FINAL year paramedicine students at Western Sydney University have put their clinical theory into practice during a Mass Casualty Simulation exercise, testing their skills in a simulated underground train crash scenario held in the University’s state-of-the-art 360-degree Immersive Lab facility.
Located at the University’s new Paramedicine Building at the Campbelltown Campus, the 360-degree Immersive Lab facility allows paramedicine students to practice and be examined in a digital content generated environment with the use of projected images and recorded sounds.
Dr Navin Naidoo, Director of the Paramedicine Academic Program within the School of Health Sciences said the advanced purpose-built training facility ensures student-centred learning and provides a unique, hands-on experience in preparation for real world scenarios upon graduation.
“Our Paramedicine program provides students with the opportunity to put knowledge into practice by using large teaching spaces including simulation rooms, debrief rooms, and an Immersive Simulation Lab with control room to allow students to learn in group-based scenarios with the latest technology and mannequin patients to hone their clinical skills,” said Dr Naidoo.
“The innovative teaching facility incorporates hands-on experiences with real world scenario simulations to develop those practical, clinical and scene safety decision making skills essential for out of hospital care of patients of all ages with health complaints ranging from minor to critical.”
The students participated in an hour-long
immersive simulation exercise testing their knowledge and skills under the guidance of their educators, followed by a debriefing session to talk through the experience, reflect, and share their learnings.
Simulating an underground train tunnel, the lighting was dimmed, and the 360-degree immersive screen technology projected vision and sound to test the students’ senses and prepare them for scene safety considerations and difficult access scenarios out in the field.
Third year paramedicine student, Ebony Domanski, 20-years-old from Oran Park, said the immersive simulation technology helped prepare her for working in diverse and difficult settings, as not every patient is going to be easy to access or in good lighting.
“Scenarios like this simulate the increased cognitive load that comes with real life cases. It’s the little things that make a difference, and in this scenario, it was loud, chaotic, and dark. It makes you stop and think about keeping yourself safe, because especially when there are children involved, it’s really tempting to take big risks to help people,” Ebony said.
“We commonly say that you can’t choose the jobs you go to on placements, so often these simulations are the only chance we get before the real thing. This is especially true for major incidents. Preparing and rehearsing is essential so that everyone understands their role if this was a job in real life. Reading from a textbook and doing are two very different things.”
Reflecting on her passion for helping others, Ebony says it was the paramedics who came to help
her father when she was younger that had inspired her journey towards a career in paramedicine.
“I am a huge people person and I love helping others. It sounds cliche but it’s true. I had a lot of paramedics in my life growing up as my Dad has a chronic illness. I always admired the calm they can bring into a situation, and I wanted to be able to do that for others.”
“I’ve come to learn in the past few years that being a paramedic is about the people. It’s about making someone’s horrible day, a little less horrible. It’s about the conversations with patients who have lived longer and seen more than you. It’s about the people you work with and the support you can offer, because at the end of the day, all you have is each other.”
“For me, if I can be the calm for just one person, if I can give them the hug that they need, or even if I can listen when they need to someone to talk to, then my job is worthwhile. I am looking forward to being a part of something bigger and engaging in the next chapter of learning. This is the kind of job where the learning never stops.”
Western Sydney University’s Paramedicine program offers real world learning experiences to its students, with opportunities for supervised clinical practice with state emergency ambulance services, international clinical placements, and short placements in paramedicine, mental health, and community and primary healthcare.
For more information about Western Sydney University’s Bachelor of Paramedicine, please visit the course page at www.westernsydney.edu.au/ future/study/courses/undergraduate/bachelorof-paramedicine
FOR a decade Blacktown City Council, its Mayors, Councillors and Executive have been calling on the State Government to allow public access to the water of Prospect Reservoir for swimming, sailing and other passive sports.
Council have called for the creation of Western Sydney’s best walk: a pedestrian and cycle path which links the Lower Canal with the Western Sydney Parklands via a loop around the reservoir and which provides quality picnic grounds and playgrounds, all overlooking more than 50ha of water.
Now Western Sydney is on track to having a new recreational waterway.
Blacktown City Council has applauded the weekend announcement by the NSW Minister for Water, Rose Jackson and the Member for Prospect,
Hugh McDermott who have announced a feasibility study and released a discussion paper into the passive recreational use of Prospect Reservoir.
The Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM said, “I welcome the announcement by Rose Jackson and Hugh McDermott to explore the opening of the Reservoir. It is a major win for families and swimming groups in the Blacktown City Community.”
“We see a great potential in unlocking this land and water for passive recreation use for our community. Council supports access to the Reservoir. Better swimming spaces out west are needed now. Blacktown is growing, our population only has access to five public pools; that’s one per 77,000 residents.”
Council has been in conversation with a range of community groups like Team ACU Blacktown City Swimming Club and they tell us they are hoping for more open water swimming spaces in their local area,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
Council hopes that individuals or community groups, who swim, walk, run, cycle sail, kayak, canoe or race dragon boats, will tell the NSW Government how they want to use Prospect Reservoir in the future.
“We encourage the community to have their say,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
Individuals and community groups can access the Prospect Reservoir Discussion Paper and can have their say, here: www.dpie.nsw.gov.au/water/plansand-programs/prospect-reservoir
BLACKTOWN City Council is supporting the local arts and creative community with $53,668 in grants awarded to local artists and community organisations under the 2023 Creative Arts Fund.
13 grants have been provided supporting a range of people and organisations, including seniors with creative projects, a painter exploring the natural beauty of the Blacktown City area, an art collective organisation seeking to mentor young people in creative business skills, the development of an archive of diasporic African stories of Blacktown and much more.
