of rocky when he is yelling out for his wife Adrian. The male bum crack walker- This is a walker that feels the need to wear shorts with no elastic and they are presenting a crack bigger than a plumber’s. The male harry high pants- This is a walker who wears their shorts so high it looks like they need an operation to get them off. The colour co-ordinated walkerThank god for these ladies, with matching shoes, socks, tops and of
With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security
course the Lycra pants, with, yes folks, the matching thin colour stripe down the side of the pants. (I hear the angels sing). And of course the super model walker, this is a walker who attends the beautician to have their hair and make-up done to take the daily walk, and doesn’t really care if they are getting fit as long as 20 thousand car horns beep, they are happy. Now I know you are asking what has all of this crap got to do with security, but alas my dear readers it has, because I am going to give you walking security tips. So just keep ya knickers on! Firstly - Tell people where you are walking, so when you are not back in 48 hours they know where to come looking and cash in on your life insurance as well. We know how much you love Dolly Parton, but having her
screaming at 70 thousand decibels in ear phones is not really good, considering you won’t hear anything or anyone around you. Walk in groups- so society not only has to put up with one of you on the street but 15. (Yippee) Facebook- checking in and taking selfie’s on every street corner is not really needed, because to be quite frank we don’t really care that you have decided to walk for two weeks only into the new year, and it also takes your attention ( what you span you may have) away from what you are actually doing. So there you have it the NYRW (New Year’s Resolution Walker) not for the faint hearted folks, this is a trend that you must approach with fear and caution as it only happens at 12.01 on the 01/01 of the New Year - miss the boat and you have to wait another 12 months!
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Your chance to help out a great bloke By Kerrie Davies
DETECTIVE Sergeant Phil Buchardt is the hard-working and Investigations Manager at St Marys Police Station. Working as a local reporter for almost ten years, I can tell you from experience that you’d be hard-pressed to find a more dedicated police officer and likeable fella than Phil. Sadly, after serving over 30 years with the NSW Police Force, Phil was recently diagnosed with terminal throat cancer. Phil’s partner Carol is also an experienced serving member of the NSW Police Force. They have a six year old daughter starting school this year and a one year old son. It is a dreadful position for the family to find themselves in, but, in what we know is typical of the camaraderie and support system within the police family, his colleagues have rallied around Phil to help the family through this challenging time. In order to assist the family to face the financial burden that comes with such a diagnosis, a fundraising ‘variety’ night including trivia and auctions will be held at St Marys Leagues Club on Friday 26 February. Members of the public are invited to purchase tickets to
the event to help out a top bloke who has spent his life helping others, often placing himself in danger and putting his life on the line to do so. The evening will kick off at 6,30pm at St Marys Leagues Club and tickets are $60 per head or $600 for a table of 10. There’ll be a buffet dinner, trivia, sporting memorabilia auctions and other entertainment. The fundraising Committee is also appealing to local business to donate goods or services that can be used as prizes or auction items to raise as much money as possible. All funds raised on the evening will go to NSW Police Legacy and directly benefit the Buchardt family. If you’d like to attend on the night or your business is able to assist in any way please contact a member of the fundraising committee on (02) 96777545 or email buchardt.fundraising@gmail.com Alternatively, tax deductible cash donations can be made directly to NSW Police Legacy at: https://philbuchardtappeal.gofundraise.com.au/cms/ home
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11 Western News 12 February 2016 Issue 3
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Legends of the West By Greg Martin
Queen of Hearts founder, the unstoppable Michele Ellery.
AFTER interviewing Michele Ellery for this article, I got to thinking that she reminded me of a raw army recruit, thrown into battle, knowing it was a matter of “kill or be killed – fight or perish”. But down the aeons, raw recruits survived that initial clash of arms and went on to fight other battles and become battle-hardened. And they in turn were able to offer their knowledge to aid inexperienced soldiers to live to fight another day. Michele is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Queen of Hearts Community Foundation and she too has fought a battle of attrition which led her into setting up the foundation. Queen of Hearts supports, protects, nurtures and raises awareness for survivors of child sexual abuse and their loved ones and also victims of domestic violence. Unfortunately, Michele, a registered nurse, knows first-hand about child sexual abuse – three of her daughters were among 10 children – boys and girls – who had been sexually assaulted by a Penrith businessman.
He is now in a place where he belongs – behind bars where he will spend at least 17 years after pleading guilty to close to 100 charges brought against him by prosecutors. Late last year he was sentenced to 23 years in jail with a non-parole period of 17 years – his recent appeal about the severity of the non-parole period was recently quashed. The child sexual abuse had a profound and debilitating effect on not only the Ellery family but many others in Penrith. Long-term friendships were broken, children and their families were traumatised throughout a two year period beginning with the discovery of the abuse in early February, 2012, the charging of the perpetrator, the court processes and his eventual incarceration. My impression of Michele at our first meeting was that she was a gentle, loving person, reluctant to make waves – perhaps a person who would turn the other cheek time and time again to avoid conflict and keep the peace. That’s not to say she was a “weak” human being – far from it – after all, each and every one of us has a breaking point!
But like those raw recruits, she quickly toughened up when she had to “affix bayonet and go over the top”, to use an old World War I analogy. This truly remarkable woman came out of the safety of that trench determined to do her utmost to aid and abet sexually abused children and their families and to help ensure sexual predators like Roads cannot escape notice and punishment. Michele “came over the top” despite her own problems in overcoming the predation by Roads on her children and those of her close circle friends, of whom Roads was a member. She had to console her children, handle the breakdown of relationships with friends who were also affected by Roads’ despicable conduct, sit through court appearances as well as come to grips with her own trauma and stress. “I went through a period of hate,” Michele admitted. “It was just so challenging living with children who had been sexually abused and also trying to process my own feelings throughout all the time it took from the discovery of the abuse. Roads’ arrest and finally his conviction.
