council recognised 4 outstanding recipients at a special ceremony and talent showcase held on the International Day of People with a Disability at Emerton.
“as Mayor, I am incredibly proud to be part of a city that embraces, supports and celebrates people of all cultures, backgrounds and abilities,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
“these awards were a fantastic opportunity to recognise the incredible contributions and successes of people with lived experiences with a disability, carers, advocates and disability service providers in Blacktown city.
“People with a disability make wonderful contributions to our community and these awards were a chance to celebrate them and their achievements.
“council is committed to support people who have different abilities to have access to important programs and facilities that can change their lives.
“congratulations to all award recipients and finalists.”
laura naing was named Volunteer of the Year for her dedicated work with the Multicultural Disability advocacy association (MDaa).
laura was awarded for giving her time and running art workshops for people with a disability from non-English speaking and culturally-diverse backgrounds.
Inspirational Person of the Year was awarded to kylie Smith for her work as a mental health advocate.
kylie founded Embracing arms Peer Support community in 2014, and for the past 8 years, has volunteered her time in helping those living with a mental health condition.
kylie runs free, fortnightly online sessions for people needing connection and support. She also runs her own private counselling practice and is the service leader at Stride’s Safe Space, leading a team making a difference in suicide prevention.
alice ‘ally’ Horspool was named Inspirational Young Person of the Year for her achievements in her studies and in her transition to independent living.
ally is studying kitchen operations at taFE and has completed work placement with a local café. She is due to start a new job at coles and hopes to receive her driver’s licence in the near future.
The Organisation of the Year award was given to Minchinbury Jets JRlFc try time, which is an inclusive, all-abilities rugby league team.
the program was launched in 2016 and has grown from 6 to 20 players in just six years. try time inspires players of all abilities to be active and take part in the game of rugby league through a regular competition with other clubs.
council’s event also featured guest speaker Jayme Richardson, a Blacktown-born Paralympic cyclist who spoke of her inspirational journey to winning a Paralympic bronze medal.
the International Day of People with a Disability is a United nations-sanctioned event that promotes an understanding of people with a disability. the event marked its 30th year in 2022.
tHE Junction works (tJw), a western Sydney-based disability not-for-profit, has unveiled its new state-of-theart day centre facility. the facility, which can house 120 participants at a time, is based on an innovative new campus model that will provide life-long skills to participants. the Hon. Michelle Rowland, Minister for communications spoke at the event in her capacity as the local Member for Greenway.
the new campus is designed around and ethos of creating opportunities in people’s lives. It is designed to help improve the skills of participants to empower them and broaden their ability to exercise choice and find gainful employment. It is an innovative shake-up of the traditional, small centre respite services that predominate in the industry.
the new facility, located at Seven Hills and close to public transport,
has a commercial kitchen and cafe for participants to learn life skills as well as open-plan areas and a special sensory room. the site is co-located with allied health which will provide participants access to support services such as
speech and occupational therapy. the facility itself and the presence of allied health professionals to help design activities and programs is an exciting first and will ensure participants have the best opportunities to succeed.
The communities of Blacktown City and Liverpool Plains Shire joined together for a weekend of fun, festivity and friendship for the fourth annual Christmas hangi in the Country.
Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM and Deputy Mayor Julie Griffiths led a delegation to Quirindi, in the North West Slopes of NSW, for the special Sister Cities celebration.
Blacktown City has had a proud Sister Cities relationship with Liverpool Plains Shire since 2005, and has travelled to the region to celebrate a Christmas hangi for four years.
A group of Maori Wardens, ambassadors from Korean Sister City Suseong-Gu, current and former Blacktown City Youth Ambassadors, Mitchell high School students and volunteers from Lions and Mount Druitt Seniors joined the delegation.
“For 17 years, Blacktown City has enjoyed a special relationship with Liverpool Plains Shire, and it was wonderful to be able to visit once again after two years of COVID disruptions,” Mayor Bleasdale said.
“Blacktown City is a good friend of Liverpool Plains, and while we may be separated by distance, we are never too far in times of need.
