Westernnews 15september2017

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Western News PROUDLY INDEPENDENT

Friday, 15 September 2017

ISSUE 43

Check out our website www.wsnewsgroup.com

Westies Final Fever

Good luck to the Eels and Panthers in the finals!

Doonside resident shares her journey to good health Egyptian-born Mervat Sidra is hoping to inspire other CALD women to make the first step to healthy living following Multicultural Health Week.

The 58-year-old from Doonside has become a passionate advocate for the Get Healthy Coaching and Information Service, after the program helped her lose weight and manage her chronic pain.

Mervat joined the program two months ago and has already lost five kilos through regular exercise and varying her diet.

She said the free telephone-based service had been a great motivator and her coach Josh had been critical to her journey to better health.

“For me, Josh is the Get Healthy Service; we’ve really focused on activity and food - I’ve been doing regular hydrotherapy and eating food that helps address my stomach issues,” she said.

“Weight loss wasn’t my reason for joining but it’s been a great bonus; I really just wanted to better manage my pain and generally feel better.

Mervat is now keen to encourage other women from diverse backgrounds to sign-up for the service.

Get Healthy aims to help people make lifestyle changes including healthier eating, being physically active, reducing alcohol and

Surviving Suicide

maintaining regular weight. Qualified health professionals provide motivation, advice and support on healthy eating and physical activity.

Western Sydney Local Health District’s Centre for Population Health deputy director Christine Newman said the Get Healthy Service was a great way to support people to make healthier choices.

“From January to June 2017, around seven per cent of participants in the

Get Healthy program from WSLHD reported speaking a language other than English at home,” she said.

“56 per cent were female; we want to see more CALD women take that important first step to improving their health for the long-term.”

Since 2013, more than 1500 people in western Sydney have participated in the program. On average, people lose 3.8kgs and 5.1cms off their waist circumference.

‘A safe and therapeutic support group for people whose lives have been impacted by suicide’ Fortnightly FREE Support group at Hawkesbury House partnering with Western Sydney Suicide Prevention and Support Network.

Time: 9.30am to 11.30am Hawkesbury House www.hawkesburyhouse.com 6 Christie Street Windsor The groups will meet on the following date: September 19 October 3 October 31 November 14 November 28 December 12 RSVP is appreciated on 02 4577 6454.

Readers requiring support or information about suicide prevention can call Lifeline on 13 11 14.

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Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry

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

4 Western News 15 September 2017 Issue 43

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From the Editor’s Desk

by Kerrie Davies With marriage equality being the hottest debate in town, you can guarantee when the subject gets raised on social media or in social circles, a war of words will break out between the respective Yes and No camps.

But am I the only one who just sees dialogue going round and round in circles aimlessly achieving absolutely zilch?

So many people, in both camps, are perched so high on their own grandstand that they can’t even open their mind to any kind of intelligent debate.

I’ve seen No voters of the Christian elk, who want to cling to the claim that being gay is a sin before God, yet somehow forget that God loves all creatures great and small and would also forgive this supposed sin. Note to over-the-top religious No voters: stopping gay marriage is not going to eradicate gayness. A percentage of the population will still be gay, whether they can marry or not.

I’ve seen Yes voters who think that they can shame and bully the No people into doing what they demand them to do. It just doesn’t work that way. Think Trump victory? Note to over-the-top fire-breathing Yes voters: “When I’m in the privacy of my own space recording my vote, I should heed the threats I received from aggressive people I don’t even know”... said nobody ever.

But stepping away from the extremes of both sides, it seems to me that the most common concern from the No and Undecided camps is the fear that this will be a step towards a gender neutral society; an opening for replacing long-held traditions and the eventual banishing of gender-specific terms.

I think many straight people are not bothered about same sex marriage when it doesn’t personally affect their life - but the fear of an onslaught of safe school programs does; fearing that they’ll have no control over some crazy left-wing ideology being rammed down the throats of their children.

So why not sensibly discuss that theory and question our leaders about it, instead of descending into battles about religious ideologies or abusing people over difference of opinion?

If the Prime Minister and the Opposition Leader gave assurances that this is about the right for everyone to be able to marry the person they love regardless of their sex, and that they’d stand against any push to de-gender society, I don’t think we’d have such a divided nation on the topic.

Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au

Local MP says vote NO

By Keegan Thomson

THE MEMBER for Riverstone, Kevin Conolly, has unquestionably voiced his opinion on the Federal Government’s survey on same sex marriage and without a shadow of a doubt he will be voting in the negative on the issue.

A devout Catholic, Mr Conolly says we need to get to the very foundation of what marriage is before we can even start to discuss changing the legislation that will allow same sex couples to get married.

“If you’re going to change the Marriage Act, and change the definition of marriage, you need to have a clear understanding in your mind of what marriage is,” Mr Conolly told Western News.

“The two dimensions of marriage have always been about uniting people, a man and a woman, as a couple and as a team for life, but also as the opus of that team for life to create new life and form the basic unit of society as a family.”

One of the arguments being raised by promarriage equality advocates is that the definition of marriage is beyond outdated, and a redefinition of it would bring it into the 21st century. Mr Conolly disagrees with this.

“Until relatively recent years people have not tended to question those two dimensions going together. It was seen as logical, reasonable, natural and beyond question. Only in recent times has anyone proposed seeing marriage as something

different,” Mr Conolly said.

“Some things change over time, but one thing that doesn’t change is human nature. You can read in ancient texts the same personality traits that you can see in the world today. Human nature is always a constant,” he said.

Recently there has been two surveys, a FairfaxIpsos poll and a Guardian Essential poll, that have shown the Australian public has unquestionable

support in favour of changing the definition of marriage, yet Mr Conolly denies that these polls are valid.

“I do query the validity of them on the basis that we haven’t had an even handed debate or a level playing field,” Mr Conolly said.

“The debate should be respectful, people should listen to one and other and people should be allowed to put their views forward without an attempt to denigrate or run down someone who disagrees with them.”

For Mr Conolly the real debate isn’t about equality, he said it is more about the redefinition of marriage within the Federal Marriage Act than it is about marriage equality, as some activists have phrased it.

“We are talking about amending the Marriage Act and the definition of marriage in the marriage act is what people want amended so I think the discussion is about marriage.

