Western News 21 December 2018

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Friday, 21 December 2018

ISSUE 75

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Merry Christmas Lovely to see Hospital Street full of Christmas cheer thanks to the Simply Voices choir!

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lmost 3,000 gifts are on their way to those less fortunate thanks to the generosity of the Blacktown community through the Mayoress Community Christmas Gift Appeal.

The presents, delivered to two wonderful charities; Act for Kids and MacKillop Family Services, and our Sister City partner, Liverpool Plains Shire Council in Quirindi, will be on their way to numerous families.

“It has been very heart-warming to see the support of the Blacktown community,” Blacktown City Mayoress Anne Bali, said.

“The presents will go a long way to putting a smile on the face of those who are having a tough time.

“MacKillop Family Services supports the vulnerable and disadvantaged children, young people and their families, including families raising a child with a disability.

“Act for Kids provides free support services to children and families who have experienced, or are at risk of, child abuse and neglect, while many families within the Liverpool Plains Shire Council have been struggling as a result of the drought.

“To be able to positively impact their lives by sending a simple gift is a great honour for me.

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Overwhelming support for Christmas Appeal

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“We have wrapped a number of gifts including books, toys, clothing and food. I hope they love their gifts as much as we loved sending them over.”

The Mayoress of Blacktown City, Anne Bali and volunteers dedicate their time to gift wrapping.

President of Blacktown Ponds Lions Club and the General Manager of Ettamogah Pub, the Mayoress of Blacktown City Anne Bali, Immediate last president of Blacktown Ponds Lion Club Paul McInnes, Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP and Lachlan McInnes, deliver a van full of presents.

Prue Car MP Member for Londonderry

Ph: 9833 1122 154 Queen Street, St Marys londonderry@parliament.nsw.gov.au

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From the Editor’s Desk

By KeRRIE DAVIES

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ELL here we are again just a couple of days away from Christmas.

And here I am again, trotting out the same old lines: “How quick has this year flown?” “I haven’t even started Christmas shopping yet” and the old “I should have dieted ages ago because now my Christmas diet of junk food and beer begins.”

Some things never change.

And usually I’d be grateful of that because change is my enemy, but this year I am hoping at least one thing will change.

All I want for Christmas is for this country to return to normal.

2018 will forever go down as the year of being eternally offended by everything. Every single thing you can imagine has offended some person this year.

And the outrage. I’m so tired of it. I’m hoping 2019 will see outrage replaced with “inrage.” That’s right, rage all you want but do the rest of us a favour and keep it to yourself. Inrage. I like it.

Easy going, dinky-di, happy-go-lucky, no worries, she’ll be right mate.

That’s the Australia I want back for Christmas.

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Our first edition back is January 18.

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onstruction of Blacktown Hospital’s new Acute Services Building has created more than 140 training opportunities for young people under 25, Indigenous people, apprentices and other workers as part of a unique skills development program.

The initiative is part of the Infrastructure Skills Legacy Program, designed to boost the number of skilled construction workers and create fresh pathways to employment across the state “Leaving school last year and coming straight into the workforce has been a dream come true,” Ochlan ParsonsKing, first year carpentry apprentice and Master Builders Association of NSW 1st Year Apprentice of the Year 2018 said.

“Ever since I can remember, I’ve just always wanted to be a builder.”

Ochlan is one of more than 25 Indigenous workers to benefit from the program.

Chris Horton, Project Director Health Infrastructure said the initiative provides ongoing benefits to workers in their construction career, and helps address existing skills shortages across NSW. “Overall, the Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals Expansion Project will

deliver about 7,000 direct and indirect jobs in health and construction,” Chris said.

“This has been a fantastic opportunity for the local community to increase jobs and skills, and take those skills to other projects.”

Forecasts suggest an additional 300,000 construction workers will be required nationally by 2024. The combined trends will result in a significant shortage of skilled workers if unaddressed.

The initiative is an important component of the NSW Government’s

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efforts to address current and emerging skills shortages across NSW. Apprentice electrician Jasmine Cliff, who has benefited from the program, said the opportunities are “endless” and she is “very confident” about her future.

“The skills that I’ve picked up on this job I’m sure I can take to another job and easily find work in western Sydney,” Jasmine said.

“The doors are open to go anywhere.”

A strong partnership between the local health district, Health Infrastructure and Blacktown

Hospital’s major contractor A W Edwards has been a major contributor to the project’s success.

