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Friday, 12 April 2019
ISSUE 82
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Hopping into Easter
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he Easter Bunny will be making a special visit to St Marys Town Centre this year and will be hiding lots of treats, for happy little boys and girls to find. Martin Coote, Chairperson of St Marys Town Centre says “The St Marys Easter Egg Hunt is amazing. It encourages families to get dressed up, get into the spirit of the season and explore their local area. For those that know where to look, there are some great Easter treats to find”. “There are over 30 businesses involved in this year’s St Marys Easter Egg Hunt so, put your walking shoes on and prepare to have a great day. There will be an Easter animal farm for the littlies, visits from the Easter Bunny himself and lots of talented locals will be taking to the stage to entertain families in Coachman’s Park. It is a fun day out for the family and best of all participation is free.” “We appreciate all the effort that the community puts into supporting the event. There will be local dance groups, singing schools and other talented performers that have been practicing for weeks in the lead up. Come down from 10am till 2pm on Saturday 13th Apil to enjoy the entertainment. Plus, lots of the local
Western News 12 April 2019 Issue 82
Hop into St Marys this Easter T
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retailers have donated prizes and those in the crowd that dress up, get involved and participated might just walk away with an early Easter present.” St Marys Town Centre will be holding pre-registration sessions in the lead up to the event on Saturday 13th April so for more information on these and what is happening at the Easter Egg Hunt, please check St Marys Town Centre out on Facebook.
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 Editor’s Desk By KeRRIE DAVIES
I
t really is hard to believe we are in April already! I must admit April is one of my favourite months of the year. The unbearable heat is behind us, but the bitter cold hasn’t set in as yet; and then there’s the abundance of public holidays that enable us to take the first breather since Christmas. It’s also a month of giving thanks. Church-goers will spend a fair chunk of this month giving thanks to the man upstairs, and as a nation we will give thanks to our defence forces past and present on Anzac Day. Let’s all set our alarm clocks nice and early on Anzac Day and head to a Dawn Service to show our diggers how much we appreciate the sacrifices they made for our nation and its people. Let’s pause and reflect on the thousands who never made it back. Even if it is raining on Anzac Day morning and you’re warm in your bed, spare a thought for those who crawled through mud and often went with no sleep at all in order to survive. We no longer have any Australian WW1 vets living, and the elite group of WW11 veterans still living is rapidly declining. As time rolls on more and more great souls who gave the greatest sacrifice in the earlier theatres of war will leave this earth, and each year there will be less of them standing proudly displaying their well-earned badges on Anzac Day. Let’s stand by our diggers and roll up in droves this Anzac Day - and as proud Australians let’s salute them now before it is too late. Lest We Forget.
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B
lacktown City Council is inviting residents of Plumpton and surrounding suburbs to have their say at its first ‘pop-up’ information session for the year to be held at Plumpton Shopping Centre this Saturday. Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP and a number of Councillors will be on hand to answer residents’ questions on any council issues. Mayor Bali said addressing residents and ratepayers concerns on the spot is one of the most effective ways to engage with the community. “The pop-up sessions have proven to be a very popular initiative, with residents raising their concerns in a casual environment at their convenience,” Mayor Bali said. Council held three pop-up sessions
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Council pops-up in Plumpton
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across Blacktown last year and is planning to hold one in each of the 5 Wards this year. “Next Saturday’s pop-up session at Plumpton Shopping Centre will be a chance to meet me and my fellow Councillors and Council Officers to answer your questions and concerns,” Mayor 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,” Mayor Bali said. Details When: Saturday, 13 April 2019 Time: 11 am to 1 pm Where: Plumpton Shopping Centre, Cnr Jersey Rd and Hyatts Rd (between Gloria Jeans and EB Games)
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anzac TRIBUTE Western News 12 April 2019 Issue 82
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ANZAC: Shaping an Australian society
W
hen war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a federal commonwealth for only 13 years. The new national government was eager to establish its reputation among the nations of the world. In 1915 Australian and New Zealand soldiers formed part of the allied expedition that set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula in order to open the Dardanelles to the allied navies. The ultimate objective was to capture Constantinople (now Istanbul in Turkey), the capital of the Ottoman Empire, an ally of Germany. The Australian and New Zealand forces landed on Gallipoli on 25 April, meeting fierce resistance from the Ottoman Turkish defenders. What had been planned as a bold stroke to knock Turkey out of the war quickly became a stalemate, and the campaign dragged on for eight months. At the end of 1915 the allied forces were evacuated, after both sides had suffered heavy casualties and endured great hardships. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers had been killed. News of the landing on Gallipoli had made a profound impact on Australians at home, and 25 April soon became the day on which Australians remembered the sacrifice of those who had died in the war. Although the Gallipoli campaign failed in its military objectives, the Australian and New Zealand actions during the campaign left us all a powerful legacy. The creation of what became known as the “Anzac legend” became an important part of the identity of both nations, shaping the ways they
viewed both their past and their future. The Dawn Service observed on Anzac Day has its origins in a military routine which is still followed by the Australian Army today. During battle, the half-light of dawn was one of the most favoured times for an attack. Soldiers in defensive
positions were woken in the dark before dawn, so by the time first light crept across the battlefield they were awake, alert, and manning their weapons; this is still known as the “stand-to”. As dusk is equally favourable for attacks, the stand-to was repeated at sunset.