“If marriage has been so good for so long I would be reluctant to change it. We shouldn’t separate the long acknowledged understanding of marriage being the natural place for nurturing life with the tradition of uniting of two adults as a team.

“Treating people equally of equal value is not to treat them all the same. Take the Olympics for example, to treat people equally is to give them a fair go, and we recognise physical differences between men and women,” he said.

Roll up your sleeves and get involved The Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali is encouraging residents to roll up their sleeves and get involved in Bushcare’s Major Day Out later this month.

Held annually in spring, and this year on Sunday 17 September, the event is a national day of community participation to restore remnant bushland.

“Blacktown City Council will be hosting two events on the day and we encourage our community to come along,” Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali said.

“These events are a fantastic opportunity for sharing knowledge and expertise through activities like bird watching, plant identification workshops and species monitoring.

“Come along, bring a friend and enjoy a free sausage or vegetarian sizzle.”

Council’s Bushland Officer Katrina Brown says it’s a fun day where anyone can get involved and learn alongside experts.

“Activities can include weed removal, tree planting, mulching or getting rid of litter,” she said.

“Blacktown City Council has 12 bush care groups operating across the City.

“They have planted more than 1,000 plants, and removed tonnes of green waste and rubbish.”

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Blacktown City Council’s Bushcare volunteer co-ordinator Katrina Brown.

Sunday 17 September Bushcare’s Major Day Out – Knudsen Reserve, Riverstone 9.00 am – 12.00 pm Join this Bushcare group to celebrate Bushcare’s Major Day Out. Plant locally native plants, and remove weeds improving the natural environment. New volunteers are always welcome. You don’t need any experience, just a sturdy pair of shoes, and an interest in getting outdoors and learning about our local native bushland. It’s free, no bookings required.

For more information contact Council on 9839 6074.

Meet at: Knudsen Reserve, Garfield Road West, Riverstone

Sunday 17 September Bushcare’s Major Day Out – Faulkland Crescent Reserve, Kings Park 9.00 am – 12.00 pm Join this Bushcare group to celebrate Bushcare’s Major Day Out. Plant locally native plants, and remove weeds that will improve the natural environment. You don’t need any experience, just a sturdy pair of shoes, and an interest in getting outdoors and learning about our local native bushland. It’s free, no bookings required.

For more information contact Council on 9839 6074.

Meet at: Faulkland Crescent Reserve, Faulkland Crescent, Kings Park (meet at the picnic shelter on top of hill)

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Western News 15 September 2017 Issue 43

First class Kids Entertainment Arcadia Entertainment at Richmond Club is a $1.3 million children’s entertainment centre that promises to give a fun experience that is unique to the Hawkesbury, right in the heart of the community.

It has 30 action packed arcade machines, four new party zone rooms, parent’s retreat, beverage and food bar, plus renovated facilities. It also has a 15 hole glow-in-the-dark mini golf course, the first of its kind in the state.

Group CEO of Richmond Club, Kimberley Talbot, said that the club’s members have requested a service like Arcadia Entertainment for some time.

‘A dedicated kid’s fun centre is something that is sorely lacking in the Hawkesbury region,’ she said.

‘Our members want their club to offer something that that they can bring their children to that will entertain them, without costing a fortune.’

‘The mini golf course is particularly exciting as it’s a product that can’t be found anywhere else in NSW. It has a wide appeal for people of all ages – kid’s, families, and teenagers. There is the potential for tournaments and other events to be held here once it is completed.’

The most exciting thing for Arcadia is that there is more to come – building will start soon for the outdoor kid’s adventure playground and parent’s café-style seating area. Construction is due to be completed by summer, giving parents even more ways to keep their kids fit, healthy and entertained.

The opening of Arcadia Entertainment is during an extremely busy year for the Richmond Club.

Fresh off the back of 18 months of renovations to the main club site, the club is working on a range of projects to enrich the Hawkesbury community and bring better services to its members and guests, including: • The opening of the first oncology

and chemotherapy centre in the Hawkesbury. This project, 9 years in the making, was established by the Board of Directors of Richmond Club and finally began treatment of its first patients this month after a few setbacks and overwhelming community support.

• Building a comprehensive childcare centre in Richmond in partnership with charity Learning Links. The centre will have dedicated places and trained staff for children with disabilities and learning difficulties as well as a range of other services. The Annual Charity Race day held for Learning Links in October by Richmond Club raised

over $43,000.

• Developing a hotel on the main club site that will create jobs, boost tourism to the Hawkesbury and deliver much needed space for corporate events and private functions.

Arcadia Entertainment is open 7 days from 10am until late. On Mondays, kids can eat free at Star Buffet and also play the 30 arcade machines for free from 5.30pm – 10.00pm (excluding public holidays).

Check out our midweek deals where you can get ½ price nights at Arcadia and free play cards when buying a meal deal at the Crafty Brew Café.

Visit www.richmondclub.com.au for more info.

Council catch up with Keegan Thomson COUNCILLOR Peter Camilleri was not born in Australia but he has made this country his home and the people of Blacktown his passion.

Moving to Australia with his parents from Malta, at the age of eight, Cr Camilleri grew up in Seven Hills and Plumpton. Today he represents Ward Five and the greater community of Blacktown.

“Even though I’m a Councillor for Ward Five, I get asked by people from all over Blacktown for help or advise on issues around the city,” Cr Camilleri said.

“I want to be someone who is here for the whole city of Blacktown, not just the people who voted me in.”

If there was a catalyst for Cr Camilleri’s political ambitions it would be the announcement of the infamous incinerator that has been proposed for Eastern Creek.

When he first heard about it Cr Camilleri decided he had to do something about it to protect the way of life for people in western Sydney and since then he has been fighting tooth and nail.

“From the beginning I was angry about it and I felt people weren’t doing enough about it. It was one of the big drivers for me to run for Council,” Cr Camilleri said.

“As a community representative I’ve always wanted to operate on two levels. One, as a Council we have to be doing everything humanly possible to stop the incinerator. Two, if we fail in our attempts to stop it we make sure everyone in western Sydney gets the best deal out of it.”

Ward Five is home to some of the most underprivileged suburbs in western Sydney, that includes Whalan, Blackett, Shalvey and Lethbridge Park. Representing the people of his area is

 Cr Camilleri is not happy with the incinerator.