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MICHELE ELLERY “The passion of hate is so debilitating but with the help of expert counselling and the love of my family I turned to another passion – a passion to make it my life’s goal to try and ensure other families do not experience what we had been put through.” Thus the birth of Queen of Hearts! “I worked on a couple of community fund-raising ventures and in May last year I organised a Brave Hearts fundraiser at Ropes Crossing at which we raised $8500,” Michele said. “But I really wanted to work on raising money to help combat child abuse locally and a year previously I had commenced proceedings with various government departments to set-up a recognised public benevolence institution. “It took just on two years but we managed to jump through all the hoops and were able to establish Queen of Hearts last August.” Queen of Hearts Foundation has three business-savvy people as board members - Julz Jasprizza-Lau is the chair, Michele’s husband, David, who is treasurer and Barbara Staader is the secretary. Queen of Hearts raises funds
through various activities such as a recent and highly successful car show and monies raised are used: • to pay counselling fees and reduce waiting times. • provide referrals to other services to aid victims and families. • raise public awareness through public speaking and fund-raising events. • strive to create policy changes including sentencing statues. “In my public speaking I offer advice about abusers’ tricks of grooming young children and how to recognise liars for what they are,” Michele said. If you’d like to get in touch with Michele, whether it be from a position of needing help or a position of wanting to offer help to her organisation, she can be contacted on 0423 709 630.
Michele Ellery nominated as a Legend of the West by Kerrie Davies. If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at kerrie@nepeannews.com.au
Michele Ellery and foundation ambassador, Guilio Ranieri, a Penrith builder (Style Developments and Style Homes) who has been a tremendous supporter since hearing Michele speak at a Bella Vista networking group meeting earlier this year.
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Western News 12 February 2016 Issue 3
Convincing aussies to be organ donors By Garion Thain
AN independent review into the organ donation and transplantation sector has revealed that Australians are not registering to become organ donors on a level close to any of our European counterparts. The review, conducted by Ernst and Young primarily to highlight issues within the sector, finds that the transplantation sector needs improvement in transparency and incentive to raise numbers of registered donors and shorten waiting times. Regional Health Minister, Senator Fiona Nash says the culture of organ donation needs to be changed to modify public opinion, and that a recently announced online registration process could assist this. “Organ donors are real heroes who save lives,” said Ms Nash. “Let’s admire organ donors with the same passion we admire stars in sport or music or whatever our particular interest is. “As of May, registering to become an organ donor will be a one-step, online process able to be completed in less than 10 minutes.”
Western News was contacted by Allan Turner, Chief Executive Officer of Zaidee’s Rainbow Foundation, an organ and tissue donation awareness foundation centred on a young Australian girl who saved lives with her donated tissue. Mr Turner expressed that while an electronic registration form is a positive change and a step in the right direction, it is not the silver bullet the sector needs to thrive indefinitely. “We need great education about how things work thereafter when you are listed as a donor,” said Mr Turner. “You are normally thrusted into a position you never thought you would be in, and that is to make a decision about your loved one’s organs and tissue within hours of them being told they are going to die.” As for the report, Mr Turner expressed hope there will be positive change in the coming weeks, but said, “This report reflect there are major issues inside Donatelife and how they have operated since 2009.” The Review of the Implementation of the National Reform Agenda on organ and tissue donation and transplantation, is available at the Department of Health’s website.
As of May, Australians will be able to register as organ donors with an online, one-step registration form according to Regional Health Minister Fiona Nash.
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Skytrain concrete problems explained
By Bart Bassett
RECENTLY there were media reports of concrete failure on the the Skytrain component of the Sydney Metro Northwest section of the Sydney Rapid Transit. Concrete is an important component of this exciting project and it is important that the public understand the facts around this issue. It is our understanding from reliable sources that the issue had nothing to do with concrete failure but of installation error. The massive viaducts each weighing up to 90 tonne each that make up the Skytrain are built at a purpose built facility at McGraths Hill in North West Sydney and there are approximately 1200 of these on
the project. These sections are then transported to the Skytrain site where they are put into position on top of the pre-pored piers. There are 10 viaduct units per span which are tied together using massive post-tensioning cables. There are two sections on the project that have reported problems; one in the section that runs adjacent to Schofield Rd known as Cudgegong and one adjacent to the Old Windsor Road corridor near Bella Vista. The Cudgegong problem is reported to be linked to the settling of one of the pre-poured piers and this will be replaced once the reason for settling has been established. The Bella Vista located problem is likely to be cause by misalignment, over tensioning or a combination of both. Each of the 1200 individual viaducts are uniquely
designed so that the moulded lugs at each end of each viaduct align perfectly with its adjoining partner. If the wrong unit is placed in the sequence prior to tensioning then this can cause misalignment and undue construction stresses on the faces of each unit. Additionally if the many large post-tensioning cables that are used to lock the 10 units together are not stressed in the right sequence then this could contribute to the spalling/ cracking to the underside of the viaducts. It is likely that both of these problems could have occurred. This section will also be replaced. The Skybridge under construction across Windsor Rd is a 230 metre clear span cable stay bridge, similar looking to the Anzac Bridge. The massive travelling gantry that is
located at this location now is to be supported by a temporary pier in the middle of Windsor rd. This gantry bridge allows construction to proceed whilst keeping Windsor Road open and then the centre pier will be removed one the construction is complete. This project will not only provide wonderful public transport for North West Sydney but will leave a world class manufacturing legacy at McGraths Hills in the area of concrete construction. All we need now is a Government commitment to join the Sydney Metro Northwest to the Western Line and onto the South West Rail Link/ Badgerys Creek airport and then we will have real cross regional transport in Western Sydney.
