Westernnews 17february2017

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ISSUE 28

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Western News 17 Febuary 2017 Issue 28

Multi-vehicle crash THE driver of a utility has been charged over a multi-vehicle crash at St Marys this week.

A motorcyclist became trapped under a utility after the crash involving a second utility at the intersection of Glossop and Phillip streets about 3.35pm (Monday 13 February 2017).

Emergency services worked for some time to free the 23-yearold Penrith man, who was then taken to Westmead Hospital with a fractured left leg.

The driver of the second utility, a 22-year-old man, from Surry Hills, was last night charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm by officers attached to the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit (CIU).

His licence was also suspended.

He was granted strict conditional bail and will appear in Mt Druitt Local Court on Thursday 16 February 2017.

The driver of the first utility, a 64-year-old man, from Goulburn, and his passenger, a 56-year-old woman, from Bidwill, were not injured.

By-election announced

By Keegan Thomson

FOLLOWING the passing of veteran Councillor, Leo Kelly OAM, a by-election will be held in Ward Two of the Blacktown City Council, on April 8.

Council General Manager, Kerry Robinson, said the constituents of Ward Two will need to elect a new representative to fill the vacant spot on council.

“Councillors Julie Griffiths and Jaymes Diaz are incumbent Councillors for Ward Two and the election of a third Councillor restores the required number of three Councillors per ward,” said General Manager Kerry Robinson.

“Under the schedule prepared by the NSW Electoral Commission, which is conducting the election, Candidate nominations open on Monday, 27 February, and voting rolls close at 6pm the same day.

“Nominations for all candidates close at 12pm, Wednesday 8 March,” he said.

“Registration of electoral materials begins on Wednesday 8 March and closes at 5pm, Friday 31 March,” Mr

Leo Kelly OAM passing has force a by-election.

Robinson said.

Pre-poll voting will begin on March 27 and closes at 6pm on April 7, with the by election being held on April 8.

Postal voting applications must be lodged before Monday, 3 April and will not be accepted after 6pm on Monday, 10 April Voting in the by-election is compulsory for all locals living in Blacktown’s Ward Two. Ward Two includes parts of Blacktown, Glenwood, Kings Langley, Kings Park, Lalor Park, Marayong and Seven Hills.

Mr Robinson said the results should be known a few days after the by-election.

“Any distribution of preferences will take place on Tuesday 11 April and, unless the process is delayed by an appeal or challenge, the result is scheduled to be declared on Thursday, 13 April.

“It is anticipated that, if the election follows this schedule and there are no unexpected variations, the successful candidate will be inducted as a Councillor at the Council meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 3 May,” Mr Robinson said.

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Mayor sticks up for Westies

By Keegan Thomson

ADVOCATE for the west and Mayor of Penrith City Council, Cr John Thain has renewed calls for the development of the NorthSouth rail link through western Sydney.

In an opinion piece to Fairfax Media, Cr Thain called the proposed rail link “a lynchpin in realising economic, social and environmental progress in western Sydney.”

The rail link has been on the table for a number of years now yet no politician in Macquarie street has been able to commit to any substantial developments.

In his letter, Cr Thain makes it clear that he is worried the land might be lost to housing, as the government pushes for further expansions of affordable housings across the state.

“We’re calling on our state and federal leaders to reserve this rail corridor immediately and look at how we can work together to deliver rail in our region – before all the land is taken up for housing that we can’t really afford,” Cr Thain said.

According to his figures, the western Sydney economy including the areas

around Penrith, would reap billion dollar benefits from the rain link.

“Building a North-South rail link would create a new, connected 30-minute city and, according to research commissioned by the Western Sydney Rail Alliance, add $44.7 billion to the economy (from 2024 – 2040) reaching $3.6 billion per year by 2040.

“It’s obvious – rail north to south, across Western Sydney, changes everything.

“Connecting the emerging North West and South West growth centres by rail, via the Western Sydney airport, would see real transformation in outer

western Sydney - delivering higher housing and employment density and improved amenity,” he said.

Western News has been campaigning for a clearer outline on rail links between the proposed airport and western Sydney.

Cr Thain also leapt to the defence of western Sydney residents.

“Take a look around - whether you’re in a Sydney office or out grabbing a coffee, chances are you’re surrounded by western Sydneysiders.

“Ask a colleague where they travelled to work from this morning and chances are you’ll hear the name

of a suburb in Western Sydney.

“Chances are they started their journey before you’d finished eating breakfast, while you were at the gym or even before you got out of bed,” he said.

The disposible income inequality between inner city dwellers and western Sydney locals was also pointed out by Cr Thain, who said Westies will pay more to get to work than Sydneysiders.

“While you may be on the same wage, your Western Sydney colleague has less disposable income. You may work the same hours but they have much less time to spend with their families,” he said.

According to projections, In 2036 two out of every three new residents to Sydney will make their home in western Sydney, meaning within the next 20 years there will be some three million people living west of Parramatta.

It is clear the state and federal governments have a fight on their hands as they both try to figure out how best to deal with the western Sydney question. It is good to see another western Sydney leader fighting for a better outcome for western locals.

Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry

Ph: 9833 1122 12/82 Victoria St Werrington Mail: PO Box 4001 Werrington NSW 2747 londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au

3 Western News 17 February 2017 Issue 28

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4 Western News 17 Febuary 2017 Issue 28

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Prospect

From the Assistant Editors Desk

by Keegan Thomson

Opinion: This week’s spat on Q and A ON Q and A the other night we saw another perfect example of someone speaking on behalf of a topic they have no idea about.

Independent Senator, and serial pest, Jacqui Lambie found herself in the middle of a shouting match over the meaning of Sharia law with Muslim and founder of Youth Without Boarders, Yassmin Abdel-Magied.

