Blacktown City 2024 Diwali Lights Competition
BLACKTOWN City’s much-loved Diwali Lights competition is back for 2024, with residents encouraged to light up their homes to celebrate the vibrant Hindu festival of lights in the suburbs of Blacktown City.
Blacktown City is proudly home to many residents from the Indian sub-continent and the Festival of Diwali holds a special place in these communities, with the celebration now a firmly adopted part of the fabric of the culture of the City.
More than $2,500 in cash prizes is on offer for the best-decorated properties across Blacktown City’s five wards.
Prizes will again be awarded for ‘Best Street’ and ‘Best Rangoli’ (colourful artworks made from sand, flower petals, flour or rice).
Judging criteria will be based on the overall appeal of the decorations visible on the front of the property only.
The ancient Hindu Festival of Diwali celebrates the victory of light over darkness, with observers around the world lighting lamps and candles in and around homes and temples.
Residents can nominate their
decorated homes through the Blacktown City Council website. www.blacktown.nsw.gov.au/
Community/Awards-scholarshipsand-competitions/2024-DiwaliLights-Competition
Nominations close: Friday 25 October. Preliminary judging: Tuesday 29 and Wednesday 30 October, between 8 pm and 11 pm. Final round judging: Friday 1 November, between 8 pm and 11 pm.
Mayoral History Prize winners unearth Blacktown’s stories
FASCINATING insights into Western Sydney’s First Nations history and heritage sites have been uncovered by the winners of the 2024 Blacktown City Mayoral History Prize.
An examination of the experiences of First Nations People on Dharug land, the history of St Bartholomews Church and Cemetery at Prospect, and a study of the place from where Sunnyholt Road took its name were the winning entries.
Blacktown City Mayor Brad Bunting congratulated the winners at a ceremony this month and said the entries highlighted a rich and diverse history.
“Blacktown City has many fascinating stories, from the Traditional Owners’ custodianship of the
land, to early European settlement and cultural evolution,” he said.
“It’s important to keep sharing these stories so we can maintain a connection to the past and where we have come from.”
The winner of the Years 7-9 category was Jaya Singh of Blackett, who researched First Nations People’s history and struggles on Dharug land.
Jaya showed how Aboriginal people made baskets and used them for fishing. She also detailed their challenges during European settlement and the impact of racial discrimination.
The winner of the Years 10-12 category was Pranjal Pal of Blacktown.
Pranjal traced the history of St Bartholomews Church and Cemetery, including the advocacy of
explorer William Lawson and the inspiration from the church in England of the same name.
Les Tod OAM of Woodcroft won the 17 years and over category for his research on the Headingley property at 7 Redwood Street, Blacktown.
Les analysed facts about the building originally named “Sunnyholt”, including those who lived there and community links.
The winners received cash prizes and their entries will be published on Blacktown City Libraries’ comprehensive history resource: Blacktown Memories https://blacktownmemories.recollect. net.au
The Blacktown City Mayoral History Prize was first awarded in 2008 and encourages an interest in the rich and diverse history of the area.
Entry via the QR Code
Manager Library Services Joy Bourke; Jaya Singh and Mayor Brad Bunting.
Manager Library Services Joy Bourke, Les Tod OAM and Mayor Brad Bunting.
Manager Library Services Joy Bourke, Pranjal Pal and Mayor Brad Bunting.
Overall City Winner in Marsden Park for the 2023 Blacktown City Diwali Lights Competition.
Sydney Zoo – The COOLEST place to
THESE school holidays, Sydney Zoo in Eastern Creek is the ultimate family destination, with a thrilling new attraction featuring GIANT, roaring Creatures of the Ice Age and an Australian first – the life-sized, moving Megalodon Shark!
Starting September 28th, families can dive into a world of adventure, exploring more creatures and more fun than ever before. Grab a map and embark on an unforgettable journey, encountering prehistoric giants like
the mighty mammoth, ferocious sabre-toothed tiger, playful polar bears, woolly rhinos, and many more. These incredible, moving, and roaring beasts will transport you to a world frozen in time.
And for the first time in Australia, come face to face with the massive jaws of the life-sized, moving Megalodon Shark!
But that’s not all! Alongside this epic adventure, Sydney Zoo has welcomed adorable new arrivals –including baby meerkats, capybaras,
and fluffy koala joeys. There’s Always Something New at Sydney Zoo!
Whether it’s ancient creatures or cute zoo babies, there’s always something exciting to discover. Families can enjoy a fantastic day out, with kids’ tickets just $19.99.
Creatures of the Ice Age is FREE with your zoo ticket, but these frosty wonders won’t last forever – so don’t miss out before they melt away!
For tickets and more information, visit www.sydneyzoo.com
Western NEWS
Editor:
General Manager: Sales: Sales:
Sports Journalist: Graphic Design: Printer:
Distribution Map
Letters to the Editor: Web: Western News is not tossed onto your front lawn. Collect your crisp copy FREE from local newsagents, service stations, libraries, Council and shopping centres.
Kerrie Davies 0422 067 644
Bart Bassett 0412 955 745
Bart Bassett 0412 955 745
Malama Psarianos 0416 203 777
Noel Rowsell 0424 007 202
Stacey Fortescue 0420 319 893
Pegasus Print Group, Blacktown nepeannews@aol.com www.wsnewsgroup.com
From the Editor’s Desk
BY KERRIE DAVIES
LET’S make Blacktown become Pinktown - at least for one month in support of Breast Cancer awareness. Being diagnosed with Breast Cancer is life-changing. It is a challenging road for both the patient and their family and friends. Support throughout the breast cancer journey is invaluable.
The idea behind ‘Pink Up’ your town is simple: think pink and raise money.
The funds raised enable the McGrath Foundation to fund McGrath Breast Care Nurses that would be available to us locally. The nurses provide invaluable support and care from diagnosis right throughout treatment, McGrath Breast Care Nurses are available to help for free and with no referral.
