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Friday, 1 July 2016
ISSUE 13
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NAIDOC celebrations are held locally and around Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Champagne on arrival, degustation dinner including wine, entertainment, incredible prizes, gift bags and more. Guest speaker Associate Professor Wayne Hawthorne.
WINTER 2 DAY SALE SATURDAY 2ND & WARMER SUNDAY 3RD JULY
Men’s shed saved for now THE doors to the Emerton Men’s Shed will remain open following a last minute deal to extend funding to the group. “It’s a great announcement that our local Men’s Shed will have an extra twelve months of funding through Wentwest,” Federal Chifley MP Ed Husic said. “For nearly 15 years, the Men’s Shed has provided a welcome community refuge for those experiencing great personal trouble and who need help at some of the most difficult times in their lives. “Amazingly the Men’s Shed was told right on Christmas Eve last year that they were potentially going to lose their funding. “This stunned the local
Mayoral History Prize 2016
community and all those people who rely on their services. “Earlier this year, I raised our community’s concerns about this issue in Federal Parliament and called on the Minister of Health to guarantee that the Emerton Men’s Shed remained funded. “We had to fight every step of the way to keep the Emerton Men’s Shed open – while today’s announcement is terrific news, the sad reality is that it only keeps the doors open for a twelve months. “The fight to keep the Men’s Shed here remains an ongoing battle. “I will continue to strongly argue the case for our local community that the Men’s Shed continues to build on its 15 years of success.”
DID you grow up in Blacktown? Attend a local school or sporting team? Perhaps your grandparents were married at a local church in the area? Share your memories about
Blacktown by entering this year’s Mayoral History Prize. There is a chance you could win up to $1,000. Entries can be written and/or video recordings, oral recordings or photographs.
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Entries close Sunday 31 July 2016. For more information including entry forms and guidelines visit www. libraries.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/ blacktownmemories
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Prospect
From the Journo’s Desk by Keegan Thomson WORKING on two publications (Western News and Nepean News) means I’m covering four different electorates around western Sydney. Across those four electorates I’ve noticed a number of changes in the way politicians campaign and the way in which government money is thrown around different electorates. Take the marginal seat of Lindsay for example, which is held by Liberal MP Fiona Scott. Across the last two weeks the Coalition has promised more than $20 million in funds for shiny new projects across the electorate if they’re voted back into office. Ms Scott, who holds the seat on a margin of 3 per cent, is being threatened by not just the Labor candidate but also the countless other candidates vying for the electorate. To help fight off the opposition the Coalition is throwing millions of dollars at the electorate in a hope that it will help keep Ms Scott in her seat. Now this is a big difference compared to the neighbouring electorates or Chifley and Greenway who aren’t getting much besides a big fat kiss on the cheek from both major parties. Chifley, which is a strong Labor seat held by MP Ed Husic, is home to some of the country’s poorest families and includes some of the most disadvantaged communities in the state. Yet there’s been no announcements regarding affordable housing or social welfare boosts for these communities. Mr Husic and Labor are holding the seat strong without any need to throw any money at it, simply because the area is strong Labor territory, which means the people of Chifley are missing out on federal election sweeteners. Another forgotten electorate in the famed ‘western Sydney heartland’ is Greenway which runs all the way from Riverstone down to Toongabbie. Greenway is held by Michelle Rowland, Labor MP, but recently the Liberal candidate Yvonne Keane has started winning back votes. Due to Ms Keane’s recent flair up in the polls, Greenway has started receiving some campaign promises from the Coalition who think election sweeteners will help put Ms Keane into parliament. It seems unless you happen to live in a marginal seat you won’t receive any electoral bonuses or sweeteners from either side of the party. Which to me doesn’t seem fair. Agree? Disagree? I’d love to hear where you sit on this issue. keegan@nepeannews.com.au
Daisy almost loses her eye in mystery injury
Nepean
Veterinary REPORT
with Dr Antony Karolis and the team at WellPet Vets phone 1300 WELLPET
Senior Veterinarian and CEO WellPets Vets Mountains, Nepean and St Clair
IT was a regular afternoon at the Johnson’s home when Sue Johnson heard her dogs have a small scuffle in the backyard. Her dogs like to play and sometimes they have an argument or two…this was normal for them. She went into the yard and called her two dogs, Daisy and Sanford who came bounding over to her happily together side by side. It was then she noticed something strange about Daisy’s appearance. There was something wrong with Daisy’s eye! Unable to look at it because she feared the worst, Sue quickly put Daisy in the car and took her to WellPet Nepean. She couldn’t be sure, because all she saw was red flesh, but she feared that Daisy’s eye had come out! Daisy met Dr. Beshoy who carefully examined the eye which was thankfully still in place and to Sue’s relief was ok. She had however sustained a very nasty open cut just below the eye from the eyelid down, which was quite shocking to look at. Daisy was lucky that she hadn’t damaged the eye because of how close the wound was! She had no other visible wounds on her and to this day Sue is not sure how she came to have such an injury... Could the scuffle been rougher than normal…or had she run into something? If only Daisy could tell us! Daisy was admitted that afternoon
into hospital for the wound to be repaired. She was given pain relief to ease the discomfort and given her age of 13 years (Daisy was in her senior years) was put immediately onto intravenous fluids to prepare her for a general anesthetic (GA). Under GA she would then have the nasty cut repaired and the skin under her eye sewn back to its correct place. Dr. Sarav performed the surgery with success, two packets of suture material and a number of stitches later, she was put back to her normal looking self. She returned home that next afternoon. She was discharged with a head cone, pain relief and antibiotic medications to speed her
healing and ensure no further damage could be done. She returned for her final recheck consultation last Friday. Her sutures were removed by Dr. Ben who examined her at Wellpet Mountains. Dr. Ben was very pleased, although there was still some swelling present, to see Daisy’s wound is making a healthy recovery. Daisy would need to wear her head cone for a few more days before given the all clear. Get well soon Daisy! It’s not uncommon for animals just like us, to find themselves with injuries from accidents like Daisy did. Rest assured no matter what time of day or night, WellPet Nepean has a team of Vets and Nurses on site to help you and your pet when needed. Keep this number handy in case of an emergency; 1300 WELLPET (1300 935573).
Get ready, get set, go! REGISTRATIONS are now open for the eleventh Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival, which features one of Australia’s few “off road” marathons. The courses start and finish at the Blacktown International Sportspark (BISP), which makes the event more convenient for competitors. “It means that people only have to arrive at the one venue, compete, and then depart,” Blacktown City Mayor, Councillor Stephen Bali. 2016 will be the 11th year the Cities Marathon is held on the Westlink M7 shared pathway. The Marathon, Half Marathon & 10km is IAAF/AIMS Certified Accurate and the event is a member of AIMS (Association of International Marathons & Distance Races). The Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival will be raising funds for Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Westmead Hospitals to ensure Western Sydney receives the best care when it is needed the most. “The people of Western Sydney deserve access to the best – and by coming together we can help equip our community with better healthcare facilities,” Mayor Bali said. Participants can register for the following races: 42.195km Westlink M7 Cities Marathon Starting at 6:45am at Blacktown International Sportspark, Eastern Road, Rooty Hill Cost $80.00 per person. No race day entries. 21.1km Westlink M7 Half Marathon Starting at 7.15am at Blacktown International Sportspark, Eastern Road, Rooty Hill Cost $$60.00 per person. Must be 15 years and over to enter. No race day entries. 10km Westlink M7 Fun Run and Mayoral Walk Starting at 7.40am at Blacktown International Sportspark,
Ready to run: Competitors at the start of last year’s Westlink M7 Blacktown Running Festival
Eastern Road, Rooty Hill Cost $$40.00 per person. Race day entries welcome. Blacktown City 5km Fun Run and Mayoral Walk Starting at 7.50am at Blacktown International Sportspark,Eastern Road, Rooty Hill Cost $30 per person. Race day entries welcome. 2km Kids Marathon Starting at 7.30am at Blacktown International Sportspark, Eastern Road, Rooty Hill. Cost $15 per person. Race day entries welcome. All races start and finish at the Athletics Track at Blacktown International Sportspark. A presentation will be held on stage from 10.00am to congratulate all participants and award winners with their prize money, prizes and trophies. For race maps and to enter visitwww.blacktown.nsw.gov. au/runningfestival or contact Council on 9839 6000. Entries close: 12noon Friday 29 July, 2016.
School holiday fun
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THE school holidays but have no fear because there are a range of entertaining and educational activities for kids around the Blacktown area. Blacktown City Council has a big double page print off of all the school holiday activities around the region including NAIDOC Week celebrations, the Doonside Village Festival and a bunch of free events in the Blacktown Library. You can check out more on the Council website. At the Australian Hotel and Brewery there will be a bunch of activities for children including billy cart racing, cupcake decorating a kids disco and for the adults there’ll be free wifi. Check out the Australian Hotel and Brewery website for more.
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Aboriginal student of the year for Riverstone electorate
Rebecca Langworthy, Jasmine’s mother, Kevin Conolly MP, Member for Riverstone, Jasmine Langworthy, Student award winner, Leslie Williams MP, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Brad Langworthy, Jasmine’s father, Jasmine’s grandfather, Jasmine’s brother and sister
MEMBER for Riverstone, Mr Kevin Conolly MP has announced the inaugural 2016 Aboriginal Student of the Year award for the electorate of Riverstone. There are two winners on this ocassion: • Jasmine Langworthy from Glenwood High School, and • Kirra Bundy from St John Paul II Catholic College. The Aboriginal Student of the Year is a new annual award recognising young people who demonstrate leadership within their school and local community. “As Member for Riverstone, I was delighted to nominate both Jasmine
Langworthy and Kirra Bundy for this award and congratulate both of them on their achievement,” said Mr Conolly. “Both Jasmine and Kirra are well respected by their peers and provide great role models for young indigenous people in our community.” Mr Conolly said. As recognition of their achievements the Aboriginal Students of the Year for Riverstone will receive a certificate and a gift voucher. As an outstanding nomination, Jasmine Langworthy has been selected in the top 20 nominations across NSW who will head to Parliament House on
Ms Erla McMaster, Principal Glenwood High School, Kevin Conolly MP, Member for Riverstone, Jasmine Langworthy, Student award winner Leslie Williams MP, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs
3 August to attend the Emerging Leaders Forum, where they will meet with Aboriginal, business and Government leaders. Today, Mr Conolly joined the Minister to congratulate and present Jasmine Langworthy personally with her award and invitation to attend the Emerging Aboriginal Leaders Program. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, Leslie Williams, said the award program recognises emerging leaders, rewards students’ commitment to their local community and connects students to community leaders and role models. “The Aboriginal Student of the
Year award highlights the outstanding contributions that young leaders are making in their local communities across the State,” said Mrs Williams. “I warmly congratulate all of the award winners and I look forward to meeting some of them in Sydney later this year.” “I congratulate Jasmine Langworthy on her selection to attend Emerging Aboriginal Leaders Program and I believe that she would benefit greatly by this experience” said Mr Conolly. Today Mr Conolly will congratulate and present Kirra Bundy personally with her award at her school’s assembly also.