“The relationship between our two cities is one of collaboration and contrast – it is wonderful for the urbanised City of Blacktown to have this connection with the beautiful agricultural region of Liverpool Plains.
“I thank Liverpool Plains Shire Mayor Doug hawkins OAM and the local community for their warm welcome and hospitality during our visit.”
The Maori Wardens prepared a hangi feast for the community to enjoy and the band hosted a show comprised of haka performances and traditional Maori song and dance at the Royal Theatre in Quirindi.
The weekend also featured a special meeting between the Maori delegates and Indigenous Kamilaroi elders of Liverpool Plains, with traditional song, dance and a smoking ceremony.
Mayor Bleasdale thanked the delegates for their participation: “I thank the Maori Wardens, the students, ambassadors and volunteers for their hard work and talented performances during the visit.
“The Maori Wardens have been an integral part of Blacktown City’s delegation to Liverpool Plains since the first Hangi in the Country.
“The students of Mitchell high School and Blacktown City Youth Ambassadors represented our City’s young people with great pride and showcased the talents of our youth.”
The partnership has fostered strong connections between both cities in the areas of education, economic development, sport, culture and youth exchange. Sister City activities include the Liverpool Plains Military Tattoo, Blacktown City Festival, Food Bowl project and Business Chamber partnership.
Fortescue
By K E RRIE DAVIES
Well, it has been quite a year. As always it would have been a fabulous year for some and not so great for others.
The year 2022 brought in many changes, perhaps most notably on a national level, a change in federal government and it finally looks like the end of the pandemic. Or at least the end of the severity of the original strain and the associated rules and restrictions that were necessary to tackle it.
Freedom is a wonderful thing when you’ve tasted a snippet of what it is like to lose it. It almost seems like a faded memory that we were confined to our homes and unable to see family and friends. Forbidden from travelling interstate and overseas, missing out on precious time with loved ones, babies being born and funerals. Yet it was only last year.
It seems like we were in another world when you hark back to a time when we’d hear about a Covid case walking through a supermarket. The alerts that went out, people scrambling through bank statements and diaries to see if the time they were there coincided with a single positive case.
There will always be many different viewpoints on what went down and how it was handled. Personally I am on the team that believes we got through this with 95% of us uniting and rolling our sleeves up. Sadly a lot of lives were lost along the way. Thankfully the strain that is going around now is certainly a much milder version of the first and delta strains that circulated before vaccinations.
So I say job well done, it’s now time to get back to living, loving and travelling.
It was not an easy thing by anyone’s description, but we survived a worldwide pandemic and have the discarded mask to prove it.
Here’s to a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, thank you very much for your support throughout 2022 and we’ll see you in our first edition back, January 6 2023!
Police are encouraging the public to be mindful on our waterways when carrying mobile phones and smart watches with automated crash detection feature after several false activations.
The default feature on smart mobile phones and watches is designed to alert emergency services via Triple Zero ‘000’ when the device holder has been involved in a crash, in most cases, detecting the rapid deceleration of a motor vehicle.
Recent marine responses have highlighted that the device can be triggered when it is on board a vessel that is travelling over choppy water or bouncing over waves.
Whilst recognising the effectiveness of the alert feature, officers attached to the Marine Area command have seen an increase in false activations as the community returns to our waters.
Marine Area command commander, Superintendent Murray Reynolds, has urged the community to check their mobile devices for the feature and be aware of its capabilities before getting on the water.
“The feature is becoming increasingly prominent as people update their devices and i encourage the community to check their setting as it may have become a default,” Superintendent Reynolds said.
“it is just as important to know how to cancel an alert when an emergency response is not required.”
“An unintentional activation of this feature when on the water can trigger an extensive response not only from Police, but also Marine Rescue and Surf life Saving, utilising valuable resources and time,” Superintendent Reynolds said.
The school holidays have commenced and NSW health is urging parents to be aware of the dangers of vaping among young people.
NSW Chief Health Officer, Dr Kerry Chant encouraged parents to have early conversations with young people to help discourage vaping.
“We are encouraging parents to be aware of the dangers vapes pose and to be on the lookout for devices which could look like USB sticks, pens or highlighters,” Dr Chant said.