“It’s been a really successful project from the point of view of providing opportunities for a wide range of workers,” said Michael Musarra, director of major contractor AW Edwards.

“We’ve created more than 140 training opportunities which significantly exceeds our original targets.”

“It’s very encouraging,” Michael said.

Western News 21 December 2018 Issue 75

Blacktown project delivers job skills for life

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› Australia Day Awards nominations sought Nominations are open for Blacktown City Council’s Australia Day Awards and Blacktown Mayor Stephen Bali MP is urging nominators to get their forms filled out.

“Blacktown City Council is proud to recognise those who contribute to our city so it’s really important that members of the community let us know about worthy recipients,” Mayor Bali said.

“If you have someone you want to nominate for one of Council’s Australia Day Awards, or if you feel you deserve nomination, we need to hear from you soon.

Blacktown Council’s Australia Day Citizen of the Year, Young Citizen of the Year and Community Event of the Year will be announced

by Mayor Bali on Australia Day. The awards recognise Blacktown residents who have provided outstanding community service

or have attained outstanding achievement in education, sport and the arts, or a community group that has organised a major event in Blacktown City.

The Citizen of the Year Award is open to all ages and the Young Citizen of the Year is for people 16 years and under as of 26 January 2019.

The Community Event of the Year is open to community groups that organised an event in Blacktown City during 2018.

Nominations for these awards close on Monday, 14 January 2019.

For more information contact Council’s Events and Sister Cities team on 9839 6000.

Nomination forms are available from Council’s website: www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/ Community/Awards-scholarshipsand-competitions/Australia-DayAwards

All I want for christmas is an octopus...

Need a knitted octopus, a cuddly owl, a cute teddy, Christmas stockings or a Super Mario jigsaw puzzle for Christmas?

You’ll find all this and more at our Vollies Stall in Blacktown’s Hospital Street (near the eels) for Christmas

gifts handmade with love!

Over at Mount Druitt, don’t forget to pop into the Vollies Shop near the main entry.

The Western News Team wish all the volunteers a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

It’s a miracle at Westmead’s Special Care Nursery It will be the final Christmas in the current Special Care Nursery this year as the team gets ready to move into their purpose-built facility in 2019, so some Miracle Babies took the opportunity to drop in and say thank you.

Miracle Babies Foundation mum Caroline Davies said, “The staff literally hold a little piece of our hearts in their hands every day… and we will be forever grateful for what they have done for us and our children.”

Everyone celebrated with some ‘Thank U NICU’ treats, balloons and a tour of the Special Care Nursery.

Nurse Chris with Charlotte, who was a tiny 750 grams at birth

Miracle Babies Amy, 7, and Charlotte, 4, with the team in Special Care Nursery

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Western News!

Our next issue back in 2019 is January 18

Amy and Charlotte demonstrate the correct way to hug a friend!

Cutting the cake

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estern Sydney families and school-aged children have become more active, fitter and happier thanks to the successful Go4Fun program.

The free healthy lifestyle program educates parents and their children about healthier food options and the importance of regular physical activity.

The Martin family from Kellyville are proof that a family can live, get healthy and be happy all living under the one roof. Both parents work fulltime while the children attend school.

Mother of two, 39 year-old Christine Amely nee Martin, saw the program advertised in her daughter’s school newsletter.

Soon after she signed the whole family for the free term three program at Waves Fitness and Aquatic Centre, Baulkham Hills each Saturday.

“We learned about fat content and sugar levels in foods from a qualified dietitian,” Mrs Martin said.

“The kids would participate in an hour of physical activity while the parents gathered to talk about parenting challenges.

“My eight-year-old daughter loved going each week, while my 12-yearold son who didn’t really want to attend – ended up enjoying himself and also making new friends.

“I wanted my family to understand the importance of maintaining and having a healthy lifestyle.

“Before attending this program, my husband was the main grocery shopper and used to buy the food that he liked, now he chooses a healthier range.

“I’m really impressed about how he has changed to the healthier options including choosing margarine over butter and skim milk instead of normal milk”.

Western Sydney Local Health District’s Centre for Population Health

deputy director Christine Newman said more than 11,000 families had participated in the program since its launch in 2011.

“This program is really helping kids, and their parents, to make healthier choices,” Ms Newman said.

“Go4Fun is great because kids get the chance to meet new friends, play games and learn tips for a healthy life.

“We’ve seen many children’s selfesteem and fitness improve through the course of the program.”

The 2019 term 1 Go4Fun program will commence on 4 February 2019

for a 10 week period.

