Western News 28 April 2023

All aboard the Nurragingy Miniature Railway

Blacktown city has celebrated a fantastic new family attraction with the offiicial grand opening of the Nurragingy Miniature Railway in Doonside.

The railway is nestled in the bushland of Nurragingy Reserve, between Currawong and Cockatoo Picnic Areas. It is open to the public on the third Sunday of each month, from 10am to 3pm.

Saturday’s grand opening marked the completion of the project’s second stage, following the unveiling of stage 1 in 2019.

Blacktown City Council has worked in partnership with the North Western Model Engineers Inc. to design and construct the railway since 2016.

Blacktown city Mayor tony Bleasdale oaM said the project wouldn’t have been possible without the dedicated efforts of many volunteers.

“The Nurragingy Miniature Railway has been a labour of love for many volunteers over the past 7

years,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

wet weather to complete the second stage of this marvellous project.

“This railway has been built thanks to the incredible talents and knowledge of the North Western Model Engineers, many of whom have backgrounds as engineers, diesel mechanics, station masters and train drivers.

“Together, they have built a fabulous new attraction for people of all ages in Blacktown City and beyond.

“Council has been very proud to partner with North Western Model Engineers to create this fun and educational attraction for everyone in the community to enjoy.”

The railway’s latest additions include a 300-metre track extension and supporting structures and buildings, which include a train station, ticket booth, signal box, carriage storage shed and steaming bays.

It’s Showtime in Blacktown City!

the much-loved Blacktown City Festival is back, promising a spectacle of food, culture and entertainment during 2 weeks this May.

The Festival will run from 13 to 27 May, with the popular Medieval Fayre and Banquet, Outback Blacktown Country Music Festival and Streets Alive and Parade Day being some of the highlights.

The full 2023 Festival program is now live, with more than 20 events for people of all ages.

Blacktown city Mayor tony Bleasdale OAM said the Festival was the centrepiece of Blacktown City’s annual events calendar.

“There will be something for everyone at the 2023 Blacktown City Festival, with this year’s festivities expected to be the biggest yet,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“We will celebrate in every corner of the City, commencing with the

“Since the soft opening in 2019, the team at North Western Model Engineers battled a bushfireridden summer, COVID shutdowns and persistent Riverstone Festival on Saturday, 13 May.

“Our favourite event, the Blacktown City Medieval Fayre, will transform Nurragingy Reserve back to the Middle Ages. Travel back in time with roving entertainment, market stalls, medieval jousting, combat displays and more.

“We will see you in the Nurragingy Reserve parkland for the Outback Blacktown Country Music Festival, featuring some of Australia’s bestknown country musicians, including Adam Harvey and Gina Jeffreys.

“The 16-day Festival will go out with a bang with the Streets Alive and Parade Day, which will celebrate Blacktown City’s diverse communities with a colourful street parade, live performances and market stalls.

“I extend a warm invitation to you, your family and friends to come and celebrate with us the many events that

up the 2023 Blacktown City

The Festival also features the Lots of Laughs Comedy Night, Drag Trivia, a Seniors Gala event featuring Lorenzo Rositano, and a new event, the Cena Italiano food market on the Village Green.

For all Festival details and to secure tickets visit: blacktown.nsw.gov.au/ festival

Event details

Anne Frank Exhibition - 13 May- 28 May, Max Webber Library, Blacktown, (Refer to trading times)

Mervyn Bishop: Celebrating one of Australia’s most prolific photographers - 13 May- 28 May, leo kelly Blacktown arts centre (Refer to trading times)

Riverstone Festival and Parade - 13 May, Mill Street Reserve, Riverstone, 9am- 3pm

Street Vibes - 13 May, Blacktown Showground, 11am- 4pm

Blacktown Historical bus tours13, 17 and 19 May, Meet at Bowman Hall, Campbell St Blacktown, 9am3pm

Outback Blacktown Country

Music Festival - 14 May, Boronia, Nurragingy Reserve, 11am-4pm

Pinot and Picasso - 17 May, Bowman Hall, 6pm- 8pm

Drag Trivia - 18 May, Bowman Hall, 6.30pm- 8.30pm

LOL Comedy Night - 19 May, Blacktown Workers Club, Doors open 7pm for 8pm start

Blacktown City Medieval Fayre - 20 & 21 May, Nurragingy Reserve, 10am - 4 pm

Medieval Banquet - 20 May, Colebee Centre, 6.30 pm

Seniors Gala: Lorenzo and Friends - 23 May, Bowman Hall, 10am- 12 noon

Kangaroo Beach Kids Concert24 May, Bowman Hall, 10.30 am and 12.30pm

Cena Italiano food market - 25 May, Village Green, 5pm-9pm

A fusion of Korean dance and music - 26 May, Bowman Hall, 10am- 12noon

Sorry Day Ceremony - 26 May, Colebee Centre forecourt, 4pm

Blacktown City Streets Alive and Parade Day - 27 May, Blacktown CBD, 9 am- 4 pm

The Nurragingy Miniature Railway is open to the public on the third Sunday of each month.

