Westernnews 10november2017

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Western News PROUDLY INDEPENDENT

Friday, 10 November 2017

ISSUE 47

We pause to remember those who served and are serving our great nation. Lest We Forget

West Scores The Open Hole in one for the west! The 2017 NSW Open Golf Championship will be played at Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club from 16 to 19 November 2017. The Championship forms part of the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia schedule. For more information visit: www.nswopen.com Pictured: Member for Mulgoa Tanya Davies and Sport Minister Stuart Ayres. Story on page 15

Handbags for local women in need MICHELLE Rowland, Federal Member for Greenway, is getting on board as a collection point for spare handbags and personal sanitary items this November as part of the ‘It’s in the Bag’ initiative.

‘It’s in the Bag’ is a Share the Dignity project which collects donations of spare handbags and distributes them with personal sanitary items to women in need.

Share the Dignity began in 2015 and is a campaign run across Australia to collect personal sanitary items for women experiencing hardship and fleeing family violence.

Ms Rowland’s office in Seven Hills is a drop off point for the ‘It’s in the Bag’ initiative throughout November, and will be accepting donations of spare handbags and women’s sanitary items.

“I urge local residents to join the ‘It’s in the Bag’ initiative again this November to help support women who are doing it tough in our community, and thank everyone who has supported the drive in the past”, Ms Rowland said.

With Christmas only some six weeks away Ms Rowland is asking us to think about the disadvantage and the underprivileged when donating.

“Particularly as Christmas draws near, we are reminded of the importance of kindness and charity, and donations to ‘It’s in the Bag’ directly help provide basic necessities to women in need over the festive season,” Ms Rowland said.

“I am always encouraged and humbled by the generosity and community spirit shown by local residents of all ages and backgrounds who open their hearts to those in need,”

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Ms Rowland said.”

For more information please contact Michelle Rowland’s office on 9671 4780 and to drop off any donations, including spare handbags, sanitary items, pads and tampons, please visit Michelle Rowland’s office at 230 Prospect Highway, Seven Hills. he collection drive will run until 1 December 2017.

Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry

Ph: 9833 1122 154 Queen Street, St Marys londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au

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by Kerrie Davies WHEN I was a child, Bob really was my uncle.

Robert Stanley Stuart was a WW2 Veteran having served overseas in the Royal Australian Navy. He had many war-time stories to tell and he didn’t mind sharing them - especially after a few beers.

While most of the family would drift off to bed, I would sit for hours on end - transfixed in a world where food was rationed, canons and bayonets ruled and a letter from Australia was the most treasured gift one could behold.

Every year we’d go on holiday to Shoal Bay in Port Stephens and Uncle Bob would run the holiday apartment like it was the HMAS Sydney; we’d be woken each morning at dawn to the call “Fishing detail, fall out!”

Our holiday activities would be organised in a timetable- like fashion down to the minute.

And every year we’d embark on the hike up to the top of Tomaree Hill.

The historic Fort Tomaree played an important role in the defence of Port Stephens during WW2, including Tomaree Head that was solidly armed with gun emplacements.

During the walk I would hear more about WW2, the friendships formed, the politics at the time and the propaganda around the encouragement to enlist. I’d also hear about those who weren’t fortunate enough to return home.

It was more valuable to me and more detailed than anything I had learned about this chapter in history at school.

Uncle Bob has since passed on, but his stories will remain with me forever, and I’ve shared them with my own kids.

It’s really important that these first-hand accounts don’t get lost in time, buried and never to be retold. If you have a connection to someone who served this great nation, take the time to listen to anything they’re willing to share.

And pass it on.

While the historical detail and facts will always be available for future generations, the actual experiences of our veterans will not - unless we pass them on.

Lest We Forget

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Blacktown CBD the place to be

By Keegan Thomson

BLACKTOWN CBD is about to become a hive of activity with a slew of exciting Council approved events coming to the city including weekly food truck markets and a new organic produce market.

By popular demand the Blacktown Night Markets will now be a permanent fixture in the city each Friday and will be dubbed ‘Food Truck Friday’ after Council decided to back the family friendly attraction.

The Council have decided to let Blacktown Night Markets run each Friday night at Blacktown’s Village Green until April, 2018 and the Mayor of Blacktown, Councillor Stephen Bali is more than happy to hear the food is here to stay.

“Blacktown residents obviously voted with their feet and their stomachs,” Cr Bali said.

The Mayor said he and the Council are amazed at the community response to the event.

“We have been absolutely blown away by the popularity and last year’s trial was an absolute success, drawing tens of thousands of people last summer,” Cr Bali said.

“It’s a great way to relax at the end of the week and it was wonderful to watch families take advantage of the wide variety of cuisines on offer.”

Marayong resident Tin Shein said he and his family were overjoyed the night markets were now a full time event.

“We really liked being able to simply drop into the markets and graze the huge variety of food and

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Tin Shein and Melody sample the grub on offer.

Photo: Supplied

entertainment,” Mr Shein said.

“As the word spreads that they are now permanent I reckon more and more families will be there.”

Setting up Food Truck Friday in the city is all a part of Council’s push to reinvigorate and revitalise the Blacktown CBD. Another exciting addition to the weekly events scheduled for the Blacktown CBD is the new weekly organic food markets set to take over Sunday mornings.

Launching in a few weeks the organic produce market will run each Sunday from 9 am to 2 pm and will bring a little bit of the farm to Blacktown with local providores opening up shop in the CBD for the community to check out.