Photo: Keegan Thomson

something Cr Camilleri takes on with a big heart.

“Ward Five has some of the poorest socioeconomic areas and I want to make sure they’re not forgotten or left out of the political debate,” he said.

“My aspiration is to do something for western Sydney and to look after the whole of Blacktown area as a region, that includes every single person in the city no matter how much or how little money they have.”

Coming into Council with a background in construction, Cr Camilleri said his knowledge and skill set gives him a unique perspective on issues within the Council Chamber.

“I’m a builder by trade, I’ve worked in the civil industry for the last 15 years, and I want to lend my

skills to Council so we can battle on scientific fact instead of political statements,” Cr Camilleri said.

“I can lend a different perspective to Council.

When I see the plans from a DA I see them through the eyes of a builder and a community member.

These two skills give me the chance to look at these situations differently to other Councillors.”

During the August Ordinary Council meeting, Cr Camilleri used his skills as a builder to pull apart the plans for the updated layout of the carpark at Westfield Mt Druitt. Noting that there were some discrepancies in the plans he was able to sway Council’s opinion on the matter.

“I see the ins and outs of a build, like where things are going to go and what is being left out or compromised. I also see them in the eyes of a community member and I ask myself, how is this going to affect everyone who lives in Blacktown?”

Cr Camilleri said.

“Lets pass things at Council based on facts and what is real. The quote, keep the bastards honest, really resonates with me because that is how I want to operate in Council.”

Despite his place in Council, Cr Camilleri doesn’t have any motivation or aspirations to become a career politician, and that is something that he says sets him apart from the others.

“I’m here to represent the people and not myself. I want to deliver the fact to the Council and the views of the people. If the people don’t like the fact that I’m delivering then they will get their chance to vote me out,” Cr Camilleri said.

“But until then I’m going to do my best to fight for the people of Blacktown no matter what their background or their bank balance.”

St Marys citizen of the year for 2017 announced

By Conner Lowe

This year St Marys Town Centre continued the decades-long tradition of honouring a local member of the community.

The Citizen of the Year is a person who has provided outstanding service to the St Marys community, and is commemorated with a plaque and a special place at the head of the St Marys Spring Festival Grand Parade on the Bennett Wagon beside the Mayor of Penrith.

Genevieve Fonti from St Marys Town Centre was proud to celebrate the contribution of a hard-working local personality.

“The Citizen of the Year has long been part of the Spring Festival tradition, and having opened up nominations to the wider community this year we were delighted with the calibre of responses we received,” she said.

Phillip “Phil” Martin of St Marys was selected as the St Marys Citizen of the Year for 2017. Phil has lived in St Marys for most of his life, having moved here in 1949 at the young age of two years old. In 1964, Phil joined the NSW Police as a Cadet, and served as

a Detective with the NSW Police Force for just under 39 years. During this time, Phil was involved in a number of high profile investigations, and was appointed as Senior Investigator to ICAC in 1989. He was later appointed to Chief Investigator.

In 1992, Phil returned to the NSW Police Force and was awarded the National Medal, the first and second clasps to the National Medal, the National Police Medal and the New South Wales Police Service Medal.

Phil retired ten years later in 2002 as Inspector. But Phil did not stop his dedicated community involvement there.

In 2011, Phil joined South Creek

(St Marys) Probus Club, was elected to the Management Committee and became the Tours and Trips Officer.

Phil has organised both national and international trips – Broken Hill, Gold Coast, Lightning Ridge, Victorian Alps, and China – and he continues in this role.

In 2013, he joined St Marys Rotary Club and became President two years later for the 2015-2016 Rotary Year.

In 2016, Phil became the Directory of Youth Services, later renamed the Director for New Generations, a position which he still proudly holds to this day. In this role, Phil organises leadership programs, and developed the inaugural public speaking

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competition. Phil became a Paul Harris Fellow for his work in this field. While involved in Probus and Rotary, Phil worked for the St Marys Development Committee as the facilitator of the St Marys Spring Festivals for three years from 2011 through to 2013, and had a key role in traffic control and management, a vital aspect of Festival organisation.

To this day, Phil provides invaluable advice and volunteers his time for community events such as the 2017 St Marys Spring Festival. We wholeheartedly congratulate Phil on his experiences, achievements, and commitment to the community of St Marys.

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Western News 15 September 2017 Issue 43

Smoking ceremony paves the way A traditional Aboriginal Smoking Ceremony has marked the start of construction of Westmead’s new central acute services building – a vital part of the $900 million Westmead Redevelopment, the state’s biggest health development project.

The Smoking Ceremony, performed by senior Darug man Lex Dadd, was held recently on the site of the new hospital building, which is due for completion in 2020.

The new central acute services building will link Westmead Hospital and The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and host several adult and paediatric services including emergency, pharmacy and imaging.

The Smoking Ceremony marked the start of a long-term collaboration between the Westmead Redevelopment project and the local Aboriginal community, which will be reflected in artworks and facilities in the new hospital building.

Western Sydney Local Health District Westmead Redevelopment executive director Leena Singh said the Smoking Ceremony represented Aboriginal tradition and healthcare coming together, and reinforced the project’s commitment to planning health facilities with its diverse communities.

“Our commitment is to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Elders and the community to build a positive and lasting tradition at Westmead,” she said.

“We are working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to ensure all people feel safe, welcome and connected when they walk onto the precinct and into our buildings.

“We are constantly reviewing the way we deliver healthcare and how our patients and families experience care to ensure we are providing the best service possible.”

Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network Aboriginal health management advisor Lisa Crawford said it was important for Aboriginal people to see their culture reflected in health facilities.

“Embedding an Aboriginal world view into health facilities through construction, planning and design provides an opportunity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to feel welcomed, valued and celebrated within the community,” she said.

“I am proud of the Westmead precinct’s ongoing commitment to collaborating and working in close partnership with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff members, Elders and communities to ensure the new hospital building is reflective of Aboriginal culture and history.”

Westmead Redevelopment major contractor

The G Spot

THIS month we are going to enlighten ourselves with car security tips. The almighty car can mean many different things to people, and at times I have often wondered why some males have married their wives and not the beloved car.

That hunk of metal that you have cashed yourself up to your eyeballs in, that sits (quietly) on the driveway is also the bearer of many of your darkest secrets such as the odd scratch, the odd nose pick at traffic lights, singing Mariah Carey in high C and thinking that you sound great and body gas that could wipe out the state forest.