I encourage everyone to take the opportunity on Anzac Day to honour the memories of those who have served our country in the past and to give thanks for those who are on active service in various parts of the world today. “At the going down of the sun, and in the morning, we shall remember them, Lest we forget”
Kevin CONOLLY MP State Member for Riverstone Phone: 8883 3499
www.kevinconollymp.com.au
Western News
Lest We Forget Follow us on
anzac TRIBUTE The 10 million kids who were never born
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was born a post- Second World War baby in 1951, it was only six years after the end of that war and many of my family, had been involved in the conflict. Like many others, I had heard tales of heroism and comradeship, what I wasn’t told were the horrors of war as most returning servicemen were happy to be home and did not want to remember the worst of what they faced in the battle. Having grown up in the sixties I was also aware of the next major battle that Australia took part in; that being the Vietnam War. This was the first war fought on the TV screens, newspapers and radio and it was broadcast directly into our homes. The one thing that did not change were the tales of those serving but also the lack of talk about the horrors they faced. The effect on serving men and women was both traumatic and long lasting. Many of our readers will know exactly what I am talking about and to this day many still are receiving treatment for the nightmares etched into their brain as a result. I want to take this opportunity to thank the Vets Outpost at St Marys for the work they do day-to-day to assist those still suffering. But I also want to reflect on our country, Australia and the long term effect war has had - not only on those
“The ANZAC spirit was born on the shores of Gallipoli on the 25th of April 1915. We honour the sacrifices of the ANZACS, who fought for our freedoms and values that day. We also pay tribute to all men and women who have served or are serving in the Australian Armed Forces. For those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice in service, we will remember. Lest we forget.”
Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry Ph: 9833 1122 londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au
that fought but also those who were left behind and those that did not have the opportunity to be part of our great country. In the First World War about 60,000 soldiers perished and a similar number suffered injuries that effected their future and dreams of marriage and raising families, mainly young men who proudly went off to fight for our beliefs and ideals. In the Second World War more than 39,000 Australians suffered the same fate. All in all more than 100,000 service people have been killed between 1899 and today as a result of conflicts, and another similar figure suffered injuries that curtailed any hope of the Australian dream. Figures show that the number of children born to families averaged between three and five over this time. Over approximately six Australian generations, if it was only three children unborn to each generation, it means that over 10 million Australian kids did not see the light of day as a direct result of the different fighting. Australia’s population now stands at about 25 million, this could have now been 35 million if it was not for the various conflicts that we still see today. When we reflect on the courage and strength of those that fought and perished on battlefields, let us also remember those that were left behind, and those that never had the chance to be born and grow up in this great country. Garry Ayres and Ted Fish from Lest we forget. St Marys Outpost
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By GREG DAVIES
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anzac TRIBUTE Western News 12 April 2019 Issue 82
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I’d never even heard of the bloody place By Keegan Thomson
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ONY Mullavey received his “call up” to fight in Vietnam when he was only 19 years old, but young Tony had no idea what kind of conflict he was getting himself involved in. “I’d never even heard of the bloody place,” he said. “You knew there was something going on but you didn’t take a whole lot of notice of it.” After his numbers were called up Tony decided it was time to finish his apprenticeship as a baker and marry his teenage sweetheart, and in 1968 his training to be a military man began. “They stripped you down from what you were as an individual and made you into a member of the military. “We were told to jump when someone said jump, run whenever someone said run and shoot when someone told us to shoot,” he said. Growing up in Bathurst, a long way from the jungles of Vietnam, Tony’s simple upbringing shaped him into the solider he became. “Being a country boy I knew how to shoot, I was carrying a rifle from the time I was six years old. “I thought since my trade was as a baker they’d send me to be a cook but because I’d grown up with a rifle in my hand I was a pretty good shot so they sent me to infantry,” he said. On January 6, 1969, after completing his training, Tony was sent off to the wet, hot and humid jungles of Vietnam. “Before we left they told us we’d be fighting against the Viet Cong. We were told they wore a pair of sandals, black pyjamas, a Chinese style hat and they carried an AK-47 assault rifle. “The funny thing was, when we arrived in Vietnam everyone there wore black pyjamas, sandals and Chinese style hats. The only thing they didn’t have was the rifle,” Tony said. After being moved around Tony settled in the First Australian Task Force base in Nui Dat, in South Vietnam. His first job as a soldier was to partake in search and destroy missions deep into the Vietnamese jungles. Search and destroy missions involved a group of around seven soldiers marching out into the jungle in an attempt to find enemy bunkers and hide outs. When they found them they’d dig in and destroy them.
