Westernnews 12august2016

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HAPPY 30TH BIRTHDAY

CareFlight is celebrating 30 years of saving lives. See how it all began, Legends of the West p12-13

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Community transport service rebranded

CareFlight Gala Ball

By Keegan Thomson

FORMALLY known as Blacktown Community Transport, Easy-Go Connect has relaunched with a new name, a new logo and a fresh outlook on delivering transportation to the elderly.

Susan Heyne, the CEO of Easy-Go Connect, said the re-branding will help locals better understand the services available.

“We expect the Easy-Go Connect brand will expand the knowledge across all 48 suburbs of the Blacktown LGA,” Ms Heyne said.

Ms Heyne also said the name change better reflects the services available to elderly members of the Blacktown LGA. Easy-Go Connect offers transport options for elderly members of the community who need to get around to meetings, appointments and functions. They also help train seniors in how to use public transport.

Marina Anbu, from Seven Hills, has been using the service for the last four years and currently she uses Easy-Go Connect for her weekly shopping run.

“Generally I go shopping every week and the driver is so concerned, so caring about us, and they’re always on time,” Ms Anbu said. “It is most important because I need to go shopping every week.”

One extracurricular activity Easy-Go Connect offers is long distance trips, something which Ms Anbu has taken advantage of.

“There are various places we have gone, like Manly and other places,” she said. “One trip we went to Canberra and we stayed over night and the next day they brought us home. I wouldn’t be able to go to these places because I have no transport.”

Labor MP for Blacktown, John Robertson spoke at the event emphasising the importance of the rebranding.

“The opportunities that these organisations present is

2016 marks 30 years of CareFlight saving lives.

To commemorate this special occasion CareFlight will hold the 30th Anniversary Gala Ball at the Four Seasons Hotel Sydney on Saturday 17 September.

The pinnacle fundraising event of 2016, the Gala Ball will be hosted by respected author, broadcaster and journalist Juanita Phillips. The evening will feature dynamic entertainment, special guests, with a live and silent auction full of exclusive items.

We look forward to celebrating three decades of saving lives, speeding recovery and serving the community with CareFlight friends, past patients and supporters. http://careflight.org/ get_involved1_nsw/ events_nsw/events_ galaball_nsw/

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phenomenal,” Mr Robertson said. “In 30 years time people will look back at this relaunch and the rebranding, they’ll look back at the vision of Susan and the board, and look at how successful this organise has become.”

The community service mainly relies on joint funding from the federal and state governments with contributions made by users going to other operations costs.

When Easy-Go Connect started in 1983 under its former name, the service ran 14,000 trips a year. Last year the community service ran more than 44,000 trips across some 400,000km around the Blacktown LGA and on interstate trips.

3 Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

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From the Journo’s Desk

by Jarrod McGrouther

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Prospect

SO much hype, so much negative hearsay, but finally, the Olympics are here. As a sports journalist, events like this don’t come around too often, so coffee becomes a familiar friend, and sleep, an afterthought.

The Australian team under-achieved in London, and experts initially rated our gold medal chances of anywhere between 15 and 20, and haven’t we started with a bang. Two gold medals in the pool, with no doubt more to come, one in shooting and one on the rugby field, all within the first three days of competition.

As a supporter of all sports, my highlight thus far would have to be the women’s rugby 7’s win over arch rival New Zealand early on Tuesday morning. The girls dominated the fixture, but the real story for me was in the stands, with the parents and families of the athletes just as emotional and excited as the players who got the job done.

Those pictures reminded me of what the Olympics are all about. The sacrifice. Athletes earn just a fraction of what top professional rugby league or soccer players earn, and have to peak every four years on the biggest stage. Families, friends and partners also make sacrifices along the way, creating a storyline that exceeds anything we witness in those brief moments in Rio. Four years is a long time to work towards a goal and to have it all crash and burn would be utterly devastating, I can’t comprehend it. One mistake, one wrong stroke or one wrong move and it’s all over, it is drama at its best and I’m captivated.

Your thoughts? jarrod@nepeannews.com.au

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By Keegan Thomson

WESTERN Sydney’s wildest new attraction in the making, Sydney Zoo has signed up with Muru Mittigar to set an employment target of 10 per cent for Aboriginal employees.

The deal struck between the two organisations is a part of Sydney Zoo’s plan to offer immersive Aboriginal cultural experiences to visitors, on top of the state of the art zoo facilities.

Sydney Zoo Chief Executive Jake Burgess said the partnership would be critical in creating an authentic and traditional Aboriginal cultural experience.

“We believe an immersive Aboriginal experience will be very attractive to both local and international tourists,” Mr Burgess said.

“By integrating education about Aboriginal cultural heritage with the exhibition of the natural heritage we can provide a holistic explanation of Aboriginal traditions to hundreds of thousands of people a year, and we can also provide meaningful jobs and training,” he added.

The Aboriginal employees will receive full time training as Aboriginal Rangers who will have responsibilities for cultural tours, bush regeneration and animal care.

CEO of Muru Mittigar, Peter Chia, said the chance to work with Sydney Zoo will create new and sustainable jobs for the Aboriginal population of western Sydney.

“With the right training and mentoring services provided by Muru Mittigar, the partnership with

Sydney Zoo will provide sustainable jobs as well as a high quality educational and tourism experience,” Mr Chia said.

“The Darug and neighbouring traditional owners of western Sydney are the custodians of country and are always keen to share their culture and heritage to a willing audience,” Mr Chia added.

The announcement was made after a traditional Aboriginal smoking ceremony with two parliamentarians, Senator Marise Payne and state MP Stuart Ayres, guests at the event.

NSW Tourism Minister, Stuart Ayres, said the tourism industry in New South Wales would be

Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

Local Aboriginal jobs created

5

benefit significantly from Sydney Zoo’s Aboriginal Ranger program.

“We know that tourists are looking for authentic Aboriginal experiences and combining the living cultural heritage of Aboriginal people with Australian animal displays will create an exceptional outcome. I believe it will become an important part of our tourist offering in New South Wales,” Mr Ayres said.

Earlier this year Muru Mittigar was awarded a $25,000 funding boost to help employ more Aboriginal women in flexible jobs that fit with their lifestyle and customs.

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Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

REVEALED: Blacktown Hospital Stage 2 artist’s impressions

THE NSW Government is inviting the community to have their say about the new hospital building at Blacktown.

Stage 2 of the redevelopment will increase the amount of beds at the hospital and will include a new emergency department, an intensive care unit, operating theatres, maternity services and an ambulance bay.

Planning is also underway for expansion at Mount Druitt Hospital and more car parking at Blacktown.

Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals’ General Manager Sue Anne Redmond said this was an exciting time for the people of Blacktown.

“Just this year we unveiled stage one of our expansion project. Our clinical services building is a dream come true for staff and the community, and now

our services are expanding even more with Stage 2 of the redevelopment,” she said.

“Our dedicated staff deserve the very best possible facilities to provide quality healthcare.

“The expansion will provide more services locally and reduce the need for people to travel out of the area for treatment.

“It will also help us attract high quality healthcare staff, create better working environments and more opportunities for training, education and research.

“The future is very bright for Blacktown.”

To have your say on the project, visit: http://majorprojects.planning. nsw.gov.au/index.pl?action=view_ job&job_id=7714

For detailed information about BMDH Stage 2 projects at Blacktown and Mount Druitt visit http://www. bmdhproject.health.nsw.gov.au/

Projects/Stage-2-Planning A video compilation of the artist’s impressions is available here: https:// youtu.be/W_R8TYK3Bpw

Blacktown man on stabbing charge

Suit runner breaks record!

A MAN has been charged over a stabbing in Blacktown on the weekend.

About 7.30pm (Saturday 6 August 2016), two male residents of a boarding house on Bungarribee Road, Blacktown, became involved in an altercation.

During the altercation one of the men, aged 42, sustained multiple stab wounds to his neck and chest.

Police from Blacktown Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene.

The offender fled the scene prior to police arrival.

The 42-year-old man was taken to Westmead Hospital where he remains in a stable condition.

Following inquiries, about 5.40pm yesterday (Sunday 7 August 2016), police attended the boarding house on Bungarribee Road, Blacktown, and arrested a 43-year-old man.

He was taken to Blacktown Police Station where he was charged with wound person with intent to cause grievous bodily harm.

He was refused bail and is to appear at Blacktown Local Court.

SYDNEY marathon runner Mike Tozer broke the world record for running a half marathon in a business suit last weekend.

He was one of the 600 athletes, walkers, runners and teams who took part in the eleventh Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival.

This was the second attempt by the UK-born runner, who improved his suited time by 30 seconds since coming within 27 seconds of breaking the record at the Sydney Half Marathon.

Tozer ran the M7 Half-Marathon

in 1hr, 18 minutes and 10 seconds, taking three seconds off the previous record, set in the UK on 3 April 2016 at the Reading Half Marathon by Scott Forbes.

Mike’s personal best without a suit is 1 hr 16 min 46 seconds.

He made attempt to raise awareness of Fragile X syndrome, the most common genetic cause of autism.

His son, Josiah, has Fragile X and 22 July, the day of the photoshoot, is Fragile X awareness day.

First across the line in the marathon was Matthew Cox from Moorebank in

a time of 2 hours and 21 minutes, 44 seconds which is 4 minutes 2 seconds outside the course record of 2.17.42, set by Kenyan Julius Maratim in 2008.

First woman to finish the marathon was Kirsten Molloy from Port Macquarie in a time of 2.51.16, which is 8 minutes and 32 seconds outside the women’s record of 2.42.44, set by Jackie Fairweather in 2010.

Both Cox and Molloy were awarded $5,000 in prize money, thanks to major sponsor, Westlink M7 Motorway.

Bobby’s battle to overcome incredible cruelty

By Kerrie Davies

THE twinkle in the eyes and the beautiful smile on two-year-old Glenmore Park resident Bobby, mask his exposure to the most sickening cruelty imaginable.

When you look at this gorgeous little fella you feel compelled to cover him with kisses and hugs, yet one pathetic excuse for a human being tortured this little boy when he was just seven months old, leaving him with devastating injuries.

It’s unfathomable to digest the trauma baby Bobby suffered at the hands of a despicable monster, nor imagine the pain Bobby’s parents and family must have felt (and still feel) that the horrendous assault on their beloved baby was delivered by a man they knew and trusted.

Bobby’s parents were at the Gold Coast on their honeymoon and their children were being looked after

by Bobby’s grandmother, aunty and her fiance. The ladies took the older two children to the movies and the fiance stayed behind to mind baby Bobby.

And that’s when the horror began.

Bobby’s seven-month old body was subjected to the most disgraceful abuse, much of it too distressing to print. The injuries inflicted included blunt force trauma to the head, shaking until his eyes were bleeding, carpet burns, broken bones and bruised genitalia.

I make no apologies for calling the abuser a monster.

I can barely type out this heartbreaking story - it’s horrific.

During Bobby’s stay in intensive care, doctors advised Bobby’s parents that his injuries were too substantial for him to survive, and that they should

turn his life support off. Bobby’s parents made the heartbreaking decision and made preparations for his funeral - which included burying him in his mother’s wedding gown.

But Bobby is a fighter, and to the delight of his family, friends and doctors, he continued to breath without life support and began to move.

Since then Bobby’s condition has improved and his fighting spirit has overcome unbelievable odds.

But he has a long way to go. He needs round-theclock care, special equipment and an abundance of love.

He has been left with a brain injury and quadriplegia.

Penrith Panthers legend Brad Fittler, Trent Waterhouse and a host of supporters will push wheelchairs across Sydney in the Push 4 Bobby this Saturday 13 August.

The 16 participants will push wheelchairs over the 60km journey as a tribute to Bobby’s survival.

The 14-hour trek will begin at Randwick Children’s Hospital in Sydney where Bobby began his fight for life and end in his hometown at Panthers Penrith on Mulgoa Rd at 5pm.

“This is a great cause. The team is proud to get behind such an inspirational boy who has overcome the greatest challenges in life so far,” Team Leader Greg Bond said.

Family, friends and well-wishers are invited to join the celebrations at the finish line.

The celebrations will continue at Bobby’s Gala Ball, sponsored by Panthers, Lion and Coca Cola.

If you’d like to help Bobby live his life to the best of his potential following the most horrendous start he has had, please donate by visiting https://www.gofundme. com/3mquxafg

7 Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

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Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

Getting to know ...

Kerrie Davies

Western News Editor with Jarrod McGrouther

1. What was your first paid job?

Warlords Video parlor. I earned $2, put the lot in the space invaders machine and cried all the way home that I must be a gambler.

2. What is your guilty pleasure?

Indian. Madras Curry extra extra hot.

3. What is your biggest fear/phobia and why?

Mice, rats, anything that resembles a rodent. The mere sight of them makes me vomit.

4. What is your worst habit?

Over-analysing. And losing things. Pens and sunglasses have very short lifespans in my world.

5. Best advice you’ve even been given?

People will treat you how you let them.

6. If you only had $50 left in the bank, how would you spend it?

I’d probably back a horse and try to double it. Maybe I am a gambler??

7. Favourite holiday destination and why?

I have a bucket list a mile long. Faves would be New York and Vegas. Glitz and glamour, baby.

8. Do you have a favourite sporting team?

As a born-and-bred Bondi girl, I’m always torn between the Roosters and the Panthers.

9. Name one reason that you love western Sydney Let’s just say the Panthers are winning the war in question #8. Penrith pride.

10. In three words, describe your perfect Sunday Hanging with Greg.

Schofields Station scores extra parking spaces THE NSW Government and Blacktown City Council will invest $5.75 million to deliver a major parking boost for Schofields Station.

The project, announced today by the Member for Riverstone, Kevin Conolly and the Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali, will deliver an additional 60 parking spaces for customers, with work scheduled to start early next year.

The new parking, made possible by a $2.75 million grant from the NSW Government, will be built on a vacant road reservation area north of the station, on Railway Terrace, “Parking near stations is a big issue for customers and that’s why the NSW Government is investing in new parking spaces at stations where there is growing demand,” Mr Conolly said.

“We know there is high demand for parking at Schofields and these additional spaces will go a long way to addressing that need.

“Encouraging people to catch public transport is a big priority for the NSW Government and this is another example of our commitment to the cause.”

In addition to the car park, work will also include widening Railway Terrace to four lanes between Schofields Rd and Jacqui Avenue, three sets of new traffic lights to provide safe access to the new intersections, and safer pedestrian crossings.

The entire project will be delivered by Blacktown City Council.

“With funding assistance from the NSW Government, we are able to both improve the roads around the station and create the additional carparking,” said the Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali.

“We are grateful that the NSW Government decided to contribute $2.75 million towards the project, which means much more could be done.”

Schofields Station opened to customers in 2011, complete with 230 commuter parking spaces, kiss and ride passenger drop off zones, bus interchange, taxi zones and bicycle facilities.

Hospital Foundation’s first donation THE newly-formed Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospitals Foundation has been kick started by a $10,000 donation from a local charity set up to promote the Hindu principles of love and prosperity.

Blacktown Mount Druitt Hospitals Foundation has been created set up to provide support for the two hospitals in Blacktown Council’s area.

“It will provide additional equipment, research assistance and clinical services at the hospitals, and facilitate better outcomes for sick and critically ill patients in our region,” the foundation’s chair, Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said.

“Blacktown Hospital is one of the very few major hospitals not to have an established charitable foundation,” Mayor Bali said.

“The hospital is currently undergoing considerable expansion.

“It will soon be the third largest hospital in NSW and the establishment of a charitable foundation could help the future growth and demands of our rapidly growing City.”

The group behind the first public donation, Blacktown Geeta Ramayan Mandli, was formed by a family group and has now expanded to a membership of 30 people, said its President, Ram Sanehi.

“Our motive has always been to do something worthwhile in our own region for the benefit of our whole society and this opportunity came at the right time to support Blacktown Hospitals Foundation,” he said.

The organisation has donated money to causes such as Sanatan Dharm Sabha of Australia, the Fiji Indian Community of Australia Inc. the Disaster Relief Fund in Fiji, the Red Cross, Cancer

Council and to individuals for funeral and medical expenses.

“This is fantastic donation, hopefully the first of many to the foundation,” said Sue Anne Redmond, Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals’ General Manager.

“This allows our hospital to purchase additional equipment that will make our patients’ stay a lot more comfortable.

“We sincerely thank Blacktown Geeta Ramayan Mandli for their generosity and support.”

Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali, Blacktown Hospital GM Sue-Anne Redmond, Blacktown Council GM Kerry Robinson, and members of Blacktown Geeta Ramayan Mandli with receipt number one for the Blacktown Mt Druitt Hospitals Foundation.

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Nepean

Veterinary REPORT with Dr Antony Karolis and the team at WellPet Vets phone 1300 WELLPET Senior Veterinarian and CEO WellPets Vets Mountains, Nepean and St Clair

LATE Sunday afternoon Mark Brandt and his unit from the Blacktown Fire Brigade were called to Cavanagh Reserve, Lalor Park. His unit responded to a call from a member of the public who was walking their dog and heard cries coming from a drain.

The firefighters cut and removed the drain cover and climbed down the drain to rescue the distressed, young dog. Dirty, shivering, bleeding, and almost completely hairless the pup was weak and in pain. Mr Brandt’s wife Linda took her to our 24 Hour Animal Hospital in Regentville.

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A GENEROUS HEART Westmead Hospital is now home to several pieces of new equipment, critical to cardiology patients, thanks to a generous donation from a former patient, Blacktown resident, Jason Horne, who suffers from heart problems. See story page 7.

Champagne on arrival, degustation dinner including wine, entertainment, incredible prizes, gift bags and more.

Guest speaker Associate Professor Wayne Hawthorne.

The dog (named Lalor) was immediately examined by our veterinary team. She was believed to be approximately 6 months of age, a Staffordshire bull terrier cross, female, she had no microchip. She had almost complete hair loss, her skin was red, swollen, ulcerated and deeply infected.

She was dehydrated with low blood pressure and circulatory collapse, she couldn’t lift her head and to touch her brought immense pain. She also had a swollen left front leg and fears were that it may be broken. She was in a critical condition.

She was treated immediately with opioid pain relief, intravenous fluid therapy to support her circulation and IV antibiotics. She had to be started on a continuous infusion of local analgesia and pain relief to keep her comfortable. She received gentle bathing and topical skin protectants.

She was then anaesthetized and radiographed revealing a bad fracture in her distal humerus just above the elbow in her left front leg. The fracture appeared recent as there were no signs of healing. Fractures located close to the elbow are difficult to repair and the team were reluctant to stabilize it immediately due to the risk of transferring bacteria from her damaged skin to the bone.

Skin scrapes were also performed, diagnosing her with Demodectic mange. This is caused by the mite Demodex canis. The overgrowth in these mites leads to deep skin infection, itchiness, baldness and scaly skin when generalized. Lalor’s skin condition was severe, meaning she had been suffering this condition for some time. Prolonged treatment is required to eradicate the mites and treat the secondary skin disease they cause.

Lalor’s fracture will be repaired by a surgical specialist to minimize the risk of infection. The specialist has a device called a G-Arm which will allow him to perform the procedure without making large skin incisions.

Join

Lalor will have this procedure performed by Parramatta Orthopedic Specialist Surgeon Dr. David Lidbetter.

Long term treatment will include special anti-mite medication for her skin, pain relief, antibiotics, physiotherapy and a special high calorie and high protein diet. She will also require cage rest after surgery to allow the fractured leg to heal. Her recovery will be slow and full of potential complications.

Lalor is proving to be a fighter, she is continuing to amaze us with her improvement each day and we are truly warmed by the support she has received from all who have heard her story. Linda and Mark hope to adopt her into their family once she is recovered and are currently fundraising to help with the cost of veterinary bills and treatment costs needed on this journey. If you would like to help please go to: http://ozcrowd.com/campaign/3044 For updates on her progress please follow us on our facebook page www. facebook.com/wellpetvet Get well soon Lalor!

Note: WellPet hospitals treat

Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

Abandoned puppy rescued from a drain

hundreds of strays each year at our own cost. Lalor is in the unusual situation of having public support and funding. We treat all injured strays as if they are our own pets and greatly appreciate the financial support we are receiving in this case. If you ever wish to contribute to our injured stray rescue program then you can either submit funds directly or simply patronize our hospitals.

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WINTER BITES xxxx x xx xx xx x

Marianne Large Funeral Director Blacktown 9622 1284

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Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

Pumpton’s Woodstock Rocks Again BLACKTOWN City Council has completed the $2.2 million renovation of its latest historic house project – the 1870s colonial farm house, Woodstock, in Plumpton.

“The Woodstock site has great heritage and historical significance.

It plays an important role in helping us understand the story of Blacktown City – our rich history, our identity and our people,” said the Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali.

“We have been able to retain as many of the original features and integrity as possible, while ensuring it has a dignified and viable future.”

Blacktown City Council has a history of supporting development applications where a heritage item is restored and its value protected.

In recent years it has approved the adaptive reuse of heritage sites such as the Minchinbury Winery Estate, Southridge House at Eastern Creek, which now stands as a café and Melrose House on the Grantham Estate at Seven Hills.

Mayor Bali says these buildings serve as an exemplar for Council’s future heritage projects.

“Council is dedicated to the conservation, protection and celebration of our City’s heritage and character for future generations to interpret and enjoy.

“It is our responsibility as a community to identify, preserve and pass on such places of historical significance to future generations, so that they, too, will understand what came before them,” Mayor Bali concluded.

Blacktown City Council has leased the building to Pecky’s Disability Services, a non-profit organisation that provides opportunities for people with disabilities to engage in community activities, living and social skills as well as other supports related to individual and community needs.

The building has been upgraded to include requirements such as handrails and ramps, toilets, and a new kitchen and laundry area.

The heritage restoration works included the original terracotta roof and the original chimneys. Each room was also completely restored.

The new enclosed verandah and pergola accentuates the appearance and value of the building.

Woodstock now includes usable spaces that will cater for the needs of the new tenants and guests of the building. Each room has fresh air and ventilation through wide windows and doors, ample day light, hot water system and parking areas.

Blacktown City Council Deputy Mayor Jacqueline Donaldson, Mayor Stephen Bali at the open day to celebrate the restoration of Woodstock.

History of Woodstock Woodstock was built by a Walter Lamb, who bought the land on which Woodstock now stands on the 16th May, 1872. Eventually, he purchased over 2,500 acres (1011 hectares) in the area.

The actual date for the construction of Woodstock is not clear. The first reference to the house was a mention in the Sydney Mail in 1878, when it was described as being “a large cottage, with its roof of Australian tiles and wide verandah and substantial outbuildings, all surrounded by a promising plantation.”

From the description, it seems that Lamb had completed at least the first of the pavilions as well as a number of outbuildings Prior to the 1880s, Woodstock was used primarily for cattle breeding.

At an 1878 auction at Woodstock, Lamb was selling Devon and Hereford cattle, including some prize winning

bulls, and a number of good horses.

An article in the Town and Country magazine in 1889 described Woodstock as: “situated on a gentle slope, and embowered amid a wealth of ornamental and fruit-bearing trees.

The homestead comprises several neat and commodious buildings, consisting of dwelling house, offices, billiard room, and out-buildings and commands a fine view of the surrounding country. There is a neat garden in front, with flower beds, fruit trees, and vines; and there is every convenience in the shape of water laid out to the premises; while the sanitary arrangements are complete. In front scattered along the Windsor Road, are several substantial private residences and stores”.

The homestead gave its name to the area until 1889, but when a post office was established there was confusion between the names of the suburb and the central western town. The

name changed to Plumpton after the English town that is synonymous with greyhound racing, as Woodstock was then Sydney’s main greyhound racing district.

The site was subdivided and altered over the years; it was a greyhound racing track for many years, and later on became a boarding house.

By the 1960s the dog track had gone, the original and complete homestead with the paddocks and a dam remained and it was not until the mid-1970s that housing subdivision encroached onto the site.

About this time a beautifully proportioned building on the south side of the current house was demolished.

The house and billiard room to the west remained but were in a very poor condition. The layout and design of the house is somewhat unique in that access to each section was from external verandahs.

Councillor rundown by Keegan Thomson

1 - Councillor ✓ Ward Jess Diaz

2 - Councillor ✘ Ward Len Robinson

3 - Councillor ✓ Ward Dr Russ Dickens, OAM

After being out-voted for the position of Mayor last year Cr Diaz is re-nominating for council with his eyes firmly on the prize of being the next Mayor of Blacktown City Council (BCC). He is running with his son, former federal Liberal candidate, Jaymes Diaz.

After failing to win preselection for the Liberal Party ticket, Cr Robinson appears not to be running in the 2016 council election. Councillor Robinson served Blacktown as Mayor during his time on council.

For 32 years Cr Dickens has been a committed member of the BCC, fighting for the development of the Blacktown CBD. He said his aim in life on council is to make Blacktown a “pleasant and safer city” and is an advocate for the gardens and CCTV around the CBD.

The current Mayor of Blacktown, Mayor Bali was elected into council in 2004 and has chaired the Blacktown Venue Management committee.

He is an avid sports fan and has been heavily involved in the Blacktown sports park.

2 - Councillor ✓ Ward Leo Kelly, OAM

✘

4 - Councillor ✘ Ward Isabelle White

5 - Councillor ✓ Ward Charlie Lowles, OAM

After 21 years on the Blacktown City Council, Cr Pendleton is retiring from council. He has decided to embark on a sea change and a lifestyle change.

“It would be inappropriate for me to represent Blacktown since I’m not living there,” he said.

A veteran of the BCC, Cr Kelly will run in the upcoming election.

He first joined council in 1980 and has served seven times as Mayor. He said the main thing he is concerned with is “that there is sufficient infrastructure in the community for people to have a good and prosperous lifestyle.”

Cr Siljeg is not returning to BCC after only one term as a councillor.

He said he would be looking to “have a change of career” and is looking at heading into the business world. He told Western News his highlights include the work he did on restructuring childcare and the citizenship garden.

After one term serving Blacktown, Cr White has decided not to re-run for election. Instead she will be studying in France at La Sorbonne University. She said her most proud achievements include the improvements to disabled access and the works in the CBD which she says has “improved nightlife”.

After 28 years in the job, Cr Lowles is “hanging up the shingles” and retiring from council. He has been Mayor 6 times across his career and says it will be sad to leave but he looks forward to a “personal regeneration” in life after council.

1 - Councillor ✓ Ward Walter Smith

✘

3 - Councillor ✓ Ward Susai Benjamin

4 - Councillor ✘ Ward Edmond Atalla

5 - Councillor ✓ Ward Tony Bleasdale, OAM

Cr Smith has been involved in council for the last 30 odd years, first starting off in the Blacktown Sister City Community. Running again in support of the Riverstone community, Cr Smith said, “It isn’t about council or politics it is about community.”

After one term with the council, Cr Holmes won’t be running in the 2016 LGA election. Instead of running Cr Holmes said he wanted to focus on his career outside politics and his family.

He joined council in 2012 and said his favourite part of council was the debates.

Nominating for his second term on council, Cr Benjamin said he will continue to fight for “greater engagement within the community” on all the big issues. In his first term on council, Cr Benjamin fought hard to keep the Mt Druitt pool open.

In the 2015 NSW state election, Cr Atalla won the seat of Mt Druitt and is being forced to retire from council, due to his roll as an MP. Cr Atalla has been on the Blacktown City Council since 2004, and served as Deputy Mayor in 2006-07.

After being successfully preselected

by Labor, Cr Bleasdale will run again in the LGA election. Cr Bleasdale has been apart of the council since 1995, despite having a term off, and has held the position of Deputy Mayor. He said the best things about Blacktown is the sporting complexes and the way in which Blacktown City Council has fought for the development of the city.

1 - Councillor ✘ Ward Alan Pendleton, OAM

Ward 2 - Councillor Mark Holmes

Ward 3 - Councillor Karlo Siljeg

4 - Councillor ✓ Ward Stephen Bali - Mayor

5 - Councillor ✓ Ward Jacqueline Donaldson Deputy Mayor

For the 2016 LGA election, Cr Donaldson will run in Ward 4 as an independent after quitting the Liberal party last year. She will be running for her third term on council. Earlier this year Cr Donaldson held the deciding vote on whether to change the name of Blacktown council.

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Legends of the West

By Garion Thain

‘SERVE the community by providing the highest standard of rapid response critical care,’ is just one part of the motto of Care Flight, a medical charity organisation celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. CareFlight uses helicopters, aeroplanes and medi-jets to bring a hospital level of care to the critically ill and injured. The origins of CareFlight

can be drawn back to the stories of its founders – one being Peter MacCormick, this edition’s Legend of the West. Mr MacCormick’s story is interwoven with the amazing work and origins of his charity. The story of CareFlight takes a front row seat with Mr MacCormick in this edition of Legends, where the story of the lifesaving medical charity is explored thanks to the recollection of Peter MacCormick.

The Western Sydney based charity,

Old CareFlight committee Peter far right

operating out of Westmead, has origins drawing back to surf lifesaving in Sydney’s North and Rescue Helicopter Services in New Zealand.

Mr MacCormick happily agreed to be interviewed on the charity’s anniversary, and explained how he got involved with lifesaving services, forming the charity, and its Western Sydney origins.

First of all, Mr MacCormick explained why Western Sydney was chosen, and continues to remain relevant to the work of CareFlight as its base of operations.

“The original team wanted to base CareFlight at Westmead,” Mr MacCormick said.

“We believed it was the centre of Sydney in the ‘80s.”

The Westpac service wanted to remain on the coast,” he continued, saying he and his co-founders had a different view. This could be linked to the surf lifesaving operations of the original services.

Mr MacCormick captained the Shelley Beach rescue boat in the early 1970’s. As a surf-lifesaving professional, he took interest in a trip to Auckland other surf lifesavers took in 1971 to observe the rescue

techniques of the NZ SLS. These observations lead to discussions and recommendations, culminating in the Bank of New South Wales agreeing to sponsor the first helicopter service in Australia for $25,000, to cover the summer surf period on weekends.

Volunteer doctors were added in 1976, the year Peter says rescue operation took off and changed from “part time to a year-round operation.”

“I qualified as a rescue crewman, and then a helicopter instructor and winching instructor.”

The same year, Mr MacCormick became increasingly involved with the craft, and the organisation which he was becoming increasingly invested in. He visited Baltimore, Maryland in the United States to observe the work of the Baltimore Police Rescue Helicopter Service. Mr MacCormick visited Switzerland and Germany thereafter for more training from local helicopter rescue services. For the next decade, the helicopter service in Australia boomed and gained increasing recognition.

In 1986, a major rift occurred however, with Mr MacCormick at the forefront. Setting his eyes on Sydney’s

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PETER MACCORMICK West, where he believed the service would be more relevant, he received stiff opposition from the then National Director and surf lifesaving, who wanted the service to remain focused on the beaches.

“I was dismissed from my position by the Sydney Branch and was given no reason for their action,” Mr MacCormick lamented.

“The result of this action meant that 15 doctors, 10 crewmen and one pilot [followed me and] resigned,” he continued.

This exodus however meant that Mr MacCormick was free to pursue his vision of a helicopter service based in Sydney’s West.

“The very next day we had a meeting with the group and decided that we would not allow all the hard work that we had put into the service go to waste,” Mr MacCormick noted.

“So we registered the name of CareFlight.”

The following morning,” Mr MacCormick continues, “I approached Bernie Amos of Westmead Hospital to ask for his support in basing a medical helicopter at his hospital, and he responded with a yes.”

Several aircraft, sponsorship

Founders of CareFlight, Ian Badham OAM, John Hoard Chief Pilot, Richard Mailey, Dr Jenny Saunders & Peter MacCormick OAM.

arrangements and successful fundraising initiatives later, Mr MacCormick was made the first lifetime member of CareFlight in 1994, the year he stepped down as President.

“I feel privileged that my involvement with helicopters in Australia since 1973 has resulted in over 50,000 people being rescued or transported.”

Now involved in property, Mr MacCormick is still profoundly proud of CareFlight as mentioned in

Peter MacCormick, a founding member of CareFlight, was inspired by the work of the Auckland Rescue Helicopter Service in New Zealand, developed by George Sobicki. The service first began to cover the summer surf period on weekends.

our correspondence this past week.

Indeed, with over 35,000 missions under their belts, CareFlight has a lot to pride themselves on with a national presence, still with a Westmead hub, on their 30th anniversary.

Peter MacCormick was nominated as a Legend of the West by Bart Bassett.

If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at nepeannews@aol.com

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Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

Driving for a cause, Convoy for kids celebrates 25 years

By Jarrod McGrouther

ONE of the most precious commodities in life are our children.

Interesting, funny, rewarding, at times irritating, children bring so much joy but also pose many challenges to parents, often times in ways that the brochures didn’t explain.

When our children fall ill, it can be one of the most critical times to get things done right, and with the help of organisations like ‘Convoy for Kids,’ Australian children continue to remain in good hands.

This year, ‘Convoy for Kids,’ a vehicle convoy raising money for sick kids, is celebrating its 25th year in operation. Since 1992, the convoy has been making the trip on major Sydney highways, raising money to help sick kids in any way they can. In it’s quarter of a century history, over two million dollars has been raised, an incredible effort.

A few of the programs the organisation supports are NETS (Neonatal and Paediatric Emergency Transport Service) and Telstra ChildFlight, which both assist in getting children the best care available via transport to bigger, more equipped hospitals in the cases that this is required.

The costs involved in these programs are numerous, and it is the work of tremendously generous organisations like Convoy for Kids that keep these vital resources up and running.

Some of the other vital ways that the money raised has been used include; in 1994, 900 trucks raised $72,000, which went towards a parent’s waiting room at New Children’s hospital, Westmead.

In 2003, 937 trucks raised $80,000 for the Surgical Department at the Children’s Hospital, Westmead, and in 2014, Convoy for Kids fully equipped a new Ambulance. Additionally, there

Photo: convoyforkids.com.au

are numerous examples of money being contributed to the purchase of equipment for the NRMA CareFlight Medical Retrieval Helicopter.

This year, the event takes place on Sunday, September 25, with vehicles assembling at the crack of dawn, leaving Huntingwood Drive, Huntingwood at 8am sharp. The route is down the Great Western Highway, Wallgrove Road, M4 Freeway, before heading onto Homebush bay drive and into Olympic Boulevard, Sydney Olympic Park. With hundreds of different sized trucks, 4WD’s, buses and motorbikes set to take part, it is a spectacle that needs to witnessed first hand.

Liz Morrow, executive committee member, said that the team are hoping for a big turn out of vehicles this year, and thanks everyone that continues to support the cause.

“This year we are hoping for 900 trucks. We do have some interstate and intrastate trucks joining the convoy. On behalf of the committee I’d like to thank all the financial supporters, and also the police, RMS and councils for letting the event take place,” she continued.

“A real bonus this year for those who do not have a truck, Avid Travel, who are one of our sponsors, will be running coaches on the day. They will be travelling with the Convoy then breaking away to travel along

side it, meaning everyone on board can be part of the experience. The coaches depart from Penrith Panthers and St Marys RSL, and returning there at the end of the day. The cost is $15 per person and bookings can be made direct to Avid on 0406 214 201 or for any other queries can me on 0414 270 531.”

The spectacle and fundraising doesn’t end there. Once the movement hits Sydney Olympic Park, a day full of family fun begins.

The team at Convoy for Kids will put on a jumping castle, face painting, BBQ, truck viewing and entertainment, with country music sensation Amber Lawrence set to perform.

Tradies record earnings NEW research data out says tradies earn a staggering $62 an hour with some specified tradies, like plumbers and electricians, pulling in more than $80 an hour.

The research commissioned by serviceseeking.com.au also found 94 per cent of tradies are often working weekends with 58 per cent working more than 40 hours a week to sustain their business.

Kurtis Martin, 27, a small business owner, roof tiler and a certified tradie said these numbers sound about right but on an average week he only pockets about half of what he earns.

“The most I take home is around 50 per cent. The rest goes to insurance with a lot going into maintenance because things are always breaking. Money also needs to go into advertising as

well,” Mr Martin said.

He said when it comes down to it what tradies earn is all relative.

“We get what we’re worth,” He said. “I work up on roofs and it can be dangerous sometimes. We have to work

out in direct sunlight, work at heights and there is heavy lifting involved so in the end we get what we deserve.”

The consensus on the Nepean News facebook page was that tradies are paid their fair share.

Alyson Shaw’s partner is a tradie.

She wrote, “I honestly believe the majority of tradies deserve the money they get. My partner has only taken one sick day in the last two years because he doesn’t want to let people down and absolutely hates rain days where he can’t get the job done.”

Roxy Conway commented, “They deserve every cent! Their jobs are physically exhausting and many have to do years of studying to be qualified enough to become licensed. You wouldn’t let an unqualified electrician wire up your house right?”

Doing Good for those who need it most

Information Service Volunteer

BLACKTOWN residents are encouraged to nominate someone in need or a local group, charity, school, sporting club, family or individual that is making a difference in the community and they could be selected to receive a donation as part of this year’s Doing Good Week in September.

Doing Good Week is an annual event where The Good Guys Blacktown and the community come together to Do Good!

“At The Good Guys we value the difference we can make when working together with our community, so helping those who truly need it is something we are extremely passionate about,” said Allan Smith from The Good Guys Blacktown.

“We run Doing Good initiatives all year round, and Doing Good Week is a special time for us where we can make a significant impact with the donations we make across our communities.”

“During Doing Good Week we look to help those most in need while also supporting charities and organisations that work tirelessly to address important social challenges through grass-roots programs and projects,” Allan said.

After the success of the inaugural Doing Good Week in 2015, which saw nearly 700 ‘Doing Good’ donations

THE volunteer role is based at Liverpool or Westemad or Blacktown Hospital.

Cancer Council NSW Information Service (CCIS) and will direct cancer patients, carers and their families to appropriate cancer information. The volunteer may provide social support but does not provide advice on medical matters, treatments or provide any type of counselling.

Our ideal volunteer will be: Confident in public speaking Computer literate A great communicator (orally and in writing) Independent and possess the ability to work autonomously The ability to speak another language would be advantageous, but not essential to the role.

Benefits of the role for the volunteer: Volunteering for a great organisation working toward beating cancer Developing your public speaking skills and enhance the ability to tailor your presentations depending on the audience Making a real difference for local people affected by cancer Free training and support To apply visit: https://secure.jotform.co/ cancercouncilnsw/Volunteer_Job_ Application_Form

made across the country, The Good Guys Blacktown is looking to support even more local groups this year.

“Last year was incredible – as a group we made almost 700 donations, with many stores also raising money for charities through various fundraising activities and volunteering.

“We were so proud of our efforts and we will be working hard to achieve even more this year,” said Allan.

Nominations can be made at The Good Guys Facebook page (facebook.com/thegoodguysAU) ahead of The Good Guys Doing Good Week, which begins on Monday 5 September.

“Doing Good is at the heart

of everything we do and we are committed to continuing to support and strengthen our local communities long into the future,” Allan said.

The Good Guys Doing Good initiatives see more than $1 million donated back to more than 100 local charities through The Good Guys Local Giving Program and more than $500,000 through in-kind giving each year to over 1,000 local community groups and families.

“We hope that our community takes the time to jump onto our Facebook page to get their nominations in for this year’s Doing Good Week,” Allan finished.

The Good Guys Doing Good Week nominations close Sunday 28 August, 2016.

Hawkesbury Council Liberal Party team announced THE new look Liberal Team for the upcoming Hawkesbury Local Government Elections is looking forward to engaging with the community over the coming weeks.

A spokesperson said the team is committed to working hard for local residents, as they deserve a Hawkesbury City Council that is financially sustainable and delivers better services and infrastructure.

Sarah Richards from Freemans Reach is leading the team that consists of Clr Tiffany Tree, Clr Patrick Conolly, Nathan Zamprogno, Paul Veigel and Ben Jackson. The team represents a diverse geographical and professional spread and a broad range of community involvement.

“I am excited to be part of a team of true locals who have so much passion for the Hawkesbury”, says Ms Richards. “We have a united approach and vision for our City that aims to encourage economic investment, utilise our natural and historical assets and promote sustainable growth.”

“I have been talking with residents for a long time now. They have identified areas of opportunity within council. The new energy that our team brings will revitalise the council, giving it a fresh perspective in planning for the future.

We also aim to work collaboratively with all who are elected to Council in the coming term and open the

dialogue for all representatives to have input into decision making. ” Clr Tree and Clr Conolly are current serving councillors with 12 years of experience between them.

They have worked hard over that time and bring a wealth of experience and knowledge to the team. This continuity is important and will complement the addition of Ms Richards, Mr Zamprogno, Mr Veigel and Mr Jackson, who all have many

facets of involvement within the community.”

“Our team looks forward to listening to residents’ concerns and putting in place a positive plan for action on the issues raised”, says Ms Richards. “Our team intends to scrutinise the financial situation of the council and look for ways to better serve the community through more efficient service provisions.”

The main priorities the Hawkesbury

Liberal Team will fight for include reinvigorating town centres to assist local small businesses, showcasing our area to encourage tourism and increase economic growth, investing in projects that capitalise on our assets and planning for housing and infrastructure needs well into the future.”

More information on each candidate can be found in their individual biographies below.

15 Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

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Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

To dine or not to dine? with TP RECENTLY I was looking through some recipes online when I came across an article which outlined 10 surefire steps to a dinner party success. Now I like a good dinner party, so I wondered what other modern-day women had to say about it.

Point 1. Consider your guest list.

Here she recommends that you only invite people who are likely to get on and have things in common. My problem with this is that this often translates into a fairly beige evening where platitudes are exchanged and people check their watches hoping that they have spent enough time to be able to politely excuse themselves as the baby sitter is waiting.

Point 2. Never cook a dish for the first time.

Where’s the fun in that? We all loved the Bridget Jones Diary scene when she left string on the ingredients for a soup dish and it turned blue. It was a talking point and it tasted terrible of course, but hey it could really fix up an uncomfortable pause in conversation.

Point 3. Set the scene.

Apparently a few cushions and a blanket under a

tree creates a great set up. Well maybe if you are 20 and your bones don’t creak when you get up.

Point 4. Set the table.

Wow!! Good thing I saw this list otherwise I could have forgotten to put cutlery on the table!!

Point 5. Create a dedicated drinks area.

Isn’t this called a fridge or even an esky?

Point 6. Bring out some nice tableware - or borrow some!

Well I don’t think I would be bringing out borrowed plates. What’s the next point because 6

was just plain silly.

Point 7.

Create ambiance and lighting.

I have to say that this is an important point. I’m sure that you can all recall a time when bright lighting made you feel like you were being interrogated by some underground intelligence agency, or when the mood lighting was a little on the dark side and you mistakenly picked up the flower vase instead of your drink.

Point 8. Set the playlist.

Not bad advice when you consider that most people probably don’t want to listen to death metal whilst eating a seafood bisque.

Point 9. Some dinner-party etiquette.

Are you ready for it? Give your guest a drink when they arrive!! Omg really?!

Point 10. Make a detailed party plan.

Well having served mains up to guests at 10pm I have to admit that this is very sage advice indeed!

So in summary I think there were 2 or 3 points which actually were of any real use. But it was an afternoons entertainment taking the mickey out of it. :)

Opinion: Dangerous outdated wooden escalators to finally get the chop

By Bart Bassett

education program for staff so they we aware to look out for Guide Dogs and direct OCCASIONALLY you advocate for people away from the wooden escalators. change and when it happens you feel good That program was incorporated into ongoing about helping achieve something that staff training and it has been reasonably makes the world a better place. Well when successful however last month a Guide it comes to outdated wooden escalators and Dog was not seen and it was injured on the Guide Dogs in Sydney that is how I feel. wide tooth wooden escalator at Wynyard I became aware of a serious safety station. issue in 2013 and campaigned for the I encourage the assessment of the replacement of the old wide tooth wooden application by Transport for NSW for escalators at both Wynyard and Town Hall the replacement of these outdated pieces stations. At the time the State Government of equipment to be sensible and for The said they could not afford the replacement Office of Environment and Heritage to be cost but would plan to do it during station practical in their support of the replacement upgrades, well that time has finally by supporting the application and for an arrived. interpretive use of the wooden escalators The problem with the wide tooth wooden in the station precinct to be part of the escalators is that Guide Dogs can have approval. serious paw damage inflicted on them, high Guide Dogs are an expensive resource heeled shoes can easily get caught and long to train, upwards of $35,000, and they dresses can get caught up and place people do a marvellous job for vision impaired in a compromised position. All of these people. To continue to allow the wooden accidents have occurred numerous times. escalators to remain in operation because of The wooden escalators were replaced some spurious heritage argument would be in the David Jones store some years back deliberately ignoring the pain and suffering because of safety concerns after a Guide these escalators have caused to numerous Dog was injured in the year 2000 but it Guide Dogs and their handlers. has taken much longer for that sensible Guide Dogs NSW/ACT receive less Nicole Holmes and her Guide Dog “Phoebe” at the bottom of the wooden decision to be made on our public transport than 2% of their operating budget from escalators at Wynard train station. network. Guide Dogs are not only the eyes government and is financially dependent on for a vision impaired person they are a the generosity of the people of NSW and the close friend of the handler. When a guide dog has injury heals and unfortunately it is possible that the ACT so for the NSW Government to support the it paw seriously damaged in an old out-of-date dog will not have the confidence to use escalators great work of Guide Dogs NSW/ACT by finally escalator the trauma is not only to the dog but also again following such a serious injury. replacing the escalators is the least that should be When the Government refused at the time to done. I look forward to sense prevailing and for the handler who cannot see what has happened to their much loved companion. Following such a replace the escalators I worked with Guide Dogs these dangerous outdated escalators being replaced traumatic event the dog is out of action whilst the NSW/ACT and Sydney Trains to commence an once and for all.

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Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

Battle of Long Tan remembered on 50th Anniversary

By Garion Thain

AUGUST 18 to 21 is the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan. Further, the 18th marks the observance of Vietnam Veterans day, first recognised by Prime Minister Bob Hawke in 1988. The Vietnam War is still remembered in Australia solemnly as recent history, so it is almost hard to believe that the Battle of Long Tan, which claimed the lives of 18 Australians, transpired half a century ago. Although recorded as a decisive Australian victory, the loss of Australian lives, including St Marys resident Jack Jewry (remembered as this week’s Legend of the Nepean) continue to sting close to home to this day. St Marys RSL Sub-Branch has shared some images related to the conflict, in part for the modern day residents of St Marys to understand what it was like to be in such warfare and understand the conditions D Company, 6 RAR faced in 1966. I got in touch with members of the RSL this week to enquire as to their thoughts on the anniversary, as well as gather details about their aforementioned commemoration service, on August 18.

The St Marys Vietnam Veterans

‘Long Tan Action’ by Bruce Fletcher was shared by the RSL

The memorial at St Marys RSL Sub-Branch. The lights are a feature intended to illuminate the podium at 5pm and contribute to the ambience of the memorial and commemorative ceremonies held there.

Association Commemorative Service is held at 5pm every August 18. When speaking to veterans at the RSL, they stressed that they wanted members of the public to arrive by 4:45 at the latest for a smooth beginning to the service.

The Poems ‘Try to Understand,’ and Thomas Hamilton’s ‘Long Tan’ will be read.

The St Marys RSL Sub–Branch has recently upgraded their memorial for this year’s service. Added lights on and near the pedestal for illumination and ambience are intended to contribute to the mood where veterans and soldiers

from the Engineers will be standing.

The memorial is wheelchair accessible.

The work of Tony Fryer from the SubBranch and the electrician were praised as integral to the project’s success.

“The electrician – a local boy from St Clair – turned out to be a national serviceman,” I was told.

Future projects near the memorial include a hopeful link of the path from the memorial to the gate closest to the APC and steam locomotive. The APC is meant to be a part of the memorial, and a linked path would create a “tangible contact.”

‘Moving Out.’

With this Vietnam Veterans Day falling on the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan, public support is appreciated and integral to participating in our nation’s and local community’s collective memory. The memorial is a permanent fixture at the St Marys RSL Sub-Branch.

A Service to Commemorate

VIETNAM VETERAN’S DAY

50th Anniversary of the Battle of Long Tan Commences at 5.00pm, Thursday 18th August 2016, at St Marys RSL Club War Memorial All in the St Marys and adjacent suburb’s community are warmly invited to join with members of the Vietnam Veteran’s Association, St Marys Outpost and the St Marys RSL Sub-Branch in this special Service.

LEST WE FORGET

Days in Dubrovnik: Knights in Kings Landing

By Ben Cranney

IT’S been done, I know. A travel article on Game of Thrones film locations.

But I’ve just come back from a few, and between travel withdrawals and GoT ending, I’ve written one too.

Dubrovnik in Croatia, and various spots in Iceland and Spain feature heavily in the show. These places are well worth visiting if you know nothing about the show, because their history is incredibly rich, but GoT fans get a fantastical history too.

For many people, we were in King’s Landing, not Dubrovnik, being shown around by armor clad tour guides and queuing (which seems too civilised) to sit on the Iron Throne (which is actually plastic). But the real,

centuries long history is even more fascinating. Stories of ancient Greek refugees, or changes of allegiance, including to Venice, Hungary or the Ottomans, are just as fascinating.

One of the highlights is walking the fortified walls of the old city. Gazing out over an endless sea drives home why it has long been an important city, and I could imagine planning the city’s defence or plotting my aristocratic climb. Or at least, I could have planned this if I had servants fanning me and bringing chilled water. The heat is intense, so go early to beat some of it.

You won’t beat the tourists though, no matter the time. The old city doesn’t sleep. Narrow cobbled alleys host cafes by day and bars that spill

on to the street by night, and Revelin, the cavernous fortress-club in the city walls, had us dancing all night.

Another morning, I went for a 1am walk to get photos of the empty streets and instead found a crowd enjoying a free rock concert.

Coupled with cathedrals and museums, this makes the old town the place to stay. Book early to get the best spots in narrow streets where you hang your washing on lines that criss cross the alleys.

Increase your GoT intake by watching the sunset over Blackwater Bay (and the red roof tiles of the city) from Lovrijenac Fort. Or head to Lokrum Island by ferry to see where Qarth was filmed. Or more intriguing, where (legend has it) Richard the

Lionheart was shipwrecked after the Crusades. Or just get so lost in the streets that when you see the sword wielding street performer you’ll believe, for a moment, that you’ve a encountered a knight in a by-gone or make believe age.

And what about Iceland and Spain?

I’ll tell you next time.

The Unintentional Medium By Suzi Samuel Is That All There Is? WHEN I was recently interviewed by a radio station in Canberra, the programme host asked me why people came to consult me. Now that is not an easy question to answer, especially when it comes out of left field, because the reasons are very subjective. There are those with a real need for guidance from the spirit world and there are those who don’t really need help but just came because their friend came the week before, but basically most share a desire to lift that curtain between dimensions to get guidance from the other side.

When did this fascination with a life beyond death start and when did we begin to ask those who had passed on to another life to help us in this life? It is surely one of our most primordial emotions. Perhaps way back in Neolithic days, when Mrs Ugg wondered what her husband was getting up to when he was supposed to be out hunting, she said to her neighbour, “There’s this wonderful woman in the cave over the hill who reads the bones and all she charges is a dinosaur egg.”

Clairvoyance has had a very chequered history. In Ancient Greece and Rome it was part of life to consult the Gods, usually in rather messy and

bloodthirsty ways involving offal, but with the onset of Christianity, those of us in my line of work were considered Devil’s spawn and generally met extremely nasty ends.

There was a revival of things spiritual at the beginning of the 20th Century, but those interested in the afterlife were thought of as a little odd and rather to be avoided. When I was growing up, I had never heard of anyone going to see

a medium and certainly didn’t know anything of the the psychic world.

However, in the Seventies, there was a huge renaissance in all things spiritual and our lives became ruled by star signs, horoscopes and a goodly selection of mediums, of whom some of the less ethical profited from our mania to know what the future held.

We consulted clairvoyants, astrologists, palmists, healers, anyone

we could think of who could give us a glimpse of what lay ahead.

What brought about this sudden obsession? I have my own personal theory about this. When I was a child, everyone was brought up with some semblance of religious education.

Then came the Swinging Sixties with its complete overturning of accepted mores. It became very unfashionable to admit to believing in God and so we started looking for something else.

Do we need to look through that glass darkly because we can’t accept that this is all there is?

Personally, I much prefer to believe that the spirit world is there and looking out for us. Do we seek them or do they seek us? I know that if I stray from what my Grandmother considers my rightful path, she has no hesitation in correcting me and my life is so much richer from my contact with “the other side”. I truly love my work and I meet some wonderful people through it, but I do have to say that I am so glad that I now work with Tarot Cards and do not have to get up close and personal with chicken’s entrails as I would have done in Ancient Rome.

The Unintentional Medium is available on line and at any good book store..

19 Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

localnews local

E N T E R T A I N M E N T

20

NOT a man in sight. Check. Toilet seat down. Check. Girl anthems ready.

Check.

Back by popular demand…….. The girls are coming to Saints!

Due to the overwhelming success of past few year’s events, St Marys Leagues is again encouraging girls to get together for a great cause. Girls Night In is your opportunity to get your female friends, family, colleagues and neighbours together to help raise money to find a cure for Breast and Gynaecological cancers. Just invite all your girlfriends and St Marys Leagues will do the rest.

This year’s event will be held on Friday 21st October and is themed ‘Animal Safari”. So let the inner animal out….and join us for a fun filled evening while raising much needed funds.

It’s guaranteed to be a great night

with Free champagne on arrival, prizes for best dressed, guest speakers, finger food, fun “adult girlie” games, loads of prizes and a few surprises.

This year we will be rocking the jungle with the Toxic Dolls and be entertained by one of Australia’s best Comedy Stage Hypnotists, Steven Spellmaster.

Besides having a great night in with your girlfriends you will feel great knowing that you are playing an important role in the quest to defeat

SUDOKU: MEDIUM

women’s cancer. Over the past few years we have raised in excess of $35,000 profit. This year we would like to raise even more but can’t do it without your support.

Girls Night In is held nationally throughout October to coincide with Breast Cancer awareness month and St Marys Leagues is honoured to be hosting this event again.

All money raised will be donated directly to the Cancer Council of NSW. IS THERE ANY BETTER EXCUSE

TO GET THE GIRLS TOGETHER FOR A GREAT CAUSE? Date: Friday 21st October Venue: St Marys Rugby League Club, Cnr Forrester & Boronia Rds, St Marys Time: 6.30pm for a 7pm start Dress: Animal Safari Tickets: $35 each or a table of 10 for $315, available from reception on 9677 7777.

Tickets are selling fast, book early to avoid disappointment.

WORD SEARCH

Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

Joining the fight against women’s cancers

BABY

SOLUTION: 29th July

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

ALERT AWAKE BLANKET BODYSUIT BOOSTER SEAT BOTTLE BOWL CAR SEAT CARRIER COLIC CREAM CRIB CRYING

DADDY DIAPER DROOL FEED FORMULA GIGGLE GRIN HIGHCHAIR HOODIE INFANT INNOCENT JUMPER LAUGH

LULLABY MILK MOBILE MOMMY MONITOR NURSERY ONESIE PACIFIER PARENTS PLAY POWDER RASH RATTLE

RUBBER DUCK SIPPY CUP SKIN CARE SLEEP SMALL SMILE SPOON STROLLER SWING TEDDY BEAR TEETHER TIRED WIPES

Fiona Joy & The Blue Dream Ensemble

Buy a daffodil

THE Joan invites you to step into the magical world of Fiona Joy and the Blue Dream Ensemble on 28 August at 3pm. Described by ABC Music Australia as “Pure genius”, Fiona Joy’s evocative solo piano and ethereal vocals cross contemporary, classical and jazz genres with influences from world music and new age mysticism. A prolific composer, she crafts music that evokes images, emotions and stories.

Known throughout the world for her melodic songs and lush arrangements, as well as her mesmerizingly ballet-like performance style on the concert stage, Fiona Joy’s talents have earned her over

DAFFODIL DAY is here again!

Coming up on Friday 26th August, we are celebrating its 30th year in NSW. The largest national fundraising event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, Daffodil Day not just raises essential funds for fighting cancer but also is the yearly Australian wide opportunity to bring everyone that care about cancer fight together and build relationship with the local community.

For more information go to www.daffodilday.com.au

50 awards and she has had the good fortune to work with many incredible artists including Will Ackerman, Luka Bloom, T-Bone Wolk (Hall & Oates), Heather Rankin (Rankin Family), Jeff Haynes (Pat Methany), Eugene Freisen (Paul Winter Consorte), Paul Jarman, Dave Ellis and Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel).

Fiona is joined on stage by the masterful and inspiring Blue Dream Ensemble which includes Rebecca Daniel (ACO), world-renowned Mongolian throat singer Bukhu, Dr John Napier on Cello and James Englund, who has toured extensively

with John Butler.

Don’t miss hearing and meeting these amazing performers!

Fiona Joy & The Blue Dream Ensemble is part of the Sundays at The Joan series.

The concert starts at 3pm and includes a complimentary glass of wine with cheese and crackers at a post-show reception, offering the opportunity to meet the artists.

Single tickets are $35 (standard) or $30 (concession).

To book call our Box Office on 4723-7600 or online at www.thejoan. com.au

21 Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

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E N T E R T A I N M E N T

Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

Keegan’s Kitchen Zucchini Carbonara... Serves 6 IN my life there are five major food groups. Pizza, cheese, cinnamon doughnuts, curry and pasta. Pasta is an incredibly filling and social dish to cook with so many variations, combinations and flavour mixes available. No matter if you love a cream based carbonara or you like a tomato pesto pasta with some bite, there is a pasta dish for you. Zucchini carbonara is a great, healthy twist on a family favourite.

INGREDIENTS: sea salt freshly ground black pepper 6 medium zucchinis 500g penne - or any type of pasta really 4 large free-range egg yolks 100ml single cream 1 small handful of Parmesan cheese, freshly grated olive oil 6 slices bacon or pancetta cut into thick chunks Sprinkling of thyme leaves METHOD: Boil a large pot of lightly salted water.

Halve and then quarter your zucchinis lengthways and cut out and toss away any fluffy middle bits. Slice the zucchinis on an angle into a shape about the size of the penne. Once the water is boiled add the pasta and cook accordingly.

Crack the egg yolks into a bowl and add the cream and half the Parmesan cheese. Mix together with a fork and season to your own taste.

Heat a large frying pan with deep sides (about 30 cm wide or so) and add a decent splash of olive oil. Fry up the bacon pancetta until crispy. Throw in the zucchini slices and add 2 pinches of black pepper so the dish can have a bit of a kick. Sprinkle the thyme leaves over the top and give everything a solid stir.

Make sure the zucchini is coasted in all the delicious bacon flavours and juices.

Cook until they start to softened slightly.

Drain the water out of the pasta once it is cooked and leave a little cooking water on the side for the sauce. Quickly toss the pasta into the bacon and zucchini on the frying pan, make sure everything is nice and hot, and then remove the whole thing from heat. Add a ladleful of pasta cooking water to the creaming sauce and stir through.

Serve right away while the pasta is still hot and make sure you add a little more Parmesan for that extra bite.

KIDS MAZE

22

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 High school certificate (7) 5 Spoke in ignorance (7) 9 Bellicose (9) 10 San Antonio fort (5) 11 A writer of laments (7) 12 Cloths used in mending (7) 13 Very irritable (9) 15 Coarse files (5) 17 Not yesterday (5) 19 Teachers (9) 22 Find innocent (7) 25 Acquired the knowledge (7) 26 City in Viet Nam (5) 27 Grape plantations (9) 28 Jagged (7) 29 Inhabits (7)

DOWN 1 Haggles (7) 2 Struck with a fist (9) 3 Applause (7) 4 A Greek philosopher (9) 5 Pup (5) 6 Praise dishonestly (7) 7 Averse (5) 8 Snoozes (7) 14 Matings (9) 16 Villain (9) 17 Instructs (7) 18 Sharp high-pitched dog cries (7) 20 One who examines processes (7) 21 They inflict pain for pleasure (7) 23 Spanish for “Mister” (5) 24 Emissary (5)

solution 29/7/16

LOW INTEREST RATES MEANS TIME TO GROW

By Matthew Bennett, Bennett Property Group

AS we would all know by now, the Reserve Bank made another quarter percent interest rate cut in August. It now sits at a record low 1.5%. Some northern hemisphere countries have dropped their rates to 0% to stimulate their economy.

These are unheard of rates to many Australians who still remember interest rates above 18.5pc. If those levels of rates were around today, home owners would be paying nearly $1,500 per week more on the average Sydney loan. Scary!

Although these are record low times many experts, and even the banks, are

PROPERTY SALES AND LEASING, NOW OPEN IN MARSDEN PARK 9835 3355 | www.bennettproperty.com.au predicting further cuts to 1% and less.

Hopefully, banks will pass on some or all of these cuts which will allow home owners a good chance to work on increasing their home equity. With petrol costs also dropping to below $1 per litre it is a great time to use that extra disposable income to pay off your debts.

National Australia Bank’s July business survey found the economy was “reasonably solid in the nearterm” but it is remaining conservative and forecast GDP growth of 2.2% by the end of 2018.

On a more positive note, the RBA has forecast GDP to stay in 3-4% range. This means that the economy is still growing. The RBA has also announced that they are less concerned about house price risks but more concerned about unemployment levels of 5.5%.

NAB’s Chief Group Economist Alan Oster noted that he expected the RBA would provide further monetary support. “This will include two more cute in May and August 2017 - to a new low of 1% - which should be

enough to stabilise the unemployment rate,” he forecast.

More experienced investors and home owners are now actively seeking property to buy. With rates this low and housing prices stabilising, they can purchase with a low fixed rate and negotiate well to pick up a good investment. Low housing supply is keeping rentals strong and with Liberals returning to federal government, negative gearing is still

in play. The net cost of purchasing a property is becoming negligible. They can work hard and build equity.

We believe this is not the time to buy plasma TVs or iPhones with your extra income. It is time to buy property and pay off debt quickly before rates start rise again. The Bennett Brothers have been involved in property sales and development all their lives. For experienced and knowledgeable advice, call them on 9835 3355.

IS NOW THE TIME TO REVIEW YOUR HOME LOAN? A NEW financial year is often a time to take a closer look at money matters.

It’s when we find ourselves digging through receipts, looking at old bills and trying to find places where we can save some money in the New Year.

One place where people forget to look also happens to be their biggest household expense: their mortgage.

And I believe the reason why people don’t look closer at their home loan is because the idea of refinancing seems too difficult, too confusing, or is perceived as probably not worth it for the effort. If you’re one of those people, it’s time to ask yourself some questions.

What’s my rate? In my experience, many people know what their monthly payments are, but they don’t actually know their interest rate. Do you? Take a look – if it starts with a “5”, you can probably do better and I’d advise shopping around.

What does the market say? Use a comparison site and find out what’s on

offer. The current market for variable rate mortgages for owner occupied property runs from around 4.0 per cent to over 6.0 per cent. Three-year fixed rate mortgages range from 3.70 per cent to well over 5.5 per cent.

There’s a lot of difference, which means there’s solid scope for savings.

What could I save? Use the comparison sites to calculate several results. If you have a 300,000, 30 year variable loan at 5.2 per cent you pay $1647 a month; but if you refinance to a 4.0 per cent owner occupied loan you pay $1432. That’s a difference of $215 per month.

What must I have? Have a good repayment record with your current lender and ensure you are not currently in arrears. Also, know that if you’re half-way through a fixed-rate loan you may be charged a break fee to leave. Make sure it’s worth it.

What are my other costs? A new lender will likely charge upfront fees, and there may be some costs to exit

your mortgage. Also, if you have less than 20 per cent equity in your new loan, you’ll pay lenders mortgage insurance, which increases your costs.

Who do I see? Go to a mortgage broker or approach a lender directly.

Brokers are refinancing experts who know how to streamline the process and can review all lender products in the market. Approach your current lender first to see if they can offer you a better deal to stay.

How long will it take? What do I have to do? A broker will give you a run-down of the process, the application, the documents they want you to provide, and the time it typically takes.

Is it worth it? You must answer this yourself. The total interest paid on a $300,000, 30-year mortgage at 5.2 per cent is around $78,000 more than the same mortgage at 4.0 per cent. You have to decide is this worth the effort of refinancing.

SPECIAL OFFER Free Wealth Check and *Rp Data property Reports for your home or other residential property in NSW, Qld and Victoria (valued over $150) *RP Data Reports provided subject to availibity of registered information.

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WealthWiz Wealth Management Suite 3, 47-51 Richmond Rd, Blacktown Call 8004 6655 | www.wealthwiz.com.au

23 Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

realestate real

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LONDONDERRY

7

3

3

DECEASED ESTATE – MUST BE SOLD! • Spacious 4-bedroom family home on generous 5.6-acre block • Additional 3-bed freestanding cottage with carport • Large open-plan dining/living area and separate lounge • Large comfortable bedrooms, master with ensuite and BIR • Sleek kitchen with Caesarstone benchtops and double sink • Ducted air conditioning, ceiling fans, security alarm, Envirocycle • Undercover entertaining area and double lock-up garage

Inspect:

Saturday 13 & 20 August, 3:00 – 3:30pm

Address:

63 Bowman Road

Land Size: Approx 5.6 acres (2.26 hectares) Auction:

Tuesday 6 September, 6:30pm (If not sold prior) The Sebel Resort & Spa, Windsor

Details:

Michael Bennett - 4578 1234

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RICHMOND

AUCTION

RARE OPPORTUNITY • Potential development site in central Richmond • Two large, adjoining blocks • Combined block size of approx 1277 square metres • Two older style cottages rented for $780 per week • R3 Medium Density Zoning • No-through location. Walk to city train, UWS • Excellent Opportunity in this location!

Inspect:

By Appointment

Address:

3 & 5 Richard Street

Land Size: Approx 1277 square metres Auction:

Tuesday 6 September, 6:30pm (If not sold prior) The Sebel Resort & Spa, Windsor

Details:

Michael Bennett - 4578 1234

KURRAJONG (02) 4573 1228 80 Old Bells Line of Road RICHMOND (02) 4578 1234 239 Windsor Street MARSDEN PARK (02) 9835 3355 Cnr Richmond Road & South Street www.bennettproperty.com.au

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RICHMOND CASTLEREAGH “THE STABLES”

3

2

2

1

2

$000,000

• Private, sought-after location • Old world charm • Character-filled residence with original features • Open plan kitchen/living area. Wood-burning stove • Double sized bedrooms with high ceilings • Wide verandah, fully enclosed yard with gardens • Walking distance to shops, schools and station • Fabulous opportunity to purchase prestige property!

Inspect:

Saturday 13 & 20 August, 12:00 – 12:30pm

Address:

313 Windsor Street

Land Size: Approx 574.5 square metres Auction:

Tuesday 6 September, 6:30pm (If not sold prior) The Sebel Resort & Spa, Windsor

Details:

Michael Bennett - 4578 1234

ER B EM ION T P T SE AUC

GROSE VALE

3

“THE CREST” - DECEASED ESTATE • Spectacular views of Blue Mountains and Sydney city • Three bedroom brick home with double lock up garage • Updated kitchen and bathroom • Ducted air conditioning throughout • Separate studio/artist retreat with air conditioning and skylight • Excellent opportunity to renovate/build dream home, picture perfect views • First time offered in 30 years • MUST BE SOLD!

Inspect:

Saturday 13 & 20 August, 2:00 – 2:30pm

Address:

31 Westbury Road

Land Size: Approx 3339 square metres Auction:

Tuesday 6 September, 6:30pm (If not sold prior) The Sebel Resort & Spa, Windsor

Details:

Michael Bennett - 4578 1234

KURRAJONG (02) 4573 1228 80 Old Bells Line of Road RICHMOND (02) 4578 1234 239 Windsor Street MARSDEN PARK (02) 9835 3355 Cnr Richmond Road & South Street www.bennettproperty.com.au

westernhistory western

26 Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

Lance Skuthorp and the Skuthorp Family

CONTINUED FROM LAST ISSUE....

T

here was always something a little regal about the Skuthorpes, which reinforced the rumour that the first Skuthorpe was the illegitimate son of the Duke of Sutherland. Apart from the fact that it was difficult to get your wages out of him, by all accounts old Lance Skuthorpe was a ‘great’ man. His physical prowess was legendary - he could jump over a saddled horse in one graceful leap.

He was a good dancer, writer and illustrator. He was always well dressed and, always the debonair showman, wore lots of jewellery.

Because of his deafness - it was a hereditary affliction - he compensated by becoming a storyteller. Both Lance Snr. and Lance Jnr. carried themselves with an air of authority that made those that knew them wonder if perhaps the Duke of Sutherland’s genes were indeed alive and well.”

It was in the 1920s and 30s the family lived in this district and their home was actually just across the road from Schofields railway siding.

The surrounding paddocks were used to run their horses and the home was used as a base from where they commenced their tours of the country towns. The children all attended Schofields Public School at various times. It appears the family left the area after their return from America, and moved to the Bankstown area.

Lance Jnr. and Violet learnt their horse riding and buckjumping skills at an early age and featured prominently in their father’s show.

In 1938 they were invited by Colonel Tim McCoy to America to appear in his Wild West show “Roughriders of the World”, recognised as the biggest show of its kind in the world. They were accompanied by their mother and performed as roughriders, with Violet becoming a star also with her whip cracking and rope spinning.

An American journalist at the time wrote - “This pretty girl from Australia is a match for any fiend in the shape of a horse ... with elegant ability she sat animals whose wild eyed ferocity drew gasps of horror from the watchers. She is a regular Boadicea for courage.”

When they returned, Lance Jnr. took over as front man of the family’s buckjump show and turned it into a smaller, more commercial, more American outfit --- It became “ The Skuthorpes Wild West Show.” It was cheap, light to transport, and a good money spinner. In the late 30s and 40s there would not have been a person in Australia that didn’t know the names Lance and Violet Skuthorpe.

Lance Jnr. won the Buckjumping Championship of Australia, held in Sydney in 1944. Just after winning this title he recalled travelling around the country with his Dad, when people were indifferent to shake his hand, they only wanted to shake the hand of Lance Snr. It was then he realised that it had nothing to do with any title; it was because they wanted to tell their friends they had shaken the hands of a legend. Violet and Lance Snr. continued to travel with the show, with Lance continuing to travel almost to the day he died in 1958.

After the war Lance Jnr. was back on the road, doing the small sideshows at the agricultural shows. In 1947 - 48 he took the show on an extensive tour of New Zealand. He returned to Australia, toured for

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two more years and the final Skuthorpe show was held at the Brisbane Exhibition in 1950.

Lance Jnr., like his father, was a bit of a renaissance man. He had his father’s physical prowess - he was a great roughrider, an amazing athlete, and could fight like a ‘threshing machine’. He had good taste, wore the best of suits, and liked the finer things of life. He was well read and creative. He wrote and performed songs, played the banjo and the piano, and worked in radio with his close friend, singer and song writer Tex Morton. They often combined shows and toured together in the 40s. Both men were intelligent, talented, and good looking with a weakness for women.

Violet started her career as a five year old riding into the ring on a pony to open the Skuthorpe’s show. She was riding buckjumpers by the mid 1930s and was Australia’s first and foremost lady roughriding star. After the American tour she was always billed as “The World’s Champion Lady Buckjump Rider” A competitor at the time wrote of Violet - “she was a lovely person that radiated ... there was a real glow, and she was 100 per cent a professional performer.”

Harris Davis, now living in South Australia, recalled Lance Snr. running his sideshow at Windsor and Richmond, and at Riverstone in the paddock alongside Conway’s shop. He recalled a particular donkey that Lance used. He would load three to four children on his back and give them easy rides around the ring. He would then load three to four bigger kids on the donkey’s back and then whisper into the donkey’s ear, about half way around the ring the donkey would toss the kids off, much to the amusement of the crowd.

Harris recalled Lance having an interest in the clay pit out near Carnarvon Road. and would often see Lance, with his characteristic straight back style, riding his horse past the Davis home in Grange Avenue.. Even in his later years Lance maintained this straight back seat in the saddle. As a lad, Eric Conway recalled Lance walking around Riverstone, a powerfully built man with a straight back, often with his stockwhip hanging over his shoulder.

The Skuthorpe family left the Schofields area in the late 1930s and moved to the Bankstown area.

Many outback folk loved to fantasize with their humour and Lance Snr. was no exception, becoming well known as a writer and story teller. The book “The Stockman” features two of his short stories, and also his classic tale of whip cracking: One day when Lance was sitting on a country railway station he noticed a man mounted on a horse on the other side of a line of trucks cracking his whip, whereon the line of railway trucks began to move. “By God ! That’s whip - cracking” he thought. The trucks having concealed the presence of a bullock team besides the tracks.

Lance Skuthorp Snr. died in Liverpool hospital on the 9th February 1958 and was buried in a church cemetery in the Kurrajong district, his place of birth.

This article appeared in the Riverstone and District Historical Society Inc. Journal 2007. Compiled by Clarrie Neal in August 2000.

Would you like to read about the history of the Nepean?

Now you can purchase a LIMITED EDITION book featuring our history pages and more for just $10 plus postage and handling.

Help keep our history preserved by purchasing your copy. ORDER NOW!

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Wanderers drop points against North Shore in NPL

By Chris Layland

THE Western Sydney Wanderers have lost the outright lead on the PS4 NPL2 table after dropping points against a determined North Shore Mariners outfit at Blacktown Football Park.

A 1-1 draw against the bottom-placed Mariners mean that the Red & Black are now equal first in the NPL with Sydney FC sitting above them on goal difference.

While the match ended in a frustrating draw, it actually looked very positive for the Wanderers early on with 16-year-old Ramy Najjarine scoring a brilliant goal in only the 14th minute.

Najjarine was on hand to collect a deflected free kick and smashed the ball into the top corner from a very wide position to open the scoring.

Unfortunately for the winger, Najjarine appeared to injure himself in the act of scoring and was substituted before half time.

Apart from the goal, the first 45 minutes was very quiet with the Wanderers struggling to get through a well-drilled Mariners outfit who were sitting with five players in the backline.

The second half opened in dramatic fashion with North Shore awarded a penalty for a hand ball in the box, which they duly converted through Michael Cole.

It opened the gates for a slightly more freeflowing match with goalkeeper Matt Symes forced into saving a decent Mariners’ shot soon after before the Wanderers’ Tariq Maia and Brenton Fox both had attempts to take the lead thwarted.

Despite some chances in the second half, the match failed to become a spectacle with both teams realistically needing more than the draw.

Next week sees Wanderers travel to Bossley Park to take on Marconi Stallions in what is now a very crucial match.

Western Sydney Wanderers 1 (Ramy Najjarine 14’) North Shore Mariners 1 (Michael Cole 47’) Western Sydney Wanderers: Matthew Symes (GK), Tate Russell, Henry Davies, Abdelrahmen Kuku, Daniel Blachura, Charles Abou (Tacettin Kumsuz), Keanu Baccus, Tariq Maia, Ramy

Najjarine (Michael Trajkovski (Lawrence Hanna)), Kyle Cimenti, Brenton Fox Unused subs: Daniel Axford (GK), Lachlan Campbell Other results 20s: WSW 1-1 North Shore 18s: WSW 3-0 North Shore 16s: WSW 4-0 Fraser Park 15s: WSW 9-2 Fraser Park 14s: WSW 2-3 Fraser Park 13s: WSW 0-1 Fraser Park

Strengthen your weakness with Scott Lewis SHOULD YOU EXERCISE WHEN YOU’RE SICK? HAVING a sore throat, achy muscles or a runny nose is enough to make you miserable, but if you still have the energy and motivation to hit thee gym, should you? Will “sweating it out” actually work?

Or should you instead get some rest? Whether you’ve got a little case of the sniffles or the full-on flu, it’s important to know when it’s ok to get a workout in or if you’re better off crawling and staying in bed. o Aside from the spreading your germss to ger everyone else at the gym, what’s the real danger of working out when you’re sick? ur Proper gym etiquette is to keep your en workout quarantined to your own home. Even ly if you have a common cold, you’re typically an contagious for about five full days. Germs can urs. live on hard surfaces like dumbbells for hours.

Even if you wash your hands, sweat can carryy ead of of mucus particles onto the equipment, So instead teadd spreading your germs, avoid the gym and instead workout at home.

YOU HAVE A COLD: afe Exercising with a common cold is usually safe unny to do as long as you listen to your body. A runny r, nose is no reason to skip a workout. However, ur you should reduce the intensity and length of your workout. Overworking yourself when you have a

cold can make you feel worse, and as a result slow down your recovery. Instead of going for a run, take it easy and go for a walk. Treat it like a day of active rest. Staying active with mild cold symptoms can promote your immune function, helping you feel better.

YOU HAVE A FEVER, STOMACH BUG OR THE FLU: Skip the gym, take medicine and stay in bed.

Exercising with a fever can make your health way worse. Fevers and vomiting can easily cause dehydration, which can be heightened by a workout. Instead, rest until your fever has been gone for a full 24 hours.

The good news is fit people tend to recover quicker from illness and experience milder symptom than those who aren’t active.

Strengthening your immune system and making healthy choices can protect you from getting sick. If you do however feel under the weather remember it’s important to listen to your body!

Follow ‘Wild Panther Fitness’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter (@wildpantherfit.) For any enquiries: info@wildpantherfitness.com.au Until next time “STRENGTHEN YOUR WEAKNESS!”

27 Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

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Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

#ICYMI with @J_McGrouther In case you missed it, rumours, scores, signings and more

both the Penrith Panthers and Parramatta Eels under 20’s sides are set for deep runs into this years finals campaigns. The Panthers currently sit in first, having only lost two games all season, and can wrap up the minor premiership with a win this weekend. Parramatta sit fourth, and are four wins above the ninth placed Broncos, so a win against them tonight will guarantee a finals birth. The future is no doubt looking bright for both clubs.

Jake Packard, our 100-metre breaststroke hopeful, faired well in his Olympic event. Unfortunately, his fourth place semi final finish was .03 seconds too slow to qualify for the final. Adam Peaty of Great Britain, winning in world record time, eventually won the event.

In the road race, Amanda Spratt finished in an impressive 15th in the women’s event. She was four minutes short of medalling, but a tremendous effort nonetheless.

In the canoe/kayak events, Jessica Fox qualified for the semi finals in the women’s kayak category, progressing in second place. The semi final is scheduled for Friday morning at 2:15am; so stay tuned to follow Jessica’s progress. Lucien Delfour was unlucky in his attempt to progress, being penalised on his run, finishing in 17th position. Ian Borrows was more successful, qualifying for his semi final in 9th position. He and will do battle in Wednesday morning’s semi final, good luck Jessica and Ian. On the FFA cup front, western

Sydney teams had tremendous success in the round of 32.

Blacktown City scored a stunner on their way to a 6-2 win over Sydney United 58 FC, whilst the Western Sydney Wanderers progressed with a 3-2 win over Wellington Pheonix. The round of 32 finishes up on Thursday, so keep an eye out for where the two sides fall for the round of 16. With several A-League teams being knocked out of the competition thus far, this seasons cup is now wide open and there for the taking.

The schedule for the 2016/17 Australian Baseball League has been released, with the Sydney Blue Sox representing New South Wales once again this season. They host the Adelaide Bite in November, the Perth Heat and Brisbane Bandits in December, followed by the Melbourne Aces over the New Year period, and the Canberra Calvary in late January. It’s exciting times for baseball fans, with memberships now up for sale.

It may not be first grade, but

With both Sydney teams absolutely flying in the AFL, keep an eye on where the GWS Giants finish after the remaining three rounds. If they are to host a home final, a real possibility, it will be played at their home, Spotless Stadium. However, there is a catch, a home final against the Sydney Swans, another possibility seeing the sides are equal second, would be played at ANZ Stadium if scheduling permits.

The idea here is that the crowd would be expected to be a lot bigger than the 24,000 seater, which could disadvantage the young side, who have never won at the bigger venue.

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Storm’s playoff dreams crushed by Bulls

By Noel Rowsell

THE Blacktown Storm Division One Youth League Men’s team has been defeated 92-63 by the Inner West Bulls on Saturday afternoon in Homebush, in an elimination quarter final of the 2016 Waratah Youth League competition.

The Storm had won through to the playoffs with a mixed weekend of results in Round 20, falling 8264 to minor premiers Central Coast Crusaders on Saturday, before defeating the Sutherland Sharks 9573 on Sunday to finish in fifth spot on the ladder.

Those results had put the Storm through to face the fourth-placed Bulls but fate would be particularly unkind to the Storm in the build up to the critical game.

Unfortunately, the School Sports Australia Championships are being held this week and the Storm were hit with their first blow, when star guard Makuach Maluach was withdrawn in favour of training for the schools’ competition.

Later in the week, Junior Madut messaged his team-mates to advise he would also not be at the game, giving the Storm a second body blow, before a ball had even been contested.

Storm head coach Greg Radford was still

optimistic of a strong performance from his undermanned squad but the Bulls struck early, racing to a 13-0 lead in the opening minutes.

Captain Simeon Murray and Diing Mawein led a spirited fightback, dragging the Storm back to a narrow 37-36 deficit at half time, then amazingly four points in the lead during the third term.

29 Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

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Fatigue would however prove to be decisive for the Storm, with the full-strength Bulls running away with the game for a 29-point win and a semi-final berth.

Simeon Murray led the scoring on Saturday with 16 points, ahead of Diing Mawein 15 and Atier Manzl 10.

CelebrityTIPSTERS

UL BRI WES NZW STG NEW SYD CAN BRI PAN NEW MAN NQC CAN SYD SOU ROUND UND BBUL

23&24

MAN PAR GCT SOU CRO PAN NQC MEL BUL WES GCT MEL NZW PAR STG CRO Aug 11 7.50pm

Aug 12 7.50pm

Aug 13 3.00pm

Aug 13 5.30pm

Aug 13 7.30pm

Aug 14 2.00pm

Aug 14 4.00pm

Aug 15 7.00pm

Aug 18 7.50pm

Aug 19 7.50pm

Aug 20 3.00pm

Aug 20 5.30pm

Aug 20 7.30pm

Aug 21 2.00pm

Aug 21 4.00pm

Aug 22 7.00pm

SCORE

Clr Stephen Bali Mayor - Blacktown City Council

214 Matthew Bennett - Bennett Property

218 Tony - Choices Blacktown

212 Paul Maher - Loxley on Bellbird

201 Troy - Urban City Consulting

180 Michelle Faint - Kidz Zoo

148 Kimberley Talbot - CEO Richmond Club

208 Barry Locock - Turtle Landscape Supplies

212

30

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Western News 12 August 2016 Issue 16

MY WORDS WITH MARK GEYER

PANTHERS BOUND FOR GLORY AFTER EXCITING WIN Love the Olympics!

Bring on Bolt

Lou being crowned winner at the Star

THE Panthers had a hell of a lot to play for last Monday. Probably more than they could have even imagined. At stake was a possible spot in the top 8, as high as 7th. On the flip-side, a drop on the table to possibly 10th- against an unpredictable Roosters outfit desperate for a victory. Not only did the Penrith players need a ‘statement making’ win in front of their faithful home crowd, morally it was much-needed heading into semi final action come September.

And boy, didn’t they what! The Panther Cubs, lead by boom rookie Nathan Cleary marched to an emphatic 38-18 crushing of the boys from Bondi and in doing so signaled to all teams above that the Mountain Men are poised for menace. Cleary, Peachey, Yeo, Wallace, Moylan, Cartwright - actually the entire team - enthralled the Monday night footy crowd. With the Knights, Tigers, Titans and Sea Eagles to face in the final four rounds it would seem a fait accompli that Anthony Griffins men are semi- final bound. Gee the future looks bright for Penrith with so many young first graders plying their trade at the minute. And with most of them signing to long term contracts you’d have to think another premiership is just around the corner. Or at the end of this season?

And another thing...

Last Tues night at the Star Casino in Sydney the grand finale of the NRL Rookie took place. It was the cumulation of a torrid 10 weeks for a group of young men all vying for a chance to play in the NRL. For those not up to speed on the exact premise of the Rookie here it is in a paragraph.

Over 1300 hopefuls all submitted a video of himself in hope of being one of the 28 rookies selected. After one game at Pepper Stadium the coaches, Brad

24 HOURS

Chris Hyde, Jordan Martin, Lou Goodwin rookie final 3

Fittler, Adrian Lam and myself cut the squad in half to 14. The final 14 then moved in together in a house at Coogee where one rookie would be eliminated each week.

Last Tuesday the final 3 were presented at the Star. The 16 clubs then voted on who they thought the winner should be and win a $50,000 contract. Chris Hyde, Jordan Martin, and Lou Goodwin were the final 3 rookies left. Chris Hyde was then cut leaving the other two youngsters left. Both Martin and Goodwin are sons of former first graders. Paul Martin played for Canberra and Matt Goodwin played for the Panthers. In a nail biting finish Matt’s young bloke Lou was crowned the winner choosing Canberra as the team he wanted to go to.

It was a fantastic few months filming the show and I can’t wait for season two to come around.

Before I go....

How good are the Olympic Games!! Whether you are a sports lover or not this time every four years is one of the more special on the calendar. There’s always pre-game speculation of things being not quite ‘au fait’ but all those pessimistic views quickly turn to joy once the athletes walk out for the opening ceremony. I love it. Don’t love the lack of sleep though trying to squeeze as much action as I can into an already shortened night. Ah well, it’s only every four years!!

See ya at the game.

MG (random Westie) OAM

0415 982 093

Western NEWS Friday, 12 August 2016

sport

Tim Schmidt handed the head coaching role for 2017

By Jarrod McGrouther

WITH the AFL launching the inaugural National Women’s League in 2017, GWS have announced Tim Schmidt as the franchises head coach. The former Sydney Swans player, born in South Australia, brings with him a wealth of experience at the academy and high performance coaching level, and is the right fit to create an environment that stimulates learning and development.

The signing of Schmidt, along with marquee players Renee Forth and Emma Swanson, was announced at a press conference a fortnight ago, and Schmidt was good enough to speak with Western News about the season ahead. Quizzed on whether coaching came naturally to him, Schmidt opened up on his personal experiences and identified the challenges that await him.

“It definitely hasn’t sort of come naturally (coaching). I guess throughout my playing days we did the healthy choices program, which involved going out to schools, so it

Tim Schmidt with marquees Emma Swanson (left) and Renee Forth (right).

Photo: GWS social media

was a lot of development stuff more than anything. Once I finished playing I worked with the Swans Academy, and then progressed from there.

I’ve definitely built on it and having mentors such as my old housemate Tadhg Kennelly, who is involved with AFL NSW, has been a massive help and I’m just learning along the way.”

He continued.

“A lot of the girls actually haven’t been in an elite environment before, so I guess it’s good being involved in that,

being able to pass on the information. I feel the biggest thing will be educating the players on why we do things and not necessarily how we do it.”

The National Women’s League will operate a draft style system in October to fill the remaining 23 positions for each team. Two additional rookies that haven’t played the sport will also be signed to each franchise. Schmidt’s understanding is his talent will come locally, but the details are yet to be confirmed.

“We’ll obviously have a look at what talent we’ve got here, being NSW and the ACT. My understanding is most of the players will be from here but until the AFL sort out how that all looks it’s a bit hard to tell at the moment.”

In another positive for the newly formed side, the women’s team will be sharing facilities with the men’s side over the pre season, an added feature that has Schmidt excited. “ I think that’s one of the massive qualities we have here is obviously the facility out here is fantastic and it’s great to be able to utilise all of it. We’ll work closely with the men, they’re normally 8am-4pm, so again we’re waiting to hear from the AFL and AFL players association on what the actual preseason and training load looks like, but we’ll work with them, but make sure the spaces aren’t overloaded.”

In the coming weeks and months Schmidt and his team will appoint assistant coaches to get the girls firing come competition time. The eight round format is an exciting step in the right direction for women’s sport in Australia, with broadcast details still in the discussion stages.

Richmond Club 6 East Market Street Richmond, NSW 2753 Tel (02) 4578 1144 www.richmondclub.com.au