The Mayor of Blacktown City, Tony Bleasdale OAM congratulated the recipients of the grants and said the artists reflect the diversity of the Blacktown City community: “These grants celebrate the excellence and variety of the artistic community in and around Blacktown City, many of the recipients have a strong emphasis on community engagement, knowledgesharing, and resource creation.
Successful grant recipients were presented their cheques by the Mayor of Blacktown, Tony Bleasdale OAM, on Friday 18 August 10.30 am at The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre.
“The applicants in this year’s funding
were all of a high standard and show the depth of creative talent we have in our City. I look forward to seeing the projects come to fruition.” Mayor Bleasdale said
Blacktown City Council, through Blacktown Arts, is pleased to maintain our commitment to the Arts in the City, supporting these individual and collective groups, sharing their talent through paintings, personal story telling, dance, mentorship, intercultural music, workshops, virtual fashion design, and short films.
Grants of $5,000 were awarded to the following artists: Euphony Films will create two short films to raise awareness in suicide prevention, missing children and family violence with a focus on south Asian and Asian communities in Blacktown.
Fufu & Tibs will archive diasporic stories of African migrants and their unique journeys to Australia through photography and interviews.
Luke Agius will develop a short film around two young people broadcasting a late-night radio show at SWR 99.9, on a night that will change their lives forever.
Nelson Nghe exploring intersectional space of growing up as a refugee child and a queer man living in Western Sydney through a series of paintings.
Nicole Oliveira
Creating a virtual fashion week showcasing local fashion designers presenting and celebrating their new collections.
Pegah Kheirdoush
Local Iranian musician collaborating with female Afghan musicians to create music
Will mentor and train young emerging artists in creative business skill development. The program aims to enable young artists to contribute to the independent creative sector in Blacktown.
Grants of up to $4,000 were awarded to the following organisations and artists:
Blacktown & Districts Older Women’s Network
Upskilling seniors in painting skills to prepare for an exhibition - $4,078
Emie Roy
Developing a memoir of her life as a migrant living in Blacktown to be published - $4,350
Desiree Martin
Capturing the beauty of Blacktown environment through a series of paintings - $3000
Ritika Gilfedder
Recreating Bollywood dance based on Shakespeare’s plays in an easy to understand and fun way for children$2,500
Stan Florek
Exploring mixed media painting on canvas with materials typically used in drawing - $2,740
The City of Blacktown Pipe Band Engaging professional Bagpipe and Drumming tutors to develop band members’ playing skills- $2000
Editor:
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Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644
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Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown
BY KERRIE DAVIES
SEPTEMBER 14 is R U OK day, where we are reminded to ask those around us if they are OK. Of course it is important to get into the habit of asking any day; but the 14th is used to raise awareness and give us a nudge to keep doing it.
My good friend and fellow journo, Greg Yanda shared a powerful story about hearing the messaging coming from Gus Worland and the Gotcha4life Foundation on suicide awareness.
“It can be hard to ask a stranger or a friend if they are okay,” Greg said. “But embarrassment is not the worst thing that can happen.”
Greg noticed a situation that didn’t seem right, and intervened. He then thanked Gus for pushing the message on suicide awareness. The following text message copy between Greg and Gus explains what happened.
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“Hi Gus, I’m a bit of a nobody but just wanted to flick you a quick message regarding speaking up, and asking people if they’re okay etc.
Today I drove past a bloke who was standing on a railway overpass. I drive over this bridge daily and nobody ever stops and stares at the train tracks. He wasn’t holding a camera or anything.
I drove past him about 700 metres when I literally heard your message about asking somebody if they are okay and the difference it can make.
I turned around and drove back past him again to make sure I wasn’t overreacting. He was still there.
I parked around the corner and walked about 100 metres towards him.
He apologised because he was in the way, the footpath was very narrow.
I asked him if he was okay? He said yes.
I asked him again, ‘are you sure you’re okay?’
He cried and broke down on the bridge. I put my arm around him and said ‘let’s go talk.’
I gave him numbers for Men’s Line and Beyond Blue before dropping him home. The main thing I want to let you know is that your message resonated with me and quite possibly prevented this guy from throwing himself under a train.
Keep up the message, we are listening.”
Gus replied to Greg. “Huge! Thanks Greg. That’s great to hear. So proud of you.”
Don’t avoid asking the question if it seems it needs to be asked. Once someone is gone, its too late to rehash the what ifs. Just ask.
BUY a badge and help support the families of our veterans this Legacy Week 27th August – 2nd September 2023.
The Legacy Week appeal has been running since the 1940’s and is a time for all Australians to show their support for the widows and children whose loved ones have served our country.
In 1923 Legacy made a promise to help veterans’ families carry on with their lives after the loss or injury of their loved one. It was a simple promise that Legacy keeps today; providing the same stability, guidance and assistance that a partner would normally provide to his or her family.
Today, Legacy supports 43,000 partners and children of veterans who gave their lives or health serving our country.
The Legacy badge is a special emblem of support for our veterans’ families, symbolising our nation’s greatest values of mateship, compassion and fairness.
Legacy badges may be little but the funds they raise make a big impact in the lives of our veterans’ families.
Legacy Week is a time to give back to the families of those who have given so much.
To donate or see more on Legacy go to legacy.com.au or call (02) 8333 0600.
Mt Druitt would like you to vote for your local hero, to help them award $30,000 worth of grants which go back into the community.
Visit the exhibition space located on Ground Level, near J’adore Laser Clinic, from 22 August to 11 September, to find out more about your Local Hero finalists and the incredible work they’re doing in the community.
Vote now by scanning the QR code in-centre. Don’t miss your opportunity to give back to those who give so much to others.
Westfield Local Heroes are nominated and voted for by their communities. The finalist with the most community votes will become the Westfield Mt Druitt Local Hero for 2023, receiving a $20,000 grant for the organisation they represent. The remaining finalists will receive a $5,000 grant for their organisation.