Jacqui Lambie, a white, non-Muslim, Roman Catholic woman from Tasmania argued that she knows more about Sharia law than a practising Muslim, which I find baffling.

Ms Lambie has always wanted it known that she hates Sharia Law and intends to deport “anyone who supports Sharia law in this country”.

Sitting only across from her on the desk Ms Abdel-Magied’s made it clear that she wasn’t going to let the scared Senator from Tassie speak on behalf of the Australian Muslim populous.

Ms Abdel-Magied frustration shot out when she said how dismayed she feels “when people go around dissing my faith without knowing about it”.

Ms Abdel-Magied went on to say she was upset because people are “willing to completely negate any of my rights as a human being, a woman, as a person with agency simply because they have an idea about what my faith is about”.

Ms Lambie stated, “there is only one law in this country and it is the Australian law, it is not Sharia law.”

Ms Abdel-Magied shot back, “You don’t know anything about my religion.”

She specified that Islam puts precedence on “the law of the land that you are on”.

Ms Lambie your arguments are now null and void.

When she spoke out against Sharia law, Ms Lambie was schooled on the meanings behind Sharia, something she’s obviously never truly looked into previously.

Ms Lambie was’t speaking from personal experience, she wasn’t speaking as an expert after years of study, she was speaking as someone who is scared of a multicultural Australia. Do we want people who’re scared of multiculturalism to be representing us?

I know I don’t.

Your thoughts? keegan@nepeannews.com.au

Warakirri College Blacktown officially opened

Alleged train assault

LAST Tuesday MTC Australia’s second Warakirri College was officially opened in Blacktown by special guest The Hon. Deputy Premier John Barilaro, MP securing a partnership between MTC Australia and TAFE Western Sydney.

Other attendees included The Mayor Councillor Stephen Bali from the Blacktown City Council, surrounding City Council members, The MTC Australia CEO and MTC Australia Board Members.

Mr Barilaro said the five-year lease agreement of TAFE’s Blacktown Campus with Warakirri College would provide pathways into TAFE NSW and into employment for future students.

Warakirri College provides the opportunity of completing a high school certificate and HSC to disadvantaged and disconnected youth. Warakirri College operates within an adult learning environment

A MAN has been arrested and charged, following investigations into an indecent assault on a train between Wynyard and Kingswood last week.

Shortly after 6pm on Friday 3 February 2017, a 30-year-old woman boarded a train at Wynyard Railway Station.

A man boarded the train a short time later and sat next to the woman, before allegedly indecently assaulting her.

The woman confronted the man before getting off the train at Kingswood and notified police.

Officers attached the Police Transport Command’s Operation Artemis began investigations into the incident.

About 8am last Thursday officers from Operation Artemis arrested a 37-year-old man after pulling a vehicle over in Rooty Hill.

Following his arrest, investigators executed a search warrant at a home on Abraham Street, Rooty Hill, where a number of items were seized for forensic examination.

He was taken to Mount Druitt Police Station where he was charged with indecent assault and common assault.

He was refused bail and appeared at Mount Druitt Local Court last Thursday.

with zero fees, no uniforms, and all resources provided.

“The latest partnership will open up new opportunities and access to education for dozens of disadvantaged young people,”Mr Barilaro said.

The Blacktown campus has been set up in a modern, well-appointed building within the Western Sydney TAFE at 7 Sunnyholt Road Blacktown, serving young

people from as far west as Penrith and Richmond. Principal Carolyn Blanden says “students will really enjoy the adult learning environment and the modern, air-conditioned building of our new school”.

Warakirri College is an MTC Australia initiative registered with the NSW Board of Studies and is currently enrolling for Year 10, 11 and 12 for the 2017 school year. For any enquiries please contact 9914 3250.

5 Western News 17 February 2017 Issue 28

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Western News 17 Febuary 2017 Issue 28

Western Sydney Wanderers kick off My Westmead’s bigHEARTED month WESTERN Sydney Wanderers players Brendon Santalab and Steven Lustica have joined forces with My Westmead to officially launch this month’s bigHEARTED fundraising campaign.

For the second consecutive year, My Westmead – the community fundraising arm of the Westmead Medical Research Foundation – is running the bigHEARTED campaign, giving the community a chance to get involved and help put common diseases like cancer and diabetes to the history books - where they belong.

The campaign is simple – My Westmead is inviting the community to make a donation to medical research and care at Westmead.

This year, the Western Sydney Wanderers have pledged their support for the campaign, along with organisations like Coleman Greig Lawyers, Arab Bank Australia, William Buck, Sparks and Partners and Kemp Strang Lawyers.

Wanderers’ striker Brendon Santalab said the bigHEARTED initiative was a great idea.

“I think the notion of encouraging people to swap Valentine’s Day gifts for a donation to the bigHEARTED month is great,” he said.

“All men and women should join

This February join the bigHEARTED MONTH make a gift that shows a truly bigHEARTED gesture

#bigHEARTED #MyWestmead #WesternSydney this campaign – it’s a good cause and every cent counts.”

My Westmead partnerships manager Susie Saba said the organisation was excited to increase community awareness and support for medical research and healthcare at Westmead, particularly as it transforms into an innovative health hub.

“We know there are enough

bigHEARTED businesses and individuals who will join us to do something really special this February,” she said.

“We thank our supporters for their generosity and encourage them to share and spread the word via email and social media channels.

“The idea is to generate a friendly rivalry or challenge environment.”

All donations from the bigHEARTED campaign will go towards medical research and clinical care at Westmead Hospital and The Westmead Institute for Medical Research.

To donate, visit bigheartedmonth.org.

For more information, email wmrf@wmrf.org.au or call 1800 639 037.

