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Western News PROUDLY INDEPENDENT
Friday, 17 August 2018
ISSUE 66
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Waste not want not
Foodbank volunteers are an essential ingredient in saving food waste. Read full story about Foodbank and its important work on page 11.
Western News 17 August 2018 Issue 66
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World class indoor winter sports complex proposed for Western Sydney
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estern Sydney developer and resident Peter Magnisalis has unveiled plans for an Australianfirst ‘Winter Sports World’ in Penrith featuring an indoor ski slope designed to be one of the top 10 of its kind in the world. The $200 million centre is proposed for a 2.35ha site at the corner of Jamison Road and Tench Avenue and is expected to generate around 896 direct and indirect jobs during construction and $145 million to the local economy. When operational, the developer said it would generate around 759 direct and indirect jobs and contribute approximately $74.9 million to the NSW economy per annum, with a forecast 231,000 people expected to visit the centre and local Penrith area by 2025. Lodging a planning proposal with Penrith City Council, Mr Magnisalis said Winter Sports World (WSW) would help strengthen Penrith’s claim as the ‘Adventure Capital of NSW’, with the centre incorporating a diverse raft of year-round wintersports facilities appealing to both local Western Sydney residents and domestic and international tourists. “Underpinning this concept is an indoor ski centre with a ski slope designed to be one of the top 10 high performance training centres in the world,” Mr Magnisalis said. “To achieve this, the building must be designed to a certain length and height, which we’ve done – creating a dramatic and architecturally significant addition to the precinct, and city generally.” Key features would include a 300 metre indoor downhill ski slope; an 80 metre slope for dedicated learning; winter wonderland snow play area offering fun activities for adults and children of all ages and abilities; an ice skating rink; ice climbing and rock
climbing areas; and fitness facilities including gymnasium and altitude training. A hotel (170+ rooms) and function centre, along with a range of cafes, restaurants and bars would also be integrated to complement Winters Sports World in a building designed to set new environmental benchmarks for a structure of its kind. “If approved, the centre has the potential to significantly contribute to Penrith’s goal of creating 2,000 new jobs in the tourism sector by 2031 and doubling the number of visitors to the city by 2025, and in strengthening its ‘adventure capital’ offering,” Mr Magnisalis said. Mr Magnisalis said WSW would complement and supplement the area’s many other attractions and venues, resulting in a cohesive, comprehensive offering of adventure sports appealing to both amateur and elite sportspeople. Importantly, it could provide a year-round training facility for alpine skiing, freestyle and snowboarding benefiting all participants, from those learning to elite and Olympic level. WSW has partnered with former Winter Olympian (GBR) and one
of Australia’s best known alpine ski coaches, Stephen Edwards, who will act as the centre’s Performance Director. “This facility will change the performance of winter sports in Australia, especially with respect to all disciplines. Being able to train on an all-year-round facility will allow athletes to focus on their skills and technique in an environment where all weather conditions are controlled. We can organise precise training on the days and times we want,” Mr Edwards said. “It will also encourage more participation into the sport, helping us develop our grassroots athletes and grow a stronger, broader team of potential international competitors. We currently spend half the year overseas. WSW would allow us to prepare for competitions at home, reducing travel time and increasing training time in stable conditions.” WSW is located within the Riverlink Precinct bounded by the eastern bank of the Nepean River to the west, Mulgoa Road to the east, the M4 Motorway to the south and the Western Railway line to the north. Designed by leading sustainable
architecture practice Environa Studio, WSW aims for statement architecture that enhances its setting and the user experience, while being carbon neutral and setting new environmental benchmarks for a building of its type. Architect Tone Wheeler says: “Rather than the industrial-style shopping-centre-cum-indoor-skislopes of old, we wanted a building that contributed positively in every way to its surroundings. The winter use areas have been designed essentially as a giant ‘esky’, with multi-layered levels of insulation and few if any windows, with a high efficiency mechanical plant making both chilled air and snow or ice.” “The entire operation, including the hotel, will run from a 1.2 megawatt power supply of photovoltaic solar cells on the roof, the equivalent of 220 homes with PV panels, run through an onsite battery storage facility.” He said WSW had been designed as a dramatically elongated sloping wedge. Sitting at 54 metres at its eastern elevation to accommodate the 300-metre ski run, it ribboned and dropped to eight metres at its western elevation facing the Nepean River. Balancing and anchoring this horizontal form would be a round tower cum lift lobby supporting the building’s highest point and acting as the main entry drop-off zone. All WSW activities and hotel had been grouped to the east under the building’s highest elevation. At ground level, an open ‘internal street’ physically separated the hotel and conference facilities to the north and WSW activities to the south, with a large viewing window positioned to the west – offering a full height and width view onto the beginners’ slope and snow play area. Construction is expected to be completed by 2020 and the venue open by 2021.