The three finalists are:
Inspirational Joanne Oliver (One Meal - It Makes A Difference) volunteers many hours a week as the Blacktown Area Coordinator for One Meal – It Makes a Difference. She hosts a community meal at Alpha Park every Saturday for up to 60 people, and works behind the scenes
putting together care bags or making deliveries to isolated people.
If Joanne is successful in the community vote, ‘One Meal – It Makes a Difference’ will buy a commercial fridge and freezer and put the rest of the money towards food supplies, packaging and transport.
Super volunteer Margaret Kelly (Foodbank) works four days a week at Foodbank NSW & ACT Glendenning, saving the charity tens of thousands of dollars in wages over the past five years. As the first point of contact for donors, Margaret helps the charity collect and distribute enough food for half a million meals
a week. If Margaret is successful in the community vote, Foodbank NSW & ACT will use its fund to create 570 of its highly appreciated Christmas hampers.
Empathetic Simone Angus-Carr (Ted Noffs - The Street University) helps hundreds of young people make positive life changes as the Western Sydney Programs Manager for Ted Noffs – The Street University.
Simone is perfect for the role. She has 20 years of experience working with addiction, and the young people respect and adore her.
If Simone is successful in the community vote, Ted Noffs – The
Street University will use its funds to buy computers, musical instruments and sporting equipment and to cover the cost of workshops.
The other candidates are: Zubaida
ALRUBAI – Muhajirin Association For Community Development Inc
• Janine ATTARD – RuffTRACK Ltd
• Mr Michael CHAM – BeliveAbility
• Frank CUMIC – Game Change
PT • Bijinder DUGAL – AASHA
Australia Foundation • Robyn
HARDGE-SCOTT – FUNPARK
• Violeta HEKA – A Bit of Hope
• Emeterio GONZALES III –
Sydney Huskies Basketball Inc
• Charles JAGO – Mount Druitt
Ethnic Communities Agency (MECA)
• Nashwa KARAFOTIAS – St Agnes
Catholic High School • Will KARPIN
– Cashaway • Harinder KAUR
– Harman Foundation • Joanne
LEE – PCYC Blacktown • Adele
Joy LOCKMAN – Cumberland
Gang Show • Ouwais MENZEL
– Youth Against Violence • Daisy
MONTALVO – FUNPARK • Tyson
MOON – Fantasia Showstoppers
Incorporated
• Andrew NASR
– Kazoku Martial Arts Academy
• Danielle Louise RAWNSLEYGALISTAN – Stitches Collection
Limited • Amy SAGAR – Tender
Funerals Western Sydney • Damoon
SHEIDAI – Fred Murray Centre, Junior Youth Program • Clint TROFA
– Cure Cancer • Sarah WILSON
• Sally WYND – Eagles RAPS Inc.
YOUNG road users in NSW were reminded of their responsibilities in the car and on our roads at Australia’s largest road safety event, bstreetsmart.
Almost 25,000 Year 10, 11 and 12 students took part in the sessions hosted at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney Olympic Park from August 22-24.
Young adults, aged 17-25, represented about 13 per cent of all licence holders but accounted for 19 per cent of all drivers and riders involved in fatal crashes in 2022.
bstreetsmart was founded in 2005 by Westmead Hospital trauma nurses
Julie Seggie and Stephanie Wilson in Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD) and is a one-day program repeated over three days that aims to help reduce fatalities and serious injuries among young people.
Transport for NSW was a sponsor of the event, contributing $300,000 to this year’s event.
More than 242,000 NSW high school students have attended bstreetsmart since it started in 2005.
Westmead Hospital trauma nurse, Julie Seggie said:
“Driver distractions such as mobile phones, conversations and loud music play a large role in many of the incidents we see in the emergency department.
“As nurses, and many of us as mothers, we wanted to find a way to prevent death and the often-devastating injuries that occur as a result of road crashes.
“As young people walk away from bstreetsmart we want them to think about how they would feel if they were responsible for the death of a friend or causing someone such severe injury that they can never lead a normal life again.”
Minister for Health, Ryan Park said:
“Students and teachers learnt about road trauma through real-life simulated crash scenarios, interactive displays, a theatre sports performance, powerful presentations from survivors and personal accounts from
family members of people killed in crashes.
“bstreetsmart promotes responsibility and encourages our young drivers to take care of each other by not taking risks on our roads and is a confronting yet effective way of demonstrating the possible consequences of being distracted as a driver.
Minister for Roads, John Graham said:
“Between 2018 and 2022, 143 young drivers aged 17-25 died on NSW roads and about 2,233 were seriously injured.
“Empowering young people to understand the life-changing consequences of their decisions behind the wheel and as a passenger is crucial for road safety.
“bstreetsmart is a great way for our young drivers to learn about the responsibility that comes with driving in an interactive way.
“Students watched a simulated crash scenario and took part in interactive displays at the Towards Zero Stand and the pass the ball exercise to show the impact of mobile phone distraction while driving. They also heard emotional testimonies from road trauma survivors and family members.
“Learning to drive or ride is an exciting time for young people but it’s a big responsibility. We all have the power to make safe and responsible decisions to help ourselves and others on the road get home safely.”
For more information, visit https://bstreetsmart.org
INMATES from Parklea Correctional Centre have made their debut onto the Sydney arts scene, with their inaugural exhibition now on show at St Vincent’s Hospital in Darlinghurst.
St Vincent’s Health Network has been the provider of health services at Parklea since 2019, when MTC Australia began operating the prison on behalf of Corrective Services NSW.
The idea for an art show came about after St Vincent’s art curator Alice McAuliffe offered to display the impressive artworks created by the inmates in its exhibition space at the Darlinghurst hospital.