On top of all of this the Council will host a live stream of the 2018 Commonwealth Games, screened live in Blacktown direct from the Games in Brisbane, next April.

Cr Bali said he is excited to see so many new, fresh events coming to the CBD. “For some time we have been working on plans to bring Blacktown alive,” Cr Bali said.

“The huge turnout proves that with the right mix of attractions, Blacktown City Council can be a vibrant, family friendly place.

“It proves that if the right attraction is there, people will come and the city can be a vibrant place for entertainment and family enjoyment,” he said.

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Western News 10 November 2017 Issue 47

Exclusive: Chat with the Premier

By Keegan Thomson

OUR 45th Premier may have only been in the job 10 months now but Gladys Berejiklian is laying out her plans for NSW for the next 10 years.

Ms Berejiklian spoke exclusively to Western News on the dawn on yet another election cycle about some of the hot button topics facing western Sydney locals.

Across western Sydney you can see crane after crane building the region even higher. Pushing that development further ahead is the NSW government, says Ms Berejiklian.

“We are entering an incredibly exciting time of record investment for Western Sydney.,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“The area is at the centre of the infrastructure revolution transforming NSW and creating tens of thousands of new jobs. We are committed to working with business and the community to make western Sydney an even better place to live, work and visit.”

At the forefront of this work is a $712 million upgrade to Blacktown and Mt Druitt Hospitals.

Ask anyone around western Sydney and they’ll tell you the cost of living is stifling their lives, with electricity prices rising by 20 percent in some cases and petrol prices predicted to stick to around $1.30 a litre next year.

The Premier says her government is working to ease the cost of living burdens on western Sydney families.

“Our CTP reform will save motorists around $120 a year in green slip insurance. We have increased support to families, low income earners and seniors by 20 per cent to assist with the cost of energy bills.

We are also addressing housing affordability by delivering savings of up to $34,360 for first homebuyers,” Ms Berejiklian said.

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“From January next year, parents will be able to claim up to $100 per school child per year, to help with the cost of sport fees under the Active Kids Rebate – the list goes on.”

Key to western Sydney’s development is the proposed northsouth rail link with the Premier saying the current plan look set to focus on St Marys as the connecting rail hub for the new line.

“The NSW government is working with the Federal Government to finalise the Western Sydney Rail Needs Study, which looks at both North-South and East-West rail line options,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Current investigations for the North-South Rail Link would see that

line crossing the existing T1 Western Line around St Marys.”

One concern facing many locals is the development of an unrestricted 24/7 airport at Badgerys Creek.

There are many questions still left unanswered and with the earth turning set to commence in 2018, many people wonder what are the full benefits of an airport in the west.

The Premier outlined her plans for the airport and says the people of western Sydney will greatly benefit.

“The Government is planning for the development of an aerotropolis, with trade, logistics, advanced manufacturing, health, education and science economy being developed around the new airport,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“This will bring new jobs, housing, infrastructure and services for the people of western Sydney,” she said.

With some 500 days until the next election voters have got a long time to make up their minds as to who they would like to see lead NSW forward, and Ms Berejiklian has 500 days to convince the voters that it should be her to do that job.

“We are a strong, stable government delivering for all communities,” she said.

RFS cadets graduate from community program

By Keegan Thomson

A GROUP of students from Windsor High School have managed to overcome the stress of the high school life to graduate in a special course conducted by the NSW Rural Fire Service.

Twelve students from Windsor High School have been congratulated by NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons after they officially graduated in the NSW RFS Secondary School Cadet Program.

“It is wonderful to see such genuine enthusiasm for this important community program and I hope it will continue to be a part of the curriculum for many years to come,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

So far this is the fifth time the cadet program has run at Windsor High. The program provides year 9 and 10 students with an insight into fire safety and prevention whilst developing practical life skills and a general appreciation of community service and volunteerism.

Commissioner Fitzsimmons thanked the hard work of the students and the Principal of Windsor High School, Jennifer Hawken for the school’s ongoing support.

“Another 12 students graduated today in front of a school assembly and some very proud mums and dads, nans and pops, other family and friends, as well as teachers and local RFS members who ensured the program ran to schedule,” Commissioner Fitzsimmons said.

“I would especially like to thank the forty NSW RFS Hawkesbury District volunteers and staff who

helped deliver the program under the direction of Deputy Group Captain Phil Hurst, as well as the Windsor High School staff.”

MP for Riverstone, Kevin Conolly was also on hand to congratulate the students on their efforts.

“The cadets committed themselves to completing this course across two terms and I am confident they found it to be a worthwhile and fulfilling experience,” Mr Conolly said.

“The Secondary School Cadet Program is a fantastic way to introduce young people to the important role volunteer firefighters play within

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community and it also teaches them skills and knowledge that will last a lifetime.

“As well as examining fire behaviour, the students have been taught essential fire safety techniques and gained an appreciation of the work our emergency services do every day across the state,” he said.

Cadets from the school program often go on to volunteer with the RFS across fire grounds, emergencies and other calls outs. If you’re interested in volunteering with the RFS or want more information on their schools cadet program you can visit https://www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/volunteer/youth.

Hix Group is celebrating its 25th Year in business and is continuing to grow We currently have a number of roles available, to join our Penrith Based business, with a range of government, commercial, construction & domestic clients throughout the Sydney Metropolitan area

ELECTRICAL TRADES PlumberS - Maintenance & Upgrade works – ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT This is a new & unique role, in our Penrith Office, for an experienced electrician with maintenance experience BUT who is now seeking to work in an administrative role, within our Electrical division.

