Western News 11 October 2019

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Friday, 11 October 2019

ISSUE 95

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Let’s Beat Diabetes 120,000 Australians have Type 1 Diabetes which is an autoimmune disease. Why not walk to help fund research for a cure at either Homebush or Penrith this month. See page 9 for full story.

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PAWfect day out with the family!

P

et lovers mark your calendar for a PAWsome day at the annual Blacktown City Pet Festival on Sunday 13 October at the Blacktown Showground.

Blacktown City Council’s team from the Blacktown Animal Holding Facility will celebrate pets of all shapes and sizes.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP is encouraging all owners and their pets to have a fun, action packed day at the Showground.

“The Pet Festival is one of the great ways Blacktown City Council celebrates pets and helps raise awareness about responsible pet ownership.” Mayor Bali said.

World famous veterinarian and television presenter Dr Katrina

Warren will host the event.

“Katrina has a genuine love and passion for animals and helping pet owners enhance the special bond that they share with their pets.” Mayor Bali said.

“There will be range of free services available at the Pet Festival including microchipping for Blacktown residents. If your pet wanders, microchipping makes it so much easier for them to be reunited with you.”

The Blacktown Animal Holding Facility delivers a valuable service to the community by providing somewhere safe for lost animas to be kept while attempts are made to reunite them with their family or to re-home them.

Throughout the day there will be dog demonstrations and workshops from Steve Austin, director of K9 Training and Behaviour. There will also be the annual Pet Fashion Parade.

Mayor Bali said; “The Pet Fashion Parade is a fantastic chance for your pet to really shine. There will be a Best Dog category as well as Best Other Pet category.

Pet festival attractions include: • Pet selfie competition • Free jumping castle • Free animal farm • Australian wildlife display • Free vet checks • Free micro-chipping • Free face painting • Free plaster painting • Sheep shearing demonstrations

• Have a go at milking a cow • Pet stalls and displays • Animal Holding facility animal adoption stall • Mobile dog wash For more information call 9839 6000, or for more information about the Animal Holding Facility call 9839 6161 or visit www.blacktown.nsw. gov.au.

Date: Sunday, 13 October, 2019 Time: 10am to 2pm Location: Blacktown Showground Precinct, Richmond Rd, Blacktown Festival goers can enjoy the dog shows and demonstrations.

Enter your pet in the Pet Fashion Parade.

‘Life-saving’ breast milk bank passes milestone

By CONNER LOWE

H

u n dr e ds of premature babies across the Blacktown and wider NSW have avoided potential life-threatening infections and disease, thanks to the first statewide donor human milk bank in NSW. Health Minister Brad Hazzard said as the service nears its first anniversary of operation, almost 700 litres of pasteurised donor human milk has fed at risk infants.

“Since the launch of the statewide milk bank, over 350 vulnerable babies in neonatal intensive care units have received disease-fighting donor milk,” Mr Hazzard said.

“Without this breast milk from generous women, pre-term infants and those bubs with very low birth weights are more susceptible to potentially serious disease and illness.”

Pasteurised donor human milk is recommended by the World Health Organization as a first alternative to infant formula, when there is insufficient mother’s milk available.

The contents of breast milk guard against disease-causing bacteria by

forming a protective layer on the mucous membranes of a baby’s intestines, nose and throat.

Donors undergo rigorous screening, including a blood test, which screens for diseases including HIV and hepatitis B and C that could be transmitted through breastmilk.

Donor milk is collected, tested and pasteurized at a purpose-built facility run by the Australian Red Cross Blood Service and distributed to NSW Health NICUs as required.

Neonatal intensive care units at

the Royal Hospital for Women, Liverpool, Nepean, Westmead, John Hunter, Royal North Shore, Royal Prince Alfred Hospitals and the two units located in the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network utilise the milk bank.

Royal Hospital for Women lactation specialist, Patty Everitt, said more than 100 babies and their families in the Royal’s NICU have benefitted from the statewide service.

“We are the largest NICU in NSW and each year we provide specialised

care for close to 1000 babies so this service is invaluable for our families and carers,” Ms Everitt said.

“The milk is fed to babies born at less than 32 weeks or weighing less than 1500 grams, whose mum’s own supply does not meet her baby’s feeding requirements.”

The NSW Government is investing $170 million in additional health services for families as part of the 2019-20 NSW Budget.

For more information on the milk bank go to www.milkbank.com.au.

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ommunity members in need of a healthy meal got free food hampers and health coaching at Vinnies community hubs in Blacktown, Harris Park and Penrith in September.

Thanks to a partnership with the Western Sydney (WSLHD) and Nepean Blue Mountains (NBMLHD) local health districts, Vinnies community hubs provided food ingredients to encourage people to cook a healthy, simple and affordable meals.

The community hubs and other local Vinnies stores also offered sign-ups to the NSW Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service, which provides free, phone-based health coaching.

WSLHD Centre for Population Health deputy director, Christine Newman, said many people in Western Sydney are living with poor physical and nutritional health, with only 3.7% of adults eating the recommended daily amount of vegetables and only 40.2% eating the right amount of fruit.

“With one in two adults in Western Sydney considered overweight or obese, promoting good health in our communities has never been more relevant. Signing up to a free health coach and cooking with healthy food choices are small steps to build better health outcomes,” Christine said.

Vinnies Western Sydney social justice manager Janice Stokes added it’s important to work together to make life easier for those in need.

“People experiencing disadvantage can be illequipped to face life’s challenges and may become stuck in a cycle of poverty and despair. Vinnies community hubs are there to give a helping hand,” Janice said.

Vinnies community hubs have also changed their food donation appeal lists to encourage people to

donate healthy food with a Health Star Rating of 3.5 stars and above.

The Health Star Rating system is a national, voluntary front-of-pack labelling system developed

by Australian state and territory governments that rates the nutritional profile of packaged food and assigns a rating from ½ a star to 5 stars. The more stars, the healthier the choice.

“Health Star Ratings are an easy way to compare similar packaged foods and can help people make healthier food choices,” Christine Newman said.

“Until October 5, Health Promotion volunteers were in Vinnies stores to encourage shoppers to

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Vinnies Community Hubs creating real health change

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look out for Health Star Ratings and to ‘try and swap when they next shop; the more stars the healthier’.”

For more information about the free health counselling, phone WSLHD Centre for Population Health on 9840 3603.

