Petition on new rental laws
THE Minns Labor Government’s suite of new measures to “make renting fairer” will be introduced to the Parliament in October.
“The NSW Government is also launching a petition calling on renters in NSW to show their support for making renting fairer for everybody,” said Premier Chris Minns.
“More people are renting than ever before, with around 33 per cent of the NSW population renting, an increase of 17.6 per cent since 2016 including 39.3% in Mount Druitt. However, the current rental market in NSW is the toughest that renters have seen for decades with historically low vacancy rates, median rent prices increasing by around 7 per cent over the last 12 months, and a system that leaves them vulnerable to eviction at any time. The rental package includes:
• No grounds evictions – establishing a set of
reasonable grounds to end a lease, giving greater certainty to renters and owners. Property owners will now need a reason to end a tenancy for both periodic and fixed term leases.
• Banning fees for background checks – Renters will no longer be charged for background checks.
• Ensuring tenants have a free way to pay rent
– Property owners and agents will be required to offer free ways to pay, such as bank transfer and the Commonwealth Government’s Centrepay.
• Making it easier for tenants to have pets in rentals
• Portable bond scheme – This means eligible renters can move homes and digitally transfer their existing bond with them.
• Establishing Rent Check – A new, free website renters can use to help check whether the rent they’re being asked to pay is fair.
• Rental Taskforce within NSW Fair Trading
– Investing $8.4 million in a taskforce with investigators, inspectors and support teams to help renters and act on serious breaches of rental laws. This legislation has been developed working with housing providers, rental advocates, and property stakeholders including more than 16,000 submissions from across NSW. You can add your voice to the petition here: https://www.homes4nsw.com.au/
Member for Mount Druitt, Edmond Atalla said the Minns Labor Government is committed to making renting fairer by putting an end to no-grounds evictions and strengthening rental laws.
“This means landlords won’t be able to evict tenants simply to raise the rent,” Mr Atalla said. “We’re launching this petition to give thousands of renters a chance to show their support for these changes, helping us ensure they pass through NSW Parliament.”
Marathon challenge raises over $12,000 for ovarian cancer research
EARLIER this year, Westmead Hospital orderly Lyn O’Reilly embarked on an incredible journey to raise awareness and funds for ovarian cancer, following her own diagnosis of stage 4 ovarian cancer in 2022. Through her initiative, ‘Marathons 4 Cancer,’ Lyn challenged herself to 42 days of marathon exercises, with the goal of spreading awareness about Ovarian Cancer while also keeping herself fit throughout the duration of her treatment.
Now, Lyn’s journey has reached an inspiring milestone—she has successfully raised $12,499.55 for the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre (CPMCC) at Westmead Hospital.
Her determination to make a difference has not only fuelled her own fight but also shone a spotlight on a disease that affects over 1,800 women in Australia each year.
“Many people don’t understand the seriousness of ovarian cancer until they’re personally affected by it.
“I didn’t have much awareness about ovarian cancer until I became a walking billboard for the disease.
I knew I had to do something to raise awareness, not just for myself but for every woman out there who may be at risk. Lyn O’Reilly
“
Lyn’s efforts aim to support ongoing research at the CPMCC, with the hope of improving treatment outcomes and providing hope to women diagnosed with ovarian cancer.
She believes that through increased awareness and research, the future can hold brighter stories for those facing this challenging diagnosis.
New training course empowers wombat carers to combat sarcoptic mange
ANEW training course on the WomSAT platform will help everyone learn how to treat wombats afflicted with sarcoptic mange in the field, enhancing conservation efforts for the species.
Sarcoptic mange, caused by the Sarcoptes scabiei mite, affects wombats throughout their range, posing one of the greatest threats to their survival alongside roadside accidents. To address this, WomSAT (Wombat Survey and Analysis Tool) — a collaboration between Western Sydney University, and Charles Sturt University — has developed a comprehensive training program designed to educate and certify wombat carers in field treatment techniques.
Since its launch in 2015, WomSAT has enabled the Wombat Warrior community to report over 23,000 wombat sightings and burrows across
Australia, significantly contributing to the identification and mitigation of threats impacting wombats. The platform, which is part of a broader citizen science initiative, empowers everyday citizens to play a vital role in wombat conservation.
Associate Professor Julie Old, from the School of Science, highlighted the importance of the new training course.
“WomSAT empowers wombat carers and treaters to track wombat treatment in the field, providing critical data on the prevalence and treatment of sarcoptic mange. This course is a crucial step towards improving our understanding of this deadly disease and enhancing conservation efforts,” said Associate Professor Old.
“By enhancing the knowledge and skills of wombat carers in treating sarcoptic mange, the training will not only improve on-ground care but also provide participants with the necessary accreditation to treat
A recent upgrade to the WomSAT platform, funded by the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Foundation for National Park’s Curb Wombat Mange program, now includes features for tracking treatments in the field.
Upon completion of the training — developed in consultation with the Wombat Protection Society of Australia Inc. and supported by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Foundation for National Park’s Curb Wombat Mange program — participants will receive a certificate of accreditation. This accreditation can be used to gain official approval to treat wombats in the field through the Wombat Protection Society of Australia.
“By treating sarcoptic mange in wombats, we can improve their health and welfare and contribute to the conservation of an iconic Australian animal,” said Dr Hayley Stannard, from the Charles Sturt School of Agricultural, Environmental and Veterinary Sciences.
To learn more about the training course and how you can get involved, visit the WomSAT webpage: www. womsat.org.au/womsat/training/
Photo: Marie Wynan, WPSA. wombats in the field.”