Parklea Governor Wayne Taylor said creative programs were an integral part of the prison’s education and reducing reoffending strategies, and they had helped to improve inmates’ mental health and wellbeing.
“Our mission at Parklea Correctional Centre is to run a safe, decent and secure prison that reduces reoffending and takes care of staff,” Mr Taylor said.
“It’s our duty is to support men of every background, and art allows people to express their feelings and creativity and gives them a sense of pride and improves their self-esteem.
“Inmates who participate in the art program are provided with equipment for free, as well as professional tutorials, help from specialised staff, and support from other inmates who act as peer mentors.
“This fantastic art partnership with St Vincent’s enables inmates to showcase their talents in the public domain and hopefully give them new avenues to use their skills in a positive way once they are released from prison.”
Executive, pointed to the poignancy of the exhibition in the context of St Vincent’s five Sister’s of Charity who sailed from Dublin in 1839, specifically to provide care and ministry to prisoners in the new colony.
“Care for the marginalised has always been a priority for St Vincent’s. This initiative will go a long way to contributing to the wellbeing and rehabilitation of custodial patients. We are very proud to be hosting this exhibition and I commend the artists for participating,” Ms McFadgen said.
The exhibition features more than 30 artworks by inmates with a range of skills and cultural backgrounds, including 10 who are Indigenous.
One of the works is a turtle, made using a metal frame that has been welded together with painted panels, and individual paintings have been placed inside its body.
The sculpture was created by four inmates, with guidance from officers who provide training to prisoners in the prison’s metal shop. They provided instruction on how to measure the steel and weld the components together.
Three of the inmates have never created artworks before, while one has been artistic for most of his life.
The inmates have spent more than two months bringing the turtle to life and were pleased to be involved.
worked in the construction industry, so he had the basic skills to help create the turtle when he was asked to be part of the project.
“Working on this gets us out of the cells and keeps us busy and we feel pride and enjoyment knowing that someone will value the turtle like we do,” Oscar said.
“We are really proud, privileged and honoured for people to see something that we’ve created, so we wanted to put a lot of effort into it, and knowing hundreds of people are going to see it is pretty cool.”
Adam*, who is Indigenous, said he got fulfilment from using his imagination to produce something creative and he would use the skills he’d learned in prison, such as spray painting and welding, once he was released.
Dale* created the three paintings that sit inside the turtle as well as a painting of an echidna for the art show.
He is also Aboriginal and has been drawing, painting and sculpting since he was a teenager. He produces Indigenous works, after learning techniques and stories from Elders in prison, but he also dabbles in other styles, including the chicano style created by Mexican-American artists in the 1960s.
“When I’m painting I’m absent, it takes my mind away from things and always gets me out of here,” Dale said.
“It’s getting rid of the old and bringing in the new.”
Dale did some tattoo work on the outside and is a panel beater by trade, but said he’s getting older and is a bit over it, and his involvement in art in prison was making him seriously consider doing it once he is released.
“I never thought I was any good, but my partner says I’m good and to keep doing it,” Dale said.
Like the other inmates, Dale has never displayed his artwork before, but said he was curious to see what feedback he gets and the level of interest from the community.
“My art is personal. I’m inspired by my mood, who the art is for and what it’s for and I always try to get a good meaning for it,” Dale said.
“I want to change Indigenous art and take Koori art into a new kind of area.”
Anna
McFadgen, St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney ChiefOscar* said he had always appreciated art and had previously
He said making art was a kind of therapy after experiencing trauma from family breakdown as a child.
Canvas Of Hope: Artworks and stories of inmates inside Parklea Correctional Centre is on now until 26 September at the Xavier Building, foyer level, main St Vincent’s public hospital building, 390 Victoria Street, Darlinghurst. Artworks are for sale and inmates receive the majority of the proceeds, which will help them establish a new life when they leave prison.
*Names have been changed.
GREEN thumbs, busy bees and garden gurus are encouraged to enter their garden in the 2023 Blacktown City Garden Competition.
Entries are now open for the 2023 competition, with residents, businesses, schools and community groups urged to showcase their backyard oasis or slice of garden paradise.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM said Council was on the hunt for the City’s best gardens, across 12 categories.
“The Blacktown City Garden Competition is a community favourite, and each year, we receive scores of fabulous entries, which highlight the talent and hard work of the City’s green thumbs,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
“There is more than $3000 in cash prizes on offer for the City’s best
gardens, not to mention the glory of being crowned one of Blacktown City’s top gardening gurus.
“With springtime just around the corner here, there’s no better time for our green thumbs to bring their gardens into bloom and show off their
talents in beautifying our City.”
Entries are invited across 12 categories, including: Best Front Garden, Best Back Garden, Best Commercial Garden (Retirement Village or Business), Best Educational Facility Garden, Best Edible Garden,
Best Australian Native Garden, Best Sustainable Garden, Best Community Garden, Best Individual Residential Garden (Unit/Townhouse). Best Garden by Senior Citizen (60+ years), Best Themed/Novel Garden and Best Garden by a Person or Group with a Disability.
Preliminary judging will take place from early to mid-October, with final round judging to be done by industry experts in late October.
Each entry will be judged on key elements including design, construction, maintenance and sustainability. Entrants must reside within Blacktown City Council area.
Entries are now open and will close at 5.30pm on Friday, 22 September, 2023. Visit the website for more details: blacktown.nsw.gov.au/ Community/Awards-scholarshipsand-competitions/Blacktown-CityGarden-Competition
THE iconic Zig Zag Railway recently achieved a new milestone, having carried more than 9,000 passengers since its successful reopening in May.
“Our tickets are selling out a month in advance, with the next available trips not until November,” said Zig Zag Railway Acting CEO Daniel Zolfel.