Sessions are held once a week outside school hours. Programs will be held at Emerton, Stanhope Gardens, Granville, Wentworthville, Berala and Baulkham Hills.

The Go4Fun program won the “Tackling childhood obesity” award in the 2018 Premier’s Awards for Public Service: https://www.nsw.gov. au/news-and-events/news/premiersawards-for-public-service-2018/ To book or for more information, call Go4Fun on 1800 280 900 or visit www.go4fun.com.au

Merry Christmas from the McDonald’s Teams at Rouse Hill Town Centre, Rouse Hill, Kellyville, Kellyville North and Dural Kellyville and North Kellyville Open Christmas Day

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Active families thank award-winning program

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Skate Park in business for holidays

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he long-awaited Riverstone skate and youth space is now up and running for skateboards, scooters and BMX bikes, just in time for the summer holidays.

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP joined Greenway MP Michelle Rowland to ‘check out’ the new facilities in Riverstone Park.

“Young people in this rapidly growing community have been waiting eagerly for this skate park and now they’ll be able enjoy the new amenities right through summer.” Mayor Bali said.

“With the support of the Member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland, Council secured a $400,000 grant from the Australian Government to deliver the new skate park in Riverstone.

“The skate park was due to officially open this month but bad weather held up the construction. The workers took up the challenge and were determined to have the space ready for the holidays.

“We’ll hold a big official opening event next year, but the important thing is that kids will be able to use the park right now – right through the holidays.”

The active recreation facility has an exciting

Blacktown City Mayor Stephen Bali MP and Greenway MP Michelle Rowland at Riverstone skate park with Dier Padwick (front left) and Tyler Wheeler (front right).

range of features for skaters, scooter riders and BMX riders.

Ms Rowland said she was thrilled to see the skate and youth space in action.

“The local community has worked for a long time to make this skate park happen.

“It is encouraging to see the active recreation facility designed as a multi-use space for the whole community. I am sure the young people in

Riverstone and surrounding areas will make good use of this space,” Ms Rowland said.

“Our teams worked with design experts, ran a community design workshop with young people and sought community feedback to come up with a design suitable for different users,” Mayor Bali said.

“This park is located in one of the fastest growing areas in our City and young families make up a very large portion of the community.

“Council is proud to be working with Michelle Rowland in delivering facilities like this skate park for young people and their families.” Mayor Bali said.

$1m grants awarded to Westmead doctors and researchers

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ore than $1m in grants has been awarded to researchers and clinicians at a ceremony at Westmead Hospital.

There were big winners on the night from both Westmead Hospital and Westmead Institute for Medical Research (WIMR) with grants of up to $200,000 being awarded by Westmead Medical Research Foundation to projects as diverse as treatment of coeliac disease and the effectiveness of patches of marijuana extracts in treating joint pain.

Long serving WMRF board member Professor Jeremy Chapman said that the disbursements continued the Foundation’s decades long support of Westmead Hospital and WIMR. “Over the years the Foundation has awarded tens of millions of dollars to the hospital and WIMR,” Prof Chapman said.

“The process is always competitive and we have always ensured that all applications for grants are peer reviewed.

“We have more funds to release and we will do that in the new year.”

The grants awarded came from bequests from Betty Schofield and Joyce Anderson, women with long connections to Westmead Hospital.

Betty (OAM) was a former head nurse at the old Parramatta Hospital.

WMRF head of development Joe Conneely revealed that there had been more than 20 applications for funding with eight winners ultimately selected.

The biggest grant of the night ($200,000) went to a Westmead Hospital team represented by Dr Kirsty Stuart to fund data collection to identify patients at risk of developing breast lymphoedema, how to best manage the breast lymphoedema and whether the introduction of intervention improves outcomes.

A team represented by Dr Eddy Kizana, that will be working with WIMR, won the second biggest grant on the night ($183,000) to fund work that will use a protein borrowed from nature to determine if it can translated into a type of natural pacemaker for the heart. Dr Kizana is a cardiologist at Westmead Hospital who does his research at WIMR. A project to develop a new ‘calculator’ to gauge the risk of stroke was awarded $160,000 with the team represented by Professor Liza Thomas at the event on December 10.