Adorable dogs, cute cats prove crowd pleasers at pet festival
LEAPING canines, a cat chase and sheep herding were among the highlights that captivated crowds at the Blacktown City Pet Festival at Glendenning.
Onlookers were entertained by animal demonstrations and heard expert advice on responsible pet ownership, including how to adopt or foster from the Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre.
Pony rides, a reptile display and a dog obedience demonstration were also enjoyed by people of all ages on Sunday.
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting was pleased to see so many people at the festival.
“Pets can be a great source of companionship, exercise and relaxation and I am encouraged to see so many people interested in better caring for them,” he said.
“When you own a pet, you have responsibility for that animal and its potential impact on the environment.
“Council offers support to pet owners at events such as the pet festival as well as through the many services offered by the Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre.”
The centre is the largest facility of its kind in the southern hemisphere and has many cats and dogs available for adoption.
Free microchipping (a legal
requirement for cats and dogs) is available to Blacktown City residents.
More details are available at the Blacktown Animal Rehoming Centre website: www.thebarc.com.au
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BY MARK MG GEYER
WHEN googling words that mean the same thing as awesome the following pop up: breathtaking, astonishing, aweinspiring, staggering, stupendous, mind-blowing, out of this world, and my favourite BADASS!
That’s exactly what this Panthers team are!
The Penrith Panthers fourth competition victory in 5 attempts is even surreal to write, let alone realise its a story of non-fiction not some made up fable! How?
In a world where the NRL salary cap has never been more stringent, and in that same world where this rugby league team loses at least two stars from their roster annually, the brain just doesn’t compute a team winning 4 straight grand finals in this current rugby league landscape.
The fourth, and for mine, the most impressive for the very reasons I’ve just listed, was a suffocating slow death victory over one of the competition’s best attacking forces. Penrith quite simply didn’t have a player who rated less than a 7 in the most important game of the year. They were dialled-in BIGTIME!
What a year. What an incredible 5 years these Panthers have had. You’d be foolish to think they can’t make it 5 wins in a row given the array of young Panthers waiting in the wings to emulate this current team of absolute superstars.
There have been some great ‘slogans’ followed by this team in recent years. This current one of ‘The last Dance” was highly apt.
As we turn our attention to next year I’m not sure what the next mantra adopted will be, but I do know one thing. #5in2025 has a good ring to it!
See you at the game.
Storm preparation
STORMS can bring heavy rainfall, hail, flash flooding and damaging winds. Here’s some tips to help you prepare for storms and protect your property.
• Check your roof for damage and clean out your gutters, downpipes and drains to clear blockages
• Secure or store items in the yard that could be blown around in strong winds
• Ensure your insurance policy is up to date and covers storm damage
• Have an emergency kit on hand with essential items you may need if you lose power.
For emergency assistance in a storm, contact the SES on 132 500.
You can also contact them if a tree has fallen on your property, driveway or road, if your property is flooded, or if your roof is damaged or leaking.
For more tips on how you can prepare your home for a storm, visit www.ses.nsw.gov.au/disaster-tabsheader/storm/
Opinion: Early entry to university
BY
IT is that time of year again in the school calendar when thousands of year 12 students across the country are preparing to sit for their final high school exams.
Those few crucial hours of exams mark the culmination of 13 years of schooling, with many students inevitably viewing them as the gateway to the next chapter in their lives, whether it is university, vocational education, or direct entry to the workforce. Little wonder then that as the day approaches so many experience varying degrees of stress.
So when universities throw students an early offer for a place (or even better, one without any conditions, such as an ATAR) it should come as no surprise that many leap at the opportunity.
Unfortunately, principals see declining levels of engagement in the critical final weeks of school among pupils who have received offers with few strings attached. The impact of that drop in engagement isn’t just limited to the student; principals have told me that a cohort and therefore a school’s overall performance can be warped because a statistically significant number of students have taken their foot off the gas.
Conservative estimates show 40,000 NSW students are forecast to apply
for an early offer, the largest cohort yet. The true figure, which won’t be known until early next year, is likely to be even higher, driven in part by the Commonwealth’s decision to cap the number of international students.
Up to 50 per cent of students now enter university via this route and yet we have scant guidelines around the process, making it something of an educational free-for-all as universities offer places earlier and schools, in good faith, focus on supporting their students in making numerous applications.
Unless we - that is the Commonwealth, the States and Territories and our universities - act now as one, then I fear we will be entering an arms race, with students becoming pawns in the quest for greater university market share.
Earlier this year I was proud that NSW led a collective response for a temporary solution. Universities agreed to suspend giving out places to HSC students for entry into 2025 and 2026 until September in the preceding year. It marked a significant departure from the ridiculous practice of some universities - particularly those in Western Australia and the Australian Capital Territory - in making offers in March, a full seven months before students sit their exams.
I am not alone in believing that it is
vital students get the most out of their education and we should encourage them to complete their studies to the best of their ability. And while getting an early offer can reduce a student’s stress levels, the job of an educator is to help prepare our young for adult life, including valuable life skills such as resilience and perseverance.
Early offers have played a role in increasing university access for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, those from low socioeconomic backgrounds or from regional or remote areas. Research has found that while those cohorts were less likely to apply for university, those that did were more likely to accept an early offer than their counterparts.
However, my concern is that the lack of transparency around the admissions process is leading to a system where only those who work the system can benefit from it. Applying to universities directly is more of an art than a science. Some advantaged schools that have mastered the process - from ensuring their students are participating in extracurricular activities to get extra credits, to assisting them in developing their applications - are more likely to succeed in attracting more early offers. By contrast, less advantaged schools don’t always have the time or resources for this.