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Knit or crochet poppies for Remembrance Day Project
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lacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals need a thousand handmade poppies to mark the 100th anniversary of the end of WWI. The project is part of the 5000 Poppies initiative, a worldwide community tribute of respect and remembrance to those who have served in all wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations, their families and their communities. Our ANZAC Memorials will be transformed with handmade poppies to honour those who served, especially medical and nursing staff. PATTERNS Patterns are available on the 5000 Poppies website at https://5000poppies.wordpress.com/poppy-patterns/ You can use any shade of red for your poppies, with black, green or coloured accents (including buttons). DELIVERY Competed poppies must be delivered to Blacktown Hospital Reception by Friday 26 October 2018.
Please include your name, address, phone and email with your poppy donation. If you are dedicating your poppies to a particular person, please provide some details and a photo so your story can be shared through the Hospital’s social media. PLEASE SHARE Please share your progress and pictures with the hospital by tagging their social media Facebook/BMDH Project Twitter @BMDHProject Instagram @BMDHProject #BMDHProject #5000 poppies INFO AND ENQUIRIES Email | Lilly.Dolenec@health.nsw.gov.au Website | bmdhproject.health.nsw.gov.au/News-andEvents/Events
A woman remains in hospital suffering life-threatening injuries following a crash at Blacktown on Monday night. Shortly before 7.30pm on Monday 13 August, a 24-yearold woman was travelling east on the Great Western Highway in her Suzuki Swift when she came to a stop at the intersection of Flushcombe Road. A Hino tipper truck, being driven by a 35-year-old man was also travelling east on the Great Western Highway when he collided with the rear of the stationary Suzuki. The driver of the Swift suffered serious head injuries and was taken to Westmead Hospital where she remains in a critical condition. The driver of the tipper was also taken to hospital for mandatory tests; he was not injured. Officers from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit attended the scene and have commenced inquiries. They are calling for anyone who may have witnessed the crash, and have not yet spoken to police, to come forward.
Western News 17 August 2018 Issue 66
› Looking for witnesses
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Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry
Ph: 9833 1122 154 Queen Street, St Marys londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au
Western News 17 August 2018 Issue 66
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Prospect
From the Editor’s Desk By KeRRIE DAVIES
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AST weekend as we sat relaxing and watching telly at our home in St Clair, a flock of deafening sirens screamed up the road, their destination obviously quite nearby. Like everyone else, we were horrified to hear that the reason for the commotion was that a man had been fatally stabbed. The immediate action of police resulted in a quick arrest. The St Clair community was in disbelief - what ever could have transpired that in the blink of an eye one man was dead and another was charged with murder? The man named Ben who’d died at the scene was a well-known St Clair local. He’d attended local schools and had many friends in the area. The next morning channel 7 reported on how the tragedy had unfolded. The network said the victim had allegedly received a text message from a female friend who was in distress due to the harassment by her former partner. Ben attended the address to help his friend. It breaks my heart to think all Ben did was reach out to help a mate. It was the last thing he would ever do. Among the hundreds of reactions on our St Clair Community News facebook page, my eyes were drawn to one comment in particular, from a reader named Thomas Jam. “Watch as the good Samaritan slowly fades into history,” he wrote. Sadly, that is a very fair observation of where our future is heading. “Back in the day” as they say, you’d stop to help someone in a broken down car, scoop up a stranger’s child if you saw them get hurt, hell you’d even march in to try to break up a punch up when you saw one. These days such a simple helping hand offer could cost you your life. It’s a very sad indictment on where society is heading. Your thoughts? kerrie@nepeannews.com.au
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Western News
By KeRRIE DAVIES
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tudents from across Australia, and particularly one from Blacktown, have been selected to receive funding under the Long Tan Bursary Scheme. Minister for Veterans’ Affairs Darren Chester congratulated 34 students, who are children of Australia’s Vietnam War veterans and who will receive financial support to undertake postsecondary education. “I am honoured to announce the successful recipients of the Long Tan Bursary,” Mr Chester said. “The sacrifices their family made during the Vietnam War should never be forgotten or underestimated.” Minister For Defense and Liberal Senator for Western Sydney, Marise Payne congratulated local western Sydney student, Mr Andrew Kramer, for his selection to receive support through the Long Tan Bursary Scheme. “This scheme underscores the deep commitment of the Australian government to supporting veterans and their families,” Senator Payne said. “I am very pleased that Andrew will be supported to pursue his studies at Western Sydney University, and that
the Long Tan Bursary continues to honour our Vietnam veterans.” Mr Andrew Kramer, a Blacktown resident, said he was pleased to receive the Bursary. “Receiving the Bursary means that I can focus on academic achievements, rather than financial stress,” Mr Kramer said. Veterans and Veterans Families Counselling Service (VVCS) can be reached 24 hours a day across Australia for support and free and confidential counselling. Phone 1800 011 046 (international: +61 8 8241 4546). VVCS is a service founded by Vietnam veterans. “The Long Tan Bursary is an excellent program, these scholarships go a long way in undoing the harm that war inflicts on the family.” Selected students will receive financial assistance worth up to $12,000 over three years. A total of 34 students across Australia received the bursaries. Applications for the 2019 scheme will open on Vietnam Veterans’ Day, 18 August, and close on 31 October. The 2018-19 Budget extended the eligibility for the Long Tan Bursary to include grandchildren of Vietnam veterans and will come into effect on 1 August 2019. For more information, visit the DVA website.