For many years, our sister publication Nepean News has supported the very successful Pink Up Penrith project. The money raised over that time has funded five Breast Care nurses for the Nepean area.
I spoke with Councillor Julie Griffiths who is very passionate about getting Pink Up Blacktown going. Cr Griffiths has observed the success in Penrith and is driving the idea through local council and state government locally to get things off the ground.
How are funds raised? There are so many ways you, your family or your workplace can get involved. From holding an event such as a high tea or golf day to simpler donation drivers like donate to a jar and wear pink to work for a day.
If you like the idea of helping Cr Julie Griffiths get this fabulous initiative off the ground, put your pinking cap on and register your interest and your fundraising ideas to julie.griffiths@blacktown.nsw.gov.au or call her on 0448 725 473
Together we can make a huge difference and support locals facing this dreaded diagnosis.
National Safety and Quality review
BLACKTOWN and Mount Druitt hospitals
(BMDH) have received a strong accreditation result following assessment against the national healthcare standards.
All NSW public hospitals undergo regular assessments from the Australian Council of Healthcare Standards (ACHS) with independent assessors surveying hospitals against eight National Standards to ensure it is upholding the National Safety & Quality Healthcare Standards.
The assessors met with patients, staff, and volunteers to form their view.
BMDH General Manager Brad Ceely was delighted with the outstanding results, a credit to the hard work, dedication, and passion from all staff.
“I’d like to acknowledge and thank all the staff for their hard work in the lead up to accreditation,” Brad said.
Our teams worked together and showcased the incredible work they do each day in delivering safe and high-quality patient care.
“These results really speak for themselves. I know how hard everyone works and I couldn’t be prouder of all the teams,” he said.
The assessment team commended the hospitals on its leadership and staff’s awareness and involvement in quality improvement activities that are enhancing patient experiences, along with the hospital environment and cleanliness across both campuses and the strategies embedded to ensure care for the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders community is supportive and welcoming.
The District’s Executive Director Quality and Safety, Professor Peter Hockey added his congratulations for the results.
“I would like to add my thanks to all the BMDH staff and the leadership team for the hard work and commitment they have demonstrated to delivering high quality care.
This accreditation result is a culmination of much effort over a prolonged period of time, and staff should feel proud of their work to support our patients and community.
“
Congratulations to the Blacktown and Mount Druitt hospital teams on this fabulous outcome.
Mount Druitt human rights advocate named 2024 Outer Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year
UTS Honours student and human rights advocate
Patricia Tolentino from Mount Druitt has been named the 2024 Outer Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year for her exceptional contributions across various community-focused volunteer roles.
Patricia was recognised recently at St Marys Band Club as part of the 2024 NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards. Recipients in other Outer Western Sydney regional award categories were also announced, including young, adult, senior and volunteer team of the year.
The NSW Volunteer of the Year Awards celebrate the work of thousands of individuals and volunteer teams from a diverse range of organisations across the state.
The Awards are hosted by The Centre for Volunteering, whose mission it is to promote and support volunteering across NSW.
Outer Western Sydney Young Volunteer of the Year: Patricia Tolentino from Mount Druitt
Patricia has leveraged her expertise in research to provide skilled volunteer support to organisations such as The Big Lift, Amnesty International, Yung Prodigy, the SOUL Accelerator Program at UTS and the Australian Red Cross. Patricia volunteers with The Big Lift, a program which mobilises university students to undertake community assistance projects across NSW. As a campaign support worker at Amnesty International, she has played an active role in assisting refugees in need of support.
Outer Western Sydney Adult Volunteer of the Year: Kittu Randhawa from Glendenning
Kittu volunteers with the Indian
(Sub-Continent) Crisis & Support Agency at Glendenning, where she provides guidance to vulnerable individuals facing barriers such as cultural differences, language challenges, social conditioning, family pressures, and mental health issues. Her experience in writing reports for courts and immigration services, along with her multilingual background, equips her to understand and help distressed members of her community to find suitable assistance.
Outer Western Sydney Senior Volunteer of the Year: Derek Whorlow from Kings Langley
Over decades of dedicated volunteering, Derek has made substantial contributions to the safety and well-being of the Outer Western Sydney community. His skilled support and leadership across various organisations, including Marine Rescue NSW Hawkesbury Unit, NSW Rural Fire Service Kenthurst Brigade, St John Ambulance NSW, Blacktown Scouts, and Probus, have left a lasting impact.
Outer Western Sydney Volunteer Team of the Year: Foodbank Warehouse Volunteers
The Foodbank Warehouse
Volunteers team contributed over 4,500 workdays during 2023, playing an essential role in delivering food services to communities across NSW and the ACT. Their efforts have helped Foodbank to provide more than 20 million meals to a growing number of community partners and schools, whilst staying active and connected to like-minded individuals in a supportive team environment.
The Centre for Volunteering CEO Gemma Rygate said:
“These awards recognise the exceptional effort of volunteers across Western Sydney. Whether it’s in the local sports club, in health care, education and cultural centres, legal support or emergency response, volunteers are essential for the ongoing health and viability of local communities.
“It’s important for volunteers across Western Sydney to know that their commitment is recognised and valued.”
The Awards are supported by Principal Partners the NSW Department of Communities and Justice and ClubsNSW.
The NSW Minister with responsibility for Volunteering, Jodie
Harrison said:
“Congratulations to the recipients of the Outer Western Sydney Volunteer of the Year Awards.
“Thank you for the incredible contributions you make to NSW and your local community.
“Volunteers are the lifeblood of our communities, and the NSW Government is pleased to be partnering with the Centre for Volunteering to recognise volunteers and the valuable role they play in making NSW the best state to live and work in.”