This imbalance can result in students from more privileged backgrounds receiving multiple offers, while those who may have additional responsibilities at home (like helping with the family business or caring for relatives) are left out, despite their potential.
Education should be the great social leveller, open to everyone with transparent pathways that reward those students who work hard and make the most of their potential.
More than two decades ago the Higher School Certificate was reformed in NSW to ensure students were assessed against pre-defined standards of performance for each course.
We have the best part of a year to come up with a fairer system that protects that hard won equity, and ensures early entry doesn’t become a university arms race. Failure to do so risks turning the clock back to a twotiered system that rewards privilege over potential.
A story of courage and inspiration as Blacktown Hospital nurse completes Kokoda trail
BLACKTOWN Hospital nurse, Sandra Hamill, has recently completed The Kokoda Trek in Papua New Guinea. Here she shares her experiences and relays thanks to the wider Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) team and her Blacktown Hospital “family” for their assistance and support in reaching a lifetime goal.
Here is the story in her own words:
“The Kokoda trail fighting was some of the most desperate and vicious encountered by Australian troops in the second world war. As a new graduate Nurse, I was very privileged to provide care, build a special rapport and listen to three war veterans’ share their experiences of their battles in the Asia – pacific war. I always promised these gentlemen that their sacrifices would never be forgotten, they held a special place within my heart and memory and a desire to see where certain areas they talked about along the Owen Stanley Range was ignited.
“Like many patients who have chronic health conditions, I was becoming increasingly aware to accomplish this goal the opportunity was narrowing, and precious time
was ticking. Given my health issues I sought professional and medical guidance for this Ttek, I was disciplined and creative with my training program (must be when you work full time and are a mother), sourced resources and gained a fabulous cheer squad which stemmed from all corners of WSLHD. Prof Jane Holme- Walker my dedicated endocrinologist was one of the very first firm believers that I could complete my goal safely and always sprouted words of encouragement. I was fortunate to receive trekking
guidance and loan equipment from my Blacktown “family” (Ken Poon Physiotherapist and Mel Gilarte from maintenance department). However, the generosity did not stop there, further trek equipment was loaned to me by WMD ED Staff (Jodie Alvarez) and HITH NM (Matthias Langer).
“I attribute my success at completing the gruelling trek to the strong family support systems that were in place. That is, my own wonderful individual family unit, the wider Blacktown /WSLHD teams and to the incredible Adventure Kokoda
family which was led by Dave Sherry and included the most marvellous random bunch of trek individuals and an excellent guide named Brian.
I was truly gifted the most amazing once in a lifetime experience and it was a reminder that limits only exist in your own mind. Lastly, you do not need to walk The Kokoda Trek to honour those exceptional men who have paid the ultimate sacrifice, you can do simple gestures such as attend ANZAC Day memorial services and/or observe a minute silence on Remembrance Day.” Sandra Hamill.
PRUE CAR MP
PRUE CAR IS THE DEPUTY PREMIER OF NSW AND MINISTER
Empowering youth voices: 2024 Youth Consultation Forum
WESTERN Sydney Local Health District recently held the 2024 Youth Health Consultation Forum, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network.
This event provided a platform for young people aged between 12-24 to share their feedback and insights on the 2025-2032 Youth Health Framework currently being developed by the Matilda Centre for Research at Sydney University. The Youth Health Framework is a statewide document designed to guide all local health districts in delivering high-quality youth health care.
Attended by over 200 young people from across Sydney, the event also connected 21 rural and remote hubs across NSW, ensuring a comprehensive representation that was diverse and inclusive.
It’s so important to obtain the feedback of a true cross-section representation of young people throughout the state, so that they have an opportunity to provide feedback on what is important to them when it comes to their health and wellbeing in service planning. Sarah Young, WSLHD Youth Transition Officer and Youth Council Facilitator
Fostering partnerships with various organisations to promote and protect the health and wellbeing of young people across NSW, it’s centred around six key themes:
1. Feedback and feedforward
2. Design your perfect health service
3. Influencer for a day
4. Health minister for a day
5. Living in a utopia/ dystopia
6. Youth advocacy
As part of the day, participants took part in a range of creative and relaxing activities such as coffee art, graffiti art, friendship bracelet making and fidget toy making as ‘brain breaks’.
Another notable session gave participants the chance to share on social media what they would do if they were the health minister for a day.
The event concluded with a keynote speech from Dr Melissa Kang, who
has nearly 30 years of experience in Youth Health and served as the District’s Youth Health Services’ Medical Officer, until her recent retirement.
District Youth Transition Officer and Youth Council Facilitator, Sarah Young said, “The Consultation Forum is a true example of partnering with our consumers and ensuring young people feel heard, which will help shape the framework before it is published next year.”
District staff team up with Rotary Clubs to support cancer patients in western Sydney
WESTMEAD’S Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre and Blacktown Cancer Centre have long benefitted from the generosity of Rotary Clubs in western Sydney.
The Rotary Clubs of Blacktown, Granville and Holroyd have supported both centres for nearly ten years, including raising awareness of cancer treatments, fundraising, and recently –by purchasing enviro bags for cancer patients receiving radiation therapy.
The bags make it easy for patients to carry their belongings as they move in and around the cancer centres during their treatments, including in change rooms and treatment rooms.
District Radiation Therapist, Alison Brown helped to organise the bags in conjunction with the Rotary Clubs.
“We really appreciate the support of the Rotary Clubs. They help patients and also help to cut down our environmental footprint too,” she said.
Across Western Sydney Local Health District, more than 2,000 cancer patients receive radiation therapy, at Blacktown and Westmead Hospitals.
The Blacktown, Granville and Holroyd Rotary Clubs are providing their support too, through inviting District staff to deliver educational presentations to their members.