“We would spend around six weeks in the bush on search and destroy missions. “We would be resupplied daily but it was a hard slog through the bush. “For me, my time in Vietnam was 300 days of slogging your guts out in the bush. “We would be patrolling and looking around for all sorts of things. You wouldn’t stop searching with your eyes. Just looking back and forward for anything or anyone. “It was boring but we’d always be hoping we wouldn’t have a contact with anyone,” Tony said. The jungles in Vietnam were thick, dark and dangerous, but for Tony a little Aussie bush ingenuity helped him conquer some of the hardest challenges. “The bush was so thick and you had to be really quiet when walking around.
“The Viet Cong knew their land and would often spot us before we’d see them. “We had the problem of how do you cut through the bush without making any sound? So I got my dad to send me a pair of secateurs so I could cut through the bush without making much noise,” Tony said. During the war the Viet Cong used a number of different trap mechanisms to maim or kill their enemy. Those traps included hidden spike pits with glass and knives at the bottom, grenade mines and in some cases hidden poisonous snakes in disposed weapons boxes. One morning, during a routine patrol of the base at Nui Dat, Tony fell victim to one of these traps hidden by the Viet Cong. “We were making our morning patrol of the area around the base. We would do it every morning to check the perimeter for any enemy who might have set up over night. “One morning while, I was doing my patrol, I was walking along the path when I put my foot on a patch of ground. It didn’t feel right but I didn’t think much of it until without any warning I fell through the ground and into a great big bloody hole. “When I hit the bottom I was pretty worried but after a second or two I realised I couldn’t feel any pain in my feet or on my body, so I knew I was alright,” Tony said. The hole was around seven feet deep but with some help he was able to climb out unharmed. Towards the end of 1969, after he’d done his time, Tony was shipped home to Australia, though when he arrived back in Sydney he found himself in the middle of a complex and divided country. “There was so much going on because of people protesting. “Hindsight teaches you a lot but at the end of the day the government will still do the same thing over again and make the same bloody mistakes,” he said. Tony Mullavey is from the St Marys Vietnam Veterans’ Outpost. They live by the motto, “Honour the dead but fight like hell for the living.”
Western News
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T
he Sydney Business Park at Marsden Park has enjoyed plenty of interest from well known retailers and other businesses since its official opening in 2014. The family owned business park has developed into a key employment precinct for the fast growing North West sector. With excellent access to the M7 and the recent announcement by the State Government to start the planning for a new rail line through the precinct to join the Northwest Metro with the new airport at Badgerys Creek, the area has a bright future for employment. The newest business to join the Sydney Business Park community is Storage King. They have a brand new fully secured, individually alarmed CCTV facility with over 574 Individually secured storage units in a 5,400 square metre building. Storage King is located at 7 Bells Glade Marsden Park. “We are thrilled to join the prestigious Sydney Business Park and provide a first class storage facility for the growing area. Whether it is storage for the family home,trades people needing drive up access, online business or a business
requiring significant storage capacity, we are here to work with you and support your needs,” The Manager of Marsden Park Storage King, Kylie Walker, said. “We have also included a free move in truck and van to our store so that customers can move their goods into the store with ease and we
provide a range of services to help business save time. Like Our parcel receiving and dispatch service which includes a forklift if needed. . We have a conference room available for hire to make it easier for customers to operate their business and we sell a variety of quality packaging
materials, and storage insurance for increased peace of mind ,” she added. Sydney Business Park will create 1000’s of jobs during its development and Storage King Marsden Park is another business making a significant contribution for a growing region. through this new facility.
Western Sydney Trade Mission to India
B
usiness leaders from across Western Sydney joined Blacktown City Council and Austrade officials last week to officially launch Trade Mission India 2019. Council has partnered with Austrade to invite businesses from Western Sydney to join a trade delegation to India later this year. Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP said: “Blacktown City has one of the fastest growing economies in Australia, while India has one of the fastest growing economies in the world. “Trade between our city and India is a perfect fit.” Nearly one hundred representatives from Western Sydney businesses, neighbouring councils, Austrade and the Indian Consulate were briefed on the Trade Mission plans at a business breakfast at the Blacktown Civic Centre. Austrade Commissioner in Chennai, India, Munish Sharma, who grew up in Western Sydney, said a massive transformation was currently taking place in India’s transport, technology and environmental industries. “India’s growth is different to many other countries. India is seeking to make that leap into industrialisation while also combating climate change
Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP launches Trade Mission India 2019
and reducing dependence on fossil fuel,” Mr Sharma said. “These factors combine to give Western Sydney businesses great opportunities in India. “But to make the most of these opportunities, businesses need to go to India, identify their target market and establish face-to-face contacts and longlasting partnerships,” Mr Sharma said.