“Vapes contain dangerous ingredients which could cause irreversible damage to the health and development of young people. There is no such thing as a safe vape.”
“We are also aware that there are links between mental health concerns and vaping among young people. If parents or young people are concerned for their mental health, they can call the Mental health Line on 1800 011 511 for referral to the most appropriate service. Quitline counsellors on 13 78 48 are also available to answer questions about vaping and provide advice and support for parents and young people.”
As part of the Do You Know What You’re Vaping? awareness campaign, which NSW Health launched earlier this year, a toolkit was published for parents, school staff and others who have interactions with young people, with information and guides to have a conversation with children about the dangers of vaping.
Minister Brad Hazzard said evidence shows that vaping is akin to breathing in the same harmful chemicals found in weedkiller and nail polish remover, dressed up in hundreds of flavours and bright colours to be attractive to kids.
“The potential harm is enormous and we need to share this information with our kids,” Mr Hazzard said.
Between March and June 2022, the Do You Know What You’re Vaping? campaign had over 11.5 million social media impressions and enabled over 100,000 young people, parents, carers and teachers to access materials and have conversations about the harms of vaping.
Dr Chant said: “It’s encouraging to hear parents are taking action to protect their children, and we continue to urge the community to report retailers who are selling illegal vapes via the NSW health
website. This information really helps to inform our enforcement efforts.
“earlier this year we put retailers across the state on notice, if they were selling illegal vapes, they would be caught, illegal items seized and destroyed, and they could face prosecution. We continue to make good on this commitment with NSW Health seizing more than 166,000 e-cigarette products totalling an estimated street value of over $4.6 million from February 2021 to September 2022,” Dr Chant said.
Parents and the community can provide information to inform the enforcement action at: www.health.nsw.gov.au/tobacco/Pages/ let-us-know-reportscomplaints.aspx
Quitline counsellors are available to answer questions about vaping on 13 7848 (13 QUIT). Quitline is a telephone-based service offering information and advice. Quitline counsellors can provide tips and strategies, and help people to plan their quit attempts, based on their own needs and preferences. They can also help parents and carers think of ways to approach a conversation about vaping with young people.
The Mental Health Line can put you in contact with the most relevant mental health service. It is available to everyone in NSW and operates 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 1800 011 511.
Anyone experiencing distress can seek immediate advice and support through Lifeline (13 11 14) or the Kids helpline (1800 55 1800).
The Sydney-based NDIS program provider, ‘The Junction Works’ (TJW), has launched a $2 million purpose-built campus on Prospect Highway in Seven Hills – their first NDIS service based in the North West Sydney region.
The Junction Works delivers day programs and provides community supports for people with disability.
The campus includes a range of diverse spaces, like a commercial kitchen and café, an IT room, a space for plant propagation, and health therapy spaces to support NDIS participants work towards accomplishing their individual aspirations.
All programs set to operate on the campus will be co-designed with participants to ensure they are fit for purpose.
This project is consistent with the Albanese Government’s objectives to ensure people with disability are supported to reach their goals and NDIS participants who want to work are supported to do so.
Quotes attributable to the hon. Michelle Rowland, Federal Member for Greenway, Minister for Communications:
“I am so pleased to welcome TJW to Seven hills, bringing invaluable services closer to our local community.”
“My community of North Western Sydney is growing rapidly, with some suburbs forecast to reach over 300% growth by 2040. Crucial infrastructure like this will help to support our residents with disability now and into the future.”
“I look forward to seeing the things our NDIS
participants achieve.”
Quotes attributable to the hon. Bill Shorten, Minister for the NDIS and Minister for Government Services, Member for Maribyrnong:
“The Junction Works ambition for Seven hills, and those sites that are to follow, show how a thoughtful approach can unleash human potential in people with disability, so their passions and independence can help them reach their goals in life.
“The NDIS is an investment in people. Projects such as this one offer an example of how we can make people’s lives better, safer and richer, whilst also building a more prosperous community.
“I very much look forward to updates on the progress of this initiative and commend ‘The Junction Works’ on their vision.”