Minchinbury 9625 8500 Blacktown 9622 1284
Karl Preuss, our very own table tennis star By Jarrod McGrouther
WHEN you think of table tennis, your mind immediately races to a fast paced game, almost too hard to watch on television. The ball is stuck with such pace and precision that it’s hard to fathom the time and dedication it takes to become good enough to compete at a tournament level. But for some, they see table tennis differently. Every two years, the World Veteran Table Tennis Championships are held, featuring the best players in the world from the ages of 40 and over. And when I say over, there’s even a 90 and over category, which features some of the best tournament play of the masters event. Not one to shy away from competition, Australia has had success at the games this year, including local product Karl Preuss, flying the Australian flag with pride. The 87 year old competed in the championships just seven weeks after open-heart surgery for valve replacement and aorta repair, an unbelievable effort to say the least. To top off the tremendous effort, Karl won bronze in the over 85’s B-doubles category, an achievement he is extremely proud of.
This year’s tournament was held in Spain at the end of May, consisting of six days of gruelling tournament play. 187 tables in total are set up to accommodate the competition, with players travelling from far and wide to compete, playing singles and doubles in both the men’s and women’s categories. For the Australian competitors, it involved a 20-hour flight just to get to the tournament, with Karl stating it was a long way to travel, but well worth it. “You have to prepare mentally, it was a long trip, but you can overcome it if you want to. The first 14 hour leg was okay, but the last six hours was a bit shaky.”
Karl was born in Germany and moved to Australia some years ago, and brought with him his love affair with the game. When asked why he chose table tennis, Karl’s reason for playing was a simple one. “I’ve been playing for 50 years or so. I played a bit in a factory in Germany before I moved to Australia. I was looking for exercise but didn’t want to waste any daytime, so I found a sport to play at night time.” From all reports, the off court action is just as competitive and entertaining as the serious stuff. As you can imagine, the wealth of worldly experience sees bars, restaurants and pubs bursting with tales from around
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Karl with his daughter, Kingswood Florist’s Jo Dickens
the globe. Karl always has one group he fits right in with, mainly due to his bilingual abilities. “I always meet the German people, they always point out saying that’s the Australian that speaks good German. We definitely look forward to seeing each other every second year.” The tournament heads to America in two years time, with Karl aiming to compete in the over 90’s age category. He has his sights set on Gold this time around, and is determined to reach his goal. But if all else fails, he aims to keep playing the game he loves. Well done Karl, a true inspiration to us all.
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Getting to know ...
World’s largest swim lesson
Gina Field
Owner of Nepean Regional Security and Western News’G Spot Columnist with Jarrod McGrouther
1. What was your first paid job? I was working at a plant nursery – repotting seedlings- two seeds together in tiny pots- all day every day, day in day out. I was on $2.50 an hour to do that. 2. What is your guilty pleasure? I don’t consider wine, fluffy movies & chocolate a guilty pleasure, these are a life necessities. So I will leave this blank. 3. What is your biggest fear/phobia and why? I have a fear of heights, which I only found about a few years ago. Its strange as I used to climb the big petrol tanks at Sydney Airport to see if the top hatch was closed as one of my many wonderful jobs that I have had during the years. 4. What is your worst habit? Pulling my eyebrow hairs out whilst watching TV 5. Best advice you’ve even been given? Spread the wings and grow a little, take the risks and do the hard yards. You have to work hard and have massive input to have the best outcomes. 6. If you only had $50 left in the bank, how would you spend it? Probably on my dog Monte, he is like my baby, or then again I’m savvy I would attempt to think of ways to triple that, through a business venture. 7. Favourite holiday destination and why? We all want to be sitting on a large boat in the Caribbean sipping on a cocktail. My love is for water. I love to be near water, so all of my holidays need to include that 8. Do you have a favourite sporting team? I like to play sport , however I am not one to sit on the sideline in a jersey 9. Name one reason that you love western Sydney Place a fence around our LGA and a roof on it, as we will be selfsufficient. We have so many fantastic business and success stories. 10. In three words, describe your perfect Sunday Sun, water, family.
OVER 1000 Aqua Learn to Swim Students across three centres in Blacktown participated in the World’s Largest Swimming Lesson last Friday. The World’s Largest Swimming Lesson is an initiative supported by Australian Swim Schools Association and Australian Leisure Management and was created to help spread the word that swimming lessons save lives. According to Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, swimming lessons can reduce the chance of drowning by 88%. As the days continue to get cooler the idea of swimming often Children in Pictures from Emerton Leisure Centre Aqua Learn to Swim, loses its appeal, but there are many Patrick Shiels and Maddison Russell benefits to swimming throughout winter. Continuing swimming lessons during maintain their swimming skills and knowledge the cooler months can help a child maintain even in the winter months,” said Councillor their confidence as well as safety and swimming Bali. “Initiatives like the World’s Largest skills which have already been developed. According to the 2015 National Drowning Swimming Lesson are a fun way to ensure Report, one fifth of all drowning deaths took water safety remains at the forefront of parents’ place in winter, with 55 per cent of them minds.” Centres participating in the World’s Largest occurring in New South Wales and Queensland Swimming Lesson are Blacktown Aquatic alone. Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Centre, Blacktown Leisure Centre Stanhope Bali said Blacktown City Council is committed and Emerton Leisure Centre. For further information on Aqua Learn to to promoting water safety year-round. “Drowning is a danger all year round, which Swim or to register your interest please contact is why it’s important to ensure that our children your local centre.
POLICE FILES
Investigations underway following stabbing – Plumpton Police are investigating after a man was stabbed in Plumpton last week. About 2.15am (Thursday 23 June 2016), police and emergency services were called to Gimi Grove and Parkwood Street at Plumpton following reports a man had been stabbed. NSW Ambulance Paramedics treated a 22-year-old man for a stab wound to his chest before taking him to Westmead Hospital. His injury is not considered life-threatening. Officers from Mt Druitt Local Area Command and the Dog Unit established a crime scene and have commenced investigations into the incident. Following inquiries, police would like to speak with a man who may be able to assist them. He is described as being of Aboriginal / Torres Strait Islander appearance, aged in his late 30s to early 40s with scruffy curly hair. The man was last seen wearing a dark blue or grey hooded jumper,
cream coloured pants and was carrying a backpack and may also have wounds to his hands. Anyone with information is urged to contact Mt Druitt Police Station or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Boy injured after being bitten by dog – Doonside A child remains in hospital with facial injuries after being bitten by a dog at Doonside last week. About 5.30pm onTuesday 21 June, police have been told an 11-year-old boy was playing in the backyard of a house on Wilkie Crescent, Doonside, when he was bitten by a dog. The boy sustained facial injuries including lacerations to his forehead and swelling, and cuts to his arm. He was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance Paramedics before being taken to Westmead Children’s Hospital. The dog has been secured and police from Blacktown Local Area Command are working with local council rangers.
Blacktown Workers support Police Legacy Superintendent Gary Merryweather and A/Sgt Genelle Warne received a $1000 donation for NSW Police Legacy from Blacktown Workers in support of the Police from Blacktown who recently rode from Sydney to Canberra to raise funds for Police
Legacy. Police Legacy is a charitable organisation to support Police Families when they have lost a love one or need financial assistance due to serious illness. Thank you Blacktown Workers.
100 years of reuniting loved ones AUSTRALIAN Red Cross opens a special exhibition in Blacktown to celebrate the stories of a service that has been reconnecting loved ones separated by war, conflict, disaster and migration for 100 years. From the battlefields of Gallipoli to the 2004 Boxing Day Tsunami, from the conflict in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to current crises in Syria and Yemen, the Australian Red Cross International Tracing Service has helped thousands of people across the world reconnect with their loved ones To mark a century of this special service, Red Cross brings a free exhibition to Sydney after successful runs at the Immigration museum in Melbourne and the State Library of South Australia in Adelaide. The Right to Know: 100 Years of the Australian Red Cross International Tracing Service highlights the history of the service and shares the incredible stories of some of those it has helped and will run at Blacktown Arts Centre from 21 June –16 September 2016. The International Tracing Service is an entirely free service that helps families separated by war, conflict, disaster and migration to find their loved ones, reestablish contact or to clarify the fate of the missing. Red Cross’ global network in 189 countries enables it to search for the missing all over the world and get messages to places where formal postal services don’t operate, where telephones don’t work and where others cannot go. “Every day people all over the globe are separated from their loved ones—their lives turned upside. Not knowing where your family is, if they are even alive, can be devastating, and leaves people feeling lost, helpless and unable to move on with their lives. The impact of separation can be as crippling as any landmine or bullet,” says Megan Goodwin, National Manager, International Tracing Service, Australian Red Cross. “We hear heartbreaking stories all the time: people who have fled war; children forced from their parents at gunpoint; husbands disappearing on their way to work. Over the last 100 years, thousands of people have been reunited with their loved ones thanks to the painstaking detective work of Red Cross staff and volunteers all over the world. This exhibition is a celebration of that work and brings together just some of the incredible stories made possible by this very special service.” The Right to Know: 100 Years of the Australian Red Cross International Tracing Service Find out more at redcross.org.au/tracingcentenary Where: Blacktown Visitor Information & Heritage Centre, Civic Plaza, Flushcome Road, Blacktown, NSW 2148 Phone: 1300 302 858 www.blacktownaustralia.com.au When: 21 June–16 September 2016 (10am–3pm, Tuesday to Saturday. Closed public holidays) Cost: FREE
Exhibition: Red Cross celebrates 100 years of reuniting loved ones lost through war and disaster
When Melania was only 13 years-old, she became one of hundreds of thousands of people displaced by the civil war which erupted in Burundi in 1993. Separated from her family, Melania fled across the border to Tanzania, and made her way alone to the Mkugwa refugee camp.From the dusty camp, Melania began the search for her family but,despite her best efforts, she couldn’t find any leads. “Itwas a hard life,”she recalls. “I was an orphan, living by myself. I was frightened and I was lonely. I thought every day, what happened to them?”After living in the refugee camp for11 yearswith no
news of her loved ones, Melania became eligible to migrate to Australia as a refugeein 2005.“When I got the news I was coming to Australia I was very excited. I didn’t think it would happen—11 years is a long time to be alone,”she says. After arriving in Australia to a new life,Melania’s happiness wasbittersweet—she alwayswondered where her family wereand what became of them. But not long after she settled in Shepparton, Victoria, Melania was put in touch with Australian Red Cross to continue the search for her family through the International Tracing Service.
