Western News 18 September 2020 by Nepean News

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Friday, 18 September 2020

ISSUE 118

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Great West Walk Win

Blacktown City Council’s Recreation Planning and Design team has taken out the award of Community Based Initiative of the Year presented by Parks and Leisure Australia NSW/ACT Awards of Excellence. See page 3 for full story.

Western News 18 September 2020 Issue 118

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Mayor and Deputy Mayor elected unopposed

lacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM, and Deputy Mayor Julie Griffiths have been re-elected unopposed to lead Blacktown City Council for the next 12 months leading up to next year’s Local Government Elections. Local Government elections were due to be held this month, however the Minister for Local Government announced in March that the elections would be postponed for 12 months due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Under the Local Government Act, elections needed to be held for the office of Mayor and Deputy Mayor for the remaining 1-year term of Council. Councillor Bleasdale and Councillor Griffiths were elected Mayor and Deputy Mayor at an Extraordinary Council meeting last night (Wednesday). They will hold the positions until the September ’21 Local Government elections. “It is a great honour and privilege to have been elected by my fellow Councillors to continue in the office of Mayor of the City of Blacktown for the remaining 1-year term of Council.” Mayor Bleasdale said. “Deputy Mayor Griffiths and I see our election as an endorsement of Council’s unified and responsible

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM and Deputy Mayor Julie Griffiths.

plans, policies and actions. “While COVID-19 has resulted in considerable revenue loss for Council, we have the right policies and plans in place to ensure the health and financial wellbeing of our community. “We are a team committed to the transformative

program that is establishing Blacktown as a city of talent, diversity and sustainable growth and development,” Mayor Bleasdale said. Deputy Mayor Griffiths said; “It is an honour and privilege to serve the Blacktown City Community and I look forward to joining with Tony and my fellow Councillors in ensuring Blacktown City continues its journey of sustainable development while celebrating our diversity and multiculturalism.” Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM was first elected to Council in November 1996. He held the position of Deputy Mayor for 3 years and became Mayor of Blacktown City in October 2019 when then Mayor Stephen Bali MP stepped down from the position. Mayor Bleasdale was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2010 for his service to the community as a supporter of charitable organisations and for his contribution to local government in the Blacktown City area. Deputy Mayor Griffiths was first elected to Council in 2008 and became Deputy Mayor in September 2019. She is a past President of the Australian Local Government Women’s Association (NSW) and a current member of the NSW Joint Ministerial Advisory Council.

Spring into health this September – online at your local library! This year has seen some big changes to the way we live since the COVID-19 outbreak. Looking after your health has never been more important. People who live and work in western Sydney have the opportunity to pick up some free health tips by taking part in this year’s Library Health Month activities, all from the comfort of their home! For the fourth year running, Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) has partnered with libraries in council areas of Blacktown, Cumberland, Parramatta and the Hills Shire to share the ‘Spring into Health’ message with library visitors during Library Health Month in September. Libraries will play host to a range of free online health talks including ‘How to pack a healthy lunchbox’ and live online sessions about health

and wellbeing in different languages, thanks to the Bilingual Community Education Program. WSLHD Centre for Population Health Deputy Director, Christine Newman said everyone is encouraged to visit their local library’s online health website to see what’s on offer during Library Health Month, and to sign up for the free Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service. “COVID-19 may have changed your routine and your normal activities, but our ongoing partnership with local libraries will always be here to support our communities,” said Christine. “We’d like to remind people in our western Sydney communities about the importance of healthy eating and active living, and how free programs like the Get Healthy Service might help them,” she continued.

Libraries will also promote other free NSW Health programs including: • Go4Fun for kids • Stepping On for people over 65, who are concerned about falling or have had a fall • Healthy & Active for Life for over 60s, which includes weekly phone support services. There will be a range of fun health activities and challenges available for the month of September. You can be inspired by favourite health books, or check out the free healthy storytime reads from the Sydney Thunder Literacy program. There’s also a bonus free online practical cricket skills session! “Why not even try to walk, cycle or scooter to your local library if you’re picking up a book? It’s a great way to stay COVID-19 safe, while being physically active,” added Christine.

For more information, check out your local library’s website to discover their health portal in September: w w w. b l a c k t o w n . n s w. g o v. a u / Services/Libraries/Library-HealthMonth www.cumberland.nsw.gov.au/ spring-health www.cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au/ spring-into-health-in-september www.thehills.nsw.gov.au/Library/ Spring-into-Health-during-LibraryHealth-Month To find out more about the free NSW Health programs, visit www. makehealthynormal.nsw.gov.au

Know your flood risk in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley The NSW State Emergency Service (NSW SES) today launched phase two of the ‘Floods. The Risk is Real.’ campaign for the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley. NSW SES Commissioner Carlene York said that wetter conditions and the recent February flood event highlight the importance of being prepared for floods in the valley. “This public safety campaign is a timely reminder of the significant flood risk in this valley,” Commissioner York said. “The February 2020 flood event was relatively small compared to others the region has experienced in the past. Everyone is responsible for knowing their risks and being prepared for floods.” The ‘Floods. The Risk is Real.’ campaign aims to increase flood awareness in the HawkesburyNepean Valley and to encourage people to take at least one action to prepare for floods. The first phase of the campaign was delivered in late 2019, and it resulted in more than 52,000

unique visits to the NSW SES website to access flood information. The post-campaign survey showed that more than 70% of people who saw the campaign took at least one action to prepare for floods. The second phase of this public safety campaign includes a direct mail out to suburbs that are impacted by a 1 in 500 chance per year flood. The direct mail information is localised for five areas across the valley and includes a local flood map and historical flood information. The campaign also features local print and digital advertising, supported by an interactive flood mapping tool and a suite of resources about local risks across the floodplain. Acting Zone Commander Metropolitan, Stuart Fisher said that the augmented reality techniques used in the new video, ‘The Risk is Real’, have created incredibly life-like scenarios which will be easy for people to relate to. “In this video, NSW SES volunteers step through

the real risks people can face from flooding in their streets and their homes in an immersive mixed reality environment,” Commander Fisher said. “These leading-edge visualisation techniques have been used effectively overseas to help demonstrate the dangers of floodwaters. They are an engaging way of sharing the story about flood risk in the Hawkesbury-Nepean valley.” Residents and workers in the HawkesburyNepean Valley are encouraged to check their flood risk now at www.myfloodrisk.nsw.gov.au The Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley covers around 500 square kilometres in Western Sydney, from Bents Basin near Wallacia to the Brooklyn Bridge. The four main local government areas within the valley are Penrith City, Hawkesbury City, The Hills Shire and Blacktown City. This campaign is being delivered by the NSW SES and Infrastructure NSW, in partnership with Resilience NSW.