If seeking assistance from Vinnies, please ring 1300 VINNIES or 13 18 12.

WSLHD invests approximately $2 million annually on tackling obesity, and $1.5 million for the WSD initiative. In 2019-20, the NSW Ministry of Health has allocated $36.6 million towards reducing the prevalence of overweight and obesity.

Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry

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

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From the Sport Writer’s Desk

By MARK GEYER

W

ell didn’t the 2019 footy season finish with one big almighty bang?

What a grand final we witnessed. One of the best over the past decade.

Let’s get the controversy out of the way first. Roosters trainer on the field gets hit with the ball when Raiders charged down a Cooper Cronk kick 3 minutes in, Roosters young hooker scores from the ensuing set of 6.

Ok so it’s the right ruling that a scrum be packed with the Roosters to get the feed but the rule needs to change!

No way in the world should the Roosters have been advantaged by that occurrence.

Cooper Cronk being sin-binned. Refs got this right. If Cronk didn’t interfere with a rampaging Papalii he would have been trampled once the barnstorming Raider took the ball and a four pointer would have most likely ensued.

The ‘6 to go’ thunderstorm! Again refs made the right call, but in the complete wrong way. The ball looked to have been repelled by a Raider player so no ‘6 again’ should have been given in the first place, but Jack Wighton (the Raider player in procession of the ball) would have changed his decision if he knew it was the last.

Did that decision cost the Raiders the grand final? No it didn’t. It wasn’t at all helpful but it wasn’t the reason the Raiders lost the comp. They had a chance to ice it when BJ Leilua had an opportunity to put Jordan Rapana away in the north east corner but decided to dummy and instead go himself before trying to force a ball that went forward. That was critical for the Raiders.

A 14-8 scoreline in a grand final often depicts a dire defensive struggle. And that’s exact what we got!

Desperation is what you need and it’s what we got from the two best teams this year. Did Jack Wighton deserve man of the match in a losing team? No. Finally a bon voyage to one of the games greats Cooper Cronk. It was only fitting that he was offered the honour to leave the way in which he did. Winning a grand final in your last game doesn’t happen often but when it does it’s even more engrossing, ask our little mate Royce Simmons.

Good blokes deserve great endings, and Cooper Cronk (and Royce) are both.

Well that’s it for another action packed, eventful, controversial, but bloody fantastic year of rugby league. It’s why we call it the greatest game of all! Bring on season 2020!

See you at the game.

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T

he Blacktown City Diwali Lights competition will be held again this October, to celebrate the ancient Hindu festival of Diwali.

The festival of Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, with observers around the world lighting lamps and candles in and around homes and temples.

These lights are said to help the goddess Lakshmi, goddess of wealth, find her way to homes and businesses.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP is encouraging all residents to take part in the competition and celebrate Diwali.

Mayor Bali said, “Blacktown is one of the most culturally diverse cities in Australia. The Diwali Lights Competition is one of the many ways we celebrate Blacktown’s diversity.

I encourage everyone to get involved in celebrating Diwali this year, whether that is by placing lights around their own homes or by simply admiring the beautifully lit up streets.”

Judging will be based on the overall

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Diwali Lights Competition still open

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appeal of the decorations displayed on the outside of your property, and each properties rangoli.

Mayor Bali said, “Get your neighbours together and in the spirit of Diwali, create a festive and culturefilled atmosphere in your street to be recognised as the Blacktown’s ‘Best Street’.”

For more information and to enter visit https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov. au/Community/Awards-scholarshipsand-competitions/Diwali-LightsCompetition-2019 or contact 9839 6000 for more information.

The Diwali lights competition is proudly supported by Indian Link Media Group.

Competition opens: Monday, 23 September Competition closes: Friday, 18 October Judging begins: Monday, 21 October to Sunday 27 October between 8 pm and 11 pm For interviews with last year’s winners please contact the media team.

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Mission cements business and government ties

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India’s Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs Kiren Rijiju receive an Aboriginal artwork from Blacktown City’s civic delegation, comprising former NSW Premier Nathan Rees, Mayor Stephen Bali MP, Councillor Moninder Singh and Councillor Susai Benjamin.

Trade Mission delegates

lacktown City Council’s Trade Mission to India has been lauded a success, with delegates planning follow-up business meetings before the end of the year.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said: “The business and civic ties formed during the trade mission have already formed strong business ties which will help our business delegates and ultimately grow the economy of the city.

“This trade mission also built key relationships for Council with different levels of government in India planning to visit Blacktown City.”

Two weeks ago Council hosted a 7-member delegation from Tamil Nadu (a province of over 70 million people in South India) seeking to learn about Council’s road safety program.

“We are very proud to have delegations that have identified Blacktown as a growing city where they use what we do to improve programs in India and like-wise we can improve our programs by learning by the projects they are doing,” I am delighted that all 8 businesses that were part of the Trade Mission have already been talking to businesses they met during the visit,” Mayor Bali said.

Roy Rosario, Sales Director, Dynaflow said: “The trade mission provided an opportunity for us at Dynaflow to get a fantastic perspective of the potential market in the span of week, which could take us years if we did it ourselves.

“Blacktown City Council needs to be commended for having the foresight to embark on a dual civic-

business mission and executing such an intense program.”

David Mumford, Director, RBK Nutraceuticals said: “The trade mission to India organised by Blacktown City Council was one of the best trade missions that I have participated in.

“It was a very intense, action packed mission across 3 regions that was extremely well organised. The quality of the business meetings and official functions that were arranged

by Austrade were perfectly matched to my requirements.”

“The mission has provided me with the knowledge, business contacts, potential partners and confidence to pursue India as my next export market priority,” he said.

Other events included a business roundtable with the Confederation of

Indian Industry, a presentation to the Mumbai Stock Exchange including a workshop with a business incubation centre, and networking seminar at the Australian High Commission in New Delhi organised by the Australia, New Zealand and India Business Association.

Mayor Bali also commended two of the trade mission business delegates who are finalists in the 2019 Premier’s NSW Export Awards.

Murray Bridle, CEO, Container Rotation Systems is a finalist in the Minerals, Energy and Advanced Materials category and David Mumford, Director, RBK Nutraceuticals is a finalist in the Western Sydney category.

“I wish both these businessmen the best of luck in their respective categories,” Mayor Bali said.