“It’s pretty amazing to see the public sharing our love for Zig Zag. We even have people who haven’t booked tickets coming up to Clarence for a visit, just to see our steam locomotives from the platform,” he added.
The railway operates three trips on Saturdays and Sundays, every second weekend, after a more than 10-year hiatus where it underwent extensive restoration works and secured vital accreditation.
“The main sentiment we’re hearing from passengers is that Zig Zag is better than they remembered it and how their kids haven’t stopped talking about it,” said Mr Zolfel.
“It’s heartwarming as a team to be able to provide our patrons with this experience after so many years of hard work.”
It takes about 90 minutes to traverse the seven-and-a-half kilometre track,
travelling through tunnels and over the viaducts, with two stops along the way looking out over the stunning Lithgow Valley.
Passengers get to see first-hand how locomotives used to operate during Australia’s steam train era, as a volunteer fireman shovels coal into the train’s red-hot firebox.
“People are captivated by the sights, sounds and smells of steam. It’s quite often you witness not only kids enjoying it but grown ups letting their inner child out as well.”
The Zig Zag Railway is staffed by dozens of active volunteers who have all received extensive professional training as part of the
railway’s completely revamped safety management system - an industry best-practice model that’s seen Zig Zag return as one of the safest railways of its type in the world.
Zig Zag is always ready to welcome new volunteers who’ll soon become valued members of the team and help keep the history of the railway alive.
No prior skills or qualifications are required with all training provided in a variety of roles, including train driver, guard, station master or in the workshop - there is something for everyone. There are also nonoperational roles that do not require formal training.
Former Penrith resident Ryan Banks, who recently moved to Bathurst, is one of the many volunteers at Zig Zag. Ryan, a building manager / detail estimator in his working life, has been volunteering at the Zig Zag Railway for seven years.
“I’ve done almost every role on the Railway, and most recently I’ve been working as the ‘fireman’ who adds (shovels) coal to the fire to keep the locomotive moving,” Ryan said.
More information about becoming a volunteer can be found at https://zigzagrailway.au/joinus/#application
For information and tickets, visit https://zigzagrailway.au/
THE 1 Million Turtles (1MT) Community Conservation Program has won the 2023 Department of Industry, Science and Resources Eureka Prize for Innovation in Citizen Science.
1MT was recognised on Wednesday 23 August at the 2023 Australian Museum Eureka Prizes, the country’s most comprehensive national science awards, honouring excellence across research and innovation, leadership, science engagement, and school science.
Led by ecologists and social scientists including Associate Professor Ricky Spencer from Western Sydney University’s School of Science, the highly successful national citizen science program is a collaboration between partners and the community.
Co-lead Associate Professor Ricky Spencer said the award recognised the efforts of the program’s many contributors, including hundreds of dedicated citizen scientists.
“1MT brings together researchers, industry, government and the community to work towards a common goal of conserving turtle populations across the nation. As a team, we’re incredibly proud to have been recognised for our innovative
approach to achieving this,” said Associate Professor Spencer.
1MT uses the TurtleSAT app to involve citizen scientists in hands-on activities such as habitat construction and restoration, nest protection and fox management.
Emphasising science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) literacy and First Nations knowledge, the Australia-wide program has influenced policy and
saved over 1000 freshwater turtles and 200 nests in 2022 alone.
Professor Deborah Sweeney, Deputy Vice-Chancellor and VicePresident, Research, Enterprise and International, offered her warm congratulations to all involved.
“This significant award reflects Western Sydney University’s world-class research, impact and partnerships, highlighted through the success of an innovative program
that is deeply engaged with the community,” said Professor Sweeney.
1MT is a collaboration between researchers, conservation NonGovernmental Organisations (Aussie Ark, Foundation for National Parks and Wildlife), universities (Western Sydney, La Trobe, Sydney, Murdoch, New England, Ohio University), government agencies (Murraylands and Riverland Landscape Board, Transport for NSW, Department for Industry, Science, Energy and Resources), wildlife organisations (WIRES), communities (including Turtles Australia and Turtle Rescues NSW) and schools.
To find out more about the program, visit https://1millionturtles.com
PhD candidate and proud Palawa man, Edward (Ted) Vanderfeen will be heading to the United States for a once in a lifetime internship with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory after being selected for Monash University’s National Indigenous Space Academy (NISA), supported by the Australian Space Agency.
Representing Western Sydney University’s International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems and the School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Ted will be partnered with a scientist or engineer mentor at NASA’s JPL in California for a 10-week internship to complete projects outlined by NASA mentors while also contributing to current NASA JPL space missions.
Ted says his love of engineering when he was a child had inspired him to study engineering at university, as he has always had a keen interest in space, and often opened and pulled apart everything mechanical to learn how it worked.
“Engineering is in my blood. My dad was an automation engineer when I was growing up and he would bring his work home. I would always get curious as to how things worked, I pulled them apart and destroyed all the stuff he bought home –much to his dismay – but looking back, I don’t think I’d want to do anything else.”
“I’m a very analytical person, I’ve always enjoyed maths and science, so it seemed like a pretty natural fit studying engineering,” he said.
Applying for the NISA program after completing his Bachelor of Engineering degree with 1st
Class Honours with the University’s School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Ted said the NISA program opportunity has come at the right time.
“It was very serendipitous timing, it felt like the opportunity that I had spent my entire degree here at Western Sydney University preparing for. It’s a dream come true to get to spend 10 weeks at NASA JPL and really immerse myself in that experience… It’s like Disneyland for engineers,” he said.
Professor Michelle Trudgett, Deputy ViceChancellor Indigenous Leadership congratulated Ted on his successful selection to the NISA program empowering Indigenous youth, describing it as a once in a lifetime opportunity paving the way for future students and ultimately the world’s first Aboriginal astronauts.