Mayor Bali said: “By linking with Austrade we are tapping into their vast experience, expertise and network of offices across India. It will dramatically cut the time and effort needed to establish business-tobusiness connections.” Council has called for official expressions of interest from Western Sydney enterprises to engage in a
series of workshops with Austrade and Council’s economic development team to plan the Trade Mission that targets industries and locations in India that best fits the local businesses. For more information on the Trade Mission India 2019, businesses should email: david.somerville@ blacktown.nsw.gov.au
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Storage King joins Sydney Business Park
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Western News 12 April 2019 Issue 82
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local columnists
Western News
Drinking around the world
The Bolivian high lakes
The perfect taverna for a meal By BEN CRANNEY
S
omething I love about ANZAC Day is how relaxed and carefree everyone is. A dawn service can be very sobering, but afterwards, Sydney relaxes, and so do pubs. Drinking spills onto the streets, surrounding the two-up arena. People place bets with total strangers, sometimes for big money, trusting that everyone will keep everyone else honest. And everyone smiles, even the losers. A good drinking experience is definitely an Australian thing, but not uniquely so. I got thinking about this, and the role of drinking in different
places around the world, as I walked home after a successful afternoon of two-up a couple of ANZAC Days ago. Sometimes, there’s a reason, like the wedding celebration that started Oktoberfest, or because sometimes, like in medieval Europe, it’s safer to drink wine than water. Often, there’s no alcohol, like a high tea in a dingy English pub, that still uses fancy china and serves scones the size of your fist. Or a coca leaf tea in Bolivia, for a little energy boost to help with the high altitude. Closer to home, and also with medicinal links, old timer national athletes tell me of the healing powers of a glass of the mineral rich water from the springs near Bright, Victoria.
Heads or tails?
One of my favourite memories is of a night in the Rhine Valley, in Germany. There was nothing special about where we were staying - in fact, it was the kind of place where you felt just getting a bed was a luxury. But the beerhall felt like Valhalla, the beer was delicious, and we settled in for our own mini Oktoberfest. Minus the wedding.
Fantastic as it was, it was outdone by just about every Greek taverna. Most tavernas could trade on their location, and some do. One place couldn’t decide if it was worth opening the kitchen for us. They didn’t, but it was a joy to have a beer over a hidden cove with no one else around. Although maybe if we were sharing the spot, they would have opened the kitchen and we would have got our saganaki. Sometimes, there’s a novelty aspect, like the vaporised gin bar in London. Of course, novelty alcohol leads to novelty ‘drinking’, and one enterprising fellow set himself up at the air vent where the gin was being pumped from. As I walked, I thought that we do it well here. Not better or worse, just well. I hope you’re able to get out and enjoy a game of two-up. Maybe you’ll take my bet. Next time: Trolls, berserkers and riding across a glacier
The Unintentional Medium By Suzi Samuel Silver Threads
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any years ago when I was much younger and sillier, I dated a Greek gentleman for three years who led me a merry dance indeed. He was a very slippery character with a slightly dubious background. He went to Moscow a lot on “business”, what sort I certainly did not ask but he always seemed to come back with a lot of money and loaded down with caviare and vodka. He was the most tremendous fun to be with. We dined, we danced, we drank champagne, we travelled all over Europe and had a marvellous time, but could I pin him down? Not a chance. Just when I thought our relationship was headed somewhere, he would somehow produce a not quite ex wife or a longstanding mistress out of a hat. I threw myself into the arms of my lovely old clairvoyant, Mrs Caesar. What was I to do? How could I get him to commit to me? “Tie ‘im up with the silver thread,” was the answer. Whatever did she mean? She very seriously explained to me that if I wanted someone to come to me, I should visualise a silver thread around them and every day pull that thread a little closer. I did as she told me and guess what? It worked and I really believed in Mrs Caesar’s magic. Now on reflection, how much was that the work of the spirit world or was it the power of my mind pulling him towards me? When I first became
aware of the spirit world, I was never sure if I was really getting messages through a glass darkly or if those messages were really the product of an over-active imagination. Was it my psyche or my psychic ability? I always thought that any psychiatrist or psychologist would put anything from the other side down as our deep subconscious bubbling up to the surface but in my experience surprisingly this is not by any means always the case. My ex and I went to a psychologist for counselling when we were sliding down the slippery slope and he was very interested in what I did, so much so that he
asked if I would consider working with him once he stopped seeing us for guidance. He said that we came at problems from opposite directions but ended up in the same place. Now, whether he truly believed that I was guided by spirit or whether he thought that it was my mind guiding me, I’m not quite sure. I often tell my clients to visualise certain things either to clear out negativity or to protect themselves from negative influences, but visualisation is also a powerful tool in the world of psychology. Legend has it that Elizabeth Woodville used magic to ensnare Edward III. She is said to have used a silver charm which she tied with string and cast into the river, reeling it in a little every evening until her handsome king came back to claim her. Was it her strength of will that brought a monarch to his knees or was it indeed a powerful spell? It also helped that she was amazingly beautiful but that is surely coincidence. So mind or magic? Magic or mind? Whatever we like to call it, the thought of ghost riders in the sky with a silver spirit lasso is wonderful. And if it works, why not? It certainly worked for Elizabeth Woodville and me. The Unintentional Medium is available online or from any good book store.