THE final stage of the 24-hectare Riparian Parklands – bordering Stockland elara in Marsden Park and Winten’s new Park in Melonba – has now opened.
The centrepiece of the parklands, delivered by Stockland, comprises a 3-hectare lake, 2,000 square metre playground, pedestrian bridge, and several picnic shelters, all complementing the established green spaces.
“The opening of the parklands is an exciting milestone for the growing community and marks the completion of the regeneration of the South Creek Tributary into an urban riparian parkland,” said Stockland Project Director, Mike Milligan.
“It provides the community with plenty of green, open space to support an active lifestyle.
“We’re pleased to celebrate the official opening of Riparian Parklands with Blacktown City Council, and the community, and we look forward to seeing everyone enjoy it,” added Mr Milligan.
nSW Deputy Leader of the Opposition and Member for Londonderry, Prue Car said, “It’s fantastic to see more recreational facilities delivered for families in Marsden Park and Melonba as the area continues to grow.”
The broader Riparian Corridor includes 12 kilometres of continuous paths and trails, lookout platforms, wetland areas, outdoor exercise hubs, barbecue facilities, inclusive play environments and informal play areas.
Riparian Parklands also includes a series of vegetated ponds, flowing channels, basins and raingardens which work to improve urban water quality.
A revegetation strategy has been implemented to regenerate the riparian ecosystem, with more than 34,000 new trees planted and approximately 900,000 native plants grown from seed. This will provide critical urban canopy for the area, as well as habitat for wildlife.
For more information, visit the Stockland elara website.
Ten students from Government, Catholic and Independent schools have been recognised for high standards of respectful behaviour, inclusiveness and community-mindedness at the State’s first Premier’s Respect Awards.
Premier Dominic Perrottet said the aim of the new annual awards is to lift student behaviour in schools by giving respectful conduct the same high regard and prestige as academic achievement.
“I am in awe of the nominations we received for our first Respect Awards. It’s such an honour to recognise these extraordinary young people who are having such a positive impact on our school communities every day,” Mr Perrottet said.
“I’d like to congratulate all students who were recognised and thank their teachers, principals and school support staff for their efforts putting forward nominations.”
Minister for education and early Learning Sarah Mitchell said the awards are an initiative to recognise and encourage high standards of behaviour in schools.
“Respect is an important component of developing a student’s interpersonal relationships and personal identity,” Ms Mitchell said.
“Being respectful is something we all should do in our daily lives, and it is important that as a society we are proud of and celebrate respectful behaviour from our students.”
All 3,165 schools across nSW were invited to nominate a student in recognition of their respectful conduct. each nominated student received a certificate at their school, with ten exemplary students recognised yesterday at the first NSW Premier’s Respect Awards Showcase.
Applications were reviewed by a panel chaired by emeritus Professor Judyth Sachs and representatives from the Association of Independent Schools nSW, Catholic Schools nSW and the nSW Department of education.
• Ethan Cheal, Year 11, Minerva School, Sutherland (NSW Government
• Jorja Croese, Year 7, Arise Christian College, Metford (Association of Independent Schools nSW)
• Gianfranco Dabbene, Year 11, Freeman Catholic College, Bonnyrigg Heights (Catholic Schools NSW)
• Kobe Erickson, Year 6, Narellan Vale Public School (NSW Government School)
• Aisha Hookey, Year 1, Toongabbie East Public School (NSW Government School)
• Jade Kearney, Year 5, Broadwater Public School (NSW Government School)
• Maram Robi, Year 10, Al-Faisal College Liverpool (Association of Independent Schools nSW)
• Hemakesh Saravanan, Year 10, St Francis Catholic College, Edmondson Park (Catholic Schools NSW)
• Arly Seaton, Year 2, Lightning Ridge Central School (NSW Government School)
• Tyrone Vatubuli, Year 11, Kildare Catholic College, Wagga Wagga (Catholic Schools nSW)
By Noel Rowsell
A r IAM Latifi is an educator, a multiple award-winning author and was the 2022 Londonderry Woman of the Year.
A tireless worker on a myriad of projects and passions, Mariam established 12 months of kindness project at the start of 2022, where in each month she does a random act of kindness e.g. Breast Cancer awareness in October.