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Western News 12 February 2016 Issue 3
New Year epiphanies with TP I HAVE a calendar at home, which announced the 17th of January as the “official� day of giving up on all New Year’s Resolutions. This got me thinking. There were no New Year’s resolutions for me this year it was more of like a cluster of epiphanies. Not in the biblical sense but somewhat more in line with the Urban Dictionaries definition (a smart-sounding word for realising you’ve been practically stupid for quite some time). Look it up. Well anyway I have come to realise that we allow way too much superfluous information and “stuff� into our lives. It starts off as seemingly harmless offers and notifications of products or experiences in the form of email subscriptions and before you know it you are suffocating under the weight of the knowledge that that Oroton handbag is now a fraction of the in season price and that Buddhist program is still available if you ever found the time to attend. Then there’s the multiplier effect: have you heard about the latest video, offers from book clubs, the shoes, the clothes and whatever else you have mindlessly signed up to in order to get that paltry 10% off your first online order. This is a false economy let me tell you. The hours wasted browsing
items, which may or may not be of interest to you, are lost forever. Your inbox is bombarded by the promise of something new and shiny and all the while these emails are like little time thieves stealing the precious moments in our busy day. Oh what to do? UNSUBSCRIBE now! Go on be brave. Do you really think that your life will be worse off for not knowing that little black dress is on sale? Hardly. So I no longer want to waste my time sifting through online offers that relentlessly appear in my inbox. Unsubscribe complete. Back to the collective epiphanies. What about all of the material things that we focus on in our western world? Surely children do not need to receive expensive presents to be happy? I think of all of the children in less fortunate places in the world and if they are safe and fed and happy I don’t pity them I envy them. I admire the way that the simplest of pleasures can bring great joy and happiness to them and their families. I think about how they don’t measure success or fortune according to the accumulation of “things� but rather embrace a life which is punctuated by special events and time with family. So instead of gift giving perhaps it is
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worthwhile considering a trip away with children? What about going camping or fishing or going further afield to see how others in the world live? Making memories surely has to be more worthwhile for children than getting stuff and whilst they may argue now later they will be grateful for the opportunity to learn the types of skills that don’t come with that latest toy. Family holiday booked. There were so many more epiphanies, but as one of them was de-cluttering I will finish off with this one. Why do we hang onto so many things? Is it the emotional attachment, the hope that one day you will fit into those size 8 jeans or is it that you think that stick of timber will be perfect for repairing the chook shed in the future? It’s probably none or all of these and we have to ask ourselves what we hope to achieve by hoarding these “precious� little items. I have a friend who would be the best “declutterer� in the world. She has a rule that if it has been sitting in a draw for more than 6 months and you haven’t: 1. Used it, 2. Thought about it and 3. Really its just 1 and 2, then she will pull the drawer out and throw its entire contents into the bin. Just like that! I think I would be having heart palpitations and serious anxiety
attacks at that point as I often put earrings, money and cheques which serve as exciting finds up to 2 years later. So no whole drawer throwing out for me! I have however cleared whole the family’s wardrobes and taken bag loads to the big red charity bin. I guess my point is that we fill our lives full of “stuff� and this stuff can prevent us from enjoying what is right under our noses. So my great epiphany was to streamline the junk that comes into and stays in our lives. The unessential information, the material things and the unnecessary hanging onto things that we no longer need should be let go. Hey it’s better than promising to give up drinking or to cut out meat. At least I’ve made it past the 17th Jan with my epiphanies. So much more successful than the usual New Year’s resolutions.
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18 Western News 12 February 2016 Issue 3
The Happy Days Tour ICONIC Australian legends have teamed up for a strictly limited run of tour dates in selected venues to present a fabulous selection of the combined hits and memories of two long, stellar careers. Johnny Young is now a very successful afternoon presenter on Sydneys 2CH, and Normie Rowe continues touring Australia with his awesome show and fabulous band. Together, they bring to the stage over 80 years of excellence, television, radio, and hits that have helped define Australian music. The show consists of a set by each, and a finale/duet that will leave audiences spellbound. Johnny Young’s 18 years of presenting/producing ‘Young Talent Time’ brought him into countless lounge rooms and he became part of the family, and a weekly event. Normie Rowe is Australia’s iconic rock star, celebrating 50 years of excellence in most areas of entertainment. But most notably a recording and live show career unsurpassed by most of his peers. 2CH are keen to assist in promoting the show, and Johnny Young’s on air live feeds will go directly to his core audience. A special show not to be missed.