Westmead’s Nursing Unit Manager for Radiation Oncology, Noeline Rozanc spoke to the Rotary Club members about radiation therapy, giving some insights about the treatment and sharing some resources for the community to access,
including where to find information and what support is available.
“It was really nice to have the opportunity to provide some information to the Rotary Club members,” Noeline said.
Those thoughts were supported by
“It was a pleasure to have Noeline and Alison attend our meetings and provide education for our members about cancer treatment and radiation therapy. It has helped some of our members’ own families in their cancer journeys,” said Sofia.
“Cancer is an issue that is close to our members and families and for that, we’ve always wanted to support organisations like the Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre. We know how much they do and how caring they are to their patients.
“Targeting Cancer’ is an initiative of Royal Australian New Zealand College of Radiologists’ Faculty of Radiation Oncology that focuses on educating clinicians, the community, and patients on the benefits of radiation therapy. For more information, please visit the Targeting Cancer website at www.targetingcancer.com.au
the Rotary Club members, including Sofia O’Donoughue, Secretary of Rotary Club of Holroyd.
Sanjeev Goyal, Alison Brown, John Heslop, Russell Ashley and Sofia O’Donoughue.
224 International student caps will hurt Western Sydney region, warns Vice-Chancellor Distinguished Professor George Williams
PROPOSED caps on international students will hurt the region by undermining its economic and social transformation, according to Western Sydney University ViceChancellor Distinguished Professor George Williams AO.
During the Senate inquiry examining the proposed restriction on international student numbers, Professor Williams said the legislation was “poorly drafted, not fit to be passed, and simply not adapted well to the problem that we’re facing’’.
He suggested the Bill could lead to constitutional issues, and the concentration of power in the hands of the Minister for Education was surprising. “It’s unfettered, coercive and being concentrated in a minister in a way that you would normally associate, in my experience, with a biosecurity Act or a piece of national security legislation,’’ Professor Williams said.
The Bill was also missing key elements, he said. “Where’s the reference also to differential impact upon states which could lead to a constitutional issue with regard to Section 99 of the Constitution, where the Commonwealth cannot give preference to one state or another.”
In his address to the Senate inquiry into provisions for the Education Services for Overseas Students Amendment (Quality and Integrity) Bill 2024, Professor Williams said the caps could have perverse effects in
Sydney. He said they could exacerbate cost-of-living pressures for Western Sydney families who depend on international students, local businesses could go under, and the region could miss out on the skills needed to power up growth.
Western Sydney University, he said, recognises that managing our borders and demand for housing is in the national interest, especially at a time of such cost-of-living pressure for Australians.
However, he says the Bill is unlikely to achieve this outcome – not only due to the flaws within the Bill, but also because it is missing the point regarding what is happening on the ground in Western Sydney.
“This legislation, in part, is directed at issues about the availability of
housing, and we would say, and we’re happy to open our books to this point, that we have a bed for every student who wishes to study with us internationally,” said Professor Williams.
“In fact, we have capacity in our colleges, about 20 per cent capacity. We also have 500 beds that were in the process of developing and have planned for the future in line with Western Sydney’s needs.”
Professor Williams highlighted that many of the University’s students, undertake home stay, which means they actually decide not to stay in college accommodation.
“They live with a local Western Sydney family. They provide an income up to $400 a week to that family, and they assist those families into defraying cost of living pressures, and in fact, international students play a key role in Western Sydney in enabling people to deal with those pressures.”
Professor Williams reiterated that Western Sydney University’s 9,000 international students represent part of the solution to some of Western Sydney’s biggest problems.
“We have a shortage of about 10,000 nurses in Western Sydney. Last year, most of our 1,350 international students studying nursing went to work in Western Sydney. If we do not have international students studying nursing the quality of healthcare in Western Sydney will be dramatically
affected,” he said.
“We’re also in the position [in] Western Sydney where we need international students to fill key skills gaps as a result of the Western Sydney Airport, the Bradfield development, and major corporates such as Amazon and the like that are investing hundreds of millions of dollars and need students that cannot be met through domestic demand alone to deal with those needs.”
“It’s also, of course, the case that many local businesses depend directly upon these students for their Additionally, the University depends upon international students, in particular, to assist with its equity programs.
“When it comes to our University, we have the largest number of low SES students in the nation, two thirds of our students, the first in family to ever go to university. Many of our students are dealing with the most basic problems that we need to assist them with. Often that’s as basic as food. So we have, for example, recently opened a Western pantry which provides rice, oats and other staples to our students,” he said.
“What we’re hearing from those students is they’re not able to both study and eat, and international students provide a key source of revenue to support domestic students, otherwise unable to study at University, but for the support we are able to provide.”
Western sydney students putting a stop to vaping in young people
THE prevention of adolescent vaping has taken a significant leap forward in western Sydney, with the launch of the Breathe Easy All Together (BEAT) program recently.
Spearheaded by Western Sydney Local Health District’s (WSLHD) Prevention Education and Research Unit (PERU) in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Eastern Creek Principal Network, BEAT is Australia’s first peer-led e-cigarette prevention initiative.
Model Farms High School is at the forefront of this effort. Twenty-eight Year 10 students from the school volunteered, becoming the first cohort to train as BEAT Peer Leaders. This marks a full circle moment for Model Farms which was one of the first schools in western Sydney to acknowledge and address the rising concern of vaping among students. In response to urgent appeals from schools seeking help to curb the rise of vaping in 2021, PERU embarked on a comprehensive listening phase, engaging with 162 students, 133 school staff, and 29 parents. This deep dive into the community’s concerns and needs revealed a strong desire
for effective, relatable prevention strategies. The insights gathered laid the foundation for the BEAT program, which was piloted in 2023 in four schools.