National Seniors Australia local branch

N

ational Seniors Australia was established in 1976. They have unrivalled access to policy-makers and offer a raft of commercial benefits, worldclass research and a choice of top-notch communication options.

The organisation stays true to its roots by giving older Australians – working and retired - a strong national voice. They also lead a new guard of seniors: the baby boomers who are already redefining what it means to grow old.

Over 5 million Australians are now aged 60 years and over. They are all individuals, looking for different things, at different times at these later stages of life.

To be a part of National Seniors why not join the National Seniors Australia Sydney Greater West Branch which meets on the third Thursday of the month at Blacktown RSL Club at 1015am. For further details contact Betty on 0422 245 303.

Showcasing councils at the click of a button

L

ocal residents can now find out more about Penrith, Fairfield, Liverpool and Blacktown Councils and the services they provide at the click of a button.

The NSW Government’s Your Council website allows local residents to access comprehensive statistics on the operations of their local council and the profile of their community.

At the click of a button residents can see their local council’s expenditure on infrastructure and services as well as the number of facilities such as swimming pools, libraries and public halls within their local government area.

The website also has an interactive map where

ratepayers can compare their council to others around the State on a range of measures such as rates, expenditure, and infrastructure backlogs.

Minister for Local Government Shelley Hancock said the Your Council website showcases the great work of the State’s 128 local councils.

“This new interactive website clearly demonstrates the sheer size and scale of our local government sector,” Mrs Hancock said.

“Not only can residents learn about their own local council, they can also see the great work of our State’s councils as a whole with a comprehensive snapshot of the NSW local government sector.”

The website draws on data already collected

by the Office of Local Government from NSW councils and other agencies and presents it in an easy to understand and user friendly way. It will be updated annually as new data becomes available.

The Your Council website will be updated annually as new data becomes available.

The Office of Local Government will continue to work with local councils to further develop the website. It will also help guide development of a new Performance Measurement Framework with consistent benchmarks for all NSW councils.

Your Council can be accessed here: www. yourcouncil.nsw.gov.au

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ore than 20 young people staged a peaceful protest at last Friday’s Blacktown City Council’s pop-up information session seeking support for Blacktown Youth Services.

The group grabbed centre stage at the Blacktown Night Markets demanding that Council hears their demands including a plea for increased funding for Blacktown Youth Services.

Blacktown City Deputy Mayor Tony Bleasdale commended the group for making their voices heard and said Council wanted to hear more from the young people in the community.

“Thank you to all of the young people who had the courage and made the effort to come to our pop-up and raise this issue. Council wants to work with the youth and will continue to support this service and other similar services.” Councillor Bleasdale said.

A member of the group who did not want to be named said: “Besides hardships we have endured, we are determined and resilient, and we want a better community for everyone including young people. This is why we are starting this movement.

This movement is fuelled by the possibility of Blacktown Youth Services Association (BYSA) ceasing operations due to lack of funding.”

Councillor Bleasdale said Council will continue to support the young people in this community and asked members of the group to work with Council on ongoing programs.

“Blacktown City Council voted unanimously to call on the federal government to increase both the Youth Allowance and Newstart Allowance,” Councillor Bleasdale said.

Members of Blacktown Youth make their voices heard at Blacktown pop-up session.

Other residents visiting the pop-up season raised a variety of issues with Council from traffic issues and development concerns to a call for more community programs for seniors.

“I commend everyone who made the time to visit the pop-up session and meet the councillors and tell us your concerns.

“Council will take these issues on board and report back to these residents on their specific concerns,” Councillor Bleasdale said.

Council will host a final community forum in Tregear on Tuesday 8 October with presentations on parks and reserves in Ward 5 and a report on safety programs in the area.

Councillor Bleasdale said: “These information and engagement sessions are very important for us as Councillors to hear what our residents want to make this city and their neighbourhoods great

places to live and work.”

Council will also host two pop-ups sessions in coming weeks – one in Riverstone on Saturday 12 October and one in Kings Langley on Sunday 13 October.

Mayor Stephen Bali said: “We want as many people as possible to have ‘Your Say’.

“With my fellow Councillors, I look forward to listening to your concerns,” he said.

Details Forum: Riverstone Ward 1 pop-up session When: Saturday 12 October 2019 Time: 10 am to 12 pm Where: Rev up Riverstone, Riverstone Village, Pitt Street, Riverstone.

Forum: Kings Langley Ward 2 pop-up session When: Saturday 13 October 2019 Time: 10 am to 12 pm

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Teens drink a shocking 5kg of sugar every year

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ne in six teenagers consume more than five kilograms of sugar every year just from sweetened drinks, according to a new study from Cancer Council Australia.

The organisation surveyed 9,000 high school students about their diets and exercise, and found that 22 per cent of teenage boys and 11 per cent of girls drink more than a litre of sugar-sweetened beverages every week.

This high consumption of sugar could lead to health problems including type 2 diabetes and tooth decay, according to Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Centre for Population Health deputy director Christine Newman.

“Most people don’t look at nutritional labels, so you might be fooled into thinking a sports drink is good for you when really it’s packed with sugar,” Christine said.

“The problem with these sugar-sweetened drinks is they’re just empty calories with absolutely no nutritional value.

“They may taste good but they serve no purpose

besides contributing to weight gain and associated health issues, including heart disease and type 2 diabetes.”

Christine said it’s better for your waistline and your teeth to stick with water, and get your sugar kick from a more nutritional source – such as a piece of fruit.

Rethink your drink • Choose water – mums and dads, reach for water and show your kids to do the same • Cut back slowly – don’t try to change everything overnight.

Try an unsweetened option for every second drink • Replace it – if you’re craving that fizzy sensation, try the occasional seltzer or sparkling water. Instead of sweetened milks, make your own fruit smoothie

Free event at Mt Druitt for parents with teens

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r Melissa Kang will host a free educational session for parents on tackling common teen issues.

The educational session, presented by Western Sydney Local Health District’s Youth Health team, is called Help Understanding Teens. It will support parents in tackling issues their teens may be facing such as cyber bullying, physical health and mental development.

Various health professionals will also attend to talk about adolescent development, nutrition and physical activity, drugs and alcohol, sexual health and sexuality, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer or Questioning, and Intersex (LGBTQI) matters, mental wellness and crisis intervention.

Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) youth health worker Sarah-Jane Allen encouraged parents or carers of a young person aged 10-18 to attend.

“Many parents of teenagers are unsure where to get advice and often use Dr Google to troubleshoot any issues,” Sarah-Jane said.

“It’s tough being a parent and can be ever tougher when you have a teenager, so come along and get some of your questions answered.”

The event will be held at the Western Area Adolescent Team Centre (Buran Close) Mount Druitt on 31 October from 9am – 4:30pm.

RSVP essential. Contact Sarah-Jane by Wednesday 23 October on 9881 1230 or Sarah-Jane.Allen@health.nsw.gov.au

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ach year, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation {JDRF} One Walks around the globe bring together around a million people to raise over $85 million for life-changing T1D research. This success is only possible because of the support, commitment and strength of our community.

You can make a powerful impact by joining the global leader in T1D research for a fun, FREE family day out with a shared goal.

Walk with them, and help turn type one into type none.

Why Walk?

JDRF is here for 120,000 Australians challenged by type 1 diabetes (T1D) every single day.

Their determination to overcome this chronic, life-threatening disease strengthens JDRF to end it.

T1D is an autoimmune disease in which a person’s pancreas loses the ability to produce insulin—a hormone that turns food into energy.

The disease strikes both children and adults suddenly and is not caused by diet or lifestyle. T1D requires constant

Photos: Life Photos

blood-glucose testing through painful finger pricks, and a constant supply of insulin by injection or pump, just to stay alive.

JDRF is the largest non-government funder of T1D research. They are the right team to drive life-changing

breakthroughs to better treat and, one day, prevent and cure T1D. But they can’t do it without you.

By joining a JDRF One Walk, your fundraising means that JDRF can continue funding critical T1D research. On the 20th October you

can walk at Jamison Park Penrith or on the 27th October at Olympic Park Homebush so why not have a healthy day out and support a great cause.

For further details contact Nicola Evans at JDRF on 02 9020 6142 or go to their website at jdrf.org.au

Young man from Marsden Park a film success

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ear for You began back in 2008, when a very switched on lady named Olivia Andersen decided to use her personal experiences as a deaf person to make a difference to the lives of young people across Australia. Having been diagnosed as profoundly deaf at 8 months, Olivia definitely understood the challenges that deaf teenagers face, and she wanted to do something about it!

Joining forces with a team of like-minded people, Olivia founded Hear For You: a one-of-akind organisation devoted to supporting teenagers who are deaf and hard of hearing. Through their programs and events, deaf teenagers have the chance to connect with mentors who have ‘been there, done that’, and have lived to tell the tale!

Together with their supporting partner, Hearing Australia, Hear for You give Australian deaf or hard of hearing secondary school students the opportunity to script, shoot and edit a film for entry into a nationwide competition.

Whether you are a pro filmmaker or one who is just keen to get started, you are welcome to enter the competition!

You can join their filmmaking and editing workshops to learn more about: • script writing • shooting • editing films So there is a workshop that is accessible to all budding filmmakers.

Jared Donaldson has participated in the Hear For You Film Festival for the past 3 years. he won Best Film category in 2017 and 2018.

This year, 2019, his team film, called “Hidden Heroes” won both Best Director and Best Storyline.

The Film Festival has a different theme each year. this year’s theme was Friendship. Jared’s team told the story of some high school boys bullying a new guy to their school, that ended up becoming friends in school and remained friends later in life.

Jared loves attending Hear For You events and entering the film competition because it shows that he can achieve anything he puts his mind to, and that having a disability is not a barrier to success.

Everyone who attends the HFY sessions is deaf or hard of hearing - the mentors and the mentees. His interest in film has extended to the classroom where he has studied Film Studies this year for year 11.

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The world’s biggest type 1 diabetes (T1D) fundraising event

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Western News

The only circular pyramids in the world

Tequila tours

Modern Volador, Mexico City

By BEN CRANNEY

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exico is full of pyramids, including some of the biggest in the world. Many are in central and eastern Mexico. So when some were found in a place in the west, there was a bit of excitement. I say ‘found’: the locals knew about them and even pointed the ‘finders’ in the right direction. Unlike the ones in the west, these ones are round, and because they were found relatively recently, there are a few conspiracy theories about their origins: aliens made them, the local government built them in secret to promote tourism. I prefer the real story, though, that they were built around 2000 years ago as a place of worship for a civilisation of around 40,000 people. The pyramids themselves would have played a central role, with priests possibly conducting Volador ceremonies from them, a kind of dance in the sky on long ropes tied to the top of tall wooden poles.

Murals on Guadalajara’s streets

The pyramids are called Los Guachimontones.

They are up the hill from the town Teuchitlan. It’s a small, sleepy town, with people watching the day go by in the square. Hedge animals fill the church yard, and the buildings are painted to match the brilliantly coloured flowers that spill over the fences and walls.

Teuchitlan is about two hours from Guadalajara, Mexico’s second largest city. Guadalajara is big, and an important cultural centre, maybe like what Guachimontones once was. And like Guachimontones, the whole city feels like a museum, made of grand cathedrals with squares that host ballroom dancing and cake stalls on Sunday evenings or water slides on other days, little churches, street art, maze-like markets selling torta ahogada (the drowned sandwich), mariachi music and little villages connected by public transport.

One of my favourite times to explore is Easter.

Nothing is open, so you won’t actually be able to

Guachimontones

go in the museums. In fact, you might even think the city was abandoned because the streets are so empty. And then you hear the chants and song of an Easter procession echoing off the terrace houses, as people walk by, declaring their faith, and you don’t need anything to be open.

If pyramids, blooming flowers or open air museums aren’t your thing, head to neighbouring Tlaquepaque or Tonala, historic cities that share a border and sense of culture with Guadalajara. Go a bit further north to Tequila, the town famous for the drink. Or head for a weekend away to the mountain towns and cities like San Miguel de Allende or Guanajuato.

And speak with the locals. Maybe you’ll ‘find’ more pyramids.

Next time: in the Mexican mountains

The Unintentional Medium By Suzi Samuel We’ll Meet Again

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henever I do a reading, I like to think that I pick up issues that are relevant to my client. I happily chatter on for at least an hour and at the end I always ask if there are any questions they would like to ask me. With one glaring exception over which I will draw a hasty veil, we normally find that I have answered the main concerns during the reading, but I did have a bit of a curve ball thrown at me the other day. I did a reading for a lovely lady who had very kindly bid for me at a charity event and when we finished, I asked as usual if there was anything she wanted to ask me.