Hint one - Nothing quite spells please smash my window and grab me like an iPad, iPhone, navigator, laptop and any other electronic contraption on the planet left on show in your car. Really good idea to take all that crap with you, because nobody (except the baddies) really care that you own a laptop bigger than Sydney airport’s flight command centre equipment.

Hint two - The 11th commandment - Locketh thy car. You would be soooo surprised how many boneheads leave the car unlocked in car parks or

Multiplex will target Aboriginal employment during construction of the new building, committing five per cent of the total contract price to Aboriginal workers.

“We feel privileged to be part of the Westmead community and want our role here to extend beyond the life of the project,” said Multiplex regional director Daniel Murphy.

“As well as our commitment to offering apprenticeships and traineeships that exceed government targets, we have partnered with Indigenous employment networks and other agencies to assist some of the disadvantaged in our community to gain sustainable employment in construction.”

The new central acute services building will include two new emergency departments — one for adults and one for children, operating/interventional suites with specialised technology and equipment, a new Cardiac Comprehensive Care Centre, modern patient bedrooms and education, training and research areas.

One and a half floors of the building will also become a new central home for the University of Sydney at Westmead as part of its expanded investment in the precinct.

Other important elements of the redevelopment include infrastructure upgrades across the precinct and a staged refurbishment of Westmead Hospital.

Complementing the redevelopment, a $500 million investment from the University of Sydney will improve education, training and research facilities and initiatives at Westmead over the next 15 years.

For more information, visit westmeadproject. health.nsw.gov.au/

With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security

driveways and wonder why it got stolen or broken into. We have all been guilty of this - rushed, kids screaming, bottle’o calling your name in 3D however it is imperative (my big word for the day) to lock your car each and every time you get out of it. (Copy that, Roger Wilco).

Hint three - Car alarm systems, most new makes and models come with all that crap in them, however many don’t squeal like a pigeon having its feet pulled. They quite often don’t have all the bells and whistles (Unless it’s a $400,000 sports whatever car with a coffee maker), I am still a firm believer of the beloved extra car alarm, beep, beep, immobiliser etc, that just does what is designed to do. And get it installed by someone who knows what that hell they are doing - not Uncle Harry who has a world title in macramé.

Hint Four - Okay hands up who leaves car keys in the ignition while getting fuel (don’t lie)?

This deserves the Chuck Norris upper cut award in bronze, because yes folks cars have been stolen from servos. Take your keys with you, sorry yeah I know it will add 3 seconds to the fuel up time …

but? This is a big tut tut tut with an index finger wave.

Hint five - Parking the machine in a dark place, now unless you are doing a stick up, drug transaction or some other activity, it is a great idea to park in well-lit areas and where people are around.

Hint Six - Pimping da ride- love the $10,000 tyre rims with the Swarovski crystals on each nut?

Well so do the baddies. If you are going to beef up the bad boy, it may be a good idea to have it as the Sunday ride only, fully garaged ( you thought I was going to say fully sick didn’t you?) and also have a very hungry Pit Bull stapled to the driver’s side door. It’s great that you are spending a mortgage on your car, however be aware that it will draw as much attention as a state of origin match. Just be aware that it is high on the Richter scale of car theft.

So there you have it, Gina’s handy tips on car security, your car will be safe (tick) we won’t laugh at your gr8 number plates (tick)no animals were injured during the writing of this article (tick) and the bottle’o is still calling your name (tick).

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Lighting up Blacktown Blacktown City Council is staging Australia’s first Diwali Lights Competition this October.

The Council, in association with Indian Link Media Group, is holding the Diwali Lights Competition throughout the city.

“Blacktown is one of the most multicultural cities in Australia and I am proud of the many events we hold to celebrate our diversity,” Mayor of Blacktown City Stephen Bali said.

“Diwali is one of the biggest festivals celebrated in our city, which is home to about 28,000 people of Indian descent.

“For many years Council has held a successful Christmas lights competition.

“Now we want to hold a similar competition to celebrate the Diwali Festival of Lights.”

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

Mayor Bali encouraged people of all backgrounds to get involved and decorate their properties.

“The competition is open to everyone, not just people of Indian heritage,” he said.

“I’m looking forward to seeing all the beautifully decorated homes and temples that will come to light as a result of this contest.”

Cash prizes will be available for the best decorated properties across the city.

Judging criteria will be based on the Diwali themed quality of the lights, lamps and decorations people use to decorate the outside of their properties.

Entries open on 11 September and close on 13 October.

Judging will take place from 16 October to 22 October.

Diwali is officially celebrated on 19 October this year.

The largest celebration will be at Blacktown Showground on Sunday, October 1, with cultural dancing, henna art, live DJs, tug-of-war and fireworks.

Blacktown’s Karwa Chauth Mela, a one-day Hindu festival, will be celebrated the following Sunday at Bowman Hall.

Woodcroft pizza eating comp

 Blacktown City Acting Mayor Tony Bleasdale, Woodcroft Pizza Hut owner Peter Singh and Woodcroft Lakes Festival Committee President Lucas Cayanan. Photo: Supplied.

BREAK out the stretchy pants and prepare to wolf down a pizza in record time.

This year’s Woodcroft Lakes Festival in Blacktown City is looking for Australia’s fastest pizza eater.

“The world record for eating a 12-inch pizza of 23.62 sec was set

by Kelvin Medina in Manilla, the Philippines, on 12 April 2015,” Acting Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Tony Bleasdale said.

“We are looking for pizza eaters to register and see if they can break the 23 second barrier.

“The competition is open to all comers, aged 18 years or older.

“We could have a legend in the bakin’ right here in Blacktown – they just need a chance to rise to the occasion,” he said.

Organised by local residents and Blacktown City Council, the free family fun day is on Saturday

September 23, 10am to 4pm.

“We started this festival in 2005 because we wanted to do something for the community,” Woodcroft Lakes Festival Committee President Lucas Cayanan said.

“The festival is all about bringing everyone together and celebrating what we love about living in Woodcroft,” he said.

Aside from friendly competition, there will be more than 50 market stalls, singing and dancing performances and the popular Woodcroft Lake trackless train for visitors to enjoy.