Perhaps you are now unable to or don’t want to continue to perform the physically challenging parts of a trades role or simply prefer to work in the office rather than on the tools.

You will be responsible for prep & checking of invoices, quotes & documentation for jobs, assisting the managers with progress & handling of scheduled works & other admin duties related to progress of works.

In addition to your trades background you will have computer skills, strong communication skills & attention to detail & accuracy.

We are looking for Plumbers to undertake general plumbing maintenance & upgrade works locally & throughout Sydney Metro.

Must have a range of experience across general domestic &commercial works and be willing to provide a high standard of service & quality.

Must be a good problem solver who can work alone or in a team.

LICENSED ELECTRICIANS – MAINTENANCE We are adding to our team of qualified maintenance electricians, and are seeking licensed tradespeople with experience in domestic & commercial works, fault finding, stove & hot water repairs & all general electrical repairs & installs.

Works will be across Government, Council, commercial, industrial & domestic sites and will include repairs ,maintenance installation, testing & inspection and fitout works.

You will be an efficient & customer based tradesperson who values the service Hix Group provides to clients & you will be willing & able to train and develop our apprentices who are also a valuable part of our company’s growth.

FIRE SERVICES TECHNICIAN We are seeking an EXPERIENCED Fire Services Technician to join our PENRITH BASED team to carry out all aspects of Essential Fire Services testing , inspection, maintenance and repairs & fault finding with a particular focus on Fire Panels and EWIS systems.

We provide services for a range of clients including Local Councils, Strata Clients, commercial and industrial.

The successful applicant will be an energetic “people person” who is well organised and can communicate effectively with clients and staff alike & is comfortable recording all job information using Smartphone/Electronic Tablet, via our Job Management system.

MUST have a sound knowledge of and experience in the above areas and a clear understanding & willingness to follow the relevant Australian Standards & Building Codes relating to the Industry and all aspects of Work Health and Safety.

FPAS Training an advantage.

You will be meticulous with quality, well presented, willing to use our electronic job management system & keen to embrace our Hix Group Culture of Team work, Pride & Responsibility. Send your resume now to HR@hix.com.au (Applications will be treated in strict confidence) Enquiries to: Justin Walker, Senior Manager, Electrical Services – Phone: 4721 7500

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8 Western News 10 November 2017 Issue 47

The G Spot

Premature Decoration! Here we are in November and it is happening, the dreaded Christmas decorations.

Just when you thought it was safe to leave your homes and venture out into the vulnerable world of the shopping centre, there you have it, just like your mother slapping you across the face after coming home drunk for the first time. The premature decorators!!!!!

I call them The PD club (Why am I hearing jaws music)?

Have you ever watched Crime Stoppers and thought, I never knew that he or she was capable of that? The neighbours are interviewed they say, “he was a quiet person, lovely family, I never knew that this street could house people like that,” and then look shocked.

Well the PD club are like that, they just look like meek and mild people, harmless and quiet, but deep down

that are hiding a secret, perhaps even hiding tinsel in the wardrobe, who knows? But once they are out together, anything is possible. Similar to the zombie apocalypse?

Scientists still can’t work out the chemical imbalance in the PD’ers brain that gives them to urge to pull out the odd Santa and tree before December.

Statistics have shown that most grow up and run shopping centres, department stores, kid’s warehouses and the most hardened PD’s usually run department stores in the city where they can PD in about August.

Thankfully they are testing drugs at the moment that may stabilise the chemical imbalance to make PD’s actually want to start decorating in December. Trials have begun.

So as a security professional I am not really sure how to stop the PD club,

With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security

however I can tell you that Christmas time is a great time for the baddies to come out and play. A couple of years ago a business near our business office left the gate unlocked, left for the Xmas shut down and boom the opportunist struck. All over Christmas in fact!

Hey, the buildings were alarmed but all the stuff in the yard (worth mega dollars) was laying there in all its glory, saying take me, pick me!!!!

There was a very well-executed clean out that lasted the entire weekend, because the baddies knew that this business was closed for business. How? Because it had a sign on it saying, back on what-ever date.

“Yippee,” the baddies screamed and happily cleaned them out of all the stock in the yard - 30 grand of crafted sandstone, to be exact.

Thankfully, good old NRS (my security company) was across the road

and with the use of our cameras, the offenders were tracked down, caught and some stock returned. The other stuff was sold, oh and of course they burnt a truck out as well.

So let me ask you this? How would losing 30 grand from your business affect your operations? How would losing 30 grand from your house affect you?

So while you may say, “nah we will be right mate!” think about your security needs over Chrissy. Alarms, cameras, patrols, guards or whatever!

There are some things I can help you with and some things that I can’t, such as shopping and listening to “I’m dreaming of a white Christmas” in Coles on a 36 degree day in November.

So there you have it, the PD club will overrun us one day, think about your security and may your Christmas shopping begin!

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Support for our veteran heroes

By Keegan Thomson

THERE is a special place in western Sydney that offers hope and support to contemporary veterans who are suffering from mental health issues after their deployment and exit from the armed services.

Homes for Heroes runs with the motive to support the recovery of former defence service persons by offering them a community in which they can live and be supported.

Melissa Neish, the Western Sydney Manager of Homes for Heroes, says the program is based on the core principle of support and mateship, two attitudes that are also key to all branches of the Australian Defence Force.

“The program is based on the concept of providing residents a safe, stable home and ensuring that veterans have access to the support and services they require to address their needs,” Ms Neish said.

