Western News 18 December 2020

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Friday, 18 December 2020

ISSUE 125

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Merry Christmas

Western News 18 December 2020 Issue 125

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2020 festive season kicks off in Blacktown City

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eck the halls – and streets – with boughs of holly as the festive season has officially landed in Blacktown City for 2020.

This year’s Christmas season kicked off with the annual Mount Druitt Christmas Concert at Dawson Mall and the Blacktown Christmas Concert in the Village Green.

The free events included live stage peformances, a visit from Santa, the lighting of the Mount Druitt and Blacktown Christmas trees, and the launch of the Mayoress Christmas Gift Appeal for 2020.

Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM, said the concerts were the perfect way to start the Christmas season.

“The Mount Druitt and Blacktown Christmas concerts were both wonderful evenings filled with music, laughter, and the joy of community,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“They were also a chance for us to gather as friends, family, and neighbours, after what has been a tumultuous and difficult year for many.

“How lucky we are to live in a

Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, and performers at the 2020 Blacktown Christmas Concert held in the Village Green in Blacktown.

country like Australia, and a great City like Blacktown, where we can come together in a way which would have been impossible even a few months ago.

“As the Mayor of Blacktown City, it has given me immense pride to see the extraordinary lengths our community has gone to in order to

serve, care for, and lift one other up during this time.

“Let’s continue to do this throughout the festive season and into 2021, which we can head into with hope and thankfulness.”

Blacktown City Mayoress, Mrs Nina Bleasdale, is encouraging locals to donate gifts for children

aged between 0 and 16 years, which will be donated to local charities including Alice’s Support Services, Better Foundation, STARTSS, Yenu Allowah and Grace’s Place.

Mrs Bleasdale said the Mayoress Christmas Gift Appeal for 2020 is a chance to share the joy of Christmas by remembering those in our community who may be struggling.

“Every one of us here will have experienced hardship, and after the year we’ve gone through, I’m sure we all understand, perhaps more than usual, how difficult life can get,” Mrs Bleasdale said.

“Last year, Blacktown City donated around 3500 gifts to families in need.

This year I would very much like us increase this number, and I believe we can do this by coming together as a community.

“I’d love for everyone here to think about how we can help make a difference in a child’s life this Christmas.”

For details on the appeal visit https://www.blacktown.nsw.gov. au/About-Council/What-we-do/ Mayoress-Christmas-Gift-Appeal.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Citizen of the Year announced

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boriginal Community Liaison Officer Darryl Hamilton has been named as the 2020 Blacktown Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Citizen of the Year.

Mr Hamilton works as the Aboriginal Community Liaison Officer with the Mount Druitt Police Area Command, a role which he has served in for almost 20 years.

He also plays a pivotal role in the Breaking Barriers fitness program, which provides an important circuit breaker for Aboriginal youth at risk of entering the justice system.

The program has supported hundreds of young people since its inception in 2014.

After a temporary halt due to COVID-19 restrictions, the program has expanded under the NSW Police ‘Fit for Life’ initiative and operates 3 days a week out of the PCYC in Shalvey.

Braking Barriers is delivered by NSW Police officers and mentors from the Mount Druitt/Blacktown Aboriginal Justice group.

The young people in the program are picked up from their homes, driven to the PCYC to undertake a fitness program, and then provided with a nutritious breakfast.

Running the Breaking Barriers program, Darryl Hamilton begins his day at 4.40am on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays during the school term.

Councillor Kathie Collins OAM, Chair of Council’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee, presented the Award to Mr Hamilton on behalf of

(L-R) Mount Druitt Police Area Commander, Superintendent Trent King, with the recipient of the 2020 Blacktown Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Citizen of the Year Award, Darryl Hamilton, and Chair of Council’s Aboriginal Advisory Committee, Councillor Kathie Collins OAM.

Council and Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM. “I was immensely honoured to present Darryl Hamilton with this prestigious and important award, which recognises the outstanding contributions of members of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities to Blacktown City,” Cr Collins said.

Mayor Bleasdale congratulated Mr Hamilton as a very deserving recipient of the award.

“Our local police officers do incredible work in serving the diverse

communities of our great City, and it is wonderful to see the impact of programs like Breaking Barriers,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“The dedication, compassion, and care displayed by Mr Hamilton is truly inspiring.

“I am sure he will continue to be a mentor to the youth of Blacktown City for many years to come.”

Mount Druitt Police Area Commander, Superintendent Trent King, praised Mr Hamilton for his dedication to, and relationships with, the local community over many years.

“Darryl is recognised in the community for his efforts, and the link he provides between the community and police has been invaluable over a long period of time,” Superintendent King said.

“He has a genuine interest in the wellbeing of community members, particularly the young members of the community.

“That’s highlighted in Darryl’s contribution and commitment to programs including Breaking Barriers and other programs we are running in our schools.”

Western News

COVER STORY

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rom Batemans Bay to the Blue Mountains, from Moss Vale to Moruya, the generosity of Blacktown City’s residents is helping dozens of bushfire victims around NSW to rebuild their lives.

The Blacktown City Council Bushfire Appeal raised nearly $90,000 to go directly to victims of the 2019/2020 bushfires.

The funds generously raised by Blacktown City locals have enabled the donation of practical goods to bushfireaffected individuals across NSW. Council has teamed up with charity organisations GIVIT and Step by Step to ensure these necessary supplies, household goods, and vouchers make their way to those who need them.