“The University is incredibly proud of Ted for being a part of the exclusive first cohort of Indigenous students bolstering Australian space research capabilities. Ted will be learning from the best and brightest in the world to solve real-world challenges. It is my hope that Ted’s experience will lead to other Indigenous youth in Western Sydney also recognising that they too can achieve anything they set their minds to,” said Professor Trudgett.
“Ted is a dedicated and bright student who will no doubt soak up every moment of this internship. I’m confident that he will share his newfound knowledge with fellow researchers and student cohort upon his return.”
Ted will also begin his PhD journey at Western Sydney University’s International Centre for Neuromorphic Systems (ICNS) upon his return to Australia, under the mentorship of Associate Professor Gregory Cohen, Deputy Director of ICNS as his academic supervisor.
Prior to flying out to the United States to begin his NASA JPL internship, Ted will complete a ‘Space Boot Camp’ preparation program run by Monash University’s Faculty of IT covering aerodynamics, robotics, rovers, astrophysics, planetary science, engineering, computer and earth sciences as well as past and current space exploration missions at NASA.
To learn more about the National Indigenous Space Academy program, please visit their website www.monash.edu/it/nisa
1
10
27 Pasta (9)
28 Solitary (8)
29 Char (6) DOWN
1 Not on your feet (8)
2 An imaginary monster (8)
3 Pertaining to the sun (5)
5 Chuckles (7)
6 Required (9)
7 Freezer (6)
8 Pleasure from causing pain (6)
9 Towns (6)
15 Medieval warriors (9)
17 Carafe (8)
18 Amaze (8)
20 An arboreal marsupial (7)
21 An ice cream treat (6)
22 The act of detecting something (6)
23 To the rear (6)
25 Moral principle (5)
WAR Clouds over Europe 102 years ago this year and was responsible for the awakening of our small country and the questioning of our ties to the “mother country”. Life and working conditions in Australia in the early 1900’s was harsh, dangerous and unsanitary. However, Australia had a reputation throughout the late 1800’s as the ‘working man’s paradise’ mainly because of the adoption of the eight-hour day and other benefits. For the manual labourer of Australia usually made up of the working class, work was tough and uncomfortable with low pay and long hours. Despite these conditions the workers were hesitant to complain for fear of being dismissed from their job and unable to provide for their families. The middle class were usually white-collar or professional workers who undertook less physical work and received a higher pay. Many manual labourers in Australia worked in the rural sector, of which many were sheep shearers who had to shear 100 sheep just to earn £1, and if their work was not to the satisfaction of their employer the shearer’s wages were withheld. The shearers also had to endure unsanitary and vermin infested conditions in the shearing sheds and the accommodation that was provided for them. So it was on the 30th July, 1914 when a cablegram came from the British Government to the Government of Australia informing that there was an imminent danger of war. Almost every Australian at that time knew of a quarrel between Austria and Serbia with the intervention of Germany, but few realized that the Emperor and the German Government were deliberately employing dangerous war rhetoric with Great Britain and that it was possible that Britain might be dragged into any international struggle. In Australia it was thought that if Great Britain was involved, then what was the position of those British colonies that inhabited lands far from the “old world” and were loosely bound together under the name of the British Empire? Of the people who had sprung from “British stock” only the United States of America had left the Empire and grown to maturity as an independent nation. The other offshoots like Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Newfoundland were still adolescent. The world regarded them and their motherland as one community. Foreign nations had begun to know something of several British colonies as producers of raw materials and of new ideas but their population was still in its infancy and was not yet a factor in international politics. Although the British Dominions had reached the stage where they were fast developing foreign relations, the British Government still undertook the conduct of their dealings with other countries. Here in Australia
we were apprehensive that we would be bound to provide armed forces other than those we individually chose to provide, or would commit to support a policy that we might not individually approve of. All of the “British” colonies at that time had established within their own coasts, some organization for home defense as well as voluntary civilian military service. Our St Mary’s volunteers who enlisted in August 1914 sought excitement from their daily drudge of low paid or no paid work. They would be getting paid to fight for their country and besides “it will all be over before Christmas” was the sentiment at that time. They were going to fight for their love ones and their homeland but they soon found out that they were enlisting under the “British” war machine and most were not happy. Of course we know that after the incompetence of the British War Cabinet and the disastrous Gallipoli campaign, the Australian and New Zealand volunteers were finally incorporated under their own Government and from that time were known as the “Diggers” of ANZAC. The 1st Battalion was the first infantry unit recruited for the Australian Imperial Forces in New South Wales during the First World War. The battalion was raised within a fortnight of the declaration of war in August 1914 and embarked just two months later. After a brief stop in Albany, Western Australia, the battalion proceeded to Egypt arriving on 2nd December. The battalion took part in the ANZAC landing on 25 April 1915 as part of the second and third waves, and served there until the evacuation in December. Ongoing research has so far produced thirteen volunteers who enlisted from St Marys between August and December 1914. Five were killed or died of wounds or disease at Gallipoli, three were killed in France and never returned to their family. Five of those remaining St Mary’s volunteers had to suffer through Gallipoli and the Western Front before they came home, mostly broken men. The suffering of those folks at home would have been unimaginable. No one could understand the suffering of those men who on trying to enlist, were rejected by the military because of height, weight, health or age and who received a “white feather” (resembling cowardice) from female members of the districts families whose husbands, sons or lovers had enlisted and were called up to fight. So on the 25th April (ANZAC day) spare a thought for those volunteers of 100 years ago, who fought and gave their life for an “adventure” that turned out to be anything but! Lest we Forget.
Source: Australian War Memorial & National Archives and research from: Lyn Forde, Vice-President of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.