Neglected and overlooked

By Keegan Thomson

THE WEST is often dealt a poor hand when it comes to health infrastructure but there is no greater example of the west being forgotten than the story of Ian and Anne Whittaker.

For the last 50 years Ian has been in a wheelchair after an accident left him a paraplegic. Due to his condition he needs to attend numerous appointments but the closest spinal unit for him is 90 minutes away at Randwick.

Mrs Whittaker has written to the Health Minister, and has been a constant advocate and lobbyist, to urge the government to bring a spinal clinic, or a specialist, out west.

“There are all these hospitals out west and yet we don’t have anything,” Mrs Whittaker said.

The issue with spinal injuries is that they can’t always be treated by normal doctors or nurses, said Mrs Whittaker.

“Sometimes they don’t know what they’re doing. We’ve been sent home without any doctor actually fixing any of Ian’s problems.

Anne and Ian Whittaker are fighting for western Sydney.

Photo: Kennedi Geyer.

“At the local hospitals out west the nursing staff do not understand,” she said.

According to the Health Minister there are more than 5000 people across the state with debilitating spinal cord injuries, which means every single one of them will need to attend either Royal North Shore or Randwick Hospital, at some point in time no matter where they live.

Mr Whittaker says it doesn’t make sense that there is only two hospitals to cover such a broad area.

“There are only two hospitals that have spinal units and they cover

Canberra and all of New South Wales,” said Mr Whittaker. “Even if they live in Wagga they’ll need to travel all the way up here.”

“I think it is necessary for there to be another spinal clinic in the state, even if it was at Wagga, we still need something for all the other people out west,” he said.

The only reply Mrs Whittaker received from the state government is a detailed list of places around Sydney were Mr Whittaker can receive treatment. The only issue is that Mrs Whittaker says there is no one at any local hospitals who can help them.

“It is discrimination,” Mrs Whittaker said. “In western Sydney we don’t have a specialist doctor, we don’t have clinic or a spinal unit. It is just wrong.”

“We’ve argued and tried to get something out here for 25 years.

“If Ian gets really sick and he needs an ambulance, they’ll only take him to the local hospitals, but the issue is they don’t have the correct equipment or facilities to treat him, so he will just sit there until I can take us to Randwick,” Mrs Whittaker said.

She detailed a story in which a specialist spinal doctor from Randwick Hospital had to call in and explain to the staff at Nepean the correct treatment for one of Mr Whittaker’s ailments.

The Whittaker’s have said they don’t want to single out any hospital for their lack of facilities, they simply want some response from the government that will mean a spinal clinic in western Sydney.

Numerous hospitals across the west, including Blacktown Hospital, are receiving million dollar redevelopments however there are no details in any of these of a future spinal clinic.

7 Western News 17 February 2017 Issue 28

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Western News 17 Febuary 2017 Issue 28

Cool idea chills pets

BLACKTOWN City Council has praised the community for helping pets beat the heat at the Animal Holding Facility.

More than 400 bags of ice were donated to the AHF on Saturday when temperatures in Blacktown soared to a sizzling 43 degrees.

“The pound opened at 9 o’clock and by 11 o’clock there was so much ice they were able to pass on about 40 bags to Jack Russell Rescue Australia for their shelter,” said the Mayor of Blacktown City Councillor Stephen Bali.

“All dogs at the AHF got both ice in

their kennels and in their water bowls.

“It was a tremendous effort - not just by the people who donated, but by the volunteers who carried bags of ice for 3 ½ hours in the searing heat.

“Thank you to everyone who helped and gave generously of their time, money and of course ice.”

The ice drive kicked off on Friday night when the AHF called on its 29,000 Facebook followers to help dogs at the pound stay cool.

The public’s response was overwhelming, with dozens of people calling in to the pound on Saturday carrying bags and buckets of ice.

Shanes Park Fire Brigade alone donated 150kg of ice. There were also generous donations from Jim’s Mowing and Aussie Pooch Mobile.

AHF Coordinator Ian Burr said he was blown away by the response.

“We had more ice than Mawson’s Hut,” he said.

“People came from all around, not just in Blacktown. I’ve never seen anything like it before.

“We appreciate the gigantic effort everyone went to.”

On hot days the AHF uses roof sprinklers to keep kennels cool, and also hoses dogs down.

Cats are kept comfortable with airconditioning.

Saturday’s success was the first time the pound had used social media to call on the public’s help with donations of ice.

Given how well it worked, it certainly won’t be the last.

Future nurses join western Sydney hospitals NEARLY 115 nursing and midwifery graduates are set to launch their careers at hospitals and community health centres across Western Sydney Local Health District in February.

More than 60 graduates will join the ranks of Westmead Hospital, including 46 new nurses and 15 midwives, who started this week.

Another 23 new nurses have taken up positions at Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospitals while 11 nurses will join the staff at Auburn Hospital.

A further 20 nurses have started work in community health, mental health and drug and alcohol health.

Western Sydney Local Health District executive director of nursing and midwifery Joanne Edwards said the graduates would work

in a range of clinical settings including acute hospital wards, mental health units, aged care facilities, community, paediatrics, emergency and operating theatres.

“We could not function without these vital staff, who provide round-the-clock care and support to our patients in hospital, at home, or in the community,” she said.

“They are at the forefront of patient care, providing assistance throughout the patient’s journey.

“I commend each one of our nursing and midwifery graduates for completing their studies and wish them well.”

The graduates will attend orientation sessions across the various hospitals in the coming weeks.

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Blacktown sports awards

By Conner Lowe

SPORTSPERSON of the Year Clary Munns – Swimming At the 2016 Masters Swimming National Championships held in Melbourne in April she set five records in the 70-74 years’ group, and was announced the female swimmer of the meet for the second year in a row.