Funds raised in the Blacktown City Council Bushfire Appeal have enabled the donation of items including water tanks and filters, a high-pressure water transfer pump, water replenishment vouchers, wheelbarrows, rakes, and shovels, a fridge-freezer, shed-building material, new tyres, a queen bed, electric blankets and quilts, a washing machine, microwaves, a vacuum cleaner, a laptop, an outdoor umbrella, and gift cards/vouchers.

These items have been provided to people around NSW in areas including Batemans Bay, Bellangry, the Blue Mountains, Forbes River,

the Hawkesbury, Lithgow, Mogo, the Moss Vale region, Moruya, Narooma, the NSW Mid-Coast, Quaama, and Wingham.

Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, said he was incredibly pleased to see the Bushfire Appeal funds turned into real-life assistance.

“While last summer’s bushfires might seem a lifetime ago after the year we’ve had, many communities around NSW are still living with the impact of the devastating fires,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“The recovery process for some of these communities and inviduals will be slow and take a long time – and many have had to deal with the further blow of the effects of COVID-19.

“I want to assure these communities

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that we have not forgotten you.

Blacktown City stands with you and supports you.”

Blue Mountains residents Dirk and Caroline Nelson are among those who have been given a helping hand through Council’s Bushfire Appeal.

The bushfires tore through their entire property in December, with a single shed the only building left standing.

Heavy rains then washed away the local public bridge and road that allowed them access to their remote property, and access was only restored several months later.

Blacktown City Council, along with Blue Mountains City Council, GIVIT and Step By Step came together with Katoomba Camping and Hardware

Store to provide the Nelsons with camping gear.

The donated equipment, including tents and camping chairs, means the couple can stay on their property as they rebuild.

Mayor Bleasdale recently met Ms Nelson at a handover of the goods at Katoomba Camping and Hardware store.

“We were very grateful for the generosity of Blacktown City locals as the equipment allows us to be on site temporarily to aid us on the road to recovery,” Ms Nelson said.

Mayor Bleasdale was accompanied

by Blue Mountains City Council Deputy Mayor, Chris Van der Kley, Step by Step Recovery Support Service Manager Anne Crestani and Bushfire Recovery Worker Ruth Myers, GIVIT NSW Engagement Officer Kirsty Bender, and Katoomba Camping and Hardware Store employee Mickie Szpytko.

Step by Step Bushfire Recovery Support Service is a partnership between Gateway Family Services and Resilience NSW to support to residents impacted by the fires.

GIVIT works with the NSW Joint Recovery Task Force to link requests for assistance for bushfire-affected families to donations of money, goods, and services.

Western News 18 December 2020 Issue 125

Blacktown City’s Bushfire Appeal helping victims to rebuild

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Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry

Ph: 9833 1122 154 Queen Street, St Marys londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au Authorised by Prue Car MP. Funded using parliamentary entitlements.

Western News 18 December 2020 Issue 125

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Prospect

From the Editor’s Desk

By KeRRIE DAVIES

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s I sit down to write my last editor’s column for 2020, I feel so overwhelmingly lucky and grateful.

Fun and happiness has been pretty much restored as we head into the festive break.

Most restrictions have been lifted, people are interacting with friends and family again and the padlocks have been taken off the borders.

It is amazing how exciting optimism feels when you’ve come out of an experience that makes you appreciate all that you had.

I feel incredibly grateful that as a country, we have been hit with many challenges this year but we’ve managed to get to Christmas in better shape than anticipated.

We’ve had exceptionally good leadership and we’ve all done our bit.

Locally, we’ve achieved amazing things during unprecedented conditions.

We’ve stuck together and supported each other and it has faired us well.

On behalf of everyone at Western News I’d like to say a massive THANK YOU to all our local advertisers, contributors, elected representatives and readers for sticking with us.

Your support has ensured that we’ve been able to bring you the news and that we continue to be. We are enormously grateful.

Merry Christmas to each and every one of you.

May 2021 be everything that 2020 was not!

Happy days x

Western News

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ember for Riverstone Kevin Conolly was delighted to join the Quakers Hill Police Area Commander, Superintendent Donna McCarthy to welcome in six new and motivated police officer graduates to the local Command.

These probationary constables have faced exceptional challenges this year, but they have shown they can overcome difficult circumstances to complete their training, and they will now use the same resilience to push them forward in their new careers.

“I am proud to welcome Probationary Constables Hamilton, Collins, Xuereb, Di Matteo, Saini,

Western News 18 December 2020 Issue 125

Six more police recruits for the local area command

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and Glanville and I wish them every success in their policing careers.

Being sworn in as a police officer is a great honour and I commend these new officers for making the decision to dedicate themselves to the task of ensuring the safety of our community,” Mr Conolly said.

Minister for Police and Emergency Services David Elliott welcomed the new recruits and said the NSW Government is committed to supporting them throughout their careers.

The NSW Government has already committed $583 million to introduce 1500 extra Police over four years and recently announced a $60 million upgrade to Goulburn Police Academy.

Michael Vassili

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Western News 18 December 2020 Issue 125

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LOCAL NEWS

Western News

Aboriginal community launches smoking safety message

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estern Sydney Aboriginal community members have launched a new ‘Smokefree home’ campaign to protect family members and children from breathing harmful passive smoke.