The Woodcroft Lake Festival will be held on Saturday 23 September, 10am to 4pm, Woodcroft Drive, Woodcroft.

Up to 25 people can be catered for in the pizza eating competition. To register for competition visit:http:// www.woodcroftfestivalinc.com/ contact-us.html and fill in the contact form.

13 Western News 15 September 2017 Issue 43

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Western News 15 September 2017 Issue 43

Behind ‘The Professional Cleaners Handbook’

By Kym Wiseman

In the late 1980’s, while delivering training to groups of cleaners working in a large Australian hospital, I heard a story. It was about, “The best floor cleaning chemical around”. It related to a senior cleaner who bragged about his ‘magic floor cleaning formula’ that he had ‘created’.

I discovered from the senior cleaner the ‘magic formula’ contained a mixture of methylated spirits, kerosene, a detergent, a disinfectant, turpentine, and some polish stripping chemical – very dangerous. I heard about a number of staff in the area of that ward who felt dizzy when they smelled the fumes coming off this preparation in their work area.

This is one of dozens of similar scary stories one hears when training cleaners. Learning on-the-job is a wonderful way to learn a trade

however, only when the trainers and mentors are formally trained and experienced experts. If the cleaners are not trained by a trained expert then, the knowledge that is passed on to them can be often be incorrect, hear-say, salesman’s stories, or a combination of all of these. These wrong, and sometimes dangerous stories end up becoming ‘the way it’s done’ in the organisation.

When I started delivering the Cleaning Training Package courses back in the 80’s, the package offered everything but the learning resource for cleaners to learn from.

In 2010, there was still nothing of consequence available. There was a need for a training manual that covers the basic elements of the subject. This is so that anyone entering the cleaning trade can learn the correct way to do things, using the same basic processes and knowledge that can be developed into workplace best practice to suit

the workplace tasks.

I published The Professional Cleaners Handbook in 2010. It has sold over 3,000 copies just purchased off the web site: www. procleanershandbook.com.

The book contains over 400 pages with many pictures and diagrams, and covers 18 cleaning subjects.

These include hard floor and carpet maintenance, window cleaning, food service and preparation area cleaning, rest room maintenance, carpet stain removal, and lots more.

The content: • is written in Plain English, but does not avoid the language of the trade with meanings for these included • is focussed on good cleaning practice methods and principles, most of which have been around for many years. This book won’t be outdated just because a manufacture makes a new polisher or wiping cloth. These new things are learned

about in the workplace. It deals with the fundamentals of a large range of cleaning processes and associated tools, equipment, chemicals, and personal protective equipment • it does not try to sell you products, so is not sponsored • it is a first stop learning resource, so that all entrants into the industry, as well as those already in it, are learning the same thing to start with. This makes both training and assessment fair, and the cleaner’s skills easily transferable.

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Anita Cobby - 31 years on but never forgotten

By Kerrie Davies

I WAS a teenager when five loathsome monsters took the life of beautiful Anita Cobby, and like everyone else old enough to remember this horrific crime, it is etched in my mind forever as a stark reminder that unspeakable evil does exist.

A young nurse in the prime of her life, Anita was snatched from the side of a Blacktown road by a carload of despicable animals before being raped, tortured and murdered.

The brutality and torture the 26-yearold endured at the hands of the five men devastated her family, reduced the most hardened police officers to tears and broke the heart of a nation.

It has now been 31 years since the crime that shocked Australia stole our innocence.

The horror of Anita’s murder will live in the mind of retired Chief Inspector Gary Raymond forever.

He believes the memory of her tragic death delivers a strong message.

“Anita’s tragic passing serves as a message against violence. It has also served as a reminder to women in particular, on safety and security. It has become somewhat of a catch-cry

from mothers all over the country, ‘don’t walk home alone, remember Anita Cobby.’

Mr Raymond has an analogy that he keeps close to heart all these years later.

“Compost is rotten, but you put it on the garden to make the flowers grow.

This putrid crime has helped get the message out about violence against women.”

Community outrage at the criminals responsible for Anita’s death rose to a level never seen before in this country.

All five men were found guilty and sentenced to life imprisonment, never to be released.

It was on February 2 1986 when Anita took that fateful walk from Blacktown station to her home. She usually called her father to pick her up,

but on this night, the phone box was broken.

The five criminals stopped and she was pulled into the car After torturing her in what must have been the most terrifying car ride, Anita taken to a field in Prospect where she was systematically raped and tortured further, before finally having her throat cut by the ring-leader and left to die a lonely death.

News first broadcast into our lounge-rooms that the young nurse was missing. Then, the devastating news that she’d been found so brutally murdered.

Australia’s collective heart broke all the more when we saw Anita’s parents, Gary and Grace Lynch, who were so lovely and showed so much dignity throughout their ordeal. It hurt to see

such normal, everyday sweet parents in unimaginable pain.

The Lynch family endured a nightmare that was so utterly unbearable, yet they focused their time in the subsequent years reaching out to other families struggling to cope with homicide.

They established the Homicide Victims Support Group with Christine and Peter Simpson, parents of Ebony Simpson. Grace’s Place will be named after the late Grace Lynch.

A Charity Dinner will be held on September 19 in the Diamond Showroom at Blacktown Workers Club to raise funds to assist the Homicide Victims Support Group in building “Grace’s Place” a residential trauma centre for young people and their families affected by the murder of someone they love.

A world first, Grace’s Place will be a residential trauma recovery centre for children after homicide.

Grace’s Place will be there to provide support in a safe place where children, teenagers and their families grieving the death of someone they love through homicide, can share their experiences, receive counselling, be involved in therapeutic programs and learn life skills on how to survive the trauma without their loved one.