The Streets Alive and Parade Day will bring colour and culture to the Blacktown CBD.

The Outback Blacktown Country Music Festival will return to Doonside, with toe-tapping entertainment from some of Australia’s best country artists. make

Festival.”

COOEE Festival at Mount Druitt Town Centre Reserve

On Saturday 15 April 2023, police from Mount Druitt Police Area Command, assisted by the Aboriginal Engagement Team, Mounted Unit, and Traffic and Highway Patrol Command, attended the 2023 COOEE Festival at Mount Druitt Town Centre Reserve.

Last held in 2019, the return of the event was warmly welcomed, and was a fantastic opportunity to bring the community together to celebrate Aboriginal traditions, culture, dance and history.

Acting Superintendent Samuel Nelson said with almost 3000 people in attendance, the event was a huge

success and a good opportunity to strengthen relationships with those who attended.

“We’ve received very strong

positive feedback about our attendance at the event, and overwhelming praise from event organisers,” A/Supt nelson said.

“I’m proud of our teams for representing the organisation in such a positive way, by engaging, sharing and celebrating with all who attended.”

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The MonTevideo Maru

By TOMAS (PADDY) HAMILTON

How easy to forget, the slaughter that raged here

For what was once a place of peace, became an abyss of fear

One thousand Aussies drowned, in a torrent of utmost hate

Some said it was an error, some said it was their fate

Taken aboard as prisoners, after the fall of Rabaul

Their names now etched in history, on a heroes’ wall

The cursed slaves of Nippon transferred to Hainan

To work until their bodies quit, they were a close knit band

The Sturgeon lurked deep below and saw the rising sun

Four torpedoes on their way, the fury had begun

For those trapped inside, their prison became their pyre

Our greatest naval loss, caused by friendly fire

Bodies, bruised and broken, they sang “Auld Lang Syne”

Voices soon muffled, by the salty brine

No pity for the victims, when will the madness end?

War’s common riddle, that foe is now our friend

The guilty have long since passed, no one knows their name

Lost in the oblivion, shielded from their shame

For all their atrocities, no one would stand trial

The common denominator, the silence of denial

Humans of the Hospital: John Timotheus

“I

“This is my passion – I want to see

“My

“Being in a very fast-paced environment with the Blacktown Acute Care team, no two days are the same. Presentations can vary from early teens to late ages – clients right from 12 years old through to 88 years old.

“Ours

“Mental health is the biggest elephant in the room at the moment, given the fact that medical technology is improving, and people’s longevity is extending, so the only thing that stands out is the mental impact for the ageing population.”

Blacktown City Council unveils sandbagging machine for flood-affected residents

Blacktown city council has unveiled its new sandbagging machine, providing a helping hand for residents during flooding emergencies.

the machine will be used in partnership with local nSw SES units and Parklea correctional centre, with the jail providing the manpower to produce sandbags for nSw SES volunteers in times of need.

the $90,000 machine can produce up to 750 sandbags an hour and will greatly expedite the usually labour-intensive process.

the machine will help council and the nSw SES best prepare for future flooding events, with sandbags to be produced 2 to 3 days in advance of major forecasted rainfall.

Blacktown city Mayor tony Bleasdale oaM said the sandbagging machine was a vital resource for Blacktown city following several years of major flooding events.

“Our City has been greatly impacted by flooding disasters in recent years, so it is essential our local nSw SES units have the equipment they need to minimise the impacts of flooding on residents and their properties,” Mayor Bleasdale said.

“last year, council determined to acquire a machine that would enable us to speed up the generally slow and arduous process of producing sandbags.

“During previous flooding events, Council has supplied sand to Blacktown and Mount Druitt SES for volunteers to manually prepare sandbags.

“this new machine will not only make this process faster, it will also make it safer for volunteers, and due to the mobility of the machine, it can easily be towed to where it is needed.

“I thank the nSw SES for their input and Parklea correctional centre for their ongoing support.”

nSw SES local commander alan Rollinson said the new machine will be an asset for the community, following a year of record rain and devastating floods, which saw the agency receive nearly 27,000 requests for assistance.

“In the past six months, more than two million sandbags have been issued to residents across the state. It is a community effort to build resilience against storm and flood emergencies, so this machine is crucial in empowering people to protect their homes and livelihoods,” Mr Rollinson said.