“This includes essentials such as having enough to eat and access to required medications but also having opportunities to learn new skills and engage in meaningful activities. We hope that by having these needs met and giving access to camaraderie and support through the program and general community, these veterans will continue their recovery journey and transition to living fulfilling civilian lives.”

Home for Heroes operates with the idea that “with the right support anyone can recover” and Ms Neish supports this by saying we need to focus on the

recovery efforts and the hope that exists for veterans suffering from mental illness, particularly when it comes to Remembrance Day. “The words ‘damaged and broken’ are often used in reference to veterans experience post traumatic stress. Whenever you hear the words damaged or broken used in relation to our veterans, I ask that you keep in mind that post traumatic stress is a condition that can develop in response to traumatic events,” Ms Neish said.

“It is easiest thought of in terms of what has happened to a person, rather than what is wrong with the person. I see the use of the terms ‘damaged and broken’ as potentially damaging in themselves, as these words suggest that it is something wrong with the person, rather than a consequence of what they have been through.”

ON REMEMBRANCE DAY WE PAUSE TO REFLECT ON THE SACRIFICE OF THOSE WHO PUT THEIR LIVES ON THE LINE TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY, AS WELL AS THOSE CURRENTLY DOING SO.

Homes for Heroes doesn’t just support veterans with mental illness, they also help put a roof over the heads of many homeless former service personnel.

Ms Neish says the factors that led to homelessness are often the same for veterans as they are for civilians.

“I’ve often been asked how veterans become homeless, how is this allowed to happen, and the answer is not a simple one,” Ms Neish said.

“Homelessness often results from an accumulation of factors and is not a circumstance limited to any one group of individuals.”

This Remembrance Day, and every other day between now and the next Remembrance Day, we are being urged to throw our support behind veterans, whether it be our uncles, grandfathers, mates, sisters or our neighbour next door.

“The majority of us have a veteran in our personal life, or we all know someone who has served, and it is important to remember people all year round, and not just on the days of commemoration like Anzac and Remembrance Days,” Ms Neish said.

“It is important to engage with veterans all year round. Whilst there is certainly a role for professional supports for veterans who may have mental health needs, anyone can simply lend an ear or have a cup of tea with a veteran who might need a bit of support from time to time.”

If you are a veteran needing support or know a veteran who does, you can contact Melissa Neish at Homes for Heroes at her email address melissa. neish@homesforheroes.org.au or you can phone her on 0427 828 048.

Edmond Atalla

State Member for Mt Druitt

LEST WE FORGET.

Prue Car

MP

Member for Londonderry

Ph: 9833 1122 | 12/82 Victoria St Werrington Mail: PO Box 4001 Werrington NSW 2747 londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au

We will remember them They went with songs to the battle, they were young.

Straight of limb, true of eyes, steady and aglow.

They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted, They fell with their faces to the foe.

They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.

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REMEMBRANCE DAY ~ 11 NOVEMBER 2017

Lest We Forget They shall grow not old, As we that are left grow old, Age shall not weary them, Nor the years condemn.

At the setting of the sun, And in the morning, We will remember them.

Ph: 9625 6770

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Western News 10 November 2017 Issue 47

Cartagena: Hips don’t lie

 Walls around Colombia

 Cartagena streetscape

By Ben Cranney

It took us 46 hours to get to Cartagena, Colombia, from Australia. 46 hours of little sleep and no showers. I felt sorry for the taxi driver.

All we wanted was sleep, but we dropped our bags to go exploring, three zombies trying to navigate a foreign port. My poor girl, the only Spanish speaker, could barely string an English sentence together, let alone something in Spanish. But walking in to the Cartagena old town was enough to wake anyone up. Like something from Pirates of the Caribbean, it’s a pirate port of cobbled streets, forts and defensive walls, and multi-coloured buildings, covered in flowering vines.

Sometimes, jet lag is best dealt with by staying up late, so we tried our

best to salsa. White suited trumpeters, guitar strummers, double bass players and singers struck a high tempo and we had a go. I thought I was doing well, but the Peruvian girl teaching me kept telling me to put my hips in to it. I blamed it on being stiff from the plane rides.

We continued the dancing on New Year’s Eve, when the whole town becomes a party zone, drinking and dancing spilling out across the streets.

Take a rum drinking tour on an open air bus, dance under the giant Fortress of St Philip or just get lost in the crowd.

A trip to Islas del Rosarios should be amazing, with pure white sand and oil painting seas, but the new year tourists were out in force and the beach was shoulder to shoulder. The most memorable bit was lunch, when our

 View from the walls

group of ten sat down and our meals didn’t come. Our solution? Three of us went to the kitchen to help. Seemed clever until we got out there and saw them cooking shirtless, shoeless, dropping food on the floor and plating it up with a dust off. I decided not to say anything to anyone at the table.

And it was actually the best fish I’ve ever eaten.

A novelty is the mud ‘volcano’, a pit

of lukewarm mud bubbling up from the earth. Climb down into the crater, get a mud massage and then wash off in the nearby river where mid-aged local ladies cackle away while they try and steal your clothes under the pretext of washing the mud out.

So if you do go, prepare for jet-lag, don’t worry about food hygiene, and maybe take a salsa lesson before you leave, so your hips are ready to go.