“Unfortunately, 1 in 8 women will develop breast cancer in their lifetime, as reported by breastcancer.org,” said Mariam.
“So, to inspire hope, perseverance and strength amongst the millions of women and men who are affected by this disease, we focused on reaching out to our community to support us for our Breast Cancer Awareness Drive, so we could all come together to help support these patients and make a small difference.
“We are very thankful for these wonderful small businesses that
took part, which included The hijab Label; Obsession The Cake hub; The Modern hijab Boutique; Lunar rose and Co.
MAmong Mariam’s recent acts of charity was a donation of scarves, caps and beanies to nepean hospital in October to help support Breast Cancer patients and a donation of 50 hand-made paper roses to a nursing home in Windsor in november.
Born in Afghanistan, Mariam came to Australia in her early childhood, after first spending a year in Pakistan.
Sponsored by an uncle, Mariam’s family lived in the Parramatta district, where she attended Parramatta East PS, then Macarthur Girls HS, before attending Sydney University and attaining her Bachelor of Primary education.
She is also since attained her Masters in TeSOL at Monash University whilst self-publishing her first children’s book.
now an author of two books, Mariam continues to home school her three young children, had previously tutored migrant and special needs children and currently teaches at a
When walking through the heavy double doors into the paediatric unit at Blacktown Hospital, the first thing one’s eyes land upon are the twinkling lights covering every inch of the ceiling.
Strung up all through the hallways of the ward are thousands of glittering bulbs, handmade snowflakes and enough fake snow-covered vines to transport you from the children’s ward right into Santa’s workshop.
For the team at Ward Angels, a charity started by Josie Dincel, this is exactly what Christmas should be –regardless of whether you’re spending the festive season in a hospital.
“The days are so long when you’re in hospital with a sick child, and when that day is broken up with a little moment of joy, it really shocks you out of the moment you’re in,” Josie said.
Years ago, Josie’s third child was sick over the Christmas period. This
meant a lot of trips to hospital and time spent particularly at Westmead Children’s hospital.
Watching a doctor pull out a little containers of bubbles from their pocket to bring joy to her daughter during a difficult period in her health journey inspired Josie to create Ward Angels, a charity to help bring some warmth to the wards with little gifts and big decorations during the holidays throughout the year.
From Mothers’ Day gifts to easter eggs, the generosity of the community’s donations to Ward Angels means that families can function during the most trying of times.
“I will remember that moment forever,” Josie said of seeing a ward decked out in lights during her daughter’s stay.
“That’s the only thing we will remember from that hospital visit. Things like this may seem trivial but these little things can be the difference
local government primary school in Parramatta.
As a mother of three young girls, Mariam established a playgroup in Elara Melonba Marsden Park, which began modestly but grew to include up to 700 families participating.
When she and her young family moved to elara in the Blacktown district, Mariam had taken the initiative with organising annual Clean-up Australia, Morning Teas as charity fund-raising events, Mother’s Day events and harmony Day.
Prue Car recently spoke in Parliament, stating: “I proudly recognise the 2022 Londonderry woman of the year, Mariam Latifi. Mariam is a Marsden Park local. She is a powerhouse community leader. She is an educator, an english as a second language teacher, a published author and the CEO of Gift of Knowledge, an organisation focused on empowering student learning. Mariam also organises and leads the Elara Playkiddies Community Group, which brings together families from across the growing estates in Marsden Park and Melonba. That is how I met
her. It was such a pleasure to join Mariam, her mother and her sister at this year’s nSW Local Women of the Year Awards. Mariam is an outstanding role model for young women. I am proud to work alongside her for our community. She embodies the community spirit of families who support each other in making northwest Sydney a wonderful place to live. I congratulate Mariam and thank her for all she does for our growing community.
between a nice memory and a traumatic memory on a particular day.”
Matching Josie’s infectious enthusiasm is Sarah edwards, Acting nurse Unit Manager of the paediatric unit at Blacktown hospital.
hours upon hours were spent by Sarah and her team delicately threading paper snowflake chains and stringing them up around the ward.