ClubsNSW CEO Rebecca Riant said:
“The awards are a tribute to the vital contributions made by volunteers across the state. Volunteers are the backbone of the NSW club industry, and their efforts are crucial in uplifting local communities.
“We’re delighted to have a special Club Volunteer of the Year Award category, and I can’t wait to see who takes home that honour.”
The Outer Western Sydney award recipients will be invited to represent their region at the Gala State Ceremony in Sydney at the end of the year, where the NSW Volunteer of the Year will be announced across each category.
Experts say affordable childcare could transform labour and wealth inequalities
EXPERTS from Western Sydney University’s Centre for Western Sydney say universal childcare would be a game-changer when it comes to tackling the labour and wealth inequalities that persist across Western Sydney.
Commenting following the release of the Productivity Commission’s inquiry report, ‘A path to universal early childhood education and care’, Dr Angela Smith, postdoctoral research fellow, said this report provides a much-needed pathway towards universal early childhood education and care (ECEC), which is a barrier for low-income families to access childcare.
Dr Smith explained that a lack of accessible and affordable early childhood education and care services has made most of Western Sydney a childcare ‘desert’.
“We welcome the report’s acknowledgement of the geographical inequities in the availability of childcare. These ‘childcare deserts’, such as those in Western Sydney, constrain parents’ ability to fully participate in the workforce, with labour force participation rates and income levels for women in Western Sydney lagging behind those in the city’s east,” she said.
Dr Rhonda Itaoui, Director of the Centre for Western Sydney, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the need for culturally safe and inclusive ECEC services.
“It’s not just about access to childcare but also the need to make early childhood education
and care inclusive, flexible and culturally safe which is particularly relevant for Western Sydney communities. We therefore welcome the inquiry’s recognition of the importance of cultural safety for families from diverse backgrounds, particularly the recommendation for growing the bicultural and bilingual ECEC workforce to support cultural safety for communities such as those in Western Sydney,” said Dr Itaoui.
Dr Smith, Dr Itaoui, and co-author Professor Kate Huppatz, researched women’s labour force participation in Western Sydney as part of their Unlocking Women’s Potential: Labour force participation in Western Sydney report released earlier this year.
Their research mapped the geography of women’s participation in the workforce, revealing that labour force participation for women in Western Sydney is 65 per cent, compared to 75 per cent for the rest of Sydney.
The researchers highlighted that childcare deserts are a geographical barrier contributing to women’s inability to fully participate in the workforce, with labour force participation rates for women in Western Sydney lagging behind national averages.
Foodbank Warehouse Volunteers Patricia Tolentino
Parklea welcomes officers at third graduation for 2024
AWRESTLING coach, a bus driver and an IT support technician are among 13 people who have switched careers to become officers at Parklea Correctional Centre.
The nine men and four women have been welcomed into the corrections fold at a swearing-in ceremony at the Western Sydney prison.
Parklea Governor Wayne Taylor said he was pleased to swear in the third class of graduates this year, meeting MTC’s commitment to ongoing recruitment to ensure a safe, decent and secure facility.
“It gives me great pleasure to welcome new officers into the corrections family, as I’ve found my 35 years in the industry to be a very rewarding career,” Mr Taylor said.
“As an important public service, corrections provides stable employment with opportunities for advancement in the various areas that are essential to the running of a prison.
“Correctional officers play a vital role in keeping the community safe and help reduce reoffending, yet they are often overlooked, as they are not as visible as other frontline staff.
“Today enables us to shine a light on the work they do to protect the community and help reduce reoffending.”
Mr Taylor said the nine men and four women graduates were as diverse as the community they will serve, coming from various occupations, different cultural backgrounds and ranging in age from 19 to 59.
“We attract people from all walks of life and from a wide range of career backgrounds, as we don’t require previous experience in corrections and training is provided through our 10-week preparation course.
“For people who are looking for a challenge, corrections offers a unique workplace in a dynamic environment where no two days are the same.
“It also provides an opportunity to serve the community and make a difference to the lives of the men in our care by employing MTC’s decency and respect principles and BIONIC (Believe it or Not I Care) philosophy.
“I’m delighted to welcome our new officers into the Parklea family and I look forward to working with them.”
All recruits undergo MTC’s 10-week Initial Training Course. The rigorous program covers subjects such as policies and procedures, deescalation and use of force tactics, mental health and general first aid. Trainees also participate in simulated search and emergency response exercises and weapons training.
MTC is recruiting for more officers now. To apply to become a correctional officer, go to: www.mtctrains.com.au/careers
Parklea has been operated by MTC Australia on behalf of Corrective Services NSW since 2019.
Early Childhood Education and Care recommendations
ASSOCIATE Professor Jennifer Skattebol leads a program of early childhood research focused on the experiences of children and families in contexts of economic (and related) adversity, on services that address their needs and on early childhood systems and policy. She is an experienced early childhood teacher and has strong links with industry. She has worked extensively with government and non-government bodies on questions about how service systems might better meet the needs of these young Australians and their families. She is a member of the Work and Family Policy Roundtable and involved in invitation only consultations with the Productivity Commission (PC).
“Accessible high-quality childcare and preschool education is important for educational and economic equality. While successive Australian governments have invested in the Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) system and inched towards a universal system, persistent inequalities in access and the quality of care remain. The children who stand the most to gain from high
quality ECEC are still the ones most likely to miss out because of affordability, lack of cultural fit with their homes, and uneven distribution of high quality services. There has been a lot of anticipation about the Productivity Commission’s report into early childhood education and care. We have seen the NSW and Victorian
governments ramp up their investments and provide 30 hours a week of playbased learning for all children in the 12 months prior to primary school. The federal government has supported a 15 per cent wage increase for ECEC workers tied to a condition which limit fee increases for families. There is still much more to be done.”