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WESTERN HISTORY
A Decorated War Hero By Lyn Forde – President/Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.
R
eginald “Reg” Walter Saunders was born in August 1920 at Framlingham Aboriginal reserve near Purnim, Victoria. He was the eldest son of locally born parents Walter Christopher “Chris” George Saunders a labourer, and his wife Mabel, née Arden. Chris had served in the AIF in World War I and named Reg after William Reginald Rawlings who received the Military Medal in that war. Reg and his brother Harry were raised by their maternal grandmother but remained close to their father. They grew up with a sense of loyalty and duty to Australia. After attending Lake Condah State School and briefly at Hamilton High School, Reg worked in both the timber and dairy industries. He built a reputation as a good footballer and also boxed and played cricket. By the late 1930’s he was in business with his father and brother as timber contractors. Following the outbreak of World War II in September 1939 he enlisted in the AIF in April 1940. His leadership qualities were soon evident, and by August he was Acting Sergeant in his training battalion. Ironically, at that time, Aborigines were not entitled to vote and only those issued with permits could buy alcohol, also under Australian civil law, he was deemed not equal to the soldiers under him. In May, he sailed for the Middle East with reinforcements for the 2/7th Battalion, and on joining the unit at Libya in February 1941 he reverted to Private. In April, he was involved in the disastrous Greek campaign when his battalion withdrew to Kalamata and he embarked in the transport “Costa Rica”. When a German bomb disabled the ship, he was transferred to another vessel and was put ashore on Crete, where he saw his first serious battle action. In May, he took part in the bayonet charge at ‘42nd Street’ that temporarily disorganised the enemy, and when Allied resistance on the island ceased at the end of the month, the 2/7th Battalion was left behind in the hasty evacuation. Reg was one of several soldiers who refused to surrender and were assisted by sympathetic locals. They avoided capture for eleven months, Reg even taught himself Greek. In May 1942, he escaped aboard a trawler to Bardia in Libya and arrived back in Australia in September that year when in January 1943, he was promoted to Acting Sergeant. Reg’s brother Harry had been killed in action at Gona in Papua New Guinea in November 1942 while serving with the 2/14th AIF Battalion. In April 1943, Reg travelled to Wau, New Guinea where he re-joined the 2/7th. The unit took part in the Salamaua campaign from April to September and with Reg’s athleticism and bushcraft, he proved to be an asset. Lieutenant Colonel Henry Guinn who was his commanding officer, valued him as a highly successful leader of patrols and ambushes against the Japanese. In October the battalion moved to North Queensland and on the Colonel’s nomination, Reg appeared before a selection board for promotion to officer rank. Successful, he attended the officer training school, but periods in hospital with malaria delayed his graduation. In April 1944 at St Matthew’s Church of England at Prahran in Melbourne, he married Dorothy Mary Banfield who was serving in the Women’s Auxiliary Australian Air Force. Commissioned as a Lieutenant in November, Reg was one of only a few officers to be posted back to their old units. From March 1945 Reg was with the 2/7th Battalion in New Guinea and in command of No.10 Platoon. While fighting in the Maprik
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area in May, he was hit in the knee by a bullet and was out of action for ten days. He returned to Australia in September and on 13 October transferred to the Reserve of Officers. While living in Melbourne he helped with odd jobs for a builder and later became a tram conductor and also worked in an iron foundry before moving to Sydney where he again obtained employment in an iron foundry but by 1949 he was back in Melbourne and working as a tally clerk at Station Pier. When the Korean War broke out in June 1950, Reg was appointed to the Interim Army in August. In November he joined the 3rd Battalion, RAR in Korea where in the next month he was promoted to Temporary Captain. At first, he was a platoon commander in ‘A’ Company, then he took command of ‘C’ Company in March 1951. This company engaged in several skirmishes with the Chinese and North Korean forces and in April they participated in the battle of Kapyong, where the 3RAR held firm against waves of Chinese attackers, and because of this the battalion was awarded the United States of America’s Distinguished Unit Citation. Reg reverted to Lieutenant on being posted to 2RAR in Australia in March 1952. He later trained recruits and national servicemen, but he became unhappy in this role and resigned his commission in October 1954. The soldiers loved serving under him and called him “the best officer in the world”, but he lacked administrative skills and ‘just wasn’t cut out to be a peacetime officer’. His biographer, Harry Gordon, found him ‘easy-going, proud’ and tolerant. He had a good-natured sense of humour and when a fellow