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A stunning venue for all occasions WHAT a fabulous start to 2016, as Paul Maher, Proprietor of Loxley on Bellbird Hill was recently announced the winner of the Citizen of the Year award for 2016 at the Hawkesbury Australia Day Awards, proudly sponsored by the Hawkesbury City Council and the Richmond Club. Following Loxley’s recent award success, is an exciting month where Loxley on Bellbird Hill will open its doors for two fantastic events, a Valentine’s Day Fine Luncheon and Loxley’s very own Bridal Expo. Valentine’s Day Still thinking of how to surprise your loved one this Valentine’s Day on Sunday 14th February. Why not spoil your partner with a romantic and unique Loxley Fine Dining Luncheon, starting at 11am. Enjoy their fully cooked brunch dishes, followed by our award winning chef’s selection of exquisite lunch dishes this Valentine’s Day in Loxley’s picturesque Kauri reception room over looking breath taking views. Every couple will receive complimentary sparkling wine and fine chocolates on arrival. Bookings essential. For enquires please contact Loxley on 4567 7711 or at info@loxleyonbellbirdhill.com.au. Romantic accommodation packages are also available. Bridal Expo Another exciting up and coming event
at Loxley on Bellbird Hill is their Bridal Expo, which they are hosting on Sunday 21st February from 12noon until 4pm. Free entry. Come and taste their exquisite canapés and wines, which will be showcased on the day. This is the perfect opportunity to tour their breathtaking reception room, stunning grounds and unique accommodation options. Along with meeting with their professional staff and preferred wedding suppliers. Not only with Loxley be offering fantastic giveaways but so to will their recommended wedding service suppliers. Loxley is also running an amazing special for all weddings booked on the day. Speak to their friendly wedding coordinators for more details. Loxley on Bellbird Hill is located at 993 Bells Line of Road, Kurrajong Hills NSW 2753. www.loxleyonbellbirdhill.com.au
CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Swerved (8) 5 An ointment (6) 9 See-through (8) 10 Known as (archaic) (6) 12 Spring month (5) 13 Creates something new (9) 14 Chompers (6) 16 Part or serving (7) 19 Famously (7) 21 Make smaller (6) 23 Parts of a word (9) 25 Foliage (5) 26 Mar (6) 27 Something used to tie (8) 28 Gestures of indifference (6) 29 Break the heart of (8)
DOWN 1
Brandy (6)
2
Personal discipline (9)
3
Electronic letters (5)
4
Foes (7)
6
Cured or healed (9)
7
Clumsy (5)
8
Craftsmen (8)
11 Break (4) 15 Hugging (9) 17 An inserted document (9) 18 Followers of an early heretic teaching (8) 20 Christmas time (4) 21 Relaxing (7) 22 Glue (6) 24 Outcast (5) 25 Panache (5)
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Western News 12 February 2016 Issue 3
Entertainment central right on our doorstep! IF you’ve got a thirst for craft beers, hearty yet refined pub food and entertainment for all the family, let Rouse Hill favourite The Australian Hotel and Brewery quench it. We’re all about family, food and fun at The Australian Brewery, with boutique craft beers brewed on the premises, an expansive sporting and games hub, private function rooms, all weather kids play areas and a large bistro serving fresh local produce and daily food specials. Our award winning entertainment destination, also boasts an exposed brick covered beer garden and nightclub venue The Cool Room hosting some of Sydney’s best DJs – all under one classically Aussie tin roof. Fresh, Australian, Pure, The Australian Hotel and Brewery is more than just a watering hole. Brewery - BEER Starting from humble beginnings in 2010 the Australian Brewery began brewing small batches of craft beer for beer connoisseurs in Sydney’s leafy Hills district. Quickly the east coast of Australia followed with a multitude of pubs and bars selling the award winning beer in draught format. After achieving national distribution in 2013 part of our focus has now shifted towards crossing the seven seas. We are constantly looking for
Muscle up for the arm wrestling comp!
new international markets to spread the good word about Australian Craft Beer. With no artificial additives or preservatives our beer and cider is about as pure as you can get. A purpose built DME brewery, state of the art process controls and extensive laboratory facilities all combine to produce beer of the highest quality and flavour. Unlike most other brewery’s we use sterile filtering instead of pasteurisation resulting in
definitively pure beer. Our 100% independent (Australian made/owned) Brewery is the brainchild of six brothers with a passion for craft beer who saw a gap in the domestic and international market for an Australian made and owned craft beer. Since inception of the brewery we have seen a massive spike in great craft breweries in Australia and are enjoying being part of Australia’s current craft beer renaissance.
The annual Armwrestling Competition is coming to The Australian Hotel and Brewery Rouse Hill throughout February and March, centre stage in the AB Sports Bar, with the first heat on Friday 19th February 7pm. They have a professional arm wrestling table and two official referees; Jason Deng and Nick Tiliacos from the Armwrestling Federation for the competition. The Major Sponsor is the Nutrition Warehouse, who will bring sampling products on the night and supplying prizes, plus there will be Brewery Gift Vouchers as prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd in each heat per division. The dates are; Heat 1 - Friday 19 February Heat 2 – Friday 26 February Final on Friday 4 March The competition will have two divisions: Under 95kg and an Over 95 kg Male Division. 7pm Registration for a 7.30pm start. It is free to enter and everyone is welcome. For more information call 9679 4555 or email marketing@ australianbrewery.com.au
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Secret debate HOLIDAYS: BUDGET OR BLOW OUT?
He Says.....................................................She Says EVERYONE loves a holiday but it always gets down to what you want and what you can pay. To save up for three or four years for that all inclusive luxury getaway may be your cup of tea, but for me it’s the more the merrier. Cheap flights, budget accommodation and doing it more often is for me the way to go. To go overseas and spend time in a two to three hundred dollar a night resort is a waste of hard earned cash. Let’s face it how much time do you spend in your expensive room if you are really going to take advantage of the different places, culture and lifestyle. Having just come back from Bali via Jetstar, (and yes the flight home was delayed “cest la vie”) I still appreciate all the extra things I could do by forking out less cash to sit in a plane. Accommodation was great in every place we stayed, food and service fantastic and it didn’t cost an arm or a
WIN!
leg. For $30-$50 a night including breakfast you can enjoy all the sights and sounds of a foreign country and still have enough left over to do it again when the travel bugs bite. I did see some luxury digs for $500.00 per night, great if your a squillionaire, but for that money you would not want to leave the resort, which kinda defeats the purpose of visiting another country. Same goes if your traveling to destinations in Aus, by all means look for some comfort but not at the expense of limiting the great spots you can visit. 95% of Aussie travelers have to holiday within their limited budget, so get out see the sights and open your eyes to Australia and the world and do it so you can see more and more often.
LET me say from the outset that, I love holidays and travel. I work hard to put myself into a position where I can take the time to explore, however having said that if my husband came home and said, “get your gear packed to do some back to nature as I have got a tent and portable BBQ booked for a week away staying on a beach with no showers or toilets,” I would tell him to enjoy his own company because this little duck doesn’t call that a holiday. I want at least some modcons and I want to eat my meals prepared by someone else. If I have to work at cooking and cleaning then I will stay home with all the conveniences that make that part of life a tad easier. Having said that I don’t necessarily
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want to stay in $1000.00 a night hotels, (although that would be nice to do once, hint hint husband) but I do want some creature comforts so that I can sit back and relax and enjoy my break. I do like to hit the road or skies regularly but not without somewhere to go that has a pool, air conditioned room, restaurants and a well-stocked bar. I think you can do a quantity and quality combination but not at the expense of the little luxuries of life. Putting a lot of effort into work should allow me to get some reward in my R and R. So by all means if you want to scrimp and save, go for it but little old me will always look for the best holiday deal that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg but still gives me the battery recharge I need in the comfort I I’ve worked hard for.