She was also female swimmer of the meet at the 2016 Masters Swimming NSW short course championships and the NSW long course championships.

Clary is a role model both in and out of the pool.

Sports Coach of the Year Donna McGrath – Softball Donna has been coach of The Hills Sports High School softball team for the past eight years. She constantly gives of her own time to attend overnight tournaments with the team and coaches many students outside of school at club and various representative levels.

Sports Administrator of the Year Kyla Stahl – Little Athletics Kyla has been involved with Minchinbury Little Athletics Centre for 24 of her 29 years, starting as an Under 6s athlete in 1992. From 1992 until 2002 she represented the club at gala

days, zone and region championships as well as state events.

Junior Sportsperson of the Year Isaiah Lazaro – Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Isaiah took out first place at the International Jiu Jitsu Competition held in the Philippines in June.

Recently, he won the NSW under 14s title in the 54-56kg class. He also won silver in the World Titles in California and is the Pan-Asian Champion.

Sports Volunteer of the Year Rob O’Brien – Little Athletics Rob has been involved with Kings Langley Little Athletics Centre for the past 12 years as an official, committee member, groundsman and equipment officer. For the 2015/2016 season, he spent at least 20 to 30 hours a week sorting the equipment, mowing and marking lines in preparation to ensure that athletes have the best conditions possible.

Blacktown City Team of the Year Hills Sports High School Under 15s Bill Turner Cup Soccer Team The Hills Sports High School team took home gold in the 2016 Bill Turner Cup, a national school based football competition for teams aged 15 and under. They did not concede a single goal throughout the tournament.

Three Under 12s Encouragement Awards Antonia Diaz Ballas – Trampoline

Antonia was named the 12-year Age Champion at the Combined High Schools State Trampoline Championships. Her bronze at the elite State Trampoline Championships, finalist at the National Clubs Trampoline Championships, finalist at the National Trampoline Championships and overall Level 6 Champion at the Club Trampoline Championships.

Benjamin Camua – Taekwondo Benjamin represented Australia at the Oceania Taekwondo Championships held in Fiji in November. During 2016 he won gold at the unified NSW STATE Taekwondo Championships, the National Taekwondo Championships in Melbourne, Sydney Taekwondo Festival and the Presidents Cup Oceania (Canberra).

Madelyn Hagerty – Golf Madelyn was the overall runner-up for her age group at the All School Junior Championship (Jack Newton Shield). The Year 9 Western Sydney Academy of Sport student also won selection into the NSW Team for Australian Under 15s Schools Championship.

Club of the Year Blacktown Rugby Union Club Competing in the NSW suburban rugby division four competition, they won every title available: Hawkesbury Valleys 10s, Division four 1st grade

McLean Cup premiers, 2nd grade Grose Cup premiers, 3rd grade Walker Cup premiers, Division four Club Championship winners and InterDivisional Cowboy Cup winners 2016.

The Mayoral Shield Join winners: Dane Sim – Soccer Dane is the president of the Blacktown and District Soccer Football Association. He has been involved in football both at the local and representative level since 1994, when his son started playing with the Doonside Hawks Soccer Club.

Jack Taylor – Soccer Jack is the current Blacktown District Soccer Football Association Chief Executive Officer based at Rooty Hill. He has been instrumental in helping to grow soccer within the Blacktown LGA for many years.

Sima is flying high

The 2016 Blacktown FLY, a powerful and timely City Art Prize saw a record work by Seven Hills artist number of votes cast Sima Alikhani, has been for the annual People’s voted the winner of the Choice Prize, with over People’s Choice Prize in 1200 people voting for the 2016 Blacktown City their favourite artwork.

Art Prize.

Visitors to the “This experience has annual exhibition were rekindled the fire and asked to cast a vote at the desire to continue Blacktown Arts Centre or my art practice,” said through the Prize’s own Ms Alikhani, who was a Instagram account @ first time entrant in the blacktowncityartprize.

Blacktown City Art Prize Ms Alikhni will receive before. $1,000 as the winner of “Fly has a strong the popular vote. message. This artwork The 2016 Blacktown portrays a woman passing City Art Prize is proudly through all barriers to get supported by Ford Land equality.

Company, Westlink M7, “This recognition Blacktown Workers Club, motivates me to pursue my Atura Hotel Blacktown vision of being an inspiring and Blacktown City individual by supporting Council’s Sustainable women’s rights.”

Living program.

“I appreciate the Entries for the 2017 opportunity given to me Sima Alikhani, Fly, 2016 Blacktown City Art Prize

by Blacktown Arts Centre will open in September. and the community.”

90 artworks in a range of disciplines including drawing, Join Blacktown Arts Centre’s mailing list at www. painting, sculpture, printing and ceramics were selected for blacktownarts.com.au or like their Facebook page for updates. exhibition by a panel of arts professionals.

Surviving Suicide ‘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 dates: 28th February 14th March 28th March 4th April 18th April 2nd May 16th May 30th May 13th June 27th June RSVP is appreciated on 02 4577 6454.

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

9 Western News 17 February 2017 Issue 28

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Western News 17 Febuary 2017 Issue 28

MAJORITY OF PROPERTY OWNERS DON’T KNOW THEIR HOME LOAN RATE. IS THIS YOU? ALEX SONCINI

RESULTS of a survey by a major lender revealed 85 per cent of Australians don’t know their home loan rate while most Aussies can remember their phone number (94%), their number plate (77%) and their parent’s phone number (76%).

The results were broken down to show 44 per cent could only recall an approximate figure for their home loan rate while the remainder (41%) simply didn’t know their rate at all.

“Most people are under the misconception that it costs too much to refinance, but that’s not the case. The costs associated with refinancing have reduced significantly over the past couple of years. Many borrowers believe the process is complicated and there’s a great deal of paperwork involved and put the notion of refinancing in the too hard basket.