The Unintentional Medium By Suzi Samuel HAPPY HALLOWEEN When my daughter was younger, Halloween was, for my family, a little like the eponymous Curate’s Egg - good in parts. On the minus side was the dreaded pumpkin, or should I say pumpkins as in my totally anal way I had to have one on either side of the doorstep to make it look good. I would spend hours carving them out and swearing and cursing how difficult it was. Once the scary eyes and mouth had been accomplished, I was then left with mounds of pumpkin. Yum a lot of you might say, but the problem was that nobody in the family liked pumpkin and so rather than throw it away I would make pumpkin pie which they would just about eat but didn’t relish. On the plus side at dusk I would light the candles in the beautifully carved heads and wait for the doorbell to ring. I used to love the mini ETs and tiger painted faces or scary witches and skeletons that would appear trick or treating with a rather embarrassed looked parent lurking in the laurel bush at the gate just in case a real life witch would make off with their little ones.

But when did Halloween change? When did it become the Disney production it is today? Did it start with ET hidden under a sheet to fit in with other kids and Eliot riding his bike across the face of the Moon?

“From Ghoulies and Ghosties and Two Legged Beasties, and Things that go Bump in the Night, the Good Lord Deliver Us. Amen.”

That is a prayer I remember some of the old folk saying when I was a child and ghosts and witches and

certainly bad spirits were taken a lot more seriously than they are today, especially in country areas.

Church lore has it that there is an observance of All Hallows (or Saints) Eve followed by the celebration of All Saints Day and then All Souls Day, or the Day of the Dead, but in fact the origins go way back in time to the old Celtic lands and the festival of Samhain. This marked the end of Harvest Season and the beginning of the darker half of the year when the boundary between this world and Otherworld thinned allowing the Others to pass more easily ‘twixt the two. It was thought that on the Eve of All Saints the dead would come back to visit their families and food was set out and a place laid at the table. Visions of The Walking Dead nipping in for a quick Korma dance in my head.

But it’s not just Grandpa Ted or Great Auntie Minnie who can nip through the tear in the veil as my friend Karina puts it. Once you open that gap you are exposing yourself to all sorts of unwanted visitors, rather like playing with a Ouija Board. Now whether hordes of evil spirits are pouring through the gap or not, over the years the sort of people who like to try and conjure up Old Nick have rather taken this night to be their own and that in itself will give rise to an increased facility of movement between worlds.

In olden days people lit turnip lanterns - the forerunner of the dreaded pumpkins - and Church bells were rung to frightenoff the ghoulies and ghosties but as I said earlier, the origins of Halloween have been lost in the mists of time and celebration of chocolate.

Last Tuesday morning, I said to my husband “Please protect yourself as it’s Halloween.” He didn’t bother to reply, just gave me one of those looks and went off to play tennis. Two hours later he was back with a badly sprained wrist having fallen over going for a smash. I don’t actually think the beasties got him and that wasn’t quite what I meant, but it never hurts to protect yourself with a little prayer when you think the Devil might be riding out.

“From Ghoulies and Ghosties and Two Legged Beasties and Things that Go Bump in the Night, the Good Lord Deliver Us. Amen.”

The Unintentional Medium is available online or at all good book stores.

Australian Open FootGolf Series at Richmond Golf Club FootGolf Australia and Richmond Golf Club are hosting the Australian Open Series FootGolf. On 14th November 2017 from 3pm, some of the best FootGolf players in Australia and the world will come over to Sydney to participate in the largest FootGolf competition in Australia.

Who is going to participate in the event?

The competition will showcase the best in the FootGolf world. The best Australian players will be competing with five of the top 15 players in the world at Richmond Golf Club.

How can I participate?

There are many ways to participate in the Australian Open FootGolf Series at Richmond Golf Club.

• Main competition Everyone is welcome to participate in the main competition. Each competition day (Tuessay 14) there are $2,000 in prize money.

Have you played FootGolf before? This is a great way of testing your skills. Are you new to the sport? Even the best players in the world are happy to share their knowledge.

If the idea crossed your mind, please don’t hesitate to contact us info@FootGolf.org. au or 0425 806 917 to receive additional information.

• Richmond FootGolf Cup | Team competition Do you want to share a good time with friends? Get a team of 4 players and have a great time while you play an immaculate course.

This competition will allow new players to be part of a top-level competition: ˃ Each team consists of 4 players ˃ The scores of all 4 players in each team are added at the end of each competition ˃ Prize money $600 each day ˃ Registration fee is $100 per team ($25 per player) each day Spectator Entrance is free all three days. Please come over and support the local players participating in the competition.

11 Western News 10 November 2017 Issue 47

localnews

Bio of the top 5 international players Matias Perrone Matias is one of the biggest names in the game.

Extremely charismatic, Matias is a local wherever in the world he plays.

• Country: Argentina • History in Australia: Australian Open Champion in 2016 • Current World Ranking position: #5 • Best performance in 2017: 4th place in the Italian Major Sebastian Pelliccioni Last year’s Australian Open runner-up and #10 in the World Ranking, Sebastian Pelliccioni is also coming back to play in Australia.

• Country: Argentina • History in Australia: Australian Open Runner-up in 2016 • Current World Ranking position: #6 • Best performance in 2017: 3rd place in the US Major

Nico García • Country: Argentina • Current World Ranking position: #7 • Best performance in 2017: 5th place in the US Major David Mancino • Country: Switzerland • Current World Ranking position: #10 • Best performance in 2017: 3rd place in the Mexico Major Lucas Loustau • Country: Argentina • Current World Ranking position: #11 • Best performance in 2017: 6th place in the US Major

westernhistory

12 Western News 10 November 2017 Issue 47

The Story of the Blacktown Soldiers Memorial I

by Jack Brook, Blacktown and District Historical Society

t was 1917 when a Notice of Motion was put to a meeting of Blacktown Shire Council: “That steps be taken to approach the ratepayers and residents of the Shire with a view to securing a subscription of one shilling from each for the purpose of erecting at the close of the war a suitable monument and roll of honour, bearing the names of all soldiers who have enlisted from the Blacktown Shire, such monument to be erected in the front of the Council Chambers.”