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22 Western News 12 February 2016 Issue 3
A hymn to country through contemporary dance FROM 4 to 5 March, Riverside Theatres and the internationally acclaimed Bangarra Dance Theatre present Terrain, a powerful work of contemporary dance and storytelling, by celebrated Aboriginal choreographer Frances Rings. It will be the first time Bangarra has performed in Western Sydney since 2010. Terrain will transport audiences to Lake Eyre, the place of Australia’s inland sea and one of the few untouched natural waterways in the world. In this visually spectacular and captivating performance, Bangarra’s 17-member company of dancers showcase a story of resilience, strength and connection to Country. After the world premiere season in 2012, Terrain won two Helpmann Awards; one for Best Ballet/Dance Work and another for Best Female Dancer in a Dance or Physical Theatre Work for dancer Deborah Brown. Terrain will return to the stage in 2016 with an award-winning creative team of Aboriginal artists: choreographer Frances Rings, composer David Page and set designer Jacob Nash. Together along with costume designer Jennifer Irwin and lighting designer Karen Norris, they have created an evocative production inspired by the timeless beauty of Lake Eyre. Riverside Theatres will host Terrain’s first revival performance,
SUDOKU: MEDIUM
SOLUTION: 21st December
INSTRUCTIONS Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 with no duplicates
which will then tour regionally and return to the areas around Lake Eyre in South Australia, the work’s inspiration, at the end of the year. “Riverside Theatres has long supported the presentation of works by Bangarra Dance Theatre, from some of its earliest works such as Fish in 1998 up to its most recent beingMathinna in 2010’ said Frances Rings. ‘I’m excited to return to Western Sydney in 2016 to present Terrain, a work inspired by the amazing geographic wonder that is Lake Eyre and performed by some of this country’s most beautiful dancers.” Bangarra is one of Australia’s leading performing arts organisations with a unique dance technique forged from more than 40,000 years of culture, infused with contemporary movement. Illustrating the connection Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have with the land, Terrain invites audiences to witness a mesmerising dance work that is powerful, meaningful, and extremely entertaining. Dates: 4 March to 5 March at 8pm and 12:30pm (plus Q&A) on 4 March Tickets: Adult $59 / Conc $54 / 30 and Under $45 Bookings: From the Box Office (02) 8839 3399 or www.riversideparramatta. com.au Venue: Riverside Theatres – Corner of Church and Market Streets, Parramatta
JOKES While we roast under hot summer conditions, here‛s some icy cold jokes to cool you down. 1. Q: What do you get from sitting on the ice too long? A: Polaroids! 2. Q: What‛s an ig? A: A snow house without a loo! 3. Q: Why did Frosty the snowman want a divorce? A: Because he thought his wife was a flake. 4. Q: Why do seals swim in salt water? A: Because pepper water makes them sneeze! 5. Q: What vegetable was forbidden on the ships of Arctic explorers? A: Leeks! 6. Q: Why didn‛t the tourist in the Arctic get any sleep? A: He plugged his electric blanket into the toaster by mistake - and kept popping out of bed all night! 7. Q: What happened when all the muskox wool that was collected was stolen? A: The police combed the area. 8. Q: What did the seal say when it swam into a concrete wall? A: “Dam!” 9. Q: What do you call a reindeer with no eyes? A: I have no eye deer! 10. Q: What did the detective in the Arctic say to the suspect? A: “Where were you on the night of September to March?” 11. Q: What do you call 10 Arctic hares hopping backwards through the snow together? A: A receding hare line. 12. Q: What are caribou calves given to wear? A: Hoof-me-downs.
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MONEY and finance are sometimes dirty words in a lot of households. Everyone knows that it is important but a lot of people just don’t talk about it enough with their children. From my 35 years of finance and life experience, it is obvious that a lot of people don’t do enough to educate their children on how money works. We can’t expect the school system to be the sole provider of education and parents need to be more proactive in their child’s overall life education, especially when it comes to money and finance. POCKET MONEY Children need to learn that you only get money or a reward after they have done something to earn it. Young children can be rewarded when they demonstrate good behaviour like sharing and being co-operative etc. As they get a little older, they should start being responsible for some small jobs
around the home like cleaning up after themselves etc. The younger you start the better they learn anything in life. The older they get the more they can do to help maintain the home. If they do more, then the amount of pocket money can be increased. Giving children money for no “output” on their behalf just sets them up for an entitlement mentality. There are no free rides in life. I see this regularly when young people want to buy their first home but only have small savings and high debts and their only option is for the parents to give them funds. BUDGETING As kids grow and start going to high school, they naturally want to start to spend. Spending is OK as long as it is done within a budget. Everyone over the age of 12 needs to have a budget but only a tiny percentage of people have one and stick to it. Money that has been earned should be divided up into a few categories depending on age and the stage you are in life. People living with their parents
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should save most of their income for big items like cars, holidays and their own home eventually. Some money needs to be saved separately so they pay for their weekly living expenses. Also small amounts can be kept to pay for incidentals and a little can be used to donate to help other less fortunate than ourselves. TALK TO YOUR KIDS ABOUT MONEY Money shouldn’t be a taboo topic within the family. Around the dinner table (away from TV’s and electronic distractions) talk to your kids about the family budget. Talk about how much is earned, how much taxes are paid and what governments use the taxes for, how much the bills and expenses are each month, how much is owed on the mortgage and other debts, the repayments and expected time to repay it, how credit cards are effecting you, and how much is saved each month from what is left over and what the purpose of the savings is, ie keeping a buffer for emergencies, holidays, or a future new car etc.