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lacktown City Council’s contribution to the establishment and delivery of the Great West Walk in Western Sydney has been acknowledged at this year’s Parks and Leisure Australia NSW/ACT Awards of Excellence. Council’s Recreation Planning and Design team has taken out the award of Community Based Initiative of the Year. The Great West Walk (GWW) is a 65-kilometre urban walking route which stretches from Parramatta, through Blacktown City, and on to the foot of the Blue Mountains. Open since October 2019, the trail traverses a varied landscape of protected Cumberland Plain woodland, local river systems, public parklands, Australia’s oldest architecture, and some of Western Sydney’s most iconic urban landscapes. Over half of the walk – 34 km of it – is within Blacktown City Council boundaries. Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale, OAM, congratulated Blacktown City Council’s Recreation Planning and Design team on the accolade. “The Great West Walk puts on display some of the fascinating and diverse landscapes we have here in Blacktown City,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

Walking Volunteers President Ian Napier leads out walkers including (from left) Mayor Tony Bleasdale, Cr Kathie Collins Deputy Mayor Julie Griffiths and Cr Moninder Singh in the parkland Blacktown Showground.

“This wonderful walking route not only showcases our area and the wider beauty of Western Sydney, but also inspires people to get out into the natural environment and to stay active. “I encourage Blacktown City residents and visitors alike to try the walk for themselves and to experience the unique natural and built landmarks of our great City.” The Blacktown section of the walk starts from McCoy Street, Seven Hills, at the railway overbridge and continues through Marayong, Doonside, Rooty Hill, Mount Druitt,

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The first Great West Walk heads off from Parramatta Park (from left) Parramatta Lord Mayor Bob Dwyer, Walking Volunters President Ian Napier, NSW Planning Minister Rob Stokes and Blacktown Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM, lead of the walkers on the inaugural Great West Walk in October last year.

Whalan and Tregear, taking in parts of the Western Sydney Parklands, Nurragingy Reserve, Whalan Reserve and Wianamatta Regional Park. Blacktown City Council’s GWW submission will now be the representative for NSW/ACT at the national Parks and Leisure Australia awards in October. The walking route is an initiative by the Walking Volunteers who collaborated with land managers and relevant NSW Government departments on mapping the route. Project partners include the Walking

Western News 18 September 2020 Issue 118

Great West Walk wins top award for Blacktown City Council

Volunteers, NSW National Parks and Wildlife Servce, Western Sydney Local Health District, Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils, Penrith City Council, Parramatta City Council, and Western Sydney Parklands Trust. Blacktown City Council was also a finalist in the Community Facility of the Year category for the Aboriginal Heritage Garden in Nurragingy Reserve, Doonside. For more information on the Great West Walk please visit: blacktown.nsw. gov.au/gww

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.

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Western News 18 September 2020 Issue 118

Editor: Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644 General Manager: Bart Bassett 0412 955 745 Sales: Larry Davis 0432 062 643 Sports Journalist: Conner Lowe 0404 419 346 Graphic Design: Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893 Printer: Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown Letters to the Editor: nepeannews@aol.com

Vineyard Riverstone Rouse hill Marsden Park Kellyville Ridge

Schofields Shanes Park Colebee

Ropes Crossing

Quakers Hill

Hassall Grove

St Marys

Dean Park Glendenning

Emerton

Plumpton

Stanhope Gardens Parklea

Kings Park Marayong

Kings Langley

Woodcroft

Lalor Park

Mt Druitt Rooty Hill Minchinbury

Blacktown

Seven Hills

Arndell Park Toongabbie

Eastern Creek

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Michelle Rowland MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR GREENWAY

If you are a regular Western News reader, you’d have read about sweet Charlotte Rochfort’s battle with brain cancer last year.

It is unfathomable to think that any family has to watch a child go through so much pain, and in cases like Charlotte’s then watch them die. The Cure Brain Cancer organisation say that together, we can improve survival rates and accelerate treatments for people impacted by brain cancer. Join Walk4BrainCancer Virtual on Sunday, 27 September and help change lives. Sign up here for FREE: http://bit.ly/Walk4BrainCancerHome

• • • • • •

Devastatingly, at just three years old she’d fought all she could and the angels took her to heaven.

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rain cancer kills more children in Australia than any other disease.

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Level 1, Suite 101C, 130 Main Street, Blacktown PO Box 8525, Blacktown NSW 2148 (02) 9671 4780 Michelle.Rowland.MP@aph.gov.au MRowlandMP www.michellerowland.com.au Authorised by Michelle Rowland MP, Australian Labor Party, Suite 101C, Level 1, 130 Main Street, Blacktown NSW 2148

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Western News 18 September 2020 Issue 118

School formals to go ahead

ear 12 students across NSW will be able to celebrate finishing school with COVID-19 safe graduation ceremonies and formals being allowed to take place during Term 4. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Year 12 students have shown incredible resilience during the pandemic and deserved to celebrate an important life milestone. “We will always rely on the health advice, which recommends COVID safe formals and graduation ceremonies take place from 12 November after the final HSC exam,” Ms Berejiklian said. “Students are currently preparing for the HSC and deserve to have events to look forward to after their exams.” Schools across NSW will receive the COVID-19 safety plan guidance for Year 12 graduations and school formals by 11 September. Minister for Education Sarah Mitchell said Year 12 students have been working incredibly hard under difficult circumstances. “Last week I made it clear that I wanted to find a way to allow students to celebrate the end of their schooling and I’m thrilled that this is now a reality,” Ms Mitchell said. “Schools will be able to use the

guidance provided by Health to develop a COVID-19 safe plan for their celebrations. I know that students will be excited to have their formals as something they can look forward to after their exams.” Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said it is important the events take place after HSC exams to reduce the risk of COVID-19 impacting on exams or preparations. Year 12 students requiring a COVID-19 test should tell their GP or testing clinic they are currently doing their HSC. This will ensure their test results are prioritised, minimising any disruption to their schooling and study. The NSW Government will also provide COVID safe guidance to students wanting to participate in schoolies under the current restrictions and health advice.

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Young man’s last act inspires life-giving blood donations

he legacy of a young man’s last generous act has inspired dozens of life-giving blood donations. Australian Army Lieutenant Nicholas Shortland was just 25 years old when he passed away in March after a brain aneurism. Lieutenant Shortland was able to donate five of his organs when he died. Following his passing, his partner brought together 26 close friends to donate blood in memory of Lt Shortland, who would have turned 26 in September. This group included Blacktown City Council employee Tristan Harris, who is part of Council’s Key Venues team. Mr Harris has been taking part in the Councils Blood Challenge for 2020, an initiative of the Australian Red Cross Lifeblood. During his most recent donation of plasma in August, Mr Harris had the words ‘For Nick’ written on the inside of his forearm, in honour of Lt Shortland. The other 25 friends also did the same during their donations, and photos of these donations were collected for Lt Shortland’s family. Mr Harris said the experience of donating blood in memory of Lt Shortland was quite emotional. “It was just important to commemorate him like that and show that he wasn’t donating alone – we’re all in it together and with him, even though he’s not here anymore,” Mr Harris said. By the end of the Councils Blood Challenge, which began on 1 July and will run until 30 September, Mr Harris will have made 1 blood, 2 plasma, and 2 platelets donations. He has encouraged his family and Blacktown City Council colleagues to donate.

Blacktown City Council employee Tristan Harris takes part in the Councils Blood Challenge 2020 with the words ‘For Nick’ written on his arm in memory of the late Lieutenant Nicholas Shortland, who passed away in March.

“I try to spread the message as much as possible,” Mr Harris. “Even though everyone has blood and it’s abundant, it’s almost considered a limited resource because not many people donate.” Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, paid tribute to the legacy of Lt Shortland and to all those who donated in his name. “It is truly wonderful to see such a tragic event turned into an opportunity to give life to others,” Mayor Bleasdale said. “While 1 in 3 Australians will need blood donations at least once in their lives, only 1 in 30 donate. “I hope the inspiration behind these

donations, given in the name of a young man taken too soon, will spread further and embolden others in our community to consider donating blood. “I would encourage anyone in Blacktown City who is interested in getting involved, and in saving 3 lives in the process, to book an appointment today.” Red Cross Lifeblood NSW Manager Steve Eldridge said more than 31,000 donations are needed every week to help cancer patients, accident survivors, new mums, and many other seriously ill Australians. “We want to thank everyone who’s continued to step up and donate during this pandemic, and Blacktown City

Council for all their hard work in keeping blood supplies flowing,” Mr Eldridge said. “However, the reality is the need for blood and blood products never stops so we urge all eligible Australians to make blood or plasma donation part of their ‘new normal’. “Lifeblood donor centres are safe to visit, with strict social distancing, cleaning and donor eligibility measures in place. “Only healthy people are eligible to give blood and we have introduced even more stringent wellness checks prior to appointments, including temperature checking.” How can you help? Blacktown City Council ranked first in Australia in the Councils Blood Challenge in 2019 with a total of 478 donations made by staff and the community. If you would like to contribute you simply need to ask for your donation to be recorded on Blacktown City Council’s tally at your next donation. You can book an appointment to donate blood at donateblood.com.au. Where can you donate? There are a number of locations within Blacktown City where you can donate blood. They are: • Plumpton Marketplace, corner Hyatts and Jersey Roads, Plumpton, NSW, 2761 • Blacktown Kmart, 28 Patrick Street, Blacktown, NSW, 2148 • Marsden Park Bunnings, corner Richmond and Hollinsworth Roads, Marsden Park, NSW, 2765 • The Fiddler, corner Commercial & Windsor Roads, Rouse Hill, NSW, 2155. You can also donate at the Red Cross Blood Service’s donor centres at Jamisontown (Nepean Donor Centre) or Parramatta.

Mount Druitt’s new diabetes clinic – a new model of care for Type 2 diabetes management Mohammed Arif of Seven Hills was rushed to Blacktown Hospital suffering from multiple strokes – this was the wake-up call he needed to take his Type 2 diabetes more seriously. In March, Mr Arif was referred to the new diabetes clinic at Mount Druitt Community Health Centre by his GP and on August 6, was taken off insulin and is the first person to be successfully discharged back to his local GP. The new clinic, officially opened on August 27, will help manage people living with complex Type 2 diabetes in Mount Druitt and Blacktown. This clinic is also there to enhance the skills of local GPs to help manage their patients and reduce hospital waiting lists. The clinic, which has been operational since May, is three years in the making -- a continual collaborative

effort from Blacktown Hospital and the Western Sydney Diabetes (WSD) team. WSD was established in response to the growing threat diabetes poses to the health and wellbeing of the Western Sydney community. The clinic runs on a model where four GPs attend and see patients with complex Type 2 diabetes under the supervision of endocrinologists from WSD, a diabetes educator and a dietitian. Referring GPs join the consults via telehealth to discuss their patient’s management plan. WSD director Professor Glen Maberly said over the past four years, diabetes screening in general practices across Western Sydney Local Health District has identified 29% of patients with diabetes and 41% with prediabetes.

“Mount Druitt is central to our Western Sydney diabetes hot spot,” Prof Maberly said. “The community health centre is a location to help us support the needs of the community, including Aboriginal people and people from many cultures and backgrounds, important groups with a high prevalence of diabetes.” The clinic provides many services including diabetes self-management skills, dietary advice, eye screening, foot checks, and blood glucose monitoring technology to identify trends, such as unrecognised hypoglycaemia (abnormally low blood glucose). “The aim of this clinic is to build the capacity of our GPs, to improve their diabetes management skills that can be applied to other patients they see,” Prof Maberly said.

Mr Arif is doing well and has also quit smoking and lost 8kg. He credits his success to the clinic. “Having that weekly call, that weekly support,” he said. “I just didn’t want to disappoint them.” If you have any health or diabetes concerns, please speak to your GP for advice. The free Get Healthy Information and Coaching Service also has a telephone coaching program specially designed for people at high risk of developing type 2 diabetes www.gethealthynsw.com.au/ program/type-2-diabetes-preventionprogram/ WSLHD invests more than $2 million annually for the WSD initiative and provided funding of $110,000 for refurbishments at Mount Druitt Community Health Centre.

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Behind the scenes: (l to r) Damn Good Productions Kate Gallant, event manager Chapin Ayres, Westmead Hospital trauma nurse Julie Seggie and anaesthetist Dr Ken Harrison.

ore than 145 Australian high schools have recently participated online of Westmead Hospital’s largest road safety forum, bstreetsmart. The road safety forum was established by Westmead Hospital trauma nurses Stephanie Wilson and Julie Seggie in 2004. Since then more than 208,000 students in years 10,11 and 12 have either attended the live interactive forum or viewed it online. Westmead Hospital trauma nurse

Stephanie Wilson said COVID-19 led the team to develop an interactive educational program online and reached out to schools from across the country. “Students from Western Australia, Tasmania, Victoria and Queensland took part in the three-day educational forum,” Stephanie said. “By hosting the online forum it allowed us to reach to communities we haven’t accessed before including students in the outreach communities of Australia and those

Filmed for the forum… bstreetsmart guest speaker and road crash survivor Heidi Haydon.

who are home schooled. “If we can help just one student think before they get behind the wheel and reduce their risk of having a crash – then we have achieved what we have set out to accomplish,” Stephanie said. The virtual ceremony included a visual demonstration of the aftermath from a crash with the involvement and roles of the police, ambulance fire and rescue services and heard from survivors of crashes including Heidi Haydon who is paralysed from

the chest down after being hit by someone who was driving under the influence of drugs. Bstreetsmart receives support from the NSW government and has won many awards, including the Australian Road Safety Award in 2014 for Schools Programs Award and a Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) Quality Award 2016 for Preventative Health. For more information about bstreetsmart go to www.bstreetsmart. org

Western News 18 September 2020 Issue 118

208,000 high school students steer road safety program

Western News 18 September 2020 Issue 118

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Story of Blacktown City’s bushrangers wins Mayoral History Prize

n entry charting the nefarious activities of bushrangers in Blacktown City during the 1800s has taken out the top award in the Mayoral History Prize for 2020. Blacktown resident Carol Horne was announced as the winner of the 17 years and over category for this year’s Mayoral History Prize in a virtual presentation ceremony on Monday night. Mrs Horne took out the $3,000 award for her entry titled Bushrangers of Bungarribee, Eastern Creek, Rooty Hill, Prospect, Seven Hills and Blacktown. Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM, congratulated Mrs Horne on taking out the prize. “It was a great privilege and matter of pride as the Mayor of Blacktown City to see the calibre of work submitted to the Mayoral History Prize this year,” Mayor Bleasdale said. “I thank Mrs Horne for her fascinating entry on the past exploits of bushrangers in Blacktown City. “Blacktown City has such a rich history. Ranging from the Darug people, who have inhabited this land for over 60,000 years, to the first European settlers - free settlers and convicts.

Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM, with Blacktown resident Carol Horne, the winner of the Mayoral History Prize for 2020 at the virtual presentation ceremony on Monday night.

“We have had a constant stream of migrants and, more lately, refugees from all parts of the world. “The story of Blacktown City, of the people who have lived here over so many generations, is our story, and helps us to understand how we got to where we are today – a great City

which we can all be proud of.” “I thank all our entrants for the time, attention, and care they took with their wonderful submissions.” This is the second time Mrs Horne, a member of the Blacktown and District Historical Society, has won the prestigious prize.

In 2018 she was also joint winner of the Mayoral History Prize with Families of Doonside, along with her husband John Horne for his entry Come Fly with Me. A commendation in the 17 years and over category was awarded to Panayiotis Diamadis for his entry Mavropole: the Hellenic story of the Blacktown City district. The judges for this year’s Prize assessed the entries on the basis of the depth and quality of the submitted work and its potential to make a significant contribution to the research, documentation and promotion of Blacktown City’s history and to improve the general public’s understanding of the history of the area. There were a number of firsts for the Mayoral History Prize this year, including a pencil sketch, an oral recording, and the first entrant from someone who lives outside of Blacktown City. This is the 13th year of the annual Mayoral History Prize, which was established in 2008. Prizes were available in a number of categories: 17 years and over, Years 7 to 9, Years 10 to 12 and a category for a work relating to Aboriginal History, with a total prize pool of up to $5,000.

London with a Londoner

Tower Bridge

Streets of London By BEN CRANNEY

wasn’t interested in London. Not even a little. I was only going to this smelly, grey, over-populated place that not even a great fire could bring down to follow my now wife. But one day in, I couldn’t get enough of it. It’s the capital of my equal favourite country (see last issue’s column) and was the first place I’d been to where I truly felt that I could live there a lifetime and never uncover all of its secrets. But I had a good leg up. My father in law is a Londoner, and he planned my sightseeing. It started with a walk through the grand buildings of the little enclave that London’s barristers had made for themselves at Middle Temple. Exiting on the Embankment, the stroll continued along the Thames for city skyline views. Then, at Westminster, head away from the river to find Downing Street, Big Ben, Parliament and the Abbey. Continue along the Mall to see if the Queen is in at Buckingham before

Streets of London

getting lost in Hyde Park. But even without someone planning your day, it’s very easy to make your own adventure. Turn a corner and you’ll find your new favourite pub, monument or building. In fact, there’s so much to see, it all just becomes one big living museum, ‘London’. A good option is to experience it on a big red bus tour, which will cover the spots mentioned above and more. Another perspective is from the Thames. The deck hands narrate the journey downriver, with stories of the traitor’s gate, the origins of the term ‘Dutch courage’ and how snipers will shoot anyone who swims too close to Westminster. That last bit turns out to be an urban myth, but even if it was true, it’s a brave person to get in the Thames after we learnt about everything that it’s been used for over the centuries. Our ride ended at Greenwich, were we went for a wander around the observatory and kissed across

Overlooking Westminster

hemispheres at the Greenwich Meridian. Take the underground back to town, to William the Conqueror’s fortress, the Tower of London. The sparse royal chambers are surprising, feeling more appropriate for a small warlord than a major king, but any pretence of a lack of wealth is quickly eroded with a visit to the vaults holding the crown jewels. Of course, the UK and Mexico being my favourite places in the world isn’t completely accurate. Australia is. And next time, I’ll tell you a little about why.

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he vision of a ‘water sensitive’ city where water, in all its forms, is valued and used wisely has been laid out in ‘Six streams’, Blacktown City Council’s Integrated water strategy 2020. The actions in ‘Six streams’ commit Council to ambitious targets to be achieved by 2036. The targets seek to address key water infrastructure, environmental and social challenges in Blacktown City. The strategy covers the management of water in all its forms including potable (drinking water), wastewater, recycled water and stormwater. Between 2016 and 2036, the City is forecast to grow by more than 220,000 new residents and over 83,000 new dwellings. Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, said ‘Six streams’ was a significant step towards becoming the ‘water sensitive’, environmentally-committed city we need to be. “Water is an essential element of everyday life in our communities,” Mayor Bleasdale said. “With Blacktown City expected to welcome hundreds of thousands of new residents in the two decades to 2036, it is important that we start planning now for the impact this will

Waller Creek in Kings Langley

have on the way we use and manage water. “Six Streams will help Council manage the precious water resources and assets of our City in a way that makes sure we are prepared for a changing climate, and are therefore able to keep providing great outcomes for our residents.” “The strategy will also provide a framework within which Council can foster positive behaviour in the community. I look forward to Council continuing to engage with

stakeholders like Sydney Water, and our community, to help increase the benefits of an integrated approach to the management of our water resources.” Urbanisation and urban heat mitigation are the 2 biggest influences on the future of water flows and the management of assets for Blacktown City as well as the health of our waterways. In an already hot Western Sydney climate, another 30 square kilometres of imperviousness – hard

surfaces such as roads, footpaths, and roof areas – will create an additional 25 gigalitres of stormwater runoff. ‘Six streams’ sets out a vision for Blacktown City to become a ‘water sensitive’ City, one which uses water in an efficient and smart way, recognises that water can improve the local amenity and combat urban heat, has highly valued waterways, and recognises the value of water in creating high quality open spaces, and that water can be used to create vibrant precincts. The strategy will help Council with protecting communities from flooding, improving and protecting waterways, reducing urban heat impacts, drought-proofing a growing Blacktown City, adaptation for climate change, improving biodiversity, and improving liveability. Without the adoption of the targets and actions outlined in the strategy, the future water balance in 2036 would see a 64% increase in the use of Council’s potable water consumption (water reserved or suitable for drinking), a 55% increase in stormwater runoff, and an additional 13 GL of treated wastewater discharged into creeks from Sydney Water wastewater treatment plants.

Refugee staff takes multicultural health to the next level

ver the last ten years Australia has welcomed more than 200,000 refugees and asylum seekers hoping to start their life over in a peaceful and welcoming environment. More than half of the newly arrived only speak in their mother tongue, or indicate they understand English ‘not well’, which affects their ability to access high quality healthcare. So what is the best way to identify and tackle healthcare difficulties that such communities are facing? Multicultural Health program officer Abulla Agwa had the same start, when his family arrived in Sydney. But having made his way all the way up to becoming Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) community health professional, Abulla knows exactly what challenges need to be addressed. Now, years later, he is sharing his expertise to improve health literacy in Western Sydney. Abulla held high school teaching qualification in Ethiopia, but it was not locally recognised. New Australian resident took it as an opportunity to start over and serve the community. “We were really happy to settle in Australia and live peacefully. I was so grateful for this one way ticket to a better life. I decided that I want to ‘give back’ and start helping others in

Abulla at the graduation ceremony for a computer program he set up, with participant Fawzia Eltigani and Multicultural Health services manager Monika Latanik.

need,” Abulla said. In seven years Abulla learned English and earned a diploma, two bachelor’s degrees in Community Services, finished a Master’s in Social Science and a graduate diploma in Family Mediation. In late 2018 he joined WSLHD Multicultural Health as a program officer for African communities. He launched a health needs assessment program and identified five health barriers: language, low health literacy, lack of translated resources, lack of understanding of Australian health system (some of the

services simply do not exist in their home countries), and long waiting time for doctor’s appointments. Now, in collaboration with TAFE, he runs numerous computerbased health literacy educational courses, language-based literacy program, broadcasts translated health information and regularly meets with African community leaders to discuss the progress and new challenges. In 2019, Abulla organised “First African Health Summit”, where over 100 participants came together to assess the current situation and outline short- and long term

initiatives. Abulla is the first African to receive a “Fair Go” medal, given to an Australian citizen or permanent resident born overseas who has enriched Australia through their community involvement, hard work and willingness to embrace their new home. Being a second largest refugee intake district (Cumberland local government area has the highest number of asylum seekers in Australia – 1400), WSLHD Multicultural Health has programs assisting refugee and other vulnerable culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) groups in navigating in a new health care system in a different language. Health literacy consultancy and educational programs, liaison, online and face-to-face translation into more than 60 languages – all these services are available to those who need it. WSLHD Multicultural Health highly skilled team consists of healthcare professionals of different cultural backgrounds, including refugees. Since the COVID-19 pandemic reached Australia, Multicultural Health team channelled its resources on broadcasting health information to communities. Read here (link to Paul’s article) how the team made sure no one was left behind uninformed about the risks, restrictions and services available for those in need.

Western News 18 September 2020 Issue 118

Blacktown City Council adopts integrated water strategy

Western News 18 September 2020 Issue 118

WESTERN HISTORY

Western News

That was then, This is Now!

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

omething akin to a sensation was created when a ship docked in Sydney Harbour finding it carried a deadly disease onboard. (Sound familiar?). No, it was not the Ruby Princess but the RMS “Oroya” carrying smallpox among its passengers. The year was 1892 – One hundred and thirty-eight years ago! The authorities in Sydney were wondering how the existence of this dreaded disease escaped detection at its stops at Albany, Adelaide and Melbourne. On the ship it was reported that one or two people on board were sick, but the nature of their sickness was not disclosed. The first case discovered was in Melbourne with a man being in the fifth day of his disease, so all communication between the steamer and the shore was immediately stopped. Sydney had received a telegram from Melbourne stating that a case of smallpox had occurred among the passengers who landed at Melbourne. On leaving London the Oroya’s passenger list comprised of about 160 in the saloon and second saloon, and 140 in the other classes. One of the passengers was a Miss Glendenning believed to be Agnes who lived in St Marys. She later married Richard Adolphus Chant at St Mary Magdalene church in St Marys. The voyage out was said to be an extremely pleasant one. The usual amusements and athletic sports and musical and other entertainments were carried on heartily, and the passengers appeared to have enjoyed the trip. There was a cheerful kindly feeling prevalent in all classes and Captain Lavington and his officers did their best to make matters on board pleasant. The steamer arrived in Sydney harbour with a large number of passengers from London. The discovery after the embarkation in Melbourne was that one of the passengers had landed and was infected with the dreaded disease and only found after the steamer had sailed for Sydney. There was another case of a girl who was ill during the voyage and landed in Adelaide and then moved on to Victoria. The whole of the passengers who arrived in Sydney were landed and distributed over the colony and beyond the reach of the quarantine laws of detention. The Board of Health issued an official notification to everyone who had travelled on the steamer to be vigilant for a few weeks as they may have come in contact with the disease. Suspicion was now on how the sickness escaped detection at Albany, Adelaide and Melbourne, the ports landed before Sydney. The usual practice was followed at Sydney. A steamer that called at the overseas ports was not usually subjected to a medical inspection at Sydney as it came direct from the sea up to the Orient Company’s ‘buoy’ in Neutral Bay. Mr Edmund Sager the Secretary of the Board of Health took steps to isolate the steamer but large numbers of passengers and their friends had already gone backwards and forwards to the steamer removing luggage and personal effects and by the time the Melbourne communication was received in Sydney there were no more than half a dozen passengers on board sailing to New Zealand. Usually the Oroya would have berthed alongside Circular Quay but because of the nature of the disease it was anchored at the Quarantine grounds inside North Head. About 160 passengers from the steamer were at large in the colony and the authorities would have been surprised if nothing more was heard of the disease among this large number of people. A Mr Charles Topp the Chairman of the Board of Public Health in Victoria said “smallpox is cause for alarm in view of the fact that between one and two hundred people who for weeks were daily rubbing shoulders so to speak with smallpox patients and are now mixing with the general public ashore. The first steps taken by the health authorities in Sydney was to have a quarantine guard around

 Smallpox victim courtesy of American Museum of Natural Histor

the steamer and the Water Police launch cruising around the ship. The yellow quarantine flag was hoisted and admission to the ship prohibited except to the passengers who arrived and members of the crew. These people could of course return to the vessel, but once on board there was no leaving. Representatives of the Orient line were contacted and also some members of the Orient staff who were busily engaged making arrangements to meet the requirements of the health authorities here in Sydney and it was realised that several hours were needed before enough steam in her boilers could move it, so eventually they decided to leave the steamer where it was with police protection”. At the same time the Oroya was in quarantine, a British-India Company’s steamship “Warora,” was also in smallpox detention and coming up the harbour to take its place at the quarantine station taken by the mail steamer. They were not sure what would be done with the Oroya as the two cases on board were variola patients and the feeling of alarm would intensify. There was official notification given by the Board of Health to anyone who came in contact with a sickness of a suspicious nature within the next few weeks was to contact their medical practitioner so that the case of smallpox is reported immediately to the authorities. Apparently, several historical figures allegedly had skin diseases and distinctive marks left behind by smallpox. For example, the Egyptian Pharaoh Ramses 5th died of an acute small-pox illness in 1150 BC. Smallpox got its name from the Latin word for “spotted,” referring to the raised pustular bumps that break out over the face and body. Historically the disease killed around 30% of people who caught it and often those who survived were left blind, sterile and with deep pitted scars or pockmarks on their skin. It was eradicated in 1980 due to a global immunisation campaign. A court case against the Commander and the Doctor of the Oroya was dismissed. Sources: Sydney Morning Herald, Trove, BDM Online, Ancestry.

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local news

ore than 188,000 people in Western Sydney have had a COVID-19 test this year. For over 480 of these people, their result was positive. What happens next? If your test result returns negative, you will receive an SMS text message with the good news. You’ll receive a phone call if your test result is positive, either from the GP who referred you to a COVID-19 testing centre, or the Public Health Unit. Western Sydney’s Public Health Unit is informed of all positive COVID-19 cases and a public health officer will contact you about your positive result. What will the Public Health Unit ask me? When the public health officer phones you, they will ask several questions. Your information is private and confidential. Questions may include: • The symptoms you experienced and when you first started to feel unwell • Your travel history 14 days before you became unwell • If you’ve been in contact with people or places known to have COVID-19 • Any pre-existing medical conditions • Your detailed movements and recent contact with other people in the last few days, including family members, friends, or work colleagues (this is called contact tracing).

A person arrived for testing at drive-through clinic at Western Sydney University Parramatta south campus.

This information is needed to help understand virus spread in the community, and how to stop it from spreading to other people. This phone call will also cover how to isolate yourself, including how to do this if you are living with other people, and whether you need support with things like groceries. A followup email will provide more advice and tips on what to do or avoid. How will my health be monitored? If you are very unwell the public health officer will arrange medical assistance. People diagnosed with COVID-19 who are not hospitalised receive a daily phone call from a ‘Hospital in the Home’ nurse to monitor your symptoms and any changes to your health. They will help determine when you are clear of the virus. What about the people I have

been in contact with? Many people diagnosed with COVID-19 worry about their family and friends. After your call with the public health officer, they will have identified all the people considered to be your close contacts while you were infectious. Being infectious means that you are at risk of spreading the virus to other people. A close contact is somebody who: Has had 15 minutes of face-toface time with a confirmed positive COVID-19 case during their infectious period, or Has been in a closed space for over 2 hours with a confirmed positive COVID-19 case during their infectious period. The infectious period for a positive COVID-19 case is 48 hours before they first experienced symptoms.

A public health officer will telephone your close contacts to discuss the situation with them. This is part of the contact tracing process. Close contacts will be advised to self-isolate at home for the next 14 days and to get a COVID-19 test if they experience any symptoms. They will also receive a phone call every 1-3 days from NSW Health who monitor their symptoms during their isolation period. For more information Get tested if you experience any symptoms of COVID-19. Western Sydney testing centre locations: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/how-toprotect-yourself-and-others/clinics Get tested for COVID-19 if you have the following symptoms: • Fever • Cough • Sore/scratchy throat • Shortness of breath • Loss of smell or taste • Muscle or joint pain • Diarrhoea • Nausea/vomiting • Loss of appetite Stay up to date with the latest COVID-19 news and case locations: www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/latestnews-and-updates For FREE Western Sydney COVID-19 Community Resources: www. wsl h d . h e a l t h . n sw. g o v. a u / COVID-19-Wellbeing/home For health information and questions about COVID-19, call the Coronavirus Health Information Line on 1800 020 080 (24-hour helpline).

Nepean News 17 September 2020 Issue 286

Your COVID-19 test has come back positive. What happens next?

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Meddle (6) 4 Pedalled (8) 10 Fired (9) 11 Lessen in intensity (5) 12 Not daytime (5) 13 Funding (9) 14 Sexually gratifying (7) 16 Submerged (4) 19 The boundary of a surface (4) 21 Temporarily expel (7) 24 Swear word (9) 25 Swelling under the skin (5) 26 Sends out (5) 27 Not extreme in climate (9) 28 Preoccupied (8) 29 Avenue (6)) down 1 Neatness (8) 2 Hatred of women (8) 3 Eject (5)

5 6 7 8 9 15 17 18 20 21 22 23 25

solution 4/9/20

Normally found at the start of paragraphs (7) Prolonged unfulfilled desires (9) An introductory section to a story (2 words) (6) Drag the bottom of a river or lake (6) Practical (6) Disrobes (9) Sing and play for someone (8) Next (8) A formal letter (7) Cooks with water vapor (6) Prefix indicating “Different” (6) Ruins (6) Excrete (5)

Western News 18 September 2020 Issue 118

REAL ESTATE

Alex Soncini

Western News

Getting a Mortgage, what to consider

here are important items to consider for those in the market for a house and those with a mortgage looking to refinance. Tougher lending standards being driven by regulators and the banking royal commission, finance analysts issuing forecasts that house price falls in the biggest property markets are expected to slump more and to go for longer period than first anticipated as result of Covid-19. When you are preparing for a home loan, interest rates should not be the first item in your plan, which is usually the first thing asked by borrowers. There are more important things to consider before the potential lender will process your application and makes an overall judgement of you as a borrower and the complexity of your financial history before providing approval. The first and most important item should be serviceability, which is your capacity to repay the loan amount you have requested. This is where all the information about your salary and liabilities come into consideration, and where accurate and complete information is essential. The second item is valuation, the lender will need to arrange a valuation of the property to assess the â&#x20AC;&#x153;loan to valueâ&#x20AC;? ratio (LVR) for the application for the security property. Having a valuation that

is acceptable to the lender done in advance will expedite the lender. Valuations are prepared in support an application rather than to make or break it. There are a few things that can result in an application not being approved based on valuation, like zoning, property size, or if the condition of the property is poor enough that major repairs would be required before it could realise its market value. The next item usually are interest rates, having a competitive rate which meets the loan purpose whether owner occupied, or investor will be determined by the serviceability and valuation. Sometimes the product and interest that best meets your needs is not the lowest, however should be competitive for that product. On occasion, the structure of the loan may be an item that may arise, whether having a standalone property for security or having multiple security properties which may be cross collaterised. If you cross collaterise, there are implications if properties are tied together as when you want to release equity for another purchase, this could impact the amount of funds available for access if one of the properties isnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t performing as well as the other. Being part of the mortgage the loan parties,

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i.e. borrowers and/or guarantors providing family pledges are becoming more prevalent and can assist with the purchase of a property for a family member, however problems can arise when relationships vary or breakdown with loan parties having disputes regarding the funds. Borrowers continue to seek better service and a suitable solutions from the Banks and when you require advice you should reach out to a mortgage broker who can provide better proposition to cater for each consumer individual needs and most often provide a better deal. With the current state of the housing market and a national affordability crisis, there has never been a greater need for a good financial advisor like Wealthwiz who understands the importance of considering the needs of borrowers and is committed to helping people achieve their financial goals. We proudly help many borrowers each year overcome all the red tape and barriers put in their way. If you need help with a loan or have any questions you can always have a one-on-one discussion at Wealthwiz. Just give Alex a call on 0419 600 177 and tell us about your situation. The more we learn, the better we can help.

#wealthwizau

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

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Western News

SPORT

Canoe Marathon Award Winners Naomi Johnson (rear) and Laura Lee (front) - Photo credit Paddle Australia / Bence Vekassy By Noel Rowsell

indsor Paddlesport C l u b member Laura Lee has been announced as the ‘2019 Masters Female Canoe Marathon Paddler of the Year’.

The award was announced by the Paddle Australia Canoe Marathon Technical Committee (PACMTC), recognising the results and achievements of Canoe Marathon paddlers last year. Unfortunately due to the cancellation of the 2020 PA Canoe Marathon Championships, these awards were

unable to be presented and all recipients will be recognised and presented with their awards next year at the 2021 PA Canoe Marathon Championships. The full list of winners of the 2019 Canoe Marathon Paddlers of the Year are: • Laura Lee (Windsor Paddlesport Club, NSW) – Masters Female

• Joseph Burton (Lane Cove River Kayakers, NSW) – Junior Male • Naomi Johnson (Lane Cove River Kayakers, NSW) – Open Female • Josh Kippin (WA) – Open Male • Mick Leverett (Vic) – Masters Male • Emily O’Rourke (Vic) – Junior Female.

Coleman Greig Challenge goes Virtual for Charity

reater Sydney’s largest corporate charity race is still going ahead - but this year the Coleman Greig Challenge is going virtual. Since the Challenge started in 2013, Coleman Greig has raised over $1 million for children with special needs and newborn care. The Challenge will kick off on Friday, 18 September and runs through till Friday, 25 September. This year the Challenge will look somewhat different with participants and teams setting their own personal goals of how far they wish to walk, run or ride during the week of the Challenge. There is an option for everyone to participate - being part of the Challenge has never been easier! Challenge founder and head of Coleman Greig’s Commercial Property team, Andrew Grima said, “The Challenge is about individuals and businesses having the opportunity to make a real difference in the community.”

Funds raised will go to Westmead Hospital Foundation and St Gabriel’s School in Castle Hill. Westmead Hospital Foundation plans to purchase Bili Soft machinery for babies who are born with jaundice enabling mothers to take their babies home with them sooner. St Gabriel’s School will be using donations to help deliver their educational programs. This year, your support will assist in funding muchneeded Science and Food Technology resources for their newly developed Secondary School program. The Coleman Greig Virtual Challenge GoFundraise page will remain open until 31 October, with all new donations being added to the overall fundraising total, which will be split evenly between the two charity beneficiaries: www.cgchallenge.com.au/payments/ donate/beneficiary/1370412 To register a team or participate as an individual, visit: www.cgchallenge.com.au/

Western News 18 September 2020 Issue 118

Local paddler wins canoe marathon Paddler Of The Year Award

Western News Friday, 18 September 2020

SPORT

Nevin, Duke named Wanderers Medal winners

ourtney Nevin and Mitchell Duke have taken out the Wanderers Medal for Player of the Year at this afternoon’s Wanderers Medal streamed

online. Nevin featured in every minute this season and was instrumental in the Wanderers Westfield W-League team’s record-breaking year. The defender was voted by her fellow peers as the winner of the Wanderers Medal, capping off what has been an incredible two seasons at the club for the Young Matilda. Former Hyundai A-League captain Mitchell Duke was named the Hyundai A-League team’s winner of the Wanderers Medal for Player of the Year, as well as the Members Player of the Year and Golden Boot winner. Westfield W-League Golden Boot winner Kristen Hamilton was also named the Members’ Player of the Year, wrapping up a memorable first season in Western Sydney for the US International. Hamilton broke a number of records during her time at the Wanderers including the most goals scored in a single season and the club’s very first hattrick. Young gun Mohamed Al-Taay was named the club’s Foxtel Y-League Player of the Year. It was another strong season for defender who more recently is the captain of the Wanderers National Premier League 1 first grade side. Other award winners included Luke David who was named Powerchair Player of the Year, while Linda Cerone

was awarded the Wandercrew Volunteer of the Year award. Western Sydney Wanderers CEO John Tsatsimas congratulated the winners. “While this was our first Wanderers Medal that we could not share with our partners and players, I want congratulate each winner for their efforts with us this season and thank them for the contribution made to our club,” said Tsatsimas. “No matter what, we will continue to work hard to improve next season and ensure that all teams of this club can be successful for our wonderful members, partners and fans.” Full list of award winners: • Hyundai A-League Player of the Year presented by JD Sports: Mitchell Duke • Westfield W-League Player of the Year presented by Intermain: Courtney Nevin • Hyundai A-League Members’ Player of the Year: Mitchell Duke • Westfield W-League Members’ Player of the Year: Kristen Hamilton • Foxtel Y-League Player of the Year: Mohamed Al-Taay • Powerchair Player of the Year presented by Aruma: Luke David • Hyundai A-League Golden Boot presented by Nike: Mitchell Duke • Westfield W-League Golden Boot presented by Nike: Kristen Hamilton • Wandercrew Volunteer of the Year presented by Centuria: Linda Cerone

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