Launched at Mount Druitt Hospital Aboriginal Health Hub, the campaign was developed with local Aboriginal community members and health staff in Mount Druitt.

The message about smoking further away from the home is delivered in the form of a 45 second cartoon, and comes at an important time during COVID-19 with families spending more time at home.

Passive smoke comes from the end of a burning cigarette or is breathed out by a smoker. It is dangerous to breathe in passive smoke that can linger in the air. Children are at a higher risk of severe asthma, sudden infant death syndrome

(SIDS) and middle ear infections from breathing in passive smoke.

Shana Mason from Mount Druitt, who helped design the campaign, said the message will resonate with the community.

“Aboriginal families are very protective of their kids and more people are smoking outside the home.

However, there are still people who smoke too close and passive smoke gets back inside – they just don’t realise how much smoke gets in,” Shana said.

“It isn’t easy to quit smoking for a lot of people.

The smoke-free home cartoon is a little story to remind smokers they can do one quick, easy thing: just move further away to smoke so that kids don’t have to breathe it in.”

It is important to move well away from the home or any open windows and doors to smoke. This will help prevent harmful smoke from drifting back into the home.

Community members may have seen the smokefree home cartoon screened at local cinemas and in GP waiting rooms in Parramatta, Mount Druitt and Blacktown. It also featured on social media, posters on local public transport, and at local Aboriginal community centres.

Watch the video: https://youtu.be/tlZ8hUMMkmo For more information or to be involved in the campaign promotion, please contact Sarah Ip on 9840 3708 or Sarah.Ip@health.nsw.gov.au.

The NSW Government invests more than $17 million annually on tobacco control programs.

For information about how to quit smoking, call Quitline NSW on 13 7848.

WSLHD is committed to a range of initiatives to promote the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal people, and is working towards a three percent Aboriginal employment target by 2025.

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas…

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hristmas has certainly arrived at Westmead Hospital with the installation of a 12-foot Christmas tree at the hospital’s main entrance.

The tree, provided by Westmead Hospital Foundation, proudly adorns 365 baubles and 2,100 lights.

Chair of the Westmead Hospital Foundation, James Nguyen said he hopes the Christmas tree lifts the spirts of frontline healthcare staff, as well as patients and visitors to the hospital.

“2020 has been a tough year for everyone, especially those on the frontline,” James said.

“Christmas is a time for people to come together (in a COVID-safe way) and we hope that this tree stands as a symbol of joy and hope for the future for everyone,” The impressive 3.6m structure took four hours, and three contractors to install and decorate.

The tree was generously sponsored by the Australian award-winning furniture company, KING (formally KING Living Furniture), and donated by Westmead Hospital Foundation on their behalf.

“We are extremely grateful to KING for sponsoring Westmead Hospital Foundation’s Christmas tree,” said James.

“A special thank you also to the General Manager of Westmead Hospital Rebecca Tyson, Westmead Hospital Corporate Services manager Renata Melan, and their teams for helping us make this project a reality.”

David and Sonia King, owners of KING Living said they could not think of a better way to show their support, and thank our frontline workers.

“2020 has been a challenging year and KING Living would like to thank each and every one of you for your

Westmead Hospital Foundation Board are getting into the spirit this Christmas

ongoing commitment and dedication to keeping us safe,” they said.

“We are delighted to brighten up Christmas this year by donating this beautiful Christmas tree.”

Patients, visitors and staff are welcome to have their photograph with the Westmead Hospital Foundation tree and to leave a Christmas message for our healthcare staff or loved ones for the Foundation’s digital screens across the hospital. The Westmead Hospital Foundation Christmas tree is a COVID safe zone. To book a Christmas photograph, write a Christmas message or to make a donation, please contact (02) 8890 9728 or visit www.westmeadhf.org.au/

Western News

local news

2 Reindeer at Arcadia Place

By Noel Rowsell

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rcadia Place Santa George Asciak has been celebrating Christmas with his fundraising light show and working as one of Santa’s helpers for the past 18 years but Covid-19 made 2020 just a little bit more challenging.

George’s Christmas display in Arcadia Place Colyton is down to approximately 25% of it’s regular size but local sponsors and the community are rallying strongly with their support, with all donations going to Nepean Hospital.

Santa had a special surprise for children in the hospital during the week, greeting them all

Santa on Zoom at Nepean Hospital

individually via zoom and ensuring presents were still brought down from the North Pole in a Covidfriendly manner.

Maryann Ciccone, Fundraising and Events Manager at Nepean Hospital wrote to George saying “I am very pleased you have selected Nepean Hospital as the beneficiary of your fundraising event. It is rewarding to know that the work we (Nepean Hospital) do is valued in the community.”

George is upbeat about the restrictions and is confident people will still donate to his fundraising

campaign for the Hospital, with donations of money or gifts.

The fundraising page is Making a Difference | George Asciak (gofundraise.com.au) and you can also follow his progress on his Facebook page Arcadia place santa | Facebook George is putting his toy-making and fundraising abilities to even more use now, during the remainder of the year, joining St Clair Men’s Shed to contribute even more of his energy and expertise in support of the local community.

Western News 18 December 2020 Issue 125

Arcadia Place Santa still bringing Christmas cheer

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Western News 18 December 2020 Issue 125

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Western News

Crisis clinicians offer a helping hand for mental health emergencies

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pilot program has been launched to deploy a mental health professional when a 000 caller reports a psychiatric incident.