How do we expect our kids to run their own household one day if they have no understanding of these basic principles. SUPERANNUATION We should talk about savings in superannuation. I am continually amazed how most people have no idea or consideration of their superannuation funds and important that it is but that is another topic all together. YOUR FAMILY ROOTS My experience has shown me that most people with Anglo Saxon backgrounds have no idea where their money goes and less likely to have discussions about money with their partners and family. Also, the more they earn, the more they spend. People with European and Asian backgrounds however generally have a better understanding of finances which is due to the financial education their parents gave them as kids. The most powerful lessons are the ones taught at home using real life situations that affect them directly, not out a text book at school.
25 Western News 12 February 2016 Issue 3
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26 Western News 12 February 2016 Issue 3
Nurragingy Reserve History
I
N the early days of the development of the City of Sydney, Nurragingy Reserve formed part of the Cumberland Timber Forest - which for some time a major supplier of timber for the construction of houses and fences as well as heating. Subsequently the area was used for everything from a leased horse stud to an illegal rubbish dump. During the 1970’s, the land that today forms Nurragingy Reserve, was purchased by the State Government, for the Eastern Creek Special Uses and Open Space Corridor to act as green belt for the new residential and industrial developments in the Western Sydney region. In 1981 the former New South Wales Department of Environment and Planning consented to lease, at a nominal charge, a section of the corridor land to Blacktown City Council for development as a passive recreation area. The Council, by utilising funds from Commonwealth unemployment sources and its own money, adopted the project as its major Bicentennial project and set about turning a virtual dumping ground into the magnificent recreation area you see today Further development and maintenance of the Reserve will be an ongoing commitment of Blacktown City Council for the enjoyment of the residents and visitors - both present and future. The name “Nurragingy” commemorates one of the two Aborigines of the Dharruk (Dharug, Daruk) tribe who received the first land grant to natives from Governor Macquarie in 1819. The other title holder was Colebee, whose name has been given to the Centre within the Reserve. A painting by local Aboriginal artist Danny Eastwood, depicting this land grant, is showcased inside the Colebee Centre. Nurragingy Reserve is a great place to relax and have a good time.
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This 63 hectare, tranquil location is located in Doonside and attracts more than 1million people per year. It offers the following attractions and facilities: • picnic and BBQ areas (wood supplied) • children’s playgrounds • bush walking tracks • formal garden areas, planted as International Gardens • quiet shaded areas and pavillions • a waterfall • natural bushland ideal for nature studies • toilets • wedding garden areas (bookings essential) • the Nurragingy Blacksmith • the Colebee Centre Chang Lai Yuan Chinese Gardens Located within Nurragingy Reserve, Knox Rd, Doonside, this exquisite garden was cooperatively designed and constructed by Blacktown City Council and Liaocheng Municipal Government in China, as a symbolic gesture of friendship between the two sister cities. The garden was named the Chang Lai Yuan, which was derived by adopting one character from each of the names Dongchang, which is the former name of the City of Liaocheng and Blacktown, when translated from Chinese (Bu Lai Ke Cheng). Yuan is the Chinese translation for ‘garden’. The architectural style of the structures within the garden is based on the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty in China, and feature a Gateway, Seven Arch Stone Bridge, Light Mountain Pavillion and a Waterfall Gazebo. Very picturesque, stunning and relaxing.
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Penrith’s Leadership Change Renews Questions Whether Wallace Will Start in the Halves Having seen a change in coach and a departure of a CEO inside the last twelve months, the Panthers have decided the time was also right for a leadership change when it was announced late last month that Matt Moylan would take over as captain. The decision by coach Anthony Griffin to appoint Moylan is part of the strategy to invest long-term into local juniors and if all goes to plan, the St Clair junior is destined to become the longest serving captain since fellow local junior, Craig Gower. Moylan’s appointment nonetheless does come as a somewhat as a shock given the experience of Peter Wallace, Jamie Soward, Trent Merrin and Elijah Taylor on the roster. But while Penrith have gone to lengths to explain that there have in fact been 14 younger captains in the club’s history, Moylan with just 50 NRL games under his belt and last captained in SG Ball, becomes one of the club’s most inexperienced players to be appointed pre-season as club captain. Wallace must now be wondering if he’ll even hold on to his halfback position as Griffin refused to confirm or deny suggestions his new skipper would be shifted to the halves, while Moylan himself also admitted he has been alternating between fullback and five-eighth in pre-season training.
As Soward Denies Reports He Was Angry At Nines Omission Reports surfaced late last week that Jamie Soward was angry with being overlooked for the Nines and instead being sent to play in the club’s NSW Cup trial against the PNG Hunters in Port Moresby last Saturday night. But Soward who has not long recovered from offseason surgery on his troublesome back, quickly took to social media to deny such reports, declaring that he knew five weeks ago that he wasn’t playing in the Nines and that playing in PNG was the best option for him. And in further proof that he was anything but displeased to be playing in PNG, he stated not long after Penrith’s hard fought 20-12 win over a spirited PNG Hunters before a packed house (before over 15,000 rugby league fanatics) that it was one of the top five things he has done as a footballer.
Another Early Nines Exit Penrith went into this year’s Auckland Nines tournament as one of the favourites to take out the title.
@THERIFFMARN
both racing the clock to be fit to play by Round One.
Panthers Earn Belated Call Ups to the All Stars A plethora of withdrawals from both All Star teams ahead of this Saturday night’s clash at Suncorp Stadium has seen Penrith’s Jamie Soward and Leilani Latu receive late call ups onto the Indigenous All Stars bench alongside fellow Panther, Tyrone Peachey. The trio will face off against team-mate Trent Merrin who will also start from the bench for the World All Stars.