These are special snowflakes too –children from schools and preschools across the country have painstakingly cut intricate patterns into the paper and sent thousands of them in to deck the ward’s halls.
“having Ward Angels come out to Blacktown just means everything to me and to the families here,” Sarah said.
“We’re a brand-new unit – we only opened in April this year and we had absolutely nothing for Christmas.”
Sarah also said that it’s not just the end product that’s impressive, but the
commitment of the kids staying at the Blacktown hospital paediatric unit to making sure everything looks perfect.
“When we were putting up all the decorations, we got the children to help us and to see the smiles on their faces when the lights were going up and the big blow-up gingerbread men – they were running up and cuddling them.”
“The joy that Christmas brings to children makes their hospital stay just a little bit nicer. We had a long-term patient here for two weeks and during their stay it was really nice to see them getting involved with the snowflakes and decorating the walls.
“She became like family and was really sad to be leaving the unit when she went home because she’d had so much fun playing with the nurses and getting involved with the Christmas theme. She actually wants to stop in again before Christmas to see all the decorations up and finished!”
‘I
moment forever’: Ward Angels transform new Blacktown Hospital paediatric unit into Winter WonderlandPrue Car and Mariam Latifi
– President/Research
NepeaN Times says that Saturday night was certainly one of the liveliest spent in penrith for a very long while on Christmas eve in 1887. Shortly after 8 o’clock High street was crowded and continued to be until midnight, the various business places doing a roaring trade. Leaving the railway station about 9 o’clock we were determined to see how our various businessmen and women were doing, paying special attention to our own friends the advertisers. The results of Saturday night’s business must have astonished the most sanguine of our tradesmen, especially those who have grumbled so much lately of the dullness of times. every branch of trade appeared to be thriving except the undertakers and we were pleased with that at any rate. Leaving the station, we first had a look in at the Red Cow hotel where they were doing a roaring trade and with very great difficulty managed to drink Mr and Mrs Smith’s health. Friend Seymour on the opposite side was at his wits end. The shop was chock full and he and his assistants were as busy as nailers. Griffiths was also well filled. alex Frew was also busy and there were several angry ones who gave him some “cast iron” prayers for having to wait for their Christmas suits. Of course, everybody knows alex Frew’s name, where he lives and that he makes clothes and mends them and that every customer of his gets his 20 cents worth for his £1. “Gossy’s” tobacco store was driving a good trade and was as happy as a sand boy. W Reddan and Mrs Glasscock were fairly busy but the Salvation army and some broken down troubadours drew the greatest crowd on the opposite side. passing down towards Riley street we noticed that P Reddan was doing fairly well. Horstmann was very busy and Stanton was also doing a fair trade. Realff and Sharp’s natty hairdressing shop was the centre of attraction in this locality and they were kept as busy as could be. We then turned our attention to High street east after spending a few minutes redeemed with the “army”. George Nash’s new store was a source of considerable attraction and many had to wait for upwards of an hour to have their wants supplied. Shelberg appeared to be very slack but Joe Hill the tailor was kept busy putting the last fitting touches on sundry Christmas suits. Mrs Watson was fairly busy and Morgan’s shop on the opposite side was fairly thronged, in fact his shop and that of G Nash was a great attraction. Mrs Fisher did but little, and Hatton’s shop adjoining was full. Saturday night must have been an exceedingly profitable one for Mr Hatton and he deserved it too. Tom Doyle was very busy, in fact too busy to wish us a merry Christmas. Judges’ chemist premises that was brilliantly illuminated was also the source of considerable attraction and unusually busy, the principal business being done in Christmas cards and perfumery as people don’t want much physic for Christmas. Judges Bros were also busy and there appeared to be as many waiting outside to be served as there were in and the shop was full. passing on then to Mrs Spence’s premises we were surprised at the amount of business she was doing in newspapers for Christmas reading. Next we came to was Benaud’s jewellery store who was also busy with his show of novelties in jewellery etc, certainly as good as any metropolitan house. Learmont’s establishment was full up and there were numbers waiting, in fact he and his assistants were so busy during the day that they had no time to have their meals. The same can be said of Fulton’s, for the immense establishment with an extra number of assistants was thronged throughout the day. W & e Fulton are the people who make very large purchases of drapery etc before the Customs duties are stuck on by the