Parklea correctional centre acting Governor Brian Gurney said the prison had worked with the council on several projects and the sandbag initiative was another way to help the community.

“a key priority for us at Parklea is reducing reoffending and projects such as these enable inmates to give back to the community and they enjoy helping out where they can,” Mr Gurney said.

“It also provides them with meaningful work and gives them a sense of pride that they have been able to make a contribution, particularly in times of natural disasters, such as floods.”

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM, Deputy Mayor Julie Griffiths, NSW SES Local Commander Alan Rollinson, NSW SES Deputy Zone Commander Metro Daniel Kenner, Parklea Correctional Centre Overseer Community Projects Abdul Lawal, Council’s Manager Civil Asset Maintenance Surinder Aneja and volunteers from Blacktown and Mount Druitt SES with the new sandbagging machine.

Blacktown City Mayor Tony Bleasdale OAM, Deputy Mayor Julie Griffiths and NSW SES volunteers test out the new machine.

Daphne raising funds and awareness for MND

One of the stand-out vehicles on show at the Diesel, Dirt and turf expo over the weekend was a 1954 Chevrolet pickup truck, which was first spotted on a farm in the Us and later brought to australia.

the Chevrolet, named ‘Daphne’, is the latest vehicle (6th in total) to be restored and raffled to raise funds for Motor neurone Disease research and Me Foundation by australia’s largest transport and logistics specialist insurer, nti

Over the past 5 years, nti has raised more than $1.5 million for MnD research and CeO tony Clark said he was thrilled to announce the organisation’s latest vehicle.

“Daphne is a ‘hot lava orange’ pickup truck, built with a 1954 Chevrolet Cab Over engine body, on a 1969 Chevrolet C-20 Pickup chassis,” said tony.

“Whilst the truck might be mid-century, she’s got modern features, including a 460hp Lt1 Chevrolet Performance engine.

“Daphne was found on a farm in the Usa and

purchased by a young australian working there. its original owner was supportive of the re-sell, once she’d heard about how it would be restored and raffled for the MND cause.

“Our commitment to raising funds for MnD research comes after nti’s former CeO Wayne Patterson lost his battle with the disease in 2018. We established the official NTI MND Research Grant to help fund research into treatment and to ultimately find a cure.”

nti’s 2023 truck restoration has been made possible by generous donations and General Manager Marketing for GM aust and nZ Chris Payne said they were excited to be teaming up with nti and Matt stone Racing on a vehicle for a fantastic cause.

“For many years Chevrolet Performance Ls crate engines have been the logical choice for builders of special project vehicles like this one. this project truck is a terrific example of how the latest generation Lt engines can now be used to provide big horsepower and incredible reliability, and really make it a special prize to help bring attention to MnD research,” he said.

Matt stone of Matt stone Racing said it was an added bonus that such a fun project was for a good cause.

“Our biggest contributing factor has been the time and the effort that’s gone into getting the work done and getting the truck built, juggling that with our busy racing schedule,” Matt said.

“it’s a great project to be involved in, with a lot of work in a short amount of time, but thankfully we come from a motorsport background, so that’s something we’re used to. “Partnering with the nti crew, who are very passionate about both the cause and the project, meant that it was something exciting to be involved in.”

the truck was displayed at the national Diesel Dirt & turf expo at sydney Dragway, then will be displayed at Motorex (Melbourne, 6-7 May), the 2023 Brisbane truck show (18-21 May) and Cooly ‘Rocks On’ Festival (Gold Coast, 7-11 June).

The raffle will be drawn at the NTI Supercars Round in townsville in July. tickets and terms and conditions can be found at www.raffletix.com.au/ ntimndresearchraffle2023

‘We remember those who died in battle, and share the sorrow of those who mourn them’: Anzac Day services across Western Sydney Local Health District

Patients, staff and executives have commemorated anzac Day this year with powerful services held at Western sydney Local Health District (WsLHD).

Crowds gathered outside auburn, Blacktown, Mount Druitt and Westmead Hospitals on Monday, 24 April to mark the significant event; a blanket of silence rippling across those gathered during compelling renditions of the Last Post.

With guests including members of the armed forces, RsLs and local community childcare centres, wreaths were laid to honour those who have given their lives to keep us safe.

“anzac Day is a time when we remember the australians and new Zealanders who suffered in the great tragedy of war,” Blacktown and Mount Druitt Hospitals General Manager, Brad Ceeley said.

“We remember with pride their hope, passion and comradery.