Increasing housing supply in Riverstone THIS week’s announcement of Sydney Water completing wastewater mains which will allow the construction and connection of approximately 9,000 dwellings in North West Sydney is welcome news for the residents of this rapidly expanding region of Sydney said Mr Kevin Conolly MP, Member for Riverstone. “These works are made possible because of the NSW Government’s continued commitment to resourcing the Housing Acceleration Fund (HAF) to increase the state’s housing supply” said Mr Conolly. The HAF provides funding for critical growth
infrastructure projects to drive housing construction and supply; such as drinking water, wastewater and stormwater facilities as well as arterial roads. Without these basic infrastructure facilities in place there is no chance for the development of vacant land into newly constructed dwellings for the public to acquire. Over 3 kms of wastewater pipes have been laid already as part of these projects with the first homes able to be connected to the mains at the end of July. “More new dwellings mean more affordable houses for new home buyers and families entering the marketplace” said Mr Conolly.
Two wastewater network projects have already been completed serving the Alex Avenue and Riverstone precincts. “A third project will commence in the near future, to be delivered by December 2019 with estimated total budget of over $52 million providing the opportunity for even further homes for families in Riverstone. “The HAF is helping to meet housing needs, putting downward pressure on house and land prices and generating economic activity vital for the NSW economy,” said Mr Conolly.
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Free wifi rolled out across western Sydney By Keegan Thomson
AFTER food, sleep and water, wifi is the one thing humans need to survive, or at least that’s what some young people would say. To help keep the people of Blacktown and Mount Druitt connect the Blacktown City Council will roll out more than a dozen free wifi hotspots. The service was organised as a joint venture between the Blacktown City Council and Telstra after it was recommended to the Mayor by the
CBD Activation Committee. All up there will be 20 wifi hotspots rolled out across the Blacktown and Mount Druitt CBDs with more coming over the next few months. Each wifi hotspot will allow up to 50 people to use it at one time with each user limited to 30 minutes of connectivity per day. In a statement the Blacktown City Council said, “The system has been rolled out over the last month and each node is currently attracting around 100 users a day.”
Takeaway Lindt Beverages and Cakes! HOT Chocolate lovers rejoice, the Lindt Factory Outlet in Marsden Park has opened a Lindt Chocolate Bar! The Factory Outlet has been open since last October and houses the largest offering of Lindt Chocolate anywhere else in Australia. Just when you think it could not get any sweeter, they open a Chocolate Bar where you can indulge in takeaway coffee and hot and cold chocolate beverages. Including their signature Hot Chocolate; choose between milk and dark chocolate, or for a limited time
only try one of their seasonal flavours including hazelnut and salted caramel. The sweetness does not stop there, visit the Lindt Factory today and discover their new cake cabinet filled with decadent Lindt Chocolate Cakes including customer favourites; Luscious Chocolate Coconut Cake and Salted Caramel Chocolate Cake and many more! The Lindt Factory Outlet is located at 16 Hollinsworth Rd Marsden Park, and is open 9am until 6pm every day.
2016 Federal Election coverage
with Keegan Thomson
Husic launches campaign with Medicare attack
Ed Husic launches his campaign in Tregear one week before the election. Source: Supplied.
LABOR MP for Chifley, Ed Husic held his offical local campaign launch with former New South Wales Premier, Kristina Keneally, where he kept up the ALP’s scare campaign on Medicare. The launch was held in the heart of Mr Husic’s seat at Jim Maynard Reserve in Tregear. Ms Keneally spoke positively about the Labor MP and his efforts in parliament and in Chifley. “Since being elected, Ed has been a loud voice in politics, and he’s not afraid to use that voice – in Parliament and in the media – to fight for the people he represents,” she said. Appealing to a crowd of loyal followers Mr Husic ran the party lines with an attack on the government and a defence for Medicare. “Every election is important, but this one is particularly important because it’s shaping up as a referendum on
the future of Medicare and whether local residents will have access to affordable healthcare,” he said. This Medicare scare campaign is the same style of tactics the ALP is using nation wide, with Opposition Leader Bill Shorten saying during the Labor Launch in western Sydney recently, “Piece by piece, brick by brick, the Liberals want to tear Medicare down.” Mr Shorten and Mr Husic’s comments are being brushed off by the Liberal Party who are displaying corflutes at pre polling which boasts PM Malcolm Turnbull promising, “I guarantee Medicare stays”. Ed Husic holds the seat on Chifley, a safe Labor seat, by 10.9 per cent with him winning 52.7 per cent of the electorate’s vote during the last election. He has held the seat since 2010 with Labor holding the seat since its inception in 1969.
Coalition offers sweeteners in Greenway IN trying to win over votes the Coalition has been offering up a few big spends across Greenway if they’re elected back into office on July 2. Liberal candidate for Greenway, Yvonne Keane has announced a number of local spends, funded by the Coalition, including money for sports and recreation projects and emergency women’s shelters. With State Liberal MP for Riverstone, Kevin Conolly, she announced $400,000 for a fully funded skatepark for Riverstone. In a facebook post she posed with Mr Conolly and wrote, “I have listened to and seen tireless locals advocate for this important piece of community infrastructure. A strong economy means stronger communities.” Continuing the spending spree, Liberals have promised $100,000 to support local women’s community
Yvonne Keane, Liberal candidate for Greenway spruiks an ‘I heart Rivo’ Tshirt with Riverstone State MP, Kevin Conolly on her right. Source: Facebook
shelters across the Blacktown and Seven Hills area. This announcement
was made with Defence Minister, Senator Marise Payne.
During the announcement Ms Keane said the money would go directly to helping curb women’s homelessness in western Sydney. “We’re supporting an organisation that engages with government, business and the philanthropic sector to promote awareness of, and collaborative action on, women’s homelessness,” she said. Senator Payne added, “We understand that by investing in projects such as this one, we help grow a more vibrant and viable community.” Another recent cash splash is a $15,000 investment in solar power for the Blacktown Women’s & Girls’ Health Centre. With all this money being thrown at Greenway it is clear the Liberals have hope they can claim the seat from Labor incumbent Michelle Rowland, who holds the marginal Labor seat by swing of 2.2 per cent.
Sportsbet’s final odds on election eve NO matter which side of the political game you barrack for come election time there is always a winner and a loser and this election we’ve been following the odds of the local pollies with Sportsbet. On election eve the bookies have highlighted some big changes across western Sydney with some candidates tipped to win big and some are set to balance on a knife’s edge.
In Chifley you’ve got sitting Labor MP Ed Husic, who is carrying the unbeatable odds of $1.001 compared to the Coalition candidate, Mohit Kumar who is sitting at a near impossible $16.00. Even with Mr Husic’s unsurpassable odds you’d need to bet $1000 to get a $1 return on your bet. Both the major parties’ Greenway candidates have pulled closer together
with Yvonne Keane, the Liberal candidate, gaining ground on Labor MP Michelle Rowland. Ms Keane has gone from $11 to $5 and she’s now sitting on $3. Michelle Rowland has fallen back a little from $1.12 a month a go to $1.35 on election eve. Leaving punters on the edge of their seats is the race for Macquarie, with the candidates for the two major parties fighting for the seat. Liberal
incumbent, Louise Markus is sitting on a narrow lead of $1.52 and Labor candidate, Susan Templeman is sitting on $2.40. My bet is it will come down to preferences in Macquarie but with so many candidates contesting the seat anything could happen. With so many changes over the last month and so many electorates sitting on narrow odds there really isn’t many safe bets in western Sydney.
11 Western News 1 July 2016 Issue 13
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Legends of the West By Garion Thain
Director Heath Davis’ first feature film “Broke” was initially conceived during his time as a UWS Nepean student. Still living in the lower mountains, Mr Davis says he has a great affinity for the city of Penrith.
SOME outsiders may scoff at the notion of Sydney’s West being the cultural hub of anything, let alone the birthplace of great cinema in any capacity. However, with great minds – and even Golden Globe winning talent – (one example being the great Toni Collette) birthed from suburbs as well populated and socially diverse as these, it’s no surprise a picture from a Westie’s mind’s making could garner international acclaim and resonate domestically in 2016. This week’s legend, Heath Davis, was raised in western Sydney, and worked as a journalist for many years in Blacktown. He has recently been promoting his first ever feature film, “Broke,” starring Aussie talent such as Steve Le Marquand, Max Cullen, Steve Bastoni, Claire van Der Boom and Brendan Cowell. The film follows an ex-footballer, played by Le Marquand, who struggles with a gambling addiction. Davis feels strongly about the theme, and while the film isn’t trying to masquerade as a rugby league film by any means, the sport serves as an interesting entry
point into the story which has seen the film critically-lauded, winning best film at the Las Vegas Independent Film festival, where Davis also scored best director for the film. Davis took the time to talk to me about his hopes to secure a fully seated July 20 screening at Penrith Hoyts. “I loved growing up in western Sydney,” said Mr Davis. “I had great mates here and loved being outdoors whether it was playing rugby league or golf.” Mr Davis enjoyed the openness and freedom, where he also spent time watching indie films growing up. If there was one thing he enjoyed as much as sport, it was the art of filmmaking. “If I wasn’t playing sport I was watching movies, so I guess it was fate that I would make a sporting film as my first feature.” Broke sees the protagonist, a former Rugby League star named Ben Kelly, descend into personal abuse and anonymity, living day-to-day with a crippling gambling addiction. At the peak of his descent, an old fan and his daughter take him in, and try to redeem him. “The film was inspired by my experiences here,” said Davis.
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HEATH DAVIS “It’s about real people with real issues,” he continued. “Western Sydney also had genuine people. And that hasn’t changed. They were also loyal and supportive and I still find that now.” Davis said the idea for Broke came to him while he was studying at the University of Western Sydney, in the Nepean District. “While we didn’t film here, the impetus for the movie certainly evolved from here,” remarked Davis, who continued to say he’d like to ‘rediscover’ the area by filming his next feature, “Book Week,” here. “I’ve moved away, travelled and lived in various corners of the world but come back as I have family and good friends here, and again the people are genuine and salt of the Earth.” Mr Davis is hoping to sell-out the proposed July 20 screening of the film at Penrith Hoyts, so I asked him to elaborate on the tone of the film and what audiences should expect. “Broke is a compelling and entertaining movie first and foremost. It’s hard hitting at times but also very funny,” commented Mr Davis. “It shines the spotlight on a growing social issue in problem gambling. It’s a
complex issue that impacts everyone in some way, shape or form nowadays,” he continued. “I hope the film gets people talking about it and also provides a ray of hope for those struggling with the disease.” Mr Davis is optimistic about the film’s future. It is currently scheduled to play in several other theatres domestically in addition to its overseas run. “Hopefully if we sell out the session
on the July 20 at Penrith Hoyts the audience demand will see the cinema give us a season,” said Mr Davis. “Western Sydney residents will really identify with it and enjoy it. Word of mouth is very strong. We all know one of the characters in the film which is why it resonates,” he continued. The screening can be booked online at https://www.tugg.com/ events/117352
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Promotional Poster for “Broke,” for which tickets to a July screening in Penrith can be bought online.