› Two charged after man injured Two men have been charged after another man was injured during a domestic-related incident in Emerton on Friday. About 9.15pm on Friday 10 August, emergency services were called to Helena Avenue, Emerton, following reports of an altercation. Police have been told four men, all known to each other, were involved in a fight after one of the men damaged a car with a machete. Officers from Mount Druitt Police Area Command attended and located a 29-year-old man with a head injury. He was treated at the scene by paramedics before being taken to Westmead Hospital, in a serious condition. Two men, aged 19 and 28, were arrested nearby and taken to Riverstone Police Station. The younger man was charged with affray and malicious damage. The older man was charged with affray. Both men were refused bail to appear at Parramatta Bail Court. Inquires continue to locate a fourth man.
5 Western News 17 August 2018 Issue 66
Helping Vietnam Veterans’ children
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Western News 17 August 2018 Issue 66
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Western News
Safe and sound Roadtest ready
During the expansion on Blacktown Hospital, Gabrielle, Renata, Joanne and the rest of the stop/go team are out there rain or shine making sure you’re safe on site. Blacktown Hospital
thanks everyone for their patience with the works around the hospital, and especially the construction in front of the car park. Just keep taking it easy!
The Mount Druitt Hospital theatre team went over and above this week to roadtest the new nurse call system. The upgrade is part of their stage 2 expansion and it was a great team effort! Mt Druitt Hospital says thanks guys!
Seven Hills shopper scoops prize a week after the draw
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ore than a week after the winning numbers were drawn, a Seven Hills shopper made the startling discovery they were a Saturday Lotto division one winner. The unregistered entry was one of the nine division one winning entries across Australia in Saturday Lotto draw 3865 on 4 August 2018. Each entry takes home a division one prize of $444,985.88. As the winning entry was not registered to a Players Club card, NSW Lotteries had no way of contacting the winner to break the life-changing news and had to wait for them to come forward to claim their prize. The Seven Hills win comes ahead of this Thursday’s $100 million Powerball draw – the biggest jackpot in the game’s history. When speaking to NSW Lotteries officials to confirm their win, the Seven Hills winner shared the shock of the division one win was still sinking in. But exactly how they will use their Saturday Lotto windfall will forever
remain a mystery as the winner has chosen to remain completely anonymous. NSW Lotteries spokesperson Matt Hart said Lotto division one winners often shared their windfall with those special people on their Lotto List. “Whether it’s family or friends, almost every Lotto player has a Lotto List of people they can’t wait to share their good fortune with. Some tell us they’ll help their adult children with a house deposit, while others shout their best friend a new car,” he said. “With their bank account about to
balloon by more than $444,000, our Seven Hills winner can look forward to deciding how they will use their Lotto prize and potentially who they will share it with.” Mr Hart also reminded players of the importance of registering their entry to a Players Club card. “It is really important that you register your entries to a Players Club card so we can contact you directly with the good news in the case of a win!” The winning entry was purchased at newsXpress Seven Hills, Shop
38A, Seven Hills Plaza, 224 Prospect Highway, Seven Hills. The newsagent owner, Mark Forsyth, said he was pleased the winner had finally been united with their prize. “We’ve had a lot of division one wins over the years, but this is the first since we moved to this location three years ago,” he said. “Customers have been coming in all week checking their tickets and hoping it was them. “It’s always great to have a win in store!” So far this calendar year, Monday & Wednesday Lotto and Saturday Lotto have created 115 millionaires across Australia. The six winning numbers in Saturday Lotto draw 3865 on Saturday 4 August 2018 were 25, 38, 24, 35, 12 and 14. The supplementary numbers were 36 and 39. Across Australia there were nine division one winning entries in Saturday Lotto draw 3865 – five from Victoria, two from Queensland, and one each from New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
Conolly not happy about proposed suburb changes The Geographical Names Board (GNB) is seeking public comment on a proposal from Blacktown City Council to change existing suburbs in its Local Government Area. The proposal makes changes to Marsden Park, Schofields, Riverstone, Rouse Hill, Vineyard, Quakers Hill and Shanes Park, creating six new suburbs due to population growth in the region. “I have written to the Geographical Names Board of NSW stating quite clearly my views on the proposals, being acutely aware of the feedback that I have received from concerned residents affected
by these proposed changes,” said Kevin Conolly, Member for Riverstone. “Blacktown Council clearly has not heeded the feedback from local residents in some of these areas.” The proposals are open for submissions from Wednesday 8 August, 2018 until Saturday 8 September, 2018. Maps can be viewed at local libraries or online at www.gnb.nsw.gov.au “I urge residents of these areas to view the proposals and lodge submissions with the
Geographical Names Board by Saturday 8 September 2018,” Mr Conolly said. Comments and submissions can be emailed to SS-GNB@finance.nsw.gov.au, or sent to the following address: The Secretary Geographical Names Board PO Box 143 BATHURST NSW 2795 “This is the last chance for residents of these areas to have their say about what their suburbs will be called,” said Mr Conolly.