If you wish to discuss a legacy bequest or make donation to WMRF, go to https://web.thankq.net. au/wmrfa/donation/donate/

All the winners: Coeliac Disease Research Kirstie Bertram $93,000 – WIMR Palliative Care Research & Development Mary Roberts $67,000 – Westmead Hospital Lymphedema, Osteoarthritis & Cellulitis Research Sohel Julovi $75,000 – WIMR Alex Varey Nicholas Manolios Kirsty Stuart Heart Care Research Liza Thomas Eddy Kizana

$120,000 – Westmead Hospital $150,000 – Westmead Hospital $200,000 – Westmead Hospital $160,000 – Westmead Hospital $183,880 – WIMR

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ichelle Rowland MP, Federal Member for Greenway, held her annual Christmas morning tea for local seniors at Max Webber Library in Blacktown.

150 local seniors came together to celebrate the Christmas spirit together, sing along to Christmas carols and play Christmas bingo!

Musical entertainment was provided by the talented students from Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown on the day and Simply Voices Choir.

The Western Sydney Woodturners held a stall on the day, along with Western Sydney Diabetes who gave

a presentation. Blacktown Ponds Lions Club kindly provided Christmas puddings for 5 lucky prize winners.

“Thank you to all the residents who joined my Seniors Christmas Morning Tea this year,” Member for Greenway, Michelle Rowland MP said.

“With Christmas almost here, it was a wonderful chance to catch up with local seniors and celebrate the festive season.

“We sang along to many Christmas favourites, thanks to the musical talents of students from Patrician Brothers’ College, Blacktown and Simply Voices Choir, including We Wish You a Merry Christmas and O Holy Night.

“I love getting local seniors at morning tea each Christmas cheer.

together with my Christmas year to spread I would like

to wish everyone in the community a merry Christmas and a happy and safe New Year,” Ms Rowland said.

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Western News 21 December 2018 Issue 75

Christmas cheer on show at Michelle Rowland’s Seniors Morning Tea

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Western News 21 December 2018 Issue 75

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Christmas travel

Vatican City, for midnight mass

Austria, where Krampus might come for you

By BEN CRANNEY

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here are a lot of places I’d like to go for Christmas. To Lapland to ride a sleigh to Santa’s workshop. To the German Christmas markets to find the perfect decorations. To Austria, where folk dress up as Krampus, the half demon, half goat who terrorises bad kids. To a Midnight Mass in Bethlehem. To the Philippines to see the Giant Lantern Festival. To New York to re-live so many Christmas movies. And to Rio to see the world’s largest floating Christmas tree.

When I was walking down George Street in Sydney the other day, enjoying the giant wreaths arching over the street, I wondered about how

many great Christmas experiences I could have without leaving Australia.

The first one is searching for the best Christmas lights. You probably don’t even need to leave your block to find some. My favourites are on the Sunshine Coast, off Wises Road in Buderim.

I didn’t know this, but Carols

by Candlelight began in Australia when a radio announcer noticed a lady listening to carols by herself.

Singing by candlelight became a way to bring everyone to together.

From the original celebration in Melbourne, there are now plenty of options, with singing in the Domain or Parramatta’s the Crescent being some of the good ones. But given the recent weather, it might be safest to

find a grand old church, and, if the rain beats down, pretend you’re in England. St Andrew’s in Sydney is a good option. It’s a beautiful church with an exceptional choir. But it can also be emotional. One year, we met a distraught German girl, probably here on the trip of her dreams, but completely homesick. We asked if she had somewhere to go for Christmas, but she had plans. Probably to head to Bondi or Manly to compete for towel space with all of the other Christmas orphans in Sydney.

You can actually experience German Christmas markets in Australia, in the South Australian town of Hahndorf. I haven’t been, so I don’t know how they overcome the heat, but it’s a much closer option for a bit of European Christmas. But the markets I really want to visit are in the Snowy Mountains, at Jindabyne and Bredbo, especially because if there’s a cold snap, it’ll drop to single figures, cool enough to keep Santa comfortable.

Central Park, NYC. Where Christmas dreams come true

I’ve only been to two of the overseas places I mentioned, and not at Christmas, so I don’t know how the Australian experiences compare. But this year, I’m happy to be home.

The Unintentional Medium By Suzi Samuel Shine a Little Light

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was chatting to a friend the other day about a problem she was having clearing the energy in her office - very long story with which I shall not bore you now. As we were talking, I suddenly said, “When’s the feast of St Lucia?” “Eh? What?

Who?” “Not sure,” I said, “But the problems will clear then.” We were both a bit surprised by this especially as I had not even thought of the sainted Lucy since getting very drunk with a handsome Swede back in the 80’s on her feast day on 13th December but my friend’s problems did in fact get resolved on that day.