“not only do we honour the memory of those who have died in battle, but we share the sorrow of those that have mourned them – all of whom have been victims of armed conflict.” speaking at the Blacktown Hospital

service, the hospital’s Catholic Chaplin, sister Rita apura, urged those gathered to reflect on the tooshort lives of those who have died in conflict, and the sacrifice they made.

“the young servicepeople who have died are unable to speak here today,” she said.

“nevertheless, they are heard in remembrance services like this.

“they speak to us in the silence –they say to us: ‘We were young and happy then. We have died – please remember us. Our deaths are not ours, they belong to you and only you can give them meaning.’”

By Noel Rowsell

Daphne - a 1954 Chevrolet Pickup Truck.

Matt Stone, CEO of Matt Stone Racing, Jane Milne, CEO of the MND and Me Foundation, Don Geer, Special Projects at NTI and Dr John Lee, MND Research at the University of Queensland and 2023 NTI MND Research Grant Recipient.

Financial Training Lab sets students up for success

Western sydney University’s school of Business has launched a state-of-the-art training facility that will help students further develop real-world skills in financial investment and funds management.

the Financial training Lab – which emulates a real trading floor – is the first of its kind in the Parramatta CBD and will further support the school of Business as the leader of financial education in Western sydney, complementing the development and growth of data-intensive subjects in financial technology.

the facility features 40 terminals where students will be able to work in teams of five using data provided by global financial data company, FactSet, to make informed and responsible investment decisions and portfolio management in a simulated environment said Professor Amir Mahmood, Dean of the school of Business.

“this bespoke facility will provide students with an enhanced understanding of what it means for companies to list and trade in various futures and to attract capital through public offerings, developing their practical skills in different scenarios,” said Professor Mahmood.

“As part of the initiative, students will have the opportunity to create their own portfolio of simulated investments and will be able to track that set of investments over time, comparing their performance to their peers as well as track it against industry benchmarks.”

It

collaboration with government and community organisations who are looking to support the financial literacy of disadvantaged groups.

Parramatta resident and PhD candidate Junxin Chen is one of the students who will use the facility as part of his learning.

“the University has provided many resources to help me with my research and the Financial training Lab is another useful resource. It provides a realtime financial database, such as FactSet, which can help students understand the real-time operation of the global financial market and provide them with real-world experience,” said Junxin.

“the lab provides relevant training to help students understand what kind of capabilities they need to develop for their future work. It is a platform for students, financial analysts, researchers, and people from the community to communicate, which is beneficial for students’ career planning and career development.”

Western Sydney community urged to vaccinate as flu season begins in NSW

nsW Health is urging the community to book in for their influenza vaccine as the state’s flu season has now begun, with the latest data indicating influenza notifications have continued to increase.

More than 1,200 people in nsW were diagnosed with influenza during the past week, 9 April to 15 April, a 13 per cent increase compared with the previous week.

At the same time, there was also an increase in the number of people who presented to nsW emergency departments with influenza-like illness and required admission to hospital – the greatest increase has been in children.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant said now is the time to book in for your influenza vaccine.

“everyone six months and older is recommended to get a flu vaccine and these are available through GPs for any age group, as well as through pharmacies for everyone aged five years and over,” Dr Chant said.

Priority groups include:

• Children aged 6 months to under five years

• People aged 65 and over

• Aboriginal people from 6 months of age

• Pregnant women

• Those with serious health conditions such as diabetes, cancer, immune disorders, obesity, severe asthma, kidney, heart, lung or liver disease.

Flu and COVID-19 vaccines can be given at the same time.

All adults can get a 2023 COVID-19 vaccine booster if it’s been six months or longer since their last COVID-19 booster or confirmed infection (whichever is most recent) for additional protection against severe illness from COVID-19. More advice on COVID-19 booster vaccines can be found here.

We can all take steps to help protect ourselves and our loved ones from COVID-19 and flu, including:

• Stay up to date with your recommended flu and COVID-19 vaccinations

• Stay home if you have cold or flu symptoms

• Wear a mask in crowded, indoor places

• Get together outdoors or in large, well-ventilated spaces with open doors and windows

• Wash or sanitise your hands often

• Talk with your doctor now if you are at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 or influenza to make a plan about what to do if you get sick, including what test to take, and discussing if you are eligible for antiviral medicines

• Don’t visit people who are at higher risk of severe illness if you have cold or flu symptoms or have tested positive to COVID-19 or influenza.

• Take a rapid antigen test to test for COVID-19 especially before visiting vulnerable loved ones.

More information on Influenza can be found at www.nsw.gov.au/health/influenza

In particular, we want to remind priority groups that the flu vaccine is free and readily available – so please, book in today to give yourself the best possible protection from severe illness that can be brought on by influenza.