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arly Education Matters Week 2018 ran from 5-12 August. Early Education Matters week is an opportunity to reflect on the importance and benefits of early education for our youngest minds here in Greenway. Federal Member for Greenway Michelle Rowland visited local schools and early learning centres this week and saw first-hand the wonderful work of local students and staff: • At Uniting Grantham Heights Early Learning in Seven Hills last week, Michelle spoke to local educators about the importance of early learning for local families. • Michelle visited St Bernadette’s in Lalor Park and had an engaging Q&A with students about democracy and government. • She also visited Vardys Road Public School in Kings Langley and Riverbank Public School in The Ponds to speak with Year 6 students about their recent excursions to Parliament House and Canberra.
• At Dennis Johnson Library in Stanhope Gardens, Michelle joined in Baby Rhyme Time, an interactive early literacy program, with her 19 month old daughter Aurelia! High quality learning and development experiences are critical to children’s cognitive and noncognitive development. Early learning skills can give children the best start for primary school, high school and beyond.
“Early Learning Matters Week highlights the incredible support, care and value provided by our early childhood educators, and why it is so important that all local families can access early education,” Michelle Rowland MP said. “It was great to visit some of our local education centres and schools this week to show appreciation for the wonderful work being done by both students and educators.
“As always, it was a pleasure to visit our local schools and education centres, including my old school St Bernadette’s Lalor Park, to speak with both students and educators. “I am passionate about ensuring local kids in Greenway get the best start in life. That’s why I’m fighting for the full Gonski education funding reforms and greater investment in early childhood education,” Ms Rowland said.
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Western News 17 August 2018 Issue 66
Valuing early education in our local area
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aturday 1st September will see Queen St come alive as it celebrates the 43rd St Marys Spring Festival. But, it must be a day for numbers as St Marys will also be celebrating the 90th anniversary of the Ford Model A going on sale in Australia. St Marys will be marking this special occasion with the help of the NSW Ford Model A Club. “2018 will be the second year that the Model A Ford Club of NSW has been involved with the St Marys Spring Festival. 2018 also happens to be the
90th anniversary of the release of the Model A Ford in Australia,” said Robert Brown, President of the Model A Ford Car Club of NSW. “The St Marys Spring Festival will showcase a number of vehicle’s from our club. Members are excited about attending and participating in the parade down Queen Street. “I hope the public comes along to say hello and view our cars which will be on display during the day.” So, if you are a car enthusiast or, you have a little
* Valid until 31st August 2018, not to be used in conjuction with any other offer.
car enthusiast, make sure you come to the St Marys Spring Festival and look for the Model A Ford display near Coachman’s Park. Stick around as the Model A Ford’s along with a few other vintage vehicles will be rolling down Queen St as part of the grand parade. The parade kicks off at 1230pm so make sure you are on Queen St with lots of time to grab a good vantage point. For more information on the St Marys Spring Festival and what will be there on the day, visit, stmarystowncentre.com.au.