“Our research with services and families on low incomes was conducted in areas which are considered childcare “deserts” – a term that denotes there are more than three children aged four and under for each place available in childcare. Research findings from the ARC funded project, Engaging Families in Early Education, highlight the complex work needed to ensure accessible, and meaningful early childhood education to families in high poverty contexts in the light of the Productivity Commission’s promise of universal ECEC.”
“The current system not only has problems with availability but also with inclusion, flexibility and cultural safety. In high poverty areas, there is a need for lower child/staff ratios, better physical environments, tailored professional development and the capacity for local staff to gain credentials while working. The PC recommendations will deliver on some but not all of these critical system improvements and the process of building system capacity will be slow.”
223 Salvos need volunteers in NSW ahead of natural disaster season
THE Salvation Army Emergency Services (SAES) are calling on the community of New South Wales to sign up and become a Salvos volunteer, helping them to support thousands of first responders and survivors of natural disasters each year.
The Salvos need volunteers ahead of the upcoming disaster season to help their teams, during a disaster, provide meals and refreshments to first responders and evacuees, bedding and material needs for displaced community members, and a listening ear for those who have experienced the disaster first-hand.
SAES teams have a long and credible history supporting Aussies during natural disasters for over 130 years, including support during tragic disasters in New South Wales like the 1997 Thredbo Landslide, 2019 Black Summer bushfires, and the 2022 floods.
In the past three years alone, across the country, SAES teams have distributed over 390,000 meals and refreshments and supported over 80,000 people, all of which wouldn’t have been possible without the 51,000 volunteer hours completed by over 8,500 incredible volunteers.
“Whether it be fire, flood, earthquake, cyclone, or any number
of other disasters, the Salvos will be there for the long haul, which is why we are looking for passionate, dedicated people who would like to sign up and volunteer to support people doing it really tough during a natural disaster. Whether it is cooking and serving meals, chatting to evacuees, administration support, maintenance and much more, all these roles are vitally important in ensuring we can best support those
who have experienced a disaster,” said Norm Archer, SAES NSW Response Coordinator.
“However, this volunteer role is also a serious one, so we encourage people to consider it thoughtfully. The process to become a volunteer is thorough, as we want to ensure we find the right people for the role. So please, consider signing up as a volunteer with the Salvos. You will make a profound difference.”
The application process for becoming a SAES volunteer is designed to ensure the team has the right mix of skills, experience and passion so we can support those in need. For this reason, the process includes the submission of a resume, screening questions, a phone interview, references and a police check.
If accepted, volunteers would undertake online training modules to learn the appropriate skills for the role. Then, if a disaster hits, volunteers may be contacted and mobilised to the disaster site (volunteers within a close proximity to the disaster are contacted first).
“Being a volunteer for The Salvation Army Emergency Services in NSW not only makes a huge difference for people doing it tough in a disaster, it also is extremely rewarding. It gives people the opportunity to give back at a time when communities are shattered, often unexpectedly. When people see The Salvation Army, they see a place of friendship and hope, and that is what you are able to bring to people as a volunteer with us,” said Norm.
To sign up as a volunteer for the Salvation Army Emergency Services, or for more information, visit www.salvationarmy.org.au/ emergency-services/
Mount Druitt Hospital volunteer wins esteemed award
MOUNT DRUITT Hospital
Supportive and Palliative Care Unit Volunteer, Mary Vincent of Western Sydney Local Health District has been awarded the Chifley Woman of the Year Award at the 2024 Coral Mclean Awards.
The awards recognise the contribution of women in improving the lives of people throughout western Sydney and the Chifley federal electorate.
Mary received this accolade for the care she provides to people living with a life limiting illness and their families and carers.
After being presented the award by Federal Minister for Water and Environment, The Hon. Tanya Plibersek, Mary humbly attributed the win to her dedicated colleagues.
at the Mount Druitt Supportive and Palliative Care Unit for eight years, with her commitment and valued contributions an inspiration across the District.
As a keen member of the community, Mary was first inspired to become a palliative care volunteer after her own lived experience with losing loved ones.
and Palliative Medicine, Dr Katherine Allsop explains.
Palliative care can be challenging for all people, including new volunteers which is why Mary’s work in imparting her knowledge and skills as a ‘volunteer buddy’ is so valued by the team.
and gentle soul who has brought her special presence to so many individuals and families during her time volunteering.”
Mary volunteers to provide comfort and support in sensitive and respectful ways including hand massages for patients, caring for gardens, supporting music therapy and pet therapy, and sewing padded bags for patients to carry medical equipment, helping them feel confident when in public.
We are a close group of people who enjoy working together, it is great teamwork, and this award is an acknowledgement of that and representative of the entire team.
Mary Vincent
“
Living in western Sydney for over 50 years after emigrating from Ireland in 1970, Mary has been volunteering
Because of this, Mary has a strong empathy and compassion for others facing a life-limiting illness and navigating health services.
This compassion is on display through the care she provides as District Staff Specialist, Supportive
“We have had more volunteers coming onboard and so you become a buddy because you can start off quite hesitant and so it is kind to help give them that confidence,” said Mary.
District Palliative Care Volunteer Manager Kylie Clark stated, “I am so pleased that Mary won this award, as she is such a quiet, humble
Mary is a beautiful soul who can never do enough for the team. Her commitment to the women of western Sydney and enhancing their lives shines through in Mary’s generous acts of kindness to every patient and carer she comes into contact with in her role as a Palliative Care Volunteer. Katherine Allsop
“
It has been a wonderful experience; I think volunteering in palliative care is very rewarding. In the Palliative Care Unit, because of the nature of the work, people are a lot kinder to each other and have more appreciation and understanding for other people.
Mary Vincent “ “
The enduring connection that Mary establishes with patients, families and carers across the District has strengthened the culture of the palliative care service and her generous support provides an invaluable impact throughout western Sydney.