Located at Western sydney University’s Peter shergold Building, the facility will enhance the school of Business’ teaching, research, and community engagement activities.

will also be available for private sector enterprises seeking to upskill their staff as well as

Western Sydney specialists volunteer time

A group of innovative Western Sydney Local Health District specialists are volunteering their own time to help fill a nationwide gap in adult care for Australian adults in with complex disabilities, trialling a “one-stop-shop” hospital clinic that provides life-saving routine checks for free.

Dr Peter Smith set up the “onestop-shop” clinic in 2020 alongside rehabilitation physician Dr Rummana Afreen, after noticing people with complex disabilities were turning up in emergency departments with otherwise preventable conditions.

For some patients, the clinic utilises what is known as opportunistic sedation which allows patients with cerebral palsy (for example) to tolerate botox injected into their muscles to help relieve muscle stiffness.

While under, several other health professionals provide routine tests such as blood work, dental checks, scans, eye tests, ear checks, urine and bowel assessments to ensure patient health. In one case, 17 different specialty areas were involved in the care of a patient.

“Adults with severe physical and intellectual impairments are extremely vulnerable people and can present with complex health conditions that require specialised support.

“For some people with a disability, things like transportation to hospital, GP follow-up and access to specialist services may be difficult, so ongoing surveillance of blood tests, radiological procedures, dental welfare, podiatry needs, skin checks, ear nose and throat procedures, and any number routine procedures become very difficult.

“This is why services like the onestop-shop model are so beneficial to patient care.”

At the Children’s Hospital at

Westmead, clinic services such as this one already exist, but once patients turn 18 it becomes difficult to tell parents where their children (now adults) will be treated.

So far the Westmead Hospital based clinic is only running on a very limited and trial basis.

NSW Health currently provides Specialist Intellectual Disability Services (IDHS) across the state with NSW Health IDHS comprising of six specialised clinical teams which provide a comprehensive, multidisciplinary health assessment and care plan for people with an intellectual disability and complex health conditions across NSW.

The difference between the IDHS service and the one-stop-shop model is that Dr Smith’s led model is in a clinical environment, so it creates greater access for those with a disability.

“We think this would be one practical way to improve the quality of life for disabled people with disability,” explained Dr Afreen.

“We also believe that sedating any person for painful procedures, particularly in the context of someone who prima facie cannot understand the nature of their treatment, is quite simply the right thing to do.”

Both doctors would like to see this clinic model became part of mainstream practice.

“The results of the trial will be presented shortly and hopefully, the results will speak for themselves and create an example for other services and demonstrate what you can achieve without additional resources,” said Dr Afreen.

“We have a long way to go yet, but this is my hope.”

CROSS WORD

ACROSS

1. Gleaming (8)

5. Steel and brass, for example (6)

9. Renounce (8)

10. Groups of 8 (6)

12. Leaves (5)

13. Retinue (9)

14. Australian (6)

16. Young women (7)

19. List of names at the end of a movie (7)

21. Elaborate (6)

23. Tautness (9)

25. Chain link or barbed wire (5)

26. Preferences (6)

27. Constructing (8)

28. Select (6)

29. Sheets and blankets (8)

dOwn

1. Contraptions (6)

2. An establishment (9)

3. Fees (5)

4. Lack of sophistication (7)

6. Expulsion (9)

7. Sporting venue (5)

8. Apprehensiveness (8)

11. A distinct part (4)

15. Rapidity (9)

17. Annex (9)

18. Rapturous (8)

20. Spotted (4)

21. See (7)

22. Condescends (6)

24. Zest (5)

25. Confronted (5)

We saw an opportunity to provide a centralised approach to patient care, said Dr Smith.