“Yes,” she said. “Do we meet up with our loved ones when we die?” As with all things esoteric, it is very difficult to give definitive answers but I can be 99 per cent certain with this one.

My darling Gran lived to a ripe old age, but sadly although her mind was still razor sharp, she was bedridden for the last six years of her life. Towards the end she became very poorly following a bout of pneumonia. She had always had tremendous faith and truly believed she would meet her beloved husband who had died many years before. I went to see her just before she died and she said to me, “Darling, I’m scared I won’t see Grandpa again.” I was so upset by this because I just didn’t want her to die alone and frightened.

A few months after her death, I went to see my wonderful medium, Stephen. He and Gran had already met in previous readings but this time he said, “Do you know anyone called Daphne?”

No. “Um, I’m getting a name like diaphanous or

Adolphus. What sort of name is that?” I nearly fell off my chair. “Actually it’s my Grandfather,” I replied. “Well,” said Stephen. “Your grandparents are standing really close together and Gran is telling you to think back to your last conversation with her.” How absolutely beautiful. She and Grandpa had met again and continued their love story at last after almost thirty years.

But dear reader, sometimes it’s not all wine and roses! My father refused to die because he was terrified he would meet my mother again. I won’t bore you with all the gory details. Suffice to say she led him a right old dance when she was young and beautiful, but he did eat his dish of revenge cold when she was old and addled due in no small part to the vast amounts of alcohol she consumed.

Daddy was taken into hospital for observation

after he had had a few falls. Nothing to worry about, we thought. The next morning I was called by the hospital and told he had only hours to live. His heart and kidneys had packed up. My daughter was summoned and we hot footed it to the hospital. We were holding hands and crying when the consultant came in. He went to look at Daddy and suddenly we heard, “No, no! Get her off me! Tell them there’s no Mrs Hayman here!” Mummy was apparently waiting for him.

He amazed all the medical staff and made a miraculous recovery. He wasn’t well enough to come home but went into a lovely nursing home.

But he was fading and we all thought the end was very near. We must have had at least five calls telling us he was on his way, but every time he pulled through. The nursing staff had never seen anything like it. After one such incident, I was alone with him. Suddenly, I was aware of other presences in the room. My grandparents and my aunt, Daddy’s sister, were hovering round the bed, arms linked as if shielding him. I bent over him and whispered, “It’s okay Daddy. There are only people here who love you.” An hour later he finally let go. His family had come to help him across and protect him from my mother.

So perhaps the answer to the original question is, yes we do meet up with our loved ones, but please, if there is ill feeling send love and light to that person so that our meetings will be happy ones.

The Unintentional Medium is available online or from any good book store.

Western News

local news

S

ydney’s metropolitan transport network was saturated by more than 190 officers last weekend in a high-visibility operation targeting crime in transport hotspots.

Operation Colossus was conducted on Saturday (5 October 2019) and involved officers from Police Transport and Public Safety Command and targeted all modes of transport. It extended as far as Newcastle in the north, west past Penrith and down to Wollongong.

The operation focused on improving safety across the public transport network to reduce alcohol and drugrelated crime, anti-social behaviour and graffiti/ malicious damage offences.

During the operation, officers made 31 arrests for a range of offences, including assault, possession/ supply of prohibited drugs or weapons, outstanding warrants and traffic infringements.

Officers searched a total of 147 people, issued 145 move-on directions, and 405 infringement notices for a range of offences.

Of note, police arrested a 25-yearold man after a short foot-pursuit at Sydenham Railway Station. He was wanted for questioning over an alleged sexual assault in September.

The Waterloo man was taken to Kogarah Police Station where he was charged with two counts of sexual assault and breach AVO. He was refused bail and appeared in Parramatta Local Court on Sunday 6 October 2019.

A 20-year-old man was also arrested after a vehicle search in Werrington where police located a machete, MDMA, Viagra and a small amount of cash. The items were seized, and the man will appear in Penrith Local Court on Tuesday 29 October 2019.

Acting Commander of Police Transport and Public Safety Command South-West, Acting Superintendent Sheridan Waldau, said operations on public transport play an important part in community safety.

“These high-visibility police operations on public transport go a long way in making our streets and transport networks safer, especially when we are able to locate and seize numerous knives and drugs and execute outstanding warrants.

“The public can expect similar operations to continue to occur later in the year in an effort to reduce crime and increase public safety on and around public transport.

Western News 11 October 2019 Issue 95

Public Transport Operation aims to improve public safety

11

Labor: Stop plans for Western Sydney incinerator

T

he NSW Labor Opposition is calling on the Berejiklian Liberal Government to “immediately rule out plans for the building of a massive incinerator that is set to burn enormous amounts of household rubbish less than two kilometres away from 10,000 households in Minchinbury, St Clair and Erskine Park.”

Labor says that “despite years of sustained and successful campaigning from Western Sydney residents against the proposed Dial A Dump incinerator in Minchinbury, there is now a proposal for a new incinerator at Eastern Creek, close to the old site.”

“The developers, Cleanaway Industries, have indicated that they will apply to make the $500 million development State Significant sometime in the next four weeks,” their release states.

On a visit to Eastern Creek this week, Labor Leader Jodi McKay and Blacktown Mayor and MP Stephen Bali met with local residents, including members of the ‘No Incinerator for Westerm Sydney’ community group.

Ms McKay said Labor would be taking action when Parliament resumes next week to stop the proposal. Labor is demanding an immediate review of the State’s Planning rules for approving incinerators like this one – and a moratorium on any new incinerators until then.

“The Berejiklian Liberal Government should not be approving massive incinerators within a stone’s throw of people’s homes until they properly investigate their effects on pollution and human health,” Ms Mckay said.

“We stand with Mums and Dads on this one. Labor and the community want this proposal stopped dead in its tracks – before it gets anywhere near the in-tray on the Planning Minister’s desk.”

Mayor Bali said: “This Government promised they would give planning powers back to local communities – and this is but the latest example of them doing the exact opposite.”

“Planning rules in this area need to be rewritten because the community must always be given the opportunity for full, genuine input on any proposed incinerator. They should not be pushed aside by the State Significant Development process.”