Heath Davis nominated as a Legend of the West by Greg Davies. If you know a local legend, send us a nomination at nepeannews@aol.com
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Western News 1 July 2016 Issue 13
Turtle Nursery and Landscaping hits a milestone By Keegan Thomson
BARRY “Turtle” 66 years old, is a man whose been in the landscaping and nursery business for the past 41 years, and he shows no sign of slowing down. Opening up his first trucking business on July 1, 1975, which is also his birthday, with his late wife Jan, he trucked soil, shale and sand locally around the region as well as a number of other industrious materials off wharves around Sydney. The very first truck Barry owned was a 1969 AEC Mammoth Major, an eight wheeler tipper with a two axel dog on the back. Together Barry and Jan opened their first nursery and landscape supply yard in 1979 on Worcester road, Rouse Hill, and the couple quickly expanded their flourishing business. In 1992 the pair opened up a new yard, on the corner of Windsor road and Rouse road in Rouse Hill, and turned it into their main business front. Though even with the expansion in 1992 Barry said the business nearly went under due to the recession that year. “The business has grown over the years having normal up and downs but the worst year was 1992. That was
the year when we were having the ‘recession we had to have’, that was nearly curtains,” he said. In 2002 Barry’s wife Jan passed away yet Barry, a true battler, continued the business he and Jan set up. Remarrying in 2004 to June, Barry kept working hard and in 2010 he went on to open up yet another landscaping
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supply yard and a nursery, growing the business even further. After running his own business for 41 years Barry shared some tips on how he has managed to keep his staff happy in their jobs. “It is pretty easy all you need to do is say please and thank you. When they come in you say good morning and
when they’re leaving you say ‘thanks for today’. It is pretty easy I say,” Barry said. Together with his three sons, Mark, Peter and Paul, he has kept the business going strong for the last 41 years and through all the trials and tribulations there is certainly no sign of Barry slowing down.
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Toughen up sister! with TP PERHAPS all of the women who fought for the vote and equal women’s rights should have preserved their energy. I am so sick and tired of opening up the paper, or turning on the radio to hear of some woman who is having a sook about how tough it is for women in the political domain. We’ve seen male colleagues having to make formal apologies for having mentioned how building roads is not akin to buying a car or a handbag. This is not at all newsworthy and yet the papers are happy to perpetuate this nonsense which dumbs down politics and adds nothing to the “we need more women in politics” argument. I need to make it very clear that I’m not talking about behaviour which constitutes real harassment where a person feels genuinely fearful. That is never acceptable. I’m talking about women who are working in male dominated sectors thanks to the mental toughness of our female predecessors. I doubt that these brave and inspiring woman would have bat an eye at the sorts of comments that are being bandied around in the media today. If anything it made them more determined to fight for equal rights. Ironically, I feel that we are closer than ever to equality and we are doing all that we can to fight against it. It’s like we want all of the good bits without the pain. This can be best observed with the pathetic performance of some female politicians. Any woman who can’t handle the cut and thrust of political life ought to reevaluate their chosen career. You have to have a very tough hide, male or female when entering into the world of politics.
So if you want cry foul at every little barb you had better toughen up princess! The argument to get more women into politics is flawed. Especially when many of them ask for equality only to whinge when they get it. Politics is tough. To think it won’t be is ridiculous. There are tough women in politics and ironically they are called heartless, bitches and cold. No, they just know that toughness is a prerequisite. I think Julie Bishop and Peta Credlin would fit into this category. Sadly they are a small number in the scheme of things. They can give as good as they get. Unfortunately they are exceptions rather than the rule and many women in politics are great at dishing it out but incapable of taking criticism of any kind.
Females who tell men they are attractive or make sarcastic remarks would be indignant if he took the story to the media claiming that they were offended, enough with the double standards. If you can’t stand the heat in professional life get back in the kitchen.
Opinion: A catastrophic flood in western Sydney will happen... By Bart Bassett
THE only question is when. When Warragamba Dam was built it was built as a water storage facility not a flood mitigation dam and even to this day that is exactly what the operating procedure is for the dam, to keep it as full as possible to supply Sydney with quality potable water. The recent occurrences of east coast low weather systems combined with Warragamba Dam at close to 100 per cent capacity was yet another wake up call to the NSW State Government to get on with the obvious job of flood mitigation. Prior to 1995, the Fahey Government and some senior Government Ministers were very responsible in planning to minimise the potential for a catastrophic flood in the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley. They believed the risk of a catastrophic flood was so great they embarked on an investigation to mitigate such a flood and the decision was made to raise Warragamba Dam wall by 23 meters. Unfortunately during the State Election campaign leading up to the 1995 State election Bob Carr was desperate to appease The Greens and garner their support and preferences so he committed that if elected, the dam wall would not be raised. The Greens were concerned that existing trees above the dam wall would be affected if the plan to raise the dam wall went ahead. It seems very little consideration was given about the devastation to both private and government assets downstream in the event of a flood. As compensation to ensure government could say they had considered the potential of a dam wall failure and loss of life, once elected in 1995 the Carr Government built the spillway on the eastern side of the existing wall to safeguard the integrity of the dam wall and upgraded
flood evacuation routes in the flood plain so people could get out of the flood zone, but it did nothing to mitigate the catastrophic consequence to property, businesses and everyday life a major flood would cause over a prolonged period of time. The Department of Primary industries in its Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Flood Management Review, estimates that a devastating catastrophic flood in western Sydney will wipe out 20,000 homes, require 75,000 people to be evacuated as well as destroy countless private and government infrastructure assets all of which could cost up to $8Bil to repair and replace. The State budget and NSW economy in general will take years to recover. In 2012 yet again east coast lows hit the Warragamba catchment area and it was a massive wake up call to
the office of the new Premier Barry O’Farrell. And full credit to him and his office, they realised western Sydney and NSW had dodged another bullet and he instructed his office to immediately review the original 1995 studies to assess the best possible flood mitigation investment for the Hawkesbury-Nepean flood plain and so began the Hawkesbury-Nepean Valley Flood Management Review. Unfortunately the O’Farrell initiative seemed to have stalled over the last two years with no tangible commitment made by the Baird Government until last week’s budget. In last week’s state budget money has finally been allocated to start the process of planning to raise the dam wall 14 meters which will reduce the potential for catastrophic flood significantly but not as much as the 23 meters previously planned. Whilst the government has a list of 20 options for flood mitigation and evacuation, which will be made public sometime over the next few months, my understanding at this moment is the raising of the dam wall is at the very bottom of the “to do” list some years or more down the track, so yes, the issue has been kicked down the road again! Many things including another State election or two will happen in that time so I wouldn’t start celebrating just yet that the dam wall raising is a certainty. I would strongly suggest to decision makers that all matters relating to the raising of the dam wall be moved to the top of the mitigation project list because if a major catastrophic flood occurs, especially now the public are aware of numerous delays in taking action to mitigate a flood disaster, I wouldn’t want to be the Premier and Government who procrastinated over reducing the flood risk. That will be a legacy that will never be forgotten by the people of western Sydney and all of NSW.
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Western News 1 July 2016 Issue 13
Yucatan yearnings: an intro to Mexico
By Ben Cranney
THE first place that I travelled overseas to was Mexico. It is an amazing place, of giant pyramids and lost cities, colonial towns, amazing people and fantastic food. The easiest place to start is the Yucatan Peninsula, on the Caribbean, not least because plenty of locals speak English. One of the big drawcards is Chichen Itza, which was a major Mayan city and cultural centre for centuries. It is centered around the striking step pyramid known as the Temple of Kukulkan. As a guy who thought
pyramids were the domain of Egypt, I was amazed. But what was more fascinating was learning about the ancient mesoamerican ball game while walking through the remains of the ball courts. Games could be for big stakes, as superpowers would play instead of going to war, or to determine who would be sacrificed to the gods. Does that make it violent or peaceful? Chichen Itza wins on scale, but overall, I think I preferred Tulum. The ruins are small, but it has one of the best bits of real estate in the world and the Mayans knew it, building fortified walls around it. Perched on a cliff top,
it looks out over the blue Caribbean waters and is flanked by forest as far as can be seen. A day trip to Tulum can be coupled with a visit to the cenotes, underground swimming pools with interconnected rivers that make for great snorkelling and diving. The one place that we didn’t get to was Merida, which is meant to be one of the most beautiful Spanish colonial cities in Mexico. But the Yucatan is for more than visiting the past. For around $65US, enjoy dance floor service, all you can drink spirits at the Coco Bongo while watching a high energy tribute show to the best of rock and
pop. The main drag is full of energy too, with street performers, neon lights and great bars and restaurants. Many locals survive on tips, so much so that one fellow followed us to an ATM after a meal because we didn’t have the cash for his tip. Don’t let him take you to the ones on the main street - they charge a $20US fee. But if this is all too much excitement, head to Isla Mujeres for a few relaxing days of driving around in golf buggies, or to Isla Holbox to swim with whale sharks. And let me know if Merida is worth a visit.