“

Dr Peter Smith

Zahara with her father Fadel Alnadaf

Mamre Road

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

In the nepean Times in September 1889 a letter appeared regarding Mamre Road with the signature W.R.B. St Marys saying that it appeared that a feeling of gladness overwhelmed your representative owing to an extra maintenance man put on Mamre Road to fill in all the pot holes, thereby making the road in as good condition as it possibly could be, and on reading the item the writer was filled with gladness as well and in order to test the accuracy of this statement he proceeded in the direction of this famous quagmire but his feelings were doomed to disappointment as certainly some of the holes had been filled in, but with what? Caked mud! He discovered that since the filling in had taken place the dray wheels assisted by the late showers had rendered the road as bad as ever and he came to the conclusion that your representative was easily pleased, but he had no business to mislead Government officials by giving publicity through the medium of your paper saying that wretched road can be repaired and placed in good condition by the assistance of an extra man and an unlimited supply of mud?. P.S. Can anyone inform the public what has become of the grant for this road for the last two years? Oh Dear. We travel on 32 years to a St Marys Council Meeting when Alderman Johnson moved that tenders be called for scarifying, grading and rolling Mamre Road and Queen Street from McKenzie’s Bridge to the station. In supporting his motion Alderman Johnson said the work would cost £450 but Alderman Millen said that the cost would be over £4,000. There was considerable discussion, and the motion was withdrawn upon the understanding that a further motion was to be placed on the table at the next meeting because it would probably deal with the proposal to borrow sufficient money to repair these roads. In May 1922 a deputation consisting of Mayor Alderman Brooker and the Town Clerk Mr Wrench of St Marys, the President of the Luddenham Progress Association Mr Fryer, and the Secretary of the nepean Dairy Company Mr Tilghman went to the Local Government Department with a view to urging that Mamre Road be declared a main road and brought under the provisions of the new act to be introduced. Mr W R Fitzsimons M.L.A., introduced the deputation that was received by the Under-Secretary Mr John Garlick in the absence of the Minister Mr Fitzpatrick. It was said that no road between the southern and western systems (except that from Bathurst to Goulburn) received State aid and a strong point was made of this coupled with that of the large area of land eminently suitable for closer settlement. It was put forward that the St Marys-Badgery’s Creek-Luddenham district with decent access was potentially capable of becoming one of the leading dairy centers of the State and was producing 700 to 800 gallons of milk per diem and, by joining forces, especially with the backing of a road specialist like Mr Fitzsimons there was a reasonable probability of having something done. The Under-Secretary promised to place the matter before the Minister and future developments would be awaited with interest. By September the St Marys Council received a letter from the Department of Main Roads who deemed it “Not of Sufficient Importance.” The letter from Mr J Garlick said that with regard to a recent deputation to the Minister asking that Mamre Road from Luddenham to St Marys be proclaimed as part of a main road to serve as a connecting link between the main South Coast road and the main Western Road, and careful consideration had been given and from the report that was obtained it would appear that the road referred to is merely a feeder to the main Western Road or to the railway at St Marys

and is not of sufficient general importance to justify a proclamation as a “main road” and in the circumstances the Minister regrets that he cannot see his way to depart from the decision already conveyed to the council that the application cannot be acceded to. In a June meeting of St Marys Council in 1923 a letter was received by Mr Fitzsimons from Honorable E H Farrar Minister for Labor and Industry which read: “With regard to representations made by you for a grant to the Municipality of St Marys, I have to inform you that approval has now been given by the Commonwealth Government to a grant of £500 for the re-construction of Mamre Road, running from St Marys railway station in a southerly direction towards the Liverpool and Luddenham roads, subject to the council entering into a formal agreement with the Minister for Local Government and (the council) conditionally expending an equivalent amount upon this road.” In reply to a question by Alderman Brell the Mayor Alderman Brookes said that they had made it clear to the Minister that council wanted to employ their own local men and no action was taken until receiving further information. By August 1925 the Council was still dealing with the matter of having the LuddenhamSt Marys-Windsor Road scheduled as a main road and by May 1930 still nothing had been done and Mamre Road was in a state of “Rotten”. The St Marys Aldermen were not at all impressed with the work the Main Roads Board performed on Mamre Road some time ago and according to Alderman Hope it was a rotten piece of work and the Board needed to do it over again, and to proceed with the work in reconditioning the Llandilo and Mamre Roads the Mayor Alderman Irwin said that the roads were going to pieces and would have to be built up and needed scarifying and dressing and Alderman Hope moved that the Board be informed again that it was a rotten job from the start. The cost of reconditioning Mamre Road was £397/7/6. The total interest due to the Board from the Council in this amount over a period of 20 years was £125/3/11 and the annual instalment to be £6/5/2.

Sources: Nepean Times Saturday 14 September 1889 - Cumberland Argus and Fruit growers Advocate Saturday 24 December 1921Nepean Times Saturday 20 May 1922 - Saturday 9 September 1922Saturday 2 June 1923 - Saturday 29 August 1925 - Saturday 10 May 1930, Trove.

 Photo on Mamre Road 1900’s from Society’s files.

Key questions home buyers should ask themselves to find their property

Alex Soncini

EvEry home buyer is unique and has different priorities when it comes to finding their dream home. But it can be near impossible to find a property that ticks all your boxes, and it’s also easy to get distracted by a new or renovated home, incredible views, closeness to your favourite place, beach or cafe.

So, how can a buyer stay focused on the core elements of a property and a neighbourhood that can’t be easily changed, but will have an enduring impact on the lifestyle and finances after you move in?

1. What mortgage repayments can I comfortably afford?

Most often everyone wants a more expensive property than their budget allows, regardless of whether they have $600,000 or $6 million to spend.