The motion was carried. It was then decided that the organising of the collection etc for the Memorial Fund be left in the hands of the councillors. Clr W A Lalor was appointed Secretary and Clr J C Page was appointed Treasurer. All monies collected were to be deposited in an account to be opened with the Blacktown Branch of the Government Savings Bank of NSW. The Clerk was also directed to secure designs and quotations for a small memorial tablet to be erected in the Council Chambers, to the memory of those of the Council’s own employees who were killed in action.

Blacktown Shire in the early 1900s also covered Toongabbie, Wentworthville and part of Westmead.

Throughout World War 1 (1914-1918) the councillors had on numerous occasions a vote of sympathy for family and relatives of those men killed in action. A letter of sympathy was sent to each bereaved family. On each occasion that a vote of sympathy was expressed at the Council meeting, every councillor stood as a show of respect for the departed soldier or soldiers.

Donations to the Shire Soldiers’ Memorial Fund were mounting in the Council office by the 6th February 1918, so much so that there was an urgent order to get it banked as soon as possible. Early in July, the Secretary of the Quakers Hill Progress Association had asked Council how the Memorial fund was to be utilised. The Association was informed that a general meeting of all ratepayers would be called to decide the matter. During the same month, it came to Council’s attention that before utilising the money collected, it was necessary to secure the Department of Repatriation’s approval to actually collect money for the fund. While awaiting a reply for approval, the Motor

Cycle Club of NSW sought permission to hold a “Patriotic Rate Meeting” between Blacktown and Prospect. Permission was granted on condition that the Club assumed full responsibility for any accidents occurring, and that proceeds go to the Blacktown Soldiers’ Memorial Fund.

When the reply arrived from the Department of Repatriation, Council received quite a shock because permission was refused to make further collections.

The Hon R B Orchard was contacted and he promised to make representations to Senator Miller to help resolve the matter.

In the meantime, good news arrived and at the Council meeting on the 18th November 1918 the following was expressed “...pleasure and thankfulness at the conclusion of hostilities and the great victory won by the Allies, and hoping that the world now sees an era of peace and prosperity.” The war was over. The Armistice had been signed by German plenipotentiaries (envoys) on 11 November 1918.

Permission to continue collecting money for the Memorial Fund must have been given because the Council Minutes dated 28 January 1919 state “That the Clerk draft a notice for issue with 1919 rate notices stating the amount of money in hand, and the fund will be closed on 1 May and that a meeting will then be called to decide what form the memorial will take.”

Finally after much controversy over the design and location of the memorial the unveiling took place on Saturday 1st May 1920 at the front of the Council Chambers and the day was blessed with lovely weather. Of about 300 soldiers belonging to the Shire, who had taken part in the Great War, 53 were killed. On the front portion of the pedestal was the following inscription “In memory of the Men of the Shire who fell in the Great War, 1914-1918. Lest We Forget.” Underneath were the words “Erected by the residents of the Blacktown Shire.” Then came the names of the 53 heroes who paid the supreme sacrifice.

The first Blacktown RSL Club was situated at the corner of George and Prince Streets. The present Club in Second Ave Blacktown is where the memorial is currently located today.

Remembrance poem by Kerrie and Greg Davies His weary frame stood tall and proud His medals all on show And as the bugle played his tune He’d think of long ago Of a battle fought one fateful day The sand, the blood, the noise But they marched on in regardless And most were still just boys And even though the sun shone bright It rained shell after shell He saw his mates get massacred In the place he now called hell

A lucky one he left that shore And sailed back to Australia He wed his bride and raised his kids Who now wear his regalia The soldier passed not long ago A man so brave and bold His memory still alive and well From stories he had told His grandson now stands tall and proud Pop’s medals on his chest And thinks of how those soldiers brave Have made his life so blessed Lest we forget

Alex Soncini

What is income protection insurance?

Insurance for something you can’t see or touch, such as your income, may seem strange. But how would you pay your mortgage if you were unable to work?

When considering insurance, it’s common for people to pass it off as a pesky added fee involved in owning a car, running a business or protecting a house against damage. Income insurance, on first glance, can seem like another costly precaution that’s unlikely to prove useful.

But when you think about how your income facilitates your lifestyle, it’s often at the top of the list in regards to things that you can’t afford to lose. Cars and houses can be replaced, but losing an income, perhaps for life, could see both lost.

Income protection insurance covers salary loss due to injury or sickness.

Unlike workers compensation, it applies to injury or sickness at any place or time. And, unlike government allowances, it pays in accordance to your earning capacity.

“If someone is injured under worker’s compensation, for the first

few weeks they receive a higher rate, but then it drops. Therefore, people’s standard way of living is sacrificed if they depend on this form of protection,” says the finance broker.

Income protection policies vary in regards to their terms and conditions, but they usually offer 75 per cent of gross wages for a maximum time period. It’s a form of insurance that is particularly important for people who have regular repayments to make against debts.

“The most important reason for income protection is when a person has a strong reliance on an income,” the finance broker explains.

“When you have someone with financial responsibilities, like a family or a mortgage, that’s an important time for income protection.”

Having a majority of your current income insured against the possibility of being away from work helps you avoid defaulting on mortgage payments, personal loans or credit cards.