Santa Lucia has a rather strange story. Back in the 3rd Century AD in Sicily she would give food to the poor at the start of Lent which at that time started precisely on 13th December and legend has it that she would wear a crown of candles on her head so as to have both hands free for distributing food. However, poor old Lucy had caught the eye of a Sicilian bigwig who was determined to have his wicked way with her but she hung on to her virginity for all she was worth and for her troubles was sentenced to be burnt at the stake. She was totally untouched by the flames but poor old soul still hung on to her honour and was promptly beheaded in spite of the miracle. Rather improbably, centuries later, she was taken up big time by the Scandinavians and her feast day is huge in those frosty climes. In Copenhagen brightly lit kayaks

cram the canals at sunset and there are processions in her honour all over Scandinavia - hence getting drunk with handsome Swede!

Anyway, this got me thinking about so many differing religions where light plays such an important part. One of the major festivals of Hinduism is Diwali which in Sanskrit means “row of lights”. It occurs in late October or November and rows of candles or lamps are lit in honour of the Goddess Laksmi who is the Goddess of Wealth.

Letting the light in is also letting in enlightenment and cleansing the darker elements. Hanukkah, which this year began at sunset on 2nd December is a nine day celebration of light. Back in the 2nd

Century BC, the Syrian King Antiochus had tried to stamp out Judaism in Israel and impose his own beliefs on the indigenous Jews, but the Jews struck back. They recaptured the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem but found it had been desecrated and to re-purify their sacred objects they needed to light lamps for nine days. However, they only had enough pure oil for one day and they were starting to panic when a miracle occurred and the light kept burning for the nine days.

As we think about these cultures and religions lighting the way, at this time of year we also think of the brightly shining star which guided the shepherds and Wise Men to that stable in Bethelem and how the Angelic light not only illuminated the way for those first worshippers but also shines light into the lives of those of us believe in that Christmas Miracle. And so, even if things seem dark for you now, at this blessed time of year, let the light of Diwali, of Hanukkah, of poor old St Lucy and especially that baby in the manger shine into your life. As the wonderful late lamented Leonard Cohen growled “There’s a crack in everything, that’s how the light gets in.” Open the door up a crack and let it in.

Have a wonderful Christmas filled with love, laughter and light. See you next year.

The Unintentional Medium is available online or from any good book store.

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By CONNER LOWE

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anta Claus has arrived in Colyton at the home of local charity man and community advocate George Asciak.

For the 16th year in a row Mr Asciak is donning the big red suit to put smiles on the faces of children from all across Sydney whilst raising a little bit of money for local charity.

This year Mr Asciak is donating the proceeds of his Christmas light display and Santa show to Nepean Hospital. Already he has raised nearly $1000 with a $500 donation from Lycan Group and a $400 donation form the Colyton Shopping Centre, however Mr Asciak intends to raise around $4000 by Christmas.

The charity work Mr Asciak does during his Christmas light and Santa extravaganza was sparked from one simple interaction with a disabled young boy during Christmas a number of years back.

“It all started when I had a young man come here with his son who had autism. The young boy was in a stroller and I was handing out presents and chatting away to kids on stage,” Mr Asciak said.

“When I had a spare minute, I came down and spent some quality time with the autistic boy and gave him a present and some high fives.

“Afterwards his dad came back over and offered me $50. He was so appreciative of the time I spent with his son that he wanted to pay me,” he said.

Being a charity man Mr Asciak refused the money but suggested he donate it to charity. Since then Mr Asciak and his wife, Cathy Asciak, have been raising money for local hospitals during their annual Christmas shindig.

“Giving back, this is what Christmas

is all about,” Mr Asciak said.

“So much is being taken away from Western Sydney, it is right to be able to give back something to the community instead of taking it away.”

It is clear Mr Asciak doesn’t do any of this for his ego or his hip pocket.

Each year he will set aside about $2000 of his own pension money to pay for presents and treats for the thousands of children who visit him in December.

“Each child deserves something nice and something to give them a smile,” he said.

Across the later half of the year Mr Asciak’s two sons Luke and Mark

climb onto a hot roof and put up thousands of Christmas lights for the families’ charitable display.

This year there is a Santa sleigh, a Santa throne and numerous fantastic light displays. The Asciak family have made sure the whole set up is completely accessible for children in prams and wheelchairs.

This year there are a couple of special changes, Gelato Fruit Mania will have a van serving tasty treats every night up until Christmas Eve with 20 percent of donations going to Nepean Hospital.