15 Western News 15 September 2017 Issue 43

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CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Salve (8) 5 Bequeathed (6) 9 Thrashes (8) 10 Tame (6) 12 Parts of plants that

are under the soil (5) 13 English and

French, for

example (9) 14 Published (6) 16 Urine container (7) 19 Winged monster (7) 21 Moves stealthily (6) 23 A formal party (9) 25 Blunder (5) 26 Induces vomiting (6) 27 Flying (8) 28 Name derived from

the name of a

person (6) 29 Working in a job (8)

solution 1/9/17

down 1 Exclaim (6) 2 Anxiously (9) 3 Fogs (5) 4 Goaded (7) 6 Immunize (9) 7 Telling untruths (5) 8 Chest of drawers (8) 11 Round handle (4) 15 Sadly (9) 17 Moral perversion (9) 18 Break the heart of (8) 20 Fastener of wood (4) 21 Reassert (7) 22 Decided innocence or guilt (6) 24 System of beliefs (5) 25 Make rotten (5)

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Western News 15 September 2017 Issue 43

London with a Londoner

 Tower Bridge

 Streets of London

By Ben Cranney

I wasn’t interested in London. Not even a little. I was only going to this smelly, grey, over-populated place that not even a great fire could bring down to follow my now wife. But one day in, I couldn’t get enough of it. It’s the capital of my equal favourite country (see last issue’s column) and was the first place I’d been to where I truly felt that I could live there a lifetime and never uncover all of its secrets.

But I had a good leg up. My father in law is a Londoner, and he planned my sightseeing. It started with a walk through the grand buildings of the little enclave that London’s barristers had made for themselves at Middle Temple. Exiting on the Embankment, the stroll continued along the Thames for city skyline views. Then, at Westminster, head away from the river to find Downing Street, Big Ben, Parliament and the Abbey. Continue along the Mall to see if the Queen is in at Buckingham before getting

 New favourite pub

lost in Hyde Park.

But even without someone planning your day, it’s very easy to make your own adventure. Turn a corner and you’ll find your new favourite pub, monument or building. In fact, there’s so much to see, it all just becomes one big living museum, ‘London’. A good option is to experience it on a big red bus tour, which will cover the spots mentioned above and more.

Another perspective is from the Thames. The deck hands narrate the journey downriver, with stories of the traitor’s gate, the origins of the term ‘Dutch courage’ and how snipers will shoot anyone who swims too close to Westminster. That last bit turns out to be an urban myth, but even if it was true, it’s a brave person to get in the Thames after we learnt about everything that it’s been used for over the centuries.

Our ride ended at Greenwich, were we went for a wander around the observatory and kissed across

 Overlooking Westminster

hemispheres at the Greenwich Meridian.

Take the underground back to town, to William the Conqueror’s fortress, the Tower of London. The sparse royal chambers are surprising, feeling more appropriate for a small warlord than a major king, but any pretence of a lack of wealth is quickly eroded with a visit to the vaults holding the crown jewels.

Of course, the UK and Mexico being my favourite places in the world isn’t completely accurate.

Australia is. And next time, I’ll tell you a little about why.

The Unintentional Medium By Suzi Samuel LAY DOWN YOUR BURDEN When I was just starting out as an unintentional medium back in the 80’s, I was very lucky to meet some very spiritual people who helped me develop as a psychic. One of these was a Malaysian gentleman called Nithy. He was my friend’s accountant and a very talented psychic. Very handy for solving my friend’s tax problems! Nithy and I worked quite closely together, partly due to the fact that we had in fact known each other in a previous life. He was also the one who told me to ask the spirit world for timings. At the time I thought this a bit odd as time does not have the same meaning on the other side, but as most of my clients will attest, I am quite paranoid about time when I do a reading as I feel it helps prove to me that I am truly picking up for them.

Anyway, one evening we had arranged for Nithy to come to my house and do a bit of psychic work but I had a truly dreadful headache, the sort that completely pole-axes you. I called him to cancel but he came hot-footing it round. He took one look at me - not a pretty sight - and took off the beautiful little jade Buddha he always wore. He put it round my neck and took my hands. Shutting his eyes he said, “Pass me the pain.” I didn’t quite know what he was talking about, but he repeated it. “Give the pain to me.” Well, I was willing to give it a go, so I imagined the pain flowing from me to him and

unbelievably it started to lessen until gradually it disappeared altogether.

“That’s incredible,” I said. “How did you do that?” He told me that when he was a little boy and was ill, his mother always told him to pass the pain to her because it is easy to get rid of if it is not your pain. In fact, I also remember my lovely old clairvoyant, Mrs Butterfield, having a bowl of water at hand when she was doing a healing to wash the pain away from her hands.

I was reminded of this the other day when I was talking to my friend Karina. I was having a

particularly bad day and feeling totally stressed and evil towards the world. I was having a good old whinge and moan, as you do, and having listened to me for several minutes, she said “Put it on the altar.” “What altar?” I asked. She went on to explain that if I had something worrying me, I should imagine an altar in front of me and hand over my problem as the Divine is much more able to cope with our trials and tribulations than we are. As usual,in spite of being a bit sceptical, I tried it. I put my problem in a little imaginary container, placed it on the altar and asked for it to be replaced with love. To my absolute amazement it worked. I stopped feeling homicidal and instead was very nice to my poor long suffering husband who had been putting up with a very stroppy wife all day.

Just after this, I was in agony with a trapped nerve in my back. Well, I thought to myself, I wonder if it works with pain as well and do you know, it really helped.

They do say a trouble shared is a trouble halved, but rather to moaning to your friend, why not try passing it over to the Almighty. After all, He does have more resources to deal with it than your bestie.

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

westernhistory

Early Churches and Schools around Seven Hills

by Jack Brook

Early Churches

Seven Hills including Prospect was a predominately Anglican community during the nineteenth and most of the twentieth century.

The first building used as a place of worship regularly in the district was the school chapel situated somewhere between Prospect and Seven Hills. It was certainly in use during 1825. So deficient was the colony in places for devine service that the Reverend F Wilkinson had to officiate at Prospect in a house notorious as a brothel. Archdeacon TH Scott expressed surprise and tried to have the brothel closed, without success.

Tenders were called in October 1825 to build a brick church and school at Prospect. However a church was not functioning until St Bartholomew’s Church of England was consecrated in May 1841 by Bishop Broughton. An article dated 21 April 1894 in the Cumberland Argus gives an account by Archdeacon Gunther of the church opening on 14 April 1841. A dwindling congregation, vandalism, and repeated desecration of the church led to its deconsecration on 31 December 1967. On 21 January 2001 the building was reopened after extensive renovations. Blacktown City Council now owns the building and churchyard.