Western News 17 August 2018 Issue 66
Calling all car enthusiasts and festival goers
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Western News 17 August 2018 Issue 66
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Western News
Locked out of a stranger’s house
Sunset from a housesit
Bosnia - where green water looks good By BEN CRANNEY
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few years ago, I spent about 18 months housesitting at different places around Sydney, which helped me save a bit of travel money. I also picked up a few experiences that were almost as memorable as the travel. I met a dog anxious about open spaces. I dragged single beds together in the guest room because we weren’t allowed to use the king in the master bedroom. I was invited to eat whatever I wanted, only to find most of it was mouldy. I tried to reassure myself that the shy cat I didn’t see for 11 weeks
was alive because I could hear his bell jingling at night. And then panicked when I saw him and he was the wrong colour. Don’t worry, he did come home. When the CEO of a billion dollar company says the pool cleans itself and doesn’t need any maintenance, you let the pool be. I did, and watched it turn a deep green that is beautiful in a mountain river, but very out of place in one of Sydney’s most prestigious, and thus nosey, suburbs. I ended up in the pool, at a time when I thought the neighbours wouldn’t be watching, scrubbing the grime with a towel. The water turned a murky mess, so I ended
Where not to bring an anxious dog
up calling the CEO and confessing my sins. We still got invited back a year later. At another place, I locked myself out and the dog in. Thankfully, it wasn’t the anxious one. The back door had a big, old school lock. The key was in it, but on the wrong side. The plan was to use some wire to push the key out on to a piece of paper I’d slid under the door. I’d then pull the paper and key back under. Simple. The key was jammed. I pushed hard and it flew across the kitchen, missing the paper. Displaying more patience than
I thought I had, I slid the wire under the door and hooked the key. I pulled it in, but it got stuck at the door footer. The dog was watching me through the glass, probably thinking ‘what an idiot’. 45min later, I’d threaded the eye of the key and pulled it over the footer. It got stuck between the footer and the door. No matter, the door was old and the hinges would give. I levered it up a millimeter and out it came. I was in! After all these stories, I probably shouldn’t end by asking if you’d like me to housesit, but I could write about you! Let the editor know.
The Unintentional Medium By Suzi Samuel A Path to Tread During the last couple of years that I have been writing this column - yes, two years folks - I have occasionally pondered on whether we have a path marked out for us or whether we do have free will. I sometimes wish I could be one of those spiritual people who have a surety of belief, but even now I am still learning and questioning. When I do a reading, I always emphasize that we have choices and the purpose of a reading is to help us see what is around us more clearly and what options are ahead of us. I have never been a great fan of the Jansenist doctrine of predestination although I believe that cards that seem to jump out whilst the client is shuffling do signify what is ahead despite our best efforts to go our own merry way. I have often remarked that if Spirit has put us on a path for a specific purpose they will do their best to keep us on that path and have joked that Gran & Co are like Border Collies rounding us up when we stray, but I would hate to think that the Gods have total control over our lives and move us around like pawns on a giant celestial chess board. However, recently the rather unlikely subject of predestination has come up a couple of times. During our latest Spiritual Discussion Group chez the beautiful Angelina at Hawkesbury Natural Therapies Centre, one of our ladies started to talk
about the fact that our lives are totally mapped out for us and if we don’t follow our blueprint, we have to come back in another life to get back on the path from which we have strayed. At first I thought she was speaking in general terms, but she went on to say that all our lives were written down from our inception in whatever incarnation in a huge register called the Akashic Records from which there was no escape. I have to admit that I was a little dubious to say the least, but Angelina also agreed with this
theory so I thought there might just be something to it. Now far be it from me to believe everything that comes out of Hollywood, but I remembered I had seen a film a few months back called The Adjustment Bureau in which Matt Damon meets and falls in love with the girl of his dreams but the star crossed lovers are constantly kept apart by rather dodgy characters who keep putting obstacles in their way. As the film goes on, we find out that he is not allowed to be with her as it is not in his blueprint and he cannot be allowed to deviate from the path as that would change the course of history. Needless to say, our lusty hero manages to outwit these other-worldly forces of control and is allowed to be reunited with his love.But are we all as clever as our Matt, jumping through doors to other scenarios and fooling the blueprint police? With the greatest respect to our wonderful group, I still have a hard time believing that we have no free will and no power to command our own destinies. But next time I become aware of what feels suspiciously like a wet nose nudging me back into the flock, I shall just wonder if it is Gran and her sheepdogs herding me back on to my predestined path. The Unintentional Medium is available online or from any good book store.