officer remarked that Korea was ‘no place for a white man’, he replied that it was no place ‘for a black man either’. As the first Indigenous Australian to be commissioned in the army, Reg did his best to break down racist assumptions about his people. After trying several occupations in Victoria, Reg moved with his family to St Marys in 1959 and worked for Austral Bronze Co Pty Ltd, in the Factory Area. His marriage had failed in 1953 and he was living with Patricia Montgomery. They were due to be married in November 1979 at the registry in Queanbeyan, but it never eventuated, and they parted. In 1962 he was elected President of the St Marys sub-branch of the Returned Sailors, Soldiers and Airmen’s Imperial League of Australia. After the 1967 referendum gave the Federal Government new powers over the states concerning the situation of Aborigines, the Gorton Government chose Reg as one of three Liaison Officers to communicate the new powers to the Aboriginal people for the newly-created Department of Aboriginal Affairs. He was appointed an MBE in 1971 for his work in establishing communications between the Government and Indigenous communities. In 1985 he joined the council of the Australian War Memorial in Canberra. Reg died in Canberra of coronary artery disease in March 1990 at the age of 70 years and was cremated with Anglican rites. Reg was proud of his country and he constantly declared his love and deep affection for it. As a Canberra resident, he was regarded with great affection by his fellow Australians and admired for his straightforward presence and honesty. The War Memorial holds his medals and his portrait. In 1992 the RSL established a scholarship in his name for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men and women. Photo courtesy of the Australian War Memorial. Sources: - H. Gordon, The Embarrassing Australian, R. O’Neill, Australia in the Korean War, Sydney Morning Herald, Australian War Memorial - P Read, interview with R. Saunders, National Archives of Australia, Canberra Times.
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SUDOKU: MEDIUM INSTRUCTIONS Fill the grid so that every
column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 with no duplicates SOLUTIONS: 29 March EASY
MEDIUM
Happy Easter EASTER SPRING DECORATE GOOD FRIDAY FIND CHRISTIAN JESUS CHRIST
LENT PASSOVER PALM SUNDAY MARCH HUNT BUNNY
CROSS HOLIDAY BASKET CANDY RABBIT HOP DINNERS
CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 A fragrant oleoresin (6) 4 Dubioius (8) 10 Luxurious (9) 11 Touches of the tongue (5) 12 Incentive (5) 13 Mixes drinks (9) 14 An easy victory (slang) (7) 16 Breastplate (4) 19 Male cow (4) 21 Swaggering show of courage (7) 24 A reprieve in intensity (9) 25 Trophy (5) 26 A printed leaf or page (5) 27 Substance dependence (9) 28 Freedom from normal restraints in conduct (8) 29 JFK’s assassin (6)
solution 29/3/19
down 1 An American sport (8) 2 Radiant (8) 3 Initial wagers (5) 5 See (7) 6 Dancer (9) 7 Front of a building (6) 8 Sheen (6) 9 Wholesaler (6) 15 A dwelling on water (9) 17 Cathedral (8) 18 Ruled (8) 20 Away from the wind (7) 21 Befall (6) 22 A severe scolding (6) 23 A light medieval helmet (6) 25 Light kisses (5)
Western News 12 April 2019 Issue 82
WORD SEARCH
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Western News 12 April 2019 Issue 82
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REAL ESTATE
Alex Soncini
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Western News
Getting a Mortgage gets tougher
here are a couple of issues for those in the market for a house and those with a mortgage looking to refinance. Tougher lending standards being driven by regulators and the banking royal commission, finance analysts issuing forecasts that house price falls in the biggest property markets are expected to slump more and to go for longer period than first anticipated. Borrowers who are being refused a loan in some cases don’t understand and know or aware there may have been alternative option available. As a result a large group of Australians are being under serviced by banks and potentially getting lost in the financial system. At the moment most borrowers feeling the pinch were cutting back on expenditure rather than selling the home. Property listings are increasing but taking longer to sell with auction clearance rates slowly declining this year. We
are likely to see lower to negative property growth rates across many markets, more cautious buyers and ongoing regulator vigilance of credit standards and investor activity”. Household debt held by Australians has increased significantly in the past 10 years and household income is being funnelled into reducing debt while interest rates are low and taken away from general spending. Borrowers who are being refused a loan in some cases don’t understand and know or aware there may have been alternative option available. As a result a large group of Australians are being under serviced by banks and potentially getting lost in the financial system. Borrowers continue to seek better service and a suitable solution from the Banks and are turning to Mortgage Brokers who can provide better proposition to cater for each consumer individual needs and most often provide a better deal.