To avoid budget blow-out, buyers need to determine what their maximum budget is and what their preferred budget is. One needs to review and know what the resources are available to them if they were to lose their job or something else happened that affected their ability to earn an income.

Calculating your borrowing power is an important part of applying for a home loan that can be as simple as using an online borrowing power calculator. Lenders typically determine borrowing power by considering factors such as the size of your deposit, your income, and any ongoing financial commitments.

Everybody loves to dream big but try to stay within your capabilities. Knowing the amount of money, you have and expect gives you a clearer perspective of the process before you

start looking at homes. It’s up to you to figure out what are your goals and prioritise.

2. Do I want a house, a townhouse or an apartment?

Buyers can be adamant about their preference for dwelling-type and with Australia running low on housing, you may have to compromise between dwelling type and other aspects of your life.

Your strategies will depend on your choice:

• do you want an established home?

• or do you want to build/renovate one to your taste?

An established home is more likely to have social amenities surrounding it. These are parks, churches, shops, transport, and even neighbours. So, if it is social entertainment you want, you’ve got it. On the other hand, you can like the environment but not the home, so you need to renovate. Check out the feasibility of renovation before getting knee-deep.

Many buyers have a mix of prerequisites, for example a big block for their kids to play on and want to be within walking distance of a train station. Some buyers want an innercity apartment to be close to bars and restaurants.

One major item to consider whether the property you’re buying is a short or long-term strategy. Their will be life changing situations as for instance, if you’re a young couple looking at apartments and you don’t want to move once you have children, you’ll need to think beyond the requirements of two working adults and size.

A lot of buyers will find it difficult

to fast-forward into the future.

3. How do I spend my free time?

If you spend most of your free time curled up on the couch with a book, that couch can be in a home located almost anywhere. But if you’re a gym junkie, a foodie or a parent of active young kids, you’ll probably be looking for nearby amenities to make your weekends more relaxing.

The trick is to figure out where you spend most of your free time.

Is it at the park? The local cafe? The gym or aquatic centre? Exploring bush trails? Playing golf? Visiting art galleries and museums? Will the kids need soccer or netball clubs, karate or dance classes?

Some of us need space for hobbies at home while others make good use of local facilities. Make a list of your must-haves and use it to narrow down your preferred location.

4. Do I need to be close to schools, work or public transport?

A short commute to school or work comes down to two main factors, access to public transport and the distance you live from school and work hubs. Access to public transport tends to be a priority for many buyers no matter if they are a owner occupier or investor.

Travelling to work by each day can be very time consuming and no one wants to be in a car for an hour each way. Many want convenience and everything at their doorstep to enjoy living and lifestyle.

If you’ve got school-aged kids, living close to your will limit your options as you review the local school catchment areas and the boundaries for your property search.

5. Do I need to be close to my network of family and friends?

If you’re not hunting for a home close to friends and family, as your mum helps with looking after the children, or you look after your elderly parents. There are plenty of reasons we choose to live close to our family and friends.

The more distant and disconnected you are from your family and friends will impact your assessments on where you live from being in a country town to living in the city.

6. Is convenience the key?

Its hard to imaging living without any convenience and the affect on your daily life.

Who does not want to be close to work, school, family, parks, beaches or public transport?

We move towards what’s most convenient most often.

In many cases people know what they want and have difficulty prioritising their needs. This can cause stress in deciding the qualities for your lifestyle and change your perceptions of what you want versus what you need.

7. Seek advice

From upfront buying costs to taxes, mortgage applications, interest rates and settlement requirements, there’s a lot of information to review and appreciate before making any big decisions.

Speaking with a mortgage broker can help you understand the buying process, get your finances in order and find the right home loan for your circumstances, contact Alex today on 0419 600 177 or email to alex. soncini@wealthwiz.com.au.

Magnificent Seven undefeated In Pennant Season

Seven western Sydney golfers have maintained undefeated match-

play records in 2023, following the completion of the Metropolitan Men’s Major Pennant and the Women’s Grade Pennant competitions.

Western Sydney’s star group in the Men’s ranks was led by Coby

Hodges Surges to 7-shot Victory in Murray River Junior Masters

By Noel Rowsell

WeSTeRn Sydney junior Blake Hodges (erskine Park / St Dominics College / nSW GC) has taken out the 2023 JnJG Murray River Junior Masters, which was held at Howlong GC on 20-21st April.

Blake, who is also a member of both Dunheved GC and Twin Creeks GC, shot a handy 71 on Thursday to hold a 1-shot advantage on the leaderboard overnight, then was the only leading male player to maintain his form over the second round, edging away from the field for an impressive 7-shot victory and the title.