Western News
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By BART BASSETT
W
hen Foodbank came into existence in 1992 the aim was to redirect good food from going to waste and be safely redirected to those in need. In the 25 years since the organisation commenced Foodbank is now the state’s largest food relief organisation. Foodbank’s heart of operation is in a large purpose built warehouse at Glendenning in western Sydney. Here food is sorted and stored for redistribution. The food comes from a range of different supplies including farmers who have fresh produce which is rejected by the large supermarket chains because it doesn’t meet their specifications for commercially acceptable products, it could be too big, too small or have blemishes on the skin. Also perfectly good non perishable packaged food which is close to “best by date” is donated by manufactures, supplies or supermarkets. Last financial year Foodbank NSW & ACT provided the equivalent of over 15,000,000 meals to over 600 registered not for profit members who then in turn helped over 166,000 families and individuals with food relief every singe week. The amount of food collected and distributed in a single year is astounding. 2,311,000 kg of fruit/ vegetables, 439,000 kg of bread, 787,000 kg of milk, 183,000 kg of meat/protein, 4,380,000 kg of packaged food and 319,000 kg of general grocery product. This equates to nearly 9,000,000 kg of perfectly good food diverted from unnecessarily going to waste and instead going into people’s tummies. Of all this food product 86% was donated, 7% was purchased and another 7% was supplied through the Key Staples Program which is an initiative where manufactures provide as a donation every year necessary pantry type staple foods. Any organisation which is a registered charity can become an agency member of Foodbank. This
entitles the organisation to place an order for food and then the agency itself goes to the distribution centre to collect the order. Charities and agency partners include St Vincent de Paul, BaptistCare, Mission Australia, Uniting Care, Wesley Mission, Vinnies, Canteen, Camp Quality, Salvation Army, Youth Off the Streets and Australian Red Cross. Volunteering at Foodbank is vital to allow for the smooth running of food product in and out of the distribution centre. Volunteers support Foodbank in three critical ways: helping sort and pack food, sharing specialist skills in office activities and assist in fundraising activities. Not only individual volunteers are involved but there is a significant amount of corporate volunteering. Last year 4,173 corporate volunteers were involved in packing food orders as well as sorting, bagging and labelling food for distribution. Foodbank also operates a School Breakfast 4 Health Program, delivering healthy breakfasts to over 100 of the most disadvantaged schools across NSW & ACT, with the aim to increase the number of schools to 700. They also provide fresh produce and pantry
staples to low-socio economic schools for their students to take home. So far the initiative has supplied over 84,300 kg of healthy staples like watermelon, apples, oranges, pumpkins, snack packs and pasta for students to take home to their family. With the help of Kellogg’s over 35,000 breakfasts were provided to Sydney students last year. The reality is that 3.6 million Australians experience food insecurity per year without enough food or in many cases no food. The face of hunger is diverse - male, female, young and old, single and families, students, employed and unemployed, as well as retired people. For many people food has become a discretionary spend
Western News 17 August 2018 Issue 66
Foodbank ensuring good food doesn’t go to waste
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and with the cost of living, especially the ridiculous cost of electricity, skyrocketing food insecurity is at crisis point. Foodbank NSW & ACT is an amazing organisation saving the wastage of food and at the same time providing food to the most in need. Foodbank can only continue to do this with the generous assistance of the community so if you are a business, individual or organisation who wish to provide volunteers or donate please contact Foodbank NSW & ACT for details on how to get involved by calling 02 9756 3099 or email office@foodbanknsw. org.au you can also find out more by visiting www.foodbanknsw.org.au
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Western News 17 August 2018 Issue 66
12
WESTERN HISTORY
The Rooty Hill Estate (Part 2)
By Jack Brook Blacktown and District Historical Society
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llotment No 2 was in the possession of C Smith in 1842 for a rental of £80 pa, the original lease of the 782 acres expiring on 31 December 1841. Mr Bettington, the first leaseholder, rented the land for £145 pa. Bloxome wrote that “This is by far the best land on the whole Estate there are about 500 acres cleared and divided into paddocks - there is also a brick built house upon it and a stable, both however in bad repair.” On a 21 year lease he was of the opinion it would realise from £150 to £200 pa. Allotment No 3 had a frontage to “East Creek” (Eastern Creek) and also to the Western Road. Of the 1185 acres, about 400 were cleared. 