Mr Asciak will also be doing a special entry as Santa Claus at 7pm on Saturday 22nd when he replaces his sled for a tri-bike and rolls in with over 50 motorbikes behind him.

The address of the Santa show and lights display is 7 Arcadia Place, Colyton. Santa will be sticking around between the hours of 8:00pm and midnight up until Christmas Eve. Mr and Mrs Asciek would like to thank all the sponsors that include Lycan Group Pty Ltd, AVC Pest Control Service, Mick T’s Clothing Sinclair, Australian Scaffolding, Marsden Park Fire Brigade, Grove Hire, Unwanted Few Motorcycle Club (FMC), Woolworths Mt Druitt, EK Racing Club and Colyton Shopping Centre.

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Santa Claus has arrived in Colyton

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Western News 21 December 2018 Issue 75

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WESTERN HISTORY

Bread & Dripping Days

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

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ears ago, I came across this little book compiled by Kathleen McArthur and thought it was relevant for this History Page.

Bread and dripping were a staple in every home in Australia during the world wars but only if your family had meat to save the “dripping”. This Christmas when you sit down with family and friends around a wonderful arrangement of mouth-watering food, spare a thought back to how you would have survived on this wartime fare. Kathleen writes in 1977 that – “Since WW2 Australians have been hit over the head with culinary culture. That is no exaggeration, they have, literally been brow-beaten. They have been taught to put away their old bad ways of eating to learn from the French, the Indonesians, the Indians, the Spanish, the Chinese, to bring fresh flavors into food, to use lots of herbs, to use vegetable oils in place of animal fats, earnestly counting calories and measuring cholesterol, to be innovative, to be daring, to open up the horizons of their eating habits, to learn what wines to drink with certain foods and to hate the habit of calling the family to the dinner table when the teapot is brought in, keeping warm in its gaily coloured woolen jumper. It seems that everything we did in the past was wrong. We were so unimaginative, so ignorant and we have been made to feel ashamed of the old days and old ways in adopting the new, in this era of the “tele” and the “deli” is its temple. So, we no longer worship before the Sunday Roast that succulent roll of beef or leg of mutton or the crackling-topped joint of pork with the roast potatoes and onions and pumpkin with maybe some sweet-bucks (sweet potatoes?) as well and the boat of gravy to pour all over it. That was not the end of the meal of course, it could have been steamed golden syrup pudding and rich egg custard. It is just not on now.

Our smart friends would despise us for our backwardness and would probably point us out to their friends like they would do to someone who hasn’t yet got colour TV like the poor, the ignorant, the deprived. Smart members of today’s elite society have their Porto-gas BBQ for cooking their rump steaks on Sundays that are washed down with the vintage year Hunter Valley claret. They know the ropes! They are executive material who must hold their own with their competitive fellows who may invite them back to a Sunday luncheon of chicken legs steamed in orange juice and honey and served with a Barossa Valley dry white around their pool.

And what is just as essential is to be dressed in the right gear, whether the right is the latest in high fashion or op-shop fun clothes. Sunday roasts and Sunday best clothes might have been good enough for our parents – those dear, funny old people who hadn’t the advantages of the culture brought to this country by our post-war migrants. Just thinking about that roast dinner makes one nostalgic, secretly of course. We remember how it was when we were young, and we begin to recall how we use to live in those far-off backward years before the war, when the air was clean and sex was dirty and houses were built of wood and their roofs were iron and it rained so much harder then, rain on the hot tin roof is never to be forgotten. And, Oh! For shame, there might have been a dunny in the back yard and probably a fowl yard too, into which were thrown the kitchen scraps. Really? It can’t be true! Yes, it is, Oh! Yuk! If we are going to be nostalgic in thinking about the Sunday Roast – whatever happened to bread and dripping? Tell the young with drooling mouth about bread and dripping and they open their eyes wide and say – “What’s dripping?”. After the long walk home from school, there was bread and dripping for afternoon tea, liberally sprinkled with pepper and salt. In sheep districts it was mutton dripping and those children swore it was the best kind, but cattle families plumbed for beef dripping. Nothing