The Unintentional Medium By Suzi Samuel There Must Be Angels - Part Two
A FEW weeks ago, I announced to my poor, long-suffering husband that we were having visitors the following Sunday and that they would be arriving at 10.30 p.m. “That’s a bit late,” said David. “Who is coming?” “Five Angels,” I replied as I carried on blithely getting the supper. Not easy being married to me! But let me backtrack a bit. I have a lovely friend in Canada called Diana. I have never actually met her, but we became firm friends when I started to do telephone readings for her. She is an incredibly spiritual lady and works with Angels and souls. I don’t quite know what she does, but whatever it is, it is amazingly effective. During one email “conversation” she suddenly said, “Would you like an Angel visit?” Well, obviously the answer was yes even though I was slightly sceptical. My house guests would be Archangels Michael, Gabriel, Uriel, Raphael and Metratron. They would leave Diana at 10.30p.m and arrive at my house at 10.30p.m five days later. Angels don’t worry about time differences. I got instructions on how to prepare for them. I had to clean the house and then make a little altar with
a white flower and a candle which would burn for the five days they would be with me except when I was asleep or out of the house - Health and Safety in Angel Land. I had to write three wishes, one for the world, one for the family and one for me, and seal them in an envelope which I would put not too near the candle and then put an apple on top of the envelope. Once they left me I had
to burn the envelope, eat the apple which would be full of blessings and leave the flower on the ground to go back to nature. Now, I love Diana dearly, but I was beginning to wonder a little. However, to the great consternation of David and the dog, I embarked on a house clean worthy of Passover, got the flowers, lit the candle and wrote down my wishes. Having warned
David that under no circumstances should I be allowed to nod off in front of the TV, at precisely 10.30p.m we opened the front door, hoping no neighbours were out and about at that hour, and welcomed our guests. It was amazing. The whole atmosphere of the house changed. It became incredibly calm and peaceful, not a usual thing for our nest, and for the first time in years I slept through the night having the loveliest dreams instead of the usual ones of having fifty guests for dinner and only one leg of lamb. We also asked for one very specific thing which we thought we had no hope of getting and, lo and behold, it happened. Eventually the five days were up and very sadly at 10.30p.m we said goodbye to Michael and co. The house went back to its usual chaos and although the atmosphere was not the same, something had changed within us. Was it just the thought of a houseful of Angels that made us feel better? I just know that a couple of old Doubting Thomases became convinced that there must be Angels. The Unintentional Medium is available online or from any good book store.
THE G SPOT
TODAY’S story is going to be about procrastination, well maybe it is going to be - anyway who knows? In my type of industry, the beloved procrastinators are almost a breed of their own, I truly believe that there is an island somewhere in the pacific that is just filled with procrastinators, and they are just bumping into tropical palm trees rubbing their heads and moving to the next palm to knock themselves on. They are all starving to death because they can’t decide what to eat, there is no cabins, light or fires, it is just vast land with people aimlessly walking over the island, almost like a scene from walking dead, except these people are not zombies, well I don’t believe so? I call them “The serial navel pickers” you know, the people that just pick the fluff from their navels and wonder if at birth their tube was cut internally or externally and does this particular useless apparatus look attractive? The
little dot thing that sits on my stomach and serves no purpose except to aid the procrastinator, well I guess anyway? Why am I writing this? Well you see, in my line of work, if I had a dollar for every time I said “I told you so” I would be probably sipping a Moet from Jimmy Choo shoes on Frank Lowie’s boat somewhere. Then we have the people that lack pro-activeness. Whilst the two P’s – Procrastination and lack of Proactiveness are like chalk and cheese and ebony and ivory, they are still on par with each other, however when you get a human with both these wonderful ground-breaking qualities, I think the technical medical and scientific term for this may be “royally stuffed!” Just saying. While I won’t mention names or locations, my mind just friggn boggles at times, with the localised flooding a few weeks ago. Pamphlets, carrier
With Gina Field, Nepean Regional Security
pigeons, neon signs and SWAT kicking your door in to deliver the message, yes we all had notice of the flooding and heavy rains, yet boneheads continued to drive into flood waters, in cars that you couldn’t even swing a cat in. I honestly feel like smacking people with the “pro-activeness stick”, then the “Common sense” stick to finish off the job. I was reading story after story on Facebook of tragedy, yet I was getting calls from some of my clients to check their business sites for damage, ceiling and roof problems and flooding. Being proactive and not procrastinating. So, you may be asking, what the hell has this got to do with security? And get on with it you crazy woman. The two P’s, to the security industry is like kryptonite to superman. Why? I hear you ask. Well? You would be surprised how many people I speak to who say that they don’t need any form
of security because it will never happen to them, no one would steal what they sell, we have good neighbours, we have high fences, we have a savage dog and the friggn list goes on, and on and on. Sigh…. However ( as I gulp my coffee on this frosty Sunday morning, whilst typing this), I then get a phone call, usually with a person screaming frantically down the phone asking for me to pull security techs out of my rear end at midnight, because ….. They have been broken in to. I usually get the words “yes I know you told me, but..” So whilst I don’t have to tell you the rest, the two P’s can be very dangerous in most, if not all, situations in life. So there you have it- Pro-activeness for PM, no zombies were hurt or injured during this story, and I would like to sit on an island and play with my navel any day, and stay right away from the two P’s.
19 Western News 1 July 2016 Issue 13
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CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Orders (8) 5 On a ship or train (6) 9 Solitary (8) 10 Requiring immediate attention (6) 12 Bow down (9) 13 Rodent (5) 14 Murmurs (4) 16 Ennoble (7) 19 Moocher (7) 21 Goes astray (4) 24 Frequently (5) 25 Heat, water and electricity (9) 27 You do this when you have a cold (6) 28 Appears with the full moon (8) 29 Citizen of Denmark (6) 30 A wastewater cistern (8)
DOWN 1 An Islamic religious leader (6) 2 A small fish (6) 3 A valuable thing or property (5) 4 Degrades (7) 6 Measures atmospheric pressure (9) 7 Sufficient (8) 8 Acted in an undecided manner (8) 11 Yield (4) 15 Coordinates (9) 17 Adopted (a cause) (8) 18 From Dixie (8) 20 Utterly defeat (4) 21 Effeminate (7) 22 Japanese robe (6) 23 Practical (6) 26 Parts (5)
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Western News 1 July 2016 Issue 13
SUDOKU: MEDIUM
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INSTRUCTIONS Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 with no duplicates
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Dine in style while raising funds for diabetes research and care THIS August, multi award-winning Loxley on Bellbird Hill will welcome over 100 guests for an important fundraising degustation dinner and a night filled with fabulous entertainment, great prizes, gifts for attendees and more. Funds raised from this inaugural event will help My Westmead support Diabetes research and care. My Westmead is the charity arm for Westmead Hospital and The Westmead Institute for Medical Research. These important institutions work together to provide ‘bench to bedside’ treatment and care for everyone in Western Sydney. Breakthroughs and discoveries made by researchers are translated into actual outcomes for patients being treated locally. This helps secure healthier futures for everyone. Loxley on Bellbird Hill understands the need to support the work of doctors, nurses and researchers at Westmead and are passionate about showcasing their beautiful venue to do just that. Generous donations from events like ‘Dine in Style’ are directed to state of the art medical equipment, enhanced services and lifesaving research. The inaugural ‘Dine In Style’ event will take place on Saturday, 6 August 2016 and is the brainchild of Loxley owner Paul Maher. The venue specialises in weddings, conferences, accommodation and private dining. Located in Kurrajong Hills, the original land grant dates back to 1833, one of the oldest grants in Australia and has since been developed into the scenic 30 acre estate that stands today. Loxley on Bellbird Hill is one of Western Sydney’s most elegant and romantic destinations and is situated at Kurrajong Hills, the gateway to the world heritage listed Blue Mountains.
Paul Maher and Loxley on Bellbird Hill have been long term supporters of My Westmead. They are true examples of positivity and advocacy for Western Sydney and their generosity over many years has helped My Westmead with multiple events and fundraising campaigns. Paul is a dedicated ambassador for businesses in Western Sydney and the potential of what can be achieved by supporting each other. Westmead Medical Research Foundation Chief Operating Officer Belinda Szafraniec said: “My Westmead is delighted to be working with Paul and Loxley on this event at their wonderful venue and were thrilled when Loxley approached us with the idea. Such generosity!” Paul has a personal connection with Westmead, both his parents were treated at Westmead Hospital and his son was in intensive care at
Westmead’s ICU after a major motorcycle accident. “Back in 2008, I had the opportunity to visit Westmead with a group of corporate donors and see first-hand the medical equipment and technology used by doctors and researchers. A month later, my son’s life was literally saved at the same hospital thanks to this advanced equipment and the work of the great team at Westmead,” said Paul. His generosity towards My Westmead all these years later, shows his lasting gratitude for the care and life-saving treatment Westmead provided to his son Kieran and today, Paul and his partner Alison are the proud grandparents of a beautiful baby girl Pippa Faith the daughter of Kieran and Bec. Associate Professor Wayne Hawthorne, who will be a guest speaker at the event, leads a specialised team of professionals committed to providing patients with the best possible treatments for Type 1 diabetes. They are working to find a cure for Type 1 Diabetes and to help patients that suffer from secondary complications such as renal failure. “We have come so far in treatment options for Type 1 Diabetes, but we won’t stop until we find a cure,” said Professor Hawthorne. Professor Hawthorne will explain to the guests at the event the importance of financial support from donors who through gifts – big and small – make a real difference to their medical research. For more information about the ‘Dine In Style’ event at Loxley on Bellbird Hill or how you or your business can support health care and research, contact My Westmead on 1800 639 037 or visit mywestmead.com.au
Opinion: BREXIT - A victory for ordinary people over the elite By David Samuel
THE British people have just said, in the words of the Stones’ old song, “hEy yoU, get off of my cloud.” Thoroughly fed up with having their country run by faceless unelected bureaucrats in Brussels, who never stopped telling them what their own Parliament and Courts could and could not do, they have clearly told the EU and their own pollies that they want their country back. Wouldn’t we say the same if more than 40 years ago we’d joined what we were told was a ‘common market’ of Asian countries, perhaps based in Jakarta, only to see it grow into a separate, powerful and undemocratic nation-state that slowly but surely took over all our rights and powers to protect and control our borders, our fishing grounds, agriculture, trade policy and foreign affairs to name but a few. And to top it all that required us to allow unlimited immigration by any citizen of any of the 27 other member-states that wished to live here. From the start of the referendum campaign the Brits have had to endure the most intense bombardment of propaganda since the Second World War. It came from so-called ‘experts’ and ‘leaders’ - from President Obama down - who all warned, lectured and threatened them on the dire consequences they would suffer if they dared vote ‘Leave’. Well, none of these knuckleheads obviously knew a thing about the country that produced Winston Churchill and Margaret Thatcher. Like us, the Brits were never going to be intimidated, and by their vote they gave the perfect two-finger salute to the lot of them. Of course there will be short-term turmoil on the markets. Bankers and financial institutions got their forecasts wrong and panicked. But that’s what
bankers and financial institutions always do, isn’t it? After they have calmed down, they may begin to learn afresh that financial markets follow, not lead, the political facts of life. In this case the key political fact is that Britain has just voted to return to being an independent and self-governing nation. It is more than likely that the release of decades of pent-up frustration will spark a new entrepreneurial spirit in Britain that will prove all those prophets of financial doom and gloom to be about as accurate as the Flat Earth Society. Finally, a word about democracy. In practical terms it means accepting the will of the majority; abiding by the result of an election or referendum even if it doesn’t go the way you would like.