Knowing your home loan rate and actively seeking the best rate should be a priority for property owners as there are some great products on offer. We are seeing some of the lowest home loan rates on record, so now is the perfect time to know your numbers, and consider refinancing.

Buying a home is one of the biggest investments of your life, so it’s really important that you find the right loan that suits your individual needs. Simply knowing your exact home loan rate and managing it closely could save you thousands of dollars a year.

Refinancing is certainly not as difficult as it used to be and Wealthwiz Wealth management can guide you through the entire loan process. We do all the work for you, for example, deal directly with other banks to discharge a mortgage and

they have the expertise to handle all your financial needs, not just your mortgage.

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St. Albans Settlers Arms Inn.

Nepean WesternNews News 19 17February February2015 2017Issue Issue143 28

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The Settlers Arms Inn Public Bar and a typical bedroom today.

The Settlers Arms Inn as seen today.

I

N the township of St. Albans there are several noticeable stone buildings of which the most prominent is the Settlers Arms Inn. This is a fine two storey sandstone coaching inn who’s licence was issued to John Sullivan of Wollombi in 1836. The building would seem to have been erected later, soon after the first land sales in 1842 in the newly gazetted Village.

There has been some confusion as to the construction date of the Settlers Arms as 1836 however this would appear to be the time that the license was issued, number. 36/10, but the next record is 37/251 to John on 5th. July 1837. Record taking at that time was erratic at best. However a report by the Hawkesbury correspondent in the Sydney Morning Herald of 1st. March 1848 probably finalizes the date later. It reads. “The township which a few years ago was marked out upon this river, has been built on by only one individual, Mr. Sullivan. He has erected a very reasonable stone house two stories high, which we understand he intends to open as an Inn.” [Implying that it was not open then.] Remembering that the first land sales were held in July 1842. Initially it was called the Travellers Arms.

John Sullivan, died intestate in October l849 and is buried, along with his wife Catherine, at Our Lady of Loreto cemetery in the valley.

John’s son, John Sullivan Junior inherited the property, and in 1855 he sold it to Richard Jurd. Then began a tradition lasting almost 80 years, whereby the Jurd family were licensees of the Settlers Arms Inn. Drovers, travellers and Cobb and Co. coaches all stopped at the Inn or “Jurd’s Hotel” on their way to and from the North Coast and Hunter Valley. The Inn was a popular meeting place and the centre of the district’s social life. A magnificient white cedar grew at the front. A separate building adjacent to the Inn was the local ballroom where many an enjoyable night was spent. People would walk or ride from as far away as Wisemans Ferry, Windsor and Wollombi to attend socials. One dance, described in the local paper in 1895; began at 8 o’clock with dancing till midnight. Then there was a supper break for about an hour and the dancing began

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again and continued until 6.30 in the morning.

By the 1930s however, passing traffic was infrequent and the local population had declined to such an extent that it was no longer viable to run the hotel. Mrs. Jurd, the licensee, applied to surrender the licence but there was an outcry from the remaining residents, who felt they might “die of thirst”. The Inn remained open a few more years, but in 1939 the licence was transferred to the Clarendon Hotel between Windsor and Richmond.

For over thirty years the few travellers through the valley saw the Settlers Arms merely as a store, or a private dwelling, but rumour has it that the locals never went thirsty at the back door.

In the 1970s a liquor store licence was transferred from across the river by Ian Robinson the owner at that time and the Inn began to dispense alcoholic beverages again, although because of the licence, one had to go outside to drink one’s purchases. At this time the Inn also functioned as the local Store, Post Office and Telephone Exchange. Ian, [ now Wisemans Ferry Real Estate] and his wife and sons [Local Builders] still live in the valley and are active in many village activities.

In 1983 David and Sharon Thompson obtained a special Historic Inns licence that enabled the Settlers Arms to function as a fully licensed inn once again. The dance hall and white cedar tree have gone, but the dancing still continues on occasions under the equally magnificent Camphor Laurel tree behind the Inn. The stonebuilt store adjacent to the Inn was built of local sandstone blocks recovered from nearby dilapidated buildings, and re-cut and dressed to match the existing building. This was added in 1982-3. the work being done by local craftsmen. In spite of the fact that the Inn is situated well above the river, floodwaters have entered the Inn on several occasions. It is claimed that the 1889 flood, the worst in the valley’s history rose almost to the eaves of the hotel. However, since the building has been continuously lived in and maintained, it has not suffered in the way that many of the old ruins of the valley have done.

The current “mine hosts” are Ian and Gabrielle Burns-Wood and the Inn enjoys a healthy patronage from locals and the many weekend visitors that come to visit the “Forgotten Valley” and the Village of St. Albans.

The Inn now boasts an extensive tree lined garden at the rear for the enjoyment of patrons who can also enjoy the delicious Australian food prepared fresh in the Hotel kitchen, not forgetting to mention a good winelist and home cooked cakes and deserts.

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12

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Western News 17 Febuary 2017 Issue 28

Miracle find returned

By Keegan Thomson

LAST month we covered a story about a miraculous find in a western Sydney warehouse. Local pest control and removalist, Jason Edwards, found a set of World War One British war medals stashed in the wall of a Kingswood warehouse. This week those medals were returned to their rightful owners.

After finding the medals, Mr Edwards put pictures of them on facebook. His post was shared hundreds of times world wide and eventually the rightful heir to the medals, a man in England, contacted Mr Edwards claiming to be the great nephew of the original owner.

The medals belonged to Harry Watson, a submarine Petty Officer who worked as a stoker during the Great War, who came to call western Sydney home after the war. On Monday, this week, the grand daughter of Harry Watson came to collect the medals from the Penrith RSL. Jenny Connell, her husband Tony and her son Rob came to collect the medals from the RSL subbranch whilst on holidays in Australia.