After successful implementation in Victoria and Canberra, the Police Ambulance and Clinical Early Response (PACER) program is being rolled out in Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD).

Aiming to provide early mental health intervention and reduce emergency department presentations where possible, the program is already helping community members in need.

Mental health clinician Joseph Kochupaingot Varghes said his 10 years of experience in community health helped him in this new, independent role.

“A sense of urgency is needed when responding to these crisis situations. Attending to people experiencing mental health emergencies as quickly as possible can be life-saving,” he said.

“We arrive with the police and ambulance brigades and carry out an initial assessment. For some patients experiencing a psychiatric incident a trip to the emergency department can actually further escalate their condition.

“If we can provide support at the right time, most people can avoid having to go to hospital and are usually safe to be left at home with follow up referrals provided for relevant mental health services.”

The other member of the two-person PACER team, mental health clinician Arun Kaushal said feedback from their police and ambulance counterparts has been extremely positive.

“We have been able to effectively de-escalate conflicts and provide immediate medical and mental health intervention,” Arun said.

Left to right: Blacktown Hospital acute team Rizvan Patel, PACER clinician Joseph Varghese, Blacktown Police Area Command Acting Superintendent Tamara Kirby, PACER clinician Arun Kaushal and Blacktown Police Area Command Nicole Pattinson.

“On average we spend two to three hours with each consumer. Sometimes it can take longer – that’s the nature of our job. We talk to families and ensure the person has support at home.”

The successful implementation of the PACER program in other states showed a significant reduction in the number of emergency department presentations, as well as the time for police

May the peace and goodwill of Christmas be upon you and your family.

Merry Christmas.

Stephen Bali MP Member for Blacktown Phone: 9671 5222 Shop 3063, Westpoint Shopping Centre, Blacktown Email: blacktown@parliament.nsw.gov.au

and ambulance spent on each psychiatric emergency.

Launched in Western Sydney on 26 October, the program has been expanded to Campbelltown, Nepean, Northern Beaches, Sutherland Shire, Eastern Beaches, Kuring-gai and Sydney Metro.

The pilot will continue until the end of 2020 – 2021 financial year and then will be re-assessed.

Prue Car MP “ Member for Londonderry

A Very Merry Christmas to you and your family. All the best for 2021 and enjoy the holiday season!

“

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Ph: 9833 1122 154 Queen Street, St Marys londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au Authorised by Prue Car MP. Funded using parliamentary entitlements. December 2020

Western News

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story told by a frustrated laptop, imaginary overseas travels and the phenomena of Zoom meetings were just some of the subjects covered in Blacktown City’s 2020 Mayoral Creative Writing competition.

The annual competition is open to adults and children aged between 8 and 17 years who live in Blacktown City.

The theme for 2020 was The Whole World at Home, with entrants asked to submit either a poem or short story.

Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, announced the winners, highly commended, and special mentions for the Prize in a virtual presentation ceremony.

“We received 370 entries across the 8 categories, more than double the number of entries received in 2019”, Mayor Bleasdale said.

The pieces interpreted the theme broadly, with some submissions evoking the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, quarantine, and Zoom meetings.

Others focused on the impact of divorce, the ability to travel the world through the power of imagination, and even an anthropomorphic narrative from the point of view of a frustrated laptop.

“While we’ve been laboring under the difficulties of COVID-19, the

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Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM, with Himani Bhandari, the winner of the 12- 14 years old Poetry category, at the 2020 Mayoral Creative Writing Prize virtual presentation.

writers of Blacktown City have used the time of isolation and lockdowns to create a wealth of new material,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“The Mayoral Creative Writing Prize is a celebration of our communities’ resilience and it recognises the power of telling our stories.

“Congratulations to everyone who entered, and to the recipients in each writing category.

“I encourage all our entrants to keep

writing, keep reading, and to share their love of both with those around them.”

The judges for 2020 were Christina Donoghue, an Australian-born African writer and artist from southwest Sydney, James Roy, a critically acclaimed and multi-award-winning writer of over 40 books, and Emeritus Professor Margot Hillel OAM, former President of the Children’s Book Council of Australia, former Chair of the Academic Board at

”

the Australian Catholic University, and a judge of the 2020 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.

The Mayoral Creative Writing Prize is run in partnership with WestWords, an organisation which celebrates and champions the stories of Western Sydney.

2020 Mayoral Creative Writing Prize winners • Sarah Jane Cupitt – The Plant Room (Adult Poetry) • Jo Mularczyk – Ignorance is Bliss (Adult Short Story) • Muneeza Ayub – Hymn of the Sky (15 – 17 years old Poetry) • Mackenzie Vary – Child’s play (15 – 17 years old Short Story) • Himani Bhandari – Poem: The Whole World in My Home (12 – 14 years old Poetry) • Mannat Ali – When the computer has had ENOUGH! (12 – 14 years old Short Story) • Nandana Anu Priya – A Change To My World (8 – 11 years old Poetry) • Zulkifl Khan – Report: Unsuccessful Cure (8 – 11 years old Short Story).

For more information on the Mayoral Creative Writing Prize visit www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/ Community/Awards-scholarships-andcompetitions/2021-Mayoral-CreativeWriting-Prize.

Western News 18 December 2020 Issue 125

Winners of 2020 Mayoral Creative Writing Prize announced

May the blessings of Christmas fill your heart and home with joy now and throughout 2021.