Unfortunately the elite in Britain and Europe only accept democracy if it delivers the result they want. They’ve already started a movement to hold a second referendum and continue to describe all those who voted ‘Leave’ as “racist bigots” and “xenophobes”. Let’s be clear about one thing. In the Brexit debate immigration was only one of many subjects discussed. The terms “racist” and “xenophobic” have become the go-to slur of every cheap and dishonest commentator with no evidence to back up his or her claims. It is neither ‘racist’ nor ‘xenophobic’ to want your country to have the power to control unlimited immigration. It is common sense and such offensive and unwarranted attacks on the motives of ordinary voters should cease.
21 Western News 1 July 2016 Issue 13
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22 Western News 1 July 2016 Issue 13
“The Rex” Hotel
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N February 1947 the Penrith Licensing Board approved the transfer of a license to a new hotel to be erected in Queen Street at St Marys at an estimated price of £40,690. The license was bought by St Marys Investments Pty Ltd for £2,850. Evidence was given as to the growth of the population of the municipality with the advent of new industries. The hotel was to be erected within twelve months or within such extension of time as the court would grant from time to time. Sergeant Brownette appeared for the Licensing Inspector and stated that he offered no objection to the application. Samuel Lipson an architect from Sydney submitted the plans of the hotel to the court that was to be built at the corner of Queen Street and a proposed new road and the plans were approved by the St Marys’ Council. Keith James Douglas who was the Deputy Town Clerk of St Marys stated that in 1936 the population of St Marys was approximately 2,800 and in 1947 it was somewhere in the vicinity of 7,000 and also in 1936 there were no factories in St Marys and now in 1947 there were 63 in the factory area at St Marys and some others outside. About 1,200 people were employed in the factory area and about 800 to a thousand of those travelled by train with other people by alternate transport and from 1936 up to 1947 there had been about 300 building permits granted with the buildings for Government authorities requiring no permit. When asked about the Duration Cottages he said that they were still occupied and apparently they were permanently occupied. There had been four new building permits since 1st January. The Housing Commission was operating in St Marys but had not erected houses but had laid the foundations down for 20 and another 260 homes in St Marys were to be built and that they had already started on 100 and all of them would be in proximity to the proposed hotel. Thirty staff cottages were erected during the war for war production and they were fully occupied and in addition there were two Red Cross Hostels and one of those was fully occupied by approximately 30 people. Questions about the lack of accommodation at St Marys and the difficulty experienced by Council’s Engineer and Health Inspector was discussed because the Engineer had to live with the Town Clerk and the Health Inspector had to travel. Council approved the Inspector’s application to build a home at St Marys as that was the only way accommodation could be provided to him because he was travelling from Hurstville to St Marys and there was a definite requirement for an additional hotel at St Marys and other questions were asked about the people who came by train to work at the factory as a lot of these people would not be affected by this hotel licence because they would get on the train and go straight home and the industrial expansion was almost solely on the northern side of the line. Ernest Walter Griffiths an estate agent at St Marys who was Secretary of St Marys Football Club and the Chamber of Commerce also said considerable progress had taken place in St Marys and he received numerous inquiries for accommodation from people who, in his opinion, were the type of people who could afford to stay at a first-class hotel and he could also name half a dozen firms who are looking for land to provide homes in the area and he named several of them in court. He was asked what he thought would be the ability of employees at the factory area to obtain liquor in the bar of the present Park View Hotel but he said it would be impossible as many wouldn’t be able to get in the door as it was a considerable distance from the station and the new hotel would be convenient for people coming to St Marys for their meals and liquor. There was a question about the population of Penrith and Mr Griffiths said he thought that when
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they were discussing amalgamation (of Councils) at a public meeting in St Marys they were about on par. Sergeant Chisholm who was the licensing inspector said that it was proposed to erect the hotel on a site with a frontage of about 150 feet in Queen Street and with a depth of 198 feet along a unformed road and this site would be about 150 yards from St Marys’ railway station and in the proposed civic centre of St Marys and it was a very suitable site for the erection of a modern up-to-date hotel as there was one hotel (Park View) with five bedrooms for the use of the public but this was not large enough to meet public requirements and further hotel accommodation was necessary and in the new hotel there would be 21 bedrooms available where they would be provided with hot and cold water etc with the estimated cost of the building about £40,000 and in view of the necessity of further accommodation he stated that he offered no objection to the application. The application was granted. The Chairman said that in view of the extreme shortage of accommodation at St Marys it would be advisable to get on with it soon. In June 1950 in a letter from L J Hooker Ltd read at a Penrith Council meeting advised that the directors of St Marys Investments Pty Ltd had the Licensing Board’s approval to erect a hotel at St Marys and conveyed to Council its appreciation of their interest in the matter. Council’s request that the hotel to be built was receiving immediate attention and the appropriate authorities were being approached to ascertain their minimum requirements and the Council also indicated to the firm its support of their proposal. Also in a newspaper article in the Daily Telegraph in that year it was stated that “a garden city was being planned for St Marys and only the shortage of materials and labour had delayed a brand new planned city but it seemed every chance that within another ten years a modern town would arise within two miles of the industrial centre and the nucleus of the new town would soon take shape as Penrith Council had voted £56,000 for stage one for the construction of roads, pavements, kerbing and guttering and drainage in the residential area. That work was to be done to a plan Penrith Council had drawn up in association with the Cumberland County Council and the plan envisaged the erection within ten years of two modern satellite cities – one at St Marys and the other six miles away at Penrith and each with a population of 15,000. Source: Nepean Times, Trove & Newspapers stated. Drawing of the proposed hotel courtesy of Sydney Morning Herald TO BE CONTINUED... Lyn Forde – Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.
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PROPERTY SALES AND LEASING, NOW OPEN IN MARSDEN PARK 9835 3355 | www.bennettproperty.com.au
Investors have confidence in traditional markets
By Matthew Bennett, Bennett Property Group
ACCORDING to home loan broker Mortgage Choice a huge 82 per cent of NSW investors purchased an established investment property last year rather than a new build. “This is up from 2015, when 75.8 per cent of investors indicated that they had purchased an established dwelling,” said Mortgage Choice
CEO John Flavell. Even though there is an increasing number of new properties in north west Sydney coming onto the property market, the majority of investors feel choosing existing homes for investment are a more conservative and reliable option. Investors like tried and true. They want to invest in a property that has the potential to deliver strong capital growth and rental yields. And looking at the data, it would appear the majority of investors believe an established dwelling will help them. Investors understand that the better their premise is in terms of size and access to important amenities, the more likely they will be able to attract and retain good quality tenants. The reality is, the vast majority of the dwellings that are attractive to potential and
existing property investors are good sized, established properties. Buying something new in a new location is often too risky for some. They like knowing what they are buying. We are greatly concerned that if Labor wins on July 2, its policy of abolishing negative gearing tax breaks and increasing capital gains tax could have a huge impact on how future investors will behave. Negative gearing plays an important role in the property market. The tax benefits associated with negative gearing helps to make property investment more attractive to some Australians. And, given that the success and strength of the housing market is critical to the ongoing health of the Australian economy, it doesn’t make sense to consider removing any
initiatives that help this market. Rather than placing the emphasis on negative gearing and the impact it has on the property market, we should be placing the emphasis on first home buyers and what initiatives/incentives we can introduce to help them. More than one third of property investors were first-time buyers. In other words, one in three property investors decided to buy an investment property before an owner occupied. This number increases dramatically in western Sydney. Young buyers are staying at home and trying to pay off their investment property before moving out. They get tax benefits and pay off an asset. The Bennett Brothers have had decades of property experience. Give them a call on 9835 3355 to discuss your property needs.
Are you up to date on the changes to property investor lending? PROPERTY investors are finding it hard to know if they can borrow and from which lender, following changes to investment lending. With the recent rapid growth of investment loans, the banking regulator has asked banks to pull-back investment lending due to concern that it has been too easy for people to take on debt without looking at the big picture. The following practices are now being cracked down on: • Banks growing their investment loan book at over 10 per cent per year • Writing loans where the borrower has less than 20 per cent deposit • Encouraging investment loans with ‘discount’ interest rates and writing interest-only investment loans over a long term.
During a time that seems too difficult and overwhelming we want to help investors and help you achieve the investment portfolio you wish for. If you’re new to property investing we know it can be overwhelming, but it needn’t be. We look at your needs and help ensure your investment is not only affordable but makes sense for your financial situation and your future. Here are my top tips for an investment purchase: 1) Request a depreciation schedule Getting a depreciation schedule will ensure that you will be able to maximise the cash returns from your investment property by claiming tax breaks. Some investors just assume
that the rules only apply to new properties but they are available for all. 2) Get the property valued When you buy a new property, this may be required as way to determine the value and will act as security against your home loan. 3) Utilise a good conveyancer/ solicitor To transfer the legal property title from one person to another you will need a solicitor or good conveyancer to assist with the sale of a property, prepare the documentation and conduct the settlement process. In this day in age, this can even be done online. 4) Get your documentation together
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You will need to show proof of income and repayment history for a lender to approve your loan before making an offer. A credit check is part of that process and looks at your full financial history. This will reassure the lender that you are capable of making consistent payments. 5) Consider a deposit bond Its general practice when buying an investment property to put forward a 10% cash deposit when entering a purchase contract (prior to settlement). A deposit bond can be a quick and efficient way of arranging the deposit without having to have cash ready. It allows the purchaser to wait until settlement to pay the 10%. To start building your property investment portfolio, talk to us today!