Sitaleki Akauola makes a young PNG fan’s day. Photo: Charlie Vella
But despite an impressive opening win over the Wests Tigers 23-7, Penrith lost their remaining pool games 15-14 to Newcastle and 15-11 to North Queensland to fall just short of qualifying for the quarter-finals. Apart from Cartwright’s impressive form, the highlights for Penrith were the encouraging performances of new players, Suaia Matagi, Ben Garcia and Te Maire Martin, while Waqa Blake looks set to have a big 2016 having had the luxury of a full pre-season under his belt. Although Penrith came out of this tournament in better shape injury-wise than in previous years, they are set to lose hooker Sione Katoa (Grade 2 medial tear - knee) for between four-six weeks.
Other Injury News Whilst Penrith have had a much better pre-season coming into 2016, a couple of players are set to miss most if not all the season. Stanton Albert’s troublesome knee has required further reconstructive surgery while Joshua Jay looks to set to miss 2016 having once more suffered an ACL injury to his knee during pre-season training. Finally both George Jennings and Viliame Kikau are
27 Western News 12 February 2016 Issue 3
GOLDEN POINTS
sport
A Chip Off the Old Block Becomes a Panther Penrith’s Executive General Manager, Phil Gould AM, confirmed via social media that Sydney Roosters Holden Cup back-rower, Jack Hetherington has signed with the Panthers. The highly-regarded back-rower has good footy pedigree, as the son of former Canberra Raider, Brett Hetherington and is also the grandson of former Roosters legend, Bill Mullins and nephew of former Raider and Roosters winger, Brett Mullins.
NRL Trials and Junior Reps Commence Now that the Nines are done and dusted (especially that Parramatta trophy cabinet), time now to focus on the two trials coming up at Pepper Stadium over the next two Saturdays. First up this Saturday sees Penrith taking on the Bulldogs with many of the club’s big names and new signings (except Merrin) expected to play. Then next Saturday the Eels come to town in what is set to be former Panther Michael Jennings’ first appearance in an Eels jersey since switching from the Roosters last month. Not only will both trials feature all three grades but also junior rep games versus Balmain and Newcastle respectively in the opening rounds of Harold Matthews and SG Ball competitions. Details of Penrith’s 2016 Harold Matthews and SG Ball squads can be found at www.nswrl.com.au
Former Panther to Lead the Saints Congratulations to former Panther, Nathan Smith who last week was appointed by Saints coach Brad Drew, as the captain of the St Marys Ron Massey Cup side for 2016. See you at the game!
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Western News 12 February 2016 Issue 3
Matagi looks to secure NRL future at Penrith By Stewart Moses @TheRiffMarn
FORMER Warriors and Roosters prop, Suaia Matagi says his one year deal is the ideal opportunity for the 27 year old Kiwi and Samoan international to prove that he is still worthy of a playing future in the NRL, having played just 43 games to date since making his debut in 2013, ironically against his new club. “It’s another opportunity for me to prove myself (in the NRL),” Matagi said. “I’ve signed with at Penrith because one of things is seeing how far I can challenge myself and making my main goal of winning a premiership in 2016.” Matagi was on the outer with the New Zealand Warriors last season, having played just one game before making the mid-season switch to the Roosters where he played seven more NRL games but was left out of the top grade going into the finals, despite the season-ending injury suffered by Jarrod Waerea Hargreaves. “I wasn’t promised anything when I came to the Roosters,” the Kiwi international stated. “I achieved more than I expected just by getting a first grade game with them.” “Whether they utilised my services in first grade or not I was giving my all to make sure I was ready when the opportunities did come and grab them with both hands and it opened a window to come here to Penrith.” “I’m not looking back just going forward from here.” Penrith’s front row stocks has a very different feel when compared to playing with the likes of Sam Moa
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and Jarrod Waerea-Hargreaves but Matagi is excited by the challenge to secure a first grade spot given the talent coming through. “It was a dream for me to pair up and rub shoulders with Jarrod Waerea-Hargreaves and Sam Moa,” Matagi explained. But I’m looking forward to playing with the forwards here now.” “There’s a lot of up and coming forwards here and there’s a big challenge for me already in just the time I’ve been here, which is a good thing because if there’s no challenge I guess there is no progress for the team.” Like many in the Panthers squad, Matagi declares the pre-season training has been the toughest he has experienced to date as a footballer. “For me personally it’s been the toughest one (preseason),” Matagi confirmed. “Every morning you wake up and it’s been torture on the body from being punished the day before but
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Suaia Matagi in pre-season action. Photo by Jeff Lambert (Penrith Panthers)
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I’ve learned now that it’s a matter of turning up and knowing you need to get through it.” “The heat, that’s been the hardest thing as well (since) I’ve never trained in such heat before.” Matagi also confirms the playing squad are on their toes, as they get acquainted to their new coach. “He doesn’t care who you are,” Matagi said. “He’s not going by whatever names are here so everyone’s on their toes.” Matagi’s tough upbringing and his troubles with the law in his younger days are well documented but believes that everyone in life deserves a second chance. “If you have served the time like I have for example there’s no point throwing away the opportunity where they can become a role model in the community themselves and being that prime example of someone who can turn their life around,” Matagi explained. “Otherwise denying them that chance shows that the time you’ve done in prison, doesn’t mean anything.” Matagi says he has really enjoyed the move out west and has already begun working with the local community, sharing his life story through My Story Productions with the hope it prevents others from ending up in jail (or worse) as he did. “Really like it out here and I’m getting a good feel that it’s such a beautiful community,” Matagi said. “There’s plenty of opportunity out here to get involved, work with the community and help by sharing my story with the hope it would motivate and encourage others around here that just because you get a setback it doesn’t mean that it’s for you.” “We all fall down in life but its’ how you pick yourself is what I’ve learnt.”