Father John J Therry has been credited with celebrating the first Mass at Prospect on 16 July 1833. Twenty-two years later, on July 1855, he preached the sermon at a Mass which preceded the foundation-stone-laying ceremony of St Brigid’s Roman Catholic Church. The church opened on 27 July 1856 and was dedicated by Archbishop JB Polding. The church was dismantled in 1977. The bricks now form the sanctuary wall and exterior walls of St Michael’s Church Blacktown.

In 1879 Phillip A Pearce offered one acre of land (0.4 hectares) as a site for a new church, as the old St Andrew’s Church of England School, built about 1829, was still doing duty as a church on Sunday’s.

There was a great deal of argument throughout Seven Hills about where the church should be, and Pearce withdrew is original offer.

The local newspaper correspondent wrote “Happy is the pastor that hath a quiet flock”. Tempers subsided and Pearce re-donated the land.

Bishop Barker dedicated the completed building on 12 October 1880 and for many years the church and its hall were the focal point of the social and religious life of the village of Seven Hills. The church was closed in 1973. A permanent conservation order now covers the church, hall and rectory, which is privately owned.

St Peter’s Anglican Church was sparked to life when George Best presented a block of land to the Church of England in 1914. A wooden church hall was erected and named Fairholme Mission Hall. It was officially opened 26 May 1915. Money had to be raised and one

novel idea was to sell the tall pine trees which stood on the land to the Federal Match Company to make into matches. When the Best family offered the land and house, Fairholme, for sale, the church committee purchased the property and a new brick church was opened on 12 December 1964.

The Seven Hills Church of Christ was opened in 1890. It closed six years after its 100 year anniversary.

Early schools Evidence suggests there was a private school somewhere in the Toongabbie/Seven Hills area in 1816. Charles Wiltshire, a convict “upwards of seventy years of age”, supported by 13 settlers who resided “on or about the Seven Hills”, petitioned Governor Macquarie for permission to teach the local children.

Whatever transpired in 1816, another convict, Christopher Limebear Bridges, was teaching somewhere in Seven Hills from 1818 to September 1823. Eight settlers attested that 17 children had attended the school, paying one shilling and sixpence per week. There was a rustic wooden chapel and schoolroom situated somewhere between Prospect and Seven Hills, and in May 1825 14 children, both Protestant and Catholic, were registered at the Prospect and Seven Hills School. The school closed in March 1829. The building continued to be used as a chapel.

Authorisation was given by the Church and Schools Corporation on 28 August 1828 for a brick schoolhouse to be erected at Seven Hills.

The school was situated on the eastern side of Seven Hills Road North near the junction of today’s Abbott Road and Station Road. Wesleyan missionaries who were active in the district used the schoolhouse as a chapel. By 1863 the school building was disintegrating around the 54 pupils who were in attendance, it was soon demolished.

A new schoolroom was opened in February 1864. A government inspector’s report in 1880-81 stated the school was a “certified denominational school” and known as “St Andrew’s Church of England School”. Following fierce arguments between local residents, a new school was built close to St Andrew’s Church which had been erected between October 1879 and October 1880. The new school was opened in January 1885 and named Seven Hills Public School.

A private school, St Andrew’s Grammar School, was opened in 1895.

It was closed by late October 1896. When a new public school was established beside Lucas Road in 1953, the older school was renamed Seven Hills North Public School.

On 3 November 1890 the Meadows Public School was opened on the southern side of the railway line where the population was increasing.

Singing for a good cause BLACKTOWN’s Simply Voices seniors choir is staging a charity concert at Blacktown Workers’ Club to raise money for the Cancer Council.

The concert, starting at 2pm on Sunday September 24, will feature a broad range of songs, from popular classics, folk songs and world music.

Sponsored by Blacktown City Council and under the leadership of musical director Linda Marr, the choir performs at civic events, community festivals, retirement villages and multicultural

celebrations.

Major highlights in recent years include performances at the Sydney Festival, Harmony Day Concert, the Band of All Ages during Seniors Festival, the Opera House and in Parramatta Park with massed community choirs supporting Opera Australia soloists in programs of favourite arias.

The ticket price is $10.00 for adults and $5.00 for children.

Contact Ken Freeman 0407 288 831 or Ken Simon 0412 677 765 for further details.

NepeanNews News1519September February 2015 Western 2017Issue Issue143 43

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Western News 15 September 2017 Issue 43

Alex Soncini

Buying A Tenanted Investment Property

There are plenty of upsides to buying an investment property that already has a tenant, as well as a raft of risks.

Here’s how to minimise them.

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

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

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

• There are steps you can take to minimise your risk:

• Make sure the bond has been lodged properly. Your agent will arrange for the bond guarantee to be transferred into your name on settlement.

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

• Ensure there are no rental arrears.

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

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

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

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

• Be aware of any concessions or

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

• Of course, if you love a property but have doubts about the tenants, the lease or the managing agent, all is not lost. You can easily change the managing agent when you settle. You can also make vacant possession of the property a condition of settlement.

You may need to wait until the lease expires to settle, but you aren’t taking

on the previous owners’ problems and responsibilities.

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

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

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Bennett Western Sydney Pty Limited, now trading as “Bennett Cooney Mackman Real Estate & Development”, is an independent real estate and property development business.

Bennett Cooney Mackman Real Estate & Development is proudly owned and operated by Matthew Bennett, Nicole Cooney and Anthony Mackman. The business has no association with Bennett Property (NSW) Pty Ltd trading as “Bennett Property”, or with any other real estate or property development business.

In late 2016 and early 2017, advertisements in various publications, including Western News, announced that Bennett Western Sydney Pty Limited was “Now open in Schofields”.

Those advertisements referred to the opening of our Head Office and were not intended to suggest any association with any other real estate business.

Bennett Cooney Mackman also has an office in Macquarie Park.

For further details, visit our website www.bennettcooneymackman.com.au or call in and visit us.

Phone 9627 0000

Gibson set to shimmy her way into WBBL/03 Sydney Thunder leg-spinner Maisy Gibson has signed a new contract for the upcoming Rebel Women’s Big Bash League.

The 20-year old known for her ‘Gibby Shimmy’ wicket celebration has played 12 games for Sydney Thunder, taking 13-wickets.

“I think the competition is getting stronger and stronger,” said Maisy Gibson.

“This year we’ll have a longer lead in to the competition, so we can get together and build our team and relationships, similar to how we did in the first season.”