Mrs Connell was amazed at the discovery.

“It is interesting isn’t it? I don’t know

Mr Edwards delivers the lost medals to Mrs Connell. Photo: Keegan Thomson

how to look at it.

“He went off, and if he didn’t, our whole lives would be different,”

she said.

Because of the distance, both physically and emotionally, between

Harry Watson and Mrs Connell, she said she felt a little removed from it all.

“It is odd because it is so far removed,” she said.

Mrs Connell’s father, the son of Harry Watson, was adopted by his uncle and aunt, the bother of Mr Watson, though she said her father never spoke about his thoughts on his biological father.

Tony Connell said it was great to be able to look at the story from such a close angle.

“We’re able to sit here, looking at this as a human interest story, and everything that involves, and we’re part of it,” he said.

Before returning the medals to the Connell’s the RSL subbranch cleaned them and returned them with freshly refurbished ribbons.

Through research conducted by the subbranch, Harry Watson came to Australia in 1919 on board a submarine.

Once in Sydney he decided to leave his family in the UK and stayed in Australia, leaving Mrs Connell’s father with Mr Watson’s brother.

Mr Watson found another wife whilst in Australia and from time to time picked up work with the Royal Australia Navy.

At some time he moved to western Sydney were he died in 1950. He is buried in St Marys cemetery.

Opinion: Good government has gone, we are now governed by Twitter twits

By Bart Bassett

WHAT happened to strong leadership in this country? That question doesn’t only relate to the Government of the day but also to weak opposition. To me and many people I speak to the feeling is that the average person who goes about their lives, not interfering in other people’s lives, are the forgotten invisible majority whilst the noisy minority “Twitter twits” who are constantly agitating, are driving the policy direction of our weak Governments and Oppositions. Is it any wonder those everyday decent people are leaving the major Parties in droves and parking their vote with minor Parties?

The elites in both major Parties seem to be more interested in the latest polling and what their insiders are telling them which is a very dangerous exercise because that echo chamber is watching and listening to that noise created by Twitter and left leaning media. What a sad sorry mess our “governing class” have become, the problem is staring them in the face but they simply can’t hear or see it as the focus seems to be on “what can I get out of this and how long can we stay in power” rather than what tough decisions need to be made for the good of the country and to represent the silent majority.

Now before you Tweeters out there think I’m talking about all of you I am not. I’m talking about the coordinated network of leftie anti establishment social media groupies who seem to make it their life work to make as much noise as possible. They seem to have so much time on their hands they must be either unemployed or doing nothing much else other than social media activity whilst they are at work. And what is this new growing trend with the left media attaching tweets to their stories from their left tweeting groupies to back up their stories, so much for strong ethical journalism where journos stood by their convictions, now they need to

attach tweets to justify their story.

The amazing thing is that even some in the Coaltion have fallen into the trap of reacting to this section of our community and I lay much of the blame at the lack of older heads in Ministerial offices. Too much time is spent by most of the advisors either on social media or socialising together outside of work so they themselves have become part of the echo chamber.

If you talk to normal everyday people in the traditional way of actually talking they are sick of inaction on issues involving matters that directly affect them and they certainly are sick of the left leaning media and the politically correct brigade having a

much louder voice than they deserve.

The public service has a lot to answer for as well developing policies that are aimed toward creating a society that is left leaning and weak Ministers allowing the bureaucracy to have virtually unvetted control.

It is time Government and Opposition made decisions for the majority and for Cabinet to be a true executive government making decisions based on facts, good policy and a measure of politics thrown in rather than the current indecisive polling orientated decision making where Twitter twits and their left leaning media partners are calling the shots.

By Ben Cranney

MY wife had to go to South Africa for work, so we added a week and went on a Safari. We justified it by saying it was for our anniversary. It was actually closer to our engagement anniversary, which hardly counts, but I didn’t need convincing.

You can drive yourself through Kruger National Park, if you want to save a few dollars, but it seemed a bit restrictive. You can’t go off road, you follow the crowds and share the views with other cars, and you need a big camera zoom to get animal mug shots.

So we chose a private reserve backing

onto Kruger. It’s a fenceless border, the animals roam between the sites and the trackers go off road and get right up close to the animals.

All I wanted to see was a Leopard.

I didn’t realise this was unlikely until our tracker, Eric, said he only sees one about twice a month.

He found plenty of animals, though.

We watched a male lion eat his lunch from 10 meters and a white rhino playing with her daughter in the mud from thirty. We startled the rhinos the next day and for a long 10 seconds, the mum bellowed and stomped around, threatening to charge. She must have been scared by the noise of my

pounding heart, as she calmed down and went back to eating.

We also found a black rhino, which are rare in that area. Eric radioed his mates to let them know, and the bushveld came alive with redlining engines racing to join us. Eric joked that we’d find cameras and water bottles strewn along the road from the drivers hitting potholes and bumps too fast.

We saw most of the other grazing animals, including buffalos, giraffes and zebras. We were unlucky with the elephants, though. They’d been through, because they’d knocked the trees down to get to the highest leaves, but the only one we saw was

far off in the distance.

Sitting in a tree house watching animals at the watering hole, going on a bushwalk with nothing between us and the animals, singing and dancing at dusk in the bushveld with Choirmaster Eric, and watching the landscape change under flooding rain were also highlights. But the best bit was when Eric yelled, ‘hold on tight!’ and took off. Turns out that he wasn’t joking about the cameras. We hit one bump that almost launched me out of the seat. We slowed down, and there, under the tree, lounging around and looking vaguely annoyed at the attention, was a leopard.