With the current state of the housing market and a national affordability crisis, there has never been a greater need for a good financial advisor like Wealthwiz who understands the importance of considering the needs of borrowers and is committed to helping people achieve their financial goals. We know how hard it is to find a home loan or refinance especially if you are self-employed business owner. We proudly help thousands each year overcome all the red tape and barriers put in their way. If you need help with a loan or have any questions you can always have a one-on-one discussion at Wealthwiz. Just give Alex a call on 0419 600 177 and tell us about your situation. The more we learn, the better we can help.
@wealthwiz
#wealthwizau
WealthWiz Wealth Management Suite 3, 47-51 Richmond Rd, Blacktown Call 8004 6655 | www.wealthwiz.com.au
Easter wishes from the McDonald’s Teams at Rouse Hill Town Centre, Rouse Hill, Kellyville, Kellyville North and Dural Rouse Hill & Kellyville North open until 10pm Kellyville & Dural 24/7
Western News
SPORT
By CONNER LOWE
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he first period shaped as a high-tempo armwrestle, with both sides only able to forge to half-chances at best for the majority. The clearest sight on goal arrived mid-way through the half, as Grant Lynch rose highest to powerfully nod a corner goalward. However, he was denied by a strong Dylan Mitchell palm: something that was to become a frequently recurring sight later on. Last weekend’s hero Brendan Cholakian saw his 51st minute volley trickle agonisingly wide, before a threatening Sam Gallagher header provided Prendergast with his first real test 5 minutes later. The 59th minute saw Manly striker Scott Balderson released by Cholakian into a pocket of space in behind the Blacktown back four, allowing for him to offer an early cross-field ball in the direction of Parkhouse. Whilst the delivery initially appeared to be slightly under-hit, a mix up in the Blacktown penalty area would prove costly. The former A-League winger Parkhouse could not believe his luck
as he gathered possession outside the six-yard box, and on the half-turn converted his second goal in as many games. Manly appeared content with their single goal advantage, and the tide soon began to sway the way of the visitors. Mark Crittenden’s introduction of Mani Gonzalez and Daniel Bragg so almost proved to be an inspired decision.
Gonzalez used superb trickery to cut inside himself one-on-one with Mitchell with 15 minutes remaining. However, the goalkeeper’s cat-like reflexes saw him get down low to parry the substitute’s close range effort to relative safety, before pulling off another resolute stop off the ensuing corner. A deflected cross fell to Bragg with acres of space inside the Manly
box, but his goal-bound effort was deflected wide by Papua New Guinean international Brad Macdonald. The final minute of regulation time saw one-time Manly striker Joey Gibbs have a well-hit free kick clawed out by a flying Dylan Mitchell. It was Mitchell again, proving that he would not be beaten on the day, who kept out Bragg on a second occasion, with another spectacular stop in injury time. Blacktown desperately threw caution to the wing in the closing stages leaving Manly a threat on the break through the pace of substitute Charles Mendy. A 95th minute corner kick proved a real heart-in-mouth moment for the Cromer Park faithful. Fortunately for them, the ball fell to a man in foreign territory, Blacktown’s goalkeeper Prendergast. The ball was then emphatically cleared, and a hefty sigh of relief from the home fans accompanied referee Craig Fisher’s full time whistle. Despite the hard loss, Blacktown will look to get back to winning ways when they face a confident Sydney FC team at Lambert Park on Saturday.
Polo International at Windsor - Australia vs England By Stevey Arena, Surfing Cowboys Events
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he Hurlingham Polo Association accepted an invitation to send a 26-goal Men’s team from England to play at the 111th Polo International at Windsor Polo Club on Saturday 6th April, for the coveted Mountbatten Memorial Trophy. There were three matches played on the day, including Australia vs England in both Men’s and Women’s internationals, plus a City vs Country Colts Match. LADIES – Australia 3 goals def England 1 The Ladies International between Australia and England on paper was going to be (in the Aussie vernacular) a little ripper and that’s exactly what the strong crowd of just under 3,000 people enjoyed. Not many goals but a match of skill and fierce competition on and off the ball. Ultimately, it was the strong, direct play that Australian coach Andrew Williams had recommended should be the on-field tactics that saw the Australian Ladies win the prestigious Ladies Perpetual Trophy in a match that had everybody on the edge of their seats. Australia led 1-0 in the first Chukka, tied 1-1 at half time then scored in both the third and sixth chukkas to grab a 3-1 victory.