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Western News 12 February 2016 Issue 3
MY WORDS WITH MARK GEYER
WE ARE BACK FOR A CRACKING GOOD YEAR! WE’RE back! After a six week hiatus I’d quickly like to wish all Nepean News readers a very Happy new year. For me personally I had an actionpacked holiday making it very hard to wake to the 3.30am alarm that greeted me on my return to radio last week. But alas the new year brings excitement on many levels. I jotted down notes over my break and I’d like to share them with you all. Early December- headed up to the Gold Coast to see my oldest boy Logan who has now found a home with the Burleigh Bears in rugby league and with my brother Matt and his family at their home. Whilst on the Coast we ventured to Movie World. Gee I love the theme parks up there. While waiting in line for my favourite ride ‘The Superman’ I noticed there were a dozen or so people basically riding the thrill giver whenever they wanted and not lining up. After we had our first go I asked one of those line dodgers what was the go. The young bloke said it was the ‘fast track’ line. Basically for an extra $60 you can ride 4 of the rides at Movie World whenever you like without lining up! “6 fast track bands please”. What a difference it makes to your visit to a theme park when you don’t have to line up. Sure it’s a hefty slog but well worth it for that one time per year. After Christmas a tribe of us headed up to Terrigal to spend a week at the Star of the Sea resort. We had a ball. Beach footy followed by a body bash in the surf then a beer and nibbles by the pool each day at 3pm. What a de-stresser. New Years Eve was also spent up there with around 36 of us seeing in the new year. Nothing better than being around those you love and care about on significant occasions. After arriving back from our week up North it was time to get ready for a stall we had set up at the Penrith Paceway Markets for our www.wildpantherfitness.
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com.au venture. The local Penrith crowd were kind enough to snap up some of our apparel that can be found on the above mentioned website. Also in a months time there will be fitness programs on the website that will suit all. Especially those that have indulged slightly more than they should have over Christmas. Yours truly included. I also had the good fortune to throw the first pitch at the Sydney BlueSox Baseball game at Rooty Hill over the break. What a great night live baseball is! Then on a sad note just before I went back to work we lost some real statesmen of entertainment. The incomparable music legend David Bowie passed. Along with one of the greatest villains on the big screen Alan Rickman. They say things happen in 3’s for not long after losing Bowie and Rickman the Eagles frontman Glen Frey also left us. Sad stuff. But of course forever remembered. Two Saturdays ago we managed, somehow, to put on a surprise 21st birthday for my oldest boy Logan. In a day and age where everything is openly transparent on Facebook it was quite the coo to pull it off given he now lives on the Gold Coast. But we did. And what a night it was. 160 people piled into a function room at Panthers and partied long into the night. Time surely does fly and with my oldest now officially becoming a man I can only imagine how quickly my other four kids 21st’s will come. That’s about it from me for this week. With the footy season just around the corner I’ll be sure to dissect the Panthers in my next column and try and predict just how good a season they will have this year. Until then stay safe and love the ones you’re with. See ya at the game.
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Western NEWS
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Friday, 12 February 2016
GARCIA CALLS PENRITH HOME By Stewart Moses
@TheRiffMarn
HE scored what was later confirmed by NRL.com as the try of the tournament at last weekend’s Auckland Nines but Ben Garcia’s first competitive games in Penrith colours caps an amazing 12 months for a player set to become the third French player to play in the top grade for the Panthers. Speaking with Nepean News, the ex-Catalan Dragons back-rower admits a year ago he didn’t think he would be playing in Australia once again but is grateful to have another stint crack with a NRL club, having previously played in the Holden Cup for Brisbane. “I’m surprised but I’m really happy to be here and grateful for the opportunity.” Garcia said. “My manager (Sam Ayoub) knew I wanted to change clubs and leave Catalans and he spoke to Phil Gould and here I am.” Having also played with Queensland Cup premiers, Wynnum-Manly under then coach Paul Green in 2012, Garcia
Ben Garcia impressed at the Nines. Photo: NRL Photos
confimed he could have been playing under Green as a North Queensland Cowboy but opted instead to sign a two-year deal with Penrith. “I also spoke to the North Queensland Cowboys too because I know Paul Green but I think Penrith are a great club and I’m proud to be here,” the French back-rower said. There has been plenty of talk about just how tough Penrith’s pre-season preparations have been under new coach Anthony Griffin but for Garcia, he had the rare advantage of knowing what to expect. “I knew the pre-season would be
tough here but that’s what we need I think,” Garcia explained. “The conditioning especially is similar for me as I’m under Hook (again).” “It’s very professional out here and much better than in France.” The Frenchman also said he wasted little time settling into the quieter lifestyle that Penrith has to offer and has fitted in well with his team mates despite his French accent. “It’s definitely quieter here (than Brisbane),” Garcia said. “Brisbane is a big city but its good here I like it.”
“I’m living across the road but it’s good because it’s close to the field as I like to be at training.” “The boys are really good with me and just laugh with my French accent.” Garcia played in several positions whilst at the Broncos and WynnumManly, but is targeting the lock spot at Penrith. “I was at Brisbane playing Under 20s where I played Lock, Prop, Centre, everywhere really,” the French international said. “But I’m more so looking to play (here at Penrith) as a Lock. But while Garcia has stiff competition in the form of Trent Merrin and Elijah Taylor for that spot, Garcia remains hopeful that he can make his NRL debut in 2016. “My goal is just to play as many games as I can,” Garcia declared. “I just want to be on the field and wait for my chance to play (NRL).” If Garcia does make his NRL debut with Penrith, he will become the first Frenchman to play in the top grade for the Panthers since Jacques Molinier (1987) and based on his encouraging form in the Nines, he is definitely more than capable to do just that.
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