protectionist policy. They are in fact prophets in their own country and they prophecy loudly too. They say to those about to get married, buy our furniture, to those about to travel, buy our portmanteaus, Gladstone bags and to those who want clothing, come to us and get material of the latest cut and fashion. To those who want groceries and new fruit for Christmas, “buy, eat and ye shall be full”. Surely these are invitations at which a King could not avail nor a real live Lord find fault, nay even the great cricketer Grace would grasp at opportunities such as these. Smeaton’s Christmas boots and shoe store did a rattling trade as did Charlie Smith. Then nothing of any importance occurred until we reached Worboys. Have you heard about Davey Worboys’ phoenix Fire Office. No fires at Christmas if the humpy’s insured. This establishment was well filled and the purchases made there on Santa Claus’ account must have astonished the proprietor. On to J & J Cleeve’s immense establishment was well filled with an eager anxious throng. Good’s hotel did a big trade as did Mrs Bird. Kenny’s establishment was well filled and they did a capital days business. William Orth’s saddle and buggy harness store was not very busy at night but throughout the day he had been kept going. He’s a good sort of fellow too. If fathers require straps to settle up with the “nippers” for eating too much Christmas pudding, our friend Orth will only be too pleased to supply them, and as for saddles, harness, etc., well there’s nothing like his stock out of Sydney. We did a miss at the lock-up, but that establishment we were pleased to say did but little business. passing onto Neales’ large shop which was well filled and they did great business. Henry Neale of High Street east has as usual put in his Christmas supply of drapery, millinery, fancy goods, grocery, cutlery, crockery and boots and shoes, in fact his warehouse is the repository of everything from the proverbial needle to the anchor and those who call on him may be relied upon to leave the shop with a gratified countenance and a large pile of purchases under either arm. Next we visited Walmsley’s commercial hotel and the landlord greeted us with a smile and wished us a very merry Christmas. He was doing a roaring trade and was happy and jolly as could be. On our return we called in at Jack Costin’s to have our face fixed up for Christmas. Christmas shaves and cuts are booming now brighter than ever but judge our surprise at 11pm to find over 20 waiting!. He informed us that he had not a mouthful to eat since 7am that morning. We managed to get fixed up at about midnight and retired looking forward to a bright and merry Christmas on the following day. In St Marys it was Old english roast beef at Garner’s butchery, there are few who have not heard of William Garner of St. Marys. Christmas beef,. Christmas ham, Christmas everything can be obtained from him and Morris’s store for Christmas supplies and who is it that has not heard of Henry Wake the St Marys photographer, picture framer, etc. If you want a sign board or a dray-plate, or your name set into your gravestone, he’ll do all these things with the greatest of pleasure, and we never saw a man who would give a better price for hides, sheepskins, tallow and bones than andy Thompson of the St Marys tannery.
Source: From the pages of Nepean Times.
On behalf of the members of the Historical Society I would like to wish you and yours all the best for Christmas and a Happy New Year. See you from February 2023 when we open up again.
Soncini
After an incredibly challenging year with Covid continuing in new variants causing problems and fears of an economic downturn have impacted everyone and every business in Australia in 2022.
There has been eight interest rate increases in a row, with the first occurring back in May. the tighter lending conditions reducing the availability of housing credit is causing economists to fear a “mortgage cliff”, as more and more Australians show signs of mortgage stress.
National home prices have fallen for the eighth consecutive month, largely due to rising interest rates. even though the rate of price falls has slowed down since June and July when interest rates first started rising the decline is anticipated to continue in 2023.
I think it has been a tough and uncertain year for many people and as Australians usually do, we work hard and get things done to make the best of a bad situation to get back to normal.
If you have any queries during the Christmas Break, please do not hesitate to contact me, either by email alex.soncini@wealthwiz.com.au or mobile on 0419 600 177.
In the words of Dr Seuss: “Maybe Christmas, he thought...doesn’t come from a store.