It was just as impressive a win for Blake in his Age Group, where he won by a staggering 17-shot margin over his closest rival.

Blake’s next JnJG Tour event will be at the north Coast Junior Masters, which is being held at Kew GC over 6-7th May.

Carruthers (Jordan Springs / Concord GC) in Division 1, along with Harrison Wilde (Stonecutters Ridge GC), Jeremy White (Twin Creeks GC) and Dillyn Burazin (Dunheved GC) in Division 2, Ti Fox (Richmond

GC) in Division 3 and Will Hoven (Glenmore Heritage valley GC) in Division 4.

In the Women’s Grade Pennant, Mikayla edwards (Penrith GC) also went through undefeated.

Hawkesbury Cup draws huge crowds

A HuGe crowd celebrated a fantastic day of racing and entertainment at Hawkesbury’s 18th stand-alone Hawkesbury Cup meeting.

Hawkesbury Race Club Chief Executive Officer James Heddo stated “We have been able to offer a complete package of high-quality racing, as well as plenty of off-course entertainment, which has been embraced by the local Community.

“What was most pleasing was that many of our on-course patrons were new customers and families, who are generally unable to attend racing at Hawkesbury at a midweek meeting due to work commitments. This is in line with Racing nSW’ strategy of attracting support from the younger generation, who can be introduced to racing by attending these exciting racing events.

“Hawkesbury Race Club will now work with Racing NSW to explore any opportunities to add to an already impressive racing program.

“The Hawkesbury stand-alone meeting was established in 2006 and continues to go from strength to strength. I look forward to now working with Racing nSW to add to the program, with a race that will not only enhance our racing but offer horses coming out of the world class Championships Racing Carnival more options to continue their racing campaigns in nSW.

“Hawkesbury Race Club looks forward to working in partnership with Racing nSW to implement any positive changes that enhance opportunities for nSW participants.”

By Noel Rowsell

Blake Hodges (Erskine Park) in action at the JNJG Murray River Masters. Photo courtesy of JNJG

Harrison Wilde (Stonecutters), Dillyn Burazin (Dunheved), Ti Fox (Richmond). Photos by Noel Rowsell

Vale – Graham Crawhall

By Bo B Turner

The entire Football NSW family was deeply saddened to hear the news of the passing of one of the game’s most loved and adored members, the legend known as ‘GC’, Graham Crawhall.

Graham commenced his football career in the community Club of Greystanes FC; a member club of Granville & Districts Soccer Football Association.

he served Greystanes in a variety of executive roles before linking up with his best mate Mark Crittenden as team manager of Greystanes’ State League team, who would later award Graham with Life membership for his outstanding contributions.

Graham left his role with the Commonwealth Bank to join Football NSW in the mid-1990s, working in the competitions department for approximately ten years until his retirement.

During this time, Graham was well known for his professionalism and support of member Clubs.

At the same time, Graham undertook the role of team Manager for Blacktown City FC, a role he filled for the past 13 years, whilst also undertaking administrative duties over the last 11 seasons.

Whilst at his beloved Blacktown City, Graham was always seen as the popular father figure to many players, and the right-hand man to head Coach Mark Crittenden.

When Blacktown City went through a difficult financial time, he volunteered his time to assist the Club, and was deservedly awarded Life membership at the club for his outstanding commitment.

It was fitting that GC was to be awarded with the Charles Valentine Medal in 2022 for his commitment, passion, and dedication to the game he ever so loved.

Graham was a wonderful servant to our game, a friend to many players, and an all-round lovable person.

GC we will miss you mate; you will always be in our hearts and minds, and we will always remember

that smile you always seem to put on everyone’s face every time you graced your presence.

Football NSW wishes to offer its deepest

condolences to the Crawhall family, his wife Carol and kids Steve and Kym, may he rest in heavenly peace.

Western NeWs

Friday, 28 April 2023

Ti Fox wins Richmond Cup in playoff

By Noel Rowsell

Outstanding 14-year old junior representative

ti Fox (Richmond gC) has conquered a predominantly adult field to win the prestigious 2023 Richmond Cup, defeating Mitchell norbis (Lynwood CC) in a sudden death playoff.

a total of 116 golfers entered the Vardon event, with ti and Mitchell both shooting 2-under par scores on the magnificent Richmond course.

ti subsequently won the 1-hole playoff, claiming this year’s Richmond Cup trophy.

Luke arthur (Lakeside Camden GC) finished third in the event at even par.

Richmond Cup champion Ti Fox and 3rd place-getter Luke Arthur. Photos by Noel Rowsell (www.photoexcellence.com.au)