240 acres was separated from the remainder by a private road and fenced round - of the latter, 70-80 acres was fine land fit for cultivation, with an abundance of water. The remainder was open bush with patches of good land. It could probably realise £100 to £150. Allotment No 4 had a total of 1496 acres with about 50 to 60 acres of it having a frontage to “East Creek” of which some was cleared. The “back run” was of a “secondary description of grazing land”. This allotment’s boundary had never been defined along the tree line, where it joined allotment No 5. £50-60 rental was envisaged. Allotment No 5 was originally the 1285 acres leased to Mr Samuel Marsden for 7 years, and afterwards allowed to be continued by transfer from that party to Mr Betts of Parramatta. Betts leased it in conjunction with a Mr Kennersley and erected a good brick built cottage with outhouses, which they “underlet” to parties who then lived on the land. Due to the boundary line not being clearly marked, the house was erected on No 6 allotment. All attempts by Bloxsome to “turn out” the occupants met with defiance. But he gave them notice to quit and he wrote “When the allotment is again put up for public competition, Messrs Betts and Kennersley have the option of purchasing if they please.” About 60 acres of land towards Bells Creek was cleared and fenced in. The allotment was let for £30 pa but would rise to £60-70 when the lease was renegotiated. Allotment No 6 comprised 1606 acres and had a frontage to “Eastern Creek” (up to this point Bloxsome had referred to the creek as East Creek) and adjoined the old Native Institution property which was then owned by William Bell. The fence beside the Richmond Road was in “a bad state” and a large proportion had been stolen. There was a small plot of land at the corner of the allotment (about 8 acres) “between Black Town and the bridge over Bells Creek on the old Richmond Road, claimed by John Harris in right of his uncle, the late Dr Harris, upon which a log cabin had been built and the tenant...” was paying a rental of
some 50 shillings pa for it. “The claim”, wrote a disbelieving Bloxsome, “set up for Mr Harris is that it was a gift from the Government many years ago under certain stipulation, one of which was the sum of £35 was to be expended on it for the erection of a house for a Constable”, and “authority was given to hold the land until the Government should liquidate the claim”. Bloxsome wrote to the relevant authority (probably the Colonial Secretary) to have the Harris claim substantiated. Allotment No 7 had a boundary adjoining Ropes Creek. 200-300 acres of land near the creek was said to be of “fair quality” fit for cultivation. Within the No 7 allotment of 1951 acres, about 400 acres was “fair grazing land”, the remainder being “composed of Tea Tree scrub altogether without herbage.” Much of it was fenced. There is no record of its rental value. According to Oswald Bloxsome, allotments No 5,6 and 7 had for years “been the haunt of some notoriously bad characters - cattle stealers and others, to the annoyance of all respectable people in the neighbourhood - Now that the boundaries are defined, they may be got rid of.” Bloxsome concluded his report by saying that the whole of the Estate, with the exception of lots 2 and 5, could be immediately advertised for letting, the boundaries being defined and the old leases having expired. His report was signed off March 19, 1840.
Western News
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How to buy a home when you’re self-employed
elf-employed borrowers come up against the challenge of not being able to simply present payslips and tax returns to back up their loan applications. But this need not stop you buying your dream home. Many lenders offer loans for selfemployed borrowers who can’t hand over payslips and employment records. This means that, rather than the usual documentation, you prove your ability to service a loan using bank statements, declarations from your accountant and financial records. Of course, as with any mortgage application, you must still prove that your income outstrips your spending and you can service the loan. Getting this right is more than presenting a lender with a few quick sums on the
back of a napkin; it can take a solid six to 12 months of preparation. Here are some quick tips: • reduce debt: pay down credit cards and personal loans, and be sure to lower the credit limits as they are paid down, as lenders assess the total credit available to you as a potential debt level, not just the amount you owe; • cancel credit cards that you don’t need (this will affect credit scoring); • speak to a credit adviser about how the structure of your business and your taxable income will impact your ability to borrow; • do your taxes when you should, and always pay your tax assessments on time; • save: saving a deposit is obviously important, and showing your ability to
live within your means while saving is too. This is key to serviceability – you want to show at least a sixmonth history of high income and low expenses; and • go to an MFAA Approved Credit Adviser, rather than a bank. Credit advisers have access to specialist lenders that assess applications on a case-by-case basis and tailor their products to self-employed borrowers and contractors, while bank lenders do not. Loans to the self-employed do differ from standard loans in a few ways, apart from the application process. Lenders offset the extra risk they are taking when lending to a selfemployed borrower or contractor by charging slightly higher interest rates and placing some extra rules on loan-
to-value ratios (LVR) and insurance requirements. Generally, you can expect an interest rate for such a loan to be one to two percentage points higher than for a full-documentation loan. Most lenders will also insist on an LVR of no more than 80 per cent – meaning that under no circumstances will they lend more than 80 per cent of the property value, as assessed by the lender. In cases where the loan amount is for more than 60 per cent of the property’s value, some lenders also require self-employed borrowers to pay for lenders’ mortgage insurance. Contact Alex from Wealthwiz on 0419 600 177 for advice who can help you navigate the loan market for selfemployed borrowers.