was ever heard of pork dripping, probably because pig-breeders grow so fond of their charges that they can’t bear to kill their darlings for their own consumption. It would be like eating one’s darlings for their own consumption. It would be like eating one’s own friends – outright cannibalism. While you may slaughter a bullock, kill a sheep – this little pig goes to market. The mention of bread and dripping can introduce a long sociological debate for while almost everyone it seems, use to eat bread and dripping, most did so without inhibitions because it was good and tasty and so acceptable but also because it was cheap or virtually costless as a by-product of the cooking of meat in the days when meat was cheaper than most of the foodstuffs in Australia. Yet, the taste of it for some people was tainted with the thought that is was not quite socially acceptable behavior – not done in the best society to which they might someday attain through knowing the right thing to do. Some people felt it as a deprivation to be eating bread and dripping when they might be eating “Crosse & Blackwell’s” imported black currant jelly. Children do not invent such absurdities, they came from parents. Children like to conform. In this hypothetical debate on bread and dripping someone will contribute the fact that his or her mother was a snob so while they were allowed bread and dripping at home, they were not allowed to take it to school. Children don’t think that way. The child given “Crosse & Blackwell’s” imported blackcurrant jelly is just as likely to feel deprived because all the other children had bread and dripping and not him or her.

This failure to be able to conform in the basis of children’s insecurity that may well lead to the psychiatrist’s rooms in later life. This wish to confirm in children can be both embarrassing and amusing for their parents. A daughter told her illustrious parent that she was not fit to be a mother. Why? Because she didn’t give bridge parties like the mothers of her school friends. Another small child thought her well-dressed mother should wear felt slippers with red pom-poms and coloured hair nets like a special friend’s colourful mother. (Note from Lyn Forde – President/ Research Officer of the St Marys & District Historical Society Inc – I could keep typing as this book does go on but I would run out of room for this History Page. Kathleen’s book (of which I have a signed copy) was for the Caloundra Lunch-hour Theatre program on the 18th July 1977 in the Gilbert Hall in Caloundra and the proceeds from the sale of the book went to the Girl Guide Association of Landsborough for the upkeep of their center “Boomajarril”). Bread and dripping recipe - Fat and meat juices to be left in the roasting tin to cool then scrape the dripping off the pan and then put the dripping in a jar or pot. Spread on bread. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. YUM!

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Western News

T

13

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

his year has been challenging on many fronts with tighter lending conditions reducing the availability of housing credit.

Many economists anticipate a faster decline in house prices than initially expected and this trend to continue for 2019.

“Despite the tighter lending conditions for this segment and weaker housing markets in Sydney and Melbourne, somewhat surprisingly, NSW and Victoria continue to show higher investment concentrations relative to other states,” Mr Lawless from CoreLogic said.

I’m asked many questions about interest rates and the house prices and what is going to happen next year. The newspapers and media will continue their doom and gloom on finance and the property market to make headlines, but I know the positive outlook of Australians that’s out there presently, and the many opportunities available for all of us will emerge.

It just takes a little work sometimes which could lead to great outcomes. All you need to do is open your eyes, it’s amazing what can be seen.

In the words of Dr Seuss “Sometimes the

Western News 21 December 2018 Issue 75

Alex Soncini

REAL ESTATE

questions are complicated and the answers are simple.”

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

On behalf of my team at Wealthwiz, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2019.

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Western News

SUDOKU: EASY

SOLUTIONS: 7 December EASY

MEDIUM

SUDOKU: MEDIUM

INSTRUCTIONS Fill the grid so that every column, every row and every 3x3 box contains the digits 1 to 9 with no duplicates

CROSSWORD ACROSS 1 Solutions (7) 5 Trouble (7) 9 A preserve (9) 10 Author Mark _____ (5) 11 Connecting (7) 12 Hunting guide (7) 13 Assigned (9) 15 Elflike (5) 17 Thin and weak (5) 19 Personal discipline (9) 22 Class (7) 25 An easy victory (slang) (7) 26 Boredom (5) 27 Clear sky (9) 28 Sleds (7) 29 They inflict pain for

pleasure (7))

solution 7/12/18

down 1 Disheveled (7) 2 Squeezes the throat (9) 3 Departing (7) 4 Massacre (9) 5 Wharfs (5) 6 Not inside (7) 7 Type of vine (5) 8 Large house (7) 14 Vetoes (9) 16 Traitorous (9) 17 _______ and dryers (7) 18 Tugging (7) 20 Circular (7) 21 Pushes forcefully (7) 23 Residence of a clergyman (5) 24 Stones (5)

Western News

SPORT

By CONNER LOWE

T

he Wanderers had a successful trip up north last Saturday morning, defeating Central Coast Mariners 2-0 at the CCM Centre of Excellence.