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WealthWiz Wealth Management Suite 3, 47-51 Richmond Rd, Blacktown Call 8004 6655 | www.wealthwiz.com.au
23 Western News 1 July 2016 Issue 13
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KURRAJONG HEIGHTS
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2
2
NORTH RICHMOND
GENEROUS FAMILY HOME IN PRIVATE SETTING CASTLEREAGH $000,000
IDEAL FOR INVESTORS CASTLEREAGH
Inspect:
By Appointment
Inspect:
Land Size: Approx 1054 square metres
Address:
4/70 William Street
Price:
Just Listed
Price:
$380,000 - $390,000
Details:
Maurice Mantovani - 4573 1228
Details:
Linda Bennett - 4578 1234
• Modern and spacious 4-bedroom family home • Open-plan casual living areas and formal dining • Huge timber entertaining deck, double garage • Timber kitchen with gas, Smeg oven and dishwasher • Carpeted bedrooms, master with walk-in robe and ensuite • Terraced backyard, fully fenced with double garage • 5KW back-to-grid solar, aircon, slow-combustion heater
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• Very modern, single level villa in a small complex • Open plan living area with split-system air conditioning • 2 bedrooms, each with built-in robes • Updated bathroom with laundry facilities • Modern kitchen with stone tops, dishwasher and dining area • In a very private setting with verandah and bushland views • Leased to an excellent tenant until March 2017
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1
$000,000
Saturday 2 & 9 July, 1:00 - 1:30pm
R E FO AS LE
MARSDEN PARK TWO HOMES ON TWO ACRES CASTLEREAGH • Large 4 bedroom main home • Formal living and dining areas. Ensuite • Second 2 bedroom dwelling • Paved outdoor entertaining and a pool • Close to all conveniences • Available now for long-term lease
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4
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$000,000
MARSDEN PARK
4
2
2
SOPHISTICATED HOME CASTLEREAGHAND MODERN FAMILY $000,000 • Spacious, near-new four-bedroom ‘Azalea’ brick home • Open-plan layout with separate living/dining & media room • Carpeted bedrooms with built-ins, master with ensuite and WIR • Modern kitchen with gas, s/s appliances, stone benchtops • Main bathroom with bath, large internal laundry • Remote double lock up garage with internal access • Security alarm, ducted air con
Inspect:
By Appointment
Inspect:
By Appointment
Address:
86 South Street
Land size: Approx 391 square metres
Price:
$1000 per week
Price:
Just Listed
Details:
Ken Chua - 9835 3355
Details:
Michael Bennett - 9835 3355
KURRAJONG (02) 4573 1228 80 Old Bells Line of Road RICHMOND (02) 4578 1234 239 Windsor Street MARSDEN PARK (02) 9835 3355 Cnr Richmond Road & South Street www.bennettproperty.com.au
LONDONDERRY
3
AFFORDABLE ACRES CASTLEREAGH
1
1
$000,000
• Superb, level acres with town water • Fenced corner block in popular rural area • Older style cottage with 4 bedrooms • Renovate or build your dream home • Only minutes to Penrith and Richmond • Rare Opportunity in this location!
BERKSHIRE PARK
4
QUALITY RESIDENCE, ACRES CASTLEREAGH
2
2
$000,000
• Near new family homestead (approx 37 squares) • Spacious living areas with surround sound, tiled floors • Stunning Caesarstone kitchen with walk-in pantry, 900mm “Blanco” stove • Luxury main bedroom with spa bath, walk-in robes • Fitted laundry. Ducted air and vacuum • Superb covered alfresco entertaining with picturesque rural outlook • Only minutes from Sydney Business Park and M7
Inspect:
Saturday 2 & 9 July, 2:00 - 2:30pm
Inspect:
By Appointment
Address:
37-45 Bowman Road
Land size: Approx 5.2 acres (2.1 hectares)
Land Size: Approx 1.79 hectares (4.4 acres)
Price:
$1.9 - $2 million
Price:
Upcoming Auction
Details:
Michael Bennett/Rhonda Schellnack - 4578 1234
Details:
Michael Bennett/Ken Chua - 4578 1234
LD
SO
RICHMOND
4
1
1
LLANDILO
4
2+22
1+1
“BONNIE DOON” - CHARMING COUNTRY HOME CASTLEREAGH $000,000
FUTURE DEVELOPMENT POTENTIAL$000,000 CASTLEREAGH
Inspect:
Inspect:
• Charming 4 bedroom country home on tree-lined street • Timber floors, 9 foot ceilings, ornate cornices, picture rails • Country style kitchen with lots of light and cupboard space • Comfortable bedrooms with BIR’s • Single lock up garage with workshop and toilet • Walk to town, shops, schools and city train
By Appointment
• Two older style cottages on acres • Flood-free acres with wide frontage • Two separate Lots (approx 2.5 acres each) • Currently rented for $300pw each cottage • Central location, close to Penrith • Excellent long-term potential (STCA)
By Appointment
Land Size: Approx 523.6 square metres
Land Size: Approx 5 acres (2 hectares)
Price:
Just Listed
Price:
Just Listed
Details:
Michael Bennett - 4578 1234
Details:
Matthew Bennett - 9835 3355
KURRAJONG (02) 4573 1228 80 Old Bells Line of Road RICHMOND (02) 4578 1234 239 Windsor Street MARSDEN PARK (02) 9835 3355 Cnr Richmond Road & South Street www.bennettproperty.com.au
Warriors looking sharp on and off the field
BRUFC Players wearing their Johnny Bigg clothing at the Club’s major sponsor Stonecutters Ridge Golf Club.
BRUFC Players in-store at Johnny Bigg Blacktown after a professional fitting by staff.
THE Blacktown Rugby Union Football Club (BRUFC) Warriors are kicking goals on and off the field, thanks to a new partnership with Australian menswear brand Johnny Bigg. After a successful start to the season with three of their four teams undefeated, the Warriors are scoring high in the style stakes after partnering with Johnny Bigg, the only brand in
the Southern Hemisphere that caters for big and tall men. The Blacktown Rugby Union Football Club are proud to partner with the local Johnny Bigg Blacktown store, which has given some of the club’s star players new winter clothing, swapping the uniform for a sharp new look. Among those players, includes Club President Scott Riley who recently became only the 12th
person in the club’s history to play 250 games for the team. “This has been a great opportunity for the Club, Johnny Bigg’s range is well-suited to Rugby players, especially guys like me who are wellover 6 foot in height,” Scott said. The new partnership with Johnny Bigg has made shopping easy for the Warriors, with the range offering specialized sizing of size XL upwards to 8XL. The Johnny Bigg Blacktown store, which is located at Westpoint Shopping Centre, opened in 2015 and is a part of a rapid expansion planned for the brand across Australia. With quality and affordable clothing
available in-store and online, Johnny Bigg is aiming to have a minimum of 25 stores open by June 2017. With all eyes set on the premiership this season, the Warriors couldn’t be more pleased with its latest partnership, proving to be a win-win for both the store and the club. This partnership with Johnny Bigg will see the team join the ranks of NRL legends, such as George Rose, Sam Kasiano, Frank Pritchard, Jamal Idris, Marty Kapow, Dan Hunt, Tariq Sims, Kevin Galloway, Dan Conn and radio host Gus Worland, as well as TV personality Big T (Australian X Factor Finalist).
Wheelchair Rugby League aiming to feature in the west By Jarrod McGrouther
NATHAN Pentecost is well known as an integral part of the Penrith Panthers Wheelchair Rugby League team and is also their club captain. He is considered an elite athlete in the sport, and his love for the game has sparked a passion to expand it, with the area of western Sydney firmly in his sights. Planning for a western Sydney Wheelchair Rugby League competition is in it’s early stages, and with a heavy focus on expansion as well as getting juniors involved in the sport, the concept is an significant one. Wheelchair Rugby League is fast paced and played on a basketball court. Much like the NRL equivalent, player must carry the ball into their oppositions in goal area to score a try. They have six tackles to do so and use tags or touches to make tackles. Passes need to go backwards and kicks in general play are also a feature of the game. Importantly, during my conversation with Nathan, I learnt that Wheelchair Rugby League is an inclusive sport, meaning anyone can give it a go. Nathan, speaking about this unique attribute, believes it’s an important message that needs to be promoted.
“It’s important because it gives me and others the opportunity to play alongside friends and family.” With five NRL clubs currently affiliated with Wheelchair Rugby League teams, the new league is hoping to provide depth in the playing ranks to continue the sports rise. The current competition is played at Menai, in the Sutherland Shire, so establishing a competition in the west is important for both growth and access to the sport. Nathan is set to raise funds to help
start the league, as he attempts another mammoth 100km Push-a-thon in Penrith. Set to travel the lengthy distance with laps around the Penrith Regatta Centre, and with the Men of League on board to assist, Nathan hopes to raise enough money to purchase 10 new wheelchairs to help start the new competition. July 29 and 30 are the event dates, with more information and fundraising contacts to come. On a personal note, Nathan was recently selected in the New South
Wales Wheelchair Rugby League team that did battle with Queensland in a State of Origin format. An initiative started last year, Nathan joined teammates for his second campaign, held in Brisbane over the weekend of 17-19 June. It was a two game series between the states and the selection was something Nathan was extremely proud of. In positive news, New South Wales proved too good for their northern counterparts, winning both games in impressive fashion. Congratulations to all involved.
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Western News 1 July 2016 Issue 13
Midnight basketball slam dunks into Emerton Leisure Centre FRIDAY nights at Emerton Leisure Centre are filled with slam dunks and jump shots, with over 60 youths taking part in the Midnight Basketball Mt Druitt Program. The opportunity to be involved with Midnight Basketball Mt Druitt is highly sought after, and player registrations always reach capacity. Emerton Leisure Centre provides a safe, fun and inclusive environment for boys and girls aged 12-18 in the 2770 postcode. The aim of the program to build life skills whilst promoting values such as inclusivity, teamwork and sportsmanship and also whilst being active and having fun. A compulsory workshop component offers young people the chance to focus on essential life skills, including nutrition, cultural
Participants of Midnight Basketball MT Druitt, Councillors Charlie Lowles, Edmond Atalla and Jacqueline Donaldson.
BARRIER RISE with Tony Brassel Tony Brassel is one of the most respected judges of horseflesh in the country. He is a form expert and racing analyst with SKY Racing and radio 2KY and has now joined the Western Sydney News Group stable of journalists
COME ON VOGUE: Was stepping out for the first time when a handy sixth at the Rosehill trial session last Tuesday. She’s a filly by pacy sprinter Stryker and could trial again before Chris Waller assigns her to a race start. COSMIC POWERS: Is a flashy miss with a baldy face so she’s hard to miss. Her natural speed also stood out when she led throughout at the Rosehill session for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden. HAPPY GALAXY: Is a multiple black type winner and led throughout when a decisive winner at the Rosehill trials this week. He was never at top speed and will be placed to advantage by Gary Moore. McCREERY: Is yet to show peak form Down Under but that can’t be far off. He’s yet another import from Chris Waller’s yard and has been thoroughly tuned through two very soft barrier trial hit outs.
development, financial literacy and job readiness. Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Stephen Bali is thrilled Emerton Leisure Centre has been selected to host the program for its 4th consecutive year. “Midnight Basketball Mt Druitt has proven effective in providing a safe, fun and friendly environment for the young people of Mt Druitt to gather on a Friday night while keeping fit and active. I congratulate the organisers of this program on the amazing work they do in provide this fantastic service to the youth of our community’. Grand Final Night will be held on Friday 24 June 2016, and registrations for Midnight Basketball reopen in September 2016.