BEAT is modelled after the evidence-based Triple A program and follows a three-step process designed to empower students to make informed decisions about vaping. Selected Year 10 students first complete an online course that equips them with vital knowledge about e-cigarettes. They then participate in a one-day workshop where they
are trained as BEAT Peer Leaders. Finally, these Year 10 students deliver two 60-minute lessons to Year 7 students, passing on their knowledge and fostering a culture supportive of not vaping.
The impact of the program has already been felt. Rebecca Smith, Deputy Principal of Model Farms High School, noted that the school has “gained a sense of control” in addressing the vaping issue, thanks to their collaboration with PERU. Students echoed this sentiment, reporting increased knowledge,
leadership skills, and confidence in addressing vaping within their school community.
“I gained more knowledge on how harmful vapes are and how they can affect people. I learnt how to help and support people or friends who vape to be able to stop or quit,” shared one BEAT Peer Leader.
Another student added, “I gained more confidence in learning. I learnt how badly vaping can harm people and how easily people are influenced.”
Looking ahead, the BEAT program is set to expand its reach, with plans to involve 12 high schools across western Sydney over the next two years. As these young leaders take the reins, there is a renewed hope that they will inspire their peers to make healthier choices and foster a supportive school environment.
Professor Smita Shah, lead investigator for the study said “The success of the BEAT program is a testament to the power of peer influence in tackling the vaping crisis”.
As the initiative continues to grow, it promises to make a lasting impact on the health and well-being of students across the region.
Western
Professor George Williams
Entries now open for 2025 Blacktown City Art Prize
ENTRIES are now open for the 2025 Blacktown City Art Prize.
The Blacktown City Art Prize is an annual art prize and exhibition by Blacktown City Council and Blacktown Arts at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.
The Blacktown City Art Prize has showcased creativity of the region and provided emerging and established visual artists the opportunity to exhibit their work for nearly 30 years.
The Blacktown City Art Prize invites artists currently residing in Australia to submit works across a diverse range of mediums.
Established last year, the EarlyCareer Artist Prize continues alongside
ongoing support for First Nations and local artists with the First Nations Artist Prize and Local Artist Prize.
Finalist’s in the Blacktown City Art Prize go into the running to win 1 of 5 awards and the opportunity to exhibit at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre, as well as have their work acquired for the Blacktown City Art Collection.
Finalists work will be presented in the exhibition that will run from Monday 11 January to Friday 28 March 2025.
Last year saw 382 entries with 82 finalists being exhibited.
The 2024 Blacktown Arts Prize was awarded to Catherine O’Donnell for her artwork ‘Gilded Communities’
The First Nations Artist Prize was awarded to Nathan Dawson for his artwork Loss of Identity/Culture.
The Local Artist Prize was awarded to Anjali Sharma for her artwork Momentary Threads of Youth.
The Early-Career Artist Prize and People’s Choice Prize were awarded to Mina Lee for her artwork Here comes trouble.
The 2025 Blacktown City Art Prize offers a total prize pool of $23,500 and acquisitions across 5 categories. Prizes include:
Main Prize (acquisitive): $15,000
First Nations Artist Prize: $2,500
Local Artist Prize: $2,500
CROSSWORD
ACROSS
1. Renounce (8) 5. A device used to keep instruments steady regardless of motion (6) 9. Saves from ruin (8)
Whirlpools (6)
Smooths (5)
First (9)
Flashing light (6)
Found on the ends of most pencils (7)
Afraid (7)
Something done (6)
Preposterous (9)
US symbol (5)
Ensnare (6)
Caption (8)
Thrash (6)
Used (8) DOWN 1. Not dots (6)
The animal order of frogs and toads (9)
Early-Career Artist Prize (acquisitive): $2,500
People’s Choice Prize: $1,000
All artworks in the exhibition are available to be purchased by the public. Artworks will also be considered for acquisition to the Blacktown City Art Collection.
Key dates:
Entries close: 28 October 2024 at 5 pm
Exhibition opens: 11 January 2025
Exhibition closes: 28 March 2025
For further information and to enter, visit https://blacktownarts. com.au/im-an-artist/blacktowncity-art-prize/
3. Tellers of untruths (5)
4. Specify individually (7)
6. Incensed (9)
7. A prickly woody vine (5)
8. Showing no enthusiasm (8)
11. Invite (archaic) (4)
15. People in authority (9)
17. Stretches (9)
18. Wealthy (8)
20. Coil or circuit (4) 21. Attack (7) 22. Count on (6) 24. Dissuade (5) 25. Inner (5)
2023/24 Blacktown City Art Prize exhibition by Silversalt photography, Jennifer Leahy.
2024 Blacktown City Art Prize, Main Prize winner Catherine O’Donnell by Liza Moscatelli, Mosca Media Australia.
17th March 1882
By Lyn Forde – President/Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.
IN 1882 Alfred Colless’s “Nepean Times” newspaper originally had eight pages that later increased to ten selling at 3d (pence) a copy. Early in the 1890’s he bought out the “Penrith Argus” and the “St Marys Times.” He was first elected an Alderman of the Penrith Council in 1876 and at its first General Meeting he was appointed to the Finance Committee and the General Purposes Committee and continued to play a prominent part in council matters for seven years. Elected Mayor in 1880 he continued in that position (being re-elected annually) until 1883 when he resigned. The very first edition of the “Nepean Times” so what did other papers think?