Western Sydney student lifestyle activist program celebrates 20-year anniversary
THE power of collaboration is central to the success of the Students As LifeStyle Activists (SALSA) program, which recently marked its 20th anniversary at Rooty Hill High School.
This milestone event celebrated the collective efforts of the many dedicated individuals and organisations that have contributed to the program’s growth and success over the past two decades.
Originally developed through a collaboration between Western Sydney Local Health District (WSLHD), Mt Druitt Medical Practitioners Association and Rooty Hill High School, SALSA was designed as a peer-led leadership initiative to address chronic health issues related to obesity.
What began as a grassroots effort has evolved into a dynamic movement that has positively impacted students’ lives across 48 high schools in western Sydney and internationally in countries like Jordan, China, and Vietnam.
The program’s reach has recently expanded to include schools in the Northwest of NSW, reflecting its ongoing growth and success.
The anniversary event was not
only a celebration of SALSA’s achievements but also a moment to honour the memories and shared experiences that have shaped the program’s journey.
The event featured a beautifully crafted video by teacher Ben Diaz, voices from the community including students, health, and education professionals, and a spectacular student performance.
As a mark of recognition, schools that have been involved in the SALSA program for over eight years received certificates, whilst those with a decade or more of participation were honoured with trophies.
These moments highlighted the enduring commitment of those who have been part of this impactful initiative.
One of the original drivers of the program, Kathy Steward, past Head Teacher PDHPE at Rooty Hill High School and current Principal at Coomealla High School, shared a heartfelt message reflecting on the early days of SALSA.
“It’s hard to believe that 20 years ago, a few meetings between a doggedly determined Smita Shah and a PDHPE faculty would result in a successful collaboration to last for 20 years and into the future.”
Hindu princess (4)
Pocket (5)
East Indian tree (4)
Rhododendron (6)
Difficulty (8) 13. The start of a beard (8) 15. Cantankerous (6) 17. Investigator (7)
Inert medication (7)
Feverish (6)
A type of fine leather (8) 26. It produces convulsions (8) 28. Cited (6)
Mountain pool (4)
Smita and I quickly identified common ground and a passion for developing peer leaders as influencers, long before influencers were even a thing!
Kathy Steward “
These reflections serve as a powerful reminder of the impact that a shared vision and strong partnerships can have in achieving lasting success.
As SALSA looks to the future, exciting initiatives such as trademarking the SALSA program and logo, and the creation of a SALSA plushie, are in development.
These developments signify not only the program’s growth but also its ongoing commitment to making a difference in students’ lives.
The 20th-anniversary celebration of SALSA is a testament to the program’s enduring impact and success.
“It is the best health program I have ever seen in schools. I have been in schools for over 25 years, and this is simply an amazing peer-led program—one of the few that actually works,” one attendee said.
To learn more about the SALSA program and how you can be part of its future, go to https://peru-programs. sydney.edu.au/program-salsa/
Heath (5)
Goddess of discord (4)
A genre of popular music (4)
Purification of the blood (8)
Narcotic (6)
Noblewoman (7)
A very dark grey color (8)
Invented the lightbulb (6)
French Sudan (4)
Home (5)
Jewish teacher (5)
Busied (8)
20. Client (8)
Molting (7)
Ability (6)
Japanese plum (6)
Beseech (4)
Wickedness (4)
PPhillip Parker King
By Lyn Forde – President/Research Officer of St Marys & District Historical Society Inc.
HILLIP was a naval officer, hydrographer and company manager born in December 1791 at Norfolk Island. The son of Philip Gidley and Anna Josepha King (née Coombe). Phillip sailed for England in the “Britannia” with his parents in October 1796. When his father left England in November 1799 to become Governor of New South Wales, Phillip was placed under the tuition of Reverend Burford in Essex and in 1802 he was nominated to the Portsmouth Naval Academy. In 1806 his father had granted him 660 acres on the South Creek near Rooty Hill and Governor Macquarie had given him another 600 acres. He had 850 cattle, 40 horses, 1800 sheep, 100 pigs and some forty men employed on his property. By November 1807 he entered the navy in the “Diana”. He became a midshipman and served for six years in the North Sea, the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean where he was promoted Master’s Mate in 1810 and later Lieutenant in February 1814. Matthew Flinders a friend of the family interested him in surveying and introduced him to Captain Thomas Hurd a hydrographer to the Admiralty who gave him careful training. In 1817 the British Government decided that the restoration of peace made it most important with as little delay as possible to explore part of the coast of New Holland that had not been surveyed or examined by Captain Flinders and Lieutenant King was appointed to do this, but before he departed Phillip married Harriet the daughter of Christopher Lethbridge of Launceston in Cornwall. He arrived at Port Jackson in September 1817 on the “Dick” with instructions from the Colonial Office to Governor Lachlan Macquarie that he was to be provided with the most suitable vessel and a carefully chosen crew. The 84-ton cutter “Mermaid” was bought for £2,000 and the expedition sailed from Sydney in December with a complement of nineteen that included Allan Cunningham, John Septimus Roe and Bungaree an Aboriginal. By sailing King George Sound they reached the Northwest Cape where the survey began. Phillip had been instructed by the Admiralty to discover whether there was any river likely to lead to an interior navigation and the Colonial Office asked him to collect information about climate, topography, fauna, timber, minerals and the natives with the prospects of developing trade with them. In February 1818 in the Pilbara region of Western Australia he named two islands near the Burrup Peninsula as a result of the friendly meetings the explorers and Bungaree had enjoyed with the resident Yaburara people. From February until June 1818 the expedition surveyed the coast as far as Van Diemen’s Gulf and had many meetings with Aboriginal and Malay people and in June the “Mermaid” visited Timor and then returned to Sydney by the way they had come, arriving in July. In December and January Phillip surveyed the recently discovered Macquarie Harbour in Van Diemen’s Land and sailed in May 1819 for the Torres Strait. He went on to survey the coast between Cape Wessel and Admiralty Gulf. He returned to Sydney in January 1820 where in Sydney Cove the “Mermaid” was careened (careening is a method of gaining access to the hull of a sailing vessel without the use of a dry dock). They re-coppered and caulked and then immersed it for several days to destroy the cockroaches that infested the ship,