@wealthwiz
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WealthWiz Wealth Management Suite 3, 47-51 Richmond Rd, Blacktown Call 8004 6655 | www.wealthwiz.com.au
13 Western News 17 August 2018 Issue 66
Alex Soncini
REAL ESTATE
Western News 17 August 2018 Issue 66
Western News
WORD SEARCH
SUDOKU: EASY
ENTERTAINMENT
14
Animals ALLIGATOR
FERRET
PARROT
BARRACUDA
JACKAL
PELICAN
BISON
LEOPARD
REINDEER
CHINCHILLA
LLAMA
SLOTH
COUGAR
MEADOWLARK
SWORDFISH
DONKEY
MOOSE
TURKEY
EAGLE
OTTER
WOLF
SOLUTION: 20 July
INSTRUCTIONS Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 with no duplicates
CROSSWORD ACROSS 6 Slid (7) 7 Stringed instruments (5) 9 Poke (4) 10 Leather-clad vixen (10) 11 Determined the size or amount (8) 13 March aggressively into another’s territory (6) 15 Green seaweed (4) 17 Another name for Norway (5) 18 Gears (4) 19 A blue dye (6) 20 They pull teeth (8) 23 Crushes (10) 26 Nimbus (4) 27 Cloth made from flax (5) 28 The landscape (7)
solution 3/8/18
down 1 A form of Hindi (10) 2 Arachnid (6) 3 Type of cheese (4) 4 Sowing (8) 5 Backside (4) 6 Wait on (5) 8 Noisy party (7) 12 Summoned sufficient courage (5) 14 Inoculates (10) 16 Related to language (7) 17 Type of synthetic rubber (8) 21 Imbedded (6) 22 Linger or dally (5) 24 A climbing plant (4) 25 Gusto (4)
Western News
SPORT
15
By CONNER LOWE
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lacktown City have lost in their final game of the regular season, stumbling to a 2-0 defeat against the Sutherland Sharks at Lily Homes Stadium on Sunday. The first chance of the match came in the opening 10 minutes with Connor Evans breaking away with a great run only to be denied by an out rushing Ryan Norval. Blacktown City continued to push for the opening goal and it was Joey Gibbs who was gifted the next chance to break the deadlock when Devante Clut found the Blacktown striker with a fantastic ball but fired his shot straight at the Sharks keeper. Just before the break both sides had some great chances to open the scoring, however Keisuke Hyashi couldn’t beat Blacktown City’s keeper with his low shot and at the other end Choi fired his shot just over the cross bar from the edge of the area. The sides went into half time at a deadlock, in an uninspiring first half. The away side was able to break the deadlock in the 57th minute with a fantastic piece of football. Olsen dazzled his way into the Blacktown box connecting with Tratt inside the area, whose pass then opened up a tap in for Vranic and the Sharks to take a shock 1-0 lead. With only 15 minutes remaining the Sutherland side then doubled their lead when Nick Littler rounded two Blacktown defenders and finished well to give the Sharks a great advantage entering the final period of the match.
The final whistle cemented a consolation win for Sutherland while Blacktown need to readjust as they enter their knock out final next week. Luke Roodenburg, the Blacktown Assistant Coach spoke about the teams form and focus going into their finals game next week. “We really can’t pinpoint what has gone wrong for us because the boy’s attitude at training has remained exemplary all season,” he said. “Today was a difficult match as no matter the result we had nothing to gain and nothing to lose. “Our focus is now 100% on the finals and the
Western News 17 August 2018 Issue 66
Blacktown City enter finals in poor form
game against Rockdale. There are no second chances now so how we respond in the next seven days could define our season.” The loss was Blacktown’s second defeat in as many weeks with both losses coming against teams in the bottom three. For the Sharks it was a winning send off for coach Grant Lee who announced his decision to leave the club at the conclusion of the regular season. Blacktown will need to rediscover the form which had them at the top of the table during the opening rounds of the competition when they host Rockdale City Suns in next week’s elimination final.
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Western News Friday, 17 August 2018
SPORT
Mt Druitt Town stumble against Spirit FC By CONNER LOWE
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t Druitt looked to have eased off in their performance after securing the premiership last week, going down 2-1 to Spirit FC at home. The game was difficult for both sides with the uneven surface of the pitch. However, it was Spirit FC who were able to settle first and create a chance inside the hosts box with Carle unable to take advantage of a great opportunity. As the first half continued Mt Druitt began to settle on the uneven pitch and create chances for themselves but were unable to put any away throughout the opening 45-minutes. Both teams went in at half time in a stalemate as the game became quite scrappy due to the condition of the pitch. The league leaders came out and found themselves under pressure by Spirit FC to begin the second half and subsequently went behind 10 minutes into the half. Spirit FC were able to maintain possession following a corner and finding Cornwell who calmly finished for the away side. The home side switched on quickly after falling behind and began to create some great chances and found the equaliser mid-way through the second half. Mt Druitt were able to play some fantastic
football down the right side and found their man lurking in the box and he was able to finish to bring the game back to one all. The game looked set to end in a draw but in the final 10 minutes Spirit FC found the match winner. Mt Druitt struggled to clear the ball from inside their own box and Spirit FC capitalised with their shot deflecting of the Rangers defender and finding
its way past the goalkeeper. The game finished 2-1 in favour of Spirit FC who jumped up the ladder in to fifth place, a disappointing result however for the league leaders. Mt Druitt town can now look forward to the Western Sydney Wanderers this weekend as they look to snatch promotion to the NPL.