Merry Christmas to all!

”

Kevin

Conolly MP

State Member for Riverstone Phone: (02) 8883 3499 Fax: (02) 8883 3355 Mail: P.O. Box 65, Stanhope Gardens NSW 2768 Email: riverstone@parliament.nsw.gov.au Authorised by Kevin Conolly MP. Funded using parliamentary entitlements.

Western News 18 December 2020 Issue 125

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WESTERN HISTORY

Western News

In the Little Cemetery on the Hill

three days before the 21st December 1916 and had a “marked stiffness and retraction of the neck area”.

His temperature reached 100 degrees and was t Mary Magdalene cemetery has several observed as “stupid and cannot give any coherent people and families who are now known account of his illness”. Harry died of meningitis as “Australian Royalty”. This is why this in January 1917 aged 26 years and is buried at church and cemetery connected to Governor King’s Stratford-Sub-Castle (St Lawrence) Churchyard in family is very historical and contains over 1,800+ England in Wiltshire. A family member received a burials since 1836. One such Australian Royalty letter from Harry in December 1916 written from the family belongs to the Adams Family (no pun trenches somewhere on the Western Front and not intended!). The Australian side starts with convict long before he fell ill. The letter states “From Pte John Adams, born in England in 1798. At the age Harry Adams, 13th Battalion on active service, to of 23 years he was convicted of sheep stealing at St Marys Cheer Fund. Dear Friends, your parcel of the Derbyshire Assizes and given a life sentence Christmas goods to hand this morning. I thank you to Australia in 1821. He was one of 140 convicts heartily for sending them to me. You know the boys transported on the “Dick” in October 1820. The heartily appreciate a letter or a parcel from home.

1828 census places John as a Government Servant Things are not the same here as at home. It is bitterly and ploughman to George Cox at “Winbourne”. cold and snowing and raining all the time. The snow  Grave of John Adams In July 1830 he was granted permission to marry is falling thickly whilst I am writing this. I have had courtesy of Australia and Sarah Bankin at Cobbitty near Narellan. Sarah was six days furlough, which I spent in London. It is New Zealand Find A Grave Index. born in 1814 at Hornchurch, Greater London. She a great city, full of beautiful buildings and scenery arrived in Australia from England in December 1828 with her last which is quite different to good old Sydney. The people here cannot name wrongly put down as “Banken”. She was an assisted immigrant make us chaps out because we are so cheerful. Well, I would not along with her family on the “Borneo” originally landing at Hobart mind being home for a few days at Christmas but never mind, I can and later she came to NSW. Sarah’s father Richard was born in the only hope to be back for the following one. I was expecting to have County of Essex, England in 1757. He died in Windsor NSW in 1845. a month’s spell, but it cannot be done, as we have to relieve the 2nd Her mother Prudence Bankin (Nee: Perkins) was born in England Division. They will be able to have Christmas out of the firing line, in 1783 and died in Hobart in 1828 soon after arriving in Tasmania. lucky beggars. It was quite a shock when I got the parcel this morning.

John was given a Conditional Pardon in 1838. He died aged 63 at I came in from outpost duty and one of my mates said to me “I say, North Richmond and is buried in St Peters Cemetery there. His death Digger, there’s a parcel up top for you!”. We call everyone “Digger” notice said he “died at his residence in North Richmond leaving a here, as we have to dig ourselves in from being outed by Fritz.” A wife and a large family to deplore their loss, amongst who are Mrs memorial Service was held in January 1917 at St Mary Magdalene Peter Royal (Sarah Adams) of St Marys South Creek and Mrs William Church. The Rector Rev. Bowers preached a touching service that Dunn (Susan Adams)-Innkeeper of the Royal at Hartley”. Sarah died was attended by a number of cadets under the charge of Lieutenant in 1878 at the age of 64 years and is buried in St Mary Magdalene Hope and the Penrith District Band accompanied the singing of the cemetery. Their son Charles William Adams was born at St Marys in hymns. In June, 1917, Harry’s sister at St Marys, Mrs Emma Dollin 1851. He was a shoemaker, originally an apprentice to Paul Herford.

(Adams) received a sympathetic letter from Lieutenant G Waynflete He married Elizabeth Rope in 1879 who was the great-granddaughter who was in charge of Harry’s Company, 4th Battalion at the time of of the convict Rope/Pulley family also Australian Royalty. She was his death. In the course of his letter, Lieutenant Waynflete refers to born in 1858. Her parents were George & Eleanor Rope (Nee: Levers) “the deep regret felt by the company at the decease of Harry who was married in 1879 at St Marys. Charles died in 1897 at St Marys aged a general favourite amongst his comrades”. The Lieutenant was in 45 years and is buried at St Mary Magdalene cemetery with Elizabeth charge of the firing party at Harry’s funeral in England and remarks who died aged 36 years in 1895. Their son Harry Adams was an “Old that he was impressed “with the solemn and sweetness of the service”.

Boy” of St Marys Public School in Princess Mary Street, St Marys Selina Burgess, Harry’s aunt, was his “foster mother” because both and lived in Gidley Street. Harry, born in 1891 volunteered in WW1. his parents were dead. She applied for a war pension and was refused He enlisted in 1916 into the 1st AIF, 4th Infantry, 13th Battalion. He as she was not “dependent” on Harry at the time of his enlistment, sailed to England from Sydney in 1916 on the “Wiltshire” and saw but later this decision was overturned, and she received £1 a fortnight. active service on the Western Front in September where the last attack On behalf of our Society I wish you all the best for Christmas and by the Australians at Pozieres commenced just before dawn when the the New Year. The Chambers is still closed until further notice.