Christmas, perhaps...means a little bit more!”
On behalf of my team at Wealthwiz, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a prosperous 2023.
the Nepean Hockey association.
LoCaL 17-year old hockey junior Coady Stone (Rooty Hill RSL Club) has been selected for the NSW U18 Boys Blues team, which will compete in Brisbane, QLD in January at the australian Indoor Hockey Championships.
Coady began his hockey career at the age of 3, playing for Rooty Hill RSL in the Under 7 competition.
He continued playing for the Club through to Under 16’s, when he also joined Briars in the Sydney East competition to play in the 1st Grade Men’s competition.
#The athlete acceleration Program is aimed at talented athletes aged 16 – 18 years, an age range where skill development is crucial to an athlete’s progress.
a highly targeted program developed collaboratively with the NSWIS and Hockey australia, which develops players both on and off the field.
With athletes selected from every region, the program establishes a means for athletes from any area to advance their skills to the elite level.
Currently, the program caters for 60 Boys and 60 Girls across both age groups and is regarded as NSW most successful talent development program.
The
Featuring
By Noel Rowsell
Nihal Gaunder (Cabramatta GC) shot a 2-under par score of 68 to hold a narrow 1-shot overnight lead over the chasing pack on Saturday but could not maintain his impressive form on Sunday, falling away with a disastrous 15-over par score of 87 to drop back to a share of 19th spot.
Kayun Madudana (NSW GC) backed up his impressive -1 under 69 on Saturday with a 1-over 71 on Sunday to win outright on 140, ahead of Shashank Koirola (The Lakes
GC) and Vidur Subramaniam (RydeParramatta GC) in a tie for second on 142.
Darcy Mackay (Stonecutters Ridge GC) shot 75-73=148 and Tyler Nesci (Leonay) 76-72=148 to finish in a tie for 8th, whilst Blake Hodges (Dunheved) shot 76-78=154 to finish in a tie for 17th and Ryan Cadle (Stonecutters Ridge GC) shot 7685=161 to finish in a tie for 31st spot.
The Girls event winner was Sienna Clarke (St Michael’s GC) on 147, ahead of overnight leader Hollie Fuller (Grafton GC) 148 and Lara Thomsen (The australian GC) 151.
Hollie had been an 8-shot runaway leader after Saturday’s first round 69 but a disastrous 6-over par 79 on Sunday allowed Sienna to storm home, with the day’s best score of 70, to grab a thrilling win.
Special Olympics australia has announced the members of the team which will represent australia at the Special Olympics World Summer Games 2023.
The World Games is the largest inclusive sporting event on the planet and at the 2023 Games, to be held in Berlin, Germany from 17th-25th June, 7,000 athletes with an intellectual disability, from 190 delegations, will enjoy nine days of competition.
Team australia will consist of 64 athletes who will compete across nine sports – athletics, basketball bocce, bowling, golf, equestrian, gymnastics, swimming, tennis – and they will be supported by 28 volunteer officials.
Over 96% of athletes who will wear the green and gold in Berlin will represent Australia for the first time, including 19-year old Sarah clarke from the Hawkesbury and District Basketball association.
Sarah has been an athlete with the Sydney West Special Olympics club for the past six years and competes in
swimming and basketball, with basketball being her favourite sport.
When she first started playing basketball, the Sydney West Special Olympics club did not offer basketball as a sport for athletes, so Sarah would travel most Sundays to Narrabeen to train with the Northern Beaches club.
it was only recently that Sydney West decided, with the help and support of the Hawkesbury and District Basketball association to introduce basketball as a sport in 2022.
as a result, Sarah is now able to train locally at the Hawkesbury pcYc
Recently, Sarah was selected to represent NSW in the Special Olympics National Games which were held in launceston, TaS from 17-22 October 2022, where NSW won gold, thus qualifying them for selection to the World Games.
Sarah enjoys being a part of the Special Olympics and is looking forward to representing australia at the World Games,” said Naomi clarke.
Special Olympics australia ceO pierre comis said, “The athletes who have been selected for Team australia have trained hard to earn a place on the team and they are rightly proud and excited.”