The Unintentional Medium By Suzi Samuel To Dream the Impossible Dream THE other day I was clearing out my study waiting for the carpet cleaner to arrive and one of the things I moved was a picture of Don Quixote. Now Don Quixote is a very famous Spanish book about a country gentleman who actually was as mad as a hatter and thought himself a knight of old, obligated to travel around an area of Spain called La Mancha righting wrongs, rescuing damsels he imagined to be in distress and tilting at windmills he thought were monsters.

Back in the Sixties there was a musical based on this story called Man of La Mancha and, incidentally starring a very handsome Australian called Keith Michell. The hit song from the show was called To Dream the Impossible Dream which is all about holding on to your dreams and following them no matter how hopeless it may seem.

Well, something odd is happening in the spirit world. I was talking to my Grannie the other day and she suddenly said, “Tell Cindy, don’t give up, don’t give in”. Now Cindy is a truly lovely client of mine, but Gran doesn’t usually come through with messages for clients outside a reading.

I told her I would pass on the message, but didn’t get round to it that day. Next day, same thing. “Tell Cindy, don’t

give up, don’t give in,” and this kept on for a couple more days. Eventually I emailed her and told her what Gran had said. It turned out it was absolutely appropriate for what was going on in her life at the moment.

I have found that over the past four weeks or so, I have had a similar sort of message for quite a few of my clients.

Don’t lose sight of your goal. Believe that you can achieve what you are

trying to do. Keep hold of that dream and don’t let it go. I started to get a bit worried that maybe I was just saying the same thing, but Gran assured me that it was true and that things would clear soon and help these people to see that they could achieve the things they wanted.

This has proved the same for me.

For years I have harboured a dream about something which I thought

13 Western News 17 February 2017 Issue 28

Safari in South Africa

localnews local

would be impossible. Now the spirit world have been telling me for quite a while that stuff was about to happen and that I should be prepared. Well, I really had no idea it would be such an avalanche. Within a few days opportunities have been given to me that I had thought unbelievable, especially at my age, and my life has changed completely.

The feedback from some of my clients is that the same has happened to them and they can now see success.

My lovely friend and gifted clairvoyant Angelina would probably say that some planet has come out of retrograde of something else has combined with Mars to get these results. All I know is that things are changing for the better.

But to go back to Man of La Mancha and the impossible dream. As the lyrics say: “This is my quest to follow that star, no matter how hopeless, no matter how far” and it finishes “and I’ll always dream the impossible dream and I’ll reach the impossible star.”

So, please hold on to your dreams and follow that unreachable star. Who knows what you can achieve.

The Unintentional Medium is available from all good book stores and on line.

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Western News 17 Febuary 2017 Issue 28

Wanderers ready to end Sydney FC unbeaten streak

By Conner Lowe

THE Sydney Derby is fast becoming the sporting event to watch in Sydney and with the rivalry so fierce it’s always a spectacular event. The Wanderers haven’t beaten the ‘Sky Blue’ since the 11th of January 2014 and will be looking to give Sydney FC their first defeat of the A-League season.

Since the Wanderers introduction into the A-League in the 2012/13 season has seen the two clubs meet 14 times in the past with the Western Sydney Wanderers falling behind their rivals with three wins, four draws and seven loses.

There looks to be a huge crowd with their last meeting at ANZ Stadium setting an A-League record with a crowd attendance of 61,880. The Wanderers first match with Sydney FC of the season resulted in a shock 4-0 loss, the Wanderers were then able to hold their rivals in the second match of the season to a 0-0 draw.

Jack Clisby, Western Sydney Wanderers left-back spoke about previous encounters with Sydney FC this season and how the team are feeling following a shock defeat at home to the Central Coast Mariners.

“Regardless of how their (Sydney FC) season is going we want to knock them off and it’s a great chance for us to do it this week and the boys are still full of confidence regardless of what happened on the weekend,” he said.

“Round one is in the past and the second time we squared up against them we put in a really good team performance, especially the defensively and we limited them to quite a few chances and we had

chances to win the game.

We feel like as a team we have improved since then and maybe we can go one better and beat them this weekend.” He continued.

Joshua Sotirio, Western Sydney Wanderers forward talked about the expectations the team have for the rest of the season and the team’s ability in front of goal.

“It’s a big game the derby, but we will take this game as any other game, we believe we can win and as a whole group still believe we can make the grand final.

“We need to be more confident and relaxed in front of goal and we have been working on it at training and hopefully it comes of this weekend,” he said.

The Wanderers currently sit 7th on the ladder and will be looking to get themselves into finals contention. The Wanderers have a heavy schedule towards the last stretch of the season and with the Asian Champions League starting soon, they can’t afford to drop anymore points.

Tickets are still available at ticketek: http://premier.ticketek.com.au/shows/Show. aspx?sh=WAN0417

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Hunting guide (7) 5 Jobs (7) 9 Rehearsed (9) 10 Forest god (5) 11 They decide what goes in a magazine (7) 12 Teach (7) 13 Well-kept (9) 15 Speed competitions (5) 17 Head of a city (5) 19 Nightstick (9) 22 Invigorate (7) 25 Bringing two people together (7) 26 Silk-cotton tree (5) 27 Lacking in refinement (9) 28 Pushes forcefully (7) 29 Braids (7)

solution 3/2/17

DOWN 1 Dinners (7) 2 Inaptitude (9) 3 Things done (7) 4 Without ceasing (9) 5 Mooch (5) 6 Savior (7) 7 Additional (5) 8 Roads (7) 14 Things needed to accomplish a task (9) 16 Elements (9) 17 South African mongoose-like animal (7) 18 Rescinds (7) 20 Pertaining to the most populous country (7) 21 Cancels (7) 23 Outcast (5) 24 At the ends of fingers (5)

GWS Women to play historic first game THE GWS Women’s Giants thunder into Blacktown next weekend for the historic 2017 women’s AFL competition.