Shadow Minister for Western Sydney Greg Warren said: “Why is it that whenever we see proposals like this, it’s always Western Sydney that has to cop it – you don’t see anyone proposing to burn half a million tonnes of rubbish in other areas of the city.”

With so many home finance options on the market, a Wealthwiz Finance Broker should be the first person you visit before you even start looking for your home.

For more information on home finance, pre-approval or a home loan, talk to Alex Soncini on 0419 600 177.

02 8004 9400

info@wealthwiz.com.au

Finance Broker

Western News 11 October 2019 Issue 95

12

WESTERN HISTORY

Henry Charles Lennox Anderson

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

H

enry Charles Lennox Anderson was born at sea in 1853 as his parents Robert & Margaret (née Hewson) sailed to Sydney on the “Empire” from Aberdeenshire in Scotland. Henry was educated at Sydney Grammar School and on a scholarship at the University of Sydney (B.A., 1873; M.A., 1878), he won the University Prize in 1872, the Belmore Medal for agricultural chemistry in 1873 and the Hercules Robinson prize for Shakespearian scholarship and literature in 1877. From 1873 he taught at Sydney Grammar School and that year he was promoted Honorary Lieutenant in the Sydney Grammar School Cadet Corps and resigned in 1880, and in March that year at the Macquarie Street Presbyterian Church he married Harriet Lily Lloyd.

Two years later he became the Director of the Intelligence Department of Public Instruction and the Principal Librarian & Secretary of the Public Library of NSW, including the Registrar of Copyright from 1882. In 1885 he was commissioned into the 1st Regiment Volunteer Infantry. His younger brother Robert was commissioned into the 2nd Infantry Regiment in 1886. Henry became a Captain in 1888 and resigned as a Captain after serving 17 years. His brother later resigned his commission but remained in the reserves. Both Henry and Robert were founding members of the United Service Institution in 1889. For over twenty years as a hobby and recreation, Henry carried out analysis and other work in agricultural chemistry and invested every shilling he had in a farm and orchard near Penrith. In February 1890, Henry was appointed NSW’s first Director of Agriculture, but found this department haphazardly formed as a branch of the Department of Mines. The first Agricultural College in NSW was founded in 1890 in Richmond by Sydney Smith, who was born in Colyton and Minister for Mines & Agriculture at that time. Poor Henry had to contend with catastrophic wheat losses from rust, widespread disease in plants and animals, pests such as rabbits, prickly pear, phylloxera and water hyacinth, and grossly inefficient farming methods. Henry edited and largely wrote the first issue of the Agricultural Gazette of NSW and soon gathered the nucleus of a departmental scientific staff. In 1891 he had the College on a sound scientific and practical foundation. The next year Henry established the Wagga Wagga Experiment Farm. He acquired land for other agricultural colleges and farms for demonstration purposes, and made elaborate plans for free distribution of seeds, plants and cuttings and for a travelling demonstration unit to show farmers efficient dairying methods. Plants, trees, shrubs, seeds and insects of all types were to be botanically identified or entomologically classified and catalogued, but in August 1893 Henry’s department was closed down and in September he was appointed Principal Librarian of the Free Public Library at a reduced salary, a position in which he had ‘no desire’. Continuing questions in parliament about his evidence

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to the royal commission into the civil service on ‘political appointments’ in the Department of Mines, culminated in a select committee and a whispering campaign about his maladministration of the library.

Hampered by an inadequate building and an outdated catalogue, he instituted annual stocktaking in 1894 (the first since 1885), helped country students by lending them small parcels of reference books and became internationally known for 101 rules of cataloguing with the use of subject headings. He was made a Fellow of the Senate of the University of Sydney in 1895, and the library’s name was changed at his instigation to the Public Library of NSW. In 1896 he published Guide to the Catalogues of the Reference Library and he also ran classes for his staff and employed women for the first time. In 1897 he attended the Second International Library Conference in London and acquired for New South Wales, Governor King’s manuscript journal of his voyage to Sydney as a Lieutenant in the Sirius. He later received an introduction to David Scott Mitchell from Rose Scott that proved beneficial to him because he acted out-of-hours as his secretary.

In 1898 he became a Trustee of St Andrew’s College when David Mitchell told him of his intended bequest of his unique collection to the library. Henry voluntarily moved out of his house attached to the library to accommodate the 10,000 volumes that was transferred over.

From 1901 Henry introduced the Dewey system of cataloguing. Henry believed in ‘a National and not a Municipal Library’ and emphasized the need to have books which reflect and give a history of the morals of certain ages and finally in 1905, when the bequest seemed to be slipping away, work started on the Mitchell wing with Henry responsible for its basic design. From 1907 he became Director of the State’s new Intelligence Department and Government statistician and in 1908 he became Acting Under-Secretary and Director of the new independent and stronger Department of Agriculture and helped to establish the faculties of agriculture and veterinary science in 1910. At the first Dry Farming Conference in Australia held in Adelaide in 1911, he was impressed by the extension of wheat growing in South Australia and the advantages of superphosphate and fallowing in winter. Although he had been a brilliant organizer, Henry reflected on ‘the futility of much of his labour’ in his reminiscences written soon after his retirement in April 1914. He died of heart failure in 1924 at his home on Shirley Rd, Wollstonecraft and was buried in the Presbyterian section of Rookwood cemetery. His estate was valued for probate at £13,688. Photo of Henry courtesy of NSW State Library.

Sources: J. R. Tyrrell, “Old Books, Old Friends, Old Sydney”, Votes and Proceedings (Legislative Assembly, NSW Relating to Proposed Mitchell Library 1905, Sydney Morning Herald, Rose Scott’s correspondence (State Library of NSW), Government Gazette, C. J. King, “Henry Anderson, Australian Dictionary of Biography, National Centre of Biography, Australian National University, NSW Public Servants List, Index of Deceased Estate Files, Ancestry, Find a Grave URL, Permanent Trustee P/L.