YOUR first home is rarely your forever home, nor does it have to be.
Whilst some first home buyers may think the only way to crack the market is with a win on the lottery or significant support from parents, there are other avenues.
Picking the right path to enter the property market can depend on your lifestyle and finances. Here we explore some of the perks of rentvesting – investing in property, while you continue to rent.
• Perhaps buying an apartment in Canberra and living elsewhere would make sense for your financial future.
What is rentvesting?
Rentvesting is a blend of renting and investing. It refers to renting a property where you want to live and buying an investment property in a suburb you can afford.
The idea diverges from a traditional approach of buying a home in which you live and pay the mortgage directly instead of spending a large part of your income on rent.
Why should first home buyers consider rentvesting?
As cities tend to offer more vibrant cultural activities, closer proximity to work and schools, as well as better access to resources and infrastructure, it’s no surprise they attract the bulk of our population.
However, as a lot of younger home buyers can’t afford to jump head first into these expensive inner city markets, they face having to leave this life behind in order to buy elsewhere – or they could consider rentvesting!
• Live (and rent) an apartment wherever you like, but own a house, say in Darwin.
Rentvesting can be an appealing strategy for first home buyers as it allows them to continue living where they choose, whilst at the same time getting a foot onto the property ladder.
Rentvesting could allow you to maintain your lifestyle wherever you choose to live today, while still getting into the property market.
What are the pros and cons of rentvesting?
The biggest benefit of rentvesting – and the main reason people do it – is the aforementioned lifestyle maintenance. However, there are other pros.
Pros
Depending on the market and your personal circumstances, it can be far smarter financially to rentvest than to buy your own home and live in it.
With an investment property, you may be able to claim tax deductions on the interest charged as part of your investment loan and other expenses incurred related to your investment property. It’s recommended that you speak to your independent tax adviser to determine tax implications related to rentvesting that are applicable to your personal circumstances.
Given you will also be receiving rent from tenants to help pay your mortgage, financially, you may be better off – but this isn’t always the case.
To determine if there are financial benefits, you need to do your research and finding areas with excellent rental returns. It’s critical that you do your research and understand the local market.
There are tools to help you with local and suburban knowledge like median prices, average rent and demographic trends. Most often your broker can provide these reports.
Cons
A big concern for rentvestors is the ability to effectively manage cashflow. Like any investment property there is an element of unpredictability that you need to account and plan for, like losing tenants or maintenance upkeep.
It’s important that you understand all of the costs associated with being a rentvestor.
Aside from your initial purchase costs, like a deposit, stamp duty and legal fees, you must also factor in ongoing costs like council rates, insurance, maintenance and any tax requirements, as well as your own rental expenses.
Managing cash flow is an important part of property investment so make sure you have a good understanding of your budget and get some professional advice.
The best way to understand if rentvesting is the right choice for you is to speak to your broker and financial advisor to get the best, up-to-date advice on your finances.
To ensure you have the means to make ‘rentvesting’ work for you, contact Alex from Wealthwiz on 0419 600 177 for advice on good debt and other strategies that will allow you to maintain your current lifestyle.
Wealthwiz is here to help.
BY KERRIE DAVIES
THE Australian Government is teaming up with Western Sydney Wanderers Football Club to urge Western Sydney residents to Get2gether to beat bowel cancer.
A free community event was held last Friday at the Wanderers’ private training facilities in Rooty Hill. The aim was to encourage more people to take part in the National Bowel Cancer Screening Program, which sends free bowel cancer screening tests in the mail every two years to people aged 50 to 74 years.
If caught early, more than 90 per cent of bowel cancer cases can be treated successfully. But only 36 per cent of eligible Western Sydney complete their screening test, compared with a national average of 41 per cent.
The successful event provided Western Sydney residents the opportunity to meet Wanderers players, hear from community leaders and cancer survivors, and enjoy food, games and activities.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Mark Butler said early detection is vital.
“Bowel cancer can develop without symptoms, and can grow in the bowel for years before spreading to other parts of the body,” Minister Butler said.
“When detected early, the vast majority of bowel cancers can be treated. Getting your bowel screening test done as soon as it arrives in the mail could save your life.
“Thanks to the Western Sydney Wanderers for teaming up with us to connect with fans and beat bowel cancer.”
Scott Hudson, Western Sydney Wanderers CEO spoke about teaming up with the government to spread the word and raise awareness.
“We’re proud to be working with the Australian Government to encourage more of our community to complete their free bowel screening kit,” Mr Hudson said.
“Community has always been an integral driver at the Wanderers, so it’s important we do our part to educate Wanderers fans and community leaders on the importance of bowel cancer screening,
especially as we know that screening rates are lower in the Western Sydney area. “Together, we can encourage our community to prioritise their health by taking a free test that could potentially save their life.”
EIGHT local juniors teed off on Saturday morning, in the first round of the 2023 JNJG South Coast Masters, which was held at Catalina Country Club over 26th-27th August.
Camilla Kim (Kellyville / The Australian GC) shot 73/77=150 to finish third overall in the Girls division, and second in the Girls 13 Years & Under division, whilst Jessica Fog (Penrith GC) finished 10th in the Girls 14/15 Years division.
In the boys divisions, Matthew Fullerton (Lynwood GC) finished tied for 1st outright, ultimately beaten in a playoff by Alex Radevski (St Michaels GC). Blake Hodges (Erskine Park / NSW GC) shot 74/72=146 to finish 4th, having impressively moved up five spots on his overnight standing, and Chayse Thorpe (Richmond / Concord GC) shot 74/73=147 to finish 7th.
In the Boys Age group placings, Chayse won the 14/15 Years, Matthew finished tied 1st, Blake tied 4th and Darcy Mackay (Stonecutters Ridge GC) tied 15th in the 16+ Years.