It can be the difference between continuing along within your current

lifestyle following illness or accident, or being forced to dramatically change your lifestyle due to an inability to repay your debts.

“Most people these days have enough stress already, with the economy and the price of housing going up. Income protection gives that little bit of extra peace of mind. It works when you can’t work,” the finance broker says.

Considering how you will pay your mortgage if you were away from work for a period is essential, and Wealthwiz can work with you to help you find the right insurance to help ensure your investment in property is protected.

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CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Arrange by categories (8) 5 Refrained from harming (6) 9 Uses up (8) 10 Relating to the iris of the

eye (6) 12 Approaches (5) 13 Sweet edible berry (9) 14 Split (6) 16 From Belgium (7) 19 Connote (7) 21 Vapors (6) 23 Unlawfully (9) 25 Not sooner (5) 26 The inside of a pants leg (6) 27 Not the long way around (8) 28 Console (6) 29 A sunken engraving (8)

down 1 Cyphering (6) 2 Attracting (9) 3 Outdoor storage buildings (5) 4 Something provided without

charge (7) 6 Conic curves (9) 7 Detection device (5) 8 Rotting (8) 11 Bushback (4) 15 Trademark or signature (9) 17 The same (9) 18 Becomes bony (8) 20 Shout (4) 21 Winged monster (7) 22 A small cave (6) 24 Lariat (5) 25 Insect stage (5)

solution 27/10/17

13 Western News 10 November 2017 Issue 47

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14

sport

Western News 10 November 2017 Issue 47

Western Sydney hosts successful 2017 World Polo Championships

By Noel Rowsell

Eight international Men’s Polo teams converged on Richmond in October, all intent on claiming the 2017 World Polo Championships title.

Reigning champions Chile were highly favoured but the strong contingent of teams at the Championships also included Argentina, England, USA, New Zealand, India, Spain and Australia.

The massive crowds attending the event over the eight days delighted event organisers, highlighted by over 10,000 spectators flocking through the

gates on the first day.

Argentina would ultimately take out the Championships, with an 8-7 win over Chile in the Final, whilst England overcame USA 6-5 in the playoff for third position.

The Australian team were hoping to feature in the top placings but losses to Argentina (9 - 5 1/2) and the USA (7 5), plus a narrow 9 - 8 win over Spain in the preliminary rounds would result in the Aussies missing the playoffs.

Along with seven days of highquality Polo, the hordes of fans were also treated to Showjumping, Rodeo, sculptures, music entertainers and

more during an action-packed week.

World Championships host Peter Higgins was quoted in local media, stating “FIP President Nicholas Colquhoun-Denvers and FIP CEO Alejandro Taylor praised the Sydney Polo Club as the best venue yet of any international polo championship.

“They (Colquhoun-Denver and Taylor) said it’s (Richmond) the most organised and professional polo championship they have attended,” said Mr Higgins.

Grand Final 29th October: Argentina 8 def Chile 7; 3rd/4th: England 6 def USA 5

Saturday 28th October: New Zealand 9 def India 8; USA 15 def Spain 9 ½, England 8 def Chile 5, Argentina 9 def Australia 5 1/2 Wednesday 25th October: Chile 11 def India 2, New Zealand 11 def England 8 Tuesday 24th October: Argentina 12 def Spain 3 ½, USA 7 def Australia 5 Sunday 22nd October: Chile 9 def New Zealand 2, England 16 def India 1 Saturday 21st October: Australia 10 def Spain 9, Argentina 12 def USA 9 1/2

Star forward resigns with the Giants

By Conner Lowe

Forward Matt De Boer has signed a new two-year contract extension with the Giants on the eve of his 10th season in the competition.

Originally drafted to Fremantle in the 2009 Rookie Draft, the 27-yearold joined the Giants ahead of the 2017 season and played 15 games this year, including the club’s three finals.

Wayne Campbell, the Giants General Manager of Football said he was pleased to secure the signature of De Boer ahead of the 2018 pre-season.

“Matt has been an outstanding contributor to our football club since his arrival 12 months ago,” he said.

“He was a valuable player both on and off field in 2017 and he sets an incredibly high standard around the club.

“A consummate professional, the way he prepares and trains leaves us with no doubt he can continue to play a high standard of football for at least another two years.

“Matt was an important leader for us in 2017 and we’re thrilled to have

him at the Giants again.”

De Boer played 138 games for the Dockers over eight seasons, including the 2013 Toyota AFL Grand Final.

He was named Best Clubman in 2010 and 2011 before being delisted by the Perth side. De Boer joined the Giants with pick 58 in the 2016 NAB AFL Draft and has now played 153 AFL games across his nine seasons.

Matt De Boer said he was excited about the coming years with the Giants.

“My partner Rachael and I have loved the move to Sydney and we’ve been welcomed with open arms at the Giants,” he said.

“I was pleased with my 2017 season but have plenty more to prove in the next few years.

“Being part of such a driven and hard-working group has helped my footy grow and I can’t wait to get back into it and prepare for the 2018 season.”

The Giants’ first to fourth-year players will return to pre-season training on November 20 and will be hoping to hit the ground running in the 2018 season.

2017 NSW Open Championship M

ayor of Penrith, Councillor John Thain, is thrilled to see the NSW Open Golf Championship make it’s home at Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club in Penrith City for the next three years. “It’s another exciting event that we have coming to our city,” Cr Thain said.

Cr Thain believes the tournament will build confidence in the greater western Sydney region and will be another sporting event that the local community embraces with pride.

“An event like this puts our name forward. It gives confidence

in our city, and I’m really grateful to Golf NSW for bringing the event out here because it’s going to be a cracker.