QUICK FEET: Hasn’t raced since finishing ninth in her stablemate’s Golden Slipper. Only good ones strut their stuff at that level and she could have landed a heat last Tuesday, but for being eased down for second. SAMANTHA: Looks a bewitching sort going on two trial displays. Although yet to win, this unraced Snitzel miss has breezed home in the typical Gerald Ryan fashion. SWEET ADELINE: Is a Lonhro juvenile and she impressed first time at the trials trekking three wide then launching late to win. Another member of the Chris Waller juggernaut. VIATRIX: Has a bit of size and scope about her. She jogged ahead of her rivals before being eased down for a close second at the Rosehill session. Appears to have come up stylishly for the Hawkes Racing camp.
Fans escape the freeze to watch ‘The Great One’ on ice By Jarrod McGrouther
ICE HOCKEY fans of all ages were treated to a superb night of international ice hockey on Saturday, as Canada went toe to toe with the United States in the 2016 Wayne Gretzky Ice Hockey Classic. Switching the freezing conditions outside for slightly warmer ones inside, the passionate fans were treated to a tight affair, with a penalty shoot out win seeing Canada come out on top. The Great One, Wayne Gretsky, was in attendance to see his country claim the honours, with Canada now holding an unassailable 3-1 series lead with the final match to be played in Brisbane this weekend. Gretzky treated some select fans to a memory they won’t forget, when he took to the ice in an exhibition match. Competition winners were included on both teams, each rewarded with a once in a lifetime chance to compete with hockey royalty.
As the main game rolled near, a fervent crowd built and was rewarded for their attendance, witnessing a dynamic display of ice hockey. It was a tight affair with plenty of goals scored, with Team Canada drawing level with the USA late in the third period, before one of the game’s MVP’s, Chad Nehring, calmly slotted the winning penalty shot to help his side clinch the series.
As well as showcasing quality ice hockey, the 2016 Ice Hockey Classic continues to raise awareness and funds for the STOPCONCUSSIONS Foundation in association with Brain Injury Australia. An issue that is at the forefront of professional sports at present, concussions are extremely serious and the team at STOPCONCUSSIONS has set up an educational website for any parent,
player or interested party to visit, find it at http://www.stopconcussions.com With ice hockey fresh on everyone’s lips, be sure to support our local Australian league, with teams competing in the Nepean area. This weekend sees the local derby between the Sydney Bears and the Sydney Ice Dogs, to be played on Saturday at Penrith Ice Palace. Visit the AIHL social pages for ticketing information.
Storm relentless in pursuit of playoff berth By Noel Rowsell
“They (Newcastle) did a good job and quite a few of their boys played very well”. THE Blacktown Storm Division One Youth “We always have trouble in Newcastle” League Men’s team has continued it’s said Radford. impressive run of form in the 2016 Waratah “They (Newcastle) always seem to play Youth League competition, winning both of better on their home court”. it’s games in Rounds 14 and 15. Makuach again led the Storm with The Storm were in trouble early against 27 points, ahead of Mawein 20, Simeon the Sydney City Comets in Round 14, Murray 16 and Junior Madut 15. trailing throughout the first half as the The Storm play the Moss Vale Magic Comets successfully blazed away from at 5.30pm at the Kevin Betts Stadium on beyond the three-point line to lead 44-29 at Saturday, then don’t play again until 14th half time. July in a catch-up game against the Penrith Storm head coach Greg Radford changed Panthers. tactics for the second half and the Storm During that time, four of the team will responded, racing through the next two head to Werribee, Victoria for the Annual quarters to snatch a thrilling 85-80 victory. National Classic for the South Sudanese Radford said “I was really disappointed Basketball Association on July 8-10. Diing Mawein flies to the hoop to score against the Comets. in our defensive and offensive effort during Mawein, Madut, Atier Manzl and John Photo courtesy of Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au) the (Comets) game”. Deng will all represent the Storm in one of “We were missing cohesion due to our two NSW teams in the Open Division. Round 15 saw the Storm head north to face the sporadic training sessions, with several players There are 53 teams (over 500 players) entered in only attending a single session during the week due Newcastle Hunters and after yet another tough this year’s tournament, including 16 in the Open game, they prevailed 90-81. to other commitments”. Men’s Division, 6 in the Under 20 Men, 13 in the Radford said “It (the game) wasn’t great but we Under 18 Men, 11 in the Under 16 Men and 7 in the Makuach Maluach led the Storm with 40 points, got over the line”. ahead of Diing Mawein 23. Girl’s Division.
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June 30 7.50pm
July 1 7.50pm
July 2 3.00pm
July 2 5.30pm
July 2 7.30pm
July 3 2.00pm
July 3 4.00pm
July 4 7.00pm
July 8 7.50pm
July 9 7.30pm
July 10 4.00pm
July 11 7.00pm
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29 Western News 1 July 2016 Issue 13
sport
SCORE
Clr Stephen Bali Mayor - Blacktown City Council
157 Matthew Bennett - Bennett Property
163 Tony - Choices Blacktown
151 Paul Maher - Loxley on Bellbird
149 Troy - Urban City Consulting
133 Michelle Faint - Kidz Zoo
117 Kimberley Talbot - CEO Richmond Club
151 Barry Locock - Turtle Landscape Supplies
157
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Western News 1 July 2016 Issue 13
MY WORDS WITH MARK GEYER
PANTHERS TURN 50 - OH WHAT A NIGHT!
Greg, Tanya, Meagan, Mark
Brandy, Gower, Moran, Simmons
WHAT a night! What a fantastic celebration it was. Last Saturday night over 500 guests jammed into the Panthers pavilion and celebrated a couple of fine milestones. The first was to acknowledge the fact that the mighty Penrith Panthers were turning 50! The second was to induct four ex Panthers into the newly formed prestigious Hall of Fame. A fantastic initiative for a club now richly steeped in tradition. The 12 nominees on the night were Greg Alexander, Royce Simmons, Craig Gower, Grahame Moran, Steve Carter, John Cartwright, Tony Puletua, Trent Waterhouse, Ryan Girdler, Tim Sheens, Brad Fittler and yours truly. Phil ‘Gus’ Gould was the master of ceremonies and did a fantastic job. Inevitably as the night was drawing to an end, the first four ex players inducted into the Penrith Panthers hall of fame were Graeme Moran, Royce Simmons, Greg Alexander, and Craig Gower. Fantastic achievement from four legends of the club. Grahame Moran was an original Panther from the 1967 team and was the first man to play 100 games for the mountain men. He was a skillful centre or fiveeighth and in 2006 was selected in the centres in the Panthers 40th anniversary team of legends. Royce Simmons, Greg Alexander and Craig Gower need no introduction but here are a few stats on the great trio. Firstly Simmo. He came to the Panthers in 1980 after both Souths and St George knocked him back. He quickly became the Panthers first grade hooker and was Penrith’s first Australian representative. In his final game (1991 grand final) Royce scored two tries and helped lead us to our inaugural grand final victory. He then went on to coach the club before now working in the marketing side of Panthers last year forming the ‘Captains Club”. ‘Brandy’ Alexander and Craig ‘Gowie’ Gower both lead their teams as
24 HOURS
Wayne Gretzky
Rookie coaches
captains to grand final victories. Brandy is Panthers best ever player, Gowie is our most tenacious. Brandy paid an emotional tribute to his mum Leonie on the night for being the driving force behind his constant success. Gowie did the same for his father Mal who passed away a couple of years back. Very emotional stuff. In fact the whole night was both a walk down memory lane as well as a fantastic celebration of a rugby league club that has been a big part of a lot of people’s lives for the past 50 years. Well done to all involved, mainly the marketing team at Panthers for putting such a night on. Well done to the past, present, and future Panther stars for making the night what it was. Can’t wait for the next installment. And another thing... Sometimes in my job on the Triple M Grill Team I get somewhat star-struck when a certain individual enters our studio. Last Friday was one such time. The greatest ice hockey player of all time Wayne Gretzky came in for a visit. What Ali is to boxing, Pele is to soccer, Jordan is to basketball, Bradman is to cricket, Gretzky is to ice hockey. The G.O.A.T- great of all time! Such a humble man with an extraordinary career, even appearing in over 60 movies as himself. What a morning it was. Before I go... Just a heads up to let you know if you already didn’t, the NRL Rookie, which I’m the forwards coach in, is on every Tuesday night at 730pm on channel 9Go!. It’s repeated a few times through the week too. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did recording it. See you at the game.
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Western NEWS
sport
Friday, 1 July 2016
Wanderers top of the table after Bankstown win By Chris Layland
THE Western Sydney Wanderers have surged back to the top of the table after one of the games of the season against Bankstown City. It looked like the Wanderers were going to suffer late heartbreak once again when they conceded an 87th minute equaliser but a touch of class by Tariq Maia saw the Red & Black come away with a 3-2 win in the 93rd minute. There was excitement in the air heading into the match as the secondplaced Wanderers hosted third-placed Bankstown with the potential for either side to go into first place with a win. Back in Round 4 the Lions defeated the Wanderers and with former Western Sydney captain, Michael Beauchamp, lining-up for the away team, it turned into a match for the ages. Predictions of an entertaining match were soon justified as both teams should have scored in the first two minutes: Bankstown hitting over the bar before Kyle Cimenti shot wide for the hosts. Bankstown had the best of the
opening minutes of the physical encounter and took a deserved lead when Gerard Ouffoue scored in the 17th minute but the match was back on equal terms within ten minutes. With Jordan Morfitis lining up a free-kick, centre back Keanu Baccus made a run and it was rewarded when he was able to flick Morfitis’ free-kick into the net with his head, running straight to the supporters to celebrate his maiden NPL goal. Non-stop action continued in the second half with Matt Symes keeping
the score at 1-1 with a great reflex save to deny a close-range shot by Bankstown. Tariq Maia then had an effort of his own blocked but only had to wait three more minutes until he took the lead with goal of the season. Receiving the ball in his own half, the fleet-footed midfielder rounded a defender, dribbled all the way to the top of the box before shooting into the bottom corner. An exquisite finish for one of the best solo runs you’ll ever see.
Bankstown went down to ten men shortly after as Dominic Hudup was sent off for an extremely dangerous tackle on Tacettin Kumsuz, forcing the injured 16-year-old to be carried off the pitch after the disgraceful challenge. From there it looked like Wanderers were going to extend their lead, hitting the crossbar before Ramy Najjarine forced two saves in four minutes but when Bankstown equalised in the 87th minute it appeared the Red & Black had thrown away two points. But just as the crowd were getting ready to leave, Tariq Maia took matters into his own hands once again. Receiving the ball near the top of the box, the midfielder took a touch into space before launching the ball into the back of the net with a powerful strike, sending the home crowd into raptures. The strike was an incredible way to win one of the best matches of the season, fitting for such a high quality contest. The win lifts Wanderers to first place on the table, three points ahead of Sydney FC who lost to Northern Tigers while Bankstown City remain in third.
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