The South Coast Under 12 Tour event was also held at Catalina GC over the weekend, with Hunter McMillan (Twin Creeks) finishing in 4th spot, just 8 shots in arrears of Andy Zhou (Roseville GC). Hunter was in 2nd position overnight, just one shot in arrears, but fell back on Sunday to finish 4th.
The next major JNJG Tour events are over the weekend of 26th-29th September.
The Jack Newton International Junior Classic (15-17 Years) will be held at Cypress Lakes GC, the Jack Newton International Sub-Junior Classic (14 Years & Under) will be held at Rydges Resort Hunter Valley GC, and the Jack Newton International 9-hole Junior Classic will be held at Singleton GC.
BLACKTOWN City FC finished the 2023 season in style earning an away win over second place Rockdale 2-1. The win was the twelfth game in a row for Blacktown without a loss to end the year in third place with a 17 win -6 draw -7 loss season. Apia Leichhardt took out the Premiership with a 20-5-5 record while Rockdale finished in second with a 18-5-7 record.
Blacktown City were the form team in the second half of the season with Head of Football, Mark Crittenden, building momentum to peak at the right time of the year. His commitment to defence was once again on show as his team held their opponents to only 32 goals in the 30 game season to finish on top in goals allowed.
Unfortunately for Blacktown, the decision was made by Football NSW at the start of the season to not hold playoffs and determine the Premiership through first past the post. Given their form at the end of this season, Blacktown would have given Apia, Rockdale and Marconi a real test if Playoffs were to determine the Championship. After being robbed of the Premiership in 2022 through Covid, Blacktown bounced back to record their 9th Championship in 2022. 2023 would have marked three years in a row where Blacktown were primed to once again be a threat for the trophy.
The win over Rockdale marked the last game for Blacktown City veteran and Captain Matt Lewis as he announced his retirement. Matt has been at Blacktown since Under 12’s and has been a stalwart for Blacktown throughout his career. A veteran of 378 games playing in the red and black at the Senior level, there is little doubt that feat will ever be topped. Blacktown City demonstrated appreciation for their Captain by naming the season MVP as the Matt Lewis Medal recipient. In his last game for his beloved club against Rockdale, Matt earned a point in the MVP game voting to show he still has what it takes.
The future of Blacktown City is in good hands as the club continues to take pride in its junior development and commitment to give its young players opportunity. Goalie Cayden Henderson was the 507th player to represent Blacktown at the Senior level three weeks ago as he filled in for the injured Tristen Prendergast. The 17 year old took full advantage of the faith shown in him by Coach Crittenden earning MVP honours in only his second game two weeks ago against Wollongong. 19 year old Caleb Jackson-Brown also stood up against Rockdale last week earning Man of the Match honours and scoring an impressive goal. Due to key injuries at the start of the season, athletic youngster Jak O’Brien moved to the striker position and finished up second in the NPL 1 Golden Boot award with 17 goals on the season.
Blacktown City Women had a 5-1 win over Inter Lions last week and face a huge challenge this week when they play the Number one team UNSW FC. UNSW has yet to lose a game this season with a 20-5-0 record but Head of Women’s Football, David ‘Dok’
O’Keefe, is confident his side will be ready to play.
Blacktown City FC will celebrate the 2023 season this Friday at Hudson’s Hotel for their annual Presentation Night. The Black tie event will feature
honours for the Senior Men, Senior Women, Under 20 Men, Under 20 Women and Under 18 Men. It will also highlight the winner of the Matt Lewis Medal.
Go Blacktown City!
Friday, 1 September 2023
IN Pennant Golf news, Leonay has won its section in T.L Warren (B Grade), whilst Twin Creeks and Stonecutters Ridge have both won their respective Sections in W. Gibson. All three clubs will now progress to the playoffs.
T.L. Warren (B Grade - home teams shown first): Eastlake 2-1 over Richmond, Campbelltown down 2-1 to Twin Creeks, Leonay 3-0 over Rosnay, Penrith 3-0 over Lynwood, Massey Park 2-1 over Stonecutters Ridge, Bardwell Valley 3-0 over Wallacia.
W. Gibson (C Grade - home teams shown first): Eastlake 2-1 over Richmond, Campbelltown down 2-1 to Twin Creeks, Leonay 3-0 over Rosnay, Lynwood 2-1 over Penrith, Massey Park down 2-1 to Stonecutters Ridge, Bardwell Valley 2-1 over Wallacia.
** Rounds 4 & 5 of the 2023 Super Senior Pennant competition were held over the past two weeks.
Round 4: Wallacia was thumped 8-0 by Camden (Studley Park) at Antill Park GC, in Division 3, on Monday 14th August. Camden (1st) and Antill Park (2nd) are proving a cut above the rest in Division 3 and their clash at Richmond on 31st August should decide 1st and 2nd spots in the division. Division 4 was held at Cumberland on Friday 18th, with Stonecutters Ridge defeating
Penrith 5-3 and Richmond recording a 4-4 draw with Liverpool.
Round 5: Division 3 at Camden (Studley Park): Springwood defeated Wallacia 4.5-3.5. Section 4 Richmond: Castle Hill defeated Stonecutters Ridge 7-1 and Cumberland defeated Penrith 4.5-3.5.
Penrith hosted Division 4 on Tuesday 29th August
in Round 6, with Cumberland playing Castle Hill, Liverpool vs Stonecutters Ridge at and Richmond vs Cabramatta.
Richmond GC was a neutral venue for Division 3 on 31st August, with Antill Park vs Camden (Studley Park), Campbelltown vs Springwood and Wallacia vs Camden Lakeside.
Michael Prokurod and Gary Richards (Stonecutters Ridge) in action at Richmond GC. Photos by Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)