but both cockroaches and rats soon reappeared. Only two of the former crew volunteered to sail again and a new crew was formed, this time including a surgeon. The “Mermaid” sailed north in June 1820 and at Bowen they ran aground and suffered a lot of damage. Surveys were made between Admiralty Gulf and Brunswick Sound on the north-west coast, but in September the ship began to leak badly and it was careened and ten days were spent repairing it. Phillip then left the coast and sailed to Port Jackson and after a narrow escape from being wrecked off Botany Bay he arrived on 9 December. Phillip made his fourth and final survey in northern Australia in the “Bathurst” that carried a complement of thirty-three and in place of Bungaree Phillip took Bundell another Aboriginal,. The “Bathurst” sailed from Sydney in May 1821 by way of Torres Strait to the north-west coast. After a visit to Mauritius for rest and refreshment the “Bathurst” resumed the survey of the west coast. Phillip arrived back in Sydney in April 1822 and by July he sought permission to buy additional land at Rooty Hill but Governor Sir Thomas Brisbane offered him instead a grant of 3000 acres. On those four voyages he made significant contributions to Australian exploration by establishing the insularity of several islands, by investigating the inner geography of many gulfs and by giving the first report of Port Darwin. When he reached Sydney he was ordered to return to England with his ship. In April 1823 he reached England in poor health and thought of retiring to his Australian estates. In 1824 Phillip became a shareholder in the newly established Australian Agricultural Company with a capital of £1,000,000 and a promise of 1,000,000 acres in NSW. He was appointed to the Australian Advisory Committee together with John Macarthur, his son James, his son-in-law Dr James Bowman and his nephew Hannibal who was Phillip’s brother-in-law. Phillip is now recognized as one of Britain’s leading hydrographers and in February 1824 he was made a fellow of the Royal Society. In London in 1826 he published his two-volume Narrative of a Survey of the Intertropical and Western Coasts of Australia, Performed Between the Years 18181822 and partly illustrated by his own sketches. In May 1826 he sailed in command of HMS “Adventure” along with HMS “Beagle” to chart the coasts of Peru, Chile and Patagonia. This arduous task lasted until 1830. There were narrow escapes from shipwreck and they were under great strain. When the expedition returned to England in October 1830, Phillip was promoted to Captain and was suffering from poor health and was seriously ill in November 1854. In 1855 he was promoted Rear Admiral on the retired list. On the evening of 26 February 1856 he dined on board the “Juno” as the guest of Captain S G Fremantle. He was put ashore and walked to his home in North Sydney where he collapsed at the gate in an apoplectic fit and died at the age of 75 years. He is buried at St Mary Magdalene cemetery, St Marys. His widow Harriet died at Ashfield in December 1874 at the age of 78 years and is buried with Phillip. Painting of Phillip Parker King courtesy of National Archives.
Sources: Australian National University Canberra, Australian Dictionary of Biography, Historical Records of Australia, State Library of New South Wales, Australian Royalty website.
IT’S BUSINESS AS USUAL…
ALEX SONCINI
AWhat is an “alt” doc home loan and how can it help me?
N alternative documentation loan (alt doc) or a low documentation loan (low doc) are mortgages that can be taken out using different sorts of paperwork to the kind needed for a full documentation (full doc) loan. Self-employed borrowers, who can find it difficult to provide standard documentation as proof of their income, often use these sorts of alternative loans.
The low down on alt doc loans
Once upon a time, a ‘low doc’ loan was just that: a mortgage that could be taken out using less documents to get it. But, after the global financial crisis (GFC) and the tightening up of lending rules that came after it everything changed.
After the GFC in 2008 the introduction of National Consumer Credit Regulations in 2009 changed how low doc loans could work. One of the most important parts of it was that a lender can’t lend to a customer unless they (the lender) have met what are called the ‘lender’s responsible lending obligations’.
This means that today every loan must pass a test that says the borrowers are in a position to manage their loan repayments. As a result of this rule, low doc loans became quite a lot like regular full documentation loans. The main difference
being not the amount of documents but the type of documents that can be used as evidence to satisfy a lender’s loan suitability and credit assessment criteria. That’s why they get called Alt Doc.
If, for example, you can’t provide up to date tax returns, some big non-bank lenders will consider that you can provide alternative income documents to support your loan application. When they assess your ‘Alt Doc’ application some of the things they will look for are:
• Has your business been ABN registered for at least 6 months?
• Has your business been GST registered for at least 6 months?
• Business Activity Statements (BAS)
• Bank Account Statements
• An Accountants Letter.
Of course, different home loan products need different levels of supporting documentation. For this reason, the best thing to do is to talk to us. We’ll go through the income verification documents you do have, talk to you about what the options are and work with you to find a home loan provider that meets your needs.
If you’d like more information on alt doc loans talk to us today about how we may be able to put you in touch with a lender that can help if the major banks say ‘no’ to your loan application. Contact Alex on 0419 600 177 for advice to help you navigate the loan market for self-employed borrowers.
Disclaimer: The data, information and commentary provided in this publication is of a general nature and opinions expressed in this publication are those of the relevant contributors and should not be construed as specific advice or relied upon in lieu of appropriate professional fax or financial advice. The original content source is from Pepper Money. It is designed for publication through Accredited Brokers. The information in the article is believed to be reliable at the time of distribution, but neither WealthWiz nor its accredited brokers warrant its completeness or accuracy. For information about whether a nonbank loan may be suitable for you, call us on 0419 600 177.