Action from today’s Women’s and Men’s Polo Internationals between Australia and England. Photos by Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)
The Australian team included MVP Indi Benetto, Billie Mascart, Alessia Russo and Whitney Warren. Indi also had the match’s Champion Pony in ‘Canonbar Revenge’, a 7yo gelding bred by her family. MENS – Australia 9 def England 8 In yet another thrilling, hard fought match, there was nothing between the two 23-goal teams throughout the match. Australia held the lead through the first three Chukkas, including a threegoal third Chukka in which the English Team were held scoreless. At 6-4 at half-time, the match was still too close to call, with both Teams playing open, fast Polo. England held the Aussies scoreless in the fourth Chukka, whilst scoring three goals of their own to put them into the lead for the first time in the match. In the fifth Chukka, Australia out-
scored England 2-1 to send the teams into the final chukka locked together at 8-8. Both Teams had opportunities but strong defense and a couple of saves right on the goal-line kept the match locked up. It was going to take something very special to break the deadlock and that’s exactly what happened. Australian Ruki Baillieu scored from 60 yards out for his second longrange goal of the match right on full time, allowing the Aussies to sneak home 9-8. The Australian team is Jack Archibald (c), Matt Grimes, Dirk Gould and Ruki Baillieu. Ruki was awarded MVP and also received Champion Playing Pony for ‘Pistol’. COLTS – NSW Country 7.5 goals defeated NSW City 6
The day had begun with the Colts match, played between NSW Country and NSW City. Country had a 1.5 goal head-start on handicap and that advantage ended up being the difference, in what was an incredibly skillful and tight match. Both sides held the lead at various stages of the match, with the game’s Most Valuable Player, Anna Dowling, proving the difference for Country. Dowling seemed to be everywhere, involved in all the important plays and finishing the match with 2 goals to her name. The Country team of Lachie Gilmore (Captain), Max Nell, Henry Williams and Dowling won the prestigious Ken Austin Trophy but congratulations must also go to the City team of Jack Grimes, Dylan Jones, Hamish Dowling and Enzo Mascart.
Western News 12 April 2019 Issue 82
Blacktown City’s slow start to the season continues
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Western News Friday, 12 April 2019
SPORT
Mt Druitt Town collapse in loss to Sydney By CONNER LOWE
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t Druitt Town let a 2-0 lead at halftime slip, after collapsing in the second half to the Sky Blues at Popondetta Park on Saturday night. The Sky Blues built up well at the start of the game with Ryan Teague stroking the ball around well in the middle. His switch to Joel King created the first chance which went for a corner. The return of Luke Ivanovic from A-League duty helped, as the tall striker was involved in the first shot as he tumbled a shot towards Town Rangers custodian Carlos Saliadarre, saved confidently low down. Rangers attacker Lachlan Roberts combined well with Cooper Coskerie to fire an early warning shot across the Sky Blues area. The opening came when Mount Druitt kept the Sky Blues defense from clearing the ball then it fell to Coskerie on the edge of the area. The
attacker arrowed an effort into the bottom corner for a 1-nil lead. It was double delight in the 36th minute for the Town Rangers. Roberts was clipped in the box which saw referee Katie Patterson point to the spot. Jordan Gomez converted calmly for a 2-0 lead. Swibel tried to swivel an effort past Saliadarre but the veteran keeper remained poised and the home side headed into the break, up 2-0. The contest took some time to build again in the second half as the sides
traded yellow cards and the only chance came when Coskerie squeezed between two Sky Blue defenders, but a tame shot rolled to keeper Thomas Heward-Belle. Sydney FC’s Hamish Lamberton came onto the pitch in the 62nd minute, and within two minutes, rewarded his coach’s decision. He opened the play on the right before he drifted into the box to thump home a header to claw back a goal for the Sky Blues. Momentum had turned with Sydney
FC on top. Lamberton, Ivanovic and Swibel started to dominate time on the ball and penned the Town Rangers in their own end. Town Rangers cracked under the constant barrage in the 81st minute. A pinball around the box fell onto the foot of Swibel. The striker got reward for his performance as he knocked the ball home for 2-2. Sydney FC completed their comeback in the 84th when another substitute, Marco Tilio swept through the Rangers defence then his shot took a deflection off Coskerie into the net for 3-2. Just to nail home the three points, Sydney FC added a fourth. Ivanovic in his final involvement started a precise break which involved Lamberton and Swibel, for the latter to smash home for 4-2. It was a disappointing result for the team from Mt Druitt as they played so well in the opening half and let all their good work lead to nothing. Rangers will look onto next weekend’s fixture against the Wollongong Wolves at WIN Stadium.