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Western News

INSTRUCTIONS

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

SUDOKU: MEDIUM

13 Western News 11 October 2019 Issue 95

SUDOKU: EASY

ENTERTAINMENT

SOLUTIONS: 27 September EASY

MEDIUM

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Rehearse (8) 5 Relating to the iris of

the eye (6) 9 Attacks (8) 10 Be against (6) 12 Draws through a straw (5) 13 Blimps (9) 14 Dried grape (6) 16 Cigar (7) 19 Seeing (7) 21 A style of architecture (6) 23 Pasta (9) 25 A mendicant preacher (5) 26 Stableboy (6) 27 Thoroughly soak (8) 28 Faery (6) 29 Hated (8)

solution 27/9/19

down 1 Kudos (6) 2 Companion (9) 3 Guided journeys (5) 4 A native member of a state (7) 6 Be a delegate for (9) 7 Hindu loincloth (5) 8 Distilled wood tar (8) 11 Heroic (4) 15 Most meager (9) 17 Not reproductions (9) 18 Eludings (8) 20 Fence door (4) 21 A contorted facial expression (7) 22 Pal (6) 24 Plays a role (5) 25 An unpleasant woman (5)

Western News 11 October 2019 Issue 95

14

REAL ESTATE

Alex Soncini

T

Western News

Buying A Tenanted Investment Property

here are plenty of upsides to buying an investment property that already has a tenant, as well as a raft of risks. Here’s how to minimise them.

• Purchasing an investment property that already has a tenant means you collect rent from day one, with no vacant period and no lease fees to find a new tenant. The lease just carries on as it did before you purchased the property. Sound good? Of course it does. There are some possible problems to be aware of though.

• It’s very important to check whether the lease on your prospective investment is current or the tenants are on an expired lease. If the tenants are off-lease, they can give a short period of notice and vacate the property, so those upsides mentioned above could come to nought.

• A current lease, on the other hand,

offers security, it also means that you are stuck with the lease, its conditions (or lack thereof), the current rental return and the tenants.

• There are steps you can take to minimise your risk: • Make sure the bond has been lodged properly. Your agent will arrange for the bond guarantee to be transferred into your name on settlement.

• Check the property condition report, making sure that it is a complete and accurate record of the property as you inspected it.

• Ensure there are no rental arrears.

If there are, or if a landlord has agreed that rental arrears can be taken out of a bond payment, stipulate that this amount is deducted from the purchase settlement amount.

• Ask the leasing agent about the tenants and their payment record.

You cannot demand that you meet the tenants, but attending the open house will give you a sense of how they live in the property. If possible, sight the tenants’ original application for the property and rental ledger.

• Look at the yield for rental properties in the area and compare them to yours. You won’t be able to increase the rent until the end of the lease.

• Be aware of any concessions or conditions that are either in the lease or have been agreed with the landlord or property manager, because these will become your responsibility. For example, does rent include electricity or other utilities? Has the landlord agreed to install a new oven or paint a room?

• Of course, if you love a property but have doubts about the tenants, the lease or the managing agent, all

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is not lost. You can easily change the managing agent when you settle. You can also make vacant possession of the property a condition of settlement.

You may need to wait until the lease expires to settle, but you aren’t taking on the previous owners’ problems and responsibilities.

If your only problem with a tenanted property is the rental yield, keep in mind that increasing rent on a good, long-term tenant may well drive them away anyway, so do your sums. Work out whether the amount you’d like to increase the rent by equates to more over the year than the lease fee plus any rent lost if your property is vacant for a few weeks.

As well as speaking to a real estate expert, speak to a Wealthwiz Finance Broker to get their insight on the market. Call Alex today on 0419 600 177.

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Western News

SPORT

By CONNER LOWE

T

he next generation of Giants has arrived with star thirdyear midfielder Tim Taranto claiming his first Kevin Sheedy Medal in a thrilling count on Friday night.

The top three of Taranto, Coleman Medallist Jeremy Cameron and fourthyear midfielder Jacob Hopper could barely be separated all night with Cameron leading Taranto by one vote at the end of the regular season.

Heading into the final game of the season Cameron led on 220 votes with Taranto on 216 and Hopper on 214.

On the final day in September Taranto polled the second-highest votes from the coaches to leapfrog Cameron and claim his first Club Champion Award.

Inaugural coach and Life Member Kevin Sheedy was on hand at the Hyatt Regency on Friday night to

present Taranto with the award named after him.

In just his third season, and with cocaptain Callan Ward and vice-captain Stephen Coniglio missing for large parts of the year, Taranto elevated his game to another level playing as a midfielder.

The 21-year-old played every game of the season, averaging almost 28 touches and more than six tackles a game and kicking 11 goals. He was ranked second in the competition for tackles and fourth for disposals and kicks in a stunning season.

Taranto took out the top honour with 222 votes, ahead of Cameron (220) and Hopper (218) with star defender Nick Haynes (206) and defender Zac Williams (203) rounding out the top five.

Leon Cameron, Coach of Greater Western Sydney Giants paid tribute to Taranto’s unbelievable season and work ethic throughout the year.

“This is a wonderful effort by Tim

and a much-deserved reward for an outstanding season,” Cameron said.

“His commitment and dedication on the training track and desire to improve himself is almost second to none and he’s been an important part of our football club since he walked in the doors three years ago.

“Tim was thrown a huge challenge this year, alongside Jacob Hopper to virtually lead the midfield for much of the season and neither of them disappointed.

“To see a player in just his third year, take his game to such a level is exciting to watch as a coach and we’re looking forward to his continued development over the coming years.

“I’d also like to congratulate Jeremy on an outstanding season as well as Jacob on what he’s achieved this year alongside Tim. “It’s great to see Nick back up his top-five finish last year with another magnificent season and to see Zac bounce back after a terrible injury to

have such a strong year as well.”

The Kevin Sheedy Medal is voted on by Coach Leon Cameron as well as his Senior Assistant Matthew Nicks and Assistant Coaches Mark McVeigh, Brad Miller and Lenny Hayes. Up to four votes are able to be awarded to a player by each coach every round with each player able to receive a maximum of 20 votes per round.

Dunheved Slender Leaders in Club of the Year Rankings

By Noel Rowsell

142 players greeted the starter at Dunheved GC on Tuesday 1st October, in the latest round of the 2019 Western Sydney Region Veteran Golfers Association (WSRVGA) Inter-Club competition.

Dunheved’s top-scoring members would take full advantage of their course knowledge to finish with 154 points, edging out Richmond GC on 152 and Penrith 147.

Dunheved (1,018 points) now hold a 4-point advantage over Penrith (1,014) in the race to win the Club of the Year trophy, ahead of reigning Club of the Year Richmond (1,008) and Wallacia (1,002).