British & Canadians took over the fighting. The AIF had been placed 7 times at Pozieres and had lost over 23,000 officers & men. They Sources: Church of England Baptisms, Marriages and Burials, Australian were then sent to Ypres. By October, the 1st-2nd & 5th Divisions of Convict Transportation Registers 1791-1868, British convict transportation the AIF were ordered back to the Somme. In December 1916 Harry registers 1787-1867, NSW Registers of Convicts’ Applications to Marry, 1826was sent back to England and admitted to the New Zealand No. 5 1851, Australia Marriage Index, 1788-1950, NSW Settler and Convict Lists Codford Hospital. He was in this hospital for 18 hours and was then 1787-1834, Australia Death Index, Empire newsletter September 1859, BDM online, Ancestry, Family Search (Mormon website), Nepean Times, National transferred to the infectious unit at the Salisbury Infectious Hospital Archives of Australia, Department of Environment. in isolation. The hospital statement said that Harry had been ill for

By Lyn Forde – President/Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.

S

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Western News

local news

P

ublic hospitals throughout NSW performed more elective surgery than ever before during the July to September 2020 quarter, despite COVID-19 challenges, with Blacktown Hospital among the state’s best performers.

Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) is on track to have no patients overdue for surgery by the end of the year due to the incredible work of the surgeons, anaesthetists, nurses, and bookings and admissions team.

The latest Bureau of Health Information (BHI) Healthcare Quarterly report released today shows WSLHD performed 6,040 elective surgery procedures in July-September this year – 728 more than the same quarter in 2019.

More than 80 per cent of those were performed on time, including 99.8 per cent of urgent procedures which must be done within 30 days.

Blacktown and Auburn hospitals both contributed significantly, respectively recording a 30 per cent and 23 per cent rise in the number of procedures performed compared to last year.

“I would like to thank and praise all our staff for their incredible work this year as we faced unprecedented challenges during this pandemic,” WSLHD chief executive Graeme Loy said.

“Our operating theatres performed at the highest levels ever seen to ensure we can get through the elective surgery

Blacktown Hospital emergency department staff, pictured in 2018.

demand. All the medical, nursing and administration staff deserve recognition for this phenomenal effort.”

The report also showed that WSLHD emergency departments (ED) saw nearly 47,000 people from July to September, and more than twothirds started their treatment on time.

Blacktown Hospital in particular showed substantial improvement.

Three-quarters of patients started their treatment on time in the ED, up 18.7 per cent compared to the same time in 2019.

On March 26 the Australian Government suspended all non-urgent surgery in order to prepare hospitals for a predicted surge of COVID-19 patients.

That necessary decision saw the NSW elective surgery waitlist blow out to more than 101,000 patients

at the end of June, but by the end of September it was down to 95,000.

NSW Health Deputy Secretary Susan Pearce said the BHI report shows the health system is recovering well from nationally imposed restrictions.

“When you look at the challenges facing overseas hospitals, the effort of NSW in quadrupling ICU capacity,

managing presentations and pushing through surgery is remarkable,” Ms Pearce said.

“Almost 100 per cent of urgent surgery was performed on time (99.8%) and more elective surgical procedures were performed this quarter than in any other quarter over the last five years.

“We needed to act decisively to address the impact of a pause in nonurgent surgeries on our waiting lists that was introduced Australia-wide in March, which we did and are continuing to do.”

Figures show public hospitals performed almost 65,000 elective surgeries in the July to September quarter, up by 2,581 or 4.2 per cent on the same quarter in 2019, when there was no COVID-19.

The NSW Government has invested an additional $3 billion since March to help NSW Health manage the impacts of COVID-19, bringing the 2020-21 Health budget to a record $29.3 billion.

Westmead Hospital surgery bookings team members (from left) Sejal Mahant, Marie Ivy Rodrigues, Farwa Raza and Caren Munoz.

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Climbing tall hills (14) 10 A valley in France (5) 11 Bring up to date (9) 12 Pastures (7) 13 Moral (7) 14 Increase in salary (5) 16 Forgery (9) 19 Deep-rooted (9) 20 Slander (5) 22 Share (7) 25 Decaying vegetation (7) 27 Nickname (9) 28 Snow hut (5) 29 Dissolution (14)) down 2 Functioning (9) 3 Requires (5) 4 The price for entry (9) 5 Gentle push (5) 6 Landslide (9)

solution 11/12/20

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15 17 18 19 21 23 24 26

Relating to the lower body (5) Imp (7) A forward on a hockey team (6) Radiation (9) Gauge or warning light (9) A complicated situation (9) Levied (7) Makes skin soft (6) Bumpkins (5) Elicit (5) Master of Literature (5)

Western News 18 December 2020 Issue 125

Western Sydney surgery record, Blacktown ED on the rise: New report

13

Western News 18 December 2020 Issue 125

14

REAL ESTATE

Alex Soncini

A

Western News

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

fter an incredibly challenging year with a worldwide pandemic and fears of an economic downturn have impacted everyone and every business in Australia in 2020.