Evening News - We have received the first number of the “Nepean Times” a weekly paper published at Penrith. This new candidate for public favour is neatly printed and contains a good selection of local and general news besides having a fair show of advertisements. The proprietor Mr Alfred Colless, deserves to succeed.
Wagga Express - We must apologise for tardiness in noticing the birth of a new contemporary, The Nepean Times at Penrith, but the delay was through an oversight. The first number that reached us a few days ago is excellently printed and in every respect creditable to the proprietor.
Cowra Express - We have much pleasure in congratulating Mr Alfred Colless on the very creditable appearance of the first issue of his literary venture “The Nepean Times.” The original articles are well written in a trite and taking style, the extracted matter carefully selected and the typography faultless. We wish our contemporary a lengthy career of usefulness and its spirited proprietor a greater financial prosperity than is ordinarily vouchsafed to provincial journalists,
Queanbeyan Times - We have to acknowledge the first number of the “Nepean Times” a journal published in Penrith. It is demy-folio, eight pages and is neatly got up. We wish it every success.
Newcastle Herald - Issue No 1 of this latest addition to NSW journalism is to hand, hailing from the picturesque town of Penrith. “The Times” is an eight-page journal and starts well backed up by advertising support, a guarantee that it will not be short-lived. There is scope in the Penrith district for this latest enterprise and judging from the first number the residents will profit not a little by its existence.
Mr Alfred Colless of High Street, Penrith is the Publisher.
Burrangong Chronicle - We are in receipt of the first issue of the “Nepean Times” published at Penrith. In politics the new aspirant for public support claims to be Liberal-Conservative, not merely in politics but in religious municipal and indeed all other subjects.
The paper is very well got up and a credit to the growing districts in which it has cast its lot.
Yass Evening Tribune - We have to acknowledge the receipt of a paper published at Penrith under the title of “Nepean Times” the size of those in this paper. It contains a good share of advertisements and a nice collection of reading matter and altogether the journal appears to be well suited to the requirements of the district.
Murrumburrah Signal - We are in receipt of the first number of the “Nepean Times,” a weekly paper just started in Penrith in opposition we presume to the “Penrith Argus.” The paper is fairly got up and contains a good deal of local and general information.
Southern Argus - We have much pleasure in welcoming a fresh addition to the already long list of colonial newspapers namely, “The Nepean Times.” This paper is published at Penrith and is very well brought out. It contains an excellent variety of original matter which is a good recommendation and one that the public will speedily appreciate. We wish our new contemporary every success.
Bathurst Independent – The Nepean Times. On Friday last was issued from the office of Mr Alfred Colless of Penrith and a very creditable production it is. As regards its sentiments we will let it tell its own tale from its first leading article. It says “Our sentiments are of the Liberal-Conservative school and these sentiments are not confined merely to politics but to religious, municipal, temperance, literature and kindred subjects of a manifestly progressive character. It is on these grounds we ask a generous support. As journalists we all respect the rights and opinions of all men and do that ourselves which we believe to be just and right regardless of any man’s frown and unbiassed by any spurious sentimentality about self-interest. We have made our venture to a great extent on strictly commercial principles.” We heartily wish our new contemporary a prosperous and useful career.
Temora Herald - The first number of “The Nepean Times” is to hand and we certainly must congratulate the people of Penrith on their possessing such an excellent newspaper evidently in the hands of no tyro in journalism. The proprietor is Mr Alfred Colless who was or is Mayor of Penrith and we congratulate him on his new journalistic enterprise. Alfed’s health started to fail him in December 1920 and he died in hospital in Sydney. The funeral took place when his body was brought back to his residence in Derby Street then afterwards to St Stephen’s Church for the service and then to the Church of England portion of the Penrith General Cemetery and is buried with his wife Georgina.
Source: Nepean Times Friday 17 March 1882 (1st Edition)
IT’S BUSINESS AS USUAL…
Photo of grave courtesy of Find a Grave Website.
ALEX SONCINI
THome Loans – What can you do to get a better deal?
HE Reserve Bank of Australia again paused raising interest rates this month and have also signalled the RBA focus is getting inflation under control. The measures of the Government may have been impractical and most likely won’t assist in reducing inflation in the future. The reduction in interest rates are likely to come late next year 2025 or early 2026, not assisting the cost of living pressures for many homeowners soon.
The cost of variable mortgages has risen steeply following ten consecutive official cash rate rises since May 2022, and while house prices everywhere are experiencing varying results coupled with the impacts of loan serviceability are leaving borrowers with lower buying power.
Given the high home loan interest rates with no reductions likely to come soon, is sparking a refinancing hunt for more home loan savings as mortgage holders shop around for a better deal.
For these borrowers, failing to shop around for a better deal can add $570 or more each month to a standard $500,000 loan over 30 years and for those borrowers with higher rates than 6.5 percent refinancing to the lowest priced loan could lead to savings of more than $1,000 a month on a $500,000 loan over 30 years.
Finance researchers have suggested that the rate rises have made life tougher overall for firsthome buyers. That’s because lenders considering mortgage applications apply an assessment rate that is higher than the actual home loan rate for repayments, meaning a loan people could
afford in 2023 is now unaffordable in the lenders eyes.
Refinancing is expected to increase in the coming months and may be harder, especially for those who were stretched when they first got a loan when prices were near record highs.
There is a large group of homeowners who took out a fixed-rate loan in 2022 at deeply discounted rates. The fixed rate cliff has not occurred to the levels as predicted however it is very difficult for the mortgage holders who have ultra-low rates expiring.
Many fixed rate loans will switch back to variable rates in 2024 and won’t experience the gradual monthly increases the rest of the market has, instead they will be hit by a bus of $600-$1200 increase a month as their loan reverts to variable.