The members of Dunheved’s winning team were Elaine Williams, Bruce Beechey, Robert Ayre and Di Bowen.

Williams and Bowen had a day to remember, also winning the Medley 2BBB with a huge 52-point haul, ahead of Leonay husband and wife Ken & Gill Gordon with 45 c/b.

Williams also took out the Women’s Singles with 40 points, ahead of Kris Douglas (Richmond) with 37.

The Men’s 2BBB winners were Gary Muscat and Graham Sprouster (Richmond) with 46 c/b, ahead of Phil Johnston and Bob Jenson (Penrith) with 46 c/b.

Paul Fairbrother and Annamalai Goundan (Dunheved GC) in action at Dunheved GC. Photos courtesy of Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)

The individual winners were: A Grade - Neil Johnston (Penrith) 40 c/b, runner-up Ken Powell (Richmond) 40; B Grade - Robert Ayre (Dunheved) 38 c/b, runner-up Graham Sprouster (Richmond) 38 c/b; C Grade - Ray Foster (Penrith) 37, runner-up Kim Stockbridge (Stonecutters Ridge) 36.

There was one unwelcome visitor on the course, when an enormous brown snake crossed the 15th fairway at it’s leisure but the greater majority of players had already completed their round and been heading back to the clubhouse.

Greg Williams (Dunheved) leads the Player

of the Year rankings on 113, ahead of Peter Green (Dunheved) 111, Peter Cromer (Wallacia) 111, Stephen Cromer (Leonay) 111, Russell Cruikshank (Penrith) 110 and Garry Smith (Richmond) 110.

In the women’s Player of the Year, Judy Loader (Stonecutters Ridge) leads on 108, ahead of Elaine Williams (Dunheved) 100, Sue Evers (Springwood) 100, Carol Carter (Richmond) 99 and Carol Lozier (Richmond) 98.

The next Inter-Club will be held at Leonay GC on 29th October.

Dunheved GC Hosts Annual Aboriginal Golf Day

By Noel Rowsell

D

unheved GC will host the 40th Annual NSW Aboriginal Golf Championships on October 11, sponsored by Diz FootPrints Aboriginal Learning Centre and the NSW Aboriginal Land Council.

The first-ever event was held on the long weekend in October 1979, sanctioned by PGA Members Ian Stanley and Kel Llewellyn, who both attended and provided Golf Clinics for all participants.

Initially, Stanley was accompanied

by Noongar Brother Syd Jackson (AFL WA Hall of Famer), who started his football playing career with South Bunbury (WA).

Jackson then commenced his Professional Football career with East Perth, before moving on to Glenelg and later becoming a legendary Carlton Blues player.

Jackson is also a member of the Indigenous AFL Team of the Century.

Dunheved Life Member John Delaney (KAMILAROI Elder) said “Syd (Jackson) and Bob (Professor Bob Morgan) were joined (at the

inaugural tournament) by Danny Rose and me.”

“I was, at the time, Club Captain at Dunheved Golf Club in St Marys, Western Sydney and in 2008 I was endorsed as a Life Member.

“Our Presentation Co-ordinator was the late great Reg Saunders, our first (Aboriginal) Commissioned Officer in the Australian Armed Forces.”

“Captain Saunders was also the First Aboriginal Member of Dunheved - I was the second,” said Delaney.

“Thus, the first-ever Aboriginal Golf Championships became an

Institution and Dunheved GC is widely referred to as the home of Aboriginal Golf, among the Aboriginal Golfing fraternity here and our Maori brothers in NZ.” The winners in 1979 were La Perouse Legend Chooky Lester and Sonya (Scott) Hinkley, a Dunheved GC Associate Member.

A total of 16 Aboriginal Championships have been held at Dunheved since 1979, including last year’s Nationals which were hosted by the Greater Eastern Aboriginal Nations Golf Aboriginal Corporation.

Western News 11 October 2019 Issue 95

Taranto wins Sheedy Medal in thrilling count

15

Western News Friday, 11 October 2019

SPORT

Wanderers ready to bring success back to Wanderland

By CONNER LOWE

A

n opening game against traditional rivals Central Coast Mariners will see the Wanderers return to Parramatta on Saturday 12 October after three years in the wilderness, away from their spiritual home.

Head coach Markus Babbel and his coaching staff have been working hard for almost four months to get the squad in shape and ready for what will be a tough opening to the season against the Mariners, a side intent on casting aside suggestions they are the easy-beats of the league.

The Wanderers will go into the contest off the back of a solid preseason in which they performed admirably during a series of friendlies and the FFA Cup. Markus Babbel, Coach of the Wanderers spoke about the winning mentality the players need to develop in order to bring success back to Western Sydney.

“We have to bring this mentality back in this club and then I’m

very optimistic in the future that the Wanderers will be one of the strongest teams in the league. I’m very optimistic about this,” he said.

“We want to have success here. But first we must build a good base and from there you can go forward.

“We have to bring this culture to the club. We have to bring the culture back to the club from (the early years) where there was great success here.”

Following three years away, this season the Wanderers are ready to return to Wanderland and bring back the noise, energy and incredible

atmosphere the club became known for since its 2012 inception.

The Wanderers with Sydney production house Chisel and working with Western Sydney hip hop star B Wise created ‘We’re Back’ to symbolise the club’s long-anticipated return to their home in Parramatta.

‘We’re Back’ is a call to action to the proud members and fans of the Wanderers, a statement on the club’s return following three seasons away from home and a message to the entire league this season.

Wanderers return to Parramatta this

Saturday evening, kicking off at 5pm, to make their Hyundai A-League debut at the amazing Bankwest Stadium.

Tickets for the match are still available visit Ticketek for Round 1 Wanderers v Central Coast Mariners match.

John Tsatsimas, Western Sydney Wanderers CEO spoke about the new era of the football club and the importance of being back at Wanderland.

“This is a momentous time for the club, its fans and the Hyundai A-League,” he said.

“On Saturday 12 October at 5:00pm we mark our return to Wanderland and we want our members and supporters to know that ‘We’re Back’.

“This is a new dawn, we have the best training venue in the country, the best stadium in the country and the best members in the country.

“We are proudly Western Sydney, our music, our people, our streets.

It all means something to us and this club and Wanderland is here to make us have a place where we can passionately share our love of football and our love of the place we call home.