The Giants will play their first home game in Round three against Fremantle at Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday 18th February.

Councillor Stephen Bali, Blacktown Mayor encouraged the whole city to come out and show their support for these trailblazing women.

“The 2017 NAB Women’s AFL competition marks a new and exciting era in Aussie Rules Football,” he said.

“It is the first time the League has fielded a professional football competition for women, and the first time these talented athletes will have access to the resources they need to reach their potential.

“We are so proud the GWS Giants Women’s team have chosen Blacktown as their home and will play every home game here at the Sportspark.

“Blacktown City Council will host its 12th International Women’s Day event on 8 March, celebrating the achievements of women within the City.

“I can think of no better lead-up to this important occasion than by cheering on NSW’s first and only AFL team at their inaugural home game.”

The GWS Giants take on Fremantle Dockers at the Blacktown International Sportspark on Saturday 18th February. First bounce is at 12:05pm.

Entry to the game is free and there will be plenty of free family fun, including AFL clinics for the kids, giveaways and plenty of on field action.

The Giants’ women return to the Sportspark to

Learn to compost what you consume

By Brooke Boyce

OVER the next two weekends make time to both compost and consume – by learning how to compost, and feasting at a food truck festival.

Grow your positive environmental impact, and reduce your waste, by coming along to a free introduction to worm farming at 11am this Saturday, 18 February at Sydney Park Pavilion, Euston Road, Alexandria.

Run by City of Sydney, learn how to set up and manage a thriving home worm farm including what organic matter to feed them (much more than just vegetable peel!), how to maintain it, and how to harvest the nutrient rich, organic fertiliser produced by your worms for your garden.

Food waste unfortunately accounts for more than a third of waste in household red bins – so do your part for the environment, and enjoy a morning out with your friends or family.

Once you’ve set up your wonderful new worm farm, treat yourself, your friends and family to Park Feast, and salivate over some of Sydney’s most sought after food and dessert trucks.

From 11am on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 February, Park Feast offers free entry and free onsite parking – so indulge in lunch, dinner and dessert at one of their 30 plus food trucks.

What to do in between meals, you ask? Pull up a picnic blanket and listen to local musicians playing music all day and night, while the kids enjoy the amusement rides and jumping castles. Park Feast at Bella Vista Farm is on Elizabeth Macarthur Drive, Bella Vista.

Any leftovers you can’t finish? Take them home for your worms.

play Melbourne Demons on Friday 3rd March, as part of a double-header with the men’s Giants.

First bounce of the women’s game is at 5.05pm before cross city rivals the GWS Giants and Sydney Swans meet on field at 7.40pm.

This is the first time the two clubs have met since the 2016 AFL Premiership finals, where the Giants

defeated eventual grand finalists, the Swans.

“Blacktown International Sportspark Sydney has hosted many great AFL events and we have three great games to start another AFL season right here in Blacktown”, said Mayor Bali.

Tickets are now on sale from Ticketmaster, starting from just $5 for children and $20 for adults.

Blacktown sets Australian Haka record

By Conner Lowe

BLACKTOWN is claiming the Australian Guinness Book of Records record for the Haka, after just under 2,000 people performed the chant this morning.

“The official count was 1,998 – which we are going to claim as the Australian record,” Councillor Stephen Bali, Mayor of Blacktown City said.

The record chant, staged by the Maori Wardens NSW branch, in partnership with Blacktown City Council, was staged at Blacktown Showground at 10:30am on Saturday, 4th February.

The widely known “Ka Mate” version of the Haka was performed, which has a link to Blacktown through its New Zealand sister city, Porirua, the birthplace of its author, the Maori warrior Te Rauparaha.

15 Western News 17 February 2017 Issue 28

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Western NEWS

sport

Friday, 17 February 2017

Giddy up, footy season is almost here!

By Mark Geyer

FIRSTLY let me say howdy, I’ve missed you all over the past couple of months. It’s great to be back. How about the weather here in the west last weekend?!

Oh my god, I don’t think I’ve ever experienced a 47 degree day in my life and to be brutally honest I never want to again!

Now that summer is coming to an end (thank goodness) we now aim our sights firmly on the upcoming NRL season where I think the local boys are in for a bottler.

The youthful exuberance shown in the recent Auckland 9’s is indeed promising, also is the sight of James Tamou in a Panthers jersey.

The former Cowboys powerhouse front row forward looks to be the icing on the cake the Penrith young guns needed to elevate them to the ‘next level’. Not only does he bring an impressive résumé and reputation, he also looks to be enjoying life as a Mountain Man (well maybe he was until last weekends heatwave) which is a big plus.

There is no secret that Anthony Griffins men are legitimate Premiership hopefuls, in fact last I looked they were 3rd favoured with bookmakers to take out the whole thing. But of course that’s a long way off.

The sky in the West after our hottest day on record

New Recruit James Tamou looking right at home in his new strip

But I think the Panther faithful should feel rather giddy with excitement when assessing how far their team will go this year.

The Panthers have strength and depth right across the field with not only Tamou and Mitch Rein bolstering the squad but the return from injury of Peta Hiku and Dean Whare giving the coaching staff a much needed headache at the selection table. March 2 the competition starts with last years premiers the

Sharks taking on Wayne Bennett’s men the Broncos in the season opener at Shark Park.

Then two days later it’s the Panthers turn to strut their stuff against the Dragons away at Jubilee Oval on Saturday the 4th of March.

I’m excited, and cannot wait for the footy to kickoff. If you’re not a member become one, and join the army of Penrith supporters that live and breathe the greatest game of all. See you at the game.