The time to react is now and be proactive to improve your battered borrowing power.
CLEAN UP DEBTS
Try to clear personal loan and credit card debts, including unused credit card limits. “The repayments, even though they may be short term, will be debited against income in the bank’s assessment of the loan and will limit the amount that can be borrowed,” he said.
CHANGE WORK STATUS
Workplaces have shifted radically in recent years as casual jobs boomed at the expense of permanent roles and long-term contracts.
However, employees have more bargaining power today amid record low unemployment and
may be able to switch to a permanent position that banks will look upon more favourably.
Lenders have varying criteria when it comes to contract work, but most in one way or another discount income when it is earned on short or medium-term contracts. Negotiating with your employer to be employed can make a big difference to affordability.
CUT SPENDING
Bad habits picked up during the pandemic, such as ordering mountains of takeaway food, may need to be banished if you want more borrowing power. Lenders can look at all your spending, not just loan repayments.
Borrowers need to prove they can afford repayments, and unnecessary spending works against this.
THINK SMALLER
Sometimes changing economic and market conditions mean people’s expectations have to change too.
Borrowers may need to think about buying a smaller home or a property further from the CBD to get a foot in the door. Or consider consolidating multiple debts into one larger, low-interest loan.
Refinancing or purchasing a property and you could end up with a home loan which better suits your needs.
To get a better understanding contact Alex Soncini at Wealthwiz for a free home loan review on 0419 600 177 or email at alex.soncini@wealthwiz. com.au.
Local Golf Clubs contest Junior Pennant and Encourage Shield
STONECUTTERS Ridge GC, Richmond GC and Penrith GC have all entered teams in this year’s Encourage Shield Pennant competition, whilst Stonecutters Ridge and Penrith have also each entered a team in Junior Pennant.
The two competitions commence on 13th October, with games played each week at a Central Venue within the respective division.
Stonecutters Ridge will play in Division 5 in Junior Pennant, alongside Oatlands, Mona Vale, North Ryde and Warringah.
The club will also play in Division 5 in Encourage Shield, alongside Penrith, Hurstville, The Ridge and Woolooware.
Richmond will play in Division 2 in Encourage Shield, alongside Cronulla Blue, Cromer, Roseville and Killara. Penrith play in Division 6 of Junior Pennant, alongside Castle Hill, Ryde/Parramatta, St Michael’s and Lynwood.
STONECUTTERS RIDGE GC: Junior Pennant - Riley Cleminson, Zac Isaako, Savannah Webb, Annoushka Maikap, Marie-Claire Domingo, Sean Sammons, Jack Gillet, Aayush Verma, Conor O’Brien, manager Brad Webb, assistant manager / coach Ryan Cadle. Encourage Shield - TBC
RICHMOND: Encourage Shield – Evelyn Oram, Luke Carruthers, Harrison Oram, Ewan Hanson, Lincoln McGown, Archer Adam, Max McTaggart, Liam O’Brian, Juvan Van Wyk.
WSAS announce yearly award winners
THE Western Sydney Academy of Sport held its Annual Athlete Awards Dinner on Friday, 13 September 2024, at Wenty Leagues
Club, to recognise the achievements of athletes, coaches, and the support of its Government and corporate partners throughout the season.
Athletes from 11 sports disciplines were recognised for their talent and dedication, including BMX, Cycling, Netball, Rowing, and Para-
sports. The event’s highlight was the presentation of “Athlete of the Year” awards for each sport, culminating in the prestigious “Academy Athlete of the Year” award.
Local Award Recipients: Cycling Athlete of the Year: Joshua Moore (Blacktown); Golf Athlete
of the Year: Savannah Webb (Blacktown); Softball Athlete of the Year: Liam McRae (Blacktown); Softball Umpire Athlete of the Year: Natasha Mobbs (Blacktown); Western Sydney University Excellence Award: Liam McRae (Blacktown).
Top ten age group results at International Tournaments
THE Jack Newton Junior Golf organisation ran three International tournaments last week in the Hunter Valley, with 12 local juniors competing across the Junior, subJunior and Under 12 competitions.
Richmond’s Ti Fox (Concord GC) was the best of the west in the Men’s Junior competition, finishing tied for 11th after being well in contention through the first two days of action.
Ti shot 67 on Day One to be tied 1st, then slipped back through the field
over the next three days as his game remained solid, but several other leading contenders simply got red hot to surge past him on the leaderboard.
Ti also finished 4th in the 16 Years Boys, whilst Darcy Mackay (Twin Creeks / The Australian GC) finished 12th in 17 Boys.
Savannah Webb (Stonecutters Ridge GC) was the best of the local girl’s contingent, finishing 36th outright and 9th in 15 Years Girls.
Carter Bryant (Richmond / Lynwood CC) won the 9 Years age group in the Under 12’s.
BY NOEL ROWSELL
Joshua Moore (Cycling, Blacktown) Liam McRae (University, Blacktown)
Natasha Mobbs (Softball, Blacktown) Photos supplied by Denise Gaston / WSAS Savannah Webb (Golf, Blacktown)
BY NOEL ROWSELL
Sean Sammons launches off the 1st tee at Pennant Hills.. Photo by Noel Rowsell
BY NOEL ROWSELL
Ti Fox in action during the Junior International. Photo courtesy of Golf NSW
Darcy Mackay. Photo courtesy of NextGEN Amateur Tour
NextGEN Amateur enters the ‘Sydney Swing’
BY NOEL ROWSELL
THE 2024
NextGEN Amateur Tour enters the Sydney Swing on 14-15 October, with the first tournament being held at Castle Hill CC.
The following event will be at Pymble GC on 28-29 October, then Lynwood on 4-6 November to complete the regular season.
Eligible players from this year’s competition will then play in the World Final in Melbourne at Commonwealth GC over 18-19 November.
Local players entered initially for Castle Hill are: Ryan Cadle, Alexander Payne, Sean Sammons and Kade Webber (Stonecutters Ridge GC), Glenmore Park’s Chaewon Lee and Richmond’s Ti Fox (both at Concord GC) and Twin Creek’s Darcy Mackay (The Australian GC).
Ti currently leads the Junior Male (U18) Order of Merit, ahead of Darcy in second spot, Chaewon is placed 5th in Future Female (18-25), whilst Coby Carruthers and Kade are locked together at the top of the Future Male division.
Kade Webber and Ti Fox in action this year. Photos courtesy of David Tease / Golf NSW
JJ Nahlous maintains series lead at One Raceway
BY NOEL ROWSELL
THE 2024 mibike Motorcycle Insurance
Australian Superbike Championship, presented by Motul (ASBK), returned to One Raceway (formerly Wakefield Park) over the 4-6 October, featuring the Pirelli Australian Superbikes, Michelin Supersport, Race & Road Supersport 300, ShopYamaha R3 Cup and bLU cRU Oceania Junior Cup (OJC) categories.
JJ Nahlous (Glenwood), Jake
Farnsworth (Glenhaven) and Jack Favelle (Cattai) all raced in the Michelin Supersport category, with JJ recording a 2nd and 4th placings to finish 2nd for the weekend but still hold a strong lead in the Series.
“We didn’t get off to the best start in Race 2, but after fighting through to P4, and after the tough weekend we had from Friday to here, it sure felt like a win for the whole team,” said JJ, who secured another 37 points towards his championship lead.
Jake Farnsworth finished 12th and 6th for an 8th placing for the weekend and sits in 4th for the Series. Jack
Favelle finished 8th and 10th for a 9th placing for the weekend and sits in 8th place in the Series.
Elijah Andrew (Marayong) had three strong results in the R3 cup, finishing 10th in all three races for 7th placing for the weekend and moving into 8th for the Series. Elijah also raced in the OJC but battled equipment issues on both days. He recorded finishes of 13th, 12th and 10th for an 11th placing for the weekend and sits in 5th for the Series.
Adam Jordan (East Kurrajong) had a DNF in Race 1, followed by 14th and 16th in the following races
to finish 16th the weekend and sits in 16th for the Series.
Zac Russo (Sackville North) finished 14th in Race 1, had a DNF in Race 2 then 15th in Race 3 to finish 14th for the weekend. He sits in 15th in the Series.
William Hunt (Mulgoa Rise) had his best round for the year, finishing 6th, 4th and 4th in the three R3 races to finish 4th overall for the weekend and move into 4th spot for the Series. William also raced in Supersport 300, finishing 10th, 9th and 8th for an 8th placing for the weekend and moving into 10th for the Series.
Scone AEC capture Countess of Dudley Cup
BY
THE New South Wales Championship Trophy, the Countess of Dudley Cup, was first presented in 1910 and has become arguably one of the most coveted trophies in Australian Club Polo.
Twelve teams from WA, QLD, Scone, the Hunter Valley and the Hawkesbury entered this year’s tournament, with Scone AEC winning a thrilling Final 10-8 over Ellerston Gardenvale.
Windsor Polo Club successfully hosted the tournament over 28/9 –6/10, along with a number of lower grade tournaments. In all, 40 teams played this past week, and over the duration of the event (10 days), 80 games were played across 7 fields, in 5 grades.
Not only was it a record tournament for Windsor Polo Club, the largest crowd of the season packed the sidelines on the #1 field to witness the Finals in the Countess of Dudley Cup, the Hector King Cup and the Sir JJ Garvan Trophy.
Countess of Dudley Cup: Scone AEC (Steve Urquhart, Alfie Hyde, Alec White, Jack Archibald) defeated Ellerston Gardenvale (Hunter Valley) 10-8.
Hector King Cup: Ellerston Blue (Hunter Valley - Ben Barham, Lucas Grimes, Tomas Wilans, James Harper) defeated Larapinta Green (QLD) 7-6; Sir JJ Garvan Cup: Larapinta Red (QLD - Mike Irvine, Cody Grimes, Jack Spilsbury, Thomas Hunt) defeated Swan Valley Sandalford (WA) 8-6; Sir Philip Charley Trophy: Kurri
Burri (Jackson Marshall, James Parry-Okeden, Adam Marshall, Sam Hopkinson) defeated Killarney 8-6; “It’s been amazing watching the Hawkesbury community unite to host everyone for the Countess of Dudley Cup,” said Kim McDougall from M Polo Management.
The 12-goal teams are headed north to Ellerston in the Hunter Valley this weekend but Windsor Polo Club will host the Winten Cup.
“For those sticking around (Windsor), it’s quite possibly my
favourite tournament of the year,” said McDougall. “It’s not because of the beautiful prizes to be won, it’s the reason behind the Rothwell family starting this annual tournament at Windsor Polo Club – a competitive and achievable grade, where family members can play together.
Over the last few years, the Rothwell family’s legacy and vision has definitely come into fruition, with Parry-Okeden, Marshall and Tolhurst family combinations playing and winning.”
NOEL ROWSELL
JJ Nahlous and his crew at One Raceway. Photo courtesy of Pit Lane Studio
Elijah Andrew #18 in the R3 Cup. Photo courtesy of Nic Pic NSW
Action pics from the Final of the Countess of Dudley Cup. Photos by Noel Rowsell