NSW Junior Polo Team selected to play South Island
BY NOEL ROWSELL
WINDSOR
Polo Club
junior members James ParryOkeden (18 years) and Piper Trickett (15) have been chosen in the NSW Junior team which will play South Island (NZ) at the 2024 Junior Championships
Piper comes from a riding family; her Mum is an Eventer and her Dad a Polo player. She has been riding since she was 4 and has developed a love for Polo. Piper has been lucky to play in New Zealand and won the Ellerson 8-Goal Final earlier this year, where she was awarded the MVP of the game.
James was a member of the NSW U/21 NSW touring team to South Island, NZ in 2022 and has been listed in the Australian U/21 squad in 2020, 2021 and 2022. He is a winner of the Winten Cup in 2022 and 2023, playing with Giddiup and AZ Polo, and is a member of both Windsor and Arunga Polo clubs.
The NSW Polo Association and the NSW Junior Selection Committee (Anto White, Tom Martin, and Muz Easton) congratulated Cody Grimes, Lucas Grimes, James and Piper on being selected to represent NSW, with the match to be played at Scone Polo Club on 19th October.
NSW Juniors - Cody Grimes (Captain / Ellerston Polo Club) 3-Goal rating, Lucas Grimes (Ellerston Polo Club) 1-goal, James Parry-Okeden (Windsor Polo Club) 1-goal, Piper Trickett (Windsor Polo Club) 1-goal.
The South Island team is Ed Davidson 2-Goal ranking, Tom Turner 2-Goal, Max Dormer 0-Goal, James Reid 0-Goal).
Kurri Burri Polo Club hosted their Spring tournament over 20 - 22 September, with 24 teams competing across 4 grades.
The full list of winners are: 12 Goal - Arunga (Chris Daily, Adam Tolhurst, Dylan Jones, Bautista Panelo) defeated Town & Country 9-6. 6 Goal Pool ACutcliffe/Team Tibra (Paul Cutcliffe,
Tim Berry, Adam Meally, Bautista Panelo) defeated The Pines 7.5-5; 6 Goal Pool B - Kurri Burri (Jackson Marshall, James Parry-Okeden, Adam Marshall, Sam Hopkinson). defeated Killarney 9-5; 2 Goal Pool A - TRFD (Mike Barker, Jack Raval, Ant O’Leary, Ric McCarthy) defeated Artarmon Mazda/Wilfin 4-3; 2 Goal
Pool B - Bella Polo (Pete Martin, Jess Martin, Rowena Rainger, Shannon Booth, Guy Higginson) defeated The Table Club 9-6; Subzero - USYD Polo (Estee Dabbous, Ben Malden, Colt Kahlbetzer, Toby Goodman) defeated both Killarney Orange and Kurri Burri Green in a round robin.
Best Pony: 6 Goal – ‘Nouille’, played by Bautista Panelo, owned by Andrew Williams; 12 Goal – ‘Vein’, played by Jake Daniels, owned by Peter Huston.
The next two weekends in the Hawkesbury are packed with Polo action, featuring the Countess of Dudley Cup and Hector King Trophy, along with the Killarney 2-goal, 0 and Subzero and the Sir Phillip Charley 6-goal.
The draw and further details can be found on the NSW Polo website / FB page, Windsor Polo club website / FB page and the Polo Matchmaker FB page.
Local golfers fall short at NSW Open Qualifier
AIDEN Didone (VIC) has won the NSW Open Golf Qualifying Series event at Wollongong Golf Club, beating Jeffrey Guan (NSW) in a sudden-death playoff, after the pair had finished locked together at -9.
Didone matched the course record of seven-under-par 63 in his second round, with the previous record having only been set a day earlier by Day One leader Jayden Cripps.
Coby Carruthers (Jordan Springs / Concord GC) and Kade Webber (Stonecutters Ridge GC) were both in contention early on Day Two but bogeys at the end of their respective rounds stifled their chances at victory.
Coby shot 69/66 to finish 5-underpar in a tie for 13th position, whilst Kade shot 66/72 to finish 2-under-par in a tie for 30th spot.
Big Swing Golf / Drummond Golf
Penrith touring professional Josh Clark was just off the pace on Day One, shooting a 1-over-par 71, but an improved score of 2-under 68 on Day
Two elevated him from 88th spot to finish in a tie for 37th.
In additional golf news, Stonecutters Ridge GC junior representative Savannah Webb has been named the
Western Sydney Academy of Sport ‘Golf Athlete of the Year’.
Savannah is also a member of the Stonecutters Ridge team which finished runner-up in this year’s Eric Apperly Shield Pennant competition and competes regularly in the JNJG Tour.
Savannah was also the best performer from western Sydney at the 2024 JNJG North Coast Junior Masters, which was played at Forster and Tuncurry golf clubs over 21-22 September.
Savannah finished in 3rd place outright and 2nd place in 14/15 Years Girls, with Jessica Fog (Penrith) in 8th position outright and Marie-Claire Domingo (Stonecutters Ridge) 10th. Matthew Fullerton (Richmond / Lynwood CC) was the best of the local Boys, finishing 9th outright and 6th in the 16 Years & Over Boys, ahead of Riley Stasiuk (Penrith) tied 45th and Ethan Schempp (Dunheved) 56th.
BY NOEL ROWSELL
Savannah Webb. Photos courtesy of David Tease / Golf NSW and WSAS
Kade Webber
Piper Trickett
James Parry-Okeden
James Parry-Okeden (front rider) in action during the 2023 Windsor Annual.
Photo by Noel Rowsell
Blacktown City season ends in style
BLACKTOWN City Senior Men and Women celebrated the 2024 season in a Gala Presentation Dinner at the Hudson Hotel. Players, Coaches, Officials, Sponsors and Friends of Blacktown City enjoyed a festive night where all Senior Players were awarded their jerseys and the teams announced their Players/Player Awards.