“We are sport mad out here. We had the Matildas here a couple of weeks ago. It’s the first place they have sold a stadium out and I expect the crowds out here at Twin Creeks will be pretty good as well because we love sport.

“There are a huge number of golfers out here, quite a number of courses and Twin Creeks is an exceptional venue and a fantastic place to have a Championship like the NSW Open.”

The best on show in Sydney’s greater west

G

olf fans in the greater west will get to see the best at Twin Creeks according to Golf NSW Chief Executive Officer Stuart Fraser.

“The galleries will be treated to some spectacular golf over the four days.”

Mr Fraser stressed the importance of Golf NSW’s Partnership with the NSW Government, Penrith City Council and Destination NSW in helping to deliver a world-class event to the people of greater western Sydney.

“We are thrilled with the partnership we have with the NSW Government and Destination NSW. It boosts our championship and helps build the profile of Penrith and greater western Sydney as a sporting hub as well.”

The Graham Marsh designed Twin Creeks Country Club will test the best. Situated on gently rolling land at Luddenham, it boasts no less than 84 bunkers and holes that meander through native woodlands while traversing the Twin Creeks for which the course is named after.

Dating back to 1931, The New South Wales Open has showcased the best of the sport in our State, the courses and the players. The Open trophy has the names of the legends of not only NSW but Australian Golf inscribed on it and includes names like Norman, Thomson, Baker-Finch, as well as the person it is now named after, Kel Nagle.

“Twin Creeks and the City of Penrith now have a wonderful sporting championship to call their own for at least the next three years, and Golf NSW is thrilled to be here,” Mr Fraser said.

Star studded field primed for NSW OPEN

S

ome of Australia’s finest professionals and a bunch of international stars are preparing for the challenge of the Graham Marsh designed Twin Creeks Golf and Country Club.

Western Australian Brett Rumford and South Australian Jason Norris, himself a former NSW Open Champion in 2007, have both tasted victory this year on the ISPS Handa PGA Tour of Australasia. Rumford was victorious at the Perth Super Sixes back in February and Norris,

the $1,700,000 Fiji International in August.

Victorian Ashley Hall, who was beaten in a play-off by Jordan Spieth for last year’s Australian Open Championship will also make his presence felt, so too will his state counterpart Todd Sinnott, who won this year’s Myanmar Open, a cosanctioned Asian and Japanese Tour event.

A number of former NSW Open Champions will be vying for another chance to lift the Kel Nagle Cup. Ben

Eccles (2015), Aron Price (2013), Peter O’Malley (2010), Leigh McKechnie (2009) Aaron Townsend (2008), Rick Kulacz (2006), Michael Wright (2005) and Peter Lonard (2004) will all be ready when the championship begins on Thursday.

International stars are coming from far and wide, including Texan Kramer Hickok, who won the 2017 PGA Tour of Canada Order of Merit and Italian Luca Cianchetti, the 2016 European Amateur Champion who is now in his rookie year as a pro. There are also

visitors from Denmark, England, Fiji, Germany, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, the United States, Scotland, Thailand and Tonga competing for the Kel Nagle Cup. This year’s Open will also mark the professional debut two of our State’s amateur stars, Travis Smyth and Harrison Endycott. The duo signed off on their outstanding amateur careers after representing Australia at the recently completed AsiaPacific Amateur Championship in Wellington, New Zealand.

15 Western News 10 November 2017 Issue 47

Twin Creeks: the place for the NSW Open

Western News Friday, 10 November 2017

sport

Wanderers extend their unbeaten run to five games

By Conner Lowe

The NRMA Insurance Western Sydney Wanderers have extended their unbeaten run against the Melbourne Victory at the Etihad Stadium on Monday night.

The Wanderers started the game strong piling pressure onto a Melbourne Victory side lacking in confidence. The Melbourne side weren’t helped when reduced to 10 men after Mitch Austin made a clumsy tackle midway through the first half after already receiving a yellow card and was sent off.

Oriol Riera has been in sensational form for the Western Sydney club since arriving from Spain and capitalised on a fantastic cross to head the ball home for the opening goal of the match.

The Wanderers began to move the ball around and were denied on many occasions by the Melbourne keeper, who kept his side only one goal down heading into halftime.

However, it would be Melbourne to snatch a goal into the second half after Thomas Deng also capitalised

on a well crossed freekick to head the ball off the post and in early into the second half.

Melbourne began to sit deeper with a man down and were strong in defence not allowing the Western Sydney Wanderers to capitalise on their one-

man advantage. After multiple saves and close chances, the Wanderers finished with a 1-1 draw and could only come away with a point, sitting them in 4th on the A-League table.

The Wanderers may be disappointed with some of their results early into the

season, but have nothing to complain about after remaining undefeated for the first five games of the season notching up one win and four draws.

The Western Sydney fans also have more to cheer about after the club announced a very familiar name in the A-League as their new head coach.

The club announced the capturing of new head coach Josep Gombau after the shock departure of Tony Popovic days before the start of the season.

Josep has had plenty of experience in the Hyundai A-League after coaching Adelaide United, where he reached the finals every year. He has also coached the Australian U/23’s side and helped Ange Postecoglou as an assistant for the Australian national team.

Now after a solid first five games of the A-League season and a very experienced and talented head coach named in Josep Gombou the Wanderers will be hoping to continue their good form well into the season and snatch up a finals place. The Western Sydney Wanderers will face Melbourne City at AAMI park at 7pm on Sunday the 12th November.