I think it has been a tough and uncertain year for many people and as Australians usually do, have worked hard and are good at being resourceful to make the best of a bad situation which is evident now to the whole world.

Despite the economic downturn and tighter lending conditions, Wealthwiz has been busy providing advice and lending solutions for property and business enquiries.

The housing markets in Sydney and Melbourne, somewhat surprisingly continue to grow while housing supply is trending lower since 2017 increasing demand by owner occupiers and investors. The Official Interest rates have been cut to 0.10% in November making mortgage rates the lowest since the 1950’s.

I’m asked many questions about interest rates, house prices and what is going to happen

business next year. Given the current concerns about the economy and evidence that consumers are saving rather than spending their money, however I feel many Australians will look to capitalise many opportunities emerging and purchase a property or start a business while interest rates are low.

If you wish to buy property, refinance for a better rate or interested in starting your own business you need to be prepared, all the information you need to know may seem difficult. The truth is the process is simple, start by taking the first step as asking a broker for advice.

In the words of Dr Seuss: “Sometimes the questions are complicated, and the answers are simple.”

If you have any queries during the Christmas Break, please do not hesitate to contact us, either by email alex.soncini@wealthwiz.com. au or mobile on 0419 600 177.

On behalf of my team at Wealthwiz, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2021.

@wealthwiz

We wish you and your family a Merry Christmas season and a prosperous New Year!

#wealthwizau

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

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Western News

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estern Sydney Wanderers FC are proud to announce Voltaren as the club’s CoMajor Partner for the A-League 2020/21 season.

Australia’s leading topical pain relief brand will now feature on the front of the Red & Black’s A-League home jersey with the season kicking off on 27 December at Bankwest Stadium in a historic double header fixture.

The partnership will also see Voltaren directly connect with the Wanderers community as well as the club’s members through activations on match day.

Western Sydney Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas welcomed Voltaren to the Wanderers family.

“We’d like to welcome the Voltaren team to the Wanderers family and look forward to working with them this season,” said Tsatsimas.

“The countdown is on as we prepare to kick-off our 2020/21 campaign and we are delighted to have Voltaren as our front-of-shirt partner for what is shaping up to be a great season for the club.”

Senior Marketing Manager of Voltaren James Meins has said that the partnership is extremely aligned between Voltaren and the Wanderers.

“We are extremely pleased to begin the 20/21 season as a co-major sponsor of the Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club and would like to thank John Tsatsimas and the team as we establish what we hope will become an enduring and prosperous partnership for both the Wanderers and Voltaren,” said Meins.

“Our Brand purpose exists to restore the joy of movement in all Australians and with a focus on motivation and inclusion, we hope to embody the community spirit that the Wanderers prides itself by.”

The end to a beautiful career

L

oved by many Mr. Brian McCombe has retired from his professional career in sales after 53 years. This wonderful and happy soul has helped many customers throughout his career with many driving hours away just to be serviced by him personally. “What you give out is what you get back and I love going out of my way to make sure everyone leaves happy”.

Brian’s very exciting journey begins when he joined a band as a drummer when was just 14 years of age. He enjoyed being part of the band as they quite often played at weddings and parties. Over the years Brian’s passion and love for entertainment grew quite quickly and in the 90s Brian was successful in landing the key role as ‘King Brian’ for Electronics Sales and Service. His role as ‘King Brian lasted

for nearly a decade and throughout this time he was on television commercials selling TVs and all sort of electronics. The wonderful era of ‘King Brian’ came to an end after the store closed however during his time at Electronics Sales and Service Brian became well-known and very popular becoming friends with many famous entertainers. Many to this day still refer to him as ‘King Brian’.

Brian’s love and passion for entertainment will remain a big part of him even throughout his retirement. Brian is often invited as a guest by entertainers to their shows or functions. He has also had many guest appearances on many well know shows, with many spotting him on Channel nine’s Footy Show and Channel Ten’s Morning Show.

Brian also belongs to two groups

The Debonairs and Ecidnas which inlcudes older entertainers.

Brian’s very successful career ended at the Good guys where he worked in sales at the prospect store for 18 years, up until his recent retirement and was often salesperson of the year.

His achievements don’t stop there as Brian has been recognised on many occasions and has won many awards for his excellence in service. He has also contributed and volunteered his time to many community and charity groups. The one that stands out the most though, is Brian’s 13year involvement with Kidney Health Australia, where thousands of dollars have been raised through the Charity Golf Day to aid kidney research and health programs.

Brian has made many friends over the years and now retired he can

enjoy more moments with them.

Many describe Brian as a loyal friend who goes out of his way to make his friends happy. Further to this Brian is often describe as a genuine and lovely person who enjoys every moment to its fullest. One thing is for sure, even though the famous ‘King Brian’ is retired there is much more to be told as this wonderful journey has is far from over.

Water restrictions lifted in time for summer holidays From 1st December, Level 1 Water restrictions for Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and Illawarra were lifted and replaced with Water Wise Guidelines.

Minister for Water Property and Housing, Melinda Pavey said Greater Sydney has done a great job saving water during one of the worst droughts on record.

“People across Greater Sydney have done an outstanding job during water restrictions, collectively saving 77 gigalitres of water – the equivalent of 31,000 Olympic-size swimming pools. Since March 2020 water use is down 7.5 per cent,” Mrs Pavey said.

“The new Water Wise Guidelines follow commonsense behaviours we have seen over the past 12 months. While we want everyone to enjoy water this summer, we need to remember to use it wisely.

“The heat wave over the weekend meant 3.7 gigalitres of water was consumed Friday and Saturday, the most consumed over two days for 2020, a timely reminder how quickly dam levels can change.”

Mrs Pavey said water restrictions have helped curtail demand by around 65ML per day, taking pressure off the filtration plant to provide clean water from Sydney’s dams which have been impacted by

bushfires and heavy rainfall.

“We’ve been through drought, bushfires and floods and we know things can change dramatically very quickly, ” Mrs Pavey said.

“While water restrictions will be lifted from midnight tonight, we are encouraging people to continue to practice their good water behaviour habits along the guidelines of the Level 1 water restrictions.”

Under Water Wise Guidelines, tap water can be used to water lawns and gardens before 10am and after 4pm, if using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, standard watering systems or

supervised sprinklers.

Exemption permits for households and businesses will no longer be required. For more information visit here. Sydney Water vision can be found here.

Under the new Water Wise Guidelines, YOU CAN use drinking water to: • water lawns and gardens before 10am and after 4pm using a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle, standard watering systems, or SUPERVISED sprinklers • water new turf and gardens at any time for up to 28 days • water lawns and gardens with drip irrigation systems or ‘smart water systems’ at any time • top up pools and spas to replace water lost through evaporation • fill new or renovated pools and spas • wash vehicles with a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or high-pressure cleaning equipment • clean buildings (including windows, walls and gutters) with a hand-held hose fitted with a trigger nozzle or high-pressure cleaning equipment • cool down people or animals.

Western News 18 December 2020 Issue 125

Voltaren sign on as Wanderers Co-Major

15

Western News

SPORT

Friday, 18 December 2020

BRBW Host Women’s Aboriginal RL Knockout

By Noel Rowsell

I

n 2020, the Blacktown Western Warriors and Red Belly Blacks Indigenous Rugby League Football Clubs merged to establish the Blacktown Red Belly Warriors.

Spokesperson Rondelle Stanley said “This merger further strengthens our presence and reach within the Western Sydney area, providing our indigenous youth (both men and women), with a strong foundation of family, cultural pride, mentoring, life coaching and mate-ship for life.”

“Western Sydney has the largest indigenous population in Australia, yet many of our youth have limited awareness of their own heritage. It is our aim to not only provide a home for successful sporting achievements but also provide a home for successful cultural and life achievements.

Through song, dance, story-telling, cultural events and mentoring, we strive to educate our youth about their rich history, whilst encouraging engagement within their wider communities,” said Rondelle.

“Established in 1992, the Blacktown Western Warriors Rugby League Football Club had always aimed to promote and encourage a safe, friendly and supportive environment for our Aboriginal youth and their families.

We have prided ourselves in not only fostering our players with a sense of self-respect, confidence, pride and honour that is demonstrable on the field but also with the awareness of each individual’s significance within our community.

Previous and present players include the likes of Cliff Lyons (NRL Manly Sea Eagles), Jarrod Sammut (NSW Penrith Panthers) and Jake Foster (NRL Canberra Raiders).

My grandmother established this

Blacktown Red Belly Warriors Women’s team competed in the Tribal League competition which was played over 3 consecutive weeks and came 3rd overall. Photo supplied.

club in 1992 to bring the Aboriginal community together and showcase our talent playing the game we love. For many years she hosted an Aboriginal Knockout in Blacktown and my family and I have ensured her legacy lives on by working tirelessly in the community making sure we are creating the same opportunities for our mob.”

“The Red Belly Blacks were established as a brand within the Western Sydney Indigenous Sporting Academy (WSISA) in 2015,” said Rondelle.

Our core values have always been centred around providing the foundations of discipline, hard work, mate-ship and cultural awareness for our aboriginal youth in Western Sydney through the common ground of rugby league. It has always been our belief that with strong mentorship our youth will thrive.”

“As we embark on this new chapter,

we are excited for what lies ahead for the Blacktown Red Belly Warriors family,” said Rondelle.

“We are kicking off 2021 by hosting a Knockout Tournament at The Kingsway St Marys on 6th February 2021.

Historically, there has been an Annual NSW Aboriginal Knockout that is held across NSW. Whichever team wins the event becomes the new host for the next year. It started 50 years ago and initially was a men’s knockout but has grown to include the women and kids. The men are always the main event of these knockouts but this is the first Knockout tournament held in NSW with the women as the main event.

Blacktown Red Belly Warriors want to showcase the growth of women in league and create pathways for our up and coming girls.”

The teams that have already confirmed for the tournament include

sides from Dubbo, Newcastle, North Coast, Kempsey, South Coast, Redfern and Western Sydney, across Women, U17 Boys, U16 Girls and U15 Boys.

Included on the day will be cultural workshops, kids entertainment, community market stalls and a positive step towards reconciliation and to create culturally sensitive pathways for our children Shaylee Bent, who is an Ambassador for ‘Tackling Violence’ and a NSW State of Origin player will lead the Blacktown Red Belly Women’s team and help showcase Women In League, hopefully building pathways for our young girls into rugby league.

People wishing to obtain more information about the tournament or enter a team should contact Rondelle Ryan or Kerrie Smith at blacktownredbellywarriors@gmail. com

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