Senior Women’s Coach, Michael Hawthorne, outlined his plans for season 2025 to achieve the club’s goal of NPL 1 status within the next two years. His Youthful Under 20 squad was well supported by the Senior Women.
Host for the night and Blacktown City Head of Football, Mark Crittenden, was full of praise for the 2024 season, particularly the finals appearances of all three Women’s Youth Teams. The championship for the Under 16 Women was a first for the young Blacktown
fill multiple positions through the year that led Major to the 2024 award.
Special tribute was made by former Captain and current Blacktown City Director, Luke Roodenburg, to Head of Football Mark Crittenden. Halfway through the 2024 season, Coach Crittenden chalked up his 400th game coaching the Senior Men at Blacktown City FC. An amazing feat given the consistency and culture Crittenden has instilled in the club. Coaching 409 games for the club, it is rare indeed for any coach to achieve such a feat at a Senior level at the one club. It almost was not to be as the story was told Coach Crittenden was on shaky ground three games into his Senior tenure for poor results.
Blacktown City FC now prepares for the 2025 season. Construction is underway at Landen Stadium for new Changerooms courtesy of a previous grant for the NSW Office of Sport!
Go Blacktown City!
Matt Lewis Medal - audience
MC and Head of Football Mark Crittenden.
Blacktown City Senior Women.
Blacktown City Under 20 Women.
Travis Major accepting the Matty Lewis Medal for 2024.
2024 Men’s Team. Photos by Speed Media.
City girls programme, playing in only the third season.
The Senior Men were presented their jerseys and TJ Burnie was awarded the Players/Player award by his peers. Captain and 2023 Matty
Lewis Medal recipient, Mario Shabow, awarded the 2024 Matt Lewis Medal to Travis Major. Over 30 rounds of the competition a number of players polled well week to week, but it was the consistency of play and ability to
Luke Roodenburg acknowledging Mark Crittenden 400+ Senior games Coaching at Blacktown City!
BY BOB TURNER
SMSP hosts Roll Racing State of Origin
ROLL Racing is the latest form of Motorsport event to hit Australia and has created a cult following when it is held at Sydney Motorsport Park (SMSP).
Catering for a recreational Motorsport customer who likes to drive their car fast and have fun in a safe and controlled environment, the concept is you race one other vehicle, beginning with a rolling start.
You set off from the marshalling point in the first area to reach a speed between 40-50kph, then once the lights turn from orange to green, you both race along the front straight to the finish line about 3000m away to see who has the quickest car, then you can return back to the marshalling area and you can race someone else and keep going all night.
Father and son Keith and Neil Lewis created the concept in QLD in 2011 and it became an overnight success, leading them to begin operating in NSW, SA and WA with the same concept.
Once the formula had proved successful, the introduction of a State of Origin night between NSW and QLD drivers was the next logical step, introducing increased rivalry between owners / drivers.
The pit garages and support car parking bays are a story in themselves, with some extraordinarily rare and expensive machinery on show for an adoring
bunch of fans, who probably spend as much time day-dreaming over the exotic machines in the car park as they do watching the action on the track.
Friday night saw a record number of Nissan GTRs in the field, along with the previous round winner, a Lamborghini, whilst a few Exotic cars like the McClaren Senna, 458 Italia Ferrari and others shone out in the car park.
The secret to Roll Racing is not necessarily having the most horsepower, the biggest tyre or fattest wallet (although all those things help), it’s to have a well set up car that can get the power to the ground and use it correctly.
At the Queensland events some of quickest cars have been 400hp Corolla’s, 500 HP Rotarys and VL Commodores, which are all have extremely well set up street cars, with the owners driving to the Roll Racing events and driving home - true street cars.
Roll Racing is open to all types of vehicles, from domestics, imports and super cars all battling it out under lights to see who really has a fast car.
The next event at SMSP is on Friday 25th October tickets can be bought at rollracing.com.au
Tim Hodge wins Swimming Australia Paralympic Swimmer of the Year Award
TIM Hodge (Kings Langley) has won Swimming Australia’s Paralympic Swimmer-of-theYear award, after claiming his maiden individual gold in the Men’s 200m Individual Medley SM9 in Paris.
Hodge also won gold as part of Australia’s triumphant 4x100m Mixed Medley Relay team (34 points), and also collected silver in the Men’s 100m Butterfly S9.
Kaylee McKeown’s historic feats in Paris have also received a fitting accolade, winning the Olympic Swimmer-of-the-Year award.
McKeown became the first Australian to win four individual Olympic gold medals, winning gold in the Women’s 100m Backstroke and 200m Backstroke events, thereby becoming the first swimmer to successfully defend Olympic titles in the two events.
McKeown, who also won a silver medal and two bronze in Paris, was given the honour as Australia’s joint flag bearer at the closing ceremony.
Moesha Johnson won the Open Water Swimmer of the Year award, after capturing a silver medal in the Women’s 10km Marathon Swim in Paris. She also competed in the pool in the Women’s 1,500m Freestyle.
Swimming Australia’s chief executive Rob Woodhouse lauded the trio at an awards function in Sydney on Saturday 14th September.
“They (Hodge, McKeown, Johnson) have withstood the pressures of international sport at its fiercest, but it is not only how they finished on the podium but how they competed,” Woodhouse said.
“I am not sure perfection is attainable but if we chase perfection, we catch excellence and these three are among the very best.”
BY NOEL ROWSELL
State of Origin winner Tony (QLD) with his Nissan GTR MR35.
A packed house at Friday night’s State of Origin - photos supplied by David Northey.
BY NOEL ROWSELL
Tim Hodge on Swimming Australia Awards night.
Photo courtesy of Josh Woning / Swimming Australia