Two first half goals from Oliver Puflett and Fabian Monge ensured a third consecutive win for the red and black, who move up to first place in Y-League Conference B, three points ahead of Sydney FC. The Wanderers got off to a bright start, taking the lead after only nine minutes. Daniel Wilmering found Puflett after a well worked short corner routine, with the Young Socceroo’s header looping into the top corner of the goal.

The Wanderers almost had a second a few minutes later when Mark Tokich played a pinpoint corner kick to the edge of the penalty area, but a fierce volley from Andrea Agamemnonos flew just over the crossbar.

Abraham Majok then went close after getting on the end of Lachlan Scott’s layoff, unleashing a spectacular curling shot that missed the target by inches.

Majok was looking dangerous every time he got the ball, the pacey winger got behind the defence after a slick passing move, forcing a save from Mariners goalkeeper Aidan Munford.

After another short corner routine led to Majok heading wide, the pressure finally paid off as we doubled our lead just before halftime.

Fabian Monge was the scorer, receiving a pass from Majok and leaving two defenders in his wake, before slotting the ball into the bottom corner for his first goal of the season.

Our momentum continued into the second half, as Majok got on the end of a counter attack only to be denied by an acrobatic save from Munford.

Scott then thought he had scored after converting Puflett’s cross, but play was called back for offside.

Seconds later, there was a close call at the other end when former WSW Academy player Dylan Ruiz-Diaz sent a long range shot crashing off the crossbar with Nicholas Suman beaten.

As the game opened up, Scott blasted the ball just wide, while Suman made a sharp save from Mariners forward Emmanuel Peters.

The red and black would eventually regain control of the game, two substitutes had chances to extend our lead, with Oliver Wiggin firing the ball over, before Marley Peterson sent the ball wide after more good work from Majok.

After that Suman easily dealt with a couple of long range efforts, as the Wanderers were able to see out the remainder of the contest.

The Wanderers are back at home this weekend, with their next Y-League fixture against Canberra United at Valentine Sports Park on Saturday 22 December. Kickoff is at 4:30pm.

Western News 21 December 2018 Issue 75

Wanderers go top in Y-League after win over Mariners

15

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Western News Friday, 21 December 2018

SPORT

The Wanderers in trouble after derby defeat

By CONNER LOWE

T

he Western S y d n e y Wanderers have been defeated by Sydney FC 3-1 in their round eight clash at ANZ Stadium on the weekend.

Having deservedly broken the deadlock through their Spanish frontman, who turned in Alexander Baumjohann’s free-kick from close range in the 23rd minute, the Wanderers may have felt an overdue win was coming.

But the match swung when Janjetovic was dismissed for handling the ball outside the area after he was beaten to a long ball by Adam Le Fondre.

That saw Wanderers’ talisman Baumjohann sacrificed as substitute goalkeeper Danijel Nizic arrived into the fray, whose first involvement was to tip a clean hit from de Jong over, while Le Fondre flashed a curling shot inches past the post.

However, Nizic was beaten in the first minute of first half stoppage time when Brosque reacted sharpest to bury

a rebound after Josh Brillante’s shot cannoned off the post.

Siem De Jong put Sydney FC in cruise control before the hour mark and the result was wrapped up with less than 10 minutes to go when Jacob Tratt was able to bullet a header into the Wanderers net.

The Wanderers record against Sydney FC is extremely poor with only one win in their last 15 encounters

and their fourth straight loss to the Sky Blues.

Brendan Hamill, Wanderers Captain spoke about how disappointed the squad is after their latest derby defeat and the difficulty of playing with 10 men.

“It’s hard as players… I feel for the fans because they deserve more. It’s a tough one,” he told Fox Sports after the match.

“It’s a tough one to take. And as I said in the last Derby in the first time we played them this season… 1-0 up with 10-men, we’re still in it.

“We have to find a way, it’s plain and simple.”

Markus Babbel’s side will be extremely frustrated after taking the lead, but a moment of madness from Wanderers goalkeeper Vedran Janjetovic ensured the Wanderers would play the remainder of the match with 10 men on the field.

“He [Vedran] came and I think we dealt with it and then I think obviously they’ve got a handball outside the box,” he continued.

“I’m sure Vedj will pick himself up.

He’s one of our key players and we have to move on.

“It’s hard, I mean what do you do? You have to take someone off.

The coaches decided what he’s decided.

“I think we were still in it. Plenty of teams around the world hang in there and take a draw or even snag a win sometimes and it wasn’t to be tonight.”