Gibson was part of the side that won the WBBL|01 final against cross town rivals the Sydney Sixers in January 2016 and is relishing the opportunity to be part of another Sydney Smash.

“Playing the local derby early will be great,” said Gibson.

“We have always drawn a big crowd when we play the Sixers. I know everyone gets amongst it and I really enjoy those games.”

Last year supporters at Spotless Stadium were

filmed performing their own ‘Gibby Shimmy’ for the big screen after members of both the club’s BBL and WBBL squads took part in a ‘Gibby Shimmy’ tribute video.

“I think it makes you realise that things you do actually do catch on, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Gibson said.

Lee Germon, the Sydney Thunder General Manager paid tribute to Gibson’s contribution on and off the field and how her positivity is key to the

team culture.

“Maisy is a very talented leg spinner and contributes positively to our team culture,” he said.

“She has been with us for the last two campaigns and we have been impressed with the hard work she has been putting into her pre-season preparation.”

Sydney Thunder open their Rebel Women’s Big Bash League campaign against the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers on 9 and 10 December at North Sydney Oval.

Western Magic ladies are through to the Grand Final Women’s Last Saturday the Magic ladies faced off against the Manly Wolves with the winner earning a place in the Grand Final.

Both teams had only played against one another once, with Manly winning their last encounter by a few goals.

The opening bounce came down to an instant arm wrestle as both teams presented great defence around the stoppages. The Magic made several attacking plays, but last line efforts from Manly held the Magic to only one behind.

The second term was more of the same. Manly defended well, but playing so defensively negated their attacking abilities. The Magic continued to apply forward pressure with little conversion, resulting in a low score of four to zero during the main break.

The third quarter had the Magic step up their pressure with structural changes in the forward line. The girls continued to play some of the best attacking football of the year, booting two goals and six behinds.

The Magic continued to hammer the Manly players in defence and outrunning them in attack as the final quarter commenced. The vocal Manly bench gradually became quiet as they realised there was no use against the marvellous Magic machine on the field.

The Magic will now line up against preseason favourites Wollongong with both sides winning once against each other. The final clash will play at Blacktown International Sports Park, Rooty Hill, Sunday at 2:30pm.

MAGIC: 5.13.43 MANLY: 1.0.6 GOAL KICKERS: A. Weir 2, T. Kleyn 2, J. Green BEST PLAYERS: J. Mann,

C. Corr, M. Jansen, B. Gillespie, A. Weir, M. O’keeffe Reserve Grade The Reserves played the UTS Bats who had knocked off both Sydney University and the University of New South Wales.

The opening quarter sowed the Magic in good stead, but the Bats appeared to be just one step ahead of the Magic’s game, always setting up for any turnovers the boys managed to present.

Lawson, Tranter and Carey played brilliantly across the half back line as did the rest of the backline, desperately trying to repel constant UTS attacks, cutting off space for the leading goal kickers in the competition and

creating several turnovers, while pushing the ball out towards the wings. The playing numbers began to dwindle due to injuries, testing the boy’s endurance.

The game continued as a struggle as the Magic consistently fought off UTS attacks from the midfield. Hurwood, Glass and Nieass provided some good run and strong marking around the midfield and tried to find any opportunities up forward to convert.

Eventually UTS ran out winners in a tough, enduring battle and a constant wrestle. The Magic boys hold their heads high however with great progression being made in comparison to last year’s results and showing how well they gelled together as a playing side. The list of players and personnel were consistent as a true Reserve Grade side.

MAGIC: 5.4.34 BATS: 10.6.66 GOAL KICKERS: L. Hyland 2, D. Armstrong, M. Craigie, D. Hurwood BEST PLAYERS: N. Lawson, B. Tranter, D. Hurwood, O. Glass, D. Nieass, A. Carey

CelebrityTIPSTERS Winner Paul Maher Proprietor Loxley on Bellbird

Clr Stephen Bali Mayor - Blacktown City Council Matthew Bennett - Bennett Western Sydney Alex Soncini - WealthWiz Wealth Management Paul Maher - Loxley on Bellbird Troy - Urban City Consulting Barry Locock - Turtle Landscape Supplies Kimberley Talbot - CEO Richmond Club

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19 Western News 15 September 2017 Issue 43

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Western News Friday, 15 September 2017

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Wanderers sign Sutton, Franco and Price for Westfield W-League season

By Conner Lowe

The Western Sydney Wanderers are proud to announce the signings of Rosie Sutton, Sunny Franco and Olivia Price for the upcoming Westfield W-League season.

Striker Rosie Sutton joins the club from Westfield W-League side Perth Glory after a consistent season that saw her appear in 14 matches and score seven goals.

The pacey attacker has had a wealth of senior experience playing in both the Westfield W-League and Icelandic Úrvalsdeild kvenna.

Rosie Sutton said she was looking forward to the new experience of playing at the Wanderers in front of her family and friends.

“I actually have family and friends that live in Western Sydney, in Blacktown, so the move to the Wanderers has really worked out well for me,” she said.

“Being close to my family is something that I haven’t ever had before in the W-League.

“I’m a striker and I scored seven goals last season with Perth Glory so I really want to score some more this season.

“I want to help take the Wanderers to the Semi Finals so hopefully we can achieve that this season.”

Midfielder Olivia Price makes the switch from cross-town rivals Sydney FC having spent her entire Westfield

W-League career with the club.

The Glenhaven junior has represented Australia at both the U17 and U19 level and is determined to have her best season yet with the Red & Black.

“A big influence originally for me to move to Western Sydney was Rich Byrne the coach, he contacted me early on to come on board and join the

club,” said Price.

“I’m hoping to have one of the best seasons of my career and for the team as well.”

Versatile attacker Sunny Franco also joins the Red & Black from Westfield W-League side Brisbane Roar.

Known for her pace, confidence and technical ability, Sunny Franco will be an exciting addition to the Wanderers squad.

20-year-old Franco is driven to making a difference for the Wanderers this season.

“Playing for a Westfield W-League team is something very special and to be in a new environment this season with the Wanderers is something that I am really looking forward to,” said Franco.

“I’m really hoping to get more game time, score more goals, work on my skills and make my way into the Matildas squad this season.”

The Wanderers W-League team will hope that these fantastic additions to the squad will put them in a strong position to